i hope you know it is ILLEGAL TO MAKE THREATS OF SHOOTING SOMEONE..

the post you made and your name email and ip address is being sent to the proper authorities..

so when someone does shoot at a hunter you can and will be held accountable

hey Mary rice you ignorant anti there are strict rules for waterfowlers which all of us have to abide by and we are no danger to your homes or children unless they are out swimming in the middle of the lake in the winter... some people.....scary

I know many think it's scary to be living next to Onondaga Lake at this time, but think of the residents who have to live next to Mary all year 'roun. Now that's scary !!!

You are an idiot. The state owns the lake. Period. Get over it.

Sherman, you are also an idiot.

Please educate yourself. The only ones that are killing the ducks with no meaning are those who think that feeding them human food and getting them to populate in an area are helping. Your opinion does not jive with fact.

Read this, shut your mouth, and know your role.

http://www.duckrescuenetwork.org/duck_care.html

Duck Hunters, Ducks Unlimited, and the DEC do more in one second to help conservation and waterfowl than you, torqued off, and the rest of the morons who have no clue about waterfowl hunting will do in their entire pathetic lives combined.

Once again, without the dec and those hunters, there wouldn't be any land or parks for YOU to enjoy. If anything, the hunters have MORE of a right to the land than the non-hunters, as they have paid more. Many of them then give even more money to Ducks Unlimited for more conservation help. What have you done besides complain about something that affects you in no way, shape, nor form?

Shooting bird shot over an empty lake with a radius that makes it difficult for a direct hit with steel shot to even kill a duck outside of 25 yards poses ZERO threat to anything behind the shooters. End of story. Next.

As for your asinine assumption that hunting teaches to kill indiscriminately, it does just the opposite. Which is why hunters are rarely ever involved in gun crime. Once again, the facts are the opposite of your uninformed opinion.

Hunting teaches an appreciation for life. It reminds you that you can die at any time. Hunters like me admire the animals they take, respect them, do it humanely, and are thankful for the hard earned food afterwards. They take pride in knowing that the helped the DEC regulate the population of animals to their well researched standards to help with conservation. They learn the different types of waterfowl and duck, identify them, and can share that knowledge with others. They photograph and provide some of the best artwork and pictures of nature that exist. They turn in the band numbers so that the DEC can do more reasearch on the ducks that have been banded. They pay an arm and a leg to do what would have to be done by government agencies if it wasn't allowed to be done by the hunters. They pay even more out of their own pockets willingly to independent organizations so that ungrateful and ignorant fools like you two can have parks to and wildlife not decimated by the affects of overpopulation and feeding to enjoy.

Get over yourselves. You are dead wrong, and your pretend moral high ground on a topic you know NOTHING about it pathetic.

How can ANY Hunter be SO STUPID as to think that they have ANY RIGHT to fire a weapon in such a populated area? And, yes, if you can see 100 cars from where you are, you are CLEARLY in a populated area.

Yes, most hunters think they have the "right" to kill, kill, kill, and that's fine -- but that's also why we have the wilderness. Take your lazy butts and go there!

There is too much shooting in the Syracuse area, and idiots like you hunters have made killing living things meaningless.

The town boundries clearly extend out into the lake, and the surrounding towns except Geddes have laws against discharging firearms within town boundries.

The hunters, DEC officers and local police are in violation of the law, and the officers involved and the hunters should be prosecuted and fired for not knowing or obeying local municipal laws.

Furthermore they should be charged with harassment for hassling the residents who tried to stop this shooting.

After this episode, I no longer am perplexed that anyone could appreciate Ice T's "Cop Killer" song. When law enforcement act like thugs, they should be dispatched like thugs. Having a badge doesn't mean you're not a criminal or scumbag.

This is great cyber scouting. Look for lots of boats and blinds tomorrow!

Is it safe?

I have challenged several people to find a recent example of a bystander being shot by a waterfowl hunter in this state. Nobody can respond to the challenge because it doesn't happen. It is safer than driving to the store.

The type of shot being used is relatively harmless unless fired directly at and extremely close to someone. Considering that the shots are going out over the lake, and up into the air, unless you and your kids are attached to a low flying kite over the water, you have nothing to worry about.

This is a non-story meant to stir up hate over a sport and group of people. It caters to the uninformed and the claims of it's lack of safety etc... are not backed up by facts and statistics.

They should be ashamed that they even ran this story. It is pushing an agenda and presenting a wonderful sport that actually helps conservation in a light that is the polar opposite of what it really is.

As for the people that want to whine about it, I ask again, please show us all the horrible waterfowl related deaths of innocent bystanders or close your mouths and admit you know nothing about what you are bashing.

You can,t be serious ..? I to am a tax payer as are you! Making us equal to our funds put forth to the DEC ,,and I (and all who hunt ) also puchase a hunting licenses and a Federal Migratory bird stamp to hunt in NYS and others .These costs average around 400.00 per year that I pay to have the DEC regulate and control animal populations (as well as supply hunting grounds such as the Parks and Recreations ). Unless you contribute more funds that you didn,t tell us about . Regulated Hunting saves the lives of all animals and controls the spread of disease. The cowardly killers are the unedjucated people with a loaf of bread feeding the ducks all summer . Congragating wildlife ,be it deer or ducks and geese by feeding them is against the law.So if you want to help wildlife support your DEC with a donation or go to the post office and purchase a Migratory Bird Stamp .But at the least go down the shoreline in the summer and edjucate the true murderers.If you people want a cute pet go to the SPCA and get a Cat or Dog ,save a animal ,,but be sure to get it neuterd or spayed . OOOO!! but that would be population and disease control!! Now who has dirty hands ,but its OK you payed someone else to do it.Just hide behind the butcher counter and talk like a fool ! I love unedjucated people they make me feel better about myself. Ethics were mentioned somewhere but they where thrown in the wrong direction ,? Well have fun in school ,I have to get ready to go hunting in the morning (hear the huntings good on Onondaga Lake ,I can,t believe someone let that cat out of the bag !!!!) They thought they heard shooting before!!

As an avid sportsman, I believe that the DEC has done a good job at managing where and when we can hunt - and how many ducks and geese can be harvested by each individual hunter.
People who do hunt and fish will agree; the regulations on any type of hunting or fishing are complex. Knowing where and when you can hunt or fish certain species, how many you may take of each species, or how many inches long must a fish be can be intimidating. Most duck hunters I know keep a copy of the Waterfowl Regulations on hand as NYS currently has 5 different zones for ducks, each holding 2 seasons within their respective zone. There are even more zones for geese, and these zones vary between the resident and non resident goose seasons in New York, which are held at different times during the year.
Now some are proposing that indvidual towns should hold jurisdiction over whether waterfowl hunters can hunt their percentage of shoreline on state owned water? What a nightmare that would be! And don't think that type of regulation wouldn't spread to all waters of New York State, from the Hudson River to Lake Ontario.
Please people, state owned waters are for the enjoyment of the residents of the state. When waterfowl hunters start purposely discharging their firearms behind them in the direction of homes, people or livestock then start complaining and I will stand and agree with you that they were wrong.
I have taken my kids out hunting with me since they were 4, and they still accompany me to this day. We get to spend time together without the distractions of TV, computers, video games and work. People can talk all they want about exposing their kids to the "horrors of hunting" but in all my years of hunting ducks and geese I do know one thing: I have never ever seen a drug dealer in a duck marsh.

I have read all of the posts about this topic...and frankly don't see a problem with the hunting. I, myself, went through the same thing a little over 10 years ago on Cazenovia Lake. I did my research and personally talked to the local DEC (Officer Chase) on the phone. We talked for a bit and the conclusion was...I was not breaking any laws.
It seems that those who complain about such matters have zero knowledge on the laws of Sportsman or what it takes to make such laws. The Department of Environmental Conservation doesn't just let anyone run around with a gun. There are particular laws that take care of that from our local Police Departments. I am sure between the two authorities...the people that are legal to carry a weapon cherish their "Right to Bear Arms" and those that don't have the "Right to Bear Arms", are more likely to cause the "Anti Onondaga Lake Duck Hunters" more problems.
Let's keep this topic in it's place and not start pointing fingers in ignorant places.
In conclusion...I would rather see people Duck Hunting than "Drug Dealing", "Bar Hoping", "Adultry"...and other more detrimental activities.
JMHO

After watching the 6 o'clock news I became even more confused. Town ordinances should not apply to water that belongs to the NYS and are regulated by the DEC.I hunted ducks on Ontario Lake in the city of Oswego and they also have a ban on firearm discharge policy. I actually had the Oswego police come check me out and they agreed with the DEC laws and left me alone. If they decide that town of Salina has the right to overrule DEC on the discharge of firearms over water I wonder what's going to happen to the State Fair side of the lake which lies in the town of Geddes that also has a ban on discharge of firearms. Granted, that side is less populated, but it just wouldn't be fair to hunt in the town of Geddes and brake that law, would it? What about the end of the lake by Carousel Mall, is that City of Syracuse? Are they going to impose their firearm discharge laws? In that case the entire lake would become unhuntable. What's next, Oneida Lake waterfront home owners are going to cry too? That is just ridiculous and I believe that it should just just be left the way it is. It's amazing how much stink one person can stir.

I watched everything on duck hunting at Onondaga Lake and all I hear is the officials talking about if it's legal..What about is is SAFE?! I walk with my kids around that lake and I have to worry about bullets flying at anytime in the day. What about safety, people freely walking around the park with guns--used for hunting ducks-these officials have a lot more to worry about than they think! ck

The town of Salina covers the Northern/Eastern half of the lake:

http://www.ongov.net/Board_of_Elections/images/salina.pdf

Town of Salina Municipal Code § 118-3:

No person shall, except in self-defense and when reasonably necessary for the protection of life or property, fire or discharge or cause to be fired or discharged any pistol, rifle, shotgun, longbow or any other type of firearm within the boundaries of the Town of Salina.

So stay out or face the consequences.

Hunters have been hunting Onondaga Lake for years now, I'm surprised that these anti hunting people did not open their mouth earlier. It's hard enough to find a place to go hunting for waterfowl, and now they have to kick us out of a place that we have the right to enjoy as much as they do. I personally hunted waterfowl on Onondaga lake a few times and I know that all the local ducks and geese hang out by the park most of the time, therefore, all the other migrating waterfowl tends to concentrate in that area. If nobody is shooting at them there, hunting on the other side of the lake pretty much sucks. Waterfowl hunting also depends on the direction or the wind, so sometimes hunters have to set up on the north side of the lake in order to be successful. So I hope the concerned neighbors understand and educate themselves about hunting laws and regulations and do not interrupt other hunters that are set up there. In addition, Canada Goose numbers are at a record high, and if we let them get out of control like we did with Snow geese, they will cause a lot more destruction to the parks and golf courses as well as farm fields.

yea and for the record us duckhunters dont hunt with a rifle ok there is a big difference in range of the shot then distance of a rifle's projectile which may travel up to a couple miles which could be very dangerous hunting a lake

Hey Brad Peterson, you have no clue to what you are even talking about.What do you mean by OUR parks,lakes,forests,streams etc? You and your fellow anti hunter liberals dont own any of the above mentioned places,they are for everyones use, including hunters,fishermen,trappers and any one else that wanta to use them.Who do you think these places get thier funding from? Hunting&fishing licenses,duck stamps etc.Hunters&Fishermen,Trappers are the backbone in preserving these wetlands & forests.So before you go spewing your liberal,anti hunting agenda on people,maybe you shoud do more research before you insert your foot in your mouth. Also, the DEC has very rigid and strict laws and rules that every sportsmam must abide by.

is just another of the mindless minions who post hysterical opinion that is devoid of fact.

Mr. Peterson, the FACTS are that the people who treat the Ducks as "pets" actually hurt them, the people and animals around them, and the environment around them. Please get a clue and read this:

http://www.duckrescuenetwork.org/duck_care.html

Also, please learn to read. There is no waterfowl hunting that is preventing the use of anything.

I issue the same challenge to you. Find me ANY example of a waterfowl hunter shooting and/or killing a bystander in this state. Go ahead. Search for it. Show me how often this terrible thing (fairy tale for the ignorant and uninformed) happens in NY state.

You clearly know nothing about the process of waterfowl hunting, hunting safety, waterfowl, and the environment in general. The DEC, Ducks Unlimited, and hunters do more for conservation in a day than you and any 100 of your shallow minded friends will in all of your lives combined.

Fact: It's Duck Season. Fact:The lake is open to hunters. Fact: Hunting is a safe sport. Fact:Those folks in the boat didn't break the law. Fact: They had a great family time. Fact:Hunting ducks on Onondaga Lake is legal, this is not news !! People threatening to shoot the hunters, thats news and the woman needs to be locked up for even suggesting it. She's the law breaker here, thats FACT !! It's really sad to see so much anger over a sport that's been around for hundreds of years. Wake up people and get a life.

They invade our parks, lakes, forests, streams etc. and shoot everything that moves. The state DEC, being controlled by hunters, coddles them at the expense of the other 95% of taxpayers who don't enjoy killing defenseless and oftentimes practically tame animals and can't even use these areas during hunting season. Now they are apparently going into urban park areas and killing what are practically pet ducks. Of course, leave it to the DEC to encourage this behavior even though it violates town ordinances.

first off, waterfowl hunters dont use RIFLES to shoot at ducks&geese, they use SHOTGUNS. Second, as long as they are shooting over water,they can hunt in a foot of water right next to your house. So,they are totally legal. Mabey you should focus more of your attention on all the crime in Syracuse, instead of hunters enjoying the thigs they love.

The "crazies" aren't the hunters. The "crazies" are the ones who ignore statistics and focus their rage on perceived danger rather than actual danger.

In 2007 NY had only 37 hunting related accidents, with 6 fatalities. In 2006 there was only 1 fatality. The fatalities were probably from deer hunters who use a slug for ammunition.

Duck hunters use "bird shot" ammunition which probably wouldn't even sting a human beyond 50 yards.

Compare the numbers to car accidents. IN 2007 there were 323,106 accidents (per NYSDMV) with 1,220 fatalities.

So where is the outrage over people driving through the park? They are far more likely to hurt or kill someone.

As for dealing with the noise? Learn to live with it. Everyone who lives in a rural community deals with it every year during gun season. You'll never hear them complain about it.

Hunting is a safe, honorable tradition that has been enjoyed for centuries. Saying that these people should be shot (previous poster) for doing it is disgusting.

Hunters are idiots? Gun owners are crazy? How about checking your overwrought emotions at the door when commenting about any story that involves a firearm? As long as these licensed sportsmen stay on the Western shore, there should be no problem with them enjoying a *LEGAL* activity on the lake.

From that article, where do you get even the remote idea that "people who enjoy wildlife" can not go to the park? Did you read that article? It clearly states no one with a "firearm" is allowed to launch from the park area and also they can not carry them on the west trail (where they can hunt legally).

Your whole perspective of being able to "defend their property" is completely skewed. Yeah, lets shoot people on boats with a shotgun because they enjoy hunting. Seriously, I think people need to get off their high horses. Sure you want the parks to be safe, as do I, but there is no eminent danger being posed as long as hunters fire away from shore. Every hunter is required to pass a gun-safety course, and there are already specific regulations on distances from roadways and homes.

Plus, as the one lake home owner said, "some houses are less 300 feet off shore." Well with firing steel shot from a 10 or 12 gauge shotgun, I'm having serious doubts that any house would be hit unless they are being INTENTIONALLY fired on. Let the DEC do their job and regulate the hunting and conservation on the lake. They seem to know a thing or two about wildlife. But hey you can cry about hunters all you want, we pay to conserve the land for the future generations every year we buy a license.

... of herself.

Quite the humanitarian, claiming that hunters should be shot.

Also Ms. Rice, I challenge you to find any examples of uninvolved humans being shot and killed in waterfowl hunting in this state. Have fun searching.

Whats next Ms. Rice, should we ban boating as well since there are hundreds to thousands of boating accidents to every one waterfowl hunting accident? Those "idiots" are being protected by the coast guard while nobody else can enjoy the lake?
Are you even aware that NYS has enjoyed record years for hunting safety in the last few years?

I also love your comments about people trying to enjoy the lake right now. I mean, watersports are so popular in CNY in December. I know it is my favorite time of year for tubing and swimming.

As a waterfowl hunter and President of a Sportsmans Club, I must say, get over yourselves.

Hunters in the water do not shoot toward the houses, they shoot out over the water. There is zero danger to the houses around them. Unless of course you have built your house in the middle of a lake.

The type of shot and gun used in waterfowl hunting gives you about a 30 yard at max radius in front of you, providing there is zero wind. People in the area are in no danger. If you are ignorant of the sport and what is involved, don't comment on it. How often do you read about waterfowl hunting related accidents? Almost never.

As for those complaining that they like to go out and feed the ducks, you are actually hurting them when you do. When wild ducks are fed human food (especially bread or crackers) their organs become engorged and fatty, which can cause them to suffer from heart disease, liver problems and other health complications. Bread also has very few nutrients, and can get compacted in a bird's crop. Many rehabilitators see "bread-impacted crop" in sick and distressed park ducks.

Waterfowl at artificial feeding sites are often found to suffer from poor nutrition. In a natural setting they will seek out a variety of nutritious foods such as aquatic plants, natural grains, and invertebrates. Bread is very low in protein, contains additives that wildfowl aren't built to cope with, and it's a very poor substitute for natural foods. Ducklings fed bread miss out in vital nutrients during their critical first few weeks, causing splay leg, angel wing, slipped tendons and other growing defects.

Natural food is usually available over a wide area. At some artificial feeding sites, competition for each bread crumb is high. Some ducks (usually the youngest) are unable to compete for handouts and suffer because they never learn to forage naturally. Ducks also become unnaturally aggressive towards each other and a nuisance to humans.

"Nuisance waterfowl" are often euthanized en mass after complaints from local citizens. Also, attracting ducks to you for feeding teaches ducks not to fear humans. And let's face it... not all humans are animal lovers. Rehabilitators often see ducks purposefully chased by dogs and children, with injuries from dog bites or thrown rocks - or - all too often run over by cars.

Feeding also creates unnaturally high populations of waterfowl at a pond, and diseases generally not transmissible in the wild will flourish in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.

At some sites there are so many people feeding the ducks that uneaten food is left to rot. Decaying food pollutes the water and attracts foxes that prey on ducks. Food left for ducks will also attract vermin.

Waterfowl and rats will defecate where they feed - often at the pond edge. And naturally, the amount of feces they produce is directly proportional to the amount they eat. It's not exactly a healthy environment, especially for young children and the elderly. Many swimming holes are closed when overpopulation of waterfowl causes unsafe bacteria levels in the water.

The problems with overpopulation of waterfowl in an area will affect the waterfowl, humans, and other animals in the area. They are meant to migrate to where they can find food naturally. Hunting them will help prevent the overpopulation problems as it also encourages the rest of the birds to keep moving as they are meant to do.

There are tight limits about the number of ducks and kind of ducks you can get, and these are based on population. Groups like Ducks Unlimited do more for the environment than the whiners who know nothing about hunting will ever dream of doing.

The government doesn't need to do anything more to hurt hunters than they already have. They have required steel shot over water, which hits hunters hard in the pocket. A box of 20 shells can cost you between 20-60 dollars. The cost of getting a license and duck stamp has gone through the roof.

There they go -- protecting the idiots who are hunting only for sport, but are risking the lives of anyone enjoying the park, the lake, the area, or even their own backyards!!

I think that these homeowners should be allowed to "defend their property" by shooting any hunter that is "within range" just to be safe.

I cannot believe that our parks are off limits to those who enjoy the wildlife -- and those who enjoy THEIR OWN LIVES or those of THEIR CHILDREN -- and are open to only the DEC's friends -- the gun-toting crazies who end up shooting someone EVERY SINGLE YEAR!!

Looks like it time for someone to FIRE the idiots in Albany! The whole lot of them!