Due to an outbreak of furunculosis, a bacterial fish disease, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation had to destroy 131,000 brookies and browns being raised at the Rome Fish Hatchery. The problems began in November 2011, when large numbers of brown trout fry succumbed to a number of diseases. The loss left the agency facing a shortage of brown trout to be stocked in the spring of 2013 as yearlings of legal size for catching.

DEC contacted neighboring states to see if surplus fish were available and 175,000 fingerling browns were imported from the State of Virginia to the Rome hatchery. These fish were tested and determined to be disease-free.

The furunculosis was first diagnosed at the hatchery in late June, when samples from the Virginia browns tested positive. Within a month the infection had spread to Adirondack and mixed-strain brookies, both known to be susceptible to this disease.

Mortality was high despite repeated therapeutic treatments. Most of the Virginia fish did not survive and by early this month only 47,000 remained uninfected. Heavy mortality was also seen in brook trout at the hatchery; these were intended for stocking this fall in the Adirondacks, constituting almost 25 percent of the total DEC normally stocks in North Country ponds and lakes.

LESS STOCKING

The bottom line is the DEC expects 224 lakes and ponds in the Adirondacks will be stocked with brook trout, 102 fewer than planned. However, those 102 will still offer good fishing courtesy of holdover trout populations.

Browns for the 2013 stocking will also be in short supply, but how bad that shortfall will be will not be known until inventories are completed.

COMING EVENTS

Don’t forget the northern zone early bear hunting season opened Sept. 15, the ruffed grouse (partridge) season in the northern zone opened Sept. 20, and the northern zone early bow-hunting season opens tomorrow, Sept. 27. In addition, the Youth Pheasant Hunting Weekend will take place Sept. 29 and 30.

Incidentally, Early Bear Season here in the northern zone got off to a rousing start with over 140 bruins reported taken in the first week.

WATCH FOR DEER & MOOSE

Deer will soon begin their pre-rut, meaning they’ll become more active and less predictable and, as mid-October arrives, they’ll enter the rut in earnest. Hereabouts the “primary rut” generally occurs sometime around mid-November (give or take a week or two), followed by other, lesser rutting periods over the next few months, about 28 days apart, right through January and often even into February.

Does and bucks become much more active during rutting periods and their behavior can be erratic, to say the least. Moose “rut” a bit earlier than whitetails, beginning in late September and extending through mid- to late-October, and their rutting behavior is no less erratic. October, November and December are generally considered the peak months for car - deer collisions.

DRIVE DEFENSIVELY

Motorists should be especially alert at this time of year. Hitting a whitetail is bad enough but hitting a moose can be a horrendous experience, causing a lot more damage to both vehicle and passengers. It isn’t much good for the critter, either.

Because of size differences, if you hit a deer the impact will often throw it in front of the vehicle or perhaps off the shoulder of the road. Because of their greater height and weight, if you hit a moose you normally knock them off their feet and onto the hood or windshield of your vehicle. Depending on speed, that’s when damage to the occupants of a vehicle can often occur, so defensive driving is a must at this time of year.

ALWAYS BE ALERT

Moose wander wherever and whenever they please, but DEC and the Department of Transportation try to identify some of the more dangerous areas with “moose crossing” signs. Always be alert when driving through the North Country, especially at dawn and dusk, and be especially watchful in areas identified by moose crossing signs.

Motorists should practice the same precautions they’d take when traveling through deer country: be especially alert at dawn and dusk; reduce speed, stay alert and watch the roadsides; reduce speed when approaching a moose standing near the roadside; when you see one be prepared for others since moose, like deer, may travel in pairs or even small groups; and use your emergency flashers or headlights to warn other drivers when one or more of the critters are spotted near or on the road.

REPORT HITS

If you hit and injure or kill a moose, or for that matter a deer or bear, call the nearest police agency and report it as soon as possible. If the critter is dead, you may be able to keep the carcass if you wish, but only after receiving a possession permit from the investigating officer.

That may be more of a problem if you hit and kill a good-sized moose, because you may not have a vehicle left with which to remove the carcass. In that case, call a friend with a tow truck and lots of muscle.