JANUARY 2013 — MARCH 2013 No 1301 THE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE AND TIMBER RATTLESNAKES Program By William S. Brown, Associate Professor Emeritus of Biology, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY Lecturer, Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany (SUNY), Albany, NY Wednesday, January 16 at Crandall Library at 7pm. In New York, Timber Rattlesnakes are distributed among scattered overwintering dens in over 20 counties. Many populations were extirpated or depleted throughout the state over the past two centuries. The species was listed as "threatened" in 1983 and has been fully protected under New York State law for the past 25 years. In the northeastern sector of the state, rattlesnake dens represent ancestral populations which have been in continuous existence for approxi- mately 7,000 years following climatic warming and withdrawal of the most recent glacial ice sheet. Once colonized, each den enhances winter survival and maintains a stable population. Timber Rattlesnakes hibernate through the winter, October through April (7 months). After emerging, the active season lasts from May through September (5 months). Each spring, the snakes make long‑distance (1 to 3-mile) migra- tions between their winter dens and their summer foraging grounds. In its deciduous forest habitat, the Timber Rattle- snake is an important predator of small mammals and thus plays an important role in the natural food web. Over the past three decades, the speaker’s field study has revealed new information on the Timber Rattlesnake's life history. It is a long-lived species; recent recaptures in 2012 of snakes initially marked as adults over 30 years ago show that the maximum confirmed lifespan exceeds 40 years. Females do not reproduce for the first time until an age of about 9 years. Adult females have a low birthing frequency, reproducing only at 3-year and 4-year intervals, on average. The estimated survival rate is about 65% in the first year, while adults survive at about 90% per year. In the summer mating season (July through August), male rattlesnakes move often and therefore may come into contact with humans at homes and campsites. On a hiking trail on a warm summer day, encountering a rattlesnake is an uncommon but memorable outdoor experience. The snake's behavior contributes to the low danger of rattlesnake bite to hikers while they are in rattlesnake country. Shy and retiring, timber rattlesnakes normally are not aggressive and will at- tempt to escape. However, if provoked or disturbed, a Timber Rattlesnake may hold its ground, coiled and rattling, until the human intruder disappears. Common-sense precautions for hikers are simple: enjoy seeing a live rattlesnake, perhaps photograph it, then leave it alone and continue hiking. First- Photo by: Carl Heilman II aid and medical approaches to venomous snakebite will be discussed. Chepontuc Footnotes Page 1 Leaders Lead Chepontuc Footnotes By Jill Gruben, Newsletter Editor Published Bimonthly Glens Falls Saratoga ADK Chapter Adirondack Mountain Club As of press-time, our wonder- Committee meetings on com- PO Box 2314, Glens Falls, NY, 12801 fully friendly, fun and energetic mittee activities, fulfills (or ap- chapter needs a few creative points someone temporarily to Executive Committee Officers: and outdoor lov- fulfill) the duties of a Chapter Chair : vacant ing leaders to committee Chair, and First Vice Chair : Laura Fiske help guide us fulfills Chapter Chair Phone: 884-0345 [email protected] forward. The responsibilities in the Second Vice Chair: vacant Chapter Chair, absence of the Chapter Second Vice Chair. Secretary John Caffry Phone: 798-0624 [email protected] Chair and An- nual Dinner The Annual Dinner Treasurer John Schneider Committee Committee Chair Phone: 584-8527 [email protected] Chair positions evaluates and recom- Directors Jonathan Lane, Bill Bechtel, Linda Ranado are vacant. mends the location, Email for all directors: [email protected] What does it program and menu for Past Chapter Chair Maureen Coutant mean to take on the Chapter Annual Phone: 745-7834 [email protected] an active role “We need a few dinner. This person within ADK creative and works with venue staff Committee Chairs: Glens Falls- outdoor loving and Chapter members to Saratoga? leaders … we ensure a successful and Annual Dinner: vacant welcome you!” entertaining social gath- Conservation Jacki Bave Phone: 587-3754 [email protected] The Chapter ering for Chapter mem- Chair, among bers. Education Linda Ranado other things, works with the Ex- [email protected] ecutive Committee to interpret If you have any interest in Hospitality Gretchen Steen and carry out ADK’s mission the aforementioned, and we are Phone: 638-6139 [email protected] by overseeing all personnel and hoping that you do, kindly con- Membership Pat Desbiens operations, chairs the monthly tact Nominating Committee Phone: 899-9688 [email protected] Executive Committee meetings Chair Laura Fiske! Newsletter/Editor Jill Gruben and annual meeting, prepares a [email protected] written Chapter Chair report for We welcome you! Outings Alison Darbee the newsletter, coordinates and Madeline Kowalik-Bova [email protected] Chapter activities, and assists the treasurer with an annual SAVE THE DATE Programs Sarah King Phone: 798-0615 [email protected] budget. Program Publicity Jen Shepherd [email protected] The First Vice Chair, who is Jim Coutant Presents: a member of the Executive Trails Tom Ellis Yellowstone and the Phone: 638-6139 [email protected] Committee, among other things, Grand Tetons communicates and coordinates Web site George Sammons What: Slide Show Phone: 743-9692 [email protected] with committee Chairs to keep informed as to their activities Wilderness Jim Schneider When: 7pm March 21 Phone: 581-9367 [email protected] and objectives, reports to the Thursday Chapter Chair regarding the Young Members Group Jonathan Lane Phone: 744-4594 [email protected] committees, and, in the absence Where: Saratoga Library of the committee Chair, will report at the monthly Executive Chepontuc Footnotes Page 2 By Linda Rinado, Executive Committee Meeting Education Chair Minutes from October 3, 2012 As of this writing (early December) we have no applicants for our summer sponsorships for youths to Chapter Chair Mo Coutant reported that the Boy Scout Ven- attend the DEC Pack Forest and Camp Colby youth turers troop for teens is looking for assistance. The Chapter camps. Hopefully, this will be remedied by the time you sponsored a similar troop in the past. The Club has an- receive this. If you know someone who might be interested nounced the dates for the 2012/13 Winter Mountaineering in attending one of these environmental camps (Colby for 11 to 13 School. The winner of the auction item that the Chapter do- year olds and Pack Forest for both 11 to 13 and 14 to 17 year olds, nated to Saratoga PLAN bid $250. ADK brochures were please contact me immediately as we may still have openings. displayed with the silent auction bid sheet. The Chapter will We continue to search for applicants for the Teen Trails Workers receive $100 per volunteer at the Ragnar Relay. The Chapter program. This is open to students aged 14 to 17 who not only will buy each volunteer a small ADK gift. enjoy the outdoors, but are interested in taking an active role in trail maintenance. This program, run by ADK, provides opportu- Nominating Committee Chair Laura Fiske reported that nities for high school students (aged 14 to 17) to spend up to five there are still some vacancies. Fiske also reported that the days camping and doing quality trail work. The Club will provide Club’s Board of Directors has approved forming an ADK food, group camping gear, tools and experienced leadership. The foundation for fundraising. focus of this program is on educating participants on the ways and means of trail maintenance. Team work and shared responsibility Wilderness Committee, Mo Countant in the absence of Chair are key elements of this program. Specific sites for the Summer Jim Schneider reported that Schneider has written a letter to 2013 program will be posted on our site as soon as available. I DEC to support continuing the work of the stewards in the hope to be hearing from you! Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area. Conservation News By Jacki Bave ism, but new developments are causing them to reconsider. Lake George Trails Master Planning Process is Underway – The Adirondack Rail Preservation Society, which operates The Towns of Bolton, Hague, Lake George and the Village of current tourism rail services on the Adirondack Railroad, has Lake George are in the process of developing a master plan expressed interest in establishing excursion passenger rail for hiking and biking trails in the Lake George area. Working service between New York City and Lake Placid. North under a grant from DEC’s Smart Growth program, Saratoga’s Country towns are now considering supporting this option for L.A. Group has developed a set of maps which can be ac- the corridor. cessed on our chapter’s website. The maps attempt to provide While many members of ADK support the recreational an inventory of public trails, and to suggest biking and hiking trail option, some are concerned that there will be an adverse routes in the area. Several public meetings were held this fall. impact on adjacent lands from snowmobiles and illegal ATV Our chapter has submitted comments based on the recommen- use. One section of the corridor passes through the remote dations of members. Comments are still being taken regard- Five Ponds and Whitney Wilderness Areas, where there have ing the plans, the accuracy of the maps, suggestions for trail been reported incidences of illegal motorized use, including connections still needed and the tools (maps, signage, etc.) snowmobiles on Lake Lila.