CConservonservTheThe NewNew YorkYork StateStateaa tionisttionist August-SeptemberAugust-September 20212021 Conservationist Turns75 Conservationist cover April-May 1959 Dear Reader, New York is a special place, o˜ering myriad CONSERVATIONIST opportunities to get outside and enjoy our Volume 76, Number 1 | August/September 2021 unmatched natural resources. From our world- Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of New York State class °shing destinations to lush forest lands and DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION spectacular high peaks, New˛York’s magni°cent Basil Seggos, Commissioner outdoors have something for adventurers and Erica Ringewald, Deputy Commissioner for Public Affairs nature lovers of all ages, interests, and abilities. Harold Evans, Director of Office of Communication Services For the past 75 years, and even before THE CONSERVATIONIST STAFF there was a Department of Environmental Peter Constantakes, Managing Editor Tony Colyer-Pendas, Assistant Editor Conservation, Conservationist magazine has Megan Ciotti, Business Manager helped connect people to nature and, along the way, inspire countless Jeremy J. Taylor, Editor, Conservationist for Kids readers to become stewards of our environment. This iconic magazine has Rick Georgeson, Contributing Editor also served as a reliable and respected source of information covering the DESIGN TEAM most pressing environmental issues of the day, ranging from combatting Andy Breedlove, Photographer/Designer Jim Clayton, Chief, Multimedia Services climate change to innovative ways to tackle emerging contaminants. Each Mark Kerwin, Art Director/Graphic Designer issue of the Conservationist shares critical information about e˜orts to Robin-Lucie Kuiper, Photographer/Designer protect and conserve our shared environment, inspiring future generations Mary Elizabeth Maguire, Graphic Designer Jennifer Peyser, Graphic Designer of environmentalists. Maria VanWie, Graphic Designer The magazine’s founders understood and appreciated New York’s EDITORIAL OFFICES abundant natural wonders and believed in a shared responsibility to The Conservationist (ISSN0010-650X), © 2021 by NYSDEC, protect˛them. The New York State Conservation Department (DEC’s is an official publication of the New York State Department predecessor) sought a way to spread this conservation message far and of Environmental Conservation published bimonthly at 625 Broadway, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-4502. wide, and reaching New˛Yorkers by means of the magazine was a popular Telephone: (518) 402-8047 and e˜ective way to do just that. The goal was to create a magazine that Manuscripts, photographs and artwork will be accepted if accom- would appeal to a variety of readers by providing outdoor adventurers— panied by SASE. Please write to the above address with an author’s both novice and expert—with the tips of the trade. Seventy-°ve years later, query or to request a Contributor’s Guide. The˜publisher assumes no responsibility for loss or damage of unsolicited˜materials. our e˜orts continue.˛ The magazine has evolved since the °rst issue was published in August TO SUBSCRIBE: $18 per year, $24 for two years, $30 for three years. Outside 1946, just as the DEC itself has evolved to meet the many signi°cant the U.S., add $27 per year with a check drawn on a U.S. bank. and emerging environmental challenges confronting the State, from All˜orders must be prepaid. climate change to contaminants in our air and water to the reckoning of Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for new subscriptions or changes of environmental justice. address. Periodical postage paid at Albany, NY, and additional As we celebrate the magazine’s 75th anniversary, DEC will continue the mailing offices. tradition of educating and inspiring current and future generations of Send check or money order payable to: conservationists by showcasing outdoor adventures, as well as practical Conservationist NYSDEC ideas on how we can enjoy and protect our world and live more˛sustainably. 625 Broadway As the original founders of the Conservationist noted, “It’s your Albany, NY 12233-4502 magazine.” I hope you continue to enjoy it for many years to come. or call: 1-800-678-6399 Visit the Department’s website at: www.dec.ny.gov Best wishes, The New York State Department of Environmental Basil Seggos, Commissioner Conservation does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, disability, age, or gender. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Conservationist NYSDEC 625 Broadway PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER. PLEASE RECYCLE THIS ISSUE. Albany, NY 12233-4502 Jajean Rose-Burney See page 24 Mossy Point CONTENTS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | VOLUME 76, NUMBER 1 DEPARTMENTS 2 The Founder’s Story 18 Striped Bass – BY STEVEN L. ARBAUGH Researching and Reeling in New York 12 On Patrol Conservationist 6 State’s Saltwater Fish Turns 75 BY CAITLIN CRAIG, Brief y BY RICK GEORGESON JUSTIN˜PELLEGRINO, 28 ANDREW˜SINCHUK, & Letters 10 It’s Your Magazine STEPHANIE REKEMEYER 30 BY ORIGINAL & CURRENT EDITORS 22 Species Spotlight: Northern harrier 32 Back Trails From Dreams 11 BY CONSERVATIONIST STAFF 28 to Realty 12 BY PERRY B. DURYEA 24 DEC Partners with 12 Land Trusts to Protect A Fishing Journal – Public Drinking Water 12 14 30 Making a Difference BY KRISTIN MARTINEZ 28 BY ROY BILBY 30 12 30 28 30 18 FRONT COVER: Reprint from Conservationist April-May 1959, Wayne Trimm; BACK˜COVER:˜The Staghorn Cli°s on Skaneateles Lake, Finger Lakes Land Trust 18 12 BY STEVEN L. ARBAUGH As the Conservationist celebrates 75 years of continuous publication, its sta˜ thought it appropriate that I share the story of my grandfather, the man whose vision is responsible for the magazine’s very existence. Even though the name Clayton Seagears no longer appears on the masthead, his legacy is worthy of recognition, and I am honored to contribute to this milestone 75th anniversary issue with the founder’s story. 2 New York State Conservationist AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 Clayt, as he was known, was born A self-taught artist, Clayt did much in Bloomingburg (Sullivan County), commercial work, and later specialized and studied zoology and journalism in wildlife and outdoor subjects. His at the University of Michigan. After writing and illustrations can be found graduating in 1924, he remained on throughout the Conservationist, from campus as an instructor in Economic its founding until his retirement in Conservation and Vertebrate Zoology. 1962. He also did many illustrations Shortly after his stint at Michigan, for the Department, including a he joined the Orange Independent promotional poster for Mt. Van Corporation, a newspaper publishing Hovenberg and a map of New York °rm. He wrote sports and outdoor State that highlighted the “world’s columns and did general illustrating; largest state system for public at one point, he was syndicated in 127 recreation and conservation.” newspapers with a cartoon feature Clayt’s reputation as a writer and called The Inside on the Outdoors. Clayt conservationist was widespread, left that job in 1937 to join the New and his expertise was sought by other York State Conservation Department organizations. I found an article (a predecessor to DEC) as a Game that he wrote and illustrated, Research Investigator. So You Want To Trap Clayt was a special and highly a Fox, published in talented man—a gifted writer, artist, the November 1945 and naturalist. A few years after joining issue of the Iowa the Conservation Department, he was Conservationist. The promoted to the position of Director article was an excerpt of the Division of Conservation from his book, The Education, and in 1946, he founded the Fox in New York, Conservationist magazine. I’m sure Clayt was proud of his work, as he kept every single issue of the Conservationist at his house at the North Woods Club in the Adirondacks. That collection still exists to this day, completely intact. I remember entertaining myself by thumbing through many pages when I was lucky enough to visit him and my grandmother when I was young. Clayt Seagears, a gifted artist who created Conservationist magazine in 1946. AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 New York State Conservationist 3 which was published by the New as I chased trout on the rivers and York State Conservation Department streams of New York, Michigan, and in 1944. Idaho. His illustrations and writings on In the heart of the Adirondacks, wildlife and conservation appeared we were surrounded by all kinds of in a variety of publications famous wildlife at the Club. Clayt kept a large in their day: Collier’s, The Saturday container of corn kernels to feed the Evening Post, American Gun, The resident deer that enjoyed a placid Hunter’s Encyclopedia, Field and and carefree life around the Club Stream, and Outdoors Unlimited. grounds, and one doe in particular One of the highlights of Clayt’s career stood out. Her name was Princess. occurred in 1953, when his artwork She was not shy, and would come won the national competition for around almost every day looking for a the annual Federal Migratory Bird handout. We fed her corn by hand, which Hunting and Conservation Stamp. always delighted and amazed me. Over two million stamps featuring his Around the time of Thanksgiving The INSIDE on the OUTDOORS ink wash drawing of °ve Blue-Winged one year, Clayt asked me if I would """- Teals taking wing (which he called, like to try my hand at deer hunting. I “Early Express”) were produced. thought, “what the heck,” and bundled Clayt also contributed many up for a trek through the snow in illustrations for a 900+ page search of my °rst deer. After a short book titled, The Ru˜ed Grouse: walk, I happened upon fresh tracks Life History, Propagation and in the snow, and like any °rst-time Management. First published in 1947 deer hunter, my heart rate increased by the New York State Conservation and I found the moment exhilarating. Department, it is still considered the With eyes °xed upon the trail and “Grouse Bible” by many hunters, heart pounding, I trudged through the as no other publication is as snow, following the tracks.