Outdoors with Larry DiDonato - Greene County Youth Fair Opens July 25th

The 70th Annual Greene County Youth Fair kicks off this year on Thursday, July 25th and runs through Sunday, July 28th, 2024 at Angelo Canna Town Park in Cairo, New York. This year’s theme is the 1970s and as always, is free to attend. It once again retains the honor of being the last fair in New York to offer free admission. Fair President, Alex Jonk, thanks all the dedicated volunteers, local business and other supporters, and the Greene County Legislature for all they do to keep the fair fun and free, and he invites everyone to come and help celebrate the fair’s 70th Anniversary.  “It’s all about the kids. We love to showcase their hard work and enthusiasm while showcasing the great things Greene County has to offer.” Alex said new attractions this year include a Giant Slide for kids of all ages, and the “Hudson River Air Dogs,” which features acrobatic canines running down the runway, then distance jumping, and diving into a pool. 

 These new additions join veteran fair favorites like the Logging Show, chainsaw carving, balloon twisting with “Crazy Christine,” and musical stalwarts, “Buffalo Barfield” in the trade tent, and the blue grass band, “Moonshine Mule,” on the main stage on Saturday night. 

 Make sure you stop by, “Conservation Corner” and check out NYS DEC’s trout tank, a very “cool” display of trout species who thrive in the cold-water tank that sits behind DEC Wildlife Biologists’ staff and display. Go directly across the corner to visit the Greene County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs. There, youths who will be 12–15 years of age in September can sign up at for the Annual Youth Pheasant Hunt they sponsor. It will once again take place at the Lampman Farm in Greenville. Kids who want to participate must get parent/guardian permission and need to get their Hunter Safety Training Course completed so they can buy their hunting license in time for the free guided hunt. That hunt, if bought commercially, would cost hundreds of dollars. Volunteer dog handlers put up pheasants purchased by the Greene County Sportsmen’s Federation, and after practicing shooting clay birds with an experienced shotgun training instructor, get to try to bag a pheasant and provide excellent table fare for the family. Kids and parents attending enjoy coffee and donuts in the am and a BBQ lunch to keep them going. Last year, 55 people attended the free event and a good time was had by all. 

Chainsaw carving artist, and bird dog handler, Jon Powell, of Round Top donated a black bear carving to be raffled off with all proceeds going to support the 2024 Youth Pheasant Hunt. So, be sure to buy your ticket to support the cause. You can also get other raffle tickets from those manning the Greene County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs tables, including one with the first prize being a $500.00 gift card for AGA Sports in Kiskatom. Second prize is a $250.00 shopping spree at Hannaford’s, with third and fourth prizes a not too shabby Visa card in the amount of $150.00, and $100.00 respectively. Slide down a bit from the federation and Youth Pheasant Hunt display for the ever popular and informative coyote display hosted by veteran hunter, Frank Algozine. Frank is a wealth of knowledge of all things coyote, especially their impact on deer, fawns, cubs, and pets. 

 Many newcomers and the non-hunting visitors to the display do not realize how many fawns and adult deer fall prey to NY’s vast coyote population. They come away with a new respect for coyote and predator hunters as they visit Frank’s “assistant” on the issue; a stuffed toy fawn standing behind a bumper sticker that reads. “I Love Coyote Hunters!” 

 So, come to the 2024 Greene County Youth Fair to visit the animals, and all the attractions too numerous to mention. For more information on events, schedules, displays, and much more, go to https://www.thegreenecountyyouthfair.com/  and support NY’s last free county fair. Come and enjoy the homespun atmosphere and help them celebrate their 70th Anniversary! 

Happy hunting, fishing, and trapping until next time.

News and Notes

DMAP Application Deadline August 1st 

DEC’s Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) allows eligible landowners to enhance deer management on their lands when additional antlerless deer need to be harvested to meet property-specific deer management objectives. The program allows landowners to address deer impacts to agriculture, forest regeneration, significant natural communities, and municipalities, or meet custom deer management objectives. Additional antlerless deer tags are provided to the landowner to distribute to licensed hunters utilizing their property during open deer hunting seasons.

To be eligible, landowners or their designated agent must submit a DMAP application (PDF) by August 1st demonstrating that additional antlerless deer need to be harvested in order to address deer impacts or meet custom deer management objectives. Properties enrolled under the forest regeneration, significant natural communities, and custom deer management categories must meet minimum acreage requirements and/or submit a written management plan with their application.

Once approved, DMAP permits remain valid for three years, but annual reporting to DEC is required to remain in the program. Participating hunters must also submit a harvest report for each deer harvested using a DMAP tag. Visit DEC’s DMAP webpage to learn more about the program, determine if you are eligible, and download the DMAP application (PDF).

Remember to report poaching violations by calling the 24-hour ECO Dispatch at: 

1-844-DEC-ECOS.