Blue Stone Wild Forest/Jockey Hill/Onteora Lake/Pickerel Pond

[GrizG]

Has anyone been paying attention to what is going on in that area? Here is my take on things: Open Space Institute bought a large parcel of land that is being turned over to NYS DEC with any eye towards expanding outdoor recreation opportunities. With that, the existing trail network is being revised to keep all the trails on state land. The OSI parcel makes the connection from Bluestone Wild Forest to Jockey Hill. From my observations and use of Jockey Hill and Blue Stone Wild Forest this connection is a boon to hunters, fisherman, hikers and mountain bikers.

However, it looks like a big chuck of it would be impacted by the cast concrete steel fabrication facility proposed by 850 Route 28 corporation.  The 500 foot firearm hunting buffer takes a chunk of the land out of use... Judging by the stream and wetland interference permit requests made to DEC it looks like fishing and trapping would be impacted also. From what I've been able to find out there is a 5 year construction plan that includes blasting and crushing 405,000 cubic yards of rock and cutting 21 acres of trees. Then putting up two buildings totaling 240,000 square feet of space with the intention of running the operation 24/7.  This activity will certainly have a negative impact on the quiet enjoyment of the land. I'm not sure taking my sons fishing at Onteora Lake would have been the same with the heavy equipment droning in the nearby woods... The same goes for deer hunting and mountain biking there.  I know there are objections to the project from environmental groups, mountain bikers, kayakers, swimmers and neighbors. I'm wondering if the sportsmen should weigh in on this. Thoughts?

[greensider]

Also an ever shrinking copperhead population there that will be impacted although most won't care some do

[KillerCrow]

and green had to mention the one reason I do not fish there in the summer lol

[Overland]

Also an ever shrinking copperhead population there that will be impacted although most won't care some do

I saw one of those there last year.

[greensider]

I have never been in there my friend has seen them there

[b-g-k]

I have never been in there my friend has seen them there

Tons of water snakes.  Unfortunately, I’ve heard of many thinking they are cottonmouths and killing them.

[Take Em]

A lot of good hunting land back in there. I used to hunt that property a lot when I was younger. Also threw some great keg parties back on those trails. Lol

[greensider]

I think the dec falls way short when it comes to protecting our native snakes and where there are public land where venomous snakes exist so should sign indicating there protection

[williamsroller]

A lot of good hunting land back in there. I used to hunt that property a lot when I was younger. Also threw some great keg parties back on those trails. Lol

Tell you what...no hunting this year.  They have bulldozers back there building trails now.  Maybe they will come back, but somehow I doubt it.  I'm glad that people will be able to use it, but sad for the lack of hunting behind my house.   

[GrizG]

A lot of good hunting land back in there. I used to hunt that property a lot when I was younger. Also threw some great keg parties back on those trails. Lol

Tell you what...no hunting this year.  They have bulldozers back there building trails now.  Maybe they will come back, but somehow I doubt it.  I'm glad that people will be able to use it, but sad for the lack of hunting behind my house.   

This year there was a bit of a problem due to the trail construction... I know that opening day there was a crew of volunteers working on the trail and they were advised that rifle season opened that day and to wear orange. Knowing some of those folks I feel safe in saying that none begrudge the other users... walkers, hikers, hunters, etc... use of the land. I understand that the trail designers actually moved the trial away from some adjoining properties, and tree stands on private property, to limit conflicts.

On the upside the property OSI bought will be open for hunting once it is turned over to DEC under the same terms as Jockey Hill and Blue Stone Wild Forest currently operate. I think it's important to consider that though the property was not posted by the previous owners it was private property and it was for sale for about 6-7 years. If a developer, or an individual, purchased it they could have posted it and prohibited hunting... As such, in the long run it is my opinion that we sportsmen win...