For the third straight year, there were more than 90 entries for the Conservationists of Frontenac Addington Deer Contest.

This was the 19th annual event which is co-sponsored by the Bishop Lake Outdoor Centre (weigh-in hosts) and the Frontenac and Addington Trappers’ Council.

When the bell rang signifying the end of the weigh-ins on Sunday, there were 97 deer this season, surpassing last year’s total of 94.

The biggest buck was 218 pounds, from Brooke Hawley of Cloyne. The runner-up buck was 212.7 pounds, from Will Parks of Belleville. The biggest doe was 145.2 pounds from Ed Yanch of Flinto adn the runner up was 130.5 pounds from Terry Tryon of Kaladar. Winners receive a trophy and $200. Second place finishers receive $100.

Todd Boutilier won the grand prize draw (for all weigh-ins) of a Browning ABIII 270 WIN with 3x9x40 Tasco Scope valued at about $939.

There a numerous other draw prizes and the winners of those will be contacted shortly, said contest organizers.

“It’s mainly sponsored by COLA, we just lend them some space,” said Dennis Black of Bishop Lake Outdoor Centre. “This has been increasing the last four years and we’ve had hunters from as far away as Oshawa, Ottawa, Renfrew and Pembrooke.

“But the greatest amount of hunters come from within 30 minutes of here.”

COLA treasurer Doug Tocher thanked all the volunteers such as Fred Perry, Lauder and Pat Smith, Marie Anderson and Debbie Robillard who helped with the weigh-ins as well as all the local businesses and individuals who donated prizes.

At our meeting in Cloyne, March 20, 2016, we discussed the past efforts and the future plans of the club and then had a very interesting presentation by Steve Elmy, founder of Rack Stackers, a deer feed and seed company. He introduced his product line and emphasized the planting of nutrient-loaded plants in open spaces, around old marshes and bush trails. It would seem that we can grow large amounts of feed for deer on small plots of land. He is familiar with the area and assures us that we can be successful here. Our land will need to be treated with lime to counteract the acidity of our soil. He is open to offer support and advice through Facebook, 613-477-2473 and his web site www.rackstacker.ca. Many thanks to Steve for an informative and interesting evening. He donated the products he brought to show us and the happy winners headed home with their prizes.  

The Conservationists of Frontenac and Addington have an annual program to introduce local children to angling in our beautiful surroundings. Participants who have not had a chance to experience fishing are selected. Each is given a rod reel and some tackle by COFA and taken to a local lake to learn with experienced anglers. This year a COFA member and staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry provided boats and instruction.

The kids’ return to shore was one of excitement as they had caught several fish, learned a lot and enjoyed the company of their adult companions while they fished. One fish had to be kept to show the parents how big it was. The smaller fish were filleted, fried and served in a delicious shore lunch. There was enough to serve lunch to everyone in attendance, it was wonderful. Thanks to all who helped, to Ed Yanch who transported the fishers, and most of all to Brody, Zech, Jaydin and Scott, who caught the lunch.

Melissa Dakers and Chloe Lajoie of Watersheds Canada were in Cloyne July 16 to outline the natural shoreline program.

They explained the structure of a natural shoreline, and how it protects our waterfront properties, cleans our water and supports the natural inhabitants of our waterways. They offer a service that will come to our properties and discuss with us our goals for shoreline development. Using photos they will work out a waterfront plan, recommending species and placement of plants ranging from flowers to trees. This plan is discussed with the property owners and modified to their wishes. The most exciting part of the program is that they then will order the plantings and come and plant them on our properties. The landowner pays 25% of the cost of the plants and agrees to maintain them. The Waterfront Canada staff remain involved to offer suggestions if any difficulties arise with the plantings. They can be reached at 613-2641244 or www.watersheds.ca.

On April 20, close to 70 enthusiastic volunteers gathered at the boat launch at Deerock Lake near Flinton, armed with gloves and bags, eager to clean up the mess that careless campers left behind over the years.

The lake, which is located in the Elzevir Peatlands Conservations Reserve, is protected under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act and receives the same kind of protection that the local provincial parks do.

The area attracts campers and fishers, and offers 28 picturesque campsites. Most of them are located on small islands, and are free to visitors on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Unfortunately, campers have failed to heed the sign on the road leading to the boat launch that reads: “Please, take nothing but pictures; leave nothing but foot prints.”

The cleanup was initiated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) and was also supported by Quinte Conservation, who owns the 60-70 acre parcel of land in and around the boat launch.

They were joined by numerous local groups and organizations, including members of the Conservationists of Frontenac Addington (COFA); the Frontenac Addington Trappers Council; the Township of Addington Highlands as well as staff and students from North Addington Education Centre; and employees from the Milestone Funeral Center in Northbrook.

The event demonstrated how cooperation between like-minded groups can positively impact the natural environment they share. The event was headed up by Justin Punchard, a partnership specialist with the MNRF, who works for the Peterborough district at the Kingston field office.

Punchard instructed and organized the volunteers, who met at the boat launch at 9am and were supplied with a map of the lake, rubber gloves and plastic bags. They then took to their boats and headed out to their designated locations on the lake.

“The goal here today is to clean up all of the campsites and surrounding shoreline to ensure the sustainable use of the site for the future, and to return it back to its natural state,” Punchard said. He said that the group would be collecting mostly household recyclables, like pop cans and pop bottles, but also numerous lawn chairs that were left behind to rot.

Addington Highlands Township provided a large bin and a tri-axle dump truck, the former to collect recyclables and the latter to collect garbage. Both delivered the waste to the Kaladar dumpsite later that day. Toxic materials were also separated and hauled off. Those planning to visit the site this year will no doubt notice a big change.

Terry Murphy, manager of Quinte Conservation, said that the area is a very popular fishing place. “We are hoping that by cleaning up the islands and doing a good public relations job, we'll be able to convince users to keep the lake and the islands clean so we can keep the access to the lake open to the public. We want people to be able to use the area, but we also want people to respect it”, Murphy said.

Wilf Deline, president of the Frontenac Addington Trappers Council, had the same motivation for taking part. “This is our backyard and where we live, so it's important for us to be here today to help, and we just hope that people down the road keep it clean.”

Punchard thanked staff from Quinte Conservation, who he said are key stakeholders, and also thanked all the volunteers and other local resource groups who made the event so successful.

Visitors to the area are required to pay $10 for parking in the summer months, which will be managed by local students, who will also be responsible for educating the public about keeping the area clean. Murphy said that this event is the first massive cleanup of the area and he hopes it won't have to happen again.

During the two week rifle deer season this November, 293 hunters and five apprentices were holders of tickets in the COFA Deer contest, hoping they would harvest a deer to weigh in for the grand draw prize of a Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag Deer/ Turkey Combo with Bushnell 3X9 Camo Scope. Over the two weeks 55 deer were weighed: 27 bucks, and 28 does. 

Winners: Heaviest buck (cash prize): (1st) Matt Lessard, at 229.0 lbs; (2nd) Steven Rosenblath at 215.1 lbs. Largest doe (cash prize): (1st) Gary Allen at 134.2 lbs; (2nd) Ed Clark at 133.3 lbs. Apprentice draw (Browning Russ Kommer Knife): Kale Yearwood. Grand Prize draw (Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag Deer/Turkey Combo): James Jefferies.

There were also many other draws of products from our generous sponsors awarded to ticket holders. The proceeds will be used for conservation activities of the Conservationists Of Frontenac and Addington.