Waterfowl Hunters of The Vischer Ferry

So, we blast the town on 9/16 for all of their illegal tree clearing at Ferry Dr. —THEN, ON 9/29,—the town decides to ask Canals if a permit for some ‘paving work’ is needed for an upcoming project in this vicinity…

Have they been lying to Canals since the beginning and poor Erin didn’t even know it? Or, maybe she knows, is in on it, and was helping the town bury it? “Thanks for being sooo proactive!” Pfff… The town has had an open work permit for the ‘paving only’ and she says- “so we may build upon that!”- you mean for unpermitted work thats already been completed? That phrase, used a few times, seems pretty suspect…

I’m curious, were the Engineers concerned with the fact that some of the town leadership is a bunch of incompetent morons who obviously have no ethics or morals, disregarding all of the valid laws that govern the use of the land, destroy our land, and then attempt to COVER IT UP, or were they only concerned with the fact the bank is now not very stable?

Even worse, how could ANYONE encourage or entertain the use of more outside tax dollars for town ‘improvements’ here. I’m dumbfounded. Here, let’s get you some federal grant money to help pay some of your upcoming NYS fines and mitigation effort expenses…What a genius RACKET this is.

It looks like the messaging from the town to some members of the public has changed! Now we just need to get the town board to repeal their invalid codes and ordinences to reflect what they are already acknowledging. Makes sense that EVERYONE would be on the same page!!

As always, we appreciate any coverage on the property. Thank you to all involved.

Vischer Ferry duck hunting season is tradition for some, troubling for others — Winging It CLIFTON PARK — For 358 days each year, Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve in Clifton Park is open to the public as a placid trail system and birdwatching hotspot.

CONFIRMED! The town of Clifton Park did NOT have the authority (okay from NYS Canals) to complete the work along the river that they were calling their new "Mohawk Vista". This was no "accident" either, as they will likely claim when a public statement is made. It's CRYSTAL clear and states in the permit from NYS Canals that "NO ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENTS, STRUCTURES, MODIFICATIONS, AMENDMENTS, GRADING, CUTTING, FILLING, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF EARTHWORK ARE ALLOWED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE NYS CANAL CORPORATION REGIONAL CANAL ENGINEER". They, of course, did NOT follow procedure, which clearly illustrates the town leadership has ZERO regard for the actual laws that govern this land while simultaneously and willingly enforcing invalid town ordinances. The town has mismanaged this NYS public property for almost 50 years, and you mean to say they haven't gone through the process of contacting the Engineer for other projects in the permit area?!? NO FREAKING WAY! Not to mention, it also states the PERMITTEE is responsible for "compliance with all Federal, State, and Local Laws, Ordinances, Codes, Rules & Regulations, including, but not limited to, obtaining the necessary permits..." How'd they do here??? REVOKE THE TOWN'S USE AND OCCUPANCY PERMIT! It’s so blatetly OBVIOUS leadership is incapable of making sound decisions regarding this land. ‘Bout time for DEC to manage it as a WMA again.

No way this was sanctioned! The whole bank has been destabilized - no geotex, no silt fence, any permits? Got the okay from the US Army Corp., Canals, DEC, and OGS? NO SHOT!! At least it wasn't some lone bandit with a hand saw that no one can identify. Yet again, the Town of Clifton Park shows they are completely inept stewards of our NYS public lands & waters. There is NO WAY the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation doesn’t address this; enough is enough!

Ohh. My. Lawd. This is too good. Did I hear someone say that hunting season dates are set by a "higher governmental authority"? So, if it's not the town that sets hunting season dates, did this higher power give the town permission to set its own special season? OF COURSE NOT - THAT WOULD BE ABSURD- and we've been over why this is and will continue to be. The town, knowing this all along (decades), is exactly why their efforts have continually been directed toward passing invalid town ordinances/laws that are obviously overreaching, preemptive, unenforceable, and used just to discourage users (who paid) from participating in a VERY LEGAL activity. We stand by the fact that the Town of Clifton Park has NO CONTROL OVER THE FREE AND DIRECT ACCESS TO NAVIGABLE WATERS WITH A HUNTING FIREARM ON NYS PUBLIC PROPERTY, HAS NO CONTROL OVER FI****MS DISCHARGE OR HUNTING ACTIVITIES OVER NAVIGABLE WATER, and now, FINALLY, through public admission and acknowledgment, NO CONTROL OVER SETTING HUNTING SEASON DATES. Thank you, Mr. Supervisor! We will ensure to check in on the official legal dates with the "higher authority," namely the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, before we head in.

July 21, 2025 Town Board Meeting

Pretty good money for the Mohawk...

Tonko Secures $100 Million Investment for Mohawk River in Must-Pass Legislation WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) today cheered the allocation of $100,000,000 to support water and wastewater infrastructure for the Mohawk River and tributaries under the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The federal investment for the vicinity of the Mohawk River and...

Oh boy... They are throwing a tantrum now. Nice to see it called the Game Management Area again though.

Date Change to Permitted Duck Hunting in Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve: New York State Canal Corporation Dredging in the Designated Game Management Area

New York State Canal Corporation, property owner of the Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve, has contacted the Town of Clifton Park to inform town officials that they will be actively dredging in the preserve in and around the designated New York State Game Management Area during the week of October 12-18, 2024, that was previously designated for duck hunting. Due to the extensive nature of the dredging activity along the Mohawk River and the movement of equipment and personnel, the Town of Clifton Park will no longer be able to allow duck hunting on the following days: Monday, October 14th through Thursday, October 17th, 2024.

Please note duck hunting by permitted hunters will only be allowed in the Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve on Saturday October 12th, Sunday October 13th and Friday October 18th. Monday, October 14th through Thursday, October 17th, 2024 the preserve will be open for normal activities while the dredging work is being done.

Duck hunting has been an annual activity dating back prior to the 1970s when the Town of Clifton Park began management of the Preserve. Working in partnership with the Canal Corporation, the Town has developed a trail and bridge system along with other improvements to enhance the enjoyment of this beautiful property in the southern part of the Town. Duck hunting was historically allowed for two weeks during the hunting season and was reduced by the Town Board to one week in the 1990s.

Interesting... this property is almost directly across from the VF and this move feels like progress. Individuals that need a riverside "park" in CP during the hunting season can now just jump across the river and enjoy one. No net loss to the non-consumptive user- GREAT! Let's get our WMA back!

At last, Mohawk River State Park is in the loving care of local residents The 113 acres of wooded land adjacent to Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail and River Road in Niskayuna have seen several ownership and name changes over the years

Another new permit from NYS Canals to Clifton Park, November 2023. (Conveniently released just after the local election!?) We are still awaiting the map for the new permit (-R-001).

A big change with this permit was General Condition # 14 was removed which until a few days ago stated "The area under permit shall exclude the right-of-way of any trail constructed or sanctioned by NYS Canals. The Permittee shall not restrict or in any way impede the use of said trail." For now, with the removal of this wording, it appears NYS Canals has again inserted itself into local policy and is seemingly aiding and emboldening the Township in enforcing its invalid and discriminatory ordinances on not just public lands and waters, but now rights of way within and adjacent to the boundary of the permitted lands. This appears to be support on the heels of the town recently passing their ordinance banning the "possession, carrying, or transportation of hunting fi****ms" anywhere within the property.

Some of the original grant documents discuss managing the property for quality waterfowl hunts (for both wildlife and hunters) by installing permanent structures named "shooting stands". I believe they would be somewhat similar to the ones pictured. (Capacity was referenced at approximately 12 stands on the original 450a WMA.) I don't believe they succeeded with the installation but I think it's a cool idea. Having the property open for the full season with designated shooting stands that could be used by everyone all year for birding but reserved/lottery/permit to hunters for the season. I can think of a few spots, even with a paddle or wade, where one of these would be a dream!