The Rattlesnake Hill Wildlife Management Area is a 5,100 acre upland tract, situated approximately eight miles west of Dansville, New York. Roughly two-thirds of the area lies in southern Livingston County, while the remaining third lies in northern Allegany County. The tract was purchased in the 1930’s under the Federal Resettlement Administration and is one of several such areas turned over to DEC for development as a wildlife management area.
The area is appropriately named after the Timber Rattlesnake, which may be occasionally found in the more remote sections of the “Hill”.
The area offers an interesting blend of upland habitats such as mature woodland, overgrown fields, conifer plantations, old growth apple orchards and open meadows.
The area is inhabited by a variety of game species and is open to public hunting. The white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, grey squirrel, cottontail rabbit and woodcock are found on the area. An occasional snowshoe hare may be observed adjacent to thick creek bottom brush or conifer plantation habitats.
A number of small marsh units have been developed and provide limited hunting for waterfowl. Some of the area’s furbearing species such as mink, beaver and raccoon may be occasionally viewed at these marsh units.
This time of year the mornings are quite dark. Sunrise isn’t until after 7:00 each day, making getting up and going to work a challenge. Camping means getting up in darkness, but at least it makes it easier to get out in the field before dawn when hunting.
In two and a half weeks the time will change, giving us a little extra sun in the morning in exchange for less sun in the evening. Soon though it will be pitch black at five. Mornings already are getting increasingly cold, almost warranting turning the heat on – and certainly at camp sitting by the heater warming ones hands.
Fortunately a hot cup of coffee and breakfast on the camp stove can help overcome the darkness. Morning still breaks, it’s just later then I would like. Eventually the seasons will change, spring will happen and summer days will return.
Some days are just more difficult than others. 😮 But you try to do your best, hold your head up when you are punched. Be the cow who chews her cud,🐮 patiently observing but taking no action. For today is a short one and tomorrow if you plan and work hard will be better.
Years ago, I used to think on vacation that I should try to visit as many places as possible. But nowadays it seems like life is going by too quickly, and it’s better to take things slowly, observe nature more, and not try to hit as much as possible.
With all this talk about politicians drinking beer these days,💭 I have to admit I drink less and less of it. 🍺As I’ve gotten older, I really don’t enjoy getting drunk, I don’t like the hang overs😵 or the even just the cost of alcohol.💰
Sure, I’ll occasionally have a beer or two when camping⛺ but I have all but given up on drinking at home or even when I’m on the road for work.🍻 I guess when I was younger, alcohol made me more relaxed but now it’s really kind of not that great, a lot of empty calories and honestly hang overs are really bad. 💩
Moss Island was saved from becoming simply a bridge support largely by the activism of Paul Stewart and a few others from the SUNY Albany Save our Environment Group. They fought and asked questions, raised concerns and spoke out against constructing the bridge over Moss Island. Instead the bridge was moved slightly to the south and is virtually as quick to get to Little Falls.
Citizen activism in one’s community can really make a difference. While the national environment may be almost untreactable, citizen activism on the local level can make a real difference. Often the opinions of citizens are dismissed by governments as unworkable only to be implemented after enough activism forces government to reconsider the default options.
Moss Island today is a big draw for rock climbers and tourists alike. It provides a beautiful place to walk, enjoy nature within city limits, to carefully observe the natural wonders known as the potholers. Indeed, what city leaders at one time just viewed as a place to cross is one of the city’s greatest assets
