I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself. I am a Licensed New York State Hunting,
Fishing and Boating Guide #3770. I am also an active
member of the New York State Guides Association and have participated in many outdoor activities for over 35 years.
I have bow hunted Whitetails for over 35 years and
have learned the art of still hunting, stand placement, calling and tracking this elusive creature.
I have hunted the Eastern Wild Turkey for 30 years and have sharpened my skills with all modern calling equipment, and have
incorporated the use of decoys and blinds
on many successful hunts. I have also tagged many birds with clients using a spot & stalk approach which can prove to be very productive
in the spring & fall.
Fishing is another passion of mine, in which I have dedicated countless hours learning valuable techniques for bass,
walleye, trout and panfish.
I am confidant that your time afield or on the water will be a safe and rewarding experience!
We are located in Central New York state, commonly known as the Leatherstocking Region. We are close to Cooperstown,
Home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. There are two separate parcels of land, minutes apart fully equipped with lodging for
two
people.
The first lodge is in a wilderness setting surrounded by hundreds of acres of prime habitat. The terrain is made up of
rolling hills, mixed hardwoods, swamps and open meadows. The wood-heated cabin
overlooks a 30-acre field with a view and has several acres of managed clover
attracting an abundance of wildlife. There is also plenty of natural browse including apple, beechnut, oak and native grass
in this
area with a natural year-round water source. Numerous bedding sites have been established close to food sources by
controlled cutting of timber.
A network of trails are maintained, making it easy to navigate the property. 
There are many tree stands scattered about in high percentage areas, including ladder stands for those
who prefer this type
of hunting. There is also
a shooting house for those cold and rainy hunts.
The second lodge, our main facility is just a few miles from Cooperstown and Otsego Lake. This parcel is on a high mountain surrounded by farm land, streams, swamps and creek bottoms, all offering the potential for impressive bucks. The area holds a large population of wild turkey, small game, deer, as well as some black bear (which may be harvested in this region). Both locations offer facilities with all the modern amenities to make your stay very comfortable. Relax and enjoy our complimentary library of hunting & fishing movies!
Also nearby are several large parcels of state land consisting of thousands of acres which provide excellent spring and fall turkey hunting with high success rates. Opportunities for whitetails are frequent at these parcels as well.
There are also many local accommodations and eateries to satisfy anyone's preference! A full listing of restaurants is available upon request.
SPRING AND FALL TURKEY HUNTS:
We hunt in Otsego County which is ranked as one of the best counties in New York state for hunting these amazing birds! Success rates are very high
in both spring and fall. Spring hunts in our region end at noon, giving you time to rest up and enjoy the many attractions
offered in our area.
Later in the evening we roost birds which increase our odds for the following morning.
If birds have not been put to bed the night before, we "walk and call" in productive areas much like our fall hunts.
As an alternative to roosting, I employ a "spot and stalk" technique which is a highly successful alternative on those
weary,
old, call-shy birds.
When gobblers are henned up, I successfully call the hens into range, often bringing with them, the resident gobbler
in tow.
In the fall,large flocks of birds may be located at food sources and broken up to later be recalled, almost always offering a shot opportunity. Otherwise walking and calling in productive areas produces results.
SPECIAL YOUTH SEASON (12 - 15 Years Old): The Special Youth Season is an effort to introduce and encourage young hunters, accompanied by an adult, to take up this fabulous sport. It is only a 2 day season and usually takes place on the weekend falling approximately 1 week before the opening of the Regular Season. Participants are permitted to take 1 bearded bird during this season. This is spring turkey hunting with the woods to yourself.
ITEMS YOU WILL NEED: Shot gun and ammo, full camo including head net, camo rain gear, waterproof boots, bug repellant, NYS Small game license with spring turkey permit.
I am currently guiding on Otsego Lake, Canadarago Lake and Goodyear Lake. There are many other smaller lakes located in Otsego county that I frequent. The species, time of year and up-to-date weather patterns, will all be key elements in determining where to concentrate our efforts.
These lakes provide excellent fishing for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Lake Trout, Walleye, Crappie, Carp, Pickerel
and assorted panfish.
I am confident to be able to provide you with a pleasant and productive day on the water.
I cater to a maximum of 2 people per outing. The fishing boat is a 16 foot Sea Nymph with a helm console,
72-inch
beam and deep V hull for exceptional stability, even in rough conditions. 
It is equipped with a live well, dry storage, bow casting deck & pedestal seats, trolling motor and state of the art
fish finders, plus all the equipment you will need for an enjoyable outing!
WE SUPPLY TO CLIENT: All tackle and equipment, life jackets, cooler with ice and live bait.
ITEMS YOU WILL NEED: Persons aged 16 and over a N.Y.S. valid fishing license and ID is required, lunch, hat and apparel suitable to current weather conditions, sun protection.
Fin & Fur practices 'Catch & Release' but the choice is yours!
Otsego County holds a large population of whitetails. The season is typically one month prior to the start of gun season. Hunting the prerut can prove very successful. I employ the use of scouting cameras and long-range surveillance in patterning bucks and does. Stands are then hung in these high percentage areas for your use or you are welcome to bring your own.
As the rut heats up and buck activity increases we will be hunting areas with large concentration of does as well as travel corridors between bedding areas and food sources. There is the potential in our area for bucks between the 120 and 130 range during this period, so spending as much time in the stand will increase your odds dramatically. I also recommend using your choice of the many scent reduction products sold on the market today. The products I’ve used in the past have proved very successful and I can share this program with you if you are interested. I also encourage you to bring a backpack with extra clothes and scent control, raingear and field glasses.
There
are a number of stands also positioned along bottlenecks, scrape lines and on well used trails that have produced
over several years. Either way your time afield can prove successful. You can also arrange to have myself
accompanying you as the rut develops, in hopes of calling in a good buck that you may harvest.
I cater to 1-2 hunters that are seriously looking to harvest a deer. Our facilities are non-smoking to ensure the overall success ratio. This is for the benefit of all of our clients.
ITEMS YOU WILL NEED TO BRING: Warm and waterproof boots, resident big game license with bow stamp, fully insulated camo clothing with multiple layered garments, field glasses, rangefinder if preferred, personal tree stand(if you prefer).
SKULL MOUNTS - I also craft European Skull Mounts. We have several mounts on hand to help you decide if this is your preference.
|
Spring Turkey |
4 Days ~ May 1-4, 5-8, 9-12, |
| Fully Guided 2 on 1, per person | ..... $725 | Fully Guided 1 on 1, per person | ..... $900 |
|
Spring Turkey |
3 Days of your choice ~ May 13-31, | Fully Guided 2 on 1, per person | ..... $600 | Fully Guided 1 on 1, per person | ..... $700 |
| Per extra day w/ package hunts (if available) | ..... $150 |
| Spring Turkey - Youth Hunt | 2 Day package ~ Parent w/ youth |
| Parent w/ Youth | ..... $400 |
|
Fall Turkey |
3 Days |
| Full Day ~ 1 on 1, per person | ..... $450 |
| Full Day ~ 2 on 1, per person | ..... $400 | Per extra day, w/ package hunts (if available) | ..... $200 |
|
Bow Hunt |
4 Days |
| Pre-rut | ..... $500 |
| Rut | ..... $750 | Per extra day (if available) | ..... $150 | Custom Skull Mounts | ..... $125 |
| Full Day (6 Hours (w/ 1 hour lunch break), w/ tackle & bait) | |
| One Person | ..... $200 | Half Day (3 Hours, w/ tackle & bait) |
| One Person | ..... $150 |
For additional information and current season dates and license fees, you may visit the New York State DEC website at New York State DEC
Trips should be booked well in advance for premium days and availability. A non-refundable 50% deposit is required at the time of the booking to hold the dates. Balance is due on the day of the trip - CASH ONLY accepted.
Please note: Upon arrival, you will be required to sign a waiver-"Hold Harmless Liability Agreement", relieving Fin & Fur from all responsility for accident, damage, and injury before hunting commences.
We look forward to hearing from you! See you in the great outdoors! John Schiavone, Guide #3770
HOMEFor more information and reservations please contact us via - , or phone us at 607.547.1350