NYSOWA 2017 AWARDS

MY WONDERFUL SURPRISE

THIS AWARD, "THE AMERICAN CROSSBOW FEDERATION'S BILL HILT''S SR. AWARD WAS PRESENTED TO: EDWARD M. NOONAN BY THE AMERICAN CROSSBOW FEDERATION. IT IS THE AMERICAN CROSSBOW FEDERATION'S "BILL HILTS, SR. AWARD PRESENTED TO 

EDWARD M. NOONAN

THIS AWARD IS PRESENTED FOR OUTSTANDING DEDICATION AND SERVICE IN PROMOTING A UNIQUE HUNTING OPPORTUNITY

2017

I WAS QUITE HONORED WHEN I WAS PRESENTED THIS AWARD BY BILL HILTS SR. HIMSELF WHO SPONSORED ME FOR NYSOWA MEMBERSHIP IN 1989

THANK YOU BILL

NEW YORK STATE OUTDOOR WRITERS AWARDS 2017

NEW YORK STATE OUTDOOR WRITERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES

WRITING, PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS

Lake George, N.Y.—The New York State Outdoor Writers Association presented the winners of its annual writing and photography recognition program with carved duck decoy first-place awards and second- and third-place cash awards at the annual banquet of the organization sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation at the Dunham’s Bay Resort on Saturday, Oct. 14.

The organization of more than 80 professional communicators and several dozen supporting members from the outdoor and travel industry gathered at the resort Oct. 11-15 for its 50^th annual conference.  The Excellence in Craft writing competition and Janice M. Keesler Memorial Photo Contest, both co-sponsored by Ducks Unlimited, Redding Reloading Equipment and Sportsman Channel, were judged by highly regarded professionals from outside the organization.

“Nationally prominent professionals, some of the most respected, prolific and competent writers, editors and photographers in the field of outdoor communications, served as judges” said Mike Joyner, president of NYSOWA.

First-place winners in the writing competition for articles published in 2016 were: Wayne Brewer, Seneca Falls, N.Y., for Fall Brown Trout on the Finger Lakes  in Lake Ontario Outdoors’ Fall Issue , in the Magazine Feature category; Chris Paparo, Calverton, N.Y., for Exploring the Swamp Backwaters in On The Water’s July issue, in the Magazine Column category; Paula Piatt, Sayre, Pa., for Turkey Trapping and Tagging in New York Outdoor News, April 15, for Newspaper Feature; Steve Piatt, Sayre, Pa., for Missing (in) Kansas in New York Outdoor News, May 13, for Newspaper Column; and Charles Witek III, West Babylon, N.Y., for Winter Flounder: The Bill Has Come Due, on the Marine Fish Conservation Network, March 21, for Online Publications. Peter Fiduccia, South New Berlin, N.Y., took first place in the inaugural TV/Radio/Video/Audio awards for Moose & Caribou Hunting at Arluk Tilt in Newfoundland, Canada, with appeared on Woods N’ Water TV.

Angelo Peluso, Port Jefferson, took top photo honors in the Outdoor Scenic and People categories. Other first-place winners for photography were Susan Kiesel, Sauquoit, in the Hunting & Fishing category, Bill Hilts, Jr., Lockport, in the Action category and Christopher Kenyon, Wolcott, in the Wildlife category.

A complete list of first- to third-place finishers in both the writing- and photo-award programs follows.

Excellence in Craft Writing Awards

Magazine Feature: First place, Wayne Brewer, Fall Brown Trout on the Finger Lakes , Lake Ontario Outdoors, Fall; second place (three-way tie), J. Michael Kelly, New York’s Glorious Green Drakes,                New York Game & Fish, June;  Chris Paparo, The Long Island Shark Collaboration , On The Water, July;  Wayne Brewer   Jigging Lake Trout in the Winter, Lake Ontario Outdoors, Winter.

(MORE)

Magazine Column: First place, Chris Paparo, Naturalist’s Logbook: Exploring the Swampy Backwaters, On The Water, July; second place, Angelo Peluso, Fishing Planner: This November Could Be Different…, On the Water, Nov /Dec; third place,  Angelo Peluso, Fishing Planner: Carp and Stripers, On the Water,  April.

Newspaper Feature: First place, Paula Piatt, Turkey Trapping and Tagging, New York Outdoor News, April 15; second place, Steve Piatt, New York Outdoor News: Person of the Year, New York Outdoor News, April 29; third place, Angelo Peluso, Alone but Not Lonely, New York Outdoor News, March 4.

Newspaper Column: First place, Steve Piatt, Out There: Missing (in) Kansas , New York Outdoor News, May 13; second place, Steve Piatt, Out There: Going Somewhere, New York Outdoor News, Sept. 16;  Leon Archer, The Sportsman’s World: Ryan the Crab Whisperer, The Valley News, Aug. 27

                                         

Online Publication: First place, Charles Witek III, Winter Flounder: The Bill Has Come Due, Marine Fish Conservation Network, March 21; second place, David Figura, Cornell Expert: Archers Are Cheap,   Effective Way to Lower Deer Numbers, Syracuse.com, Jan. 21; third place, Chris Paparo, Tracking Movements of Local Canada Goose Populations, The Northforker, July 12.

                                              

TV/Radio/Video/Audio: First place, Peter Fiduccia,  Moose & Caribou  Hunting at Arluk Tilt in Newfoundland, Canada,  Woods N’ Water TV, Fall 2015; Peter Fiduccia, Update on Planting, Woods N’ Water TV, Fall 2014; third place, Bill Hilts, Jr., Outdoor Beat with Dan Colville, Outdoor Beat, LCTV Cable, Nov. 30.

Janice M. Keesler Memorial Photo Awards

Hunting & Fishing: First place, Susan Kiesel; second place, Glenn Sapir; third place, Richard Redman.

Outdoor Scenic: First place, Angelo Peluso; second place, Chris Paparo; third place, Bill Hilts, Jr.

Action: First place, Bill Hilts, Jr.; second place, Susan Kiesel; third place, Leo Maloney.

Wildlife: First place, Christopher Kenyon; second place, Susan Kiesel; third place, Christopher Paparo.

People: First and second places, Angelo Peluso; third place, Leo Maloney.

WHAT'S NEW

WHAT'S NEW 

BEAR & SON CUTLERY - THE BEAR EDGE

DEFINITELY A HUNTER’S CHOICE

Bear Edge is taking your hunting game to the next level with the Double Gut folding hunting knife. This model sports 2 locking blades, a drop point skinner and a thin gutting blade. They fold out on either side of the knife and lock up with stainless steel liner locks. The aluminum and steel frame handle has a Mossy Oak camo coating that provides a tacky grip and a classic hunting look. A tip-down pocket clip is included for your carrying comfort. Get one knife that can do it all with the Bear Edge Double Gut.

 https://www.bladehq.com/item--Bear-Edge-Double-Gut-Liner-Lock--68073

2017 LAKE GEORGE FALL FISHING CONTEST

17 YEAR OLD QUEENSBURY SENIOIR WINNER OF THE ADULT LARGEMOUTH BASS  WITH A 5.50  CATCH IS CONGRATULATED BY PJ CLARK, ALSO OF QUEENSBURY WHO FISHISHED SECOND WITH A 5.23 POUND LARGEMOUTH .

HERE ARE THE REMAINER OF WINNERS: 

ADULT SMALLMOUTH

Brian Squires 5.75lbs 23.00″ LG

Scott Erwin 4.73lbs 20.00″ B

Bernie Lindo 4.33lbs 19.75″ B

William Freeman 3.76lbs 19.50″ B

ADULT LARGEMOUTH

Colin Fraser 5.55lbs 19.50″ LG

PJ Clark 5.23lbs 19.00″ B

Joel Clark 4.71lbs 19.50″ B

Corey DiLorenzo 4.70lbs 18.75″ LG

ADULT LAKE TROUT

Ed Palmer 13.32lbs 32.00″ B

Greg Trombley 8.78lbs 29.00″ H

Vitali Stesik 7.79lbs 27.875″ B

Ramon Pruisscher 7.70lbs 27.25″ B

ADULT LANDLOCKED SALMON

No fish entered

JUNIOR SMALLMOUTH (only one prize per entrant *)

Enzo Rehm 3.52lbs 16.25″ LG

Sarah Musto 3.30lbs 16.00″ LG

*Cainan Hutchings 2.60lbs 17.50″ LG

Mykah Fisher 2.27lbs 17.25″ LG

*Cainan Hutchings 2.24lbs 16.25″ LG

*Rhianna Erwin 1.67lbs 16.25″ B

Becca Pape 1.40lbs 15.00″ LG

JUNIOR LARGEMOUTH (only one prize per entrant *)

Rhianna Erwin 3.33lbs 16.25″ B

Cainan Hutchings 3.07lbs 17.00″ LG

Carter Guyette 2.75lbs 17.50″ LG

Dylan Krepil 2.73lbs 15.50″ LG

*Carter Guyette 2.40lbs 16.50″ LG

*Cainan Hutchings 1.96lbs 17.50″ LG

Madison Sondemeyer 1.90lbs 16.0″

JUNIOR LAKE TROUT

Matthew Diana 6.59LBS 28.25″ B

Dylan Palmer 5.06 lbs 24.50″ B

 WOUNDED WARRIOR GETS HIS BUCK

GO TO EDDIE'S WED SITE AT  -  http://www.helpeddieryan.com 

Now when I entered the preserve that morning I didn’t know it was going to be a TWO EDDIES DAY. This same afternoon Wounded Warrior Eddie Ryan and his dad Chris (Lake George) arrived to see if Eddie could get a big buck; and Dave asked me to help. Having been with him several years ago when he shot an 800 pound elk I knew this kid could shoot.

Around 5 pm we set up a ground blind on the edge of the woods overlooking a large field where both Eddie and his dad. Dave and I had just left the gate and were walking back to the ranch when we spotted a big red stag and behind it was a big whitetail buck. Patiently Eddie waited at when the buck turned broadside his .308 barked; but Dave and I were not sure he had hit it. But we were sure when we saw Chris pushing Eddie’s wheel chair across the field with his thumb up and hollering “GOT ‘EM.”

The shot was about 100 yards and the bullets were perfectly placed for a quick ending. When we got there 3 grown men with tears in their eyes hugged and shook Eddie’s hand. WOW – what a deer that carried 25 points on its head. Back at the ranch Dave scored the rack of Eddie’s buck at 196 7/8 points which will definitely make the Safari Club and Boone and Crockett record books.

Now for those of you that were in the military Eddie Ryan said something to his dad that I haven’t heard in many years that was very amusing. When dad and Eddie were headed into the blind Chris said to his son “I will get your gun.” Eddie smiled and said – “MY RIFLE.”

THIS LITTLE PIGGY - 500+ POUNDS

50 years ago (1967) Bill Hilts Sr. and Hans Paller created the NEW YORK STATE OUTDOOR WRITERS ASSN.(NYSOWA) and this year 2017 plans were made for 
a 50th anniversary conference we decided to hold it where it all began -LAKE GEORGE.
As one of a number of members chosen to plan and initiate the 4 day conference Dan Ladd and I and a number of other had various things to do. One of mine was to take care of the what was needed for the Game Dinner. I was to get the making for the dinner. Our choices were Striper fish and venison. The stripper was supply by ED Skorupski and supporting member Dave Vanderzee of Easton View Outfitters the venison. I volunteer to do the deer hunting for a doe hunted in his preserve. 

On the first day of my hunt I saw plenty of deer but the doe must have known I was coming and did not show. What did show was several hogs and Dave gave me the OK to take one of them. Late that afternoon a saw the rear end of one heading through the brush and decided to follow/track it. At about 4 pm the caretaker of the preserve called and said he was leaving. If I stayed and did shoot a boar I would not be able to get it out of the woods on my own. So I decided to call it a day and head up into the wooded hills. I don't think I went 5 yards when I heard a grunt behind me and when I turned there was a BIG pig. SHE WAS HUGE. I did scope her but knew I would never get her down and onto my truck; so i turned and headed out - and so did she. I yelled, waved my hat and even threw a stone at her but she kept coming. fortunately she did not run but she stayed right behind me. 

That evening I called Dave and told him about my encounter and he said she PROBABLY would not hurt me; but I did not like that word "probably." And on the next day before sun up I  was back to find Miss Piggy. Put as I entered the preserve one of the worker said "watch the elk; they have begun their rut. When I got inside I saw several of them and they watched every move I made. I decided to go around them by going along the edge of the swamp and out of their sight. It worked and when there was hill between us I was able to go out into the field. It was time for me to look for miss piggy. I didn't have to wait long because she stepped out of the tall grass and started not running but walking  right for me. And it was then that my Ruger American .308 made sure that there would be plenty of pork for the game dinner. Her estimated weight was "at least 550 pounds."

GAMO SWARM MAXXIM AIR GUN

GAMO DOES IT AGAIN

When I read about the new GAMO SWARM MAXXIM .177 and .22 caliber break barrel pellet air rifle that allow the shooter to no longer have to hand load each pellet after every shot I was very interested. Now I have tested many of the GAMO air guns but this one really excited me.  This one allows you load 10 pellets into a circular clip and click it into the barrel. When you shoot all you have to do is cock the barrel and the pellet is already there ready for firing. Also on this clip it displays the numbers one through ten that tells you how many shots were taken/left.

As an avid small game hunter I was quite impressed with not only the 10 shot clip but some of the other added features. These include a Whisper noise reduction system, shock wave absorber recoil pad, a newly added gas piston that requires only 30 pounds to cock and a 2 stage trigger action for more accuracy. Also included is a special 3-9x40mm airgun scope.  As for speed which is also important, especially for those of us that want to hunt (small game) with an airgun – this one is very fast. The  SWARM’s  speed (feet per second) using the lead-free light ammo the .177 caliber leaves the barrel at 1300 feet per second  and 975 feet per second for the .22 caliber. Several minutes after reading about the Swarm I was placing my order for the .22 caliber model.

Just a few days later it was delivered, on opening day of the NYS small game season, and I immediately scoped it and headed for my friend’s house that had a range behind his house. It took just 3 shots to sight in and on the fourth shot my friend aimed at and shattered one of the push-pins holding the target. A quick thank you and I headed for the squirrel woods.

NYS AIR GUN REGULATIONS

The rules are very simple. NYSDEC‘s definition of an air gun is “A firearm that uses spring or compressed air (not gunpowder) to propel a single projectile that is .17 caliber or larger and produces a muzzle velocity of at least 600 feet per second.  Don’t forget you will also need a current NYS hunting license.  For full hunting regulations go to http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/15huntguide.pdf

THE HUNT

It did not take long when a squirrel appeared making its way towards me. It was a 15 yard shot and I was right on target. And before I could get up to retrieve the squirrel another two others were coming. Now normally I would have to open the barrel, take out a pellet from the container and put it into the chamber. But with the rotary style magazine I was ready when one came into range. And 20 minutes later I added another; and it all happened in less than an hour. I am very impressed with the SWARM MSXXIUM both in its accuracy and especially the quickness of chambering another pellet. If you have or know of a young shooter/hunter this airgun is a good choice.

NOTE: I also have taken a wood chuck and will shortly be trying for the fixing of a rabbit stew.

YOU ARE GOING TO LIKE THIS GUN

www.gamousa

ROSE'S IRISH SQUIRREL DELIGHT RECIPE

 ROSE'S IRISH SQUIRREL DELIGHT

Two squirrels quarter and dredged in flour, salt & pepper...in large fry pan braze in cooking oil...add thin mixture of flour, water, bay leaf and red cooking wine...cover and cook until tender over low heat.....remove meat and thicken liquid with flour, season with gravy master, salt & amp; pepper for gravy, bring almost to a boil....reduce heat, put meat back in....serve with mashed potatoes and green/yellow veggie.

FIRST FISH

On a sunny afternoon my daughter Sheila Dunston, her husband Matt and their two children – Sammy 6, Sydney 4 and my wife and I went fishing on Saratoga Lake. It was our “first” fishing trip with the kids. The lake was quite busy when we launched at South Shore Marina and headed for Stony Point. However before fishing both Sammy and Sydney had to sit on my lap and help me drive the boat and for about 20 minutes all I heard was go faster PAPA Eddie.

When we finally reached Stony Point I surprised them both with their own Tangle Free push button rod and reel. This rod has no eyelets as the line goes up inside of the hollow 34 inch rod. It is an ideal rod (no tangles) for kids. It took all of about 5 minutes for them to figure it out. Baited with a 4.25 inch stik-o-worm Matt helps Sammy and Sheila helped Sydney. I don’t think Sammy made more than a dozen cast when he said he had a “fishy” on. We all thought it was weeds but Sammy said “no – it is a fishy that wiggles.” He was right and wet-eyed PAPA Eddie was VERY HAPPY taking off his grandson’s fist fish; a smallmouth. Lots of high fives, smiles and photo taking followed.

Sydney was happy for her brother but you could see she was a little sad about her not catching one. This is when my daughter took over and less than a half hour later Sydney was reeling in her own largemouth bass. Years ago when Sheila was 12 she was my partner in a local bass tournament which we won; guess she hadn’t forgot how to fish. There was a lot of excitement and then came:  “Let’s go fast PAPA Eddie;” and then we headed for South Shore. For me it was absolutely the very best day of fishing I have ever had; and I am sure it won’t be the last.

NATHAN'S FIRST

NATHAN'S FIRST

(sent from a proud dad) 

My name is Dan Baxter and I live in Galway NY, Saratoga

county and I read your articles on a regular basis. I wanted to send  you a

bragging letter about my son Nathan who is 13 years old . Yesterday May 1st

2017 I accompanied him on his first turkey hunt as a licensed hunter. We got

up dark and early at 0430 and prepped for a long morning off calling and

chasing birds thru the fields of our 60 acre property. We arrived at our

blind that I had set up earlier in the week in preparation for the big day

at 0500. As we nestled in I gave him the pep talk of what could happen if we

see a bird and go over the safety rules and how it was his choice weather to

shoot or pass. I did not want to pressure him into thinking that he must

take the shot just to impress me. I began calling to the birds at 0530 and

right off the bat we heard a gobble from behind. Both are faces lit up and I

knew at that moment he was ready. Over the next fifteen minutes I made the

prettiest cluck and purr sounds that no Tom turkey could withstand. As we

sat in the blind waiting, he heard some leaves rustling to our side and when

we looked we saw a nice hen come out to start feeding , followed by a

second. At that time I told him to be ready because our boy was coming in

from the right of us. A few seconds later , there he was standing straight

in front of us 20 feet away strutting in all his glory. As I looked over at

my son I could see the awe on his face of being so close to them and

watching him do his strut and drumming. At that time I explained that he

needed to slowly take aim, prepare and take a deep breath. I said " get

ready bud and take the shot at your pace " , after watching him and waiting

,what seemed to be 10 minutes ,I hear the rifle go off and I look out and

see that he has taken the best shot ever . Bird down!!! As I looked back at

him I could see him shaking and taking deep breaths, that's when I asked him

how he was and what he felt. He says he is "all good", that's when I told

him that feeling you felt and watching the wild life is what hunting is all

about. It is now only 0557, and although we only got to spend an hour

together that morning, I will remember it for a life time and I hope he does

as well. The tom weighed in at 20lbs with a nine inch beard and one inch

spurs. I have been hunting for 20 years and have never gotten a tom that

big. I am excited that he was able to have the chance and hope that he will

carry on this family tradition with his kids in the future. I am attaching a

picture for you to see. Thanks for your time.

 2017 KIDS ANNUAL YOUTH TURKEY HUNT

The Auriemma’s and Andrews kids tournament attracked 32 team and a total attendance of 80 people. And I hope I can get a tom turkey as big as the 8 that did. Leading the way was  Robert Kurharski Jr (13)   22#-13oz  11.25" beard 1-1/8 spurs,His Dad called in the Bird Robert Karharski Sr.  Canajoharie; Jarrett Flanders (14) 22# 8oz  10-3/8" beard 1" spurs called in by Dave Paro & Dwight Flanders; Joshua Hazelton (15) 20#12oz. 8.75" beard 1" spurs Called in by Mark Serafin Amsterdam; Joshua Hazelton (15) 20#12oz. 8.75" beard 1" spurs Called in by Mark Serafin Amsterdam; -Adam Oertel (15) 18#14oz. 10" beard 7/8" spurs called in by Gary Oertel Fort Plain; Colby Fisher (14) 18#10oz. 9.25" beard 3/4 spurs called in by Mark Serafin Amsterdam; Christian Robinson (13) 14#8oz. 5.5" beard 1/2" spurs Called in by Aaron Robinson & Stan Posluszny Amsterdam; Shane Viscosi (13) 12#13oz. 4" Beard 5/8" spurs called in by Patrick Viscosi Fultonville; Hunter Jones (13) 12#6oz. 4" beard 1/4" spurs called in by Grandfather Son Team of Kenny & Dave Jones Mayfield.

Gracious Donations by; Franks Gun Shop,Charles Parrino,Wal*Marts,BCI Ind.,Ricks Robo Car Wash,Louies Food & Fuel,Vince Orcutt,Robert Reakes,Dick Andrews,Gary Dlugas,Kenny Jones,Jason Crouch,Kevin Baudhuin,Stan & Dee Posluszny,John Loucks,Jay Affinito,John Affinito ,Gun Smoke Handgun Safety,Susan Knapik,Joe Benanto,Greg & Roberta Heck,CPR Tent Rentals,Tim Longo,Steve Masters,Fred Kuntzch,Jeremy & Temple Wilson,Annie & Scott Himsle,Stewarts & Danny Sala...Wouldn't be such a success without These People!!! Great Time,Great Stories,Some Lucky & some Hard Luck but all the Kids had one & everyone Had one think that We Love the most HUGE SMILES..

GREAT JOB AGAIN   MIKE, MICHELLE AND DICK