Saturday, May 30, 2009

Future Anglers

FUTURE ANGLERS OUTREACH A BIG SUCCESS

Imagine over 70 youngsters with little or no fishing skill and experience, accompanied by parents who have no background in fishing, and turning them loose for a morning of fishing. While some might see a potential for chaos or havoc, others see this as an opportunity to hopefully introduce a life-long sport.
Thanks to Ted Dobs and the dozens of volunteers who lined the waterways of Marion Manor last Saturday, the occasion was a giant step towards the latter. The Future Anglers Outreach program held Saturday, April 25 was a huge success thanks to local sponsors and volunteers.
Future Anglers Outreach is not a derby or contest, rather it is a clinic designed for kids and parents with little or no fishing experience. Each child registered receives a free rod and reel and along with the family receives basic instruction from the volunteers present. The kids then have the opportunity to practice and learn by actually fishing. Of course refreshments, prizes, informative literature, supplies, and a visit by a DEC ECO are all part of the experience.
Future Anglers Outreach originated as a project started by Ted Dobs of Oneida Charters, a member of the NYSOHOF Association, working with the NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame to reach kids interested in fishing and get them started on the right track. Last year the program hosted 35 kids and their famly members and was recognized by Bass Pro Shops with its “Pass It On” Award for New York State.
This year word of the success of the program and Capt. Ted’s recruiting had 50 youngsters signed up. As numbers applying continued to grow, some of the sponsors or those had contributed in the past were no longer able to help. Needless to say there was concern for this year’s event.
But local sportsmen stepped into the breech to not only save the program but to make it bigger and better. Capt. Matt White made sure that Pirate Charters and Hanifin Tires were major sponsors as well as hands-on volunteers. Dave Alberico and Marion Manor provided sponsorship as well as a spacious, suitable facility for the larger number. Many members of the NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame Assoc. were on hand to assist youngsters or help in any way needed. The more than 70 young anglers spread out and with some assistance and encouragement; they eagerly tried out their new tackle. Catches ranged from tiny sunfish to large bass and bullheads but the important thing was that all the mistakes, snags, and snarls were handled without kids getting frustrated.
Hopefully a majority, if not all, of these boys and girls will continue to experience fishing, and all the fun it brings along with an appreciation of the outdoors world. At least they have a head start by having been equipped with proper tackle and given some basic instruction rather than becoming initially frustrated and discouraged.
The NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame and its Future Anglers Outreach program want to give a huge thank you to Matt White, Hanifin Tires, Pirate Charters, Marion Manor Marina, and all the volunteers for making this event a big success.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008


Organized in 1983 as the Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame, this association was formed to seek out and honor those individuals who not only have exhibited genuine excellence in hunting, fishing, trapping, and related outdoor sports, but have demonstrated sincere and continuing dedication to natural resources conservation. These individuals are honored “not for what they have taken, but for what they have given”.
Further, the NYSOHOF shall promote, organize and participate in activities which are directed toward youth, their education, and the education of others with the belief that through a better understanding of man’s relationship with his environment comes a better understanding of ones place and purpose therein.
This organization shall also promote, above all, the philosophy that it is the responsibility of all sportsmen to consistently give to their respective sport as well as receive. It is our belief that general acceptance of this philosophy is the only assurance that future generations may also appreciate the beauty of our lakes, streams, fields and forests. Therefore, the measure of our success shall be the example we set for others

Tuesday, June 17, 2008



A highlight of our 25th Anniversary Banquet was a moving ceremony, complete with honor guard of ECOs. We presented a plaque to Colonel Walter Heinrich of the DEC honoring the ECOs who have fallen in the line of duty.




Those honored included

Samuel S. Taylor:
April 5, 1914. Oneida County. fatally shot while attempting to apprehend illegal duck hunters along the Mohawk River.

John H. Woodruff:
November 19, 1914. Schenectady County. Murdered while on patrol. His remains were discovered buried in a creek bed on April 4, 1921. The case was never resolved.

Harvey B. Cruikshank:
June 8, 1926. Washington County. Fatally struck by lightning while on patrol.

William T. Cramer:
September 29, 1929. Queens County. Fatally shot while attempting to apprehend illegal bird hunters near Jamaica Bay.

Paul DuCuennois:
October 16, 1932. Warren County. Drowned while patrolling by canoe on Jabes Pond, Town of Hague. At 21 years old, DuCuennois was probably the youngest member of the Bureau at the time, and a strong swimmer. Two witness were not implicated, but suspicion over the incident continues to this day.

Clarence J. Webster:
November 16, 1944. Washington County. Died in an auto accident while on patrol at age 64

Benning W. Delamater:
June 24, 1961. Albany County. Drowned while on patrol in the Hudson River near the Federal dam in Troy when his boat capsized.

William Becker:
March 11, 1981, Suffolk County. Drowned while on duty in the marine district
.

SUMMER 2008 NEWSLETTER

New York State Outdoorsmen Hall Of Fame
Newsletter
Summer ‘08

It was great to see so many former inductees and members of the OHOF Association at our 25th Annual Banquet. It was an impressive turnout and thanks go to all the officers and directors who each did a part to make the evening go smoothly. We had many positive comments from those in attendance and from all the inductees. In addition to the inductees who names we mentioned previously, we awarded the Dave Pierce Memorial for youth activities to Bob Fields for his work with Trout Unlimited’s Trout In the Classroom program. In a moving ceremony, complete with honor guard of ECOs, we presented a plaque to Colonel Walter Heinrich of the DEC honoring the ECOs who have fallen in the line of duty.

Due to lack of responses and commitments we will not be having the special OHOF Saturday in September that we had hoped to. The next regular meeting will be on September 18 at Gander Mountain in New Hartford at 7 pm. At that time we will hold the drawings for our money raffle.

We had to postpone our money raffle drawing due to the poor response and failure to return ticket stubs and money. This is our major fund raiser for the year and the only significant source of revenue for the Association. If you have not returned your tickets and money, please do so as soon as possible. If you did not receive any raffle tickets, or wish to purchase / sell more, please contact Scott Faulkner at (315) 829-3588 or e-mail
sfcf@tds.net.

MONEY: We hate to talk about money but it is necessary. The main function of the OHOF Association is to honor the men and women who have done so much for the cause of conservation and out outdoor heritage. But this takes money. We purchase two duplicate plaques for each inductee. One is presented to the person being honored; the other is on display at the museum. These and other awards constitute a significant expense. We must maintain insurance for our association and to cover the plaques, mounts, and other materials on display at our museum. Add to these the incidental costs of newsletter and other items and it becomes a significant outlay.

Essentially we have two sources of income – our annual raffle and dues for the OHOF Association. The Association is the organization that conducts the business of the NYS Outdoorsman Hall of Fame, including the induction process. This year so far both sources of income are down. Annual dues are $20, or $15 for inductees. We are asking that if you can possibly help, please do so. We have come a long way in getting increased recognition statewide for the OHOF and we want to continue to make it an organization you can all be proud of. Sincere thanks to all who have donated or paid their dues!

Be sure to check our web site
www.nysohof.org and see the great job that Bob Fields is doing. Thanks Bob!

Have a great summer!

Monday, June 9, 2008


The 25th Anniversary of the NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame was marked by a record attendance of 178 at the annual banquet. The ECO honor guard accompanied presentation of the plaque honoring ECOs who have fallen in the line of duty. The eleven inductees represented many different areas of the state and various efforts in the cause of preserving our outdoor heritage. The crowd represented a cross section of most of the major conservation and sporting organizations in the state and many former inductees. As one inductee commented, "being recognized by this organization and being honored by the presence of so many distinguished guests helps validate what we have been doing for many years and gives renewed energy to continue the efforts."


Inductees NYSOHOF 2008

Dr. John Braico: (Warren County) Founder Adirondack Chapter Trout Unlimited, Developed Resource Information System for stream restoration, TU Chair of Brook Trout Restoration Program.

Don Bronson: (Niagara County) Master hunter safety instructor, waterfowl identification instructor, Bowhunter education instruction, facilitator Leopold Education Program.

Ray “Mick” Elliott: (Saratoga County) longtime involvement Kayderosseras Fish & Game Club, Saratoga County Council of Sportsmen, NYS Conservation Council, and Fish & Willdlife Management Board.

Charles Godfrey: (Erie County) leader W NY Trout Unlimited, Erie County Federation Sportsmens Clubs. Involved with scholarships, youth programs, and stream restoration.

Rudy Hektor: (Broome County) One of six people nationally who taught hunter safety for the first 50 years. Master Instructor and Broome County Coordinator Hunter Safety for over 60 years.

Ron Kolodziej: (Montgomery County) Outdoor writer for over 30 years for many publications, active in Bowhunter education, kids fishing derbies, and youth activities. Past president NYSOWA.

Tim Noga: (Cayuga County) Active in Falcon Sportsmens Club, Cayuga County Federation of Conservation Clubs, and NYS Conservation Council. Helped organize Cayuga Pheasants Unlimited and Friends of Montezuma Wetlands.

Scott Sampson: (Seneca County) Outdoor writer for many publications over 35 years, Hunter safety instructor and mentor to countless youth and adults in outdoor skills. Crusader for sportsmen’s rights and the environment on many issues.

Bill Wellman: (Essex County) President Adirondack Chapter Trout Unlimited, Secretary State Council TU. Member NYTU Hydro relicensing committee, and Brook Trout Restoration Program. Led effort to restore Ausable River.

Harry “Bud” Woodfield: (Broome County) President Broome County Federation Sportsmens Clubs over 20 years. Many years service Fish & Wildlife Management Board and Conservation Fund Advisory Board. Active in NWTF and NYSCC.

Mike Zagata: (Otsego County) Former DEC Commissioner, advocate for more involvement of women and youth in outdoors. Started 2 year old trout stocking program and supported youth hunting days and free fishing days.