New York Mixed Bag: NYS Outdoor Writers to hold spring conference in Oswego County – Outdoor News
Oswego, N.Y. — The New York State Outdoor Writers Association will hold its annual spring conference in Oswego May 30 through June 2. Headquarters will be the Clarion Hotel and Suites Riverfront in downtown Oswego. During the event, NYSOWA members will have the opportunity to fish Lake Ontario and Oneida Lake as well as the famed Salmon River and Oswego River.
There will also be events planned and sponsored by the Oswego County Sportsman’s Federation, the New York Crossbow Coalition, the Oneida Lake Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Peter Reuben, the first-ever director of DEC’s Office of Indian Nation Affairs, is also expected to address the group.
The highlight of the event will be the organization’s annual dinner banquet, which features presentations of the Excellence in Craft Writing Awards and the Janice M. Keesler Memorial Photo Awards as well as the group’s annual Pass It On Award and M. Paul Keesler N.Y. Outdoor Citizen Award.
Visit www.nysowa.org for more information.
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New York’s Venison for Vets program expands as hunters help feed those in need
Lows Lower Dam work continues in Adirondacks, with access still limited for outdoor users
Invasive Species Awareness Week is June 3-9
Albany — New York’s Invasive Species Awareness Week is June 3-9. The mission of the NYISAW is to promote knowledge and understanding of invasive species and the harm they can cause. This applies to aquatic and land-based invasives.
According to New York Invasive Species Information website various events are planned across the state throughout the week, including interpretive hikes, volunteer days, webinars, movie screenings, and family-based activities. For more information, including a complete list of events by region, visit: https://nyis.info.
Camp Colby To Open For Summer Youth Camping Season
Saranac Lake, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation began taking online registrations for the youth summer camp program at Camp Colby on May 22.
DEC Summer Camps offer week-long adventures in conservation education for children ages 11-17. Camp Colby, Camp Rushford, and Pack Forest will operate for seven one-week sessions (Sunday to Friday) beginning June 30. Along with numerous outdoor activities, DEC also offers Hunter education (Hunter Safety, Bow Hunter Education, or Trapper Education) for several weeks each summer. One week of camp is $350 per child for the 2024 season and includes meals and trips.
Applications are to be submitted through the online registration program available via the summer camp website.
NYS Trappers Association Elects New Slate of Officers
Frankfort, N.Y. — On May 4, the officers and Board of Directors of the New York State Trappers Association met at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds. There, at the conclusion of their quarterly meeting, a new slate of officers was elected.
The new officers are: Bob Sommerfield, of Massena who will serve as president; Jim Greeley, of Grafton, is the new vice president; Bob Shaut, of St. Johnsville, is the secretary; and, Ed Milkiewicz of Raymertown is the treasurer.
For information on the NYSTA, including upcoming convention being held Aug. 29-31, visit: www.nystrappers.org.
June 8: Vermont’s Free Fishing Day
Montpelier, Vt. — Vermont’s annual, statewide Summer Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 8, which will also be opening day of the regular bass fishing season in the Green Mountain State. Vermont’s regular bass season also opens on June 8. The season opens each year on the second Saturday in June and extends through the last day of November.
Vermont’s Free Fishing Day gives resident and nonresident anglers the opportunity to go fishing without a license for the day in Vermont It will also will be celebrated at the Grand Isle Family Fishing Festival, to be held at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station in Grand Isle.
In New York, special regulations allow Lake Champlain’s bass season to also open all on this date; this year a week earlier than the state-wide opener of June 15. New York’s summer free fishing days will be June 29-30.
Hogdon Powder Company Acquires RCBS Reloading
Shawnee, Kansas — Hodgdon Powder Company announced early in May the acquisition of RCBS Reloading from Revelyst, a segment of Vista Outdoor. This acquisition was effective May 2, with Hodgdon prepared to immediately continue shipping RCBS products to wholesale and retail customers.
“Our dad Bruce partnered with Fred Huntington from RCBS to conduct Reloading Roadshow events in the 1950s and 1960s,” said J.B. Hodgdon, co-owner with his late brother Bob, of the Hodgdon Powder Company. “I believe they both are looking down today, proud to have our two great brands together in 2024.”
Hodgdon was established in 1947 by Bruce and Amy Hodgdon, The company distributes propellants under the Hodgdon, IMR, Winchester, Ramshot, Accurate, Pyrodex, Triple Seven, Blackhorn 209 and RCBS brands. RCBS was established by Fred Huntington in 1943.
Revelyst, a segment of Vista Outdoor Inc. owns a number of sports and outdoor brands, including CamelBak, Tasco and Bushnell. In 2023 Vista split into two segments and is in the process of selling it’s sporting products segment, which includes Remington, Federal, Speer, CCI and Alliant Powder, to Czechoslovak Group.
