New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame To Induct Nine
Utica, New York –-(AmmoLand.com)- The New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame proudly announces that it will induct nine new members at the Annual Banquet, April 24, 2010 in Canastota, NY.
The nine individuals represent a cross section of interests and achievements from various regions of New York State. What they do have in common is a lifetime of dedication to conservation and improving participation in outdoor sports.
Dave Barus of Erie County has been a leader in many sportsmen’s organizations and the Erie County Federation of Sportsmen as well as one of the founders of the Southtown Walleye Association. He founded the Teach Me To Fish program and conducts that on behalf of several clubs. Bill Button has developed several youth programs in Yates County and served as president of local clubs and the Yates Federation of Conservation Clubs. He started the Yates County Chapter of S.C.O.P.E. and has been a longtime advocate for sportsmen’s causes.
Bob Hughes of Steuben County is a life-long instructor in hunter safety and trapper education. He has served as president of the NYS Trapper’s Association and is currently the Scholarship Chairman. Bob Monacchio of Saratoga has devoted a lifetime to protecting the ecology of Great Sacandaga Lake and opportunities for fishermen. He has also worked on behalf of sportsmen all over the state to fight invasive species, increase access for anglers, and protect the dedicated Conservation Fund.
Ed Noonan is an award-winning writer from Saratoga County and a strong advocate for sportsmen’s rights and conservation. He has actively promoted and assisted in many youth clinics and activities. Glenn Sapir of Putnam County has spent a lifetime as editor of national and state publications and introduced sportsmen to new opportunities, set standards for ethics, and encouraged new writers and sportsmen. Currently he promotes shooting sports, especially for youngsters and newcomers, on behalf of the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Ed Sidote of Norwich is known as Mr. Finger Lakes Trail for the many miles and hours he has spent assisting and introducing others to the joys of the outdoors. His exhibits, seminars, and hikes have all conveyed the message of conservation and the sportsmen’s role. Al West of Warren County developed the course on trapper education before it became state mandated. He has served as president of New York State Trappers Association and currently is chair of the Joint Trappers Initiative which works with the DEC to reconcile the interests of trappers and the public’s concerns.
Steve Wowelko of Onondaga County has been the voice and the organizer of many organizations both for Onondaga County and New York State sportsmen. Friends of Carpenters Brook, Family Fish Days, Camp Hinckley Fishing Program, member of Region 7 Fish and Wildlife Management Board, and the fight to save the Carpenters Brook Hatchery are only a few of the programs that Wowelko has devoted countless hours and skill to.
All of these sportsmen are recognized not for what they achieved on a personal basis, but for their efforts on behalf of saving or improving our sporting heritage. They along with their families and friends, past inductees of the Hall of Fame, and representatives of the major sporting conservation groups will gather at the annual banquet.
These sportsmen will be honored at the Annual Banquet in Canastota, NY on April 24, 2010. Guests and interested sportsmen are encouraged to attend. Information or reservations are available by calling 315-363-3896 by April 17.
In addition to honoring sportsmen and women for preserving or enhancing our outdoor heritage, the NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame is involved in many other educational activities including seminars, fishing clinics, or youth programs. Check the web site www.nysohof.org for more information.