Greene and Columbia Counties were host to the 2026 Spring Conference of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association. (NYS OWA). NYS OWA President, Debra Brosen chose the Twin Counties she described as, “Two regions rich with outdoor heritage and opportunity.” A native of Kinderhook, Debra’s credits include resident artist at the “Debbie Brosen Feather Art Studio.” A former outdoor columnist, she is an inductee and board member of the NYS Outdoorsman Hall of Fame. She said, NYS OWA has a, “…simple but powerful mission to elevate the way we tell the story of the outdoors.” Its members include, writers, reporters, authors, photographers, broadcasters, and, communicators who, “…share the inspiration of stories afield and to keep the public informed about our natural resources we enjoy in New York.”
The event was held from May 7th to May 10th at the warm and welcoming, Glens Falls House in Roundtop. It kicked things off with a “meet and greet” on Thursday and hosted the organization’s banquet/fundraiser on Saturday. In between, it was Columbia County’s turn to roll out the welcome mat on Friday. The Glencadia Rod & Gun Club in Stuyvesant provided lunch, then hosted presentations by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) where the keynote speaker was NYS DEC Commissioner, Amanda Lefton. Commissioner Lefton began her address to the gathering of outdoor writers, authors, photographers, and local sportsmen and women, by stating how much she enjoyed participating in a recent “Becoming an Outdoorswoman” (BOW) event. BOW conducts 3-Day workshops that provide women with information, encouragement, and hands-on instruction in outdoor skills like fishing, hunting, trapping, shooting, archery, camping, canoeing, and more. Having also attended the State Tournament for NY’s National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), she praised the fast-growing school activity and competitive sport for developing student’s confidence as well as proficiency with a bow. Commissioner Lefton said she was committed to the continued success of programs like NASP and BOW. She mentioned her unwavering support of the Crossbow Bill (now law) in “…recruiting and retaining youth conservationists.” She spoke of, “Getting more folks into the fold,” including people of color, to provide more opportunities for hunters while protecting the landscape by harvesting deer, proclaiming, “These lands are for everyone. People of all abilities (should) have opportunities to recreate in the outdoors.” Her message was one of accessibility and inclusion for all who wish to partake in outdoor sports like hunting, fishing, and trapping and other outdoor recreation.
DEC presentations continued with Bureau of Fisheries Chief, Steve Hurst who discussed recent and planned hatchery modernization using Environmental Bond Act funds. Modernization will include covering ponds to increase output by reducing predation. He expressed the need to protect NY’s state fish, the brook trout, especially in remote ponds in the Adirondacks, as well as making stream habitats across the state more resilient to hold wild trout while enhancing natural propagation.
Last up for DEC was Big Game Unit Leader, Brendan Quirian, who stated we are currently experiencing the highest population of white-tailed deer in the state’s history. Now estimated at 1.6 million deer on the landscape, he declared that presents a particular challenge to keeping the population in check. Brendan discussed wildlife’s current proposal to harvest more does which remains the key to population containment. “Earn a Second Buck”, is on the table and would require successful buck hunters to take a doe before they are issued their second buck tag. The Big Game Unit biologist then touted success on the buck age structure front due to both voluntary and mandatory antler restrictions. In the 1990’s, 70 percent of bucks harvested were in the 1.5-year-old class compared to 30 percent in 2025. 2.5-year-olds went from 20 percent to 40 percent of the buck harvest in 2025, with 3.5-year-old buck harvests increasing from 10 percent in the 90s to 30 percent in 2025. He went on to note NY is the only state to successfully combat Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). CWD can devastate deer populations and was aggressively eradicated in NY in 2005 and again, so far, in 2024.
Rounding out the DEC commissioner’s entourage were Deputy Commissioner of Public Affairs, Maureen Wren, Public Information Officer, Lori Severino, and staff from “The Conservationist” magazine including Managing Editor, Marie Van Wie, were actively providing their support for OWA. Meanwhile, volunteers from Glencadia Rod & Gun Club made sure the event ran smoothly and opened their 5-Stand trap sporting clays to attendees who wished to partake.
Past NYS OWA president and editor of New York Outdoor News, Dan Ladd was on hand for the duration, assisting as emcee with current President, Debra Brosen as they coordinated the weekend’s events. By all accounts, the 2026 NYS OWA Spring Conference in the Twin Counties was a resounding success.
Happy hunting, fishing, and trapping until next time!
News and Notes
Annual Ray Brooks Memorial Kid’s Fishing Derby at Catskill Point is June 13th
This year the Ray Brooks Memorial Kid’s Fishing Derby at Catskill Point, sponsored by the Greene County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, will take place on Saturday, June 13th. Registration is at 9:00 am with fishing for kids 5-15 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. There will be prizes, refreshments and lots of fishing fun.
