Outdoors with Larry DiDonato - 20 March 2024

Oldest Sportsmen’s Advocate in NY Now Struggling  

Formed in 1933, the NYS Conservation Council (NYSCC) is the oldest conservation organization in NYS striving to secure and preserve hunting, fishing, and trapping for generations to come. Their website also stresses its concern with sound management of the state’s land, water, fish, and wildlife. Composed chiefly of county sportsmen’s federations interested in issues critical to hunting, fishing, trapping, and the shooting sports, the NYSCC has traditionally been the statewide voice of NY sportsmen. Unfortunately, over the past few years it has experienced internal and operational difficulties hampering its effectiveness. Concerned sportsmen have been increasingly alarmed with the trajectory of legislation threatening hunting, fishing, trapping, and the shooting sports, and the lack of success in combating these threats. NYSCC membership has been shrinking. Of the 62 counties in NY, just 40 sportsmen’s federations remain members. Losing paying county federation member organizations certainly has not helped NYSCC as it faces financial uncertainty. Leadership challenges at NYSCC go beyond that of a sustained vacancy at the first vice president level.

Sportsmen solidarity, representation, legislative influence, and leadership are issues critical to NY’s sportsmen and women. They call for the council’s focus, direction, and leadership on a number of key issues. 

On March 14th a meeting was held by the Region 4 Conservation Council at the Middleburgh Rod & Gun Club. In attendance were representatives from sportsmen’s federations from Greene, Albany, Delaware, and Schoharie Counties, and the Region 4 Fish and Wildlife Management Board. Four of the region’s nine counties did not send federation representatives. Also in attendance were NYSCC Legislative Vice President, Pat McBrearty, Region 4 NYSCC Director, Joe Viva, and Council newcomer, Bruce McGowan. 

A stated purpose of the meeting was to introduce Governor Hochul’s newly appointed Region 4 Conservation Fund Advisory Board (CFAB), member, Nate Galimore, and the newly hired, paid employee at the NYSCC. However, CFAB member Nate Galimore was unable to attend so the meeting began with the introduction of NYSCC’s recently hired Executive Director, Bruce McGowan. Bruce is a self-described, “ex-state employee” who worked in the Unadilla School District, and was most recently employed by the “Friends of the NRA.”  Bruce’s title of “Executive Director” is somewhat of a misnomer in that, as he explained, his duties are largely administrative in nature, as was the case with his predecessors. Many county federation members and other members of the council are not familiar with the title of Executive Director for NYSCC. Some assumed it is a high-ranking leadership position, indicating potential change at that level but that is not the case. When asked about that at the meeting, Bruce said he certainly will answer any question he could for members, but he is not officially a policy maker nor is he within the chain of command of the council. He also shared that he would not have taken the position if his duties were strictly those of an office manager. He instead wishes to be heavily involved in outreach and other measures to get the word out in support of the mission and goals of the NYSCC. 

Discussion quickly turned to the many anti-hunting and anti-shooting sports bills gaining traction in both houses of the NY Legislature. When asked if NYSCC would consider hiring a paid lobbyist to combat new anti-hunting sentiment, the legislative VP replied he would if the council had the money but at present they don’t. 

A Letter of Agreement between NYSCC and the NYS Trappers Association (NYSTA) who does employ a paid lobbyist was discussed, but that agreement does not in any way share the NYSTA lobbyist. It simply ensures that the Conservation Council will consult with NYSTA on legislative matters involving trapping in NY so the two organizations do not operate at cross purposes.  

Schoharie County Conservation Alliance representative Dave Wood, who also serves as Vice Chairmen of the Region 4 Fish and Wildlife Management Board, asked why the Council no longer organizes a Sportsmen Lobby Day in Albany? No valid reason was offered and further discussion did not illicit any plans to resume a sportsmen’s presence in Albany sponsored by the NYS Conservation Council. The NYS Trappers Association holds an annual “Meet & Greet” with NY Legislators as does the NYS Sportsmen’s Advisory Council, but nothing is on the horizon on that front for the NYS Conservation Council. 

The NYSCC has come a long way from the days when sportsmen gathered by the hundreds on the Capitol steps, garnering television media coverage, and holding planned meetings with legislators addressing legislation critical to sportsmen. It's good to see some sportsmen’s and trapping organizations are making a good effort, putting their resources lobbying Albany to combat the many threats facing sportsmen and women today, but more needs to be done to get NYSCC to bring statewide issues to bear with a strong presence in Albany.

The high-water mark for sportsmen’s influence in Albany seems to hearken back to the days when the NYS Conservation Council had their legislative vice president appointed as a “Special Legislative Assistant to the Commissioner of DEC.” His sole function was to address issues most critical to sportsmen at the top echelon of NY government. 

Discussion at the recent meeting turned to what could be achieved if sportsmen sought and fought for issues they all agree upon, but got sidetracked when some present pushed support of what appears to be a DEC Agency bill, S08644.  It would establish e-tagging and eliminate carcass tags and back tags altogether. A motion was made in support of the bill but in the end, discussion resulted in a lack of consensus so the motion was tabled. 

The NYS Conservation Council must once again get itself into a position where it can effectively be the collective voice of NY sportsmen in Albany. It is holding its spring meeting at the Middleburgh Rod & Gun Club on Saturday, April 6th. The legislative agenda for that meeting is clearly missing the mark, however. It is looking back on a bill the governor has already signed into law, banning wildlife contests for certain species. The ship has sailed on that issue as there is little to no chance to have the law repealed. The opportunity to fight that has passed, and there are new threats that need to be addressed. 

The Council needs to look forward, not back. Yet, there is no mention on the upcoming meeting’s legislative agenda of the many active bills threatening hunting and the shooting sports. For instance, one piece of current proposed legislation that was brought up at the Region 4 meeting threatens skeet shooting at gun ranges. S8461 calls for an 1800-foot by 900-foot buffer zone at skeet ranges. That, and many other bills that go after hunting and firearms are not on the current legislative agenda for NYSCC’s spring meeting. 

Coupled with the lack of a plan to organize the sportsmen and women of NY to be activists for their traditional recreational pursuits, the council needs to get itself together, regain lost members in addition to new members, stabilize financially and organizationally, so it can focus on the important issues threatening every aspect of hunting, trapping and shooting for sport. The issues of today.

What does the future hold for the oldest sportsmen’s activist group in NYS? What is NYSCC’s plan for succession of its leadership?  The name of NYSCC’s newsletter is “Grassroots.” Its name foreshadows what average sportsmen and women on the street are now public wondering; how do we, as sportsmen stick together, organize, and effectively preserve our way of life of hunting, trapping, fishing, and recreational shooting in NYS? Nature abhors a vacuum. If that niche’ is not filled by the established organization created for that purpose, some other group will fill the void.  

If you would like to attend NYSCC’s upcoming meeting on Saturday, April 6, the cost is $35.00. If you would like more information on how to attend, go to the council’s website at www.nyscc.com.  

Happy Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping until next time.

News and Notes

Hunter Safety Class to be held on March 30th at Norton Hill Wildlife Club

Greene County Hunter Safety Coordinator, Bill Burger, will be presenting a firearms hunter

safety class on Saturday, March 30th from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm at the Norton Hill Wildlife Club at 946 Big Woods Road in Greenville, NY. Just in time for the upcoming youth turkey season. You must register for the class at DEC’s website, www.dec.ny.gov and complete required homework to attend the free in-person class. Once on the website home page, scroll down to “Quick Links,” then select “Take  a Hunter Education Course.” For more information, call Bill Burger at 518-622-3795.

Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend is April 20th and 21st 

The 2024 youth turkey hunting season begins on Saturday, April 20th and ends Sunday, April 21st. The Norton Hill Wildlife Club is holding a “Youth Turkey Hunting Orientation Day” at their club on Saturday, April 13th beginning at 10:00 am. All youth hunters and their parents/guardian/mentors are welcome. The event will include a chance to “talk turkey” with local Conservation Officers and other turkey hunting experts, and includes an opportunity for the youth hunters and their mentors to pattern shotguns at the club’s range. Youths will receive instruction on turkey tactics to increase their chances to bag a gobbler safely. (Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult at the orientation on April 13th)

Norton Hill is also holding an “After the Hunt BBQ” for all youth hunters, parents, mentors etc. at the conclusion of the first day’s hunt on Saturday April 20th. (Time TBD).

Save-the-date for New York Bowhunters Banquet in Greeneville – May 18th 

New York Bowhunters will hold their 33rd Annual Banquet and Rendezvous on Saturday, May 18th 2023 at the Sunny Hill Resort and golf course at 352 Sunny Hill Road in Greenville, NY. For early birds arriving the day before, there will be a BBQ on Friday night at 6:00 pm with a 50/50 raffle. Discounted rooms that include breakfast at Sunny Hill are available. Go to www.sunnyhill.com or call them at 518-634-7642 to make your discounted room reservation. Registration for the day’s activities start at 9:00 am with their General Meeting scheduled for 1:00 pm, cocktail hour at 5:00 pm, and dinner and silent auction at 6:00 pm. The keynote speaker this year is Colorado big game hunter and guide, John Gardner. The event includes 3D archery and novelty shoots, antler scoring, contests, prizes, and free golf for NY Bowhunter members. Genesis bows will be provided for participants. There will be vendor tables, raffles and plenty of fun things to do. Tickets are $55.00 for individuals with kids under 12 are free. To purchase tickets and for more information, contact Annie Jacobs via email at nyboffice@newyorkbowhunters.com , or by regular mail: 5937 County Road 33 Canandaigua, NY 14424. You can also give Annie a call at 585-229-7468 for more information.  Local NY Bowhunters representative Ed Gorch reminds all attending to bring a gift box for their “Camo to Camo” program supporting our veterans.

Remember to report poaching violations by calling 1-844-DEC-ECOS.