Outdoors with Larry DiDonato - NYS Conservation Council Responds

The past few years have been filled with challenges facing New York’s sportsmen and women. For example, the Concealed Carry Improvement Act (CCIA) makes law abiding hunters into criminals subject to one year in jail if they stop for a coffee and do not have their rifle or shotgun locked in a fireproof gun safe (which do not exist) mounted in their car. Anti-hunting measures like banning contests for legally harvested game are now the law in NY. Law abiding hunters and target shooters must undergo and pay for a background check just to buy ammo to hunt, and now anti-hunting and shooting sports legislation threatens to close half the hunting club ranges in the state. I have been listening to concerned hunters across NY desperately seeking to re-organize to have a voice and presence in Albany to fight against making their way of life illegal. I recently wrote a column addressing some of their concerns. 

I was contacted by Chuck Parker, President of the New York State Conservation Council (NYSCC) in response to my column entitled, “Oldest Sportsmen’s Advocate in NY Now Struggling.” He wished to address what he termed misconceptions contained in some of the content of that column as follows: 

Regarding my concern for Shrinking Membership at NYSCC, Chuck stated that due to their “Rebuild 2020” initiative, Associated and Affiliate memberships increased by three or four members over the past three years. Regarding the loss of county (sportsmen federation) memberships, he stated losses. “…over the last ten years with a couple of exceptions has been due to some County Federation(s) becoming inactive. Aging out and normal attrition being factors on the above.”

My concern here is the county sportsmen’s federations are the life blood of this sportsmen’s advocacy organization. Some, like the Greene County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs have left due to perceived inaction and lack of visibility by the council on issues important to them.  Examples include the lack of engagement when the CCIA became law in NY. The 40 county sportsmen’s federations that are current members of NYSCC each represent thousands of members. That gives, NYSCC considerable size in terms of member/constituents. Meanwhile heads of small organizations like Board Chair, Robert Metzer’s, “Fort Klock Historic Restoration” got huge weekly exposure on television and other media during the initial CCIA controversy. That resulted in Governor Hochul including in her legislative budget proposal a measure changing the law exempting firearms used in re-enactments. Sadly, there was no media presence whatsoever by NYSCC and hunters still must contend with CCIA laws threatening jail time for normal hunting activities.

Sportsmen’s Lobby Day. Chuck explained, “It was stopped as other efforts were seen as being more effective. Will we go back to a lobby day?  Not planned at this time.”

Again, legislative lobbying failures over the past few years and current threats to outlaw normal hunting and target shooting in NY are too numerous to mention. More proposed bills threatening sportsmen are being drafted every day.

In my opinion, properly attired organized groups of sportsmen on the steps of the Capitol, with a NYSCC spokesman summarizing the unfairness and misdirected CCIA to keep New Yorkers “safe” from law abiding hunters with firearms was exactly what was needed. Sportsmen’s Lobby Day needs to resume and should be organized by NYSCC. That fact was discussed by a renowned second amendment attorney who while presenting at last year’s statewide NYSCC meeting, stated she was shocked by the lack of an outcry by NY sportsmen when the burdensome CCIA threatened NY citizens with jail time for normal hunting practices. Her observations and assertion of the need to clearly speak out against such measures was quickly rebuked by the NYSCC president.  

Financial Uncertainty. Chuck stated financial uncertainty is, “a factor to some degree with any group… and over the last three years the Council has finished in the black with an increasing surplus.”

I’m happy to hear finances are improving for NYSCC. Perhaps now they can afford to hire a lobbyist to combat the waves of anti-hunting legislation currently pending in the legislature. Lack of transparency on this issue like excluding treasure’s reports from past statewide meetings has fueled the financial uncertainty expressed by concerned sportsmen.

Lacking a first VP/ Title of Executive Director a Misnomer

Chuck reports that at the time of my reporting, they did have a first vice president.  “One that has a degree of national recognition.”  Again, it’s good to hear NYSCC filled the position of first vice president with a highly qualified individual, but to date, that and the filling of the treasurer’s position back in September of 2023 have not been announced. A quick press release on such positive steps would be widely covered by outdoor writers and could give NYSCC some free statewide exposure and support. 

Chuck states my reporting on the duties of NYSCC’s executive director was, “Not exactly accurate” and they have recently changed and been expanded. When I attended the Region 4 NYSCC meeting in late March, current Executive Director, Bruce McGowan stated that while the job is more than that of an office manager, the perception that it was a high-ranking leadership position like that of vice president or president is inaccurate. 

Need for a Paid Lobbyist. Chuck asserted, “We are listed as a 501.c.3 we can’t hire a lobbyist.”

At that same March meeting, I asked the NYSCC Legislative Vice President if he would consider hiring a paid lobbyist to fight increasing anti-hunting legislation and he replied, “I would if we could afford it but we can’t.”  I leave that issue to the lawyers and NYSCC but I believe they can lobby at a certain level, and their legislative vice president stated that was a desired option at the March meeting.

Legislative Agenda Off the Mark

Chuck mentioned I discussed a draft agenda item which has been expanded in the final spring meeting legislative agenda and it includes a presentation and thorough review of “The wildlife competition ban…what went the wrong way and what we need to do in the future…Other bills will be discussed at our Spring Meeting.” 

My assertion and opinion is looking back at this bill is a waste, especially considering current legislative threats to the continued existence of hunting clubs and their shooting ranges for example. What went wrong with the contest bill is anti-hunting organizations lobbied smart and hard, highlighting the need to find a way to effectively lobby for existential threats to hunting and the shooting sports in New York. 

Even if the sportsmen lobby strenuously, there are some bills they may not be able to overcome given the current make-up of the NY legislature. What sportsmen and women need is to rival the anti-hunting movement by being more organized in order to put up the good fight. 

Lack of a Plan to Organize Sportsmen

Chuck Parker states they have an effective plan and it started with the Rebuild 2020 initiative, but admits it could use more participation. He agreed much of what I reported 

 “…that needs to happen is already happening, just not at the rate we both would like to see.” Regarding what Chuck refers to as “negative or misinformation” being circulated among sportsmen, I will state it is widespread throughout the state and not confined to any localized area. I am aware of two instances to organize NY sportsmen to be more effective in expressing their voice in Albany; one at the statewide level and one in Region 4. Both arranged meetings and both support NYSCC and its goals. My impression is they would like to find a way to make that happen within and through the council if possible. They just don’t see the visibility or results that NYSCC once enjoyed on a regular basis. I believe they want to help in that effort by brainstorming to find effective strategies. I am happy to see that critical positions are being filled within NYSCC and I join those concerned sportsmen who support and rely upon NYSCC taking the necessary steps to lead in being a visible, vocal, and effective spokesman and advocate for the sportsmen and women in New York. NYSCC has recently taken steps to address organizational issues and I look forward to each of the new officer’s success and the return of the organization’s enthusiasm and advocacy.     

If you would like to attend NYSCC’s upcoming meeting in Middleburgh on Saturday, April 6, the cost is $35.00, and includes a luncheon. If you would like more information on how to attend, go to the council’s website at  https://www.nyscc.com/spring-mtg-2024 or call them at 

1-315-894-3302.

Happy hunting, trapping, and fishing until next time!

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