Local Sportsmen Honored

Thanks again to Holy Cross Academy for hosting the CNY Sportsmen’s Show last weekend at the Kallet Civic Center.

Once again a good crowd of outdoorsmen and others throughout the central New York area had a chance to mingle, learn, and pick up new products. There were many attractions including the birds of prey, food, fishing and waterfowl organizations and many more. Even if people did not buy some of the archery products or sign up for fishing charters, etc. they had the chance to learn more about them and will know where to look in the future.

Congratulations go out to Ted Collins for being awarded the Silver Service Award and to Mike Kochanowski for being named CNY Sportsman of the Year.

Silver Service Award - Ted Collins: Central New York has been fortunate to have had many dedicated sportsmen. Many have spent a lot of years working for a specific cause. But it is unusual to have someone spend over 50 years working for nearly every conservation or sporting organization that was active at that time. Holy Cross Academy and the Central NY Sportsman Show thought that this was deserving of special recognition and in conjunction with the central NY sportsman’s coalition are proud to give this award to such a person.

For 50 years Edward (“Ted”) Collins has been supportive of all sportsmen’s clubs, local organizations, or chapters of national organizations – ranging from the Vernon Rod and Gun Club to SHOTS to Ducks Unlimited. He was not just a member in name only, but helped in any way that he could, and was a major supporter financially. Whenever any sporting organization needed items for a raffle, Ted was there with a generous donation or item.

His support was not limited to just raffle donations. At fund-raising banquets Ted Collins would typically sponsor an entire table and invite others as his guest. Some of the many groups who have benefitted from his involvement were the Vernon Rod & Gun Club, Oneida Fish & Game Club, National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Friends of the NRA, S.H.O.T.S., NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame, and Fish Creek Atlantic Salmon Club.

If some individual was honored by their local organization or some broader group such as the NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame, Ted Collins would attend and encourage others to attend. His philosophy was that these individuals have done a good

job; it is up to us to help recognize and honor them for their efforts.

He had a special affinity for youth and getting youngsters involved in outdoor sports. In his own business, Arts Archery, he would spend considerable time and effort in helping youngsters getting their archery equipment set up right. A lot more time was spent in making sure the youngsters used proper form and became skilled and proficient in shooting. In many of those cases, the bow was purchased elsewhere.

Presently Collins is an active member of the Fish Creek Atlantic Salmon Club, attending meetings regularly, helping with duties at their private fish hatchery, making improvements to the equipment, stocking fish, and serving on the Board of Directors.

For so many years of important service to so many sporting organizations, the Silver Service Award was specially created to honor Ted Collins.

Sportsman of the Year:

Mike Kochanowski: The Central NY Sportsman of the Year Award is given annually to someone who characterizes the love of the outdoors and qualities of ethics and sportsmanship. The committee accepts nominations from people in the area and chooses one who demonstrates these qualities, and especially someone who involves youngsters in the love of the outdoors and sports like hunting and fishing.

This year’s recipient, Mike Kochanowski, has been involved with the Oneida County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs special mentored youth hunts for turkey and waterfowl. These provide the training and the experience of hunting with a mentor to youngsters who otherwise would not have someone to teach them or take them hunting.

Kochanowski of Waterville has been involved with these Youth Hunts since they started 10 years ago. Not only does he serve as a mentor for these hunts, he will pitch in and do whatever is necessary on these days. On one of the early goose hunts he showed two youngsters how to clean the geese they shot, and then he and the youngsters proceeded to clean all 26 geese taken that morning.

He has used this opportunity to recruit youngsters in his sports teams in the community and introduce them to hunting. For example, he recruited one of the young ladies on his softball team to the youth goose hunt, and also supplied the shotgun and ammunition for her to use. She fell in love with goose hunting and he offered that anytime during the fall goose season if she wanted to go hunting with him, all she had to do was call. She took him up on his offer quite a bit that season and became an avid hunter. He then convinced her to try turkey hunting. That year she harvested a monster tom and was now hooked on turkey hunting. Without his encouragement and support she might never have become involved.

Over the years he has offered to any youngster that he took out, as well as to others in the group who did not get a bird, that he would take them out on weekends during the regular season when he hunted. Thanks to his extra efforts, other youngsters have eventually experienced the excitement of getting a bird. He has also offered the same during the Special Hunts for Women Program.

There are other examples of him helping others become involved in turkey or goose hunting, often at the expense of his own hunting time. Mike Kochanski is welldeserving of the Central NY Sportsman of the Year Award.

SHORT CASTS

Great Backyard Bird Count: Help out in an effort of citizen science and enjoy nature at the same time. The Great Backyard Bird Count will be held Feb. 14 – 17, 2020 and they are looking for volunteers. Count for as little as 15 minutes one day or watch for many hours each day at multiple locations. The time and effort are up to you. Keep track of the kinds of birds you watched, make the best estimates of each species numbers, and enter your lists. Check for details and sign up at www.birdcount.org.

The information gathered online will help scientists track changes in bird distribution. Even many common species are in decline and it is important to track changes in the numbers and distribution over time. You don’t have to be an expert but it is important to participate. DEC Plans To Reduce Salmon Stocking: The DEC announced recently that it plans to reduce stocking of salmon and lake trout by 20% in 2020. The DEC says that it is determined to maintain the opportunity to catch trophy sized fish in a variety of species in Lake Ontario. To insure that these species continue to thrive in the face of a projected decline of alewives, a crucial prey fish, it will reduce stocking of chinook salmon and lake trout by 20%

More than 3.6 million trout and salmon will be stocked in 2020. The DEC says that it is managing for long term sustainability. Surveys have shown that alewife population has declined due to severe winters in 2013 and 2015. They appear to be under intense pressure from predation.

The DEC has previously reduced stocking in 2017 and an additional 20% in 2019. Chinook salmon reach maturity in three years so any decline in numbers will be evident this year and in subsequent years. Despite that the DEC says that they are optimistic that fishing will continue to be exceptional this year and in the future. Adirondack Outdoorsman Show: The 15th Annual Adirondack Outdoorsman Show will take place at the Johnstown Moose Club Rte 30A on Saturday, Feb. 8 and Sunday, Feb. 9. The show will be geared towards the tastes of Outdoors Enthusiasts, with exhibits containing items for sale pertaining to: hunting & fishing gear/supplies, guns, archery, trapping, camping, hiking, snow shoeing, guides & charter services, taxidermy, collectable knives, antique hunting & fishing gear, and Adirondack Furniture. Many featured guests, authors and industry experts are scheduled to be on hand throughout the weekend.