Spotlight On…
The 26th Annual Saratoga County Children’s Fishing Tournament
On May 5, 2012, the Town of Milton hosted The 26th Annual Saratoga County Children’s Fishing Tournament at the 4-H Training Center on Middleline Road and at Woods Hollow Nature Preserve. The Tournament brings together over 100 youth along with friends and family for a day of fishing competition. All fish caught are measured with prizes awarded in three age categories. Mick Elliott, NYS4HSS Key Volunteer, is the Fishing Tournament’s Chairman. Milton Town Supervisor Dan Lewza, the Milton Town Council, Milton Town staff members, NY DEC Officers and many dedicated volunteers, work hard along with Mick and his committee to create an outdoor orientated youth day filled with fun and family memories.
This year’s event opened early in the morning with an all you can eat breakfast prepared under the supervision of Cornell Cooperative Extension’s own Susan K. Beebe. Saratoga County 4-H Shooting Sports volunteers helped Sue prepare and serve a great breakfast. Later, those who participated in the Tournament also enjoyed lunch thanks to the generosity of the Town of Milton and additional donations.
The great weather and the hope of catching a super-sized striking gold colored Hybrid Trout kept everyone fishing right up until the competition closed at 11:00 AM. For more information on the Annual Fishing Tournament event please visit the events calendar page for the month May at the Town of Milton website at http://www.townofmiltonny.org.
Behind the scenes getting ready for the Fishing Tournament: Chairman Mick Elliott and Bud Blodgett stock fish at the 4-H Training Center with representatives from Avery’s Trout Hatchery.
2012 NYS4HSS Banquet & Auction
Nearly 400 attendees gathered to celebrate New York State 4-H Shooting Sports at the 2012 Banquet & Auction held in Towers Hall at Fort William Henry in Lake George, NY on Saturday, April 21.
Thank you to each and everyone who helped make our 2012 event a tremendous success, we are extremely grateful for your support – we could not do it without you!
Stay tuned to the NYS4HSS website for upcoming
Banquet & Auction plans for 2013…
…you just never know what you might end up carrying home
from one of our Auctions!
Click here to visit our 2012 NYS4HSS Banquet & Auction pages
2012 NYS4HSS Artist of the Year
Brian Ruth, Master of the Chainsaw
Learn more about our 2012 NYS4HSS Artist of the Year, world renowned chainsaw carver Brian Ruth,
by visiting the Masters of the Chainsaw website and on Facebook.
You can also watch Brian Ruth in action on YouTube!
Two of several outstanding carvings by Brian Ruth at the April 21, 2012 NYS4HSS Banquet & Auction event.
The New York State 4-H Shooting Sports Knife of the Year for 2012
The New York State 4-H Shooting Sports Knife of the Year for 2012
~ was featured as an auction item at the
NYS4HSS Banquet & Auction on April 21.
The 2012 Knife is the Whitetail Edition for the
North American Series by Canal Street Cutlery and
engraved and numbered by Baron Technology.
Our 25th Sportsman Education Workshop!
The 25th Anniversary Sportsman Education Workshop was held in Ballston Spa on January 28, 2012 with 220 volunteer instructors, presenters and facilitators in attendance. Saratoga County 4-H’ers Rachael Trojan and Logan Kimball Lee assisted with the Pledge of Allegiance and the program kickoff. NYS 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator, Bill Schwerd, introduced the agenda with a brief summary of the 25 year history of the SEW and thanked Department of Environmental Conservation staff, prominent state and federal representatives, presenters and the dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to teach courses and serve as mentors for the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts.
Cathy Mosher, Assistant Commissioner of Natural Resources for DEC provided the welcome introduction and Gordon Batcheller, Chief Wildlife Biologist for the Bureau of Wildlife, emphasized recent changes in the Department and set the stage for an interactive program. Sportsman Education Administrator, Chuck Dente, and Sportsman Education Program Coordinator, Jeff Liddle, reviewed the past year and took a look forward into the future. Attendees were once again challenged during a CSI Country session, presented by Lt. Dick Thomas and Investigator Ken Bruno that examined a recent hunting incident and how it was solved. Lt. Deming Lindsley and friends presented the group with captivating stories of law enforcement and conservation laws.
(From left to right) Fourth Generation Sportsman Ed Instructor Mike Schwerd, Congressman Chris Gibson and NYS 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator Bill Schwerd
Congressman Chris Gibson of the 20th District addressed the group in an informative session over lunch hour that highlighted experiences and happenings in Washington D.C. followed by a strong question and answer session. New York State Assemblymen Jim Tedisco, Bob Reilly, George Amedore and Steve McLaughlin were also in attendance along with Mike Mansion representing NYS Senator Hugh Farley and Mike Miller from Assembly Minority Kolb’s staff to provide a keen overview of the role of the legislature as well as their own individual positions on pertinent conservation issues.
(From left to right) Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, Instructor and NYS 4-H Shooting Sports Key Volunteer Mickey Elliot and Assemblyman George Amedore
In the afternoon session, instructors were educated on the use of crossbows purchased specifically for the Sportsman Education Program. The afternoon session also offered three track course options where attendees could choose between a refresher course, a course for trappers or an interactive course for instructors. In addition, the afternoon session included a new for 2012 electronic technology for the classroom offering.
NYS 4-H Shooting Sports Heads to 2012 SHOT Show!
Check our official Blog for entries from our
NYS4HSS SHOT Show contingents!
The NYS 4-H Shooting Sports Contingent at the 2012 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada (from left to right): Bill Schwerd, Kenyon Simpson, John Bowe, Kelsey Reppert, Lindsey Draper, Mary Fairley and Chrys Nestle.
