The New York State Outdoor Writers Association presented the winners of its annual writing and photography recognition program with carved duck decoy first-place awards and second- and third-place cash awards at the annual banquet of the organization sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation at the Peek’n Peak Ski Resort in Clymer, N.Y., on Saturday, Sept. 17.
The organization of more than 80 professional communicators and several dozen supporting members from the outdoor and travel industry gathered at the resort in Chautauqua County Sept. 15-18 for its annual conference. The Excellence in Craft writing competition and Janice M. Keesler Memorial Photo Contest, both co-sponsored by Ducks Unlimited, Redding Reloading Equipment and Sportsman Channel, were judged by highly regarded professionals from outside the organization.
“Twenty veteran professionals, some of the most respected, prolific and competent writers, editors and photographers in the field of outdoor communications, served as judges” said Wayne Brewer, president of NYSOWA. “At least one long-time judge commented that the entries were better than ever.”
First-place winners in the writing competition for articles published in 2015 were: Glenn Sapir, Putnam Valley, N.Y., for Senior Moments in Turkey Country’s March/April Issue, in the Magazine Feature category; Leon Archer, Fulton, N.Y., for Squeals on the Water in The Valley News, April 11, in the Newspaper Column category; Tom Schlichter, Still Life in the Wild in Explore LI, Jan. 20, in the Newspaper Feature category. Charles A. Witek III, of West Babylon, N.Y., was a double winner, receiving first place in Magazine Column category for Because Fish Have to Eat in Angling Trade’s Fall Edition, and first place in the Online Publication category for A Lesson from Lobsters, which appeared on the Marine Fish Conservation Network on Nov. 27. Angelo Peluso of Port Jefferson, N.Y., took the inaugural award in the Book category with his Fly Fishing the Surf, published by Skyhorse Publishing Company.
The photo awards were dominated by a handful of members who perennially prove themselves to be top-flight photographers. Taking first place in two categories—Scenic and Published Photo—was Peluso and winning top honors in two other categories—Hunting & Fishing, and Wildlife–was Mike Lynch of Saranac Lake, N.Y. Chris Paparo of Calverton, N.Y., took the first- and second-place awards in the Outdoor Recreation category.
A complete list of first- to third-place finishers in both the writing- and photo-award programs follows.
Excellence in Craft Writing Awards
Magazine Feature: First place, Glenn Sapir, Senior Moments, Turkey Country, March/April 2015; Second place and third place, Tom Schlichter, Pro Tips for Better Bassing, On The Water, Jan. ’15, and The Curly Tail: An Angling Innovation, On The Water, Nov./Dec. ’15.
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Magazine Column: First place, Charles A. Witek III, Because Fish Have to Eat, Angling Trade, Fall 2015; Second place, Chris Paparo, Naturalist’s Logbook: The Fall of the Winter King, On The Water, Feb. ’15, Third place, Tom Schlichter, Fishing Planner: Break Out of Your Comfort Zone, On The Water, June ’15
Newspaper Feature: First place, Tom Schlichter, Still Life in the Wild, Explore LI, Jan. 20, 2015; Second place, David Figura, What Works, What Doesn’t, The Post-Standard, Nov. 29, 2015; Third place, Angelo Peluso, The Noble Sport of Falconry, New York Outdoor News, Aug. 21, 2015.
Newspaper Column: First place, Leon Archer, Squeals on the Water, The Valley News, April 11, 2015; Second place, David Figura, Outdoors: The Gig Is Up, The Post-Standard, Aug. 23, 2015;
Third Place, Charles A. Witek III, On The Wild Side: The Shark in Your Boat Slip, Fire Island Chronicle, Aug. 14, 2015.
Online Publication: First place and second place, Charles A. Witek III, A Lesson from Lobsters, Marine Fish Conservation Network, From the Waterfront, Aug. 27, 2015, and second place, New England Cod: Victims of Uncertainty, Marine Fish Conservation Network, From the Waterfront, Nov. 27, 2015; Third place, David Figura, ‘Monster’ St. Lawrence River Muskie an Unforgettable ‘Father-Son’ Experience, Syracuse.com, Nov. 9, 2015.
Book: First place and second place, Angelo Peluso, Fly Fishing the Surf, Skyhorse Publishing Co., May 1, 2013, and second place, Saltwater Flies of the Southeast & Gulf Coast, Frank Amato Publications, April 1, 2012; Third place, Peter J. Fiduccia, Whitetail Tactics, Skyhorse Publishing, Nov. 6, 2013.
Janice M. Keesler Memorial Photo Awards
Hunting & Fishing: First place and second place, Mike Lynch; Third place, Tom Schlichter.
Outdoor Recreation: First and second place, Chris Paparo; Third place, Mike Lynch.
Outdoor Scenic: First place, Angelo Peluso; Second place and third place, Mike Lynch.
Wildlife: First place, Mike Lynch; Second place, Angelo Peluso; Third place, Paul Schnell.
Published: First place and second place, Angelo Peluso; Third place, Mike Lynch.