Pen Rearing Project Complete, Leader Passes On

In a recent correspondence from Curt Meddaugh of Pendleton, project leader for the Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association’s salmon and trout pen rearing project out of Olcott, you could read between the lines – he was excited by the results of the 2010 effort of rearing salmon and trout in the Town of Newfane Marina. Of course, when he reported on the project at the Niagara County Fisheries Development Board meetings, he was like a little kid –visibly excited when he updated everyone at the April meeting – so it was easy to read between the lines. To him, these were his babies and he was the proud papa.

That said, he was always quick to give credit where credit was due. He would constantly recognize the many workers that made things happen, with the end result being much improved growth and increased survival for these fish once they were released in the lake. The steelhead arrived at 29 fish per pound. Those same fish were released three weeks later at 16.5 fish per pound. Three pens full of Chinook salmon arrived in Olcott at 140 fish per pound. When they were released into Lake Ontario, they were at 68.5 fish per pound, more than doubling in size in just three weeks time.
 
His constant reminders, updates and organizational notes helped to keep the work force and media informed. His final instruction for the project was organizing the pulling of the pens and the final clean up of the netting … until next year. For Meddaugh, though, his job complete for this year, he would not return. He passed on to a much bigger project last Saturday when he died quickly, quietly sitting in his chair at home. He was only 59, much too young for the plans the fishing community had for him; and the plans his wife Mary Lou and their family had. It came as a shock for all. Even though he had a brief history of heart problems, he was feeling good and loving life.

At the memorial service, it was evident two things were his biggest loves – family and the water, with a big focus on fishing. Joe Yeager, one of the LOTSA leaders, pointed out all the things that Meddaugh meant to the club: “You name it, he was involved with everything fish-related when it came to Lake Ontario. He was the guy that always took the time to make hatchery trips, attend meetings like the Lake Ontario Sportfishing Stakeholders group, the county Fisheries Board, State of the Lake and more – and then report back to his club. He was responsible for rallying the troops when DEC needed additional eggs for the hatchery, organizing volunteers at 18 Mile Creek in Newfane. He loved to teach kids how to fish and was involved with the kids fishing program for LOTSA for the past seven years. Through his direction as club membership secretary, membership grew from 25 to more than 250. He played a major role in the club’s Salmon Spectacular, raising money for the pen projects. His most important contribution was with the pens. He was the member who stepped up and took full responsibility for this huge project and turned it into a success.”

When an issue came up, Curt would research it thoroughly so that he could speak knowledgeably. And with everything, he was passionate about things that could impact “his” fishery - positively or negatively. He was just as passionate about family and friends. When I was subjected to a couple hospital stays last fall, he would call to find out how I was doing – sincerely concerned over my well being. If work needed to be accomplished or a meeting needed to be attended, Curt was always willing and not afraid to get involved or share an opinion. There are no replacing guys like Meddaugh. They are the ones that truly make a difference while they enjoyed their time in this world…and we are better for it. He’s enjoying another world for sure right now. We’ll miss you, man!

 

Honoring Conservation Leaders of Niagara

The Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs held their annual awards banquet, Saturday April 3 2010, recognizing conservation leaders for 2009, but that’s a bit of a misnomer. While the year might be 2009, the individuals, committees and organizations being honored have been doing this for a long, long time. They are the work horses, the people in the trenches getting the jobs done and preserving and protecting an outdoor heritage we all can enjoy today, while helping to guarantee a future in the great outdoors for the next generation of sportsmen and sportswomen following in step.

Where do you start? You can’t slight anyone – this is a who’s who among the conservation ranks, the elite leaders that have already paved a path for many to follow. It’s only fitting that we recognize the lifelong ambassadors of the outdoors through something brand new in Niagara County – A Wall of Fame for conservationists, named after the late, great Don Bronson. Situated at Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara, this wall is designed for the dedication and service to the conservation movement and outdoor sporting fraternity, helping to preserve and protect our outdoor heritage for generations to come. The inductees for 2009 were William Mudge of Gasport, who recently passed on, and William R. Hilts (aka Bill, Sr.) of Sanborn who is still as active as he ever was.

Mudge was recognized “for his lifelong dedication to the American Conservation ethic and sportsman community, with his steadfast belief and respect for the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution; served in excellence, honor and patriotic integrity.” So the wall will read in his honor.

Hilts, Sr.’s wall notation will read: “A lifetime dedicated to raising the level of awareness of outdoor recreational opportunities and conservation issues in Niagara County, New York and the Country.” While we could go on and on with both Mudge and Hilts, this was a fitting tribute by the Federation to these elite leaders.

Leading right into the awards was the Victor Fitchlee Memorial Award for lifetime achievement and Mudge was recognized for that feat as well, an award that Hilts, Sr. received several years ago. Added to the list of notables this year was Ernie Calandrelli of Lewiston. It’s safe to say that this person has become a legend of sorts when it comes to hunting and fishing circles around the country. Let’s start with the hunting end of things. His name is synonymous with turkeys -- but in a good way! He’s been talking turkey for nearly four decades, winning many calling contests along the way. He started working for Quaker Boy Game Calls in Orchard Park and is now the Director of Public Relations for that company. He’s always willing to give a talk or share his time, especially when kids are involved. As far as his fishing exploits, he’s been a lower Niagara River Charter captain for over 25 years and is considered one of the best in the business. Not only is he an ambassador of our fisheries, he is very giving of his time and energy as he does his best to pass on these traditions – starting with his own family. His son Nick is a chip off the old block – and it scares him!

The Oliver Jones Memorial Award is given out each year to the person recognized as the top outdoor sports person, the area’s conservationist of the year. The 2009 recipient was Joel Thomas of Appleton. This year’s winner is a perfect fit for what this award symbolizes. He has been a D.E.C. Firearms and Bow Safety Instructor for nearly 15 years, assuring the hunting traditions and the ethical responsibilities are a part of the process of this important education. Hundreds of young and old alike have benefited from this person’s witty presentation of the teaching material. He has always been an advocate of wise conservation techniques promoting the control of both predator and game animal populations alike through sportsmanlike hunting practices.

Showing the way by example, he is instrumental in training seminars introducing newcomers to firearms programs at North Forest Rod and Gun Club. His teaching style allows young and old to learn in a friendly environment without the fear of embarrassment. His many achievements never have overshadowed his interest or availability for volunteer work! He is a sought after speaker at schools and civic organizations and has been featured on the “The Why Guy” as well as daily television news and radio shows that aired his expertise and understanding of the dynamics of having humans and wild animals coexisting in an urban setting. He is also featured weekly on radio station 1230 am WECK where he answers questions concerning wildlife in urban settings. And speaking of answering questions about techniques for living with wildlife, he has authored a book that will soon be available to the general market. The title is “Creature Comforts.”

The Leroy Winn Memorial Award is the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Club’s special acknowledgement for Club of the Year. This year’s winner was the Twin City Shooting Club of North Tonawanda. At a time when our Second Amendment rights are being threatened, it’s important to have clubs like this to not only feed the sport, but also recruit new members to the shooting fraternity. They do the best they can with what they have to work with. The club’s modest shooting facilities belie its many varied and impressive contributions to the Western New York Community. As the club strives to enlarge programs for the young, as well as the experienced, this club continues to offer new opportunities for shooters in the safe and enjoyable recreational shooting sports arena. They are doing their part to ensure the long-term viability of the shooting sports in America. They have focused on the youth in a big way, developing interest and enthusiasm for junior rifle programs. In addition to working with NRA Qualification Awards, today’s juniors are participating in NRA sectional competitions, Junior Olympics and other local matches, as well as the National matches.

The Milford “Pinky” Robinson Award is an annual award handed out for an individual’s dedication to the Great Lakes fisheries. This year’s winner was Bob Cinelli of Newfane. There isn’t a better person in the county more deserving of this award from the standpoint of fisheries dedication. As an active member of the county’s Fisheries Development Board, the same board that Pinky served on, he’s represented fishing interests for well over two decades on this board. As a charter captain, he’s one of the senior members with over 30 years experience on the Great Lakes out of the port of Olcott and in the lower Niagara River. He also serves as chairman of the Niagara County Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament, an event he himself has elevated to new heights thanks to his leadership and guidance. He helps coordinate the Buffalo Sabres Spring Salmon Spectacular in Olcott each spring, raising money for charity, kids fishing programs and the local community. He also works hard to help generate additional funds for the various kids fishing derbies around the county which translates into fishing prizes for the kids.
 
The Carl Lass Memorial Award, symbolic for Youth of the Year in the conservation arena, went to Jeff Ventry, Jr. of Sanborn. This is an important award from the standpoint that these recipients are the future of our outdoor heritage. They carry the torch for the next generation of sportsmen. This year’s winner is an avid outdoorsman and conservationist. He is the member of the 3-F Club and has earned “Distinguished Expert” on the Junior Sporter Rifle Team. He shoots skeet on two different teams at two different clubs and at one was awarded the Youth High Gun. In the Jim Kelly Charity Shoot, he’s placed in the Top 3 two years in a row. As a student at Niagara Wheatfield High School, this 14 year old freshman is an active member of the Environmental Club and the Outdoor Club. He also performs many volunteer services in the community including working at registered skeet shoots, participating in road clean up efforts and taking part in tree planting projects.

The John Daly Memorial Award, remembering a former great state politician, is symbolic for the Legislator of the Year – and this year the federation recognized John Ceretto of Lewiston. The county legislator has been a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights for Niagara County. A recent member of the NRA, this individual has co-authored and supported numerous resolutions to advance a citizen’s right to keep and bear arms, often opposing legislation that may be pushed on a state level. This person works hard to facilitate recycling programs as chairman of the Refuse District and also works hard to protect our waterways through other committees.

The Ken Berner Memorial Conservation Award is given out each year to the person, family or organization dedicated to conservation. This year, the Federation is recognizing a 3-F Club committee, a special triumvirate that has dedicated themselves to a special focus – Pam Barber of Ransomville, Sherry Marsh of Model City and Kim Dorato of Niagara Falls. Their big effort involves future generations and their focus is on youth conservation camps and raising money to send them. To date, their total has exceeded $5,000, sending nearly 20 kids to camp just on their own efforts.

The President’s Award is typically given to a person or organization that has done something special in the conservation and sporting community, something really unique that is outside the norm of all the other federation awards. It was only fitting that this year’s honorees were the two people who spearheaded the Don Bronson Conservation Memorial Wall of Fame – Larry Koch of Appleton and Greg Tessmann of Gasport. Way to go, guys!

This year’s recipient of the James Reed/Donald Meyer Memorial Hunter Education Award for Firearms goes to a gentleman that can only be described as a really nice guy – Bryan Meahl of Appleton who operates out of North Forest Rod and Gun in Lockport. He always goes above and beyond the call of duty and his list of accomplishments is most impressive.

The Steve Fountain/Archie Lowery Memorial Award gives special recognition to an individual for dedication to bowhunter safety education and training went to Claus Leyder of Lewiston. This year’s recipient has been teaching at one of the Federation clubs for over 25 years. He has also given volunteer service at several other clubs in the county, such as Newfane Conservation and Seven Clan Bowmen.

The Winner of the John Long, Sr. Award for business person of the year went to Dave Erway of Buckeye Scents in Wilson. Erway, owner of several Niagara County businesses, if always giving of the use of his facilities and several local clubs regular meet at his lodge quarters. It was fitting that he was recognized for this prestigious award, remembering and old friend to conservation. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 

Obama Task Force Could Negatively Impact Sportfishing [From Sunday 3/14/10]

Just when you think things couldn’t get any worse and that you’ll always have things like outdoor recreation to fall back on, some information has come out this week that pegs the Obama Administration for doing some things behind the scenes that could negatively impact recreational sportfishing – with little or no input from the sportfishing community. And the Great Lakes are lumped in with this effort.

For example, did you know that an Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force was created to address commercial and recreational fishing concerns? Their goal was to develop the Obama Administration’s proposed Ocean, Coasts and Great Lakes management policy – released in two parts late last year. Want to comment on it? Too late, the comment period is already closed. According to Robert Mongomery, in an article at ESPNOutdoors.com (March 10), fishing industry insiders felt that any comment period or any type of public input was a complete farce anyway.

Montgomery points out that several key “green” groups such as World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace, Defenders of Wildlife, Pew Environmental Group and others produced a document entitled “Transition Green” shortly after Obama took office. Many of the things that have happened since then have been in stride with that document. Throw in the fact that these groups have agenda’s against fishing at a variety of levels and you can see where there is some definite concern over what will happen in the future with regard to the Task Force findings and recommendations. And then, ultimately, the Executive Order from the President to adopt the recommendations.

Led by Jane Lubchenco with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), many of these Task Force agencies purportedly have close ties with these same “green” groups and the fear is that some fishing actions may be on the chopping block. In fact, it is being compared to what happened in the Province of Ontario when anti-hunting groups forced the closure of the spring bear hunt – with no regard for sound wildlife management practices or what it would do to small businesses and the northern Ontario economies. The results could be devastating.

The same day that Montgomery’s article appeared, a letter went out from Michael Nussman, President of the American Sportfishing Association, pleading for stakeholders – businesses and fishermen alike – to contact President Obama directly to voice your concerns and have him do everything in his power to support recreational sportfishing. Write a letter and fax it to the White House at 202-456-2461 or you can go on the Keep America Fishing website at www.keepamericafishing.org  and send an e-mail. The e-mail will be copied to members of Congress and key policy makers in the Department of Commerce and the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Timing is critical because the final report was set to be completed by the end of March. Get informed and get involved! Check out the Robert Montgomery article at www.espnoutdoors.com , too .

 

ALL 2010 DERBY DATES POSTED HERE Compiled by Bill Hilts Jr.

Outdoors Niagara Exclusive

Hilts Jr. recapping 2009:

"But it’s also important that future generations of outdoors users are aware of what we are passing down. They need to be exposed to hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and so much more. It’s our job to educate, mentor and guide, to help fill the shoes of the many, many talented leaders we have lost over the years. But there is not filling those shoes – not really. This year was no exception. People like Joe Ognibene, Bill Mudge, Vince Caterina and Doug Stein are just a few of the leaders that can never be replaced. Each of those people made impacts on our current generation of sportsmen and women right here in Western New York and beyond. These losses really hit home our mortality, that we are not invincible. It’s our job to pass along our outdoor heritage, before it’s too late. We aren’t going to be around forever."
 

One for the Ladies as Fish Odyssey Concludes

By Bill Hilts, Jr.

The 33rd Annual Greater Niagara Fish Odyssey in memory of Capt. Doug Stein came to a close last Sunday and it was fitting that this year’s contest honored the lady anglers who participate in this popular outdoor pastime. Kathleen Muir of North Tonawanda, who enjoys bass fishing with her husband, Dave, was this year’s $2,500 Grand Prize winner by virtue of her first place smallmouth bass catch – a 5.3 pound lunker she hauled in while fishing with her husband on Myers Reef in Lake Erie.

“My husband taught me everything I know when it comes to fishing and I’m very much appreciative for it,” Muir said at the awards ceremony after receiving a check from Niagara County Legislator John Ceretto. For the Fish Odyssey event, each of the first place category winners are placed into a hat at the awards ceremony to determine who will win the Grand Prize. And when Muir moved into the top spot, the other bass leaders all moved up one, too – making Dan Woodward of North Tonawanda the first place bass catcher with a 5.12 pound Thompson’s Hole hawg. Other first place winners were:
Thomas Brigenberg of Albion was the first place salmon angler with a 32.12 pound fish he caught off Point Breeze. He was using a dodger and fly. The interesting thing about his catch is that it came while fishing with Michael Paddock, also of Albion. On the same day, the duo also reeled in a 14.34 pound steelhead that placed first in the trout category. Paddock caught the winning trout on a Northern King spoon.

Top walleye was reeled in by Charles Hoy of Niagara Falls, a repeat performance from last year. He was dragging a worm harness on the Niagara Bar to win this category for the second year in a row. Jason Long of Batavia was back at it again on the Oak Orchard River to take the top spot in the carp division. His catch this year tipped the scales at 24.17 pounds and he was using a boilee, a homemade concoction he’s been perfecting for years.
In the lake trout division, Ed Klejdys of North Tonawanda bested his son, Steve, with a 24.82 pound fork tail from a favorite spot on the Niagara Bar. Steve has won the last two Lake Ontario County derbies with his dad close behind. This time, it was the father leading the way

In the junior division, the same type of a Grand Prize draw was held and the lucky recipient was Devin Litten of Sanborn. He earned the right by catching the biggest walleye among the kids, a 7.75 fish from the Niagara Bar – just a hair bigger than Josh DuBuc of Sanborn with a 7.70 pound walleye – who ended up in first with his catch after Litten won the Grand Prize – a new bike courtesy Mark Cerrone Construction. Other junior division winners were:

Xavier Thomas of Olcott was the top salmon angler with a 26.73 Olcott king; Bryce Gombert of Ransomville with a 11.33 pound lake trout taken on the Niagara Bar with cowbells and a peanut; Jordan Barr of Lewiston leading the bass division with a 4.29 pound lower river smallmouth, caught on a flatfish; Dawson Horey of Sanborn with a 17.52 lower river carp taken on corn; and Zachary Whitmer with a 1.02 pound crappie that he caught from Bond Lake on a minnow, leading the panfish division.

The Rest of the Story …

Taking a page out of the Paul Harvey program, you need to hear the rest of the story regarding the Fish Odyssey. This year’s event didn’t just happen. After major sponsors pulled their support, the Niagara County Legislature used to some of their casino cash to keep this event rolling for another year. When I found out that my Assn. of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers conference was going to fall smack dab in the middle of the Odyssey dates, several local volunteers stepped in to coordinate things and make it happen. Karen Evarts at The Boat Doctors in Olcott updated the website www.fishodyssey.net  and coordinated the leaderboard for the first eight days of the derby. Wayne Peters served as judge and monitored what was happening. He also ran the weigh station the final day of the derby at the Wildlife Festival.

Mark Cerrone, Inc. came through as Junior Division Grand Prize sponsor again. The Newfane Business Association was back supporting the event as the treasurer and the weigh stations – including two new ones – went above the call of duty to make this event another success. Those weigh stations this year were The Boat Doctors in Olcott; Narby’s Superette in Point Breeze; Village Hardware in Lewiston; Feather and Fin in Wilson; and Big Catch in Buffalo.

Mark Daul with his www.Outdoorsniagara.com website continued to support the event, also working to coordinate a Lower River Walleye Contest in conjunction with A-1 Bai t on opening weekend of the derby. The Primate Sanctuary and Charlie the Chimp was back as honorary chairchimp and former Buffalo Sabre Rob Ray came out on Sunday at the Wildlife Festival to draw a winning ticket for who was going to fish with him from the Junior Division. Brandon Myers of Morenci, Michigan was the lucky youth to spend some time with the hockey tough guy. The Fish Odyssey doesn’t just happen – it’s a long list of dedicated people working behind the scenes to ensure that events like these are held. I’m sure I missed someone, too – apologies for that.

Bunky Derby Is Back!!

The Bunky Derby is back! A memorial contest for the late Capt. Ron Meesig will be held for one day on the lower Niagara River from sunrise to 2 p.m. Cost is $35 per boat for cash prizes and a great food fest. Top three big fish will be recognized. Weigh in will take place at Lewiston Landing from 1-2 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the American Brain Tumor Assn. Sign up the morning of the event at the Lewiston Launch Ramp or sign up at A-1 Bait in the Town of Niagara. Check out www.outdoorsniagara.com  for details.

NOTE: Final standings of the Fish Odyssey 2009 and a nice color photo of Kathy Muir and NC Legislator John Ceretto can be found here http://www.outdoorsniagara.com/fishodysseystandings08.htm

Pennsylvania Angler Wins Fall LOC Derby

Bob Holdsworth of Unionville, Pennsylvania has been bitten by the Lake Ontario fishing bug – big time. He’s been fishing derbies on the lake for six years now and about a month ago he purchased a 27-foot Penn Yan that he named “Fish Magnet.” The boat name held true as he and his two fishing partners, Capt. Dan Peschler and his brother, Glenn, attracted a 34 pound, 11 ounce king salmon=2 0to their lure and the result was a check for $20,000. Not a bad payday for doing something that they love. The Lake Ontario Counties Fall Derby was held August 21 through September 7.

Holdsworth, who operates a lawn cutting business in the Keystone State, purchased the boat that the Peschler’s run their charter operation off of. “Dan’s going to teach me the way,” said Holdsworth at the awards ceremony on Labor Day held at Abe’s Waterfront in Sodus=2 0Point. So far, he’s moved to the head of the class in the Lake Ontario fishing world. They were fishing off Port Ontario using a blue hammer A-Tom-Mik fly trailing a white Spin Doctor behind a dipsy diver set back 200 feet on a No. 2-1/2 setting – roughly 70 feet down over 85 feet of water – when the fish hit.

“The fish screamed out another 740 feet of line before it stopped,” said Capt. Dan to the awards attendees. “It took Bob 35 min utes to bring it in.” It was the biggest salmon of his life by almost five pounds and it came at a very good time. They caught the fish at 6:15 p.m. and it was the only bite that they had the entire afternoon. It only takes one to win, though. They plan to divide the money up and put a good portion of it back into the boat and the business. Yes, they’ve been bitten by the fishing bug.

Other winners in the 2009 Fall Derby included RJ Cruz of Auburn, NY who placed first in the Salmon Division with a 34 pound, four ounce king caught between the five stacks and the nuclear plant off Oswego. He was trolling with his fishing buddy, Dan Benigni of Mottville 105 feet down over 140 feet of water with an 11-inch green Pro Troll flasher an d a Rhys Davis cut bait rig. “It was the biggest salmon I’ve ever caught,” said Cruz at Abe’s. “I just got lucky. I was in the right place at the right time.”
In the Brown Trout category, local Captain Greg Switzer of Sodus Point didn’t have to go very far for his winning fish. Using a custom Northern King spoon behind a copper rig set back 600 fe et from the boat, Switzer reeled in a 17 pound, four ounce brown to take the top $2,500 prize. He was fishing with Dave Hehir and Bob Weighbrodt, both of Sodus Point and neither wanted to reel in the copper line set that far back. They were 95 feet down over 120 feet of water in front of their home port. No one was more surprised when the brown trout showed up at the back of the boat, thinking it was a king salmon.

Top Laker taker was Steve Klejdys of North Tonawanda with a 25 pound, 10 ounce fish caught on the Niagara Bar in 90 feet of water on the bottom with a custom spoon. It was an encore performance for the veteran fisherman who was teamed with his father, Ed. They won the Lake Trout Division of the Summer derby that ended in July using the same technique in the same area off Niagara. The duo was fishing aboard their 19-fo ot Monarch named “Nothin’ Yet.” Ed placed third in the division with a 21 pound, 8 ounce fish. Top youth angler was Bryce Gombert of Ransomville who placed 15th overall in the category with a 15 pound, two ounce fish he caught while fishing with Mike Fox of Youngstown.
In the Steelhead Division, Capt. Roy Larson of North Tonawanda was fishing with Dale Copenhaver of Johnstown, PA and Hubert Hall of Morgantown, WV off the Niagara River in deep water. Using a black and pink Silver Streak spoon 56 feet down over 450 feet of water, the trio managed to bring in an 18 pound, eight ounce steelie. It took them 15 minutes to bring in the first place fish aboard their 28-foot Sportcraft, “Killin Time.” They are all veteran derby anglers that are no strangers to the winners circle. Larson can only fish when he doesn’t have a charter, though, so it limits his derby fishing time. “We had a great day out there.”

For more information on the Lake Ontario Counties derbies and a complete leaderboard, log on to www.loc.org  or call (888) REEL-2-IN.

Lower River Walleye Classic Sept. 19 –

Set to coincide with the Fish Odyssey, the Lower Niagara River Walleye Classic is set for Sept. 19. Weigh in will be from 1-2 p.m. at the Fort Niagara launch ramp. Sign up at A-1 Bait Supply on Grauer Road in the Town of Niagara or online at www.outdoorsniagara.com . Cost is $25 for the two fish contest. For more info call 870-2170.
 

Fair Shoots Down Federation

Outdoors Niagara Note: Fellow sportsmen better be hopping MAD at this turn of events!  ****SEE NOTE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS ARTICLE*****


The Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs was hopping mad at their summer meeting in Wolcottsville last Monday night when president John Butcher of Lockport announced that the Federation would not be operating and displaying their shooting trailer at the Niagara County Fair next week due to a last minute policy decision made by Cornell Cooperative Extension. The Federation has participated at the fair with this particular rifle range the last four years; since 1945 in some type of training and educational capacity involving firearms safety.

The range in question is a portable range that fires Crossman pellet guns into a backdrop. While it is geared toward youth, anyone can shoot these simple, but effective, guns – with the ultimate goal of having fun and teaching responsible firearms safety. According to Butcher, the Federation was denied because “any form of shooting activity on Cornell Cooperative Extension Property must be conducted by 4-H Shooting Sports and can not be conducted by external organizations.” And according to Butcher at the meeting, they also told him at “any shooting activities such as air rifle ranges can not be open to the general public, only to those who are directly participating in 4-H Shooting Sports.”

So after 62 years of service to county residents at the fair, the Federation will be missing from the property. It probably won’t stop there. Games along the Midway involving shooting will also be history. And what will happen with the many hunter safety training classes that are conducted at Cornell Cooperative Extension Niagara? Who makes the decision of what a shooting activity is?
 
In a letter that went out to county legislators and state representatives this past week, President Butcher felt that the policy was both unfair and discriminatory to the group. And all this is happening in the shadow of a recent resolution that came through to support the fair monetarily from the county. Interestingly enough, even though it’s called the Niagara County Fair, Niagara County is not actually involved. The event is one of four or five fairs across the state run by Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Butcher pointed out that this has nothing to do with Risk Management. The Federation carries its own insurance to handle the shooting trailer. And, hundreds of thousands of kids have been shooting air rifles at events such as this across the country for decades. It’s a safe activity. So it has nothing to do with safety either. It denies youth access to education, a fair that traditionally has been run by the rural community of the county. Hunting and the shooting sports have a deep heritage there. As a result of the denial, it also limited the Federation from raising funds for their programs – money that was raised to help support send youth to summer camps, kids fishing derbies, 6th Grade Environmental Field Days and the 4-H Pheasant Rearing Program. How ironic is that.

Butcher asked for documentation for the CCE policy – data, incidents or case studies that could justify the policy – and a copy of the written rule or regulation. We’ll see if he gets it. In the meantime, his phone conversation ended with an “I’ve already spent more time on the phone with you than you deserve” and hung up. We’ll see how this shakes out. There are some wacky things going on right now.

OUTDOORS NIAGARA NOTE: The 2010 Niagara County Fair management reversed their decision and allowed the Federation to have the range this year. [August 2010]