The New York State Outdoor Writers Association announced the honorees of its communications and photography recognition program at its Annual Awards Banquet, sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and held on Saturday, May 13, at the Radisson Hotel Corning, in Corning, NY.

The Excellence in Craft Communications and Janice M. Keesler Memorial Photo Awards Program, co-sponsored by the Outdoor Sportsman Group and Redding Reloading Equipment, was judged by highly regarded writers, editors and photographers from outside the organization. First-place honorees received valued art awards, and second- and third-place finishers were recognized with certificates and cash awards

The first-place awards in the Excellence in Craft program were this year’s annual edition of beautiful waterfowl decoys created by award-winning carver Bill Suitor of Youngstown, N.Y. Awards for first place in the photo recognition program were framed original paintings on feathers by renowned artist and NYSOWA member Deborah Brosen of Kinderhook, N.Y.

A complete list of first- to third-place finishers in both the communication- and photo-award programs follows.

Excellence in Craft Communication Awards

Magazine Feature: First place (tie), John Jarzynski, The Call of Autumn, Hounds and Hunting, Nov. 2022; and Angelo Peluso, Long Bassland, On The Water Magazine, Jan. 2022; Third place, Angelo Peluso, The Angler’s Raw Bar, The Fisherman Magazine, Aug. 2022.

Magazine Column: First place (tie), Angelo Peluso for both How To: Mosey Up to the Raw Bar, Hook & Barrel Magazine, May/June 2022, and Happy Hour: Fishy Brews, Hook & Barrel Magazine, May/June 2022; Third place, Steve Piatt, Outdoor Adventures: Opening Day, PennLines Magazine, Nov.2022.                                                    

Newspaper Feature: First place, Steve Featherstone, For These CNY Hunters, Coyote Hunting Is a Public Service, Not a Sport, Syracuse Post-Standard, March 13, 2002; Second place, Tom Schlichter, Fishing’s ‘Fall Blitz,’ Newsday, Nov. 26, 2022; Third place, Paula Piatt, Feed Up Your Hunting Dog, New York Outdoor News, July 15, 2022.

Newspaper Column: First place, Bill Hilts, Jr., Hunting: Local Bowdealer Remembers Legendary Fred Bear, The Buffalo News, Feb. 13, 2022; Second place, Bill Hilts, Jr., Outdoors: Remembering ‘Big Bill,” Pioneering Outdoor Scribe, The Buffalo News, Dec. 18, 2022; Third place, Steve Piatt, Still Out There: Challenging the Mountain, and the Calendar, Morning Times, Nov. 29, 2022. 

Online Publication: First place (tie), Angelo Peluso, Flyng on Land, The Fisherman Online, Sept. 2022; and Charles Witek III, Christmas Came Early for Shortfin Sharks, Marine Fish Conservation Network, Jan. 5, 2022; Third place, Angelo Peluso, The Best Saltwater Flies You Never Heard Of, The Fisherman Online, July 2022.

TV, Radio, Video and Audio: First place, Terry Belke, The Outdoors: Bald Eagle Rehab and Release, WGRZ.com, April 3, 2022; Second place, Joseph Gary Crance, The Last Coon Hunter, Fifth Anniversary Edition, ACX, Oct. 7, 2022; Third place (tie), Terry Belke, The Outdoors: Gifts from Nature, WGRZ.com, Dec. 26, 2021; and Dan Ladd, Buck Talk with Todd Mead, Great Northeast Podcast, Episode 5, Nov. 20, 2022.

Janice M. Keesler Memorial Photo Awards

Hunting & Fishing: First place, Chris Paparo.; Second place, Angelo Peluso; Third place, John Murray.

Outdoor Action: First place, Susan Kiesel; Second place, Susan Kiesel; Third place, Angelo Peluso.

Outdoor Scenic: First place, Dave Figura; Second place, Chris Paparo; Third place, Chris Paparo.

Wildlife: First place, Chris Paparo; Second place, Susan Kiesel; Third place, Dave Figura.

People: First place, Susan Kiesel; Second place, Susan Kiesel; Third place, Megan Postol.