Lewiston, N.Y. — Jerrod Vila, of Amsterdam, board member with the New York State Outdoor Writers Association, was named the 2025 Pass it On Award winner at its spring conference in Lewiston. 

Villa’s contributions to his fellow sportsmen – young and old – is something he quietly goes about doing.

A few examples of his involvement, based on the nomination, include:

• In 2024, Vila assisted Artemis Sportswomen, WildHERness, and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers in a special women’s-only ice fishing event that involved teaching the participants the basics of ice-fishing; 

• Also in 2024, Vila helped spearhead a special educational event at the Wildlife Sports and Educational Museum in Fulton County on National Hunting and Fishing Day;

• For years, Vila has played a key role in a youth turkey hunting program that started in Montgomery County but has expanded far beyond and is perhaps the largest such event currently in New York. In 2024, there were 71 participants: 51 boys and 20 girls. Over 200 people attended the post-hunt barbecue. This year, the youth he mentored killed the biggest bird of the weekend;

• Vila is also involved with the Venison for Veterans and Seniors, a program organized by the Fulton County Office of the Aging that supplies those in need with venison. 

Additionally, Vila regularly donates his time giving seminars at local sport shows and sportsman’s dinners. As a licensed guide, he also donates trips for certain causes. 

As a NYOSWA member, Vila has stepped up to the plate in recent years, becoming a board member and helping with events whenever he can. As an outdoor writer with an expanding readership, he continues to support all the virtues important to the sporting community. He truly does … Pass It On!

“Jerrod is a true renaissance man,” New York Outdoor News Editor Dan Ladd said. “Everything he does, he does well, and I’m glad to see him connecting his outdoor writing to a number of good causes in the industry, especially in his region.”

Initiated by Bass Pro Shops, this annual award honors the person who has done the most to “pass on” our outdoor heritage. This award is given to active members of NYSOWA. The writer or media person is honored with a plaque at the annual conference and his or her name is recorded in the annual directory along with previous winners.

Both Bass Pro Shops and NYSOWA have recognized the fact that it is vital to pass on our outdoor heritage, including understanding the role of conservation and promoting an interest in our outdoor sports. This can be done in several ways such as creating awareness through writing, helping organizations that promote these activities, or being directly involved in mentoring and educating.

~ From New York Outdoor News