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 9, at the Glen Falls House, in Round Top, Greene County, NY.

Click here to download the 2026 awards newsletter: nysowa_awards_2026_newsletter_10.97×14.47

The Excellence in Craft Communications and Janice M. Keesler Memorial Photo Awards Program, sponsored by Ducks Unlimited 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 by renowned artist and NYSOWA President 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, Glenn Sapir, Remedy for Regret, Mule Deer Foundation, Summer 2025; Second place (tie), John Jarzynski, Beagles & the Sounds of Autumn, American Field, Fall 2025; Paula Piatt, Aura-Awe: Searching for the Sky for Elusive Lights, Mountain Home Magazine, Oct. 2025.

Magazine Column: First place, Steve Piatt, Birth of a Turkey Hunter, PennLines, May 2025; Second place, John Jarzynski, Poor Sally, American Field, Winter 2025; Third place, Steve Piatt, Reading, Dreaming, Experiencing PennLines, Nov 2025.                                           

Newspaper Feature: First place, Steve Featherstone, They’ve Got Grit, Post-Standard, Feb. 23, 2025; Second place, Dave Figura, CNY Artist Makes Dress Entirely Out of Shotgun Shells, New York Outdoor News, Dec. 26, 2025; Third place, Tom Schlichter, Trophy Fish, Newsday, March 17, 2024.

Newspaper Column: First place, Steve Featherstone, The Secret to Landing Your First Salmon River Beauty, Post-Standard, Nov. 23, 2025; Second place, Steve Featherstone, Fleet 2004 Enjoys the Hobie Way of Life on Oneida Lake, Post-Standard, Aug. 31, 2025; Third place, Glenn Sapir, Adding Color to the Outdoors, New York Outdoor News, Oct. 17, 2025. 

Online Publication: First place, Charles Witek, False Albacore: Practicing Precaution, Marine Conservation Network, April 7, 2025; Second place, Charles Witek, ASMFC Stalls Striped Bass Rebuilding Efforts, Marine Conservation Network, Jan. 7, 2025; Third place, Bill Hilts, Jr., The Future of Fishing Looks Bright Behind Young Anglers Like the Noon Boys from New York, NewYorkOutdoorNews.com, Feb. 27, 2025

Book: First place, Peter Fiduccia, The Definitive Guide to Rifles, Ammo and Optics for Deer and Other Big Game, Skyhorse Publishing, Nov. 25, 2025; Second place, Joe Crance, Return to Ryland Creek: Book V of the Ryland Creek Saga, Nov. 28, 2025; Third place, Mike Joyner, Tales from the Roost: Roost’n Time Tales, Joyner Outdoor Media, April 8, 2025.

Janice M. Keesler Memorial Photo Awards

Hunting & Fishing: First place, Dave Figura.; Second place, Paul Schnell; Third place, Dan Ladd.

Outdoor Action: First place, Paul Schnell; Second place, Stephen George; Third place, Glenn Sapir.

Outdoor Scenic: First place, Dan Ladd; Second place, Stephen George; Third place, Dave Figura.

Wildlife: First place, Glenn Sapir; Second place, Paul Schnell; Third place, Mike Joyner.

People: First place, Charles Witek; Second place, Dan Ladd.; Third place, Dave Figura.

See the entire awards publication here.

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