Round Top, NY – Steve Zahurak of Schenectady, Board Member with the New York State Outdoor Writers Association, was named the 2026 Pass it On Award winner at its Spring Conference in Round Top. Steve’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 that was received by the awards committee, include:

After graduation from college, Zahurak taught thousands of school youths. Although he wasn’t passing on the outdoor tradition directly, their demeanor and their pride in being an outdoors person set an example and perhaps stirred the interest of students that had not before considered stepping into the outdoors.

In another role, Zahurak trained hundreds, if not thousands, of would-be hunters as a certified hunter education instructor, educating them on the basics and allowing them to qualify for their first hunting license. He has long been very active in his local sportsman’s club, chairing programs and implementing suggestions to improve their facility and outreach.

Zahurak’s greatest impact on our outdoor heritage could very well be in recent years when heworked tirelessly through the New York Crossbow Coalition, striving to legalize and then liberalize the regulations concerning crossbow use for hunting in New York State. He visited many of the state legislators, lobbying for crossbow use. He spoke to various groups about the Coalition’s efforts and encouraged support. And he updated NYSOWA on the progress of this attempted regulation change, so we could then report on it to our readers.

Zahurak’s work came to fruition in 2025 when new crossbow regulations were put into effect, allowing crossbow users to enjoy the benefits extended to vertical bow users, also easing some restrictions on crossbow specifications, allowing previously banned crossbows to be legally used. This legislation has allowed seniors, disabled and any hunter across the state to continue or expand their hunting.

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

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.