Note: We hope you enjoy this annual highlight of the NYSOWA Excellence in Crafts Writing Awards and the Janice M. Keesler Memorial Photo Awards.

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NEW YORK STATE OUTDOOR WRITERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES

COMMUNICATIONS, PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS

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 andheld on Saturday, May 17, at the Niagara Crossing Hotel and Spa, in Lewiston, NY.

The Excellence in Craft Communications and Janice M. Keesler Memorial Photo Awards Program, sponsored by 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 wererecognized 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, Angela Colangelo, Making the Bait, Northforker, May 2024; Second place, Matt Haeffner, Mid-Shore Mahi, Angler’s Almanac, 2024; Third place, Angela Colangelo, Starry Nights, Northforker, Oct. 2024..

Magazine Column: First place, Steve Piatt, The Perfect Fishing Buddy PennLines, July 2024; Second place, Steve Piatt, Fleeing Florida, Heading Home, PennLines, May 2024; Third place, Charles Witek, Generational Conflict—Our Differing Views, The Drake, Summer 2024.                                                          

Newspaper Feature: First place, Steve Featherstone, How Pain, Ducks and a Young Hunter’s First Buck Bonded Two Families Coping with Loss, Post-Standard, March 31, 2024; Second place, Tom Schlichter, Hooked on Kayaks, Newsday, Sept. 1, 2024; Third place, Tom Schlichter, Bucket List, Newsday, March 17, 2024.

Newspaper Column: First place, Steve Piatt., The Old Turkey Hunter, New York Outdoor News, June 14, 2024; Second place, Steve Piatt, Spoiled by the Aurora, Morning Times, Oct. 9, 2024; Third place, Glenn Sapir, The Hunter/Angler’s Home Office Cave, New York Outdoor News, Aug. 23, 2024..

.Online Publication: First place, Angelo Peluso, Late Summer Lunker Largemouth, The Fisherman Online, Aug. 2024; Second place, Tom Schlichter, Turks & Caicos Adventure, White Water Blog, Jan. 14, 2024; Third place, Steve Piatt, Ausable’s West Branch: a pickpocket’s dream, Dark Skies Fly Fishing, Spring 2024..

TV, Radio, Video and Audio: First place, Joseph Gary Crance, An Exceptional Hound, Audible.com, Sept. 25, 2023; Second place, Mike Joyner, Tales from the Turkey Woods: Mornings of My Better Days, Amazon/ACX Feb. 23, 2024; Third place, Terry Belke, 2 the Outdoors: A Celebration of Life for Gerry Rising, WGRZ-TV, Feb. 26, 2023.

Janice M. Keesler Memorial Photo Awards

Hunting & Fishing: First place, Angelo Peluso.; Second place, Chris Paparo; Third place, Richard Redman.

Outdoor Action: First place, Chris Paparo; Second place, Glenn Sapir; Third place, Glenn Sapir.

Outdoor Scenic: First place, Chris Paparo; Second place, Richard Redman; Third place, Glenn Sapir.

Wildlife: First place, Chris Paparo; Second place, Angelo Peluso; Third place, Richard Redman.

People: First place, Chris Paparo; Second place, Bill Hilts, Jr.; Third place, Angelo Peluso.