Read the  2022 NYSOWA Awards Publication

The New York State Outdoor Writers Association announced the honorees of its communications and photography recognition program at its Annual Meeting, held virtually, on Wednesday, Oct. 26.

The Excellence in Craft Communications and Janice M. Keesler Memorial Photo Awards Program, co-sponsored by Ducks Unlimited, Redding Reloading Equipment and the Outdoor Sportsman Group, was judged by highly regarded writers, editors and photographers from outside the organization. First-place honorees receive valued art awards, and second- and third-place finishers are 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, Paul Schnell, Chasing, Outdoor Life, No. 4 Issue. 2021; Second place, Tom Schlichter, Secrets of Bottom Fishing, Southern Boating and Yachting, June 2021; Third place, Tom Schlichter, Bahamas Bonefishing, Southern Boating and Yachting, April 2021.

Magazine Column: First place, Tom Schlichter, Northeast Seaboard: Cape Cod’s Great White Shark Activity, Southern Boating and Yachting, June 2021; Second place, Tom Schlichter, Northeast Seaboard: New Study Could Impact Fishery Stock Assessment, Southern Boating and Yachting, Jan. 2021.

Newspaper Feature: First place, Tom Schlichter, Angling for the Perfect Lure, Newsday, June 20, 2021; Second place, Paula Piatt, Is Professional Training Necessary for a Well-Oiled Canine Machine? Pennsylvania Outdoor News, Aug. 13, 2021; Third place (tie), David Figura, Angler Enjoys the Challenge, Funny Side of Catching Fish, The Post Standard, Aug. 5, 2021, and Glenn Sapir, Turkey Hunting Strategies for Seniors, New York Outdoor News, April 2, 2021.

Newspaper Column: First place, Steve Piatt, Still Out There: Dreaming of the ‘Dacks, Morning Times, Aug. 19, 2021; Second place, Dan Ladd, Getting Around: Thankful for Thanksgiving Day Hunts, New York Outdoor News, Nov.13, 2021; Third place, Glenn Sapir, Here and There, Now and Then: Losing Things, Especially Afield, New York Outdoor News, Sept.17, 2021;

Online Publication: First place, David Figura, Finger Lakes Land Trust Began as Cornell Master’s Degree Project, Now Covers 26,000 Acres, NYUP.com, Oct. 13, 2021; Second place, David Figura, One Man’s Solitary Life of Trapping, Smoking and Selling Eels on the Delaware River, NYUP.com, Aug. 29, 2021; Third place, Megan Plete Postol, BOW Weekend Offers Women Opportunity for Challenge, Learning, Adirondack Explorer, Oct. 19, 2021.

Book: First place, Joseph Gary Crance, The Forest Ghost: A Ryland Creek Novel, Lulu Publishing Services, 2021; Second place, Joseph Gary Crance, The Master of the Hounds: Book IV of the Ryland Creek Saga, Lulu Publishing Services, 2020; Third place, Doug Goodman., American Footsteps: A Hunter’s Journey, Newman Springs Publishing, 2020.

Janice M. Keesler Memorial Photo Awards

Hunting & Fishing: First place, Bill Hilts, Jr.; Second place, Angelo Peluso; Third place, Chris Paparo.

Outdoor Action: First place, Paul Schnell; Second place, David Figura; Third place, David Figura.

Outdoor Scenic: First place, Charles Witek; Second place, Peter Cody Fiduccia; Third place, Chris Paparo.

Wildlife: First place, Chris Paparo; Second place, Peter Cody Fiduccia; Third place, Paul Schnell.

People: First place, Paul Schnell; Second place, Bill Hilts, Jr.; Third place, Angelo Peluso.