Download the NYSOWA 2014 Awards Publication (15.7 MB)
Virgil, Cortland County, N.Y.—The New York State Outdoor Writers Association presented the winners of its annual writing and photography recognition program with carved duck decoy first-place awards and second- and third-place cash awards at the annual banquet of the organization sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation at the Hope Lake Lodge at Greek Peak Resort in Virgil, N.Y., on Saturday evening, Oct. 4.
The organization of more than 80 professional communicators and several dozen supporting members from the outdoor and travel industry gathered at the resort in Cortland County Oct. 2-5 for its annual conference. The Excellence in Craft writing competition and Janice Keesler Memorial Photo Contest, co-sponsored by Ducks Unlimited, Redding Reloading Equipment and Sportsman Channel, were judged by highly regarded professionals from outside the organization.
“Our judges are some of the most respected, prolific and competent writers, editors and photographers in the field of outdoor communications,” said Leon Archer, president of NYSOWA. “I believe they have chosen the best of the best as winners in each category.”
The photo competition was administered by Bridget Keesler, daughter of the namesake of the photo competition, who played a major role in initiating and administering the photo awards program in its earliest days.
First-place winners in the writing competition for articles published in 2013 were: Angelo Peluso, Port Jefferson, for Match the Catch, from On The Water, August 2013, in the Magazine Feature category and Home Again, from On The Water, Special Edition 2013 in the Magazine Column category; Bill Hilts, Jr., Lockport, for National Forests Offer Great Hunting Opportunities, from the NSSF Blog, January 29, 2013, for Online Publications; and Steve Piatt, Waverly, for Deer Hunting’s Defining Moments, from New York Outdoor News, December 13, 2013, in the Newspaper Column category. David Figura, Skaneateles, and Glenn Sapir, Putnam Valley, each received first-place honors in the Newspaper Feature category with Boot Camp, from The Post-Standard, July 28, 2013, and Billy’s Dad’s Gun, from New York Outdoor News, December 27, 2013, respectively.
Two Long Island members took top honors in four of the five photo contest categories, with Chris Kenyon, from Wolcott, taking the other first place, for his winning entry in the Hunting & Fishing category. Peluso captured first place in the Outdoor Recreation and Outdoor Scenic categories. Christopher Paparo, from Calverton, was judged best in the Wildlife and Published categories.
A complete list of first- to third-place finishers in both the writing- and photo-award programs follows:
Excellence in Craft Writing Awards
Magazine Feature
First place, Angelo Peluso, Match the Catch, from On The Water, August 2013; Second place, Angelo Peluso, Feed ‘Em Feathers, from On The Water, January 2013; Third place, Glenn Sapir, Proud To Be a Firearms Owner, Junior Shooters, Winter 2013.
Magazine Column
First place, Angelo Peluso, Home Again, from On The Water, Special Edition 2013; Second place, Glenn Sapir, Your Post-Graduation Challenge, from Hunter & Shooting Sports Education Journal, Summer 2013; Third place, Angelo Peluso, Urban Fishery, from Tide, July/August 2013.
Newspaper Feature
Co-winners for first place, David Figura, Boot Camp, from The Post-Standard, July 28, 2013, and Glenn Sapir, Billy’s Dad’s Gun, from New York Outdoor News, December 27, 2013; Third place, Angelo Peluso, The Retrieve, New York Outdoor News, October 18, 2013.
Newspaper Column
First place, Steve Piatt, Deer Hunting’s Defining Moments, from New York Outdoor News, December 13, 2013; Second place, Bob Henke, Vampire diet not sustainable—unless you’re a bat, The Post-Star, December 8, 2013; Third place, David Figura, DEC gag order hurts everyone, from The Post-Standard, Jan. 27, 2013.
Online Publication
First place, Bill Hilts, Jr., National Forests Offer Great Hunting Opportunities, from the NSSF Blog, January 29, 2013; Second place co-winners David Figura, Montezuma Muckrace, from Syracuse.com, September 7, 2014, Steve Piatt, Tagging a tom tops youth hunters’ wishes, from OutdoorNews.com, April 29, 2013, and Glenn Sapir, Studies, Surveys, Reports Tell the Real Story, from AR Guns & Hunting, Volume 5 Issue 6.
Janice Keesler Memorial Photo Awards
Hunting & Fishing
First place, Christopher Kenyon; Second place, Bill Hilts, Jr., Third place, Christopher Paparo.
Outdoor Recreation
First place, Angelo Peluso; Second and third place, Christopher Paparo.
Outdoor Scenic
First place, Angelo Peluso; Second and third place, Leo Maloney.
Wildlife
First and second place, Christopher Paparo; Third place, Christopher Kenyon.
Published
First and second place, Christopher Paparo; Third place, Angelo Peluso.
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