New York Mixed Bag: NYS 4-H Shooting Sports sending team to Nationals in Nebraska

Ballston Spa, N.Y. — The New York 4-H Shooting Sports program is preparing to send a team of young shooting sports enthusiasts to compete in the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships.

The event will be held in June at the Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, Nebraska. It will bring together youth from across the country to compete in disciplines including compound archery, recurve archery, air rifle, air pistol, .22 rifle, .22 pistol, shotgun, muzzleloading, and hunting skills.

This year, New York will be sending teams in air rifle, compound archery, and shotgun, with individual competitors representing the state in Traditional archery and smallbore rifle. Included on the New York team will be 4-H members from Saratoga, Steuben, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties The head coach is Nate Paddock, who brings many years of experience working with youth and coaching them through competitive events.

For more information about 4-H Shooting Sports, or to learn more about how to support the New York’s team’s trip to Nebraska through a donation, contact email jat29@cornell.edu, or call 518-885-8995. The group’s annual banquet will be held April 18 in Glens Falls.

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Orange County ‘Get Hooked On Fishing, Not Drugs’ Fishing Derby Kicks Off

Goshen, N.Y. — Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler on recently announced the Sixth Annual Youth Fishing Derby that runs from April 1 to Sept. 14. The derby is open to children ages 4-18 who are children or grandchildren of Orange County residents.

“Fishing teaches many life lessons, such as patience and how to deal with success and failure. Several U.S. presidents were accomplished fishermen and used fishing to relax from the stress and responsibilities of their office,” D.A. Hoovler’s press releas said. The event is part of his Community Outreach Program.

Any size fish entered in the contest has an equal chance of winning a prize for the contestant. All fish entered in the contest must be legally caught from anywhere in New York State. To enter, email a photo of the contestant holding the fish, as well as the child’s first name and an adult contact phone number, to dafishingcontest@gmail.com. Each angler can enter up to three fish photos during the contest.

DEC’s Annual I BIRD NY Challenge Now Underway Across New York

Albany — DEC’s 2026 I BIRD NY Challenge is underway, as it began March 1 and runs through Nov. 1. Participants are asked to identify 10 species of birds anywhere in New York State. Then, they submit online or by mail, and receive a commemorative patch, sticker, and certificate, an, be be entered to win birding-related prizes.

This year’s challenge patch will feature the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus). Great Horned Owls are large birds of prey that are found throughout New York State and get their name from their two prominent feathered tufts on their head. These owls prefer woody habitat—including forest edges, mixed forests, suburban yards, urban parks, and places with younger forests. They are approximately 18-25 inches in length, have a 4- to 5-foot wingspan, and weigh around 3 pounds.

Learn more at https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/birding/i-bird-ny.

Public Facilities In Jefferson And Sullivan Counties To Be Closed During Projects

Highland, N.Y. — DEC recently announced the temporary closure of Gordon Pond and its surrounding campsites in the Hickok Brook Multiple Use Area located in the town of Highland, Sullivan County, due to necessary safety repairs to the Gordon Dam.

Fishing and boating will be impacted during the project and not possible during construction, which may last through the end of the year. Repairs will include dam infrastructure construction to address structural deficiencies and ensure compliance with New York State dam safety standards. The five designated campsites surrounding Gordon Pond will remain closed to the public until dam repairs are complete. DEC will announce the reopening of Gordon Pond upon completion of construction.

In Jefferson County, the Butterfield Lake Boat Launch and Fishing Access Site located in the Town of Alexandria will close for major site improvements and boat launch ramp replacement. The project anticipated to start on June 1 and to continue through early fall is designed to make the launch safer and more functional. The entire site will be closed to public access for the duration of the project including the launch ramp and parking area. Improvements will include a new concrete ramp and abutment with a floating dock, parking area improvements, and shoreline stabilization around the ramp. Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant features will be added to the site.

Fire Damages Warren County Gun Range

Queensbury, N.Y. — A popular indoor gun range was partially closed after a March 18 fire that damaged part of the facility. Firefighters responded at approximately 2:45 p.m. to a fire at the Adirondack Indoor Gun Range, in Queensbury. The fire was quickly contained and no injuries were reported.

A post on the range’s Facebook page said the facilities retail store was back up an running as of March 21, but the indoor range itself was in a state of repair. A back-up Mobile Range System was reportedly in the works at press time.

Adirondack Indoor Gun Range not only features indoor shooting lanes and a retail store, but also holds several levels of firearms classes for shooters of all skill levels. The company expressed it’s gratitude to the firefighters and its employees for their quick response.