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Bill Hilts Jr.

New York hunter takes a record buck while grieving the death of his mother

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, National Hunting, National News, New York, News /

Jethro Gibbs in the hit television show NCIS stated time and time again rule number 39: There are no coincidences. For Capt. Lucas Falkner of Greece (Rochester), N.Y., he may have taken that a bit further with a belief in divine intervention.
The result was a new New York State typical crossbow buck Falkner connected with on the final day of the Southern Zone early archery and crossbow season in Steuben County.

New York hunter takes a record buck while grieving the death of his mother Read More »

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Reel maintenance is important for fishing success

Blogs, Featured, Fishing, Gear & Gadgets, National Fishing, New York, Opinion /

The stage is set. You are feeling lucky as you are out fishing in Lake Ontario in early May off Wilson, N.Y. Fishing has been very good for king salmon and the spring Lake Ontario Counties Salmon and Trout Derby is going on. One big fish is all it takes for a $15,000 check. 
“Fish on” as the downrigger releases and the line starts screaming out of the reel. However, something is wrong. The drag is not acting as it should as it stops and starts sporadically.

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Reel maintenance is important for fishing success Read More »

Bill Hilts, Jr.: The future of fishing looks bright behind young anglers like the Noon boys from New York

Blogs, Featured, Fishing, National Fishing, New York, Opinion /

I worry about what the future holds for the outdoors and natural resources that are protected by hunters, fishermen and trappers year after year. As my generation gets older, will there be new blood infused into the stewardship necessary to protect, enhance and conserve the forests and waters of our great country?
It seems that whenever I question that, someone comes along that renews my faith in today’s youth movement.  Logan Noon, a 15-year-old freshman at Newfane Central High School in New York, is an amazing kid. He started fishing at the age of 2. Like a snowball rolling north from the escarpment, his fishing passion has grown with each passing year.

Bill Hilts, Jr.: The future of fishing looks bright behind young anglers like the Noon boys from New York Read More »

Bill Hilts, Jr.: NWTF Hall of Fame call is a worthy honor for New York’s Ernie Calandrelli

Blogs, Featured, Hunting, National Hunting, New York, Opinion /

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill 
Ernie Calandrelli of Lewiston, N.Y., truly believes he is one of the luckiest people on the planet. I would agree with him. He is one of the first people I ever wrote about when I began my freelance writing career with the Niagara Falls Gazette back in 1980. I still remember the column like it was yesterday, a piece on Calandrelli and his good friend, Paul Butski, of Niagara Falls.

Bill Hilts, Jr.: NWTF Hall of Fame call is a worthy honor for New York’s Ernie Calandrelli Read More »

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Sometimes the cold just comes with an outdoor adventure

Blogs, Featured, Fishing, Hunting, National Fishing, National Hunting, New York, Opinion /

The actual temperature was in the mid-teens and the wind chill took it into the single digits. It was cold! 
I found myself on the back patio, despite the frigid temperatures, grilling a venison burger that was stuffed with blue cheese in the middle over a bed of hot coals. It had been a week or two since I grilled due to the weather conditions, and I refused to cook a burger inside. It wouldn’t take too long. 

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Sometimes the cold just comes with an outdoor adventure Read More »

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Knowledge is power for New York angler who won Walleye Slam and Fall Brawl

Blogs, Featured, Fishing, National Fishing, New York, Opinion /

For Ed Hatten of Hastings, N.Y., he would be quick to agree with the phrase “knowledge is power.” 
Hatten put that knowledge to use on Nov. 24, 2024, when he reeled in a 12.30-pound walleye to win both the Walleye Fall Brawl (held Oct. 19-Dec. 8) and the Walleye Slam (held Oct. 18-Dec. 1) to net some $315,000 in prizes from Ohio’s two huge fall derbies on Lake Erie.

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Knowledge is power for New York angler who won Walleye Slam and Fall Brawl Read More »

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Your Prescription for better health – Fishing in New York

Blogs, Featured, Fishing, National Fishing, New York, Opinion /

We all know that the freshwater fishery in New York is a world class act, offering some of the best angling action in the world for a wide range of species that few states can compare with.

This is one of the reasons why area fish gurus host the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo year after year in Niagara Falls, set for Feb. 13-16, 2025. They are “Teaching Fishing” to the masses, helping them all to become better anglers in the long run of life. One huge side benefit is that the recreational pastime of fishing is better for your health – for so many reasons.

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Your Prescription for better health – Fishing in New York Read More »

Good news for anglers comes out of Lake Ontario fishery meeting in New York

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, National Fishing, National News, New York, News /

Lake Ontario salmon and trout fishermen enjoyed another outstanding year of fishing in 2024, especially as it relates to Chinook salmon.
That was the information conveyed at the recent meeting of the Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association with Bureau of Fisheries personnel that manage Lake Ontario for the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. About 50 interested anglers showed up, which was a good turnout since a Lake Erie “lake effect” snowstorm was pounding areas in Buffalo and south.

Good news for anglers comes out of Lake Ontario fishery meeting in New York Read More »

Bill Hilts, Jr.: There’s power in having something to look forward to

Blogs, Featured, Fishing, Hunting, New York, Opinion /

It’s a good thing when you have something to look forward to. 
As this is being written, I am in Virginia visiting family – including my mother in law who turns 95 this month. She still has all her facilities and I don’t believe there is a person alive that enjoys games more than she does. Dice games like Farkle and Yahtzee, board games like Scrabble, and even individual games like word finder and similar mental challenges. She loves playing games.

Bill Hilts, Jr.: There’s power in having something to look forward to Read More »

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