Thursday, May 7th, 2026

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Thursday, May 7th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Bill Hilts Jr.

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Upcoming Great Lakes preview an invitation to explore amazing waters

New York’s Great Lakes are a celebration of all things sport fishing in the Empire State.
Our shared waters involving Lake Erie and Lake Ontario are dynamic, diverse and rich in its natural resources. To help update anglers on what’s happening in these blessed waters, New York Outdoor News presents a Great Lakes Preview Issue every spring. The next issue will be May 15 – a great time to share updates and provide incentive for others to give these waters a try.

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Upcoming Great Lakes preview an invitation to explore amazing waters Read More »

Bill Hilts, Jr.: New promotion is about the love of fish, water and beer in Western New York

There was a new promotion held in Western New York that focused on protecting water for the fish, and the beer. It kicked off in mid-April in Buffalo, a collaboration that was several months in planning.
Trout Unlimited teamed up with Rivers-Lakes-Streams (RLS), as well as with Thin Man Brewery/Community Beer Works when the brewery unveiled its new River BankLager to support the angling community.

Bill Hilts, Jr.: New promotion is about the love of fish, water and beer in Western New York Read More »

New York’s Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs holds annual awards banquet

The Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs hosted its annual awards banquet recently, paying tribute to some of the top individuals in the world of conservation, as well as natural resource enhancement and protection.
The list of winners who’s represents a who’s who in the outdoor realm of Niagara County.

New York’s Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs holds annual awards banquet Read More »

Push is on for Erie County to opt-in on New York’s pilot youth hunting program

Sportsmen and women from Erie County turned out in solid numbers on Wednesday, April 22, when the Erie County Legislature called a public hearing on a local county law that would allow 12- and 13-year-old junior hunters to pursue deer with a firearm while accompanied by a fully licensed adult, as part of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Pilot Junior Hunting program.
Jack Coad, president of the Erie County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, had been urging sportsmen to attend the public hearing on this issue since April 16 when it was first announced.

Push is on for Erie County to opt-in on New York’s pilot youth hunting program Read More »

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Birding goes to new level with a Smart Bird Feeder

I love birds. As I’ve grown older, my fascination with them has increased exponentially.
I’ve noticed that more and more as I’ve fished places like the lower Niagara River in New York, globally recognized as an important bird area throughout the entire corridor. It’s also one heck of a year-round fishery, complementing the bird diversity that also seems to extend over four seasons. 

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Birding goes to new level with a Smart Bird Feeder Read More »

Lake Ontario walleye stocking evaluation plan taking shape in New York

The walleye population of Lake Ontario is getting some more attention in 2026 as New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has already initiated a walleye stocking evaluation plan for this year.
According to the agency, the purpose of the walleye stocking evaluation study is to determine the proportion of stocked and naturally produced walleyes in the fishery at each stocked location.

Lake Ontario walleye stocking evaluation plan taking shape in New York Read More »

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Getting ready for the ‘inland’ trout opener in New York

April 1 is opening day for the inland trout regular season in New York. It still generates excitement within the angling community, although not as much as when I was a kid over 50 years ago.
It may have lost some of its luster when the Department of Environmental Conservation created a statewide catch-and-release season for inland streams in 2021, but as far as the state agency that manages these resources is concerned, the new regulation has not compromised trout populations.

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Getting ready for the ‘inland’ trout opener in New York Read More »

New York fishing expo helps in fight against pediatric, adolescent cancer

The fishing community came together at the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo in Niagara Falls last month to help a most worthy cause, carrying the theme of “Fishing Fights Pediatric Cancer.”
The 11th annual fishing show worked with vendors and seminar speakers to raise funds to support Catching Dreams Charters – a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving children battling pediatric cancer and their families the opportunity to escape the challenges of treatment and enjoy a therapeutic day on the water.

New York fishing expo helps in fight against pediatric, adolescent cancer Read More »

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