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Bill Hilts Jr.

Things looking great for New York’s Great Lakes fishing in 2024

Featured, Fishing, National Fishing, New York /

New York State is blessed with more than 7,500 lakes and ponds, 70,000 miles of rivers and streams, and hundreds of miles of coastline. Yes, New York, our own Empire State! At the top of the list of sport fishing attractions in the state is the Great Lakes.
New York is bordered to the west by Lake Erie and the Niagara River. To the north, its Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River. They all connect to form one of the greatest freshwater fisheries in the world and we get to call it our own.

Things looking great for New York’s Great Lakes fishing in 2024 Read More »

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Remembering New York’s Bob Cinelli — one of the top Great Lakes charter captains

Blogs, Featured, Fishing, New York, Opinion /

P.T. Barnum once said that the noblest art is that of making others happy. Bob Cinelli was one of those people, especially when he was fishing – a true ambassador for New York’s natural resources as one of the top Great Lakes charter captains. I know firsthand.

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Remembering New York’s Bob Cinelli — one of the top Great Lakes charter captains Read More »

Pen-rearing projects boost salmon stocking in New York

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

For over 25 years, pen rearing projects for salmon and trout have been implemented in Lake Ontario to help the stocking efforts of New York DEC’s Bureau of Fisheries. In 2024, there are nine cooperative pen-rearing projects in the basin, including nearly 823,000 Chinook salmon and over 70,000 steelhead.

Pen-rearing projects boost salmon stocking in New York Read More »

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Crossbow education needed for hunting image

Blogs, Featured, Hunting, New York, Opinion /

Crossbows have been a part of my big game hunting life for 35 years. It began in southeastern Ohio as part of a media weekend run by Horton Crossbows at a place they called Camp Opportunity.
I still remember the first time a shot a crossbow, sitting next to my father at stationery targets 20 yards from us. The first time we shot one, we looked at each other and agreed that we had not been fully educated. They were both fun and effective.

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Crossbow education needed for hunting image Read More »

Bill Hilts, Jr.: New York’s Erie Canal System is a fishing secret

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

In 2025, the Erie Canal will be celebrating a milestone of historic significance. It will be the 200th Anniversary of the continuous operation of “Clinton’s Ditch,” a manmade marvel in its day that focused initially on commercial transportation operations.
It has become a different kind of outdoor wonder today.  The Erie Canal is now a recreational byway that transects New York State from Buffalo to Albany for 363 miles, with a special attention on historical tourism, boating, and, yes, even fishing. 

Bill Hilts, Jr.: New York’s Erie Canal System is a fishing secret Read More »

Delta Waterfowl establishes Niagara Frontier chapter in New York

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

Delta Waterfowl, one of the leading conservation groups dedicated to waterfowl and waterfowl hunting, is expanding its footprint in the Empire State.
According to Bob Sieman, of Amherst, N.Y., current chairman of the committee overseeing the new chapter, the group was formed just this year (2024) to the delight of waterfowlers in Western New York.

Delta Waterfowl establishes Niagara Frontier chapter in New York Read More »

Talking turkey with NWTF Hall-of-Famer Chris Kirby

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

I recently had the pleasure of talking (turkey) with Chris Kirby of Springville, N.Y., just a few days after he received a prestigious honor. Kirby was named to the Grand National Calling Championships Hall of Fame at the National Wild Turkey Federation’s National Convention in Nashville, Tenn., in February. 
His initial response to the recognition was that it was a very humbling experience. “I am so appreciative, and it was not expected at all,” said Kirby.

Talking turkey with NWTF Hall-of-Famer Chris Kirby Read More »

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Greater Niagara Fishing Expo is a chance to better understand New York’s fantastic fisheries

Blogs, Featured, Fishing, New York, Opinion /

Fishing is great in New York State! If you are an avid angler, you know that is a very true statement. These natural resources, sometimes assisted with the help of state hatcheries, are all managed by the Bureau of Fisheries, which fall under the umbrella of the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation.
To highlight the state agency, the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo will once again be holding a DEC Open House on Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to feature the state’s fisheries and introduce the biologists and managers that get the job done to the public. 

Bill Hilts, Jr.: Greater Niagara Fishing Expo is a chance to better understand New York’s fantastic fisheries Read More »

Boater safety course deadline looming in New York under Brianna’s Law

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

Attention all boaters! Time is running out for you to complete a boating safety class in New York State, depending on your age. It’s the law.
This is the fourth and final year for the phased-in culmination of Brianna’s Law, requiring all recreational boaters to take a boating safety class. As of right now, anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1978, or later must have completed and passed a state-approved boating safety class if you want to operate a motorboat in New York State this year.

Boater safety course deadline looming in New York under Brianna’s Law Read More »

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