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Bill Hilts Jr.

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 »

Winter fishing open water is worth the effort; here’s how to stay warm

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

It was 26 degrees outside when I crawled out of bed at 5:30 a.m. to make my morning cup of Tim Horton’s coffee. It was a morning like any other with one exception – I would be going fishing on the lower Niagara River in two hours.
It started with an invitation from Capt. Ned Librock of Catching Dreams Charters. He had also asked his Catching Dreams partner and board member Roy Larson, but when Larson saw what the temperatures were going to be, he took a rain check.

Winter fishing open water is worth the effort; here’s how to stay warm Read More »

Meeting sheds positive light on Lake Ontario in 2024 as chinook fishery continues to shine

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

Lake Ontario is back at the top of its game.
At a recent meeting of the Lake Ontario Trout and Salmon Association (LOTSA) held in December, New York Department of Environmental Conservation’s Lake managers and fish biologists held a new and improved State of Lake Ontario meeting to share survey results, announce increased stocking projections, and answer a multitude of questions from the gang of anglers in attendance.

Meeting sheds positive light on Lake Ontario in 2024 as chinook fishery continues to shine Read More »

Winter salmon fishing in New York? Fish still biting as 2024 begins

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

It was an odd end-of-the-year and peculiar start of a new one for salmon fishermen on Lake Ontario.
As is often the case, the place to be was the Niagara Bar off the mouth of the Niagara River. As 2023 ended and 2024 began, king salmon action was good enough that you could target them – a month or two after the fall run of kings into the Devil’s Hole area of the gorge (which was very good in 2023).

Winter salmon fishing in New York? Fish still biting as 2024 begins Read More »

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