The New York State Outdoor Writers Association announced the honorees of its communications and photography recognition program at its Annual Awards Banquet, sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and held on Saturday, June 1, at Clarion Hotel and Suites Riverfront, in Oswego, NY.
The Excellence in Craft Communications and Janice M. Keesler Memorial Photo Awards Program, sponsored by Redding Reloading Equipment, was judged by highly regarded writers, editors and photographers from outside the organization. First-place honorees received valued art awards, and second- and third-place finishers were recognized with certificates and cash awards.
The first-place awards in the Excellence in Craft program were this year’s annual edition of beautiful waterfowl decoys created by award-winning carver Bill Suitor of Youngstown, N.Y. Awards for first place in the photo recognition program were framed original paintings on feathers by renowned artist and NYSOWA member Deborah Brosen of Kinderhook, N.Y.
A complete list of first- to third-place finishers in both the communication- and photo-award programs follows.
Excellence in Craft Communication Awards
Magazine Feature: First place, Glenn Sapir, Lessons from the Legends, Turkey Call, March/April 2023; Second place, Angelo Peluso, Studies in Success, The Fisherman, Feb. 2023; Third place, Richard Redman, Casting Lines and Colors, North Country Living Magazine, Fall 2023.
Magazine Column: First place, Angelo Peluso, Christmas Eve Tradition, Hook & Barrel Magazine, Oct. 25 2023; Second place, Steve Piatt, Time Together in a Tree, PENNLines Magazine, Nov.2023; Third place, Steve Piatt, A Winter’s Walk, PENNLines Magazine, Jan. 2023.
Newspaper Feature: First place, Steve Featherstone, City Hunter’s Family Tries to Cope after Fatal Fall, Syracuse Post-Standard, Feb. 12, 2023; Second place, Tom Schlichter, Into the Woods, Newsday, Nov. 26, 2023; Third place, Steve Featherstone, Syracuse’s Fish Replica Artist Lures Anglers from across the Country, The Post-Standard, May 7, 2023.
Newspaper Column: First place, Steve Piatt., A Question Answered, New York Outdoor News, Nov. 3, 2023; Second place (Tie), Glenn Sapir., Excuses in the Outdoors, New York Outdoor News, Dec. 15, 2023; and Steve Piatt, One Photo, a Lifetime of Memories, Tonawanda Daily Review, July 22, 2023.
Online Publication: First place, Angelo Peluso, Euro Methods for Monster Carp, The Fisherman Online, March 2023; Second place, Angelo Peluso, Neglected Ponds Equal Lunker Largemouth, The Fisherman Online, May 2023; Third place, David J. Figura, New York Tribes Want Recognition for Treaties from 1700s, OutdoorNews.com, Dec.11, 2023.
Book: First place, Peter Fiduccia, The Definitive Guide to Planting Food Plots, Skyhorse Publishing, 2023; Second place, Joseph Gary Crance, The Last Coon Hunter, Fifth Anniversary Edition, Lulu Publishing Services 2022; Third place, Joseph Gary Crance, The Time of the Backroads, Lulu Publishing Services, 2022.
Janice M. Keesler Memorial Photo Awards
Hunting & Fishing: First place, Chris Paparo.; Second place, Angelo Peluso; Third place, Sue Kiesel.
Outdoor Action: First place, Jerrod Villa; Second place, Deb Brosen; Third place, Deb Brosen.
Outdoor Scenic: First place, Angelo Peluso; Second place, Charles Witek; Third place, Jerrod Villa.
Wildlife: First place, Deb Brosen; Second place, Deb Brosen; Third place, Chris Paparo.
People: First place, Chris Paparo; Second place, Chris Paparo; Third place, Matt Haeffner.
