The New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame is an organization dedicated to conservation and preserving the tradition of outdoor sports. Its main function is to induct men and women who have devoted many years to enhancing the outdoor sports or major accomplishments. In addition, the NYSOHOF periodically recognizes outstanding effort and achievement through their special awards. These are distinct from induction into the Hall of Fame but are considered prestigious recognition for some outstanding job. One such honor is being named statewide Sportsperson of the Year.
This year the NYSOHOF has named Teri Maciag of Oneida as Sportsperson of the Year for 2015. This is in recognition of the outstanding job she has done in starting and continuing the Central New York Sportsman Show and its contribution to the sportsmen and women of central New York.
For 11 years she has organized the CNY Sportsman’s Show that benefitted sportsmen and organizations throughout the central New York region. This event does benefit Holy Cross Academy with a modest fund raiser but it does not reflect the energy and time that she puts into it. And the benefit to others goes far beyond supporting a good cause.
The Show provides a great deal of recreational and educational opportunity for sportsmen and women in the central region. People regularly come from Syracuse, Rome, Camden, Morrisville and beyond to attend.  The average attendance of over 1,000 visitors is a testament to the popularity of the show. People regularly come because they know that it is a true outdoor show with a variety of interests and exhibits.
Sportsmen have the opportunity to purchase outdoor gear, learn from seminars, meet book authors for signed copies, learn of important developments and meet with a variety of conservation and sporting organizations. Seminars appeal to all audiences and include a wide variety of topics from hunting and fishing to Second Amendment Rights, crossbow regulations, cooking, photography skills and much more.
The Show gives local businesses and shops an opportunity to reach a wider audience and sell or get exposure at minimal cost. It has proven to be a great contact for both businesses and conservation and sporting organizations. Under Teri Maciag’s leadership the show charges a low rate for deserving non-profit sportsmen’s or conservation groups. The exposure and the chance to raise funds at minimal expense has been a great benefit to many groups such as Trout Unlimited, the Fish Creek Atlantic Salmon Club, Camden Rod & Gun Club, Madison County Friends of the NRA, NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame and many others. Book authors of various sporting and outdoor books have the opportunity to meet people and sell their books at a special author’s section at no charge to the authors.
Each year at the CNY Sportsman’s Show there is a Central New York Sportsman of the Year award given to a person who has been a role model and contributed much to outdoor sports or conservation in Central New York. The award was the brainchild of Teri Maciag and she works hard to publicize this recognition for deserving role models.
This year this modest person has won an even greater recognition for her hard work, dedication and vision. The NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame considers her worthy of this special recognition for making this show a model for sports shows that benefits so many different groups and all area sportsmen and women.
Maciag will be honored at the Annual Banquet to be held Saturday, April 25 at the Rusty Rail in Canastota. Registration and social hour will begin at 4:30 p.m. with dinner served at 5:30 p.m. Reservations may be made by April 18 by calling 363-3896. The public is invited to share in his honor for a deserving person.
SHORT CASTS
NYCOA Recognized: The NYS Hall of Fame will also recognize the NY Conservation Officers Association for its outstanding efforts with the “Extra Mile Award” at the Annual Banquet on April 25. Details will be in next week’s column.
Cicero Lions Club Walleye Derby: The Cicero-Mattydale Lions Club will hold its 37th annual walleye derby on opening weekend of the season on Oneida Lake and the lower tributaries. Dates are May 2 and 3 with fishing from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sunday. There will be over $3,500 in cash prizes for the top 25 fish based on length. There will also be daily draw tickets and tagged fish prizes.
All entries must be weighed in between the hours listed above and fish must be live. For complete rules and details, as well as weigh stations, check the website www.chittenangolions.org/Walleye_Derby or e-mail lionswalleyederby@gmail.com.
Learn the Sport of Fly Fishing: Learn about fly rods, lines, leaders, how to tie knots, how to cast and where to find fish. The cost of this four session class is only $60. Everything you need will be provided. As an added bonus all attendees will receive a one year membership in Trout Unlimited (a $35 value), plus a copy of the book Fly Fishing Tactics (a $7.50 value).
The class will be held every Wednesday in May (May 6, 13, 20, 27) from 6:00 – 8:30 pm at the Fenner conservation club, 3479 Cody Road, Cazenovia. For more information or to sign up, call Steve LaVancher at 436-9432 or visit the website at www.tu680.org.
Madison County FNRA Banquet: The Madison County Friends of NRA will hold its annual banquet on Saturday, May 16 at the Rusty Rail in Canastota. From 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. will be cash bar, games and silent auctions. At 6:00 p.m. will be a buffet dinner followed by live auction. Proceeds will benefit central New York projects such as local shooting sports, youth education programs, firearms safety programs, range improvement and conservation programs in New York State.
Table reservations with bonus tickets in a variety of options are available by mail, phone, or website www.friendsofnra.org. Deadline for banquet reservations is May 1. Call Ralph Meyers at 264-1087 for tickets or information.
VNSP Novice Shooter Clinics: Vernon National Shooting Preserve will conduct two Novice Shooter Clinics on Saturday, May 2 and Saturday May 9. Know Your Gun! Learning how to handle your new firearm. New to shooting? Come learn the Fundamentals of Gun Safety, Introduction to gun maintenance and basics of shooting including topics like grip, stance, lining up your sights, loading and unloading your new firearm. Instruction will cover pistol, rifle, and clay pigeon shooting with your shotgun.
Experience recreational shooting sports in an organized safe environment with professional, certified instructors.  Want to learn about those flying orange discs? Want to experience long range shooting with and without scopes? These clinics are designed for those beginners wanting to gain familiarity with their gun learning basic fundamentals of safety, how your firearm functions, and how to shoot it safely!
The clinics are offered two dates May 2 and May 9 – register for one of the two dates. Cost is $25 for 2 - 3 hours, dependent on class size. Expect to shoot 50 rounds of ammunition (not included). Clinic size limited to 10 new learners. Preregistration required. Call 315-829-2529, leave name and date you want to attend or email Jason@vernonnational.com. NYS Pistol Permit mandatory for the Beginner Pistol Clinic. Shotguns of all styles available for rent as needed. Please call for rental reservation. Class starts at 9:00 a.m.
Oneida Lake Team Walleye Trail: After a successful year in 2014 the Oneida Lake Team Walleye Trail has big plans for 2015. They have announced that there will be four tournaments this year on May 17, June 28, July 26, and August 23. We will have details as the dates approach. For more information check the website at www.oneidawalleyes.com.