The N.Y.S. Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame Board of Directors meets in January of each year as the panel of judges for the purpose of determining successful Hall of Fame inductees for that year. Each Officer and Director are given copies of all submitted nomination forms at the start of this meeting in order to consider each nominee prior to any vote on same. The sole criteria in judging nominations shall be the documented contributions of the nominees toward the betterment of the sportsmen’s-conservation movement and/or natural resources conservation.
Following the selection of inductees for the year by the Board of Directors, the successful inductees and the media are notified; the inductees Hall of Fame plaques are commissioned; and arrangements are made for the annual Induction Banquet, held in April of each year, at which time the successful candidates are formally inducted into the N.Y.S. Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame; presented with their plaque; a copy of the NYOHOF Bylaws; a complimentary one-year NYSOHOF membership, and notice of the availability of a NYSOHOF ring.
The 25th Anniversary of the NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame was marked by a record attendance of 178 at the annual banquet. The ECO honor guard accompanied presentation of the plaque honoring ECOs who have fallen in the line of duty. The eleven inductees represented many different areas of the state and various efforts in the cause of preserving our outdoor heritage. The crowd represented a cross section of most of the major conservation and sporting organizations in the state and many former inductees. As one inductee commented, "being recognized by this organization and being honored by the presence of so many distinguished guests helps validate what we have been doing for many years and gives renewed energy to continue the efforts."
Inductees NYSOHOF 2008
Dr. John Braico: (Warren County) Founder Adirondack Chapter Trout Unlimited, Developed Resource Information System for stream restoration, TU Chair of Brook Trout Restoration Program.
Don Bronson: (Niagara County) Master hunter safety instructor, waterfowl identification instructor, Bowhunter education instruction, facilitator Leopold Education Program.
Ray “Mick” Elliott: (Saratoga County) longtime involvement Kayderosseras Fish & Game Club, Saratoga County Council of Sportsmen, NYS Conservation Council, and Fish & Willdlife Management Board.
Charles Godfrey: (Erie County) leader W NY Trout Unlimited, Erie County Federation Sportsmens Clubs. Involved with scholarships, youth programs, and stream restoration.
Rudy Hektor: (Broome County) One of six people nationally who taught hunter safety for the first 50 years. Master Instructor and Broome County Coordinator Hunter Safety for over 60 years.
Ron Kolodziej: (Montgomery County) Outdoor writer for over 30 years for many publications, active in Bowhunter education, kids fishing derbies, and youth activities. Past president NYSOWA.
Tim Noga: (Cayuga County) Active in Falcon Sportsmens Club, Cayuga County Federation of Conservation Clubs, and NYS Conservation Council. Helped organize Cayuga Pheasants Unlimited and Friends of Montezuma Wetlands.
Scott Sampson: (Seneca County) Outdoor writer for many publications over 35 years, Hunter safety instructor and mentor to countless youth and adults in outdoor skills. Crusader for sportsmen’s rights and the environment on many issues.
Bill Wellman: (Essex County) President Adirondack Chapter Trout Unlimited, Secretary State Council TU. Member NYTU Hydro relicensing committee, and Brook Trout Restoration Program. Led effort to restore Ausable River.
Harry “Bud” Woodfield: (Broome County) President Broome County Federation Sportsmens Clubs over 20 years. Many years service Fish & Wildlife Management Board and Conservation Fund Advisory Board. Active in NWTF and NYSCC.
Mike Zagata: (Otsego County) Former DEC Commissioner, advocate for more involvement of women and youth in outdoors. Started 2 year old trout stocking program and supported youth hunting days and free fishing days
NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame
INDUCTEES IN PRIOR YEARS
1983 – Ed Lints, Norman Koczar, Bill Girvan, Tony Giglio, Gary Worosylo, Jim Edic, Mike Stolarzyk, Bob Andreski, Vin Cain
1984 – Lawrence Cook, Frank Szmurlo, Gerald Linck, Dave Chernoff, Fred Arcuri, Ron Scatko, Edward Hein, Alonzo Seymour, Walter Wilczek, David Pierce, Chester Wilczek
1985 – Tony Kozak, Willis Freemire, Tom Yacovella, Dr. Harry Sinclair, Jack McDairmid, Bill Geiser
1986 – Joseph Witte Jr., Ralph Krohn, Dr. E.J. Usselman, Anthony Springer, William B. Ames, Roman Kaczor, Clifton Backus
1987 – Mark Nolan, John Paulhamous, Ira Morey, Roy Mahardy, Dominick Merchant, David “Hubie” Mayne
1988 – Stephen Wolanin, Albert Stanulevich, Janice Keesler, M. Paul Keesler, Bernard Kolwaite, George Yonkers, John Gacek, Edward O’Connell, Edward Yousey, Mervin Pritchard1989 –John Provinski, Mike Barretta, Joseph Watson, Lee LaGoy, Joseph Sudol, Warner Brown, Wallace Wolcott, Robert James, Verle Yelton
1990 – William Lloyd, Bob Pierson, Don Keller, John Kolwaite, Dave Cave, Richard Morgan, Jack Fredericks, Pauline Pratt, Edward Dabrowski, Adam Adams
1991 – Frank Toper, Bill Toumbacaris, Bud Jones, James Mullarkey, Linda Coffin, Russell Hart, Tom Kilbourn, Joseph Dudek
1992 – Sam (Jack) Merriman, Harry (Red) Hibbard, John Matterese, Stan Hamlin, Robert Schug, Bill Marscher, Ron Walter, John Manion, Art Webb, Bob Ripberger
1993 – Hon. Michael Bragman, Charles Day, Donna Kolwaite, George Wede, Chester Wilczek Jr., Bernard Franken, Craig L. Tryon, Walter Clowminzer, Brian Dam
1994 – William Thurston, Roy Smith, Bob Sroka, Allen Fannin, Bert Millier
1995 – Ed Baker, Jerry Hewitt, Lee Spinning, Wheeler Muller, Thomas Humberstone, Ken Mayne, George Mulligan
1996 – Elinor Backus, Bob Jeff, Jim Hool, Francis Ready, John Sandwick, Charles Henlin, Fred Neff, Matt Cutacci, Anthony Lutowski
1997 – Bruce Matthews, Charles Komrowski, Scott Faulkner, David Coon, Brian Day Sr., Charles Thousand, William Hilts Sr., Don Brown, John Manning
1998 – Burnette Bundy, Adam Fowler Jr., John Cushman, Joe Snyder, Mary Speers, Wayne Radley, Lynn Staring, Robert Grose, John Maurice Demers, James Weeks, Joe Netti, John W. Sustare, Sen. Nancy L. Hofmann, Joseph Klockowski, Doug Fuegel
1999 – Gina Schermerhorn, John Matousek, Patricia Dudeck, Neil Duell, Clifford Coffin, Lou Dapaolis, Albert LaFrance, Leif C. Backus, Henry Cosselman, Jim Weeks
2001 – Louis Plizga, Larry Chandler, Bert L. Snyder, Ron Stowell, Dave Corr, Robert J. Morgan, John Conte, Donald Combs, Ted Wajda
2002 – Jack Hasse, Phil Genova, John Bianco, “Adirondack Jack” Leach, John G. Popielski, Donald Hubbard, John Pirarresi, John Patterson
2003 – Charles Tilbe, Richard Macrina, Bill Alexander, Steve Payne, Bob Lewis, Art Jory, James Massett, Joseph Firley Jr.
2004 – Mike Cherubin, Nick Galotti, Pete Bartholemew, Robert F. Harris Sr.,Joseph Alberico, John Jakubowski, Rick Pecci
2005 – Howard Cushing, Leo Maloney, Tony Buffa, Joe Sadowski, Ken Ziobro
2006 – Judith Aldrich, Patricia Arnold, Wallace “Wally” John, Bob McNitt, Les Monostory, Harry Probst, Dick Smith, Nellie Staves
2007 – Gary Lee, Franklin Cean, Ron Urban, David Miller, Loren Sigman II, Ray Gawlas, Paul Maciejewski, William Hilts Jr., Robert Brown, John Long, Dennis Money