Update from Chapter Chair

With the hunting seasons mostly wrapped up, I am getting stir crazy dreaming about chasing gobblers in the spring turkey woods, and the NY Chapter is busy working on plans for the upcoming year. We have started putting together our policy positions supporting public land and water access and science-based wildlife management all while tracking the flurry of new legislative bills that can impact hunters and anglers. We are in the early stages of organizing a big statewide event this summer in the Catskills, which we will announce when we have more finalized plans. In addition to a large gathering, we are working to put together more stewardship events. If any of you out there have a favorite spot you want to see get some conservation work, please reach out so we can help to make that happen. As always, I want to encourage you all to please tag and follow us on social media, join us at Pint Nights and conservation stewardship events, let your legislators hear from you about proposed bills impacting hunters and anglers, and make sure your BHA membership is current! Get out there and enjoy your NY public lands and waters!

Greg Whalin - NY BHA Chapter Chair 

Chapter News

Board Changes

Chapter Board members are elected volunteers that are responsible for guiding the chapter through setting and meeting annual goals around membership growth, fundraising, events (conservation and pint nights), and tracking policy work in the state to ensure NY hunters and anglers are represented in Albany.  The NY Chapter Board completed our annual reorganization which resulted in:

• Saying goodbye to departing board members Frank DeSantis Jr and Tim Clark.
• Welcoming new members Trevor Keough and Logan Misseldine
• Electing an executive team of Greg Whalin (Chair), Andrew Pelletier (Vice Chair), Ted Kreuger (Treasurer), and Bill Delaney (Secretary).

We are sad to see departing board members, and we want to thank them for their volunteer time. At the same time, we’re excited to welcome our new board members!  Keep an eye on our Instagram (@newyorkbha) account over the upcoming weeks to meet the board.

2025 Chapter Planning

All BHA state chapters are required to put together a yearly plan which spells out the chapter’s goals and plans for the years. The NY Chapter submitted their plan and the goals for the chapter include:

• Growing membership by 120 members
• Growing our Instagram (@newyorkbha) account by 500 followers
• Fundraising goal of $15k for BHA
• Hosting a large event for members of the state
• Hosting a minimum of 16 Pint Nights and conservation events across the state
• Continuing our R3 work across the state through mentorship programs, the biggest effort being a continued partnership with Hunters of Color and NY Nature Conservancy
• Moving policy work forward in key areas:
  • Give DEC more regulatory powers to dictate crossbow use to manage white-tailed deer herds
  • Give DEC the ability to issue DMPs in certain prohibited regions in the Adirondacks
  • Address conservation issues around wanton waste laws and local DEC land management plans
  • Take a stand against captive cervid farms
  • Protect stream access to public waters for anglers in the Catskills
  • Address saltwater fishery issues impacting the northeast and Atlantic coastline 

This is a lot of work planned for the year and as always, this work only happens through dedicated efforts of volunteers.   If you are interested in helping us out with any of the above, please do reach out to us through our Instagram (@newyorkbha), email ([email protected]), or by filling out our volunteer form.  We need and want your help!

New York Sportsman's Expo

NY BHA volunteers were present at the  New York Sportsman's Expo in Syracuse. The event was attended by thousands of New York sportsmen and sportswomen and was great exposure for the NY Chapter. Thanks to a motivated group of volunteers we spread the word about BHA and recruited a pile of new members!  

Rainbow Trout Spawning Season

Rainbow trout will move into smaller tributaries, or “feeder” streams to spawn now until the end of March. Trout spawn is an area called a redd, and while they vary in size, they are typically 3-4 feet long and a few feet wide, and a different color than the stream bed around it. The redd serves as a nest for trout eggs and can be found in broken water that produces oxygen to help the eggs hatch healthy. It’s very important when wading to not target spawning trout and not disturb the redds as that will undoubtedly kill the eggs and next generation of trout.

Upcoming Events

WNY Sport & Travel Expo - Fairgrounds in Hamburg, March 7 - 9

NY BHA volunteers will be at the WNY Sport & Travel Expo in March meeting with members, promoting BHA, selling merch, and signing up new members. Stop by and say hi! If anyone wants to join us to help staff our table, please sign up for a time slot here. More details can be be found below. 

WNY Sport & Travel Expo - Learn More

Long Island Fly Fishing Expo - Radisson Hotel in Hauppauge, March 8

Stop by to see the NY BHA booth at the Long Island Fly Fishing Expo. Long Island's only annual fly fishing expo, bringing together all the leading fly fishing organizations for a day of fly tying, casting demonstrations, vendor displays, presentations, games, films and guides.  Learn more below.

NY BHA Long Island Fly Fishing Expo - Learn More

NY Huntstock - Vernon Center, July 11 - 13

NY BHA will be attending the second annual NY Huntstock event taking place this summer!  This event is sure to be a blast, and we would love to see you swing by our table if you make it to the event!  More details can be found at the Huntstock website below.

Huntstock NY - Learn More

Legislative / Policy Update

Legislative Updates

With the legislature back in session in Albany for 2025, it’s a good time to contact your elected officials on important issues.  We are still aggregating bills to keep an eye on and will keep you all posted. 

DEC Updates

Unit/Recreation Management Plans and Proposals - DEC regularly seeks public input as they work to manage our public lands.  While they will regularly receive input from other groups, often hunters and anglers are fairly silent.  It directly benefits the hunting and angling communities for you to take a look at these plans and voice your feedback directly to DEC.   They do listen to your input, and in the past, our voices have resulted in wins for hunters and anglers.  Current plans open for feedback include:

Region 8

• Great Divide Unit Management Plan (formerly Erwin UMP and Great Divide UMP) - comments open until further notice

Other

• Delaware Tailwaters Joint Trout Management Plan

NY BHA Call for Volunteers

We need your help!  We are looking for volunteers to help with the following efforts.

• Regional Event Coordinators - Want to help us plan gatherings for your fellow NY BHA members?  We need help with local Pint Nights as well as our upcoming NY Rendezvous
• Policy and Legislative work - Our Policy team and newly forming Legislative team needs passionate folks to jump in and help us do the important work to protect our public lands and access for hunters and anglers!
• Mentorship work - We want to build a list of folks in the state who are open to being mentors for new hunters and anglers.  We have opportunities and need for folks who can give a little all the way up to folks who want to really invest a lot.  Everything from answering questions to being a one on one coach to participating on our larger weekend long hunt camps for new hunters.
• Conservation work - We are working with DEC to have more opportunities for events to do quality habitat work on our public lands.  Want to roll your sleeves up and help, we would love to have you!

If you are interested in volunteering a bit of your time and talents, please let us know by filling out and submitting this form.

How to Connect with Us

Here are a few ways you can keep in touch with the New York BHA chapter:

Stay up to date with events and blogs from New York on our BHA web page at New York Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.  

Join our Facebook group at New York BHA on Facebook. 

Follow us on Instagram New York BHA (@newyorkbha).

Contact the Chapter Board by email: [email protected]

Thank our sponsors: New York BHA Corporate Sponsors

Join us at an upcoming event: BHA Events

Signup to be a volunteer: NY BHA Volunteer

Last but not least, make sure your BHA membership is current and give the gift of BHA to a friend or family member!