Salutations, fellow anglers, hunters, trappers; sportsmen and women across Erie County, NY.  As I’ve begun my 20th year of service to the sporting community and conservation heritage with the Erie County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, a common question I often hear is, “what does the Federation do for the local sportsmen and women?” 

Although predominantly organized as an education and outreach non-profit for public benefit, hosting and sponsoring many family-oriented teach me to fish programs, involvement in Hunter’s Education, special youth hunts and the like, the organization also stands in defense of wildlife and fisheries conservation, waterways and natural habitat protections and assuring ample opportunity exists for community members to embrace the great outdoors and sporting traditions safely and responsibly.  Being the representative umbrella for over 40 conservation-related clubs and organizations within Erie County, the Federation is the largest such organization in NY State.  But what do we do?  And, are we effective?

In the next several days I will look at recent events that hit close to home and illustrate examples of the effectiveness and dedication to the mission of this all-volunteer organization.