Syracuse.com - Wowelko stepping down as president of Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs

[HuntingNY-News]

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The Federation is the largest local sportsmen's group in Central New York, representing nearly 40 sporting clubs in with well over 5,000 members. Wowelko, of Syracuse, has been its president since 2007, longer than any of his predecessors

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<p><br />Stephen Wowelko is stepping down as president of the Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs at the end of this year.</p>

<p>The Federation is the largest local sportsmen's group in Central New York, representing nearly 40 sporting clubs in with well over 5,000 members. Wowelko, of East Syracuse, has been its president since 2007, serving longer than any of his predecessors.</p>

<p>In addition to serving on a wide variety of local and regional fishing and hunting advisory boards, Wowelko was nominated by The Post-Standard as a "Hero of Conservation" in 2009, and in 2010 was inducted into the New York State Outdoorsman's Hall of Fame.</p>

<p>When chosen by The Post-Standard for the Hero of Conservation Award, the following was written:></p>

<p>"When the news broke that the county was going to close the Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery this fall, Stephen Wowelko stepped up and led the charge of local outdoorsmen and women.</p>

<p>Wowelko, president of the Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, wrote guest columns about the issue for this newspaper and other publications. He spoke on radio and TV programs. He met with county lawmakers, while directing others to send their feelings to County Executive Joanie Mahoney.</p>

<p>"Whether it's a question of angler access to Cazenovia Lake or a youth hunting bill, Wowelko, of E. Syracuse, tackles the issue in a respectful, common-sense way.</p>

<p>"An avid hunter and fisherman, Wowelko is chairman of the Region 7 Fish and Wildlife Management Board. He's been past president of Friends of the Carpenter's Brook Hatchery (presently vice president) and on the Citizen Task Force for Deer Management (Region 7F). He has also been chairman of the Sportsmen's Days at the hatchery."</p>

<p>Wowelko, 54, said his decision to not seek another term as president of the Federation was prompted by a new job.</p>

<p>"At the end of September I will retire from Syracuse University where I worked for nearly 33 years," he said. " I have accepted another position from an IT company based out of Toronto ,Canada. With my work schedule and travel, I do not know how much time I will be able to devote to the Federation."</p>

<p>He said he'll remain active in the local sportsmen's scene.</p>

<p>"I feel that it is time for someone else to step up and get all of the glory of being president. I would like to continue on the board and help in the transition," he said. "With the hard work from the board and our Federation members, I feel that I will be leaving the Federation better than when I took over.</p>

<p>"I would also like to spend some time on other conservation projects," he said.</p>

<p>Wowelko's successor will be elected by the Federation's board at the end of this year and installed at the annual president's dinner in January.</p>

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog