Syracuse.com - Simmons tagged as next president of Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs

HuntingNY-News · January 9, 2014

The Federation is among the largest sportsmen's groups in the state, representing nearly 40 sporting clubs in with well over 5,000 members

David SimmonsEllen Blalock | [email protected]

David Simmons has been elected as the new president of the Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs.

Simmons is currently president of the Baldwinsville Rod and Gun Club. He will be formally installed at the Federation's Sportsmen's Banquet, set for Jan. 16 at the Spinning Wheel Restaurant in North Syracuse.

He succeeds Stephen Wowelko, who has been president of the Federation for seven years. The Federation is among the largest sportsmen's groups in the state, representing nearly 40 sporting clubs with well over 5,000 members. Wowelko, of East Syracuse, has been its president since 2007.

Simmons, of West Monroe, was honored by syracuse.com/The Post-Standard in its 2011 "Heroes of Conservation" feature. He was described in that feature as Central New York's unofficial ambassador for shooting sports such as trap and skeet.

In addition to his involvement with the Baldwinsville Rod and Gun Club, he has been active with the National Rifle Association and the local Friends of the NRA Committee for more than a decade.

He has started charity shoots that have benefited Baldwinsville Meals on Wheels, the American Cancer Society and the Gregory J. Harris Military Courtesy Room at Hancock International Airport. He has encouraged outside groups such as Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, the Ruffed Grouse Society and the Greater Ithaca Activities Club to shoot at the club.

Simmons has also helped with Boy Scout rifle and shotgun merit badge classes. He is a Women in Nature committee member, and he has been a shooting instructor at the Sportsmen's Days held each fall at Carpenter's Brook. When needed, he has donated hundreds of dollars for ammunition so youngsters and women can enjoy the sport he loves.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog