Syracuse.com - Wowelko stepping down from helm of Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs

[HuntingNY-News]

<p>

The biggest problem I see today is the lack of interest of youth in the outdoor sports and the aging population of hunters and fishermen. If we do not sustain our numbers, it will be easier for others to do away with what we value so much.

</p>

<p><br />Stephen Wowelko officially steps down as president of the Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs Thursday night at the group's annual banquet at Spinning Wheel restaurant in North Syracuse.</p>

<p>David Simmons, of Baldwinsville, will take over as president. Wowelko, who has been at the Federation's helm for the past seven years, will remain on the Federation's board.</p>

<p>Whether it's a question of angler access to Cazenovia Lake or a youth hunting bill, Wowelko, of East Syracuse, built a reputation of tackling issues in a respectful, common-sense way. He was honored by syracuse.com/The Post-Standard in its 2009 Heroes of Conservation feature, and was inducted into the New York State Sportsmen Hall of Fame in 2010.<br />. <br /><strong>Who gave you your love of the outdoors? </strong><br /> <br />My father had a big influence on my love for the outdoors. He always made time to take my brother and me fishing, and then when he retired, we took him hunting with us.</p>

<p><strong>How big is the Onondaga Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs? What's the range of interest groups and numbers involved?</strong></p>

<p><br />The Federation is made up of hunting, fishing, trapping, shooting and conservation organizations. Each having a contribution to the outdoor sports. We represent nearly 40 organizations with well over 5,000 members.</p>

<p>Although not the largest Federation in the state, I tend to think of it as the best. This past fall, the New York State Conservation Council recognized our Federation with the prestigious President's Award for the programs we put on.</p>

<p><strong>What were your three greatest accomplishments as Federation president?</strong></p>

<p>1). The expansion and continuation of Sportsmen's Days at Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery. Before I took over the program, this event was in a decline with attendance dropping every year to under 400 participants. In the past few years, with the hard work of the Sportsmen's Day Committee, Onondaga County Parks and our sponsor, Honeywell, it has grown to over 6,000 participants, with many families and children. The event gave many in the community a chance to experience hunting, fishing, archery, trapping and shooting for the first time.</p>

<p>2). The successful fight to keep Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery open. When there was a threat of closing the hatchery, we mobilized sportsmen and convinced the county executive and county Legislature it was important to keep the hatchery open.</p>

<p>3). Continued work on legislation for sportsmen. There were many times legislators only heard one of the story and were grateful when we reached out and let them know how the majority of sportsmen in Central New York felt. </p>

<p><strong>What's the one thing people would be surprised to learn about being president of a group like the Federation? <br /> </strong><br />There is little glory standing in front of the line as the leader. You become a target. <br />The one thing I learned is that if you follow the rules, people may not like the rules, but they will respect you for being consistent and honest.</p>

<p><strong>You've said at times during the past seven years that sportsmen are sometimes their worst enemy. Explain.</strong></p>

<p>If sportsmen worked together as one group toward a common goal, we would be so much further ahead. We have so many special interest groups and factions that are only interested in their own narrow-minded goals and want to impose them on the rest of the community.</p>

<p>Don't get me wrong, it is OK to have differing opinions and interests, but when one group hurts the rest of the sporting community, that is not acceptable. </p>

<p><strong>What's the single biggest issue facing outdoors sportsmen and women today?</strong></p>

<p>The biggest problem I see today is the lack of interest of youth in the outdoor sports and the aging population of hunters and fishermen. If we do not sustain our numbers, it will be easier for others to do away with what we value so much. </p>

<p>The success of the Federation-sponsored "Women in Nature" program, continues <br />to be a success year after year. Who's been responsible for making that happen year after year? <br /><br />The WIN program started while I was on the Board of Directors for the Federation. The first attempts had fewer than a dozen participants. This year they are planning for over 150 participants with a waiting list just as long. I'd like to take credit for the program, but the only thing I did was offer the Federation board's support. The program was successful due to the amazing planning committees and volunteers over the years. It was a self-sustaining committee that needed little intervention from me.</p>

<p><strong>You mentioned that getting the youth involved in the outdoors is important. How can the Federation help make that happen?</strong></p>

<p>The Federation already supports youth shooting programs, youth hunts and fishing derbies through its member organizations. We also have a college scholarship program. </p>

<p>There has been some talk about the Federation doing a program similar to WIN, but for youth. This would give many youth a chance to learn about shooting, fishing, hunting, trapping and other outdoor activities, which they may not get otherwise. </p>

<p><strong> If you had to pick your ideal day in the outdoors in Central New York, what would you be doing? </strong> </p>

<p>My ideal day in the outdoors would be sitting on a 5 gallon bucket at the end of a dock catching sunfish. I did this as a kid and I still enjoy doing it today. No desire to catch the biggest or the most fish, just enough for dinner.</p>

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog