Other organizations who should also be highly commended are the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), the Orange County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs (OCFSC), the Orange County Trappers (OCT) and the volunteers within these organizations - they are all truly pioneers and leaders. Together they have contributed their time, experiences, training, class equipment and supplies in the form of air rifles, targets, pellets, , co2, safety backstops, fly-rods, and related materials.

The gun safety, fly fishing and marksmanship programs are parts of the overall program that is made available to juniors and seniors at Pine Bush High School (PBHS). The program also includes archery, survival training, hypothermia prevention, rope courses, kayaking, down hill and cross-country skiing, ice skating, field trips, stream-stocking, co-op games and other courses that teach cooperation, sportsmanship, problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Bob Ewald of Pine Bush, a well known OC Fly Fisherman, outdoorsman, conservationist, naturalist, educator, and many other fine attributes and accomplishments too numerous to mention here, has been part of the different outdoor programs at PBHS. Bob has been directly involved with the fly-fishing program for seven years.

Orange County Master Gun Safety Coordinator Richard Shannon, of Monroe, conducted the Gun Safety Classes prior to the Air-Rifle Marksmanship Program. Rich said “It’s a very worthwhile program - Safety through Education“ and that the school wants to also form a shooting club. They want everyone who wants the experience - to have the experience - and possibly forming a shooting team and competing with other schools. The best of the best shooters can move on to the Olympics and scholarships are always a possibility. The gun safety program trained approximately 375 students.

There were also several NYSDEC folks who have been very helpful in the PBHS programs and they are: Steve Joule, Tom Raffaldi and Carl Lindsley (Region #3 DEC).

Naturally there will always be some who object to certain educational programs within our schools and society. I am sure that there have been a few who have complained to PBH - but Principal Pat Michel said “we have swimming pools that are dangerous but we still teach swimming.”

I recently had the pleasure of being an adult volunteer in the Marksmanship Program - using target air rifles in the school gym. Eight students were paired with eight adults (one on one) to fire ten rounds from an air rifle at targets approximately 33 feet away in the school gym. Safety was stressed at all times and students and coaches on the firing line wore safety glasses. Range Officers were PE Teachers Jim Caputo and Kathy Haller. Student teacher Erin Nash assisted. Approximately 275 students went through this particular program in three days. It appeared that there was a good mix of gals and guys. I must say that the guys at Pine Bush High may be seeing some good competition in the future with some of their fellow students - namely the gals who are picking up an air rifle and shooting for the first time - even with pretty nails.

With all things being considered it appeared to be a good experience for both students and adults. In the future if programs such as these take off in other schools - many more volunteers will be needed.

Some of the other VIP adult volunteers who volunteered for the gun safety and/or marksmanship programs at PBH are as follows: Mark Dorfman, Rockland County Gun Safety Coordinator; Ike Caston, Archery Instructor Safety Training; Don Marchal, Outdoorsman and associated with the Thruway Sporting Goods; Rudy Vallet, Secretary for the Orange County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and OC Chair of the Federal Wildlife and Management Board; Dr. Jim Griesemer, educator and outdoorsman; Tom Kerins, gun safety instructor; Jerry Killenberger, County Seat Conservation Club; Ret. Army Col. Howard Mance; Constance “Connie” Hornbeck, avid hunter, shooter and Grandmother; Dennis Reistad, outdoorsman and Past President Black Rock Fish & Game Club; Henry Czeck, Master Gun Safety Instructor; and yours truly.

Bob Ewald of Pine Bush introduced the first fly-fishing classes at Pine Bush High School about seven years ago and this part of the “Outdoor Adventure Program” is very popular. Bob and his buddy Bob Rueter of the Catskill Fly Fishers along with Dawn Foley, President of Dame Anglers teach in the Fly Fishing Classes at PBH. Jim Caputo and Bob Ewald also conduct the fly tying classes.
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My personal life experiences have taught me that shooting, hunting and fishing are relatively safe, down to earth, passive recreational activities and far less violent and safer than what we see in other popular American sports or recreation such as professional soccer, ice-hockey, baseball and football. Something definitely needs to be done about cleaning-up major sports and so-called sports heroes in America. High paid sports figures and teams who sanction violence on the field and off only reinforce violence in the home, school and amateur sports. Many other high-paid figures and stars in the entertainment industry and Hollywood who espouse violence and death with guns, in movies and TV, are many times over the same people who come out against hunting and the legal passive use of firearms by honest gun-owners - now what is wrong with this scenario? I have seen more violence on TV in one Sunday afternoon than in my whole lifetime of hunting, fishing and shooting. I refuse to support violent movies on TV or at the Movies.

I’ll never forget my high school teacher, Mr. Stanley Shears, who took me hunting and also allowed me to build my first gun cabinet in wood shop - that I still have today. Back then I think that I even brought certain gun parts to school to work on them in machine shop class. And I’ll never forget making two barrels of wine each year with my Maternal Grandmother “Rosie” in Pennsylvania each year - when I was a pre-teen - then drinking the fruits of our labor at subsequent family dinners. Some might say that this exposure might be all it would take to make me destined to be an alcoholic - but it didn’t happen. That same analogy could be made when it comes to educating our youth to an intrinsically safe firearm, hunting implement or tool. 
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Bob Ewald also reports that on May 16th the Eldred Preserve in Sullivan County will sponsor a special day for Fly-Fishing for students. Please contact Bob (845-361-5069) for more details or if you may want to volunteer to help junior fly-fishers on that day. Bob can also be contacted if your school may be interested in starting a program similar to PBH. 
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The OC Venison Donation Program is looking for refrigeration units so that deer taken by hunters under NYSDEC permits, during warmer months, can be cooled and stored prior to being processed and used in Soup Kitchens and other programs. Bob Ewald says that they need three portable refrigerated units. Call Bob at 845-361-5069.

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Fishing report from Art’s Gun and Tackle in Ellenville, NY - Route #209.

Art says that the action on Rondout Reservoir is still good. Browns and Lakers in the 8, 9, 12 and one 16 pound Lake Trout came in - all caught on a variety of lures and bait. Art sounded excited when I was talking to him by phone. So it looks like they are hitting different lures and bait e.g., Blue Fox, Crocodiles and Rapalas. Art has Sawbellies and other live bait as well as other fishing tackle. Fish are being taken from shore and trolling 30 to 50 yards from shore. Water temps are between 45 to 48 degreees down to 20-30 feet. If you fish the Rondout and you get a nice fish stop at Art’s and they’ll take a picture of you and your fish and hang it on the wall with many others.

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Spring Turkey Season Report - Bob Ewald, a very lucky guy, tagged a fine, 20 pound Tom Turkey on May 2nd - at approximately 50 yards. Friend and fellow turkey hunter Jeff Lozier took a nice Tom, on opening day, in upstate New York Town of Amsterdam.

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Don’t forget the 2nd Amendment Sisters events at the Egg in Albany on Mothers Day, Sunday May 13. The events start at noon. Call me or send me an email for more info or if there are any questions. Take someone hunting, fishing or target shooting.