From the New York Department of Environmental Conservation - 2012 Deer Harvest Results Are Up From Last Year

NY Open for Hunting and Fishing Increased Hunting Opportunities

"Deer hunting is a long-standing tradition in New York, providing shared recreation and a valuable source of food for many families," said Commissioner Martens. "Governor Cuomo's NY Open for Hunting and Fishing initiative expands hunting opportunities statewide for sportsmen and sportswomen for the growing population of deer. This past year's deer take reflects these efforts as well as deer population growth throughout much of the state."

More on New York's 2012 Deer Hunting season ...

From the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - Grants Available to Improve Public Access to Non-Profit or Municipal Shooting Ranges across the State

Grants Program Application Period Is Now Open Through May 31

In an effort to support recreational opportunities for sportsmen and women across the state and to promote safe and responsible use of firearms, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner (DEC) Joe Martens, in partnership with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County, launched the Shooting Range Small Grants Program. This effort, which encourages the development, improvement and operations of shooting ranges, is tied to Governor Cuomo's Open for Hunting and Fishing Initiative.

Funding for 2013 includes $65,000 for matching grants at a three to one ratio to eligible non-profit or municipal shooting ranges across the state. Funding for the program is derived from a federal tax on firearms and ammunition, made available to state fish and wildlife agencies for their sportsman education activities.

More on New York's Shooting Range Small Grants Program ...

From the New York Department of Environmental Conservation - 2012 Is One of the Highest Bear Harvests on Record in New York

New York bear hunters took 1,337 black bears during the 2012 hunting seasons, making last year the third highest bear harvest on record in New York, state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. Only the 2003 harvest (1,864) and 2009 harvest (1,487) surpassed last year's take.

"New York has excellent bear habitat and vast, accessible public lands that offer exciting opportunities for bear hunting," said Commissioner Martens. "Black bears are thriving in New York, and they represent a great resource for all New Yorkers. Through the NY's Open for Hunting and Fishing Initiative, Governor Cuomo is improving opportunities for hunting in New York State."

More on New York's successful Bear Harvest ...

New York rebuilds and recovers following Hurricane Sandy

Following in the footsteps of Sandy
NRA American Warrior correspondent J.R. Salzam is embedded with New York National Guard troops in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

"Guardian 3-0, this is Apache 6. SP time now, 3 pax, 1 victor, moving out into the area of West Rockaway. How copy, over.”

More from American Warrior's look at the Hurricane Sandy cleanup in New York ...

Matt and Jesse took a great trip to speak with 9/11 firefighters last season on Friends of NRA. Did you see it?

Fairfax, Virginia - With the recent news of Friends of NRA coming back to the Outdoor Channel for a third season, we started looking back on some of our favorite moments from the show. Moments like in the second episode of last season when Matt and Jesse traveled to New York City just prior to the ten year anniversary of the tragic September 11th attacks.

More favorite moments from Friends of NRA tv ...

Fairfax, Virginia - There are events in a person's life that are forever tied to a location. I remember where I was when X happened. For years that day for me was when the Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart just minutes into that January morning launch. That was until September 11th. A morning that changed all our lives.

The ground in our nation's capital shook when the plane hit the Pentagon. Maybe I just believe I felt it, I was only 10 miles away, relatively safe at home, but I felt it. The Flight 93 National Memorial off Route 30 in Pennsylvania always induces emotions of loss. And I can't begin to comprehend the effect the attacks had upon the city of New York.

More on Walter Weaver, his sacrifice and that of others on 9/11 ...

Port Clinton, Ohio - If there's one thing you can count on during NRA's National Rifle & Pistol Championships in Camp Perry, it's the heat. Smack dab in the middle of summer, right on the shores of Lake Erie with nothing but open skies all but guarantees that some will suffer during this those humid days on the range. Just not the smallbore folks from the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association.

"This is our first time out here," said Bruce Bill, parent of a New York shooter. "We knew it was going to be hot."

So what did Bruce do to prepare the troops? He built a portable air conditioner, of course.

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We Shoot 2 is a relatively new blog out there chronicling the adventures of a New York female firearms enthusiast. Now I'll admit that I was a little late getting to her game, but thanks to a few nudges from friends, I found myself scrolling through her musings earlier today.

What really caught my eye, however, was her tale about:

Becoming an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor

I’m not sure who was more surprised, the 36 men in my NRA Pistol Instructors certification class that there was a woman in the class, or me, that there was ANOTHER woman in the class! 36 men, 2 women. Giddyup!

When a gentleman from my Sportsman’s club put out an email that he would be teaching an NRA Instructors class, I jumped at the chance. My husband was less excited about spending the required time in a classroom, but I honestly think he didn’t want me to do it without him so I signed us both up. There were a few other guys from my club there, but most of the other attendees were from other clubs.

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Continuing with our highlights of this year's Region Volunteer of the Year award winners, we bring you the Eastern Region's Diane March.

Friends of NRA's Region Volunteers of the year are chosen by a select committee of senior NRA staff from the pool of Field Rep-selected Area Volunteers of the Year. These exceptional volunteers for Friends of NRA were invited to the NRA Annual Meeting as honored guests where they received special recognition at the National NRA Foundation Banquet.

Diane March is a resident of Wappinger Falls, NY, serving as co-chairman of the Mid Hudson Friends of NRA committee. Approaching its twenty year anniversary, the committee's inception in 1994 saw an impressive 432 attendees at its first banquet, raising over $12,000. Since then, there have been 9,964 attendees at their events who have helped raise a cumulative $1.18 million. Diane raised over $50,000 for the 2011 banquet season alone through tickets sold, sponsorships, underwriting, and donations.

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