The New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame (NYSOHOF) proudly celebrated the 25th Anniversary of its founding with the induction of 11 new members for 2008. This group represents 10 counties and all areas of the state. It is also a diversified group representing outdoorsmen, media professionals, and outdoor professionals. Inducted this year were Raymond "Mick" Elliot, Dr. John Braico, Rudy Hektor, Harry "Bud" Woodfield, Ron Kolodziej, Bill Wellman, Charles Godfrey, Mike Zagata, Don Bronson, C. Scott Sampson, Timothy Noga. As the code of the NYSOHOF states: “These individuals are honored not for what they have taken, but for what they have given.”

On a personal note, I've had the pleasure of knowing the majority of these class-act individuals over many years, and the common threads that join them are their lifelong dedication to making the New York outdoors a better place and their unselfish willingness to preserve and defend the best interests of all New York outdoorsmen and women. For those who hunt, fish, trap or just ultimately love to spend time outdoors, we often take it for granted that ìsomeone elseî will step forward to safeguard these activities for us as well as future generations. A visit to the NYSOHOF room at Gander Mountain in New Hartford and its array of inductees' plaques garnishing the walls will tell you who's been on the front lines doing just that.