Earlville Conservation Club recognized winners of the Big Buck Contest: Troy Rodman, Nick Hunter, John Lathrop, John Carpenter, Robert Cook, Andy Migonis [holding Laura Rodman’s rack], Ricardo Grisolini, Lance Bridge, Billy Orth, and Lilly Orth. (Submitted photo)

EARLVILLE – The Earlville Conservation Club held their Annual Big Buck Contest and chicken-n-biscuit dinner on January 20, at the Sherburne Legion.

The club recognized the winners of the big buck contest. Several members entered the contest this year. The Earlville Conservation Club extended a big thank you to Andy Migonis, and Jim Dowd for scoring the racks for the club, and to Many Maples for the scoring location.

Curing the meeting the club enjoyed chicken & biscuits, catered by Stacey Hadlock Law, while member Robert Cook presented his amazing Wildlife photography & experiences.

The presentation showed slides featuring crisp, beautiful photos from his fishing and hunting experiences from the Hamilton and Lebanon areas, all the way to Snake River, Wyoming.

Along with Robert’s many successful hunting expeditions, he has been honored to have photos included in magazines and calendars, including two in 2024’s Conservationist mag/calendar. Congrats to Robert!

He shared photos of papa, mama, baby bears, bison, deer, mule deer, gross, pheasants, turkey, mink, beaver, fisher, caribou, bobcat, fox, coyote. Some of these animals were also Robert’s successful hunting prizes.

Lifetime member Ed Kohler of Hubbardsville has also been honored this past year with a glowing and detailed account of his expansive, world-wide traveling hunting & trapping.

At a young age of 92, Ed continues to be well known for his expert trapping and nuisance trapping. Such a treasure to have Ed a part of our club with his wealth of knowledge of conservation & sportsmanship. Congratulations Ed!

Earlville Conservation Club officers were nominated and elected as follows: President Sam Walrod, Vice President Art Fleming, Treasurer Jacob Bohnert and Secretary Betsy Campbell.

A brief report highlighted events we’ve held during the year; our 1st annual Youth Turkey hunt, club member turkey hunt, which was ironically won by one of the youth members. Also reviewed the 7th Annual Youth Fishing Derby [Labor Day Sunday], the annual gun raffle, the 2nd annual Youth Deer Hunt [Columbus Day weekend] and the club welcomed the induction of two ‘new’ lifetime members: Phil Smith & Michelle Strong.

The Earlville Conservation Club will meet Wednesday, March 6th at Many Maples Sugar House; 697 Rt. 26, Georgetown, NY.  Meetings start at 6 p.m. Some of the events sponsored by the club include trout release, annual kids fishing derby, trap shots, and the annual big buck contest. Yearly memberships cost $10/adult & $5/youth [16 & under].  How can you become a member? Contact us through our Facebook page; Earlville Conservation Club or contact Betsy Campbell [607]226-1673.

– From the Earlville Conservation Club