Join the Erie County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs for National Hunting & Fishing Day on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Elma Conservation Club, 600 Creek Road, Elma. This FREE family-friendly community event celebrates hunting, fishing, conservation, and the outdoor traditions of Western New York with hands-on activities, demonstrations, exhibits, and fun for all ages.
ECFSC FAIR SUMMARY
Another GREAT YEAR at the fair. Congratulations to Erie County Trappers for winning 1st place AND best of show!
See Lucky the 53-year-old snapping turtle. Witness the death-defying jumps of the Ultimate Stunt Circus!
Congratulations to Coast Guard veteran Mary, the winner of the Robert Watroba memorial veterans print!
Check out an artist's rendition of Environment and Sportsman Building Supervisor Frank Miskey Sr.!
Pat Arnold Youth Camp
Pat Arnold Youth Trapping Camps are annual weekend-long outdoor education camp in NYS designed to teach youths aged 11–14 hands-on trapping, wildlife ethics, and outdoor skills. This year camp will run October 9-12.
LATEST CONSERVATION NEWS
Federation Articles & Information
The Great Lakes Basin Report is updated monthly.
Keeping you updated with the latest conservation news.
New Hunting Regulations
Because of the ever- increasing deer population, the NYS DEC has changed the DMP process. The...
Evangola State Park Improvementns
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYSOPRHP), as lead...
Proposed DMP Changes
Photo by Seth Wickham.
NYSDEC proposing changes to increase doe harvesting. Recent statistics show that deer population has increased significantly.
Lifetime License Still Requires Training
Did your child recently receive a NYS Lifetime Hunting License? Education and training is still...
Ischua Creek Advisory Lifted
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in coordination with the New...
Latest Changes for NY Hunting
New Hunting Changes for 2025 Electronic Tagging Hunters now have the choice to obtain a paper...
DEC Adopting E-Tags for Hunting
Hunters can choose to use a paper license and tags or the HuntFishNY mobile app as electronic...
DEC Serves Stinky Cheese
The NYS DEC fined Great Lake Cheese for discharging hazardous materials into Ischua Creek. The...
Give turtles a brake
Motorists are Encouraged to Give Turtles ‘A Brake’ The months of May and June mark the start of...
Chautauqua Visitors Bureau
2025 Chautauqua County Event Calendar Thanks to longtime member and contributor Dave Barus, we...
Safe Boating Certificate
Boating Safety Certificates Who needs a boating safety certificate? Anyone operating a Personal...
Great Lakes Basin Report
January 2025 Report Lake Superior Lake Trout Recovery - A Remarkable JourneyTwo recent stories...
DEC asks beaver trappers for help
DEC Encouraging Beaver Trappers to Visit Designated State Properties this Season DEC encourages...
Regenerate NY Forests
Funding for Private Landowners to Grow the Forests of the Future STATE MATCHING FUNDS AVAILABLE...
DEC Rights of Navigation
DEC Proposes Update to Public Fishing and Access Rights Please read the proposed draft in the link...
Camp Colby Open This Summer
DEC Opens Camp Colby Summer Camp Colby great for campers that missed out on other DEC camps like...
DEC Announces Archery Winners Schools Program
698 Students from 36 Schools across New York State Competed in the National Archery in the Schools...
DEC Special License Exams
Registration Deadline April 10 Examinations for individuals seeking a license to practice the...
Print your own hunting license?
BIG changes for sporting licenses Beginning on August 1st 2024 NYS will issue licenses...
Deer recovery using drone is illegal
Drones Not Allowed For Deer Recovery in New York As sportsmen and women we all hope for a quick...
Share the woods safely
Respect the rights of others and share the woods. The New York State Department of Environmental...
WNY Pheasant Season
DEC Announces WNY Fall Pheasant Season Opens Oct. 21st Pheasant hunting season in Western New...
Hunting and Trapping Newsletter
September is Tree Stand Safety Awareness Month September is the month many hunters, especially...
WNY Stamp Pipeline Halted
Orleans County files suit over WNY STAMP sewer line Over 6 million gallons of contaminated water...
Erie County Federation Community Programs
Teach-Me-To-Fish applies the knowledge and experience of seasoned anglers and volunteers for everyone.
License awards FREE lifetime hunting and fishing licenses to youths residing in Erie County and under the age of 16.
Each year ECFSC awards two $500 scholarships. Applicants must reside in Erie County and pursue education in conservation, wildlife biology, conservation law enforcement or environmental sciences.
This event allows attendees to participate in a variety of events including fishing, trap, small bore rifle shooting, air guns and archery.
Active in our Community
The best way to teach children how to conserve is to start young. Education and empowerment are the gifts we must give our children and the tools they will use to make the world a better place for generations to come. The Erie County Federation of Sportsmen‛s Clubs sponsors youth programs designed to teach conservation and how to respect and preserve our natural resources.
Conservation education for future generations.
New York State Conservation Council
The Council’s members are a dedicated group of volunteers who donate their time and resources to advocate for their fellow sportsmen and women, tracking bills affecting the sporting community, and following issues like land use throughout New York State. As new concerns arise, the NYSCC is a consistent voice for conservation and wise land use in the hearing rooms of the NYS Legislature.
Fish & Wildlife Management Board
The State FWMB meets biannually to consider issues submitted by Regional Boards, advisory members and others that pertain to fish and wildlife management in the state. Over the years, the role of the State FWMB has become that of a citizen forum for examination of such issues, with a particular slant toward the viewpoint of the private landowner. The power of the Board consists solely of the advocacy of its resolutions.
ECFSC Involvement
We support many conservation groups – from Fishing with Heroes helping disabled vets gain access to sport fishing, to West Falls youth archery camp where camp attendees get hands-on training and earn a NYS Bowhunter Certification. Youth trappers are trained by experienced mentors. We sponsor NYS High School Clay Target League teams in Erie County.
