2019

“OFAH Get Outdoors Program:
In 2001, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) initiated the Get Outdoors Program to provide our youth members with greater access to supervised, hands-on, and fun outdoor heritage activities.   The result is a national, award-winning, youth conservation and leadership program, which promotes fishing, hunting, trapping, and outdoor traditions.
Each summer the OFAH invites 250 youth, ages 8-16, from across the province to put down their cell phones, video games, and turn off their televisions for the opportunity to experience the only camp of its kind in Ontario. This camp gives today's youth first hand exposure to conservation-based activities including shoreline fishing, boat fishing, ATVing, archery, canoeing, rifle and trap shooting ranges, and more.  New this year, our first winter camp provided the opportunity for 30 youth to learn the basics of ice fishing, try their aim with airgun biathlon, and hone their winter outdoor survival skills.  
Entering our 19th year, the OFAH Get Outdoors Program is proud to have provided 5,500 youth participants the opportunity to experience outdoor activities through summer camp, winter camp, leadership conference, and mentored youth hunts.   These youth members have and will continue to become future stewards of conservation, and share our passion for fishing, hunting and trapping.”

2017

Due to the overwhelming interest of over 100 students wanting to start a fishing club, EDUCAST, lead by Darren Jacko and Steve Voros was formed over 13 years ago.  EDUCASAT provides a safe and friendly place to host over 1,500 students every year from across the province to learn about fishing and the environment.  EDUCAST has grown from a single day/120 student event to a two day/750 students per day event.  Over 100 volunteers help run the two day event with many local fishing pros teaching students about fishing.  EDUCAST has partnered with many organizations to also focus on conversation and the environment including waste management, fish restocking, catch and release programs, species recognition and invasive species.  The top qualifiers from the two day event get a chance to do a PRO/AM fishing tournament with some of the top pro anglers in Ontario. They have the chance to experience the sport side of the industry, with the focus on boat safety, ethics, conservation and of course enjoyment of the outdoors.

2015

In 2011, in recognition for his “outstanding contributions to Canada’s Firearms Community,” Garry received the John Holdstock Memorial Award from the Canadian Shooting Sports Association. In 2010, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters awarded Garry with a certificate of merit for his: “many years of dedication, leadership and outstanding work on behalf of anglers, hunters and the outdoors community in the province of Ontario.”
Internationally, Garry’s work has been recognized with a prestigious award from the World Forum on the Future of Sport Shooting Activities, “Shooting Sports Ambassador of 2005,” in the spring of 2005.
Gun owners and hunters around the world credit him with leading the battle to defend gun owners’ rights.
In February 2014, Garry received Safari Club International’s Legislator of the Year Award. The award is presented annually to a key policy decision maker who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to protect well-regulated hunting and continued sustainable-use wildlife management. His years of supporting hunting and the shooting sports made him an ideal candidate, and his success in repealing the Canadian long-gun registry has been vital to hunters throughout the country. He is the first Canadian to receive this award.

2013

Thank you kindly - I am very honored. Rick was about as fine a friend as I ever had, we were more like family. I still have his jacket on a chair in my office where he forgot it the last time he was here shortly before he left us. He used to pull into the yard with his boat ready to launch it at my lodge, and I would yell down from my office deck and ask if he had a permit for launching the boat? Rick always answered the same way - "Right here in the cooler - come get one!".
We would often spend an evening in a marvelous stand of old growth white pine near here, having a beer and engaging in some of the most marvelous conversations on fishing, hunting and the future of our favorite sports. It was not uncommon for us to completely lose track of time and not return home until after midnight. Many of the efforts Tom and I work on today have their genesis in those conversations with Huck. Some people simply can't be replaced - Rick was one of them. I miss him every day.

2011

Each year on Canada Day (July 1) Fish TV with Leo Stakos and Ron James organize and host the Fish TV Celebrity Showdown. This popular event pairs pro anglers with many of their celebrity friends from the NHL, NBA, actors and TV personalities.The money raised through the Fish TV Celebrity Showdown is donated to the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation.To date, Leo Stakos and Ron James have raised over $200,000 for this worthy cause.

2009

“Big” Jim, as he is affectionately known has been an integral part of the Canadian sportfishing scene for over 25 years now and shows no signs of slowing down. Having first gained notoriety as a tournament angler, “Big” Jim was vaulted into the sportfishing spotlight with two Canadian Classic titles along with a slew of tournament victory’s. “Big” Jim has spent numerous hours educating youths in the sport of fishing and participated in charity events in support of the outdoors and in particular fishing.