Concealed Carry Training Returns to HFFGC — 2026 Dates Set

New York's 18-hour concealed carry firearm safety course is coming back to Hudson Falls Fish & Game this year, taught by Blue Talon Firearms Training. If a New York carry license is on your list, this is the training the state requires — and you can knock it out right here at the club.

Two sessions are on the calendar for 2026:

• June 27–28
• August 15–16

Cost: $250 for club members, $275 for non-members. A $50 nonrefundable deposit holds your seat at registration.

What you'll cover: Firearm safety, firearm and ammunition, functions and operation, cleaning and maintenance, safe handling and storage, state and federal gun laws, licensing information, and more.

What's included: All handouts, course material, and the equipment needed to meet New York's qualification standard. Show up ready to learn — the course covers the rest.

Who can attend: Classes are open to residents of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Saratoga, St. Lawrence, Warren, and Washington Counties.

Your instructor: Ian J. Dunbar, a duly authorized NRA instructor (NRA #216964902) with Blue Talon Firearms Training — veteran owned and operated. Veteran discount available.

Where: All classes are held at the club, 1420 NY-196, Hudson Falls, NY 12839.

How to Register

Scan the QR code on the flyer, or reach Blue Talon directly:

• Email: idunbar@bluetalonfirearmtraining.com
• Phone: 518-593-9074
• Web: www.bluetalonfirearmtraining.com

Seats are limited and these sessions fill up. If you've been meaning to get your carry permit squared away, get your name in early.

Click the link below to register
Waterfowl Hunter Education Course

This course covers waterfowl identification on the wing, laws/regulations, safety and ethics specific to waterfowl hunting. Upon completion of the course and scoring 80% or higher on the final exam, you will earn your Waterfowl Education Certificate. This certificate does not expire and is only required for access to some Federal Lands and special hunting areas in New York State. 

Class length is approximately 3 hours. All students must bring the completed homework to this course. If homework is not completed, you will not be permitted to participate. You can download the Waterfowl education materials on this page. 

Waterfowl Guides:

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ducks at a Distance: A Waterfowl Identification Guide (PDF) 
• Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations 
• Waterfowl & Migratory Game Bird Seasons 

If you prefer to work from a hard copy of the manual, one can be mailed to you by emailing hunter@dec.ny.gov and include your name, mailing address, and type of in-person course. 

Taught by George W Gedney and mark Pepin

Students are encouraged to bring: 

• Personal snacks and drinks.  
• Pen/Pencil 

Dues are great, but a helping hand is even better :) The club runs on people who show up — meetings, committees, setup, teardown, all of it. If you've been meaning to get more involved, this is your sign. No experience required, just willingness.

Thank you,
Dave Russell

Amateur Radio Technician License Class & Test

Interested in getting your ham radio license? The Washington County Amateur Radio Club is hosting a Technician License class and exam session, open to anyone who wants to get licensed.

When: August 1–2, 2026

• Class: Saturday, 8 AM – 5 PM
• Class: Sunday, 8 AM – 11 AM
• Testing: Sunday at noon

Where: Hudson Falls Fish and Game Club

No experience necessary — the class covers everything you need to pass the Technician exam. Scan the QR code on the flyer or contact the club to reserve your spot.

Mother Nature didn't exactly roll out the red carpet for this year's Women's Range Day. May 30th came in overcast and chilly, with a bit of rain thrown in for good measure. Didn't matter. The smiles, the food, and the camaraderie more than made up for the gray skies.

Once again the Hudson Falls Fish and Game Club opened its doors for a day built around one thing: helping women get comfortable and confident with firearms. Beginners and seasoned shooters alike worked alongside our instructors, tried their hand at different firearms, and spent the day with other women who share a passion for the shooting sports. Some made their way over to the archery range, too.

But ask anyone who was there, and they'll tell you the shooting was only half of it. The other half was the people — new faces and familiar ones, good food, and the kind of easy camaraderie that keeps folks coming back year after year. A little rain never stood a chance against that.

To every woman who came out and braved the weather with us — thank you. You made the day what it was. And to the volunteers and instructors who showed up early and stayed late: this doesn't happen without you.

Same time next year. Hopefully with a little more sunshine.

Looking to complete the training required for your New York concealed carry permit? Blue Talon Firearms Training is running its 18-hour NYS Carry Conceal Firearm Safety course right here at the Hudson Falls Fish and Game Club.

The course covers everything you need to meet the New York qualification standard — firearm safety, ammunition, function and operation, cleaning and maintenance, safe handling and storage, state and federal gun laws, licensing information, and more. Handouts, course materials, and all required equipment are included.

Two sessions available in 2026:

• June 27–28
• August 15–16

Cost: $250 for club members, $275 for non-members. A $50 nonrefundable deposit is due at the time of registration.

Classes are open to residents of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Saratoga, St. Lawrence, Warren, and Washington Counties. All sessions are held at the Hudson Falls Fish and Game Club, 1420 NY-196, Hudson Falls, NY 12839.

Blue Talon is veteran owned and operated, and a veteran discount is available.

To register, scan the QR code on the flyer or contact instructor Ian J. Dunbar directly:

• Phone: 518-593-9074
• Email: idunbar@bluetalonfirearmtraining.com
• Web: www.bluetalonfirearmtraining.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlueTalonFT

Ian J. Dunbar is a duly authorized NRA instructor (NRA #216964902).

The Washington County Amateur Radio Club (KE2DNX) is bringing Ham Radio Field Day to the Hudson Falls Fish and Game Club, and everyone's invited.

Field Day is an emergency communications preparedness exercise — a hands-on look at how amateur radio operators keep messages moving when the power's out and the cell network is down. Come watch ham radio in action, meet the operators behind it, and see what it takes to stay connected when the usual lines go quiet.

Saturday, June 27th, 2026 — 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM Hudson Falls Fish and Game Club

Free and open to everyone. All ages welcome — no experience needed, just curiosity. Stop by and see what these folks can do.

When you're deployed thousands of miles from home, a box of snacks, a handwritten letter, or a deck of cards isn't a small thing. It's a reminder that the people back home haven't forgotten you. That's the whole idea behind the Adopt A Soldier programs that have been quietly supporting our troops for years.

Most of these programs work the same simple way. Volunteers and donors back home "adopt" deployed service members and keep care packages flowing — letters, snacks, games, everyday comforts from home — so nobody on the list goes through a deployment feeling forgotten.

The program behind our event, Operation Adopt A Soldier, is run right here in our own backyard. Based in the Saratoga area and powered entirely by volunteers, they've sent care packages to deployed soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines since 2003 — tens of thousands of packages over the years. Because the whole operation runs on donated time, the support goes straight to the troops.

That's where the Hudson Falls Fish & Game Club comes in.

Adopt A Soldier Shoot — Sunday, August 2nd, 2026

Join us for a day of shooting for a good cause.

• When: Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
• Where: Hudson Falls Fish & Game Club, 1420 State Route 196, Hudson Falls, NY 12839
• Shooting: Trap & 5-Stand — $10 per round, with $5 of every round going directly to Adopt A Soldier
• Also on hand: Raffles, a 50/50 raffle, prizes, and food & drinks

Whether you're a regular on the line or you haven't picked up a shotgun in a while, this is an easy day to come out, get some shooting in, and put a few dollars toward the men and women who serve.

Good shooting, good food, and a good cause. Bring a friend and come on out.

Learn more about the program at operationadoptasoldier.org.