November 5, 2007
Rumseyville Sportsmen’s Club
General Meeting
25 Members Representing 11 Clubs
Guests:
DEC Officer Dieter Kraemer
DEC Officer Lt. Tom Stoner
Meeting called to order by President John Sipos at 7:35 pm. Pledge allegiance to the flag opened the meeting.
Minutes:
Minutes reviewed. Motion made to accept minutes. Motion carried.
Treasurer:
Treasurer John Andrews gave report on accounts.
Motion made to accept. Motion carried.
Correspondences:
Bear Sightings:
Discussion on numerous Bear Sightings in Seneca County. Bill Dadson spoke on the Bear outside his house and has been seen on numerous occasions.
What to do: When a Bear is spotted in your vicinity, call 911 and inform them of a Bear Sighting. This way, Law Enforcement – Sheriff Department or State Police – can keep track of where the animal is and where is it is moving to. Sheriff Department # 315-539-9241. I have contacted them today and if you call this number they will take your information and then relay message to DEC.
DEC Officer Dieter Kraemer:
Officer Kraemer talked about Mechanical Broadhead Arrows and what is Legal and Illegal. There are several different Broadheads on the market that have a rearward opening design that causes confusion about being barbed. The Rage Broadhead and the Rocky Mountain Snyper both appear barbed prior to expansion and when expanded, but the blades freely pivot forward upon arrow extraction, and thus do not remain barbed. These two (2) broadheads meet the legal definition for big game hunting in NY. Find enclosed pictures.
New Trapping Regulations:
Trapping on Public Lands:
You may NOT set ANY BODY-GRIPPING Traps on public lands within 100 HUNDERED FEET of a trail. You may set traps in the water still. The new regulation is to Reduce or Eliminate the capture, injury or killing of dogs in body-gripping traps set on land. The regulation applied to body-gripping traps 5 ½ inches or larger. You may set traps in one of five different ways:
A minimum of 4 foot off the ground
In a cubby built like:
Made of wood, metal, wire, plastic or natural materials
No opening more than 6 inches high – measured up or down
The cubby has 8 inches slots to place the trap
The trap is set back at least 4 inches from the opening
- In a cubby built like this:
The trap is placed within a cubby make of natural materials: rocks, stones, sticks
No opening more than 6 inches high – measured up and down
The trap is set back at least 8 inches from the opening
- In cubby built like this:
Made of wood, metal, wire. Plastic or natural materials
No opening more than 10 inches
- In a cubby built like this:
Made of wood, metal, wire plastic or natural material
Only one opening and the opening must face down towards the ground.
The opening must be no more than 6 inches above the ground.
The cubby is attached to a tree or post
The trap is at least 4 inches from the opening
Errors on pages 13 and 15 of 2007 – 2008 hunting guides
On page 13 under the Privileges part of the Junior Small Game. Ages 12 – 13 must be accompanied by Parent, legal guardian or person over 21. THIS IS INCORRECT: Person must be RELATIVE OVER 21. On page 15 under Privileges part of the Nonresident Junior Small Game – It states Ages 12 – 13 must be accompanied by a Parent Legal Guardian or Person over 18. Should read Relative over 21.
Committee Reports:
Banquet Committee:
2008 Banquet Committee will be starting soon. We desperately need some help in the South End of the county. If you would like to join our committee you can email me at barawells@hotmail.com
FWMB Report:
John Andrews gave a report on there meeting. Habitat Stamp sales are up only .6% from last year. 2006 - 8,000 and 2007 - 8,600. You can buy a Habitat Stamp at anytime. I bought mine with my license and received a pin from DEC. The state is considering new options to increase the sale of the stamp in the coming years.
Total sales are down as much as 300,000 this year, especially in Fishing Licenses. It is believed that the fishing fines are often low, so why should they buy a fishing license.
The Conservation Fund is facing an expected shortfall of 22 Million Dollars as of the end of the fiscal year in March 2008. There could be a tax on outdoor equipment aimed toward hikers, birdwatchers, etc. This could be one way to increase funds to the Conservation Fund.
There is a Resolution that has been presented to preserve the Hemlock and Canadice Lake Watersheds. At there present levels they cannot be developed. It would also the same degree of sportsmen activity now allowed there.
Junius Ponds are now owned by the DEC. Plans to continue fishing, hiking, hunting and trapping will continue on the property.
There are plans to have a Snow Goose Hunting season after March 10, 2008.
Scuba divers noted that there is a lot of fish on the bottom of the lake. Trout, Bass and Perch. More information as it becomes available.
DEC Camps:
Letter received from Finger Lakes Conservation Council that they had a camper attend camp and are asking for reimbursement. Motion made to reimburse them. Motion carried.
There are five (4) DEC Camps in which youth can attend each summer. Applications must be turned in no sooner than February 10th, to attend the camp of choice. All the camps take different age groups and offer a variety of activities. Bill Dadson noted that we should support the camps that offer Hunter Education Classes. DEC Camps are easy to access on the web at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/education The 4 Camps are: Colby, DeBruce, Rushford and Pack Forest. 1st three (3) are for 12 – 14 yr olds, Pack Forest is for 15 – 17 yr olds. Check out the website before making your decision.
NRA Banquet:
Banquet was held on October 25, 2007 at the Trumansburg American Legion. Underwriting for the banquet was discussed. Motion made to underwrite the Winged Goose Wall Mount. Motion carried.
The Between the Lakes FNRA would like to thank everyone that attended the banquet. We honored our past Chairman Jim Stevens and Senator Nozzolio presented his wife, Diane Stevens with a Senate Resolution. It was great evening and we hope everyone enjoyed themselves.
Club Insurance:
Discussion for Club Insurance through the NYS Conservation Council. We will get information from NYSCC for the next meeting. DeLoss Stuck noted that Kuneytown Sportsmen’s Club has their insurance through a local insurance agent.
I have received pamphlets from NYSCC and will send them to every club president to look at and then your club can talk about it.
Tax Emption for Clubs:
Discussion on Tax Exemption for clubs. This was discussed back in March. We will get an update on this and bring the information to the next meeting.
New Business:
Bass Tournament:
Noted that Seneca County Chamber of Commerce does not want to sponsor the event any more. Programs, Sponsors and Volunteers are an issue. Jack Lowery from Barge Canal Bassmasters will look into more information.
Motion made to adjourn. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Wells
Secretary,
Seneca County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Inc.
Motions:
Minutes: 1st: Jack Lowery 2nd: Art Hall
Treasurer: 1st: Tom Grasek 2nd: Jack Lowery
DEC Camp: 1st: Art Hall 2nd: Tom Grasek
FNRA: 1st: Ed Mitchell 2nd: Jack Lowery
Adjourn: 1st: Art Hall 2nd: Jack Lowery
Next Meeting: North Seneca Sportsmen’s Club Dec. 18th 7:30 pm. Directions: Rt. 318 Past the Outlet Mall ½ Mile to 1 mile on the Left side of the road. Look for sign and club sits back from the road.
Fall Turkey Shoot & Raffle: MacDougall Sportsmen’s Club on Saturday November 10th 10 am till Dark.
Fall Turkey Shoot & Raffle: Interlaken Sportsmen’s Club on Saturday November 10th.
To All: Good Luck and Be Safe during Bow & Gun Season.
Happy Thanksgiving and See You in December.