November 18, 2007
General Meeting
North Seneca Sportsmen’s Club
16 Members representing 9 Clubs
Guest: DEC Officer Scott Angotti
Pledge allegiance to the flag and a moment of silence for Tim Noga.
Meeting called to order at 7:35 pm by President John Sipos.
Minutes:
Minutes reviewed. John Andrews asked that the date of the meeting be put on top instead of the date that it is typed. Motion made to accept. Motion carried.
Treasurer:
John Andrews gave an extensive report on all accounts. Motion made to accept. Motion carried.
Correspondences Report:
Rogers Pocket Directory:
Discussion on how many to order. Now that more people can down load addresses, we do not need to order as many as we have in the past. Decision to order 5 directories.
Motion made to accept. Motion carried.
DEC Sportsmen Education Program:
Received a Letter and Certificate of Appreciation from Region 8 North Instructors Association for our donation to their program and banquet.
Guest: DEC Officer Scott Angotti.
Officer Angotti told us that the DEC has had a very busy deer season with the following: Illegal Doe takes, Trespassing, Hunting with out a License, Loaded Guns in Vehicles, Shooting less than 500 ft. from a Dwelling, No Back Tags, Illegal hunting in Montezuma Wildlife Refuge. Also – Robo Deer was used this year and some one Shot Him. Also noted that new tags are hard to sign and after deer is dragged out of the woods, usually the signatures are worn off.
Besides that, the DEC Officers will back up NYS Troopers and Sheriff’s Department if they are short of personnel.
Question asked about going on to the Depot. Officer Angotti reported that they are usually not asked to go on to Depot unless needed. He stated they could, but they would only be checking for Hunting Licenses and that should be done by Hunting Personnel on depot before they are let into hunt.
Also noted that the DEC Officers are in need of GPS Range Finders. They are not equipped with them and they have to contact their Captains if they need one.
Thanks for the info Officer Angotti.
Committee Reports:
Annual Banquet:
Banquet will be held on Thursday April 17th time and place to be discussed at next meeting.
Raffle Prizes discussed: Black Powder 50 Cal. will again be the main prize. 2nd Remington 870 20ga. 3rd Benelli 20ga Youth Shotgun, 4th Binoculars, 5th Garmins GPS, and $100.00 Cash. Motion made to accept. Motion carried.
FWMB Report:
John Andrews reported on the Fish and Wildlife Management Board (FWMB).
NYS Conservation Council President Harold Palmer reported on White Tail Deer Studies, Youth Hunting and Youth Pheasant Hunt may be changed to Youth Small Game Hunt.
NY Farm Bureau Barlow Rhodes reported they are in the process of conducting a survey of 17,000 anglers.
2007 Deer Hunting Survey is: Average ages of Deer Hunters are 41 years old. Hunters applying for DMP increased from 57% to 74% - partly because of DECALS.
Hunting changing from Monday to Saturday was a net gain of 10% from hunters.
More than 50% of hunters were dissatisfied with buck hunting opportunities and where from Southeastern NY and NYC area.
Only 6% of Big Game Hunters would hunt bears, but 2/3 of all hunters indicated they would harvest a bear if given the chance.
SUNY – Environmental Science & Forestry Jacqueline Frair reported that the Coyote population is increasing and more sightings are causing alarms to some residents near towns.
There are 15 in Otsego Co. and 15 in Stuben Co. that have GPS collars on and are being tracked.
Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) is the most important infectious viral disease among white-tailed deer. It poses no risk to humans by handling infected deer, eating venison from infected deer or being bitten by the gnats that carry the disease. So far in NY State it has only been found in Albany County and Rensselear County. Noted that this happens in late summer and fall because of draught.
NY State Trappers Association Dave Miller reported that their organization is having a better relationship with Commissioner Pete Grannis since he has come on board.
NY State Conservation Fund Advisory Board (CFAB) Charlie Hancock reported SUMMIT meetings and that they are working on the following: Jr. Hunting of Big Game, Increasing Violation fees, penalties and surcharges.
Raymond Rainbolt reported on the Fort Drum Fish & Wildlife Program: Working with Indiana Bats that are endangered, Migratory Birds, They allow Big & Small Game Hunting, Fishing, Ice Fishing, Trapping, Camping, Hiking, Bird Watching, Snowmobiling, some ATV’s traveling and Firewood Permits on the Fort Drum Campus.
Hunters hunting on the property must wear a minimum of 144 sq. in. of Blaze Orange when they hunt there. Guns must be in cases when traveling on property. Entrance Fees are $10.00, under 16 and seniors are free, Big & Small Game and Fishing Permits are $25.00 and Trapping Permits are $25.00
Access is open to the General Public and 65% are Recreationalists.
Executive and Planning Committee Reports:
There has been an increased use of Access by written permission signs. There is a need of proper use and signing. Spring Meeting will be held in Albany on March 27 – March 29, 2008 and Fall Meeting will be held in Region 9 on October 23 – October 25, 2008.
Habitat Committee Report:
Some schools in Orange County are conducting Firearms Safety courses, Recommends a mandatory $5.00 Non-Resident Habitat Stamp, Recommends changing the rules so any one can buy a Habitat Stamp without having a hunting or drivers license, Habitat Fund Money was released for Seneca/Schuyler Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation to receive $5,000.00 for mowing 500 acres in Hector Land Use Area in the Finger Lakes National Forest.
Access Committee Report: Recommends increasing protection for landowners through the General Obligations Law, Promote increased use of the Access by Permission Signs and the Accompanying written permission cards and make the cards available to Land Owners even if they do not use the signs.
National Archery Report by John Major:
Some schools are incorporating it into their Physical Education/Gym classes and/or after school classes. A national coordinator was hired in November 2007. Instructor workshops were scheduled for December 1, 2008. Several groups such as the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Boys & Girls Scouts and 4-H are helping to promote it. 4-H in NY State has been promoting it since 2003. NY State is the only state that does not allow 14 year olds to hunt big game.
Actions on Resolutions:
- Supported a Resolution in support of increasing the budget for the regional FWM Boards from the present $400.00 per year to an amount that reflects actual expenses.
- Supported a Resolution to allow revenue from wetland and stream bed violations to be placed in the Habitat Fund Account of the Conservation Fund
- Supported a Resolution protecting the Hemlock-Canadice Watershed
- Supported a Resolution that restricts certain uses of large body gripping traps, but would allow smaller traps to be set closer to trails.
- Supported a Resolution to implement the recommendations of Cornell University Human Dimensions Research Unit to improve the General Obligations Law with regard to limiting recreational use of private lands liability.
Thank you, John.
Member Harry Pentingill read and article form Popular Mechanics about new designs on Lasers that will eliminate Landfills in the future because what ever is placed in front of the lasers reverts back into its original form. He also commented about the Green Operation buildings to be built on the depot and that he is not in favor of this type of construction.
Enrichment Committee: Tom Mitchell, Jr. Chairman and Ed Mitchell
Tom Mitchell, Jr., Chairman of the Enrichment Committee, reported on the resolution that was presented to the Varick Town Planning Board on November 14, 2007. This motion was presented to the Chairman, Tom Bjorkman of the Varick Planning Board. The resolution was read at the meeting and it speaks of the White Deer Herd on Depot, Hunting on Depot and the proposed Fee Hunting / Canned Hunt that the Sessler Corporation is proposing.
Ron Enslow read a Resolution: The Seneca County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs policy regarding the remaining lands of the former Seneca Army Depot known as the “Conservation Area” should rightfully remain in the public domain, not in a For Profit Private Business. They should be protected as public lands either under the management of the NYS DEC or NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Parks (NYSOPRHP). Motion made to accept. 1 opposed. Motion carried.
Ed Mitchell proposed a 2nd Resolution. The Seneca County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Inc. is opposed to the sale of land at the former Seneca Army Depot and that we believe that the acreage should be set aside for habitat remaining for the many species that call, the former Depot, home. The land should belong to the public and not a private, for profit business. The land should be protected for our future sportsmen, sportswomen and naturalists alike.
Dennis Money, Chairman of Seneca White Deer, suggested that letters be written to Commissioner Pete Grannis of the NYS DEC and that DEC Region 8 should buy/purchase/take over the land. The land should be open and maintained by the public.
Also noted, that the DEC has not received any paperwork for permits for quality air emissions. This is needed before Cilion can begin to build the Ethanol Plant.
Old Business:
Kenny Poorman asked about money for /Chinese Auction. Motion made to give him $200.00. Motion carried.
Tim Noga Scholarship:
Our friend, Tim Noga passed away in October. Family is opening a scholarship in his name. Motion made to give $100.00. Motion carried.
Kenny Poorman asked about making Seneca County 8J for hunting. DEC Officer Scott Angotti stated that is a Wildlife Biologist action. Noted that they study areas and see how many pockets of deer there are in certain areas. Suggested we contact Mike Allen for information. DeLoss Stuck noted that the amount of deer are down in Seneca County or 8J.
Nominating Committee
President John Sipos named the Nomination Committee: Bill Dadson, Barb Wells, and Gary Chave. Suggestion: Tom Mitchell Jr. – President, John Sipos – Vice President, Gary Chave – Director. If you are interested in sitting on the board you can contact: Bill Dadson – 315-539-8767, Barb Wells – 315-585-6617 or Gary Chave – 315-539-8210.
Adjournment:
Motion made to adjourn. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Wells
Secretary
Seneca County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Inc.
Motions:
Minutes: 1st: Kenny Poorman 2nd: Bill Dadson
Treasurer” 1st: Bill Dadson 2nd: Bill Dadson 2nd: Kenny Poorman
Rodgers Pocket Directories: 1st: Bill Dadson 2nd: DeLoss Stuck
Gun Raffle: 1st: Kenny Poorman: 2nd: Bill Dadson
Website: 1st: Ed Mitchell 2nd: Fred Beary
Resolution 1st: Ron Enslow 2nd: Bill Dadson
Chinese Auction: 1st: Bill Dadson 2nd: Ed Mitchell
Tim Noga: 1st: Ed Mitchell 2nd: Kenny Poorman
Adjourn: 1st Bill Dadson 2nd DeLoss Stuck
Next Meeting:
MacDougall Sportsmen’s Club: Tuesday January 15, 2008 3800 MacDougall Rd. Waterloo, NY
Directions: North: Take rt. 96 to Yellow Tavern Road turn right on Yellow Tavern Rd 1st Flashing Caution Light, turn Left on MacDougall road. Club is 1st Right. Form the West: Take Rt. 96A to Yellow Tavern Road on the Left, past Rosehill Mansion and past Woodworth, Take the 2nd Right on to MacDougall road. From the South: Take Rt. 96 North to Rt. 336, turn Left on to Rt. 336 and take the 2nd right on to MacDougall Road the club is on the Left or take Rt. 96A to Rt. 336 and turn right. Go to MacDougall Road on the Left.