September 16, 2008

General Meeting

Interlaken Sportsmen’s Club

13 Members representing 5 Clubs

Guest Speaker: Mike Wasilco: Region 8 DEC

   Meeting called to order by Treasurer John Andrews.  Pledge allegiance to the flag began the meeting.

Minutes:
Minutes reviewed. Motion made to accept. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report:
John Andrews gave a detailed report of all accounts.  Motion made to accept.  Motion carried.

Correspondents:
SCOPE:
SCOPE is having their annual banquet on October 3rd, 2008.  Motion made to place a ½ page advertisement in their banquet book.  Motion carried.

Cayuga Lake Watershed:
Asking for dues again.  We had decided last year not to rejoin.

Dues:
Letters sent out to FL Sports-O-Rama and Seneca Wildlife Management, Inc. that their dues are behind.  Letter received from FL Sports-O-Rama that they did not received a notice for dues.  Letter was sent to their treasurer for dues and letter was sent to the President of Seneca Wildlife Management that they are behind on their dues as well.

Bass Pro Shops:
Letter received from Bass Pro for their Bonus Points reward. 

Guest Speaker:  Mike Wasilco Region 8 NYSDEC Wildlife Manager Avon.
Mike Wasilco spoke to everyone about the new regulations and youth hunting bill that was passed. 
National Hunting and Fishing Day was held on September 27th & 28th in Avon.

Bear Season:
Seneca County may have an expanded Bear Hunting Season in 8J & 8S.   He would not comment on when it will be, but there will be notification in the regional papers.  More Bear sightings are being noticed and they would like to keep Bears out of Rochester and out of the farmer’s fields.
Noted that Bears can roam great distances.  It took out Seneca County Bear only 2 days to go from Junius to Syracuse. Noted that Region 7 may have openings for Bear as well as Region 9.

     State will be testing a new game harvest report.  October 1st – is supposed to be the start date when you can report your game harvest on the internet.  DEC website is: www.dec.ny.state.gov

Waterfowl Season:
     Duck and Goose season will open on the same day this year.  October 25th 45 days – 3 birds a day. 

Wood Duck:
     Bag Limit for Wood Ducks is 3 per day.  Harvest rates and populations are up.

Goose Season:
Southern Goose Zone Canadian Geese opened up for 8M, 8N and 8P.  Resident Goose populations are up and opened to 45 days and 3 bag limit.

Canvas Back Duck:
Canvas Back Duck Season is Closed due to low numbers and breeding is extremely low.

Art Hall asked if Crossbow Season will be passed?
This must come from Legislation.  NY Bowhunters usually control the crossbow legislation. 

     Sam Ward asked about Damage Permits for Grape and Apple Farmers and what is DEC going to do to these farmers that do not open their fields up for hunters. 
DEC has permission slips that you can down load for farmers, wineries and orchards. They can sign to be able to hunt.  Noted that there was a farmer in Monroe County that abused their privileges and had hunters on his land and did not have the hunters listed on his damage permits, thus damage permits were revoked.
If anyone knows of anyone, farmers or orchard grower, abusing their permits or killing game and not disposing of them correctly.  Call DEC immediately, do not wait for 2 weeks or after hunting season is over.  They have extra personnel in the field to handle any problems during hunting season.

Youth Hunting Mentoring:
     Mentor has to have 3 years experience hunting, be over the age of 21 and have written permission on an official DEC form, this can be downloaded from the internet.  Both youth and mentor must be wearing Orange, Can only be at ground level – Not in a Tree Stand and only 1 firearm is permitted.   

Rifle Season:
     Big Game Season will be allowed in Chemung and Yates again this year.  In 3 years it will be up for legislation again.

DEC Budget Cuts:
Wildlife and Conservation Fund, Sampling from Chronic Wastings Disease will be cut back. Tests are $27.00 and 1,000 tests were done.   Deer will be tested in the 1st area after deer season is over with. 

Coyote Studies:
SUNY ESF is collecting data for their Coyote Study.  Noted that their study has shown that their diet of deer is usually deer that have been hit by cars and have one or more broken legs.  There is no information on fawn take downs yet.  Deer have not had a bad winter recently in this area, but have had in the Southern Zone. 

Deer Forecast:
Buck Survey noted that there are in 8J – 1 Buck per 2.1 sq. miles.  8S – 4.2 Bucks per sq. mile.
DMAP shows that there are 20% more deer in Region 8.  Noted that the deer take is down from last year.  Only 15 farms and orchards have nuisance permits last year in Seneca County.  Noted that there are fewer corn or grain farms have nuisance permits this last year.
Average age of hunters is 46 – 47 years of age.  New youth bill will help out in the future with keeping younger hunters interested in hunting. The State of Michigan licenses are noted to be down and not enough income noted.

Pheasant Program:
Final year of a 10 year plan of pheasant rearing program.  This program is not run by DEC.  Program will be monitored by Albany.  Pheasant grasslands – less grass lands means that less ground birds, pheasant, grouse, etc.
Governor Patterson is cutting the budget everywhere.  Noted there are more forests, but pheasants are not forest animals and predator population is up as well.   Trapping is at an all time low. 
Thanks Mike for a great report and for keeping us informed. 

Committee Reports:
FWMB:
Next meeting is October 24th.

Indian Land Claim:
Harry Pentingill Jr.
400 Million dollars in tax money is lost each year.  October 9th there will be a Protest Car Rally on the Thruway and around Seneca Falls.  See your local paper for details.  Update given to membership on what is happening with the UCE.  Thanks Harry.

Old Business:
Art Hall wished to thank Barb Wells for setting up the booth at Empire Farm Days for the NYSCC.  Art Hall, Fred Beary, Tom Grasek and Butch worked the booth as well.  The NYSCC will be having a booth next year and Butch and Barb will be handling the set up again.   We will keep the membership informed as to when things come together next year.

Art Hall would like a letter sent to Senator Nozzolio and Assemblyman Kolb for all supporting the youth mentoring Bill that was passed this summer.   Motion by Art Hall. 2nd motion, motion carried.

New Business:
Barb Wells and Gary Chave are attending the NYSCC Convention in Utica on September 19 – 21.  Every year we bring a cooler to raffle off.  Cost will be $25.00.  Motion to do this again.  Motion carried.

Adjournment:
Motion made to adjourn.   Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Wells
Secretary
Seneca County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Inc.

Motions:
Minutes: 1st: Bill Irwin 2nd: Bill Dadson
Treasurer: 1st: Bill Dadson 2nd: Robin Farr
NYSCC Cooler: 1st: Bill Dadson 2nd: Art Hall
Adjournment: 1st: John Andrews 2nd: Bill Dadson
Next Meeting will be at the Rumseyville Sportsmen’s Club on Tuesday October 21st at 7:00 pm.  Rumseyville always has Italian Food available before the meeting.  If anyone would like to get something before the meeting it will be served at 6:30 pm.

Up Coming Events:
The Between the Lakes Friends of NRA is having their Annual Banquet on October 24th at the Trumansburg American Legion.  This will be on a Friday night this year. Prime Rib Dinner, Auction and Silent Auction will be offered again this year. Dinner Tickets $35.00 and numerous package deals will be available again this year.  This year Between the Lakes Committee will be honoring Bob Klemann from MacDougall Sportsmen’s Club for his committed efforts to teach young and old alike, how to shoot targets and gun safety.  MacDougall Sportsmen’s Club received a grant last year for Shooting Range Improvements. 
For information you can call: Chairman – Deb Lincoln – 607-582-7129 or Secretary Barb Wells 315-585-6617.

MacDougall Sportsmen’s Club will be having a Range Dedication on Saturday, November 8th at 12 noon. They will be honoring Robert Klemann achievements to the club and supporting the new shooting range. They will also be honoring Roger Brignal for his devotion and love of Trap Shooting.  The Fall Shoot will be held the same day 10 am till 5 pm.