The newsletter of the

  Spring /Summer 2005

 

 

Range Badges Out, New Membership Cards In for 2005

New lime green membership cards have replaced last year’s badges as a means of identification for members who use the club’s ranges. The new cards are serial numbered and contain a line for the member’s signature, and must be displayed while you’re on the outdoor range or while you’re using the indoor range.
The club will provide a plastic pin-on sleeve with each membership card. Due to an error, the cards must be trimmed to fit the sleeves, so members may opt to provide their own means of displaying their card when they use the ranges. One possible alternative is a plastic pin-on device, available from sporting goods retailers, that’s designed to display a hunting license.
Regardless of the method of display, remember that you must display the card when you’re on the range, except during club-sponsored events open to the public.

Officers, Directors Elected for 2005
In an overwhelming vote of confidence at the club’s Annual Meeting in January, members re-elected the club’s slate of officers and most members of the Board of Directors.
Returned to office were Mike Currie, President; Ron Neronsky, Vice President; Betty Brooks, Treasurer; and Cheryl Breuning, Secretary.
New members of the Board of Directors are Francis Bingham and Bob Pelletier. Fran is a lifelong resident of the area and an avid outdoorsman. Bob, a Chester resident, formerly served as president of the Chester Rod and Gun Club, and is a trap shooter and veteran hunter education instructor.
Both of these men will be valuable assets to our Board of Directors, bringing to the board many years of experience in the traditional outdoor sports, along with some new ideas for our club.
Re-elected to the board for 2005 were Russ Aldridge, Carl Breuning, Ron Brooks, Sue Currie, Russ Edwards, Carl Goings, Ralph Goings, Harry Henderson, Dick Lillien, Al Nass, John Olmsted, Gary Richardson, Jim Stewart and George Trombly.
Thanks to those who served on the board in 2004 who chose not to serve this year.

Members Approve By-Law Changes
 

Club members serving on active duty with the U.S. Armed Forces are now exempt from dues payments until they’re released from active duty under this by-law change unanimously approved by the membership at January’s Annual Meeting.


Members also approved a revision to Article IV, Section J of the by-laws that will grant the Executive Committee more flexibility in levying penalties for misconduct by club members. Under the old by-law section, the only penalty for a finding of misconduct was a one-year suspension of the member who committed the infraction. The Executive Committee can now assign whatever penalty its members determine to be appropriate for the infraction.
Disciplinary action against a club member under this section of the by-laws has only been taken three times in the past. But the revised procedures will streamline the process for any future cases that come before the Executive Committee.

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Members' Warning: By-Law Change to be Considered at May 7 Meeting

In accordance with Article IX of the club's By-laws, all members are hereby warned that an amendment to the By laws will be proposed to the membership at the regular meeting on May 7,2005 at 7 p.m. at the clubhouse on Reservoir Road in Perkinsville, Vermont. Text of the proposed amendment appears on Page 4.

President’s Letter: New Season, New Directions for PVF&GA
 

Dear Members:

I hope this letter finds you all well and excited about spring and a fresh start to our outdoor season. We all look forward to spring with ideas of starting over or trying something new, and your club is a good place to begin. Very soon our ranges will be dried out and a lot of fun activities will begin. Check out our new brochure, and make it a point to check out something new this year.

We as a club are taking a couple of new directions this year too. Both ideas are still very new, and there is plenty of opportunity for you to be involved and share ideas and energy.

Our first new direction will be the establishment of a new membership category, a “Sponsor” membership. This new category is one that several of the other large sporting organizations in Vermont have adopted successfully. We plan to use it primarily as a fund raising tool for an endowment of sorts, to aid in keeping our club financially secure for the long term. We have worked hard to keep our general memberships affordable for families while providing adequate operating capital for our club. We’re making ends meet annually in this regard, but long-term financial security is our goal. Our officers and board of directors have approved in concept a membership that allows individual members and groups who can afford to invest in the future of our heritage and organization to do so. These memberships will cost in the neighborhood of $300 each, with our board of directors being the governing body for oversight of these additional funds. We intend to invest a portion of these funds into an endowment fund, another portion into a scholarship fund for youth attending Vermont’s conservation camps, and the remaining portion going to the general operating funds of the club. Other organizations have tried this concept and have done well. It will take a by-law change for this to happen. A discussion and vote on the required by-law change will take place at our regular meeting in May.

Our second endeavor or new direction will be “Working for Wildlife.” We’ve been involved for years in many Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department initiatives, with good results. But, in light of the politics and interest in our deer herd since the most recent rounds of deer meetings this spring, we’re going to ratchet up our interest and involvement as a club. Sportsmen in Vermont originally formed organizations like ours in the 1870’s, and eventually evolved into a Sportsman’s Federation, which still exists today, and with which we are affiliated. Those early organizations are the ones responsible for re-introducing the whitetailed deer in 1878, and approving the beginnings of a fish and wildlife department early in the last century. Today, our heritage and legacy as hunters, fisherman and trappers is in jeopardy, and critical habitats supporting wildlife are being encroached on in many ways.

Precision Valley Fish and Game Association will be an active participant in any way we can over the next years to insure our legacy as recreational shooters, hunters, fisherman and trappers is secure. But it will take work and personal commitment from our members to help these long-term outreach efforts.

If you’re financially able, please consider investing in our future through our new “Sponsor” membership, or if your heart and mind likes being in the woods, consider joining our “Stewardship Committee” to help determine the future of land use and understanding of responsibilities associated with land ownership and wildlife management in Vermont.

We simply can’t sit and wait for things to be done for us. It took dedication and organization to get what we have today, and it will take your involvement in these issues to ensure our culture survives in this century.

Please come to a meeting, get involved. We all look forward to meeting new or re-invigorated members, in recreational pursuits as well as in working towards future goals.

Michael D. Currie, President
 

Kids’ Fish Derby Returns, Set for June 4 at Fergy’s Pond

By Fran Bingham
 

The club’s 12th Annual Kids’ Fishing Derby is scheduled for Saturday, June 4 at Keith Ferguson’s Pond on Spencer Hollow Road in Springfield. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with fishing beginning at 10 a.m. All youngsters through age 15 are welcome to join in the fun. There will be four age groups with prizes awarded in each group.
Call Fran Bingham at (802) 263-5520 or Bob Pelletier at (802) 875-2649 after 5 p.m. for more information.
 

2005 PVF&GA

Officers and Directors

 

President

Mike Currie               802-886-2666 currie@vermontel.net

Vice President

Ron Neronsky           802-885-5485

          Rneronsky@vermontel.net

Secretary

Cheryl Breuning         603-863-3975

          Glad2cu66@hotmail.com

Treasurer

Betty Brooks             802-674-2455

          bbrooks@vermontel.net

 

Board of Directors

Russ Aldridge             802-263-5767

          pipergulf@tds.net

Francis Bingham        802-263-5520

          stonz260@yahoo.com

Carl Breuning             603-863-3975

          c.Breuning@verizon.net

Ron Brooks               802-674-2455

          bbrooks@vermontel.net

Susan Currie               802-886-2666

          currie@vermontel.net

Russ Edwards              802-295-5891

          chelseakid03@yahoo.com

Carl Goings                802-885-3760

          No e-mail

Ralph Goings             802-263-5504

          Reg1@vermontel.net

Harry Henderson        802-886-1330

          flybynt@vermontel.net

Dick Lillien               802-457-3352

          verda@valley.net

Al Nass                      802-484-5418

          asnass@earthlink.net

John Olmsted            802-885-1580

          vjolmsted@adelphia.net

Bob Pelletier              802-875-2649

ripell@vermontel.net

Gary Richardson         802-263-5409

          garyr@vermontel.net

Jim Stewart                802-875-2499

          No e-mail

George Trombly         802-885-5552

          grtvt@vermontel.net

Range, Woods and Waters

is published occasionally by

Precision Valley Fish and Game Association

P.O. Box 143

Perkinsville, VT  05151

 

Editors

Cheryl Breuning

Ron Neronsky

 

Information Line:  802-886-9988

Website:  http://www.pvfga.com

 

Muzzleloader Shoots Scheduled for 2005

By Eric Bye

Black powder shoots for this year are scheduled for May 28 and October 8. May’s shoot will be for muzzleloading smoothbores and shotguns of all kinds - single or double barrel, caplock or flintlock, all gauges, safe originals or modern reproductions. The course of fire consists of ten thrown clay birds, and shooters may re-enter as often as they wish.

October’s shoot will be a woods walk combining a pleasant stroll through the autumn woods during peak foliage with shooting a dozen or more shots at breakable targets or gongs at variable, unknown distances.

Both events will be held rain or shine. Keep your powder dry!

For more information, contact Eric Bye at 802-875-4594 or bye@vermontel.net.

Summer Hunter Ed Course Begins in June

Registration night for a home study Vermont Hunter Education course is scheduled for Monday, June 20 at 7 p.m. at the clubhouse on Reservoir Road.

Students of any age are welcome in this course. Students in home study hunter ed courses assume responsibility for reading all the materials they receive at registration and completing written exercises in the student workbooks that are part of the registration package. A completed workbook will serve as the student’s ticket to participate in a field day in August at which time certified instructors will test all students in various skills.

For more information or to sign up for the course, call Mike Currie at (802) 886-2666.
 

Clean Up on Green Up Day, May 7
 

On Saturday, May 7, club members are invited to help spruce up the outdoor range as well as a stretch of Route 106 from the bridge in Perkinsville to Downers Four Corners beginning at 9 a.m.

 
Several years ago, our membership agreed to take responsibility for that section of Route 106 on Green Up Day. Russ Aldridge has headed up the effort every year, often with little help from other club members.

Since “many hands make light work,” we’re asking for as much help as we can get. So don’t be surprised if you get a call or e-mail soon, asking for your help in this thankless but important endeavor.

Be sure to bring along your favorite firearm and take a few shots after the work is done. See you there!

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Proposed By-Law Changes

Article IV: Membership

F.1. Membership Period  add the following sentence:

The period of membership for a sponsor shall commence upon the date of purchase and expire one calendar year from that date.

G. Fee Schedule add the following item:

4. Sponsor Membership - Any individual, group or business desirous of aiding in the objects of the work of this organization may purchase a sponsor membership. This member-ship will entitle the purchaser to a single membership and other benefits to be determined by the Executive Committee.  Fee to be established each year by the Executive Committee.

Help Needed: Indoor Range Spring Maintenance Days Scheduled

The indoor range needs a lot of work. Fortunately, paint has been donated and a volunteer has stepped forward to do the actual painting of the walls and ceiling.

 
Before that can be done, the range must be cleaned and the sand and lead removed from the backstop area and new sand installed. The following schedule has been established for this work:

May 6 or 7 (Friday or Saturday) Clean Backstops – Help needed

May 13 (Friday) Clean Walls and Ceiling - Help needed

May 14 (Saturday) Spray paint walls and ceiling – No help needed

May 20 or 21 (Friday or Saturday) Paint Floor – Help needed

If you’re willing to help, contact Ralph Goings,802-263-5504, or via e-mail at Reg1@vermontel.net or Alan Nass, 802-484-5418,or via e-mail at asnass@earthlink.net.

By Al Nass

Worth repeating…

With the advent of the outdoor shooting season, we remind everyone about the proper method of hanging targets at the outdoor range. Fasten your targets so that the bulls eye or the anticipated point of impact is lined up with the space between the cross boards…and DO NOT hang targets on the metal upright posts.

More Cast Lead Bullet Shoots Planned for 2005…
 

Cast bullet shooters can look forward to three shoots this year, all on Saturdays. The lead-bullet-only shoots are scheduled for April 16, June 18 and August 20.

 
For more information on the shoots, contact George Trombly at 802-885-5552, or via e-mail, grtvt@vermontel.net.

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Our AdoptaPlatoon committee has sent one care package each month to our platoon in Iraq. Although we haven’t heard from our platoon yet, we’re sure they’re appreciating everything we’ve sent to them so far…including individual containers of Vermont maple syrup for those good ol’ U.S. Army pancakes and French toast.

If you wish to donate items to be included in the care packages, bring them to one of our monthly meetings. Monetary donations to cover shipping costs for packages will also be accepted. Donation checks should be made payable to “AdoptaPlatoon Program” and may be sent to Bryant Credit Union, 380 River Street, Springfield, VT 05156 or brought to one of our monthly meetings.

 
Items that would be useful to members of our platoon are shown in the table below.
 

AdoptaPlatoon Carries On Smartly…but Items Are Still Needed

 

Suggested Items for Shipment to Our Platoon
Foods Toiletries Free Time Materials

·1 Energy foods, breakfast and granola bars
·2 Beef summer sausage
·3 Crackers
·4 Non-melting candy, gum, cookies
·5 Beef jerky
·6 Tuna in pouches or pop top cans
·7 Fruit in pop top cans
·8 Pretzels
·9 Canned chips
·10 Raisins/trail mix
·11 Nuts
·12 Dried fruit
·13 Picante (hot) sauce (in plastic containers)
·14 Bean and cheese dips
·15 Powdered sugared drink mixes (Gatorade, Kool-Aid)

·16 Waterless soap
·17 Antibacterial hand soap
·18 Deodorant
·19 Foot powder
·20 Baby wipes
·21 Toothpaste & toothbrush
·22 Disposable razors
·23 Shaving cream
·24 Hand/body lotion (unscented)
·25 Lip balm
·26 Sun screen lotion
·27 Standard bed pillow*/case or blow up travel pillow
·28 Large bath towels (Dark color)
·29 Wash cloths (Dark Color)

·30 Magazines (wrestling, boxing, fitness magazines, sports magazines, comic books, Mad)
·31 Books
·32 Paper, pens (black ink only), pencils
·33 Word puzzle books
·34 Joke books
·35 Puzzles
·36 Board games (chess, checkers, Monopoly, etc.)
·37 Decks of cards
·38 Newly released movies
·39 Movies you tape from cable or TV programs (pornography is not allowed) VHS or DVD.
·40 Sunday comics

And speaking of pancakes and syrup…
 

Maybe Army chow has changed along with the times, but the syrup shipment reminds me of my tour in Saudi Arabia with the local Vermont Army National Guard unit during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. One morning I spotted one of our NCOs standing at the end of the chow line pouring something onto each soldier’s breakfast. The sergeant’s wife was well known for sending him all sorts of odd and neat stuff through the mail, including an inexpensive guitar. On that particular morning, he stood there grinning from ear to ear, pouring a little dribble of real maple syrup onto the French toast of each soldier who passed through the line. His better half had come through again, this time with real Vermont maple syrup made in the Springfield area.

That’s the sort of thing we’re trying to do with our care packages…bring a little bit of home to our platoon of soldiers. If you’ve been there, you know what I’m talking about.

Thanks to all who have donated so far to make our platoon’s stay in Iraq a little easier.

By the way, I don’t think I ever told you about those huge McIntosh apples from Wellwood’s Orchard that found their way to me during my tour of duty in Vietnam…
RMN
 

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