Blair County Game Fish & Forestry Assn. Inc.
Volume XXV, Issue I |
www.blaircountygame.com |
Feb., Mar., Apr., 2010 |
The Spring Raffle for this year will be drawn at the April 1st Membership Meeting. All ticket stubs and money should be turned in prior to the drawing to the Treasurer (Tom Morgan) @ 1602 Old Dominion Dr, Altoona PA 16602 or give them to Ray at the Lodge.
The prize list is as follows:
The club will once again have a booth at the Jaffa Sports Show, February 26,27, and 28. Raffle tickets, Dinner tickets, Coyote Hunt registrations will all be available at the Show as well as Membership applications and renewals.
If you will be available and willing to help man the booth please contact Sharon Merritts @ 946-9315.
The club will be sponsoring its 4th Annual Coyote Hunt on Friday March 12th, Saturday March 13th, and Sunday March 14th. Registration will be $10.00 with $5.00 going into the prize fund and $5.00 will go toward our Habitat Improvement Project.
For more details or to get a registration form, stop at the Club or visit us at the Jaffa Sports Show (booth 225 & 226). The club web site http://www.blaircountygame.com/ now has the Coyote Hunt on a page where the application and rules can be printed. Feel free to make as many copies as you may need.
No permanent tree stands that damage any tree are allowed on club property. We have had several trees damaged by hunters that use a portable tree stand, but screw them to the tree or use screw in steps. Anyone caught will be prosecuted and will be subject to losing their club membership, if they are a member, and their use of the grounds. All stands must be removed by February 1st.
Ham Potpie
A Ham Potpie dinner will be held on Sunday February 21st @ 5pm. This is open to members and their families. We ask for $1.00 per adult and a covered dish per family. The auxiliary will prepare the Potpie.
For more info contact Sharon Merritts @ 946-9315 or Jean Neely @ 942-4311.
Dues
With the change to our dues structure, we have revised our Membership Applications and renewal forms.
You will see several changes when your membership is up for renewal.
Banquet
The Annual Landowner-Sportsman Banquet will be held on Thursday, March 25th at 6pm. The PA Game Commission will be presenting the program this year.
Anyone wishing to help in the kitchen or obtain tickets ($7.00 ea) for the event can contact Sharon Merritts @ 946-9315 or Jean Neely @ 942-4311 for more information.
This dinner is our way of saying thanks to the landowners who keep their ground open for hunting and fishing. Sportsmen who would like to bring a landowner guest can obtain free tickets for them by calling Sharon Merritts at the above number, tickets are limited.
Spaghetti Dinner
An All-you-can-eat Spaghetti Dinner will be held on Saturday April 10th from 4pm till 6pm to benefit our youth shooting programs.
Cost is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children 12 yrs. old and under. Anyone interested in tickets can contact Sharon Merritts @ 946-9315 or Don Blazier @ 742-8208.
Anyone age 8 – 18 is welcome to shoot air rifle from 6:30 till 8:30 on Mondays at the Indoor Range. We have a good group of young shooters now but there is always room for more.
For more information contact Don Blazier @ 742-8208 or Tim Merritts @ 946-9315.
Habitat Improvement Project
Our new food plot on the new property did very well this year. On the new property we built a small pond, and have planted many species of trees, shrubs, and berry bushes. There are approx. 200 black walnut seeds that we hope to transfer in the spring.
We will be working throughout the winter to prepare the grounds for planting.
If you would like to help, please put your name on the sign-up sheet at the Club or contact Tim Merritts @ 946-9315. E-mail at timmerhite@aol.com.
Work Day
A Work Day has been scheduled for Saturday February 20th at 9:00 am to cut firewood. If the weather is extreme the work will move indoors.
Remember that attending workdays will reduce your annual membership fee!
Trap
Trap shooting will be held on Sunday afternoon until April when the Tuesday evening shoots will resume.
Check out the Club Web Site at http://www.blaircountygame.com/
Information, questions, and suggestions about the web site can be submitted by email to webmaster, Tom at tmorgan3900@atlanticbb.net.
Muzzleloader Shoot
A Muzzleloader Shoot will be held on Sunday March 14 10am Pistol Match, April 11th 10am Black Powder Trap Shoot, and May 2nd 10am re-entry Rifle Match. The Annual Rendezvous will be held July 10 & 11. Contact Don Blazier for more information @ 742-8208.
Activities
WEEKLY:
Monday 4-H air rifle shoot
Tuesday trap shoot
MONTHLY:
Members meeting 1st Thursday
VARIOUS DATES:
Archery 3-D Fishing Running Deer Hay Rides Black Powder Shooting Novelty Shoot Hunting Ham Pot Pie Dinner Landowner Sportsman Banquet Ox Roast Club Rental Halloween & Christmas Parties
Firearm Instructors
We are trying to put together a basic firearm instruction class. This would be for all of the new firearm owners that may not be as familiar with firearms as some of you. We would like to see as part of the class some basic cleaning skills, proper care, and storage.
Anyone interested in helping or setting up the class can contact Tim Merritts at 946-9315 or email timmerhite@aol.com.
Bottle Cap Shoot
The 22 cal. Bottle Cap Shoot will be continuing Thursday evenings through the end of March at 6:30pm for practice and 7pm for scoring. Bring that trusty old 22 up and try your luck at off-hand shooting. For more information contact Ed Taneyhill @ 943-3903.
Anyone with time and/or equipment to help with projects can contact Tim Merritts @ 946-9315 or e-mail timmerhite@aol.com for more information. We will be working on painting, plumbing, and electrical work this year. Any help will also count toward a reduced membership dues.
Sportsman Flea Market
We are accepting Donations of your old hunting, fishing, or camping equipment that you no longer use. As a reminder the proceeds from this fundraiser benefit the operation of the Youth Programs of our club. Remember to attend the Ox Roast to check out the bargain prices assigned to these items.
Donations can be made by contacting Scott Gressley @942-5809, or see Ray at the Lodge.
Club News
Rentals – Just a reminder, the club grounds and/or the Lodge are available to rent for reunions, Holiday parties, Wedding receptions, group picnics, etc. The rental prices are very reasonable at $75.00 for the Lodge and $50.00 for the Outdoor Kitchen and Pavilion.
Contact Ray for reservations and additional information at the Lodge or call 814-942-8522.
Ladies Auxiliary
The Ladies Auxiliary is in need of new members. They meet the first Thursday of the month at the same time as the club membership meeting.
If you are interested in helping, call Jean Neely @ 942-4311 or Sharon Merritts @ 946-9315.
On the Grounds
The club grounds are open to the public for hunting. Please observe all “Safety Zone” and “Closed to Motorized Vehicle” regulations around the property!
Predator Hunting Seminar
We will be hosting a FREE Predator hunting seminar, conducted by local expert Kirk McKendree on Saturday, March 6th at 6pm.
Kirk McKendree of Pennsylvania is a successful predator hunter who has been calling predators into the call for over a decade where he has harvested coyotes, bobcats, foxes, and raccoons. His predator hunting has taken him from Canada to as far south as Texas, however most of his hunting occurs in Penns woods.
For more information contact Tim Merritts@ 946-9315 or email timmerhite@aol.com.
Wanted: Old Photo’s and Memories
The Club is in the process of collecting old photos, memories, and stories about the club.
Anyone who would like to share information, stories, pictures, etc. can contact Sharon Merritts @ 946-9315.
We will display some of the old photos and other history of the club at the Jaffa Sports Show.
Fish Pond
We have some changes for the Trout pond. At this time, at this time, the pond is open from March 1st thru October 31st for Fly-fishing using barbless hooks only, Noon till Dusk.
Please direct questions and comments to the President, Tim Merritts, by phone – 814-946-9315, or send an email to timmerhite@aol.com.
Youth Marksmanship Program
Youth ages 8 to 15 may now participate in a BB Gun HANDLING and MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAM at Blair County Game.
The program is expected to start in January 2010 on Tuesdays starting at 5:30 pm and will be held at the indoor range. A Parent or Guardian is expected to attend each session to assist the youth. All equipment and supplies will be provided. Call Art Shriver at 742-7357 if you would like more information
Archery
3-D SHOOTING for 2010:
3-D shooting on the 15 target “Run” course will be opened on the 1st of May and run until the 2nd of October. The public may shoot at a cost of $10.00 per round or $5.00 per round for Club members. Current club members (membership card needed at time of sign-up) may pay a one-time fee of $50.00 to shoot the entire season.
This is the fun way to practice for hunting season. Score cards are available at the clubhouse/lodge for those who wish to score their rounds.
The money raised is to be used to purchase new 3-D Targets this year, we would like to purchase 10 targets per year, each and every year. The new targets will be put out at the “Ox Roast” 3-D Shoot to be held during the Labor Day weekend.
REMEMBER: Field points only! Anyone using Broadheads will lose course privileges!
Advertising
Advertising is available in this newsletter at a rate of $30.00 for a business card size ad, larger ad at a rate to be determined by size, and $5.00 for 25 words or less on 2 half page lines for private bargain counter type sales of sporting equipment. Please support our advertisers.
Cash Paid for Model Trains, WWI, and WWII items. Contact Bill Fraundorfer at 814-944-0404. |
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Anyone interested in advertising in this newsletter published quarterly and with a circulation of more than 1,200 should contact Thomas Morgan at 814-946-3900 or email tmorgan3900@atlanticbb.net. |
