Minutes of Pendleton Sportsman’s Club meeting on April 11, 2006

Call to Order.  Meeting opened by President Dennis Loftis at 1834.

Approval of March’s minutes as published.

Report of Secretary / Treasurer.  Given by Tom Johnson.  New membership year started 1 October and previous annual membership dues expired September 30th.  51 Active paid members, 46 military / 5 civilians.  We had 2 new members join the club at this months meeting.  Total $1170.13 in account. 

Committee Reports

- Membership Committee – Club membership dues are $20 per year and are effective for one year from time of activation.  Dues can be paid at Club meetings or mailed in.  See the Club Website for mailing address at http://thesportsmansclub.netfirms.com.

- Buildings and Grounds – Future Club meetings will be at building number 24065 in the 24 area next to the PX and Gym. The new location is working out great for the club. Please help spread the word of the new location.

- Publicity Committee – Club Patches are available from Tom Johnson the Club’s Secretary / Treasurer.  Please contact Tom at a meeting or event about purchasing your Club patch, cost is $5.  Recommend Club members sew the Club patch on their hunting vests to publicize the Club.  The Outdoor channel mailed VIP passes to the

- Hunting Committee

  - Hunters are reminded and encouraged to pick up their fired hulls when in the field.  Also, help police trash found while hunting.

- Fishing Committee – Free fishing trips still available through the Dana Wharf Sportfishing.  See Fishing News on the Clubs website for information and contact one of the coordinators.  Dana Warf has lessened the restrictions to where active duty can now go for free through the entire week including weekends now. 

- Fred Wolfrom from Pacific Coast Bait and Tackle reported low numbers of fish being taken right now.  Contributes the low numbers to the water temp and storms we’ve had lately.

- Lake O’Neill fishing is still slow although reports of Bass are being taken right now.  The lake’s fishing will pick as we near the summer months.

- The Club is planning a Deep-Sea fishing trip sometime in June or July.  Anyone who is interested should contact Wayne or any officer of the club.  Again, dates are not solid. 

Old and unfinished business

- A waiver has been requested for the Club to shoot on Wilcox Range.  This waiver is necessary for shotgun slug firing since they are not regular weapons fired on this range.

- Hunter Education Safety Course information

  - Frank Hernandez will conduct a Hunter Education Safety Course on April 29, 2006 at the Joint Reception Center.  This will be an all day class so bring a lunch.  All persons 12 and older may attend.  The cost is $3.00 and is limited to the first 25 who sign up.  Contact Frank at the Game Warden office, 725-3360, for more details.

  - NRA/RSO Course, Frank Alessio at the Escondido Fish and Game Association conducts the classes.  Dennis will be contacting Frank for available dates for the NRA RSO course to qualify more Club members. 

- Rifle Sight-in / Familiarization Fire range dates have been approved for May 13th, June 24th, July 15th, August 12th, and September 9th.

- The Club still needs to get members qualified as Range Safety Officers (RSO) and Officers-In-Charge (OIC) by the Base.  Any Club member can receive the training and become qualified as an RSO / OIC.  The Base RSO / OIC course is given every Friday starting at 0700 in building 2399. 

- The Club is planning a plaque presentation ceremony for the Moote Group members from the Greenhead Hunting Club who put on the fabulous duck shoot in February.  The ceremony will be at the Officer’s club, tentative date and time is April 27, 2006 at 1800. All Club members are encouraged to attend.

New business

- Members are encouraged to send emails to John Cullen, former Vice-President of the Club, who is currently serving in Iraq at jdjrc@hotmail.com.

- Members are requested to review the current Hunting Program Base Bulletin and submit any recommended changes via email to Club Secretary Tom Johnson at t-d-johnson@cox.net.  The current bulletins will be posted on the Club website for your review.  Your recommendations are critical to continue to improve the hunting and fishing opportunities on board the base.  We have made tremendous progress and improvements this last year and we need to continue our efforts.  Please review and make your recommendations they are important.

- The Orange County Child Abuse Center is holding a fund-raiser in May.  The Club requests a member in Dress Blues who is willing to present an American flag flown in Iraq to the children and staff.

- Future Hunting

  - Hunting during the off season is available for rabbits, squirrels and coyotes.  The hunting hours will be 0800 to 1800.  Please call the warden’s office at 725-3360 to ensure that there are open areas and that the fire danger conditions allow hunting. 

  - Pig hunting at Vandenberg AFB.  Tex is doing research for a Club hunt and will give a report at the May meeting.

  - Two new duck binds were built and added to SMR2.  These blinds will need another coat of paint to help preserve from the weather.

- A recommendation was made to send flyers to the game shack announcing the monthly meetings.

- Need any ideas or suggestions to attract more Club members to attend the monthly meetings.  

The next Club meeting will be on 9 May at 1830 in Bldg 24065. 

Adjournment.  Meeting adjourned at 1935