Milford Township
Fish, Game, and Forestry Association


The Straight Shooter

News

Presidents Column -- December 2011/January 2012

2012

George D. Honeywell

The holidays have come and gone and I hope all of our Members had a safe and joyous time. I know I did with 3 of the 4 kids, 3 of the 4 grandkids and 1 of 5 granddogs running around the house tearing into wrapping paper reminded me what I love most about Christmas. Now that the bank account is depleted and a new year has come I hope 2012 is a prosperous year for all.

P.S. Thanks to Skype video conferencing Deb and I got to talk to kid and grandkid #4 in Tennessee, makes it all worthwhile.   

On a sadder note it was brought to my attention long time Member William Moll passed away last fall. Our condolences go out to the family.

 For the Good of the Association

The Fall Shoot grossed $949.00 less expenses for a net of $491.12.  We definitely need more members to come and participate at the shoots.

Gun raffle tickets were mailed out to members on Monday.  Drawings will be February 1 through March 1, 2012.  Tickets are $10 each for chance at 15 guns and 15 cash prizes.  Call Martin Snyder for more information or tickets:  215.538.2946.

Motions were made and approved to attend the Calvary Outdoor Expo, renew memberships with PA Federation of Sportsman’s Clubs and United Bowhunters of PA.

Reminder: You must renew your Club membership by January 31st or you will have to pay the Initiation Fee again so come out, renew and volunteer for a committee.

We need people to take over the following committees: Fish (Schedule the rodeo, obtain, distribute and manage the raffle cards, report on fishing). Game (report on the items of interest regarding game and non game animals we may encounter).

Guests may come to the Club but must be accompanied by a Member. There are forms in the clubhouse door which need to be filled out and deposited with the $10.00 fee in the slot box in the door. Both the member and guest must sign in at the range boxes. No guests are allowed in November and December.

George D. Honeywell

Building Committee

We are very close to completion. At the time of this there are just a few item remaining to complete, final paint touch up of the walls and trim, installation of the attic stairs, patching and caulking of the control joints in the floor and inspections. Hopefully we can complete the remaining items this weekend and get our occupancy inspection on January 9 or 10.

George D. Honeywell

Pamphlet

Any Member that would like to add something to the newsletter can do so by sending me an email @ bonefish@ptd.net or send it to the Club.

The bi-monthly newsletter can be viewed on the Club website www.milfordstraightshooter.com

If you know of anyone that would like to advertise in the newsletter let us know and we will contact them.

George D. Honeywell

Membership

2011 membership dues total is $8,910. Let Matt and Libby know of any changes to your address or email.

Two new members were voted in at the December Meeting.

Libby and Matt Bauman

Fishing

No report.

 Game

(4) Deer (3 – does, 1 - buck) were shot on the club property that we know of. A doe that has been near the club for 14 years was found dead of natural causes.  Two nice bucks had been bedding in the shade of Larry’s shed during the summer.  Lots of turkeys also being seen in the area.

Reminder: Please sign in when using the Club grounds for any activity and report your harvest on the sign in sheets.

Club Game Spotlight: Eastern Gray Squirrel: The b>eastern gray squirrel or grey squirrel (depending on region) (Sciurus carolinensis), is a tree squirrel in the genus Squirus native to the eastern and midwestern United States and to the southerly portions of the eastern provinces of Canada. The native range of the eastern gray squirrel overlaps with that of the fox squirrel (Sciurus niger), with which it is sometimes confused, although the core of the fox squirrel's range is slightly more to the west.A prolific and adaptable species, the eastern gray squirrel has been introduced to, and thrives, in several regions of the western United States. As the name suggests, the eastern gray squirrel has predominantly gray fur but it can have a brownish color. It has a white underside and a large bushy tail. Particularly in urban situations where the risk of predation is reduced, both white and black colored individuals are quite often found. The melanistic form,  which is almost entirely black, is predominant in certain populations and in certain geographic areas, such as in large parts of southeastern Canada. There are also genetic variations within these, including individuals with black tails and black colored squirrels with white tails.Eastern gray squirrels breed twice a year, December to February and May to June, though this is slightly delayed in more northern latitudes. The first litter is born in February to March, the second in June to July. There are normally two to six young in each litter, but this number can be as high as 8. The gestation period is about 44 days. The young are weaned at 7 weeks and leave the nest after 10 weeks.Eastern gray squirrels can start breeding as early as 5 and a half months old, but usually breed for the first time at the age of oneThese squirrels can live to be 20 years old in captivity, but in the wild usually only live up to 12.5 years.

George D. Honeywell

FForestry

There is more timber down and available for firewood, please contact the Club or President George Honeywell and we will get you in touch with the Forestry Chairman.

Club Timber Spotlight: Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)

Carya ovata, the Shagbark Hickory, is a common hickory in the eastern United States and southeast Canada. It is a large deciduous tree growing up to 90 feet tall, and will live up to 200 years. Mature Shagbarks are easy to recognize because, as their name implies, they have shaggy bark. This characteristic is however only found on mature trees; young specimens have smooth bark.

The Shagbark Hickory's nut is edible and has a very sweet taste.

The leaves have five (rarely three or seven) leaflets, the terminal three leaflets much larger than the basal pair. The Shagbark hickory has both male and female flowers on one tree. The edible nut has a hard, bony shell, contained in a thick, green four-sectioned husk which turns dark and splits off at maturity in the fall. The terminal buds on the Shagbark Hickory are large and covered with loose scales. The word "hickory" is said to have come from the Algonquian Indian word "pawcohiccora". Shagbark hickory nuts were a significant food source for the Algonquians. Red squirrels, Gray squirrels, Raccoons, Chipmunks and mice are consumers of hickory nuts. Other consumers include black bears, gray and red foxes, rabbits, and bird species such as mallards, wood ducks, bobwhites, and wild turkey.

Archery

The 2011 3D shoots saw 206 shooters pay $1,960.00 less expenses of $108.18 for a net profit of $1,851.82.

The currently scheduled 3D shoots for 2012 are; March 25, April22, May 27, June 24, July 22, August 26, September 23 and October 28.

George D. Honeywell

Shoots

The Spring Shoot will be scheduled at the January membership meeting.

John Finnegan

 Ranges

The ranges are in good shape.

Phil Fachet

PA Federation of Sportsman’s Clubs

No report.

Dennis Young

Public Relations

Rick will look at marking the rental of the clubhouse.  Capacity is 99, we will need to purchase more tables and chairs.

Richard Ruth

Work Parties

No report.

Gary Erbe

Activities

None

John Burke

50/50 and Membership Drawings

$15, $10, and a turkey

Member #217 wan the membership drawing for $60.

 

 

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