Milford Township
Fish, Game, and Forestry Association


The Straight Shooter

News

Presidents Column - April 2009

George D. Honeywell

It has occurred to me that we ask you the Members for information about things you may see around the Club that concern you but we do not have contact numbers in the bulletin other than the Club phone. Well, I am having my contact numbers added to the inside of the cover page and the web site contacts page. I may not be available all the time due to meetings or being out of range for the cell but I will return messages as soon as possible. I will also ask the remaining Officers and Directors to do the same if they are comfortable with doing so.

Spring is on the way which starts nature’s renewal process, bringing fishing season, spring turkey, ground hog hunting, grass to mow, flowers and gardens to plant. Along with these are Club activities for everyone; the Ham Shoot, Easter Egg Hunt and the Kids Fish Rodeo. Hopefully we will see more of our members and their families at one or all of these functions - so come on out and support the Club and have a little fun.

Top Stories

  • For the Good of the Association
    The Club will hold the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 11, 2009 starting at 10:00 am for children up to and including 10 years of age.

    Someone tried to break into the Clubhouse. The window panel on the North wall was pried open but the window was intact. The State Police were called and filed a report. We ask all members using the Club grounds to be ever vigilante to anything out of the ordinary when using the grounds. As always if you observe anything you feel is unsafe, inappropriate or out of place please get as much information as you comfortably can and contact one of the Officers or Directors at your earliest convenience.

    The PA Game Commission is holding a Deer Management program at Delaware Valley College on April 4 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Programs will run through the day, if you have a question, comment or concern this is your opportunity to be heard.

    A Father’s Day fishing tournament will be held Sunday, June 21st at Peace Valley Park for kids 5 to 15.

    Anyone interested in becoming a Hunter Education Instructor please contact us and we will get the information on the Instructor’s course for you.

  • Building Committee
    Chester Dotts

The next meeting will be scheduled after the final draft drawings have been returned by the Architect and Engineer.

  • Pamphlet
    George D. Honeywell

General meeting dates were missing from last month’s pamphlet.  Website is getting use.

  • Membership
    Libby and Matt Bauman

Five (5) New members were voted in at the March General Meeting.

$1,090 was received last month, bringing the total from membership to $6,015 for the year.  We are still looking for more folks to receive the bulletin via email.  Let Libby know if there is any problem with the address on your bulletin.

  • Fishing Reports
    Bob Meas

    Kids Rodeo will be May 9th. The stream will be open to all members after 1:00.  Fish have been ordered for stocking.  A new path was finished to make it easier to get materials back along the stream.  The committee is looking for wood chips to use to cover the trail.  $5 calendar tickets are available for the rodeo.

  • Game
    George D. Honeywell

Folks are seeing deer and turkey in and around the club.  Spring turkey opens April 25th. Applications for a second gobbler tag must be filed by April 1st.

  • Forestry
    John Irvine

    Frank Scholes has agreed to help as needed for tree removal. A large split tree along parking at rifle range needs removal.  Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven) also needs removal.  Removal will need to be cleared with Natural Lands Trust.  Scheduled tentatively for the April 19th work party.

  • Archery
    George D. Honeywell

    Next 3-D shoot is Sunday, April 26.

    The 10, 20 and 30 yard targets in the practice area are now ready for use. The 40 and 50 yard targets will be completed on Saturday, March 21.

    Crossbows have been approved by the PA Game Commission for use in Archery season statewide. Crossbows will no longer be allowed in the late Flintlock season.

  • Shoots
    George D. Honeywell

    Ham shoot is set for March 29th, books and posters are available.  Hams are ordered; some are low sodium.  Call is made for baked good donations and help is needed to run the shoot

  • Ranges
    Chester Dotts

    Both ranges are in good condition.

  • PA Federation of Sportsman’s Clubs
    Dennis O. Young

    At the February 12th meeting, John Papson reported no CWD found in Pa Elk. A 300 pound male bear was killed in Lehigh County. Ten positions are open for WCO training. Trout stocking dates are posted; Delaware Canal will not be stocked this year. Phase one of bass habit improvement work is complete at Lake Nockamixon.

  • Public Relations
    William Baldwin

    Ready to release PR letter for new clubhouse once building drawings are available for inclusion. 

    There has been some confusion with process for new members, some mistaking the interview process with the orientation process. New members must be voted in prior to taking the orientation class and shooting qualification. The Membership committee will issue red cards to be used by the new member for a one (1) year probationary period which upon completion they will be sent their permanent card.

  • Grounds
    Gary Erbe

    Spring clean up the Saturday March 28th – day before the Ham Shoot.

  • Work Parties

    April 19 for the removal of the “Tree of Heaven” grove by the large rock pile near the pond. This work is recommended by Natural Lands Trust as this tree is non native and very invasive and damaging to native species of trees.

  • 50/50 and Membership Drawings

    Two (2) Prizes were handed out in the 50/50 drawing and the member drawn in the membership drawing was not present, next month will be worth $20.00.