The Outdoor Message, September 2013

SEP 2013 VOL. 34 NO. 8

$2 Archery - Boating - Fishing - Highpower - Hunting - Pin & Plate - Pistol Shooting - Trap - Skeet - Smallbore - Sporting Clays

3P Air Rifle Championships

by Todd May

The CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) coordinated three nationally sanctioned 3 position Air Rifle championships between the NRA, USA Shooting and CMP this past July at it's center in Anniston, Alabama. In order to be able to attend this championship event, teams from across the country had to qualify in one of several matches held locally or regionally. Junior Team Members from Massachusetts qualified previously through NRA Sectionals, State CMP Junior Olympic Qualifier, or CMP Regional Qualifier. Only the top 14, five person teams from each of the qualifying events or top 5 individual qualifiers would be able to attend and compete. So you can see, before the championships even started they are tough to get into.

Members from Mass Rifle and Taunton Marksmanship Unit converged onto Anniston, Alabama with equipment in hand from many different directions.

They came by plane, car and caravan.

Juniors from all over the country came to the deep south to make a statement about junior rifle sports. The best came to compete and some would go home with medals and trophies and others would go home with huge smiles as they made personal bests at a very tough competition.

Day one was the NRA 3 Position Air Rifle championship and Massachusetts would not have an overall team trophy to bring home. The Taunton Marksmanship Unit of Brendan Whitaker, Beck Gerritsen, Sonya May and Mackenzie Martin would bring home a 3rd place trophy in the Junior Club Team category.

Elizabeth Marsh from Arkansas would take home the individual award.

Day two would find the competitors shooting under a different set of rules than the previous day’s NRA rules.

They would follow the CMP Rules for 3P Air. This is where there is a set sighting period and then every shooter switches to record shots at the Day Three awards at 3P Air Rifle Championships in Anniston, Alabama.

Photo by Todd May same time. This match would be the Junior Olympics 3 Position Air Rifle athletes are getting tired. Only the strong overall Team trophy and check Championship. During previous matches would survive. Shooting great but not on presentation. The Team of Frazier athletes have accumulated Excellence in top would be the two teams from Simplex from Pennsylvania would take Competition points towards their Massachusetts. There would be podium home the top spot trophy.

Distinguished Junior Air Rifle badge. This appearances for some, though. Mackenzie As a great championship came to a is a badge that can only be earned by Martin would earn a Gold Medal in the J2 close, many competitors would load up juniors in 3 position air rifle until August category. Sonya May would take a Gold their vehicles and make the trek north to 31st of their graduation year of high Medal in the J1 category. The Team from the home of shooting. Camp Perry school. Getting the Distinguished Badges Taunton Marksmanship Unit would also Smallbore 3 position and Prone weeks presented to them at the championship be back on the podium for a 3rd Place were about to start... ★ match was Verne Conant and Nick Frenzo from Mass Rifle. Also making a podium appearance was Liana Squeglia receiving a 3rd place medal in the J3 category.

From the Taunton Marksmanship Unit, Sonya May would earn a Gold Medal in the J1 category.

Day three would be the CMP Championship following the same rules as the previous day. By now

Junior shooters (from left) MacKenzie Martin, Beck Gerritsen, Ruby Gomes, Tyler LeFebvre, Brendan Whitaker, Randy Woodward.

Photo by Sid Martin

Local Juniors Participate at PPP Events

by Sara Macaulay

USA Shooting's 2013 Progressive-Position Pistol National Championships concluded after two days of intense competition this past July at dual venues, Ft. Benning in GA and the Olympic Training Center in CO. Intended to introduce young athletes to competitive pistol target shooting, the ProgressivePosition Pistol Program is a developmental program that focuses on reaching kids at a younger age while teaching safety in competitive shooting. Youth involvement and development in the pistol discipline is a primary goal of USA Shooting to help create greater participation within the sport and to ultimately

increase the quality and depth of our future Olympic pistol athletes.

Shown in the photo at left are six of the seven junior air pistol shooters who represented Massachusetts at the Ft. Benning venue. (Standing left to right) Kevin Bennett, Vladlen Vronsky (kneeling left to right) Michael Shpits, Steven Kwan and (lying left to right) Emme Ostrander and Isabel Macaulay. Not pictured is Caroline Harmon.

The team of Kevin Bennett, Isabel Macaulay and Vladlen Vronsky earned a team bronze for Massachusetts with a combined score of 2098. ★

An Introduction to MARGO: MA Responsible Gun Owners, a new

Massachusetts-based gun-rights activist organization

Early this year, post-Newtown, politicians and the media led a misdirected firestorm of criticism of guns and gun owners.

Misinformation campaigns about “automatic weapons”, “assault weapons” and “high-capacity magazines,” etc., was all around. Eventual MARGO founders Bruce Blessington and Rick Swasey, who knew one another as firearms instructors and charter members of New Englandbased SAFE (the Shooting and Firearms Education network of committed instructors), talked about creating some educational materials to provide to legislators, the media and anyone else who might want solid, truthful information about such things. After Gov. Patrick filed H 47 (calling for 7 round magazine limits, etc.) and other legislators filed over 50 more bills, it became obvious that we would need to do more.

The legislative committee responsible for vetting the bills is the MA Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. Joint Chairmen Representative Naughton and Senator

Timilty wisely, we think, chose to hold a series of five public hearings before making recommendations - as opposed to the actions of states like New York which rushed to pass lightly-considered and legislation. Once this was announced, we shifted our focus to analyzing the bills and creating commentary and recommendations. The result is over 50 pages, which we compiled in notebook form, and delivered to each Committee member at the first public hearing. We also delivered testimony, which is limited to three minutes per speaker—a tough way to comment on the merits or problems related to an individual bill that can be more than 30 pages long.

Offering brief Committee testimony did not seem sufficient - especially since we felt we weren’t hearing ample testimony from other groups, except for those on the other side - we began to form MARGO in our minds. Even the 50 pages of notebook material we delivered wouldn’t be enough if it isn’t read or if a legislator isn’t open to our ideas. We needed to begin directly calling on the legislators, and forming a group would be very helpful. It struck us that when Massachusetts was founded gun ownership was likely 100% of

The final winning target in the Massachusetts Shooters Foundation offhand contest was submitted by 17 year old Mark Vicik of Maspenock Rod & Gun Club. Congratulations to Mark, and those who have shot winning targets over the past six months. Thanks to everyone who participated! We look forward to seeing you at the Awards Banquet on October 19th! To reserve your banquet ticket, use the form on page 13.

THE

Outdoor Message New England’s most active outdoor people

The Outdoor Message (USPS 790-980, ISSN 027-8053) is published monthly by the Outdoor Message Cooperative, Inc., 37 Pierce Street, Northborough, MA 01532.

Periodicals postage is paid at Northborough, MA and at additional mailing offices. A subscription to The Outdoor Message is available through membership in one of the member groups, through single subscriptions by postal mail for $10 annually or via electronic means for $6 annually.

Permission is hereby granted to reprint material in this publication that does not contain a byline as long as credit is given to The Outdoor Message. Written permission must be obtained from the author to reprint articles with a byline.

Publisher: Michael D. Yacino Editor: Michelle Yacino Siudut

MEMBER GROUPS: Rhode Island Rifle & Revolver Association, Holyoke Revolver Club, The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation, Maspenock Rod & Gun Club, South Fitchburg Hunting & Fishing Club, Independent Sportsmen’s Club, Standish Sportsman’s Association, Hanson Rod & Gun Club, Wrentham Sportsmen’s Association, Woodville Rod & Gun Club, Cape Cod Fish & Game Association, Uxbridge Rod & Gun Club, Ayer Gun and Sportsmen’s Club, Fitchburg Sporsmen’s Club and Barre Sportsmen’s Club.

households. Now, only about 4.4% of the population holds a firearms license and we need to fight hard to keep ourselves from being made extinct.

Hence, in early July we founded MARGO. We established our email: MassRGO@gmail.com.

On our website, <www.MassRGO.org>, we’ve posted our cover letter, Principles, original informational slides, our Comments on Gun Legislation (both by bill number and key provisions) and our Public Hearing updates and testimony.

Historically we know that many Massachusetts Responsible Gun Owners may not care much for politics and politicians and would rather just be left alone to pursue their enjoyment of guns.

Unfortunately, the onerous provisions presented in the many pieces of proposed MA legislation could greatly restrict and even prohibit many of the freedoms we now enjoy in our ownership of firearms.

Like it or not, if we are going to be successful in fighting this legislation, we also have to be involved in the political process.

If you’re a Massachusetts gun owner, what can you do?

Two things: first, you can visit our website. Peruse the materials, especially our recommendations in our legislative comments and our Public Hearing Testimony, which in every case was submitted to be part of the official record.

If what we say makes sense to you, send us your name, email and the town or city in which you live (for the purpose of knowing which Legislator represents

you). We’ll keep you posted via our Update emails.

The second and more important thing you can do is to follow this link <https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Jo int/j22> to visit the Joint Committee on Public Safety & Homeland Security website. See which legislators are on the Committee, and click on the Bills in Committee tab to gain an appreciation for the enormity of the task before us - over 50 pieces of legislation, many of them hostile to the interests of MA Responsible Gun Owners. (You can download any bills from there, too.) We recommend studying the bills, then CALL (someone has to answer the phone) and write or email to briefly and respectfully declare your support or opposition to a particular bill (by number) and why.

You can also visit the search page <https://malegislature.gov/People/Search > where you can find the contact info for your Representative and Senator.

Thank you for allowing us to introduce you to MARGO, “MA Homeland Security Since 1620.”

The last Public Hearing will be held at the Massachusetts State House (24 Beacon St., Boston) on Friday, September 13th at 10:00 AM in the Gardner Auditorium. We hope to see you there, and, when all of this is over, we hope to see you at the range. Stay safe! ★

Emery Loiselle of Burlington MA has been involved with archery for 80 years. During those years, he has been shooting archery, teaching archery, writing about archery and creating innovative archery products. Emery has passed up his dream of shooting in the National Senior Games the last two years to stay home and care for his wife Eileen, stricken with cancer and a stroke. Sadly, Eileen passed away. Emery’s grandson Paul and his friend Kerlley accompanied Emery to Cleveland in July, where he was able to compete.

In the Games, archers are put in disciplines according to equipment type, shooting style, and 5-year age groups. Emery was in Compound Release 90 to 94 age group.

There was a full game each day (30 arrows at each of three distances: 60, 50, and 40 yards, a total of 90 scoring arrows and several practice arrows per day).

Although Emery was suffering from a cold, he started with an early lead and was able to earn the Gold! After returning home Emery learned his score had broken the all-time record. The results for his age group was: 1st LOISELLE, EMERY MA 1047 2nd NORTHCUTT, CAROL OK 985 3rd EDWARDS, CHARLES VA 945 Congratulations, Emery! To learn more about the National Senior Games or whether your state offers local events, visit <http://www.nsga.com>

The editorials and articles appearing in this paper do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of all subscribers or contributors. Although sportsmen, in general, support each others views, they may occasionally differ over certain controversial issues. Each group’s articles reflect that group’s own position.

POSTMASTER: Please send address corrections to Northborough, MA 01532.

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To request advertising information or to submit materials to The Outdoor Message mail to 37 Pierce Street, PO Box 306 Northborough MA 01532; phone 603-642-4628; fax 603-6424327; e-mail editor@theoutdoormessage.com. Information is available at www.theoutdoormessage.com.

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September 2013

2013 Mass Junior Camp Session

by Brian Bastarache, Camp Director

data Ken Howard created a Warm Water questionnaire Fishing Optional Activity to compliment indicate that the campers the Cold Water Fishing Optional enjoyed the MJCC and Programs lead by Michael Lamontagne. learned a lot. As in years The Warm Water Activity included a day past, the shooting sports of canoeing to the far side of Scout Pond. were the most highly Life Guard Nancy Santoro accompanied rated activities followed this activity. Campers caught large yellow by Fire Management and perch and pickerel. Ken visited the Forestry.

At the end of each campers’ sites on subsequent evenings This is “D” group, one of six groups of campers. and taught the campers how to clean and Camp session, staff chooses Super Campers, cook their catch.

MacLagan. Our health officer is EMT Retired EPO Major Tom Riccardi who are invited to return the following year. The Super Kyle Meservey. We owe the success of returned this year Campers for 2014 are this camp to them. All staff members with several of the Tyler Martin, Lorenzo showed initiative and exemplified raptors he raises, Karra, Will Ingram teamwork. allowing up close and Jill Duval.

I’d like to thank the expertise of our opportunity with I would like to take cook staff, led by professional chef Mark owls, hawks, this opportunity to Crosby. Thanks to the many volunteers falcons and even an thank our amazing such as Conway Police Chief Ken eagle. Peter Mirick, staff of counselors and Ouimette who assist during various editor of Mass instructors. Archery is segments throughout camp.

Wildlife, engaged taught by certified I would also like to thank the officers campers with his instructors Shiana from the Department of Environmental e x t e n s i v e Trimboli and Caralyn Law Enforcement, the Department of knowledge on the Backman who is Conservation and Recreation and biology of wildlife. active in national MassWildlife who lead the Hunter Nearly three competitions.

The Education, Fire Management, quarters of the shotgun portion is Map/Compass, Plants, Forestry and 2013 campers Smiles were a constant at the archery facilitated by Wildlife Management portions of our (73%) competed in (above) and rifle (below) ranges. program. at least one of the Combined with the evening sessions three shooting sports competitions and and the uniqueness of our optionals, the one quarter (25%) qualified for more than camp is heavily sought after by parents one competition. statewide. 95% of the 2013 campers Ninety eight campers (86%) would recommend MJCC to their friends. participated in the 2013 Information Although parents are welcome to Contest and produced an average score of enroll their child, I would like to mention 85% - a solid B grade. This data shows that many of the youngsters come from that campers are not only sponsorships by garden clubs as well as learning, but retaining rod and gun clubs interested in providing information presented the quality learning experience the Camp over the two-week camp provides. Organizations who have program. The high scorers sponsored campers over the years are for the Info Contest, with fairly consistent, and with the camp cost 93.1%, was C2 comprised nationally certified training counselor Jon of $650 for the two weeks, demand for of Jeff Hoffman, Matt Green and Junior Trap Champion Adam those sponsorships is high.

Hoffman, John McCabe, Preston. 22 year regional school teacher Reservations for the 2014 camp Seth Tinker and Jake Michael LaMontagne, and his 28 year Camp personnel review policies before campers arrive. session open in January. Watch this space Topham. Second place technical high school teacher assistant or keep an eye on our website There are a variety of night programs with a score of 91.95% were Cody Jean, Ken Howard cover the fishing sessions. <www.juniorconservationcamp.org> for presented by experts in several related Robert Lambert, Jeff Mercer and Alex Rifle shooting is led by Coach Michael Yacino and Certified Instructor Sarah deadlines. ★ fields. Brian Guerin and Walt Tynan gave Reggio. a Field to Table presentation which At the end of camp, campers were included fire building, cleaning/preparing asked to complete a questionnaire about The and cooking. their experience. Analysis of the 114 campers completed the 65th session of the Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp in August. The camp is a two-week session currently held at Chesterfield Boy Scout Reservation (Chesterfield, MA).

This was the best group of campers we have had since my tenure as Director.

Campers are kept quite busy, with courses on Boat Safety, Archery, Fishing, Rifle, Shotgun, Primitive Firearms, Camping, Fire Management, First Aid, Forestry, Map/Compass, Plants, Wildlife Management as well as the 14-hour Hunter Education Program.

Outside of those scheduled subjects which every camper attends, they also have the choice of attending several optional topics which include 3Position smallbore rifle, hiking, boating, off-site fishing, sporting clays, bow hunter education, handgun shooting and field to table cooking.

Campers participate in a lengthy review Quiz, Competitions as they qualify and enjoy plenty of Swim time.

With limitations of time, staff and finances, the Camp can take a maximum of 120 campers each session, and they are not allowed to repeat. We divide the 120 into 6 groups of 20, traditionally five male and one female group. Campers sleep in two person platform tents on bunked mattresses.

Each group is supervised by a senior and junior counselor. All counselors are screened and chosen for their knowledge in certain areas of our program so that the nightly “campfires” encourage forums for discussion about the day’s events.

THIS MONTH in

~ 2013 Mass Junior Camp Sponsors ~

Every year a good majority or our campers attend the two week Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp session at no cost to them. These campers are instead sponsored by clubs, memorials or individuals, most of which have been sponsoring campers for years! We would like to personally thank these sponsors for all they do in keeping our youth active in outdoor sports! The following is a list of 2013 camp sponsors: Rumford Hunting & Fishing Club, Harvard Sportsmen's Club, Worcester County League of Sportsmen, North Worcester County Quabbin Anglers, Stony Brook Fish & Game, Auburn Sportsman's Club, Mass Beach Buggy Association, Gun Owners' Action League, Fitchburg Sportsmen's Club, Cedar Gun Club, Concord Rod & Gun Club, Lenox Sportsmen's Club, Wankinquah Rod & Gun Club, Hubbardston Rod & Gun Club, Fin, Fur & Feather Club, Worthington Rod & Gun Club, Woburn Sportsmen's Association, Eight Point Sportsman's Club, Shirley Rod & Gun Club, Martha's Vineyard Rod & Gun Club, Wrentham Sportsman's Club, Southeastern Mass Charpter of Trout Unlimited, Bristol County League of Sportsmen, Woodville Rod & Gun Club, Greg Montalbano Memorial Fund, Nauset Rod & Gun Club,

September 2013

Fall River Rod & Gun Club, Easthampton Rod & Gun Club, Fairview Sportsman's Fish & Game Association, Brewster Sportsman's & Civic Club, Singletary Rod & Gun Club, Hanson Rod & Gun Club, Tyngsboro Sportsmen's Club, Nimrod League of Holden, Turners Falls Rod & Gun Club, Cape Cod Fish & Game, Mahar Fish & Game Club, Townsend Rod & Gun Club, Monument Beach Sportsman's Club, Mansfield Fish & Game, Standish Sportsman, Canal Sportsman's Club, Otis Fish & Game Club, Norwottuck Fish & Game, Danvers Fish & Game Club, Black Patch Muzzle Loaders, Falmouth Rod & Gun Club, Berkshire County League of Sportsman, Essex County Sportsmen's, Jed Jackman Memorial Fund, Stream and Forest Club of Boston Globe, Midway Trap & Skeet Club, Composite Company, Inc., Somerset Sportsman's, Quabbin Fishermen's Association, Holliston Sportsmen's Club, Ellen Lash & Rob, Holbrook Sportsmen's Club, Medfield Sportsmen's Club, Walpole Sportsman's and Franklin Rod & Gun. If your child was generously sponsored by one of these sponsors, please have them take a few minutes to send their sponsor a thank you note and have them share their camp experience. ★ The

SP EC IAL A RTI CLES

Outdoor Message

2013 Junior Camp Session . . . . . . . .Page 3 2013 Junior Camp Sponsors . . . . . . .Page 3 An Introduction to MARGO: MA Responsible Gun Owners . . . . . . .Page 2 Federal Harvest Information Program .Page 10 Hudson Junior Rifle Team Wants New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4 Hunting for the Hungry . . . . . . . . . .Page 4 Hunting and Fishing Excise Taxes . .Page 7

Junior Rifle Clinic at Hudson Fish and Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 5 Martha’s Vineyard R&G News . . . . .Page 7 Participation in Outdoor Recreation Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4 Products to Attract Women . . . . . . . .Page 9 Selecting the Right Gun for Teaching a New Shooter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 8 Special Election Reminders . . . . . . .Page 10

Classifieds ..........................................Page 23 CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection News..............................Page 12 Gun Owners’ Buyers Guide...............Page 13 Hap’s Corner ......................................Page 5 Hipshots & Hangfires ........................Page 6 Hunting Around New England ..........Page 10 In Pop’s Pantry...................................Page 9 Just an Opinion ..................................Page 6 Maine Fish & Game Department News ...............................................Page 11

MassWildlife News............................Page 11 News from Around the Nation ..........Page 5 NH Fish & Game Department News.Page 12 Notes from the Little Cabin...............Page 9 RI Department of Environmental Management News .........................Page 12 The Legislative Docket......................Page 7 Sportsman’s Calendar ........................Page 25 Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department News ...........................Page 12 What’s In America’s Backyard? ........Page 8

Ayer Gun & Sportsmen's Club . . . . .Page 14 Barre Sportsmen’s Club . . . . . . . . . .Page 19 Cape Cod Fish & Game Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 24 Fitchburg Sportsmen’s Club . . . . . . .Page 23 Hanson Rod & Gun Club . . . . . . . . .Page 15 Holyoke Revolver Club . . . . . . . . . .Page 22 Independent Sportsmen’s Club . . . . .Page 17 Maspenock Rod & Gun Club . . . . . .Page 18 Rhode Island State Rifle & Revolver

Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 16 South Fitchburg Hunting & Fishing Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 20 Standish Sportsman’s Association . .Page 21 The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 13 Uxbridge Rod & Gun Club . . . . . . . .Page 25 Woodville Rod & Gun Club . . . . . . .Page 20 Wrentham Sportsmen’s Association .Page 28

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The Hudson Junior Rifle Team Wants New Members

The Hudson Fish and Game Club, NH Junior Rifle Team has SIX openings available for juniors, age 12 or more, for the upcoming year. This is a competitive paper target shooting program. The new members become part of the Team who currently hold individual and team State and National titles.

Rifle is an Olympic sport. New members will be trained for smallbore .22 rifle and precision air rifle competition in this style. We will teach 3 Position competitive rifle from the beginning using

NRA programs and materials. Coaching staff includes 6 NRA Certified Rifle Coaches and two additional coaches with years of match experience. No previous rifle experience is necessary. All you need is a desire to shoot and a desire to compete.

Once basic marksmanship skills are learned, new shooters will participate in both indoor and outdoor match competition. Travel to other states is expected but is within New England in most cases.

Participation in outdoor recreation reached a six-year high in 2012 with nearly 50 percent of Americans ages six and older taking part in at least one of the 43 outdoor activities included in the report. This percentage equates to 141.9 million American outdoor participants, reflecting an increase of nearly a million people compared to 2011. In addition, outdoor participants were more active in 2012 than in past years, taking an average of 87.4 outdoor outings per participant for a total 12.4 billion outings. Overall, more Americans participated in outdoor recreation in 2012 than in any year since The Outdoor Foundation began measuring participation six years ago, perhaps signaling a move toward

healthier, more active lifestyles.

These findings are part of The Outdoor Foundation's 2013 Outdoor Recreation Participation Topline Report, the leading report tracking American participation trends in outdoor recreation with a focus on youth, young adults, diversity and the future of the outdoors.

Participation rates by age remained consistent in most categories from 2011 to 2012 — a testament to the resilience of outdoor participation in uncertain economic times.

Participation rates among younger generations remained steady yet are still significantly lower than they were in 2006. Young participants are also less

The Hudson Junior Rifle Team will supply the .22 rifle and basic equipment for the beginning marksman. Some parental involvement may be needed (match transportation, occasional help during practice, etc.). The only cost for the beginner is a monthly membership fee of only $25.

Practices will be at the Hudson Fish and Game Club on Wednesday or Thursday nights 6 – 9 PM beginning in mid September. A two-night rifle clinic will also be held before the beginning of

September. The clinic is a great way to learn about our rifle program.

Please contact HJRT Director Bill Dutton at bill@williamdutton.com or 617-594-2194 for more information. ★

diverse than the nation’s population as a whole. In 2012, 71 percent of youth and young adult participants were nonHispanic Caucasian – not reflective of the nations increasingly diverse population.

“We are greatly encouraged by the growing number of people getting outside,” said Chris Fanning, executive director of The Outdoor Foundation.

“Moving forward, a continued growth strategy focused on today’s youth and future generations of outdoor participants is critical to reconnecting Americans with

nature and healthier lifestyles.”

When averaging the year-toyear changes in participation for specific outdoor activities over the past three years, multisport activities, such as triathlons and adventure racing, have experienced the largest average annual increases in participation. Activities such as downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, camping, RV camping, and rafting have all experienced the largest average annual decreases.

The report is based on an online survey of more than 42,000 Americans ages six and older and covers over 40 different activities, making it the largest survey of its kind.

To download a complete copy of the 2013 Outdoor Recreation Topline Participation Report, visit The Outdoor Foundation website at <http://www. outdoorfoundation.org/research>. ★

Participation in Outdoor Recreation Activities Reaches Highest Level in Six Years

Hunting For The Hungry

by Michelle Y. Siudut, Editor

The CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) coordinated three nationally sanctioned 3 position Air Rifle championships between the NRA, USA Shooting and CMP in Anniston, Alabama in July. Above, Mike Theimer from USA Shooting congratulates Lianna Squeglia during the Day 2 award ceremony.

At left, Elizabeth Marsh from Arkansas receives Day one individual award from NRA President James W. Porter, II. Photos by Todd May, May’s Photography

Big game hunting seasons begin this month across the region. As you fill your own freezers, you may want to consider sharing some of your harvest with those who are less fortunate.

Hunters have been donating game meat for many years. Although the process and the recipient varies from state to state, most states do offer an opportunity for hunters to give back to the community in this way. As you know, with its leaner meat and high protein, it doesn’t get any healthier than fresh game!

In New Hampshire, you have a few options of where to take your game meat donation. The N.H. Food Bank <www.nhfoodbank.org> accepts whole or processed game. The NH Food Bank distributes to more than 350 food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and group homes throughout the state. The program offers packaging instructions and will even pick up your meat donation. To donate game, call Kaytlynn Brewster at the N.H. Food Bank: 603-669-9725, x240. If you’re donating a whole deer, you can bring it to Lemay & Sons Beef in Goffstown, NH (603-622-0022), and they will process it for the food bank at no

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charge to the hunter.

The New Horizons Food Bank in Manchester NH also accepts game donations to help feed the hungry. To donate game meat to New Horizons, contact Mike Tessier, Executive Director, at 603-628-6133, ext 114. New Horizons is located at 199 Manchester Street, Manchester NH 03105.

In Maine, Hunters for the Hungry is a cooperative program between The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) within The Department of Agriculture. This program provides a means for hunters to donate all or a portion of their hunt to a family in need. Those wishing for more information on this program may call toll free 1-8884DEER-ME (207-433-3763) or visit: <http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/co/tef ap/index.html>.

In Connecticut, the Hunt To Feed <www.hunttofeed.com> program will accept both financial and meat (whole or part) donations. If you donate your entire deer, you can bring it to one of several processors who will process the animal at no charge to the hunter. Check the website to find those locations.

Not every state has a dedicated collection point. If your state doesn’t have such a program, perhaps there is one in a state close by. Here are a couple of good resources to check: <http://hunters.nra.org/hunters-for-thehungry-information-clearinghouse.aspx> <http://www.thesportsmanchannel.co m/huntfishfeed/>. Click on “Find and Help a local organization by donating meat” and it will show a US map. You can then click on each state to find out what opportunities are available. ★ September 2013

News From Around the Nation NSSF'S 'Where To Shoot' App For those technies out there, always interested in finding the next great app, have you scored “Where to Shoot”? NSSF introduced the app in July, and within a week it was No 4 on the Apple App Store’s list of free sports apps. You can download the free app from <wheretoshoot.org/iOS> or <wheretoshoot.org/Android> on your mobile device. If you have a shooting range, you can add your location through <wheretoshoot.org>.

Coast Guard Academy Hires First FullTime Shooting Coach...

For the first time in its history, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. has hired its first full-time shooting sports coach. Richard Hawkins, former coach of a three-time U.S. National Shooting Team Championship winning team, has been appointed to the position.

In addition to coaching, Hawkins has written many articles and has conducted multiple shooting sports-related research projects that have been published in

scientific journals.

New Promoter for SHOT Show...

You may recall Reed Exhibitions, promoter of the Harrisburg PA Sportsmens and outdoor show, banned what they termed “military style rifles” from the show, which was to be held in February. When numerous exhibitors and attendees boycotted the decision, the show was ultimately cancelled.

Reed has also been the promoter of the SHOT Show, the industry’s largest venue

for new products. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) “fired” Reed and has awarded Freeman the service contract starting in 2014. "In this period of transition, our goal is to maintain continuity for our customers to help make their SHOT Show experience the best it can possibly be. Our new agreement with Freeman provides that continuity and continues to deliver best-in-class services to our exhibitors," said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and chief marketing officer. ★

by Hap Rocketto The last prone match that most folks in the New England area shoot before departing for Perry is the Bell City Rifle Club Metric Prone Regional. The match precedes the National Championships by a week or so and usually falls on the second or third weekend of July.

By happenstance some 85 years or so before this year’s match, Ernest Hemingway and some friends attended the Fiesta de San Fermin in Pamplona, Spain. The festival is a celebration of the patron saint of the Basque region of Navarre, of which Pamplona is capitol.

After a week of overindulgence in food, wine and bull fighting Hemingway followed his writing dictum in which he stated that, “My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way.” The end result was The Sun Also Rises. While not one of my favorite Hemingway works, my choices being The Old Man and the Sea and For Whom the Bells Toll, it was the work that first gave the world a view of his lean and athletic writing style, launched his career, and made the running of the bulls a required stop on any self respecting adventurer’s itinerary.

As strange as that may sound, July events scheduled at both Pamplona and Bell City have something in common besides the dates - and it is the bulls.

In Pamplona spectators peer from the

balconies overlooking Estafeta Street each morning during the second week in July and eagerly await the encierro, or the running of the bulls. Daily, for that week, six fighting bulls, as well as six bullocks, run about a half of a mile from a holding pen to the Plaza de Toros de Pamplona, where they will fight that same afternoon.

Running amidst the bulls will be several hundred young men out to prove their machismo.

In order to participate in this event one must be 18 years old, run in the same direction as the bulls, do nothing to incite the bulls, and not be under the influence of alcohol. The first three make a lot of sense but I really wonder why anyone in a sober state would even think of dashing down a half mile of cobblestone street dodging six tons of excited, jumpy and possibly angry, pot roast.

The Pamplona website warns possible participants, in a rather wry and understated announcement, that, “Not everyone can run the encierro. It requires cool nerves, quick reflexes and a good level of physical fitness. Anyone who does not have these three should not take part; it is a highly risky enterprise.”

The runners, dressed all in white with red sashes or bandanas, carrying rolled up newspapers for some unknown reason, assemble at the gates of the holding corral to wisely ask for the protection of the

Patron Saint by three times chanting “We ask San Fermín, being our patron saint, to guide us in the bull run and give us his blessing” before a small statue of the saint. Just as there are no atheists in foxholes, there are also none in the streets of Pamplona during the running of the bulls.

At eight o’clock a rocket is shot into the air to announce that the bulls have been released, as if the sight and sound of 12 snorting bovines wouldn’t be enough, and with that the melee and mayhem begins.

About three or four minutes later another rocket is launched to signal that the bulls are in their pens at the Plaza and the running has concluded. Well, except for the 50 or so runners each day who hobble, or are carried, off to the local hospital to attend to various cuts, bruises, contusions, and sprains which daily attend this event. The rest of the crowd will be off to a local bistro for three fingers of a liquid bracer, breakfast and to brag on

their bravado.

Now, you ask, “What has all this adventure in Spain got to do with a prone match in rural Connecticut?” As I said earlier, it is the bulls. While the Pamplona runners face six bulls just once, a rifleman on the line at Bell City must stare down 18 each day for two days, 27 if you count the sighter bulls.

The metric target being what it is, and the conditions at Bell City being what they are, it takes a lot of - as the Pamplona website said - “cool nerves, quick reflexes and a good level of physical fitness” to lie there wrapped in sweatshirt and shooting jacket, stock still, in the heat and humidity of a July afternoon facing down those bulls.

However, from time to time, after taking a long hard look at the score board, I have wondered if I might not have been better off if I had just swapped my leather shooting coat, sweat shirt and rifle for a white shirt and trousers, red sash and a rolled up newspaper. ★

Hap’s Corner: Bell City And Pamplona...

Junior Rifle Clinic Hudson Fish and Game The Hudson Fish and Game Club Junior Rifle Team will be holding a 2 day smallbore rifle clinic for ages 8 to 18.

Spots are limited so sign up early (limit 14 people).

Wednesday September 4th and Thursday September 5th, from 6pm to 9pm.

The clinic will cover firearms safety and marksmanship.

Day one of the clinic (approximately 3 hours) 1. Introduction to firearms.

2. Safety instruction.

Have You Moved?

3. Video on smallbore marksmanship.

4. Live fire training.

rifle

Day two of the clinic (approx 3 hours) 1. Review of firearm safety rules.

2. Live fire training.

3. A live fire fun match.

4. Awards.

Awards: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place plaque awards for match champion. A certificate of completion for all juniors in attendance of both days of the clinic.

Rifles and other equipment will be provided by the Hudson Fish and Game Junior Rifle Team. There will be a $5 fee per junior to cover the cost of ammunition and awards.

HARD WORK PAYS OFF! Contact Bill Dutton (bill@williamdutton.com or 617-5942194) ★

If you have recently moved, please be sure to send your new address to The O. You can mail a change to PO Box 306, Northborough MA 01532. If you want to update your address by phone, call 603-642-4628. You may also email the information to editor@theoutdoormessage.com We don’t want you to miss a single issue! ★ September 2013

The

Outdoor Message

Page 5

Just An Opinion: A Different Look at Violence

by Paul J. Kress

In his article “Facing the Real Gun Problem,” (The New York Review, June 20, 2013) David Cole seems to travel the well-beaten path, writing, “If we are to break the logjam about gun violence in the United States, the first step is to pay attention to the mayhem that occurs around us.” In great detail, he describes

this “mayhem” specifically as violence where guns are used.

Then abruptly he changes focus from the cliché of “gun control” to a much broader examination of the causes of violence, along with a different look at gun ownership. He recommends that we understand and respect the concerns of

Hipshots & Hangfires

by Mike Yacino

I can’t believe summer has come to a close because all that sun shouldn’t be going away just yet. But hunting and deep sea fishing is just around the corner so all will soon be right in the world.

Let’s start at the end of my column so I don’t forget my Duck Dynasty pal Gerry Lemire who will be celebrating his 61st birthday on the 30th of this month. He has constantly been involved helping young people get active in hunting throughout the northeast and gives untold amounts of money to those who need help. Don Kusser is another huge supporter of juniors, and checks in a little younger by three years on the 17th of the month, Constitution Day. The Marines’ main man at Camp Lejeune Caleb MacLagan, is one step away from the big 3-0 on the 15th, my nurse Dawn Yacino who has to remain at 39 will take a break from the doldrums of life to celebrate her big day on the 11th, and Paul Kress who helped sportsmen for most of his 92 years will tackle all those candles on the 3rd.

There are a bunch of stories that need to be told about the 2013 Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp session but from my view these two are priceless. The first is about Laura Dowd (photo k).

There is shooting competition in the Dowd family but for Laura she waited until she met Sarah MacLagan and I to show the world what she had. Never having shot a .22 rifle before, she came to us with no pre-conceived notions and especially no bad habits. She listened, tried all the techniques she was shown, and in the end shot a 90 out of 100, the highest single target of the camp. Her enthusiasm inspired both Sarah and I and the other campers in her group.

I’ve decided to put a few photos of my own from this year’s Mass Junior Conservation camp program as I complete one more tour of duty there.

As you see there were some awesome moments with a few of the greatest bunch of young people I have seen in recent years.

Elsewhere you will read about the thanks bestowed upon staffers and sponsors but I want to thank the 114 young men and women who made the camp a huge success for Sarah MacLagan and I on the rifle and black powder range. ✦ ✦ ✦

Then there is the family rivalry. Gianna and Paul Ferrecchia (photo u) are really high up on shooting just about anything. ✦ ✦ ✦ The pressure started when Gianna shot the camp’s best Black Powder target...a perfect 30-3x with a .50 caliber Hawkin percussion cap rifle.

Gianna also shot one of the higher scores in the prone .22 rifle category...215/300.

When Paul shot Black Powder, he was indeed feeling the pressure and came up a bit short with a 19-1x missing the pair by an ever so slight margin. But then came the .22 rifle segment and Paul was determined Sometimes you need a little help reaching your objective in life and Camp Counselor Will Collura gives a boost to one to beat his sister. In the end he shot a 218 of his group.

Terry Goode

Tues & Wed 12 to 5 pm Thurs & Fri 10 to 7 pm Sat 9 to 4 pm

Collectors Firearms & Militeria 122 Bridge Street, Unit 9 Pelham NH 03076 Page 6

603-635-9699 603-635-8443 The

legitimate gun owners and we focus our regulatory efforts almost entirely on improving background checks and gun safety programs. He writes that, “…any effort to address gun violence must also look beyond gun regulation, to the root causes of the violence.” He has a list: city

gangs, race, poverty, unemployment, broken families, drugs, and failed public education.

Cole is telling us that acts of violence are a complex, complicated problem. That there are no simple solutions. Is anyone listening to him? ★

u

and made the final 24 competitors who boots aren’t talk enough anymore.

There are people in our own ranks would go head to head in the last round.

Gianna was also in. Then came the playing off the fears of those of us not selection for the last round of afraid to defend and making good money 16 competitors and the cutoff in causes that noble as they might be, are was high. Both Paul and poorly managed. Everywhere there is Gianna would end up in the corruption and the ones who must be challenge and once again Paul forced to clean up the mess are the came in with a 168 to children who had no say in being brought Gianna’s 162. As the top shots here. I wish them luck.

We need a culture change were in the 170s, neither Ferrecchia won a medal but BACKWARDS to the days when neighbors helped neighbors and didn’t they and Laura made such great campers both Sarah and have a hand out all the time. If we can get I will always remember what there the country stands a chance….slim as it may be. a treat it was to work with them.

As for overall shooting awards, the top 3 in Black Powder were Gianna Ferrecchia, Noah Healey and Christopher Shain. In 3 Position Patrick Richard, Joe Doyle and Tom Hawkins earned the top three scores. In Rifle, the high scorers were Ben Julius, Chris Meninno and William Null. It should be noted that Ben shot a 175 to lock in First. But Chris and William were tied at 171 and we broke the tie using the last shot. Laura had shot a 170, which shows how important Cassidy Preston was the first camper to shoot each shot is.

2 Xs. Cam Dutton was the Most ✦ ✦ ✦ Improved Male and Grayce Kinney was My friend said she needed to write an the Most Improved Female. essay about today’s heroes. She chose to ✦ ✦ ✦ focus on someone all too often taken for Every month when I get my American granted…fathers.

It was a good choice.

Legion magazine I reflect on the number Fathers must shoulder the burden of of stories regarding veterans coping with providing for the family and keeping them the various diseases or afflictions caused safe.

Fathers must always take the time to by the strain of war. High drunk rates, listen to their children and share their life increasing suicides amongst both the vets themselves and members of their family, while young and impressionable or it may and of course the cost to return to a job soon be too late to play catch-up. They unlike what the military offered. I make have to stand strong against any enemy note of the lack of support by the very and defend the honor of the family. It is a government so willing to send troops to daunting task and not all will succeed but fight but so unwilling to help when they for the ones who do…this iced tea is for come back physically and mentally you!

Take a kid hunting this fall and you’ll altered forever. never be caught hunting for your kid. God What did it take to get to 2013 in Bless.

Stay safe and say a prayer for those America? How many sacrifices were who dedicate their lives to helping others, made and by what number of Americans especially those working to end the and their allies so we could call ourselves horrors of human trafficking. free? When I see the actions of those in One last thing... “Elhew Shooting Star” power to tap our phones, tell us what we passed away on August 8, 2013 at the age can eat, where we can go and for how of 13 years, 3 months and 3 days. She was long and with what and whom, and then the best companion I ever had and I say they are there to help ensure we are suspect is patiently waiting at the gate. ★ safe and have the best health care…my

k

Outdoor Message

September 2013

The Legislative Docket

by Michelle Y. Siudut, Editor Following are just a few legislative topics being discussed locally and nationally. I encourage you to utilize the numerous other resources as things can change from minute to minute. When corresponding with your legislators, or discussing the issues with those with different views, remember it’s always best to convey your message politely and respectfully.

Massachusetts’ Joint Committee on Public President John Morse and Senator Angela Safety and Homeland Security has been Giron. More than 16,000 signatures (more holding hearings around the state, offering than double the amount needed) were the public the opportunity to testify on submitted to the Secretary of State’s more than 50 firearms-related proposals office. The recall effort is simply a matter currently before that state’s legislature. of adequate representation. A great Hearings have been held in Worcester, on number of citizens feel that Sen Morse Cape Cod and most recently in and Sen Giron did not accurately Springfield. There is one more hearing represent their constituents when they planned at the State House, on September helped pass strict gun-control legislation 14th in Gardner Auditorium, at 10 am. earlier this year, and that they should be If you do not wish to speak at the removed from office. A recall election has hearing, you may attend to present written been scheduled for September 10. Voting testimony and offer your presence as a by mail will NOT be allowed, so activists sign of support to other gun owners in the in that state must get themselves to the audience. polls.

Pro-Second Amendment supporters *** have been in high attendance at these The Connecticut State Police have hearings, opposing reactionary anti-gun posted a FAQ sheet on their website to legislation that doesn’t focus on criminals, address some of the questions dealing but rather is aimed at further restricting with the implementation and law-abiding citizens. interpretation of the extensive gun laws *** passed earlier this year. Retailers and all You’ve probably heard the news that firearms owners should take some time to citizens in Colorado have succeeded in become familiar with the information in scheduling recall elections for Senate the document. You can view the fact sheet

Martha’s Vineyard R&G News Klays for Kids 2013 Winner Charity Skeet Shoot Dick Carlson from Oak Bluffs has maintained his title by winning the 2013, 16th Annual Klays for Kids Charity Skeet Shoot at the Martha’s Vineyard Rod & Gun Club. This fun, annual event contested under ideal but HOT weather conditions, which benefits the club’s three projects for Island kids, was held in July at the club’s skeet range.

Dick bested other skeet shooters to take the 1st place with a score of 48 of 50 targets in the shoot while Matt Tobin and Matt Gamache tied for second place in the

event.

Each participant shot a minimum of (2) rounds of 25 targets, but could shoot as many additional rounds as he or she wanted. The goal was for the shooters to put their two best rounds of 25 targets together for the highest score. This annual fundraiser helps raise some of our expense money for our children’s programs. Each participant paid anywhere from twenty-five cents per miss to a dollar per missed target, dependent on the shooter’s ability. Over $250.00 was collected from this year’s event.

This year’s event had some interesting moments as single targets were released on report.

This caused a slight disruption and change in tactics as targets were presented in a different sequence as in a standard round of skeet.

2013 Club Skeet Champion On Sunday the 11th of August under excellent shooting

at <http://www.ct.gov/despp/lib/despp/ slfu/faqs_06192013.pdf> Lawsuits have been filed in that state, challenging the constitutionality of the new laws. *** Illinois has become the 50th state to allow concealed carry of a firearm, overriding the Governor’s veto to make it happen. State Police have 180 days to set up the process and another 90 days to process applications. Citizens will not be allowed to apply for a concealed carry permit until January 2014. *** Carter Amendment Would End Funding For ATF Collection Of Information On Multiple Long-Gun Sales... Rep. John Carter (R-Tex.), chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, last week introduced an NSSF-supported amendment to the FY2014 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill to prohibit the use of any funds to require reporting of multiple rifle or shotgun sales. Quickly passed by the full House Appropriations Committee and included in the Commerce, Justice and Science appropriations bill, the amendment comes

Vineyard Rod & Club’s trap facilities. Participants took aim at two rounds of 25 targets, the winner; Louise breaking the greatest number of clay targets to capture this year’s title. Dick Carlson and Brian Welch, both from Oak Bluffs, took the 2nd and 3rd places, respectfully.

Competitors congratulated Louise not only for her win but also being the first club female trap shooter to take the annual club title. Good shooting and a fine ending to the day.

Louise Marx 2013 Trap Championship On a Sunday afternoon in August, under ideal shooting conditions, Louise Marx of Haverford, PA won the club’s 2013 trap championship at the Martha’s

The Club Annual Pistol Championships will be held on Saturday October 5th, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rod & Gun Club’s target range.

Members and non-members are welcome to compete. Refreshments will be available throughout the day.

A reminder, that the Annual Fall Shoot will be held at the Rod & Gun Club facilities on Sunday November 24th, 2013. This event has always been well attended as hunters prepare for the upcoming deer season. Prizes are awarded and refreshments will be made available.

Completion begins at 10 am and concludes at 3 pm. ★

rtfolio-view/hunting-and-fishing-excisetaxes-big-benefits-for-american-

business/> produced for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. ★

conditions and with a slight breeze filtering off Segekontacket Pond, Richard Carlson from Oak Bluffs captured the 2013 Rod and Gun Club’s skeet championship with a score of 47 x 50 edging out 2nd place winner Bill Damora (46 x 50) of Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey and 3rd place finisher Matt Tobin (46 x 50) of Chilmark, MA.

Hunting and Fishing Excise Taxes: Big Benefits for American Business

by Donna Leonard, Communications Director, Southwick Associates Imagine a business investment that yields many hunting, fishing and shooting a return of more than 1,000 percent. If you products as part of these restoration were to guess the industry where such a programs, monies are returned to states to return on investment (ROI) was possible, increase and improve outdoor most people would guess energy, opportunities. As a result, sportsmen and technology, defense or medical industries women have more outdoor opportunities or even that historic standby, real estate. in which to engage and ultimately spend But they would be wrong. more on products made by the same Such investments are a reality, companies who pay the tax. Between however, in the sportfishing, hunting and 1970 and 2006, excise tax collections shooting sports industries courtesy of the averaged $251 million per year with all of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration these funds invested into fish and wildlife programs. Thanks to those programs, efforts. In that same time frame, hunters hunting manufacturers have enjoyed a and shooters alone purchased an average 1,100 percent return on funds invested in of $3.1 billion in taxable outdoor items generating improved hunting per year. opportunities, while sportfishing-based For more details on how excise tax companies have witnessed an amazing investments are yielding big returns 2,157 percent. across America, check out the full report Through excise taxes collected on <http://www.southwickassociates.com/po

September 2013

The

in response to a two-year-old program that requires firearms dealers in Texas, Arizona, California and New Mexico to report to the federal government all sales of multiple rifles or shotguns made to the same buyer. (From Bullet Points Jul 22) *** Committees In Both Houses Of Congress OK Funding To FixNICS...

Growing recognition on Capitol Hill that the records gap in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) needs attention has resulted in appropriators in both the U.S. Senate and House voting for funds to be made available to the states to enter the appropriate criminal and adjudicated mental health records into the system. The House version awards $55 million, while the Senate has assigned $50 million, for this purpose. NSSF has long advocated that Congress appropriate funds to help ensure that the states that are not doing so begin the systematic entry of data on all legally prohibited persons into the NICS database. Earlier this year, NSSF substantially stepped up its advocacy activities on both the state and federal levels through the launch of its FixNICS initiative. (From Bullet Points Aug 19) ★

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Outdoor Message

Page 7

What’s In America’s Backyard?

by Sierra Taylor

Welcome back to the backyard! I hope you are excited to get back to learning about American animals after the joint issue this summer. Just like going back to school again! Well, this month, I am going to teach you about the mountain goat and the grizzly bear.

Mountain goats are herbivorous mammals that dine on grasses, woody plants, lichen and whatever other vegetation they can find. They have yellow-white fur with black horns, which are about a foot long. In males the horns are longer and used when fighting over breeding rights. On females, they are sometimes used to fight over food when it is scarce.

These goats stand 3 to 4 feet tall at the shoulder and are 4 to 6 feet in length, weighing 100200 pounds. Males (known as bucks) are considerably larger than females (known as does), about 30% larger. Mountain goats’ hooves are well adapted to climbing the rocky mountainsides of their

habitats, and their coats are specially designed to keep them warm in winter.

The mountain goat lives in the western areas of North America, in far northwestern US as well as some western parts of Canada and eastern parts of Alaska. They like to climb on mountains where they are safe from predators on the rocks.

Bucks fight over does during the breeding season, which occurs between November and January. Unlike other animals, male mountain goats don’t fight over females by butting heads.

Instead they go after each others’ flanks. Serious injury rarely occurs thanks to a thick pad of skin in this area. After breeding, the buck does not stick around but wanders off to breed with other does. Six months after mating, the doe gives birth to one or two babies, called kids. The mother will provide milk for the kids for 3 to 4 months until weaning, but they stay with the mother until she breeds

again. The kids will start their own families at about a year and a half of age. Mountain goats live 10-15 years.

Look! I just spotted one of the most well-known and feared creatures of the woods, the grizzly bear. Let me tell you a little bit about these bears.

Standing 3 to 3.5 feet tall when on all fours, grizzlies can be quite scary when they are standing on their two back feet!

From nose to rump, they measure 5 to 8.5 feet and weigh a whopping 500-700 pounds. A grizzly bear’s nose is his most important tool, providing the sense of smell. Their teeth, unlike other bears, are more suited to chew plant material than tearing flesh. A grizzly bear’s coat is shaggy and brown with a “grizzled” grayish tip, which gives the bear its name.

Grizzly bears can be seen in western areas of the US and Canada, as well as throughout the entire state of Alaska.

Males seek out females in the spring and early summer, after which the female prepares a den for hibernation. She gives

birth in January or February to between 1 and 4 cubs, with an average of 2. These cubs weigh only 1 pound at birth but grow very quickly on a diet of mom’s milk. In April or May, they start to follow her on hunting trips and begin to eat adult bear food – berries, nuts, insects, someone else’s kill or fish. Once they are a little over a year old and Mom prepares to breed again, the cubs are forced to move out and survive on their own. They start their own families at 2 or 3 years of age and live up to 25 years.

Well, we have reached the end of our animal tour. I hope you will join me next month, when we will see the muskrat and the Great Gray Owl. Until then, enjoy your backyard-watching! ★

the shooter can reach the foreend comfortably.

Simplicity of operation. For an experienced shooter, the controls of a rifle like an AR-15 become fairly intuitive. But for an absolute novice, the simplest actions are often best. The Thompson Center break-open Hot Shot is an excellent example: the breechface is easily visible for checking the gun status, and the gun has only three controls (the trigger, the loading lever and the hammer). Short and weighing in at only 3 pounds, the Hot Shot is an excellent trainer for kids as young as 5. By contrast, various repeater .22 rifles are better suited for slightly older and more experienced learners.

Reasonable levels of noise and recoil.

22LR is popular for a reason. It produces very little kick and a moderate report.

22Short is entirely acceptable for those guns that accept it, as the difference in accuracy and bullet drop won’t be an issue at the very short distances recommended for the first try. We have all seen videos of new shooters falling victim to practical jokes involving a shotgun and a magnum cartridge. The idiots who set up new shooters to fail and to have a negative first experience are as much an enemy of gun culture as the outright prohibitionists!

Don’t underestimate the psychological component to recoil — 22WMR out of a revolver might not have much kick, but the noise can startle the unprepared. Err on the side of less power and lower noise — if you can, use sound-suppressed guns for teaching.

Reasonable weight and balance. The most accurate bull barrel target rifle will

be a waste if the shooter cannot heft it.

Adults usually underestimate the great difference between their own strength and that of small children. So forget anything over about five pounds for pre-teens, unless the gun is always used from a bipod or sandbags. Bullpups are often easier to hold up, but the length of pull is excessive with most.

Trigger weight. Light triggers may sound like a safety hazard, but they are not nearly as dangerous as the heavy triggers in the hands of low-strength shooters. In order to pull a 10lb trigger on a double-action revolver, a child would likely have to push harder against the grip, leading the muzzle off target. If muzzle control becomes an issue, switch to long guns — it’s easier for the coach to arrest the untoward movement of a rifle barrel than to check a handgun pointed to the sidelines by accident.

Correct controls for the child’s preferred hand. Some rifles are equally convenient for left and right handed shooters. Falling and rolling blocks, break actions are among those, as are certain forward-ejecting bullpups. Most pump actions have ambidextrous controls and loading but eject on the right. The same is true of many lever actions. Bolt action and semi-auto guns present the greatest challenge, the first because of the awkward loading process for the opposite-handed shooters, the second due to energetic ejection right past the shooter’s face. Fortunately, left-hand firearms exist and should be used for teaching. The Army makes everyone learn right-hand M16s, but we have the luxury of customizing the firearms to the shooters. A recruit in basic training has to suck it up and shoot despite the poor fit,

but a child does not and may elect to leave the range if the experience becomes too uncomfortable.

Sights should be fitted to the kid’s preference. I’ve seen kids who could not understand the concept of peep sight alignment do fine with notch and post sights. I’ve also seen kids who could shoot great with red dots or low power scopes but got frustrated with iron sights.

My recommendation is to figure out which sights the kids like best before coming to the range, then get them zeroed ahead of time. It matters less what type of sighting they prefer at first, so long as they are comfortable with it. The purpose of the first range trip is not to only to teach the basics but to provide the most positive experience possible, ensuring enthusiasm for more range trips in the future. For the same reason, a preference should be given to shooting at short ranges, with either large, easy paper targets or reactive targets such as clays or tins. 25 and even 15 yards is a very long distance for a first-time young shooter, while starting at 3-5 yards gets them bragging rights in the form of photogenic bullseyes.

Since predicting likes and dislikes is difficult, I would suggest letting your child handle a variety of guns, either at home or at a gun store. They are likely to have much stronger preferences between different types than adults would. It’s also worth testing for eye dominance. Crosseye dominant shooters especially would have problems with iron sights and would be better served with red dots that allow shooting with both eyes open and the nondominant eye behind the gun.

- See more at: <http://www.alloutdoor. com/2013/07/08/fit-comfortmatter/#sthash.buSyKLuw.dpuf> ★

Selecting the Right Gun for Teaching a New Shooter: Fit and Comfort Matter

by Oleg Volk

Learning to shoot can be stressful even for adults. Guns can be heavy, ranges are usually noisy, and managing recoil and muzzle blast requires concentration. The learning challenge is that much greater for kids who are often much smaller than adult shooters, may lack the strength to hold up a firearm or to operate some of its controls. Add to this shorter attention span and the impressionable nature of children and the first range trip becomes a highstakes proposition for the coach. Start out wrong and the interest can quickly change to aversion. Here are the things to consider when picking out a firearm for your child’s first range trip: Length of pull, the distance from the buttplate to the trigger. If the shooter cannot reach the trigger comfortably, the contortions required to fire the gun would make it harder to manage recoil. This is where adjustable length stocks really shine! They even allow changing the length depending on the shooting position. With a fixed stock, child-length rifles like Crickett and Henry Mini Bolt are excellent. The length can be extended for older children using slip-on recoil pads. For more experienced kids, certain adult guns like M1 carbine and vz58 provide the necessary short length of pull coupled with moderate recoil. With pistols, the distance from the grip backstrap to the trigger also has to be short enough for small hands. Here, single-action revolvers and smaller handguns like the Walther P22 and Ruger SR22 win over double-action designs with longer, heavier trigger pulls. For pump-action shotguns and rifles, including the rimfire carbines, verify that

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Page 8

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Outdoor Message

70 Nemco Way Ayer, MA 01432 T: 978.772.9034 F: 978.772.3012 September 2013

Notes from the Little Cabin: Wild Kingdoms Come in All Sizes

by Paul Kress

The critters that hang out in the little garden nestled up against this apartment complex tell me that autumn has arrived.

The English sparrows meet every day to socialize. Eggs have hatched, the kids are out on their own, nests are empty. Busy days of spring and summer have passed.

Time to loaf around and eat a few bugs.

When the sun heats up the place at high noon, they gather in the shade of one of the big leafy dogwoods and discuss the state of the world.

But there is more to this little wild kingdom than a flock of sparrows. In summer the banks of flowering shrubs,

flowerbeds, and a lush strip of grass attracted a multitude of insects, which in turn drew a variety of insect eaters.

Now the bird feeders have come out of storage. It seems as if the word gets around very fast.

Every chickadee, nuthatch, titmouse, and all the other seed-loving birds in town come bringing their friends and relatives to the feast. The chipmunks grab their share.

Dashing back and forth, cheeks stuffed with good things for winter storage.

Then there have been the surprises – the one-time happenings.

Fox tracks in last winter’s first snow.

The dancer swooping and whirling, moving to music only it could hear. A fine performance. Some might say I was only watching a swallow high

above, outlined against a clear and bright blue sky, catching its lunch of mosquitoes or other flying insects. But who is to say swallows can’t dance? Besides, anything is possible in a wild kingdom.

Compared in size to the mid-west farm on which I grew up, or the land around the Little Cabin, and even the yard in suburbia, this little patch isn’t much. That doesn’t matter to a variety of wild things who see it as an oasis in a desert of buildings and concrete. A quiet place, a safe place, and above all, a place of beauty. Is there any one of us who would ask for more? ★

handguns for women, including the Smith & Wesson M&P. This year the company added pink grips for the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard, some of the Ladysmith line and the Ruger LCP. Hogue also has pearlized grips for a number of firearms, including pink pearlized grips for the Beretta 92, Browning Hi-Power and other pistols.

Shady Lady Shooting was at the SHOT Show in 2013 for the second year, with shooting accessories specifically for women. This is a company that loves pink, with fleece-lined rifle, shotgun and handgun cases in pink and pink camo, as well as elegant brocade handgun cases it calls “boudoir” cases.

Although not created specifically for women, Sticky Holsters are made without clips or other metal to snag expensive clothing or handbags, or rub painfully on tender skin. Sticky Holsters can be placed anywhere there’s compression, such as in a waistband or bag or in a jacket pocket.

Look for a garter belt system for Sticky Holsters in the next few months.

Browning. The company also offers a number of shooting vests for women, including one in brown and pink. Don’t overlook the matching pink-and-brown mesh-back shooting gloves with the Browning logo.

Women’s Combo Kit, which includes both “eyes and ears” for women. The newest thing in its women’s line is women’s eyewear, which has a tortoise frame and comes in clear or rose lenses. This eyewear is sized specifically for women, for improved fit over generic-size safety glasses.

Radians is continuing to offer the women’s products the company has been producing. New offerings include women’s ear muffs and women’s shooting glasses in both the Radians and Remington brands. The glasses are 15 percent smaller than generic shooting glasses, because that is the average size difference between men’s heads and women’s heads. Other products include a pink shooters kit with pink moldable ear plugs and pink shooting glasses.

Products to Attract Women

by Carolee Anita Boyles, The Range Report Here’s how some manufacturers are catering to women’s needs and tastes.

As the number of women coming into the shooting sports continues to increase, making your range women-friendly isn’t just good business; it’s also survival.

We’ve been saying for 20 years that women and youth are the future of the shooting sports, and now that they’re here, it’s incumbent upon range operators to make sure they stay.

What makes a range women-friendly?

Some of that is just a helpful, welcoming attitude. Some of it is having the guns and accessories that women want to shoot and use. Although some products are targeted to a female audience (pink camo and grips come to mind), some of them are simply products that are easy to use or easy to learn on.

One thing to note: Surveys indicate that not all women like pink; as a very general rule of thumb, older and experienced shooters don’t care for it, but young and new shooters often do. This is by no means absolute, but don’t assume that every woman who walks onto the range wants to shoot a pink gun or buy a pink shooting vest.

The list that follows is a selection of items that will help women feel welcome on a range. Some of them are womenspecific, and most are new; a few are tried-and-true products that women might enjoy using.

Accessories For some time, Hogue has had several pairs of grips in pink for popular

In Pop’s Pantry

Apparel Boyt Harness Company continues to offer serious shooting apparel for women.

Their hunting shirt - which has a shoulder pad - is long sleeved; despite the “hunting” label, it would be useful for cool mornings on the range. Boyt’s women’s shooting vest is fleece lined and has bilateral shoulder pads to accommodate both lefthanded and right-handed shooters.

Look for a ballistic insulated shooting jacket with bilateral shoulder pads from

With deer hunting season starting up this month, we thought it appropriate to offer a venison recipe. This one is simple and quick. The orignal recipe called for more chili peppers but I find the venison gets lost with too much “heat”. Through trial and error I have settled on the combination you see below. It pairs well with long grain wild rice and broccoli or asparagus and garlic roasted potatoes.

If you have any variations of what we offer, or if you’ve got a favorite recipe you’d like to share, send us your suggestions. Enjoy! ★

10 Minute Venison

Prep and cook time: 15 minutes

Should feed 4

2# venison cut into 1 ½” squares ½” thick 2 tbsp butter 1 tbsp EVOO 2 pears sliced into ¼” pieces 1 tsp sugar

½ cup red wine 1 tbsp soy sauce 2 tbsp wheat flour mixed with 2 tbsp cold water 2 small red WHOLE chile peppers

I suggest the backstrap for venison steaks as they are the best. Be sure to use a little lemon juice on the pear slices to discourage browning. Saute the venison in the butter and EVOO no more then a minute on each side, then set aside kept warm. Drain the skillet, add the pears and sprinkle on the sugar. These will soften and glaze if cooked over medium heat for 3-4 minutes.

Add the wine, soy sauce, wheat flour mix and chile peppers. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the venison back into the skillet for no more then 2 minutes and serve immediately. You may want to take out the WHOLE chile peppers before serving!

If you cut this out, it will fit nicely on a standard recipe card.

September 2013

The

Firearms Every target shooter needs a Ruger 1022, and Ruger has brought out another new version of it. Last year’s incarnation of this venerable little rimfire was a takedown model in stainless steel; this year Ruger has introduced a blued version with a flash suppressor on it. This means the barrel is already threaded for a sound suppressor, if the shooter is inclined to add one, because shooters should protect their hearing even when shooting a .22.

Last year Savage Arms brought out the Lady Hunter, which sold very well. It’s available in a number of calibers from .22250 to .30-06 and is sized for what Savage calls “women’s geography”; former company CEO Ron Coburn’s wife participated in the design process, ensuring Savage’s attention to detail.

Look for a new women’s rifle and a women’s shotgun from Savage in the year ahead.

Female shooters who love fine shotguns should look at Fausti’s DEA “Lady Edition” side by side. This is a once-in-a-lifetime shotgun with delicate and detailed engraving in the style of classic Italian shotguns. It’s a slim, elegant shotgun built by women, for women; it comes in 12, 16, 20 and 28 gauge and .410.

Safety equipment Champion has new safety glasses specifically for women. These new smallframed shooting glasses come in clear frames with pink temples and clear lenses.

The lenses are designed to reduce glare and enhance target-image sharpness; they are ballistic rated and meet military standards.

Howard Leight has pink ear plugs for women. They are 30 percent smaller than the company’s most popular ear plug, the Max plug.

Howard Leight also has introduced the

Targets Birchwood Casey, long known for its Shoot-N-C targets, has gotten into pink.

This year the company has new targets that show pink when hit. The targets come in three sizes, plus Crow and Prairie Chuck.

Last year White Flyer introduced pink targets for ranges to use when holding charitable events for breast cancer.

According to company officials, the targets continue to be very popular, and many ranges have held very successful fund-raising events using them.

Targeting Systems Meggitt Training Systems’ scenariobased targeting system is an invaluable training tool, particularly for women. The ability to train on potential “bad guy” scenarios as part of its concealed carry classes shows very clearly how fast a situation can go bad, and it trains shooters how to protect themselves in real-world situations. Using popular firearms fitted with laser markers and Bluetooth technology, the system shows shooters how to correct common mistakes such as incorrect trigger pull, flinch and shot anticipation. Shoot/don’t shoot scenarios provide training in critical decisionmaking with a firearm that no other level or type of training can offer. ★

MIDDLEBORO GUN SHOP GUNS & AMMO

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194 East Grove Street (Rt 28) Middleboro MA 02346 HOURS: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9 - 5; Saturday 9 - 4 Closed Sunday and Wednesday

Outdoor Message

Page 9

Federal Harvest Information Program hunter when they purchase their hunting license - something most hunters do already. Hunters must do this in every state in which they hunt migratory game birds.

Hunters must have proof of participation in HIP whenever they hunt migratory birds. The state wildlife agency will provide each hunter with a card, stamp or other proof of participation when the hunter signs up.

When a hunter sign up for HIP, he/she will be asked to voluntarily answer several questions about their hunting experience during the last year's season.

Answers to these questions are not used to compile harvest estimates, but are used to identify what type of bird hunting that hunter usually engages in. This allows the Service to mail specific surveys to the appropriate hunters.

Hunters who are selected for the national harvest survey will be asked to voluntarily complete a detailed survey about their harvest during the current year's hunting season. They will receive a hunting record form and will be asked to keep a record of the number of migratory birds harvested during the season. They

Wishing hunters a safe and successful season.

One of the greatest opportunities we have to help shape our towns, counties and our nation is by participating in our election process. Don’t miss any chance to elect representatives who stand for what we believe in.

This month in Massachusetts, Special Elections will be held on September 10th for 6th Bristol House

16th Worcester House 12th Suffolk House In New Hampshire two Special Elections will be held on Sep 17 for House seat in Hillsborough District 14 Hillsborough District 35.

If you are in these districts, please get out and vote. ★

Please be sure to verify dates and daily limits in the state regulations or on the individual state websites. Waterfowl hunting begins in many states this month and seasons vary from state to state. Visit each state’s website for details.

Phone: 860-424-3011 <http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2700&Q=323414&depnav_gid=1633> COYOTE, WOODCHUCK: Open through Oct 4 DEER - BOWHUNTING: State Land Sep 16 - Nov 19 State Land Bowhunting Areas Sep 16 - Dec 31 Private Land Sep 16 - Dec 31 GRAY SQUIRREL: Sep 2 - Sep 30 TURKEY - BOWHUNTING: State Land Sep 16 - Nov 19 State Land Bowhunting Areas Sep 16 - Dec 31 Private Land Sep 16 - Dec 31

Phone: 508-389-6300 <http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/laws-regulations/hunting-andfreshwater-fishing-laws.html> No closed season on ENGLISH SPARROW, STARLING, CHIPMUNK, FLYING SQUIRREL, RED SQUIRREL, WEASEL, PORCUPINE, SKUNK, SNAPPING TURTLE, WOODCHUCK BLACK BEAR: Zones 1-9 Sep 3 - Sep 21 GRAY SQUIRREL: Zones 1-9 Sep 9 - Jan 2, 2014 BULLFROG, GREEN FROG: Open through Sept 20 CROW: Open through April 10, 2014

MAINE

Hunting Around New England

CT

vendors must ask each license purchaser. Hunters who answer “yes” to the question, “Will you hunt migratory birds this season?” get a line item added to the printout of their hunting license, which serves as proof of compliance.

4. Telephone - Migratory bird hunters in states using this system are required to make a toll-free telephone call to provide the HIP information, after they have obtained the state’s hunting license. After they have provided the required information, they are given a unique registration number to write on their hunting license, which is their proof of compliance.

5. Internet - Several states currently sell licenses and/or provide HIP registration on the Internet. The process is similar to the electronic license process, except that the hunter interacts with a personal computer instead of a license vendor.

VT

Our first submission to Snapshot Corner! Fall is approaching and late harvests of winter vegetables begins. This set of pumpkins were not picked, but painted!

RI

Snapshot Corner

Page 10

Most of the HIP sign-up methods rely on the state hunting license vendors to ask hunters the appropriate HIP questions. If you plan to hunt migratory game birds, please make sure you sign up for HIP regardless of the method you use to purchase your hunting license. ★

Special Election Reminders

Share your experiences with our readers!

Send pictures and stories to editor@theoutdoormessage.com

MASS

will also be given an addressed, postage-paid envelope to return the form at the end of the season. Responses from participants will be kept confidential and will not be used for any other purpose. As soon as the survey is completed, the Service will destroy all hunter names and address records.

HIP sign-up procedures vary from state to state. There are five basic methods for collecting the HIP information: 1. License - HIP questions are added to the existing state hunting license form.

Some form of the question, “Will you hunt migratory birds this season?” and the hunter’s answer to that question must be on the copy of the license that the hunter carries in the field. A “yes” answer serves as proof of compliance with the HIP requirement.

2. Permit - The hunter completes a separate form to obtain a migratory bird hunting permit, and then receives a sticker or stamp to display on his/her license to show proof of compliance. Or, the hunter must purchase a separate migratory bird stamp.

3. Electronic license - States with electronic licensing systems add the HIP questions to the list of questions license

NH

With migratory game bird seasons approaching, hunters are reminded that they must register with the Federal Harvest Information Program (H.I.P.), a program of the US Fish & Wildlife Service, each year in each state that you hunt.

HIP is based on a voluntary survey of selected migratory bird hunters in the United States. In simplest terms, state wildlife agencies collect the name, address and some additional information from each migratory bird hunter in their state, and send that information to the US Fish & Wildlife Service. The Service then randomly selects a sample of those hunters and asks them to provide information on the kind and number of migratory birds they harvest during the hunting season. Those hunters’ reports are then used to develop reliable estimates of the total harvest of all migratory birds throughout the country. These estimates are important in making sound decisions about setting hunting season dates, bag limits and population management for ducks, geese, coot, snipe and woodcock.

To comply with HIP, hunters must identify themselves as a migratory bird

The

Phone: 207-287-8000 <http://www.eregulations.com/maine/hunting/> No closed season on COYOTE, WOODCHUCK, PORCUPINE, RED SQUIRREL BEAR: Open through Nov 30 With Dogs Sep 9 - Nov 1 With Bait Open through Sep 21 CROW: Open through Sep 21 DEER - ARCHERY: Designated areas only Sep 7 - Dec 14 MOOSE: WMDs 1-6, 11, 19 Sep 23 - Sep 28 Phone: 603-271-3211 <http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/pubs/hunting.html> No closed season on COYOTE, WOODCHUCK BEAR: Varies by WMU Sep 1 - Nov 27 Dog Season - varies by WMU Sep 24 - Nov 13 Baiting Season - varies by WMU Sep 1 Sep 28 CANADA GOOSE: Sep 3 - Sep 25 CROW: Open through Nov 30 DEER - ARCHERY: Sep 15 - Dec 15 GRAY FOX, RED FOX, OPOSSUM: Sep 1 - Mar 31, 2014 GRAY SQUIRREL: Sep 1 - Dec 31 SKUNK, WEASEL, RACCOON: Sep 1 - Mar 31, 2014 SNIPE: Sep 15 - Nov 14 TURKEY - ARCHERY All WMUs except A: Sep 15 - Dec 15 YOUTH WATERFOWL HUNT: Sep 28 - Sep 29

Phone: 401-222-6800 <http://www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/regs/regs/fishwild/hunt1314.pdf> No closed season on COYOTE (private land only) CANADA GOOSE: Fri, Sat, Sun only Open through Oct 6 CROW: Fri, Sat, Sun only Open through Oct 6 DEER - ARCHERY: Sep 15 - Jan 31, 2014 MUZZLELOADER: Zone 1, Private Property, Antlerlesss Only Sep 28 - Oct 3 MOURNING DOVES: Sep 14 - Oct 13 COMMON SNIPE: Sep 1 - Nov 9 Phone: 802-241-3700 <http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/Calendar_of_events.cfm?eventcat=hunt&dat erange=future> No closed season on COYOTE BLACK BEAR: Sep 1 - Nov 15 CANADA GOOSE: Sep 3 - Sep 25, Oct 10 - Dec 15 CROW: Open through Oct 29 GRAY SQUIRREL: Sep 1 - Dec 31 HARE/RABBIT: Sep 28 - Mar 9, 2014 RUFFED GROUSE: Sep 28 - Dec 31 YOUTH WATERFOWL HUNT: Sep 28 - Sep 29 ★

Outdoor Message

September 2013

Antlerless Deer Permit Instant Award Procedure

With the MassFishHunt electronic licensing system, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) reminds deer hunters that there is no public drawing, and postal notifications will not be mailed to antlerless deer permit applicants. Beginning August 1st and continuing through December 31st, (the Instant Award Period), hunters who applied for an antlerless deer permit by the July 16th deadline must return to the MassFishHunt licensing system to try to win their antlerless deer permit.

The system is based on a computergenerated random number that is given to each customer when they return to “play”.

The random number is then compared to the chance of winning a permit in that zone and the computer determines if the customer has won a permit or not. This is not a first-come first-served system. The odds of winning a permit during the Instant Award Period are the same whether a customer logs into the MassFishHunt system in August, November, or anytime during the Instant Award Period. This eliminates the need to rush to a computer on August 1st.

There are three ways in which a hunter may participate in the Instant Award Period: The Internet: Hunters may return to the MassFishHunt website using any computer with Internet access to try to win an antlerless deer permit (see instructions below).

MassWildlife Offices: Hunters may visit any office and the MassWildlife staff will log in the information on your behalf.

License Agent Location: Hunters may visit any authorized MA licensing agent and the clerk on duty will log in the information for you to see if you win a permit.

Instant Award Antlerless Deer Permit Instructions Instructions for checking Instant Award status: l Log into MassFishHunt system with your last name and customer (license) ID# l Click the [Enter Sales] button at the bottom right of the screen l On the Main Menu on the left, click "Hunting Permits and Stamps" l Click the [Add] button next to "Antlerless Deer Permit" in the middle of the screen l The Zone for which you previously applied will appear on the next screen.

Click the [Select] button to check whether

an Antlerless Deer Permit has been won for that Zone. l One of two messages will "pop up" in the center of the screen indicating the Antlerless Deer Permit win/lose status: - "Congratulations! You have been awarded an antlerless deer permit which has been placed in your shopping cart. Close this window and click check out to purchase it."

- "Unfortunately you did not win this product."

In the case of a "Win", an Antlerless Deer Permit will be placed in the Shopping Cart, and you may proceed to Check Out to complete the purchase.

Antlerless Deer Permits will remain in the Shopping Cart until purchased or expired.

Winning hunters are reminded to print their Antlerless Deer Permits upon completion of the transaction. ALL Antlerless Deer Permits expire on December 31. If you did not win a permit, no further action is necessary.

Migratory Game Bird Hunters Must Get HIP

As in the past, hunters who hunt woodcock, snipe, ducks and geese must register with the Harvest Information Program (HIP) by taking a HIP survey.

HIP surveys can only be completed through the online MassFishHunt system <www.mass.gov/massfishhunt>. The HIP survey is no longer available by telephone and HIP numbers are no longer issued.

Non-resident hunters are reminded they must register with the Massachusetts HIP system in order to hunt migratory game birds in Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts HIP registration is valid for the calendar year only. The purpose of HIP is to gather data from migratory game bird hunters for harvest surveys. The survey information assists state and federal biologists make decisions on setting sustainable bag limits for future hunting seasons.

To see if you are already registered with HIP, you can: 1) check your current hunting/sporting license in the Item Purchased section. If you see a line item that reads: "Waterfowl Stamp" or “HIP Survey Completed”, you have already completed the process and need not take any further action; or 2) log on to the MassFishHunt website <www.mass.gov/massfishhunt> and check your customer inventory. If you don’t see "Waterfowl Stamp" or “HIP Survey Completed”, you can purchase the state waterfowl stamp or complete the HIP survey through any computer with

Maine Fish and Game Department Headquarters 1284 State Street, Augusta, ME 04333-0041 http://www.mefishwildlife.com (207) 287-8000

Alone in the Maine Woods

September 2013

The Maine Department of Fisheries & Wildlife has created a handy booklet to help you prepare for exploring the woods of Maine. It’s not an all-you-need-toknow survival guide, but it does provide you with information on how to manage in the wild and may be a survival aid if you were to get lost in the woods. You can read it online or download it from <http://www.maine.gov/ifw/education/pd fs/aloneinmainewoods.pdf>. ★ The

Mail: 100 Hartwell Street, Suite 230, West Boylston MA 01583 Phone: 508-389-6300 Email: Mass.Wildlife@state.ma.us Website: www.MassWildlife.org

Internet access, DFW office or at a local license vendor. Be sure to reprint your license after registering.

Hunters obtaining a state waterfowl stamp automatically complete the HIP survey during the stamp purchase process.

Waterfowl hunters who purchased a state waterfowl stamp to hunt in January and February of 2013 are already registered for the entire calendar year and do not need to take any action.

Migratory game bird hunters who only hunt woodcock, snipe or rails must complete a HIP survey as a separate step during or after their hunting/sporting license purchase either through a computer with Internet access or through a sporting license vendor or DFW office.

Instructions for Registering With HIP: l Purchasing a Waterfowl Stamp (For Duck and Goose Hunting) From a Computer with Internet Access -- Go to the MassFishHunt website at <www.mass.gov/massfishhunt> and enter your Customer (license) ID number. A page with your personal information will appear. Click on the blue "Enter Sales" button at the bottom right of your screen.

Click on "Hunting Permits and Stamps" in the menu at the left side of your screen.

Click on "Waterfowl Stamp". A screen with eight questions will appear. Answer the questions, then click on the “Accept” button in the lower left corner. Click the blue "check out" button on this screen and then click: “Check out” again on the next screen. You must proceed all the way through checkout to pay for the stamp. Be sure to reprint your license so it will show you have registered with HIP. Note: If you already purchased a waterfowl stamp you will not see the waterfowl stamp option listed. l Purchasing a Waterfowl Stamp at a License Vendor Or MassWildlife Office - Tell the clerk you want to purchase a state waterfowl stamp. They will need either your customer identification number or your birth date to look up your information. They will ask you the questions for HIP registration and print out the license which indicates your stamp purchase. l Woodcock, Snipe and Rail Hunters Completing the HIP Survey From a Computer with Internet Access -- Go to the MassFishHunt website at <www.mass.gov/massfishhunt> and enter your Customer ID number. A page with your personal information will appear.

Click on the blue "Enter Sales" button at the bottom right of your screen. Click on "HIP Survey" in the menu at the left side of your screen. A screen with eight questions will appear. Answer the questions, then click on the “Accept” button in the lower left corner. Click the blue "check out" button on this screen and then click "check out" again on the next

screen. Even though the survey has no cost associated with it, you must proceed all the way through checkout complete to be registered. Be sure to reprint your license so it will show you have registered with HIP. Note: If you also hunt waterfowl, your waterfowl stamp purchase already registers you in the HIP system. l Completing The HIP Survey with a License Vendor Or MassWildlife Office - Tell the clerk that you need to complete the HIP survey. You must have already purchased a hunting/sporting license in order to complete the survey. The clerk will need either your customer identification number or your birth date to look up your information. They will ask you the questions for HIP registration and print out the license which will read “HIP Survey Completed”.

Families Save September 22 For Outdoor Expo

It's not too early for families, friends, and youth groups to mark their calendars for September 22, 2013, and join the fun at the 17th Massachusetts Outdoor Expo (Big MOE) held at the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club grounds in Sturbridge from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM. The Big MOE, sponsored by the Facts About Wildlife and Nature Society (FAWNS), is a free family-oriented event celebrating outdoor skills, nature, art, and wildlife. The Big MOE is the perfect opportunity to introduce young and old to a variety of new outdoor skills and activities. This year, the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will feature their mobile pellet gun range, turkey call making, turkey feathers and decoys and the opportunity to talk to a turkey biologist. A new Camping station will be staffed by a Girl Scout Troop and Tekoa Mountain Outdoors, a new Watershed station will be run by The Last Green Valley National Corridor and this year’s Kayaking station will be staffed by ZOAR Outdoors. A complete list of activity stations in information can be found at www.fawnsexpo.com.

This all-day event is free, thanks to the following co-sponsors: Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Hamilton Rod and Gun Club, The Weatherby Foundation, Whitetails Unlimited, the Massachusetts Shooters Foundation and the Worcester County League of Sportsmen's Clubs. The Big MOE is also in need of enthusiastic, outdoor oriented volunteers willing to assist at several skills stations or to host a skill station. Clubs, conservation organizations, and outdoor oriented businesses wishing to host a skill station, assist others at an existing station or make a donation are welcome. For more information on volunteering or exhibiting, contact Gary Zima at 508-389-6314 or gary.zima@state.ma.us. ★

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Outdoor Message

Page 11

Youth Pheasant Registration 2013

It’s time for the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s annual Junior Pheasant Hunt Orientation and Training and Junior Pheasant Hunting Weekend, open to all junior hunters (age 12 to 14) who have completed a Hunter Education class.

The Junior Pheasant Hunt Orientation and Training is FREE! Orientation will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2013 from

9 AM to 2 PM at Great Swamp Shooting Range (277 Great Neck Road, West Kingston, RI 02892). The training session is not mandatory but will help prepare students for a successful hunt.

Topics to include: - Proper gear and clothing - Rules and regulations for Pheasant hunting - Pheasant habitat and behavior with live pheasants on hand for demonstration and discussion

Connecticut Department of ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL

Continuing Ruffed Grouse Research

To obtain distribution and harvest information, the Wildlife Division is asking the public for ruffed grouse sighting and grouse parts. Grouse sightings may consist of actual bird observations or drumming activity.

Individuals are also asked to send in

PROTECTION

grouse wings and tails from hunter harvested or road-killed birds. These items are used to determine the age and sex of grouse, which will assist in assessing productivity and harvest composition. To report grouse sightings and/or donate grouse parts, please contact Michael Gregonis at 860-642-7239 or michael.gregonis@ct.gov.

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department Vermont Moose Hunting Permit Winners

The winners of Vermont’s 2013 moose hunting permits were determined August 1 at a lottery drawing in Montpelier.

Governor Peter Shumlin, standing alongside Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Patrick Berry, started the computergenerated selection process that randomly picked 405 winners among more than 11,900 lottery applications.

The drawing was done by a random sort of applications that were submitted by a July 5, 2013 deadline. Lottery applications cost $10.00 for residents and

Do you enjoy learning about New Hampshire's natural history and resources? Are you concerned about the future of the state’s forest, wildlife, and water resources? You may be interested in becoming a Natural Resources Steward for UNH Cooperative Extension or a Wonders of Wildlife (WOW) docent for the New Hampshire Fish and Game

Concord, NH Manchester, NH West Lebanon, NH

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Everett Ice Arena 15 Loudon Road I-93 Exit 14 East

Aug 31 - Sep 1

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Nov 30 - Dec 1

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The Junior Pheasant Hunt Weekend will be on Saturday and Sunday, October 12 & 13, 2013. License and tags required.

Junior Pheasant hunts will take place at Great Swamp Management Area in West Kingston; Durfee Hill Management Area in Glocester; and Eight Rod Farm in Tiverton. Pre-Registration is required. For additional information please contact the Hunter Education Office at 401-5390019. ★

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127 Phone: 860-424-3000 http://www.ct.gov/deep deep.webmaster@ct.gov

Hunting and Connecticut's Gun Laws

The Department of Energy & Environmental Protection has created a list of common questions and answers about how Connecticut's new gun laws may affect hunters. You can view their q&a page at <http://www.ct.gov/deep/ cwp/view.asp?a=2700&q=529614&deep

Nav_GID=1633> For more specific information including the Public Act and other frequently asked questions, please visit the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) Special Licensing and Firearms web page at <http://www.ct.gov/despp/cwp/view.asp? a=4213&Q=494632&desppNav_GID=20 80>. ★

permits to be used in the Vermont’s October 1-7 archery moose hunting season and 355 moose permits for the October 19-24 regular moose season.

“Today’s lottery drawing helps celebrate one of Vermont’s successes in science-based wildlife management,” said State Wildlife Biologist Cedric Alexander.

“Vermont’s first moose hunt was in 1993, when 25 moose were taken with 30 permits issued. We expect close to 200 moose will be taken this fall in a carefully regulated hunt.”

Lottery winners will purchase resident hunting permits for $100 and nonresident permits for $350. Ten percent of the

permits go to nonresidents.

Winners in this year’s moose hunting lottery are posted in a searchable database on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website <http://www.vtfish andwildlife.com/>. Click on “Hunting and Trapping” and then on “Lottery Applications and Winners.”

Vermont law prohibits anyone who has held a Vermont moose hunting permit within any of the previous three calendar years from applying for a moose hunting permit or a bonus point in the current year. ★

N.H. Fish and Game Department Headquarters 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301 info@wildlife.nh.gov 603-271-3211

Department!

Joint training for these volunteer programs is coming up this fall at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department in Concord.

For an application, email mary.tebo@unh.edu.

For more information, visit <http://extension.unh. e d u / Vo l u n t e e r / N a t u r a l - R e s o u r c e s Stewards> or call Mary Tebo at 603-6416060.

WOW docents are Fish and Game

Radisson Hotel Center of NH 700 Elm Street, I-293 Exit 5

- Gun safety in the field - Clay target shooting – We will provide safety gear and 12 & 20 gauge ammo. You may bring your own shotgun or borrow one of ours.

- Introduction to hunting dogs - Specific information about Junior Pheasant Hunting Weekend - Partners for this event include RI Pheasants Forever and the Federated RI Sportsmen’s Clubs whose members will provide lunch and assistance.

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department License Center and Temporary Office: 542 US Rte 302, Berlin VT 05641 Email: fwinformation@state.vt.us Phone: 802-241-3700 Mailing Address: 10 South, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05671-0501

$25.00 for nonresidents.

As part of the regular lottery drawing, a “special priority drawing” was held for five permits to go to applicants who have received, or are eligible to receive, a Campaign Ribbon for Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom (in Afghanistan). The unsuccessful applicants from the Iraqi-Afghanistan drawing were included in the larger regular drawing that followed. All applicants for both drawings who did not receive a permit were awarded a bonus point to improve their chances in future moose permit lotteries.

The lottery was held for 50 moose v

Wonders of Wildlife Training Available

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908-5767 401-222-6800 http://www.dem.ri.gov

Oct 12 - 13

www.dipromo.com 603-225-3846 The

volunteers who present one of four prepared and interactive programs about wildlife and habitats to elementary school classes in New Hampshire. Training through UNH Cooperative Extension's Natural Resource Stewards training program is one avenue for becoming a Wonders of Wildlife (WOW) docent.

Open to all, the Natural Resources Steward program emphasizes hands-on learning in both the classroom and field with topics that include: New Hampshire's wildlife and its habitats; tree identification, evaluation, planting, and care; land conservation and protection; invasive species identification and management, sustainable living and permaculture, ecological landscaping and more.

After the course, participants are required to complete 40 hours of volunteer service in their own communities, or through one of our partnering agency's programs. Graduates from the Natural Resources Steward Program have volunteered in over 40 different natural resources-related areas including: inventorying natural resources;

Outdoor Message

protecting thousands of acres of land; discovering endangered species; delivering educational programs to adults and children; and measuring NH’s BIGGEST trees!

The next 13-session training course will be held on Fridays beginning September 6, 2013 at the N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord. Sessions run from 8:30 am to 4 pm. In addition to being a volunteer program, the course can be taken for college credit through Great Bay Community College. This versatile training also serves as the foundation course for Earth Team Volunteers through the Natural Resources Conservation Service and County Conservation Districts.

The Natural Resources Steward Program is sponsored by UNH Cooperative Extension, the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands and Great Bay Community College, in partnership with several other natural resources agencies. ★

September 2013

THE MASSACHUSETTS SHOOTERS FOUNDATION 37 Pierce Street ● PO Box 306 ● Northborough, MA 01532 Phone 508-393-5133 Fax 508-393-5134 Web www.massshooters.org Email foundation2012@verizon.net

President: David Tetzloff Secretary/Treasurer: Michael D. Yacino Directors: Al Bonney, Dee Bonney, Don Holmes, Coach Russ Doucette, Coach Kevin Winters, Joe Colbert

2nd Annual Shooters Award Banquet

The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation will host its Second Annual Shooters Banquet on October 19th at 6 PM. The evening will consist of food, fellowship, raffles and the presentation of awards, but no long winded speeches. We will congregate at the Emerald Hall in Braintree, MA. This is the event of the year for young athletes involved in the shooting sports.

We will recognize shooting athletes in the following categories: air pistol, air rifle, smallbore rifle, pistol, and shotgun.

We will also acknowledge the instructors, coaches and clubs for their efforts to promote junior shooting.

How will we find the award recipients?

Your suggestions! We need you to send in recommendations of who you think should receive these accolades.

Tickets for the evening are only $22 each or you may reserve a table of 8 for $170. Parents are urged to bring their youngsters to meet other junior shooters and ask about a club program that may be close to where they reside. We will do our best to put parents in touch with club officials so your son or daughter can get the proper training in whatever shooting discipline they are interested in.

The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation would like to thank the following individuals for their generosity: Westfield Sportsman's Club, D. Brown, W. Grove and M. Zyra

2nd Annual Shooters Award Banquet Ticket Order Form I would like to order ___ tickets for the banquet at $22 each.

I would like to reserve a table for 8 at a reduced rate of $170. Please list the reserved table under ____________________________.

I would like to make a contribution in the amount of $_____ to The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation (MSF) to promote education and training programs for the responsible use and ownership of firearms. (MSF is a non-profit 501(c) 3 corporation. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.)

Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________

City: _____________________________________ State: ________ Zip: ______________ Phone: ______________________ Please return this form with check or money order to: Massachusetts Shooters Foundation, 37 Pierce Street, PO Box 306, Northborough, MA 01532

Clubs are urged to buy and reserve tables for their young athletes and their parents. Donations of items to raffle off and contributions of extra money are needed to continue building the Foundation reserves in preparation for the 2014 junior shooting season. We are also hoping to build upon a new training schedule to bring seminars and clinics on various shooting disciplines to a greater audience of potential competitors.

The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation continues its long-standing mission of training and education in the shooting sports with a primary focus on juniors. If you have any questions or suggestions on how you can help please call our office at 508-3935133. ★

✮✮

MSF Offers Another Midway Foundation Raffle

ticket! One lucky raffle participant will win a matched set of Browning A-Bolt rifles chambered in .257 Roberts and featuring gold inlaid engraved bolts with engraved floorplates, rosewood fore-ends and grip caps.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these rifles goes to the Scholastic Shooting Trust, a non-profit organization focused on supporting the growth of scholastic shooting teams ultimately securing the legacy of shooting and Medallion: adjustable trigger, detachable box hunting in magazine, 42 1/2” length; 13 5/8” length of pull, 22” A m e r i c a n barrel length. families for generations to come. ★

The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation is pleased and proud to have partnered once again with the Midway Foundation to raise money for shooting teams with the “Our Family Legacy” Rifle Set Raffle.

Each person who participates in this raffle will receive a set of “Our Family Legacy” Browning pocket knives displayed in a commemorative tin depicting Potterfield hunting scenes across the years - just for purchasing a

Micro - Medallion: adjustable trigger, detachable box magazine, 39 3/8” length; 12 1/2” length of pull, 20” barrel length.

Gun Owners’ Buyers Guide ✮ ✮

Are you in need of a product or special service? Wouldn’t you like to know that you are giving your money to a business who believes in the same things you do? Following is a list of businesses who are owned or run by gun owners. They have agreed to give a donation to The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation for every reader who shops at their store or uses their services. So when you shop at these businesses, tell them you saw their listing in the Gun Owners Buyers Guide in The Outdoor Message! Participation is voluntary - the people listed have asked to be a part of this Guide.

Help support fellow gun owners. Take advantage of the Gun Owners’ Buyers Guide.

Accounting/Tax Services

L.A. Jones Tax & Accounting Services (L.A. Jones) Milford MA 508-634-2711

Archery Supplies

Eryleen Archery Pro-Shop (Emery Loiselle) Burlington MA 781-272-0244

Audiology Services

Mass Audiology (Ron Quintiliani) Throughout Massachusetts - Free hearing tests - 508-8094320 www.MassAudiology.com

Building/Remodeling

Mr. Fix It (Eddy Provost) Worcester County MA 508-798-8216

Constable/Notary

Raymond Harris Constable Services, Dedham MA 781-326-7597 Northern Process Servers (Ronald Bertheim) Greater Lawrence MA 978-685-0093

Deep Sea Fishing Trips

Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters (Gary Cannell) Gloucester MA 978-407-1351 www.tunahunter.com

For more information about the Gun Owners’ Buyers Guide call 508-393-5133.

September 2013

Electrical Contractor

Morse Electric (Richard A. Morse) Rowley MA 978-948-2727 EJ Kennedy Master Electrician (Eric Kennedy) North Attleboro MA 508-TUG-WIRE

Firearms Instruction

Joe Nava, Fairbanks AK 907-479-2340

Flooring

Touchdown Carpet & Flooring (Doug Gibbs) Marlboro MA 508-480-8552

Gun Sales

Mike’s Gun Shop Specializing in estate sales and consignments (Mike Yacino) Northboro MA 508-450-1124

Masonry & Building Materials

Popular Precast Products (Gerry Lemire) Bellingham MA 508-966-4622 gerry@theelusivewhitetail.com

Merchant Processing

Services/Credit

Card

Strategic Payment Systems (Michael Roux) Canton MA mroux@spsprocessing.net www.spsCreditCardProcessing.com 978-3377126

Optometrist

Charlton Optical (David Snowdon) Charlton MA 508-248-1188 Dr. Arthur Breen, Peabody MA 978-532-0097 The

Outdoor Message

Outdoor Wood Furnace

Crystal Rock Farm (Eliot Starbard) Oakham MA 508-882-0178

Plumbing & Heating

Russo Plumbing & Heating (Steven Russo) Boston MA 617-201-8042

Promotional Imprinting

Gumption, Inc. (Joe Cassia) Malden MA 781-3226400 MCA Promo (Michael Amburgey) Lunenburg MA 978-582-3662

Real Estate Sales & Consulting Peter Neslusan 508-277-7503

Scaffolding

Cape Cod Staging (Kevin Kelleher) New Bedford MA 508-992-2411, Cranston RI 401-9416660

Security

EJ Kennedy Security/Life Safety Systems Contractor (Eric Kennedy) North Attleboro MA 508-TUGWIRE

TV & Satellite

Pierce TV & Satellite (Ben Pierce) East Falmouth MA 508-548-4519

Website Development

Gumption, Inc. (Joe Cassia) Malden MA 781-3226400

Page 13

AYER GUN & SPORTSMEN'S CLUB

255 Snake Hill Road - Ayer, MA 01432 - 978-772-9748

Email: ayergsc@verizon.net Website: http://www.ayergsc.vzwebsites.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ayer-Gun-SportsmensClub/265885770137669

President - Ernie Johnson DirectorsVice President - Buddy Shorey Tom Horgan, Chair Treasurer - CJ Moore Gail English, Gail Bruhn, Secretary - Darlene Johnson Todd Moore, Jared Sergeant of Arms - Andrew Anderson Clough, Norman Field Captain - Barry Schwarzel Reynolds, Miles Donell

JOIN US FOR SUNDAY BREAKFAST BEGINNING SEPT 8

June 9th Trap Shoot

Members Meetings

Our meeting was held on Thursday, August 1st at 7:30 PM. Our next meeting is scheduled for September 5th at 7:30 PM.

Upcoming Events

Open to the Public unless otherwise specified.

Oct 27: Children’s Halloween Party Nov 15: Thanksgiving Meat Raffle Dec 15: Christmas Party--Members Children/Grandchildren

AGSC Club 22 caliber Pistol Team

We are still working on building a team; we are up to 5. We need at least 8-10 and we submit the top 5 scores. We will continue to meet and practice every

Pancakes w/2 eggs or meat French Toast w/2 eggs or meat Full Breakfast 2 eggs, home fries, toast or English muffin & meat

couple of weeks on Mondays. Hopefully, we can get a team together for next year.

Outdoor Message

As members of the club you receive a copy of The Outdoor Message Paper. It is now offered digitally so that you can receive it via email instead of the hard copy you now receive. This offers us a good savings per person per month.

Please let Darlene know by either leaving a message with your email address at the club or emailing Darlene at AYERGSC@verizon.net letting her know if you would rather receive this via email.

To view the meeting minutes look on the back bulletin board at the club or check your email.

Fish & Ponds

Children’s Fishing Derby was held on

The Two’s 2 pancakes or French toast, 2 eggs, 2 bacon, 2 sausages, home fries & toast or English muffin Special Breakfast 2 eggs, home fries, toast or English muffin & 3 meats Omelet w/toast or English muffin & home fries Extra Meats 3 bacon, ham, 3 sausage or hash

$4.00 $4.00 $6.00 $7.00 $7.00 $7.00 $2.00

ALL MEALS INCLUDE COFFEE & JUICE

NO OUTSIDE FOOD TO BE BROUGHT IN

July 13th – Children Fished Free. We had about 40 kids present which was great for such a hot, humid day. The first 30 kids received free fishing poles and in addition to the placing trophies, everyone who participated received a small trophy. Sue would like to thank the following people

for their help: Phyllis and Norman Reynolds, Betty and Bob Surette, Gail English, Kathy Oosterman, Arthur Sweet and Sara Castanzo.

Next Month there will be pictures from our Annual Clam Bake – August 17th. ★

A MERICAN F IREARMS S CHOOL

Massachusetts’ premier indoor shooting and firearms training facility

5 John Dietsch Square North Attleboro, MA 02763 (508) 695-5869 Fax (508) 695-3971 www.AmericanFirearmsSchool.com

Massachusetts’ premier indoor shooting and firearms training facility We offer: • • • • • • • • •

Full Retail Store (2) Shooting Ranges (Pistol & Rifle) Open 7 Days a Week Basic Firearms Safety Course NRA Instructor Courses New Shooter Programs Personal Instruction Group Rates And Much More!

For more information, please call 508-695-5869

To visit us, follow Route 95 to exit number 5. At the end of the ramp, bear right.

Take your first right and we are the second building on right.

Page 14

The

Outdoor Message

September 2013

HANSON ROD AND GUN CLUB

Davis Road - PO Box 101 Hanson MA 02341

President: Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer:

Phone 781-293-9872

September Meetings

The September Business Meeting will be held at 7:30 PM on Thursday Evening, September 12th, 2013. Please be advised that the September Executive Board Meeting will be held at 7 PM on Thursday Evening, September 26th, 2013.

Youth Fishing Derby

www.hansonrodandgunclub.org

MBTA Police Cadets

Justine Jerome All members are advised that the membership present at the August Business Meeting approved by a majority vote to support and endorse the request of the MBTA to utilize our outdoor range during the first two weeks of October.

This means the range will be in use by our guests from 8 AM to about 4 PM each day, except on Wednesdays when the range will be in use from 1 PM to 9 PM. This Wednesday schedule is to include the additional dates of September 18th and 25th. Please mark these dates on your calendars accordingly. Your assistance and cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Justin Jerome Bob Preston Bob Sullivan Bob Martin

Claybusters Rematch With Cape Cod’s Fame’s Favored Few

Executive Board: Dave Gonsalves Greg Williams Rick Zadrozny

Angelo Nuby John Coyman Barbara Dunn

Dan Grant All club trap shooters are reminded that on Saturday, September 28th we will once again be hosting our friends from the Cape Cod Fish & Game Association. It is that time of year and our friends in Harwich have been staring at that trophy long enough. It is now our time to win it back. All shooters are asked to please sign up in the trap shed. The format will be a 100 round, 16-yard trap program. The entry fee is $25 per shooter and this includes targets and lunch.

Trophies will be awarded to the top five shooters on each team. For details please call Bob Preston at 774.406.1573.

Ernie Watson Sunday, June 2nd was the date of our Annual Youth Fishing Derby. We hosted better than 100 kids from all around our area. They had fun winning prizes and catching a load of fish. Congratulations go to Rick Gallagher who won first prize catching 38 fish!

This event is not be possible without the help of our fellow club members and a great number of sponsors. As a club we are in debt to Everyone had a great time at the Family the following businesses and Day Cookout & Picnic, especially this little individuals. Big thank yous go out to guy... Jake Jerome, age 4, is the World Dunkin Donuts of Hanson, Damien’s Famous Duck Boat Race Champion!"

Pub & Restaurant, The Meadow Brook Restaurant, The Old Hitching adult.

Post Restaurant, The Monponsett Inn Our clubwide annual Christmas Toy & Restaurant, Wyman Garden Center, Adam Preston Drive will begin this month. All members The Outdoor Sportsman, Medway Congratulations to our are asked to please donate an unwrapped Auto Sales of Abington, Auto Town five Hanson trap toy. A child from the local area will have of Abington, The Farnham Family shooters who a better Christmas because of your efforts. and the MacLellan Family. participated in the Bay Last year our club donated over 450 toys “I would like to personally thank State Games. Hanson to three different local church groups. Our everybody involved in the fishing took home 4 medals! contributions were greatly appreciated by derby. Your help made it a great Diners! Drive Ins and Gun Clubs?!!! The Food Network had Bobby Sullivan Jr. (age all the recipients. nothing on our chefs Justin Jerome and John Coyman at the success!” Our helpers on this day Congratulations to member James August 10th Club Family Day. Attendees enjoyed burgers, 14) shot a 91X100 and were Richard Shoughrow, Justin dogs, ribs, pulled pork and a variety of side dishes. Thank won the gold medal in Moore of Halifax who won the first grand Jerome, Jack Ferry, Bob Sullivan, you to Donna Chassey and her committee and all who helped the Junior Novice Gold prize of our Hanson First Raffle program.

Buddy Farnham, Bob Leonard, out. A great time was had by all!

Category. Rob Richter Remember folks, all contributions and Angelo Nuby, Bob King, Rick (age 16) shot a 97X100 profits from this event go to help various Zadrozny, Tony Marcacello, Bob Miller, and won the gold medal in the Scholastic charities around the town of Hanson.

Randy Dunn and Lydia, Eva and Nolan Novice Category. Kyle Grant (age 16) Thumbs up to our club’s new Range MacLellan. Thank you all! - Ernie Watson Justin Jerome shot an 89X100 and won the bronze Safety Officer (RSO) Program. When you All members are cordially invited to medal in the Scholastic Novice Category. see your fellow members on the range participate in a club wide work party to be Finally, congrats go to Emily Marciello with the orange RSO cap please held at 8 AM on Saturday, September (age 13) who at this time had only been understand they are there to help maintain 14th, 2013. Generous work hour credits shooting 6 weeks, shot a 68X100 and won a high level of safety. Your help and are available for all members who wish to the gold medal in the Junior Novice Donna Chasse consideration will go a long way to help Our September Sportsman’s Show has reduce their annual membership fee. Female Category. Great shooting by all of make their job easier and our club more been postponed to April 26 & 27, 2014. A Please dress in work clothes as a number our Junior Claybusters! safe as well as a great deal more number of our venders have expressed of projects are planned and the more Junior Trap will be held on Thursday, enjoyable.

Your cooperation is concern about a possible lack of gun sales hands do lessen the task. The club will September 5th, 19th and 26th. All appreciated and more RSOs are needed. given the current shortage of ammunition. spring for lunch if we end up working into interested shooters wishing to participate See Bob Preston for details or call This could be considered a very valid the afternoon. Hope to see you there. in this trap program are urged to contact 774.406.1573. point, as when an individual does Adam Preston at 774.406.9192. All Earlier this year we installed new purchase a firearm one does wish to be juniors are urged to sign up in the trap lights on our outdoor club trap range. The able to buy cartridges to at least try it out. shed to participate in the GOAL overall response to this improvement has Mike Dunn Hopefully the ammunition situation will Please be advised that during the week on “Crushing Clays Contest.” This event is to been tremendous as Wednesday Nights have corrected itself by the springtime. have become so busy that we now have to September 2nd and the week of be held on Sunday, September 22nd at the September 9th, our club will be hosting North Leominster Club. Transportation open Tuesday Nights as well. It has been amazing as we have added many new 50+ students for the Commonwealth’s from our club will be provided. shooters to the roster who in the past have Hunter Education Program.

Specifically John Coyman never even tried trap. Come down and during these two weeks, the clubhouse All members are reminded that Ladies’ check it out! will be occupied on Monday, Wednesday Night is scheduled for Tuesday, Trebor Notserp Reminder: The Massachusetts Hunting and Friday Nights from 6 PM to 9 PM. September 10th, 2013. Participants Christmas is coming!! Our annual Season Opens for Upland Game on attending this event will learn the fine Christmas Party is slated for Saturday, Saturday, October 19th at sunrise!! points of firearm safety as well as an December 14th at 6 PM. Tickets will go To all members…”ask not what your introduction to handgun shooting. The on sale October 1st, $10.00 for adults and club can do for you, ask what can you do action begins at 6 PM and the cost is $10 $5.00 for youths age 6 to 12. Children for your club!!” for the evening. Reservations are limited Mike Hurney under age 5 are admitted free with an Until October …Bob P. ★ to 20 people each evening. For details The fall season for Monday Night

Junior Trap

Saturday Work Party

September Sportsman Show

Hunter’s Education

Ladies’ Night

Birdshot & Balderdash!

Monday Night Archery & October 3D Shoot

please contact John at any club meeting.

NRA Basic Pistol Course

Mitch Soroko Please be advised this month’s NRA Basic Pistol Course will begin on Saturday, September 14th, 2013 at 8 AM. Anyone interested in taking this course to obtain their Massachusetts License To Carry Firearms (LTC) or Firearms Identification (FID) card are encouraged to contact Mitch Soroko at any club meeting.

September 2013

Archery will begin on Monday September 9th, 2013. Junior Advanced Archers begin at 5 PM and run until 6:30 PM. Beginners begin at 6 PM and run until 7:30 PM. The adults take to the range at 7:30 PM. All are invited to come down and join the fun and throw some arrows.

Our next 3D Shoot is scheduled for 7 AM, Sunday, October 27th, 2013. Any member needing work hours is urged to help with the setting up of the 3D course on Saturday, October 26th, 2013.

The

KAREN L. MACNUTT GENERAL PRACTICE OF LAW

~~~~~ FAMILY & ELDER LAW CONSUMER & MILITARY LAW MEDICAID & ESTATE PLANNING & PROBATE REAL ESTATE ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS ~~~~~ 781-963-6337 10 MAZZEO DRIVE, SUITE 211 RANDOLPH, MA 02368

Outdoor Message

Page 15

RHODE ISLAND STATE RIFLE & REVOLVER ASSOCIATION

President: Charles Hawkins, Sr.

PO Box 10177 - Cranston RI 02910 - 401-573-0260 Executive Officer: Joseph Graf

Treasurer: Stephen P. Hogan stephenhogan@msn.com

From the Shores of Lake Erie

by Gail A. Hogan Hello Everyone. This message comes to you from the shores of Lake Erie. I am still at the National Matches at Camp Perry located in Port Clinton, Ohio. The NRA asked if I would stay throughout the matches to be the Volunteer Coordinator.

There will be more on Camp Perry, and others will chime in next month. Hope you are enjoying the summer!

Also, don't forget our very important meeting to be held on Sunday, September 8, 2013, at the Smithfield Sportsmen's Club. The club is located at 14 Walter Carry Road in Greenville, RI 02828.

2013 NRA RI Conventional Prone Regional & State Championship

by Digby Hand The 2013 NRA Rhode Island Conventional Prone Regional and State Championship was a hotly contested match with as many as seven competitors in the mix for the top slot from time to time.

Michele Makucevich opened the tournament with a 400-34X in the 50 yard metallic sight match, nailing down her victory with an impressive 200-20X on her second card. Junior Alex Muzzioli was second behind his Newport Rifle Club coach with a 400-28X while Joe Graf, of the host Smithfield Sportsman’s’ Club, posted a 400-27X for third.

Makucevich rolled on winning the metallic sight 50 meter match on the basis of a 398-33X, five Xs ahead of second place Erik Hoskins who outpaced Quaker Hill Rod and Gun Club’s Steve Rocketto’s 397-21X. At the end of the metallic phase Makucevich was down two, Graf and Hoskins had dropped three, Muzzioli lost four with Rocketto and Zach Wambsganss five from perfect.

Hap Rocketto, who was seven down, after a metallic sight phase where, as he put it, “I couldn’t find the ten ring with a map and compass” burst out with an anysight Dewar match winning 400-32X. Hoskins, who blasted out a 200-20X first card in the match, ended up with a 39932X for second. Kevin Winters took third scoring a 400-29X. The complexion of the match changed after 100 yards as Makucevich and Graf faltered giving up four and three points respectively.

Going into the last match, 40 shots at 100 yards, Hoskins was in the lead, down four. Close on his heels was Muzzioli with a five point deficit. Graf and Makucevich each had dropped six and the Rocketto brothers were seven short of perfect.

Makucevich and Hoskins opened with 200s, 18 and 15 Xs each. Graf and the Rockettos each coughed up a point while Muzzioli went for two. Hoskins, Graf and Hap Rocketto cleaned the last stage as

Steve Rocketto and Muzzioli lost a point each while Makucevich lost a pair.

Hoskins won the match with a 400-31X, Winters was second with the only other 400, this one with 25Xs, Graf closed out the winners with a 399-35X. When the statistical office finished entering the scores and posted the final bulletin Hoskins stood on top with a 1596-120X to take home the gold medallion and a Camp Perry waiver.

Graf’s 1593-114X was good for the silver medal while Makucevich and Rocketto went to Xs, 1592-121X to 1592-118X, to decide that Makucevich would earn the bronze while Rocketto took home Master class honors. Muzzioli posted a 1591102X to best the Sharpshooter class and take a Perry voucher. Steve Rocketto, 1591-85X, was high Expert and Carolyn Cote earned Marksman honors with a 1572-68X. The 2013 Rhode Island State Prone Championship laurels went to 2013 Position Champion Graf. Makucevich was named the Woman Champion while Hap Rocketto and Muzzioli were named senior and junior champions.

No match can be a success without the hard work of the unsung heroes who run the range and score the targets. This year Sid Martin, Kevin Green, Wayne Farrington, Keith Muzzioli, Paula Page and Nicole Panko insured that the range would be safe and the targets collected and scored.

Lewis Earns Distinguished

Kerri Lewis, of Middletown, RI, became the first Rhode Island woman to earn the Distinguished Rifleman Badge when she “went out” at the Reading Rifle & Revolver Club 2013 Excellence In Competition (EIC) Rifle Match on July 21, 2013. Lewis was the high NonDistinguished shooter and posted a 4789X to earn her final “Leg” points. She is one of only approximately 100 women to have won this award since Alice Bull became the first woman to become Distinguished in 1961.

The Distinguished Marksman/ Rifleman Badge was created by the War Department in 1884 to recognize “a preeminent degree of achievement in target practice with the service rifle” and, in 1926, civilians were authorized to participate in the program. About 18 Rhode Islanders, service and civilian, have earned this honor since its inception.

Lewis was called to the stage at the Awards Ceremony during the National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio where she was presented with Distinguished Rifleman Badge number 2153 in front of an assembly of her peers.

2013 Legislative Session

by Elizabeth A. Clupny, Lobbyist The 2013 Rhode Island legislative session saw numerous anti-gun rights bills

36 Fern Hill Road - Palmer, MA 01069 413-283-9975 Gunsmithing since 1974 Free Estimates 100% Satisfaction Guarantee

Page 16

The

Assistant Executive Officer: Elizabeth Clupny

Secretary: Gail A. Hogan gahogan777@hotmail.com

Meeting Notice - Meeting Notice - Meeting Notice

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT RISRRA WILL BE HOLDING OUR ANNUAL MEETING ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2013, AT 7:00 PM, AT THE SMITHFIELD SPORTSMEN’S CLUB LOCATED AT 14 WALTER CAREY ROAD IN GREENVILLE, RI 02828. PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ATTEND. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT MEETING!!! ★ introduced into the General Assembly.

These attacks on Second Amendment rights necessitated cooperative and concerted efforts among many individuals and groups. The result of the session is that the vast majority of the anti-gun bills did not even make it out of committee.

Our joint efforts are worthy of a certain measure of congratulations and we should all be proud of what we accomplished together.

No one individual is solely responsible for the success we experienced this year, and it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to thank everyone who had a hand in defending our rights this session.

However, I do want to recognize those members of the General Assembly who greatly aided our cause and fought hard to preserve our Second Amendment rights.

They are: House Majority Leader Rep. Nicholas Mattiello for his leadership and continuing support of the Second Amendment. Leader Mattiello is a steadfast ally in the preservation of gun owners' rights.; Rep Donald Lally, Jr. for his great efforts in drafting language protecting our rights; Rep Arthur Corvese for his energetic defense of the Second Amendment.

Doctor Corvese is a bulwark of our Constitutional rights.

Rep Michael Chippendale and Rep Doreen Costa are undoubtedly the most recognizable faces in support of our cause to those in the gun owner rights community. Whether it be at a rally or on the House floor, they are always in the thick of it; House Minority Leader Brian Newberry; Rep Stephen Casey.

On the House Judiciary Committee: Rep Donna Walsh, Rep Charlene Lima, Rep Robert Craven, Rep Dennis Canario, Rep Peter Martin.

Other avid supporters of our 2nd amendment rights in the RI House of Representatives include: Rep Spencer Dickinson, Rep Lisa Tomasso, Rep Karen Macbeth, Rep Raymond Hull, Rep Patricia Serpa.

In the Senate, the following Senators held fast and stood with us against several anti-gun rights bills: Senate Judiciary Chairman Sen Michael McCaffrey, a true champion of the Second Amendment; Senate Majority Leader Sen Dominick Ruggerio, who met with us early in the session; On the Senate Judiciary Committee: Sen Stephen Archambeault, Sen. Leonidas Raptakis, Sen William Walaska.

Other avid supporters of our 2nd amendment rights in the RI Senate: Sen Dennis Algiere, Sen David Bates, Sen Frank Ciccone III, Sen Marc Cote, Sen Walter Felag, Sen Paul Fogarty, Sen Nicholas Kettle, Sen Frank S. Lombardi, Sen Frank Lombardo III, Sen James E. Doyle.

These Representatives and Senators did the right thing and deserve our thanks.

Please remember them in the upcoming

Outdoor Message

election cycle. The preservation of your rights depends greatly upon the quality of the men and women we elect to public office.

I would also like to thank Frank Saccoccio and Mike O'Neil and all our friends in the Second Amendment Coalition for their energy and dedication in defending gun owners' rights. With their drive and enthusiasm, they very quickly put the anti-gun faction on notice that we are paying attention, we are organized, and we will not tolerate infringements upon the rights of law abiding citizens. In that same vein, I also would like to thank Daria Bruno for her weekly advocacy of gun owner rights on her show, "Lock, Stock and Daria" airing on radio Saturday mornings on 920 WHJJ from 11 AM to Noon.

Also, Nick Grasso and John Carnevale of the Federated Rhode Island Sportsmen's Club, Inc. are not to be missed in doling out recognition of effort.

Darin Goens, the NRA liaison assigned to Rhode Island, deserves a tip of the hat as well. Darin, despite having to cover several other, much larger, states than ours, worked very long hours and spent much time in Rhode Island fighting to defeat anti-gun rights bills. Even when not in Rhode Island, Darin spent long hours on the phone on our behalf and assisting in our advocacy efforts. He was also ready to respond to my calls and emails at all hours of the day or night and worked constantly and directly with members of the General Assembly.

There are so many individuals who, though perhaps not necessarily affiliated with any one particular group, are no less deserving of praise. Though I cannot name them all, I want to mention Dexter Liu for his effort, eloquence and the assistance he provided others in the course of this legislative year. I also want to thank the other directors and members of the RISRRA (Charlie Hawkins, Joe Graf, Steve and Gail Hogan) for their continuing and constant efforts on behalf of gun owners, as well as their steadfast support of their lobbyist's exertions in the Assembly.

Lastly, more due to the limitations of a newspaper column than any shortage of people to thank, I want to thank all of you.

Your diligent attention to proposed legislation, your testimony before legislative committees, your participation in pro-Second Amendment rallies, and your calls and emails to your Representatives and Senators really made a huge difference in the outcome of this legislative session. Those who hold public office pay attention to a constituency that pays attention to what those in office do.

Making your opinion known by politely communicating those views makes the difference.

Though greatly successful this year, we cannot rest on our laurels. We should be ready to do all this again in the next legislative session and, in the coming elections, we should actively support candidates who agree with our position that our Second Amendment rights shall not be infringed. ★ September 2013

INDEPENDENT SPORTSMEN’S CLUB, INC.

Club Location: Mirimichi Road - Foxboro, MA 02035 Club Phone: 508-543-9887 Mailing Address: PO Box 902 - North Attleboro MA 02761

Web Site

Web address: www.independentclub.com Email address: independentsportsmensclub@gmail.com

Get the most up to date information on what is happening at the club in the “Latest News & Calendars”. Check the web site and the Google Calendar for open hours, league dates and activities. In addition there is a staffing calendar which will make it easier to volunteer for staffing the 5-Stand and Warm Up coverage. Check all availabilities before you drive to the club. A new feature on the web site is a Table of Contents, which should make it easier to orientate yourself.

Also an important new addition is a link to GOAL News to keep you up to date on their activities.

Range Times

Skeet, Trap, 5-Stand: Wednesday, 5:00 to 8:00. Saturday & Sunday, 1:00 to 4:00.

Open to the public.

Sporting Clays: Saturday & Sunday, promptly at 1:00. Open to the public.

Pistol & Rifle Ranges: Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to sunset.

Sunday and Holidays from 12:00 PM to sunset. Open to members. Limited member guest visits (must sign in).

Meeting Times

Board Meeting: 3rd Tuesday, monthly at 7:30 PM. Membership Meeting: 1st Tuesday of March, June, September and December at 7:30 PM. Reminder a General Membership Meeting will be held Tuesday September 3rd at 7:30 PM.

Orientation

New member orientation is to be arranged with Tactical Dynamics; if interested, contact rob@tacdynamics.com or phone 855-276-5730. All new members must attend a session in order to get a gate fob.

public. During scheduled shoots, the rifle/pistol ranges are CLOSED to normal member use until approximately 1:00 PM. Always check the calendar before setting off to shoot at the range in case it is being used for an activity.

Action Shoot Reminders

• 7:30 AM Setup; 8:30 AM Signup; 8:50 AM Shooters Meeting; 9:05 AM Start Time • NEW shooters are ALWAYS welcome! If a new shooter shows up at 8:00 AM, we would be happy to give them some personal instruction before the shoot begins.

• Ear protection, and eye protection with side protection, is required.

For shoot information contact John Allen (508-400-8042 or Vinny Tuzzo (508-543-7029).

The Action Shoot schedule is posted on the web site. Upcoming activities All Saturdays: 1. Sept 14th 22 Action Pistol/Rifle 2. Sept 28th Action Pistol 3. Oct 12th Paul Remick III Memorial Shoot – more details in the next issue or go to the web site.

4. Oct 26th Action Pistol Check the website for any Basic Handgun Training, hosted by Tactical Dynamics Firearms Training. 25 yard pistol range will be unavailable for member use from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. See course description at <http://tacdynamics.com> for more details. Remember that course discounts are available to Independent Sportsmen’s Club members.

Holiday List

Maroun Ayoub of Foxboro Peter Carignan of Norton Samuel Carignan of Norton Daniel Soong of Attleboro Kevin Saccone of Norwood Timothy Freitas of Foxboro Michael Hunt of Plainville Todd Whitehouse of Foxboro Lance Giuffrida of Attleboro Steve Dubois of Cumberland Anatoly Podpaly of Sharon Steve Hannah of Plainville Christopher Anderson of Wrentham Matthew Fleming of Foxboro Andrew Kenoian of Norton Chris Booth of Foxboro

Random Shots

Shooting shall not begin before noon on the following holidays.

New Year’s Day Martin Luther King Day President’s Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veteran’s Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day

Editors Comments

A belated photo from the Winter League Dinner, held in May – it does feel like a long time ago, doesn’t it? Pictured here are Scott Baum, Mark Defilippo, Paul Belanger, Daniel Belanger and Mike Cook. Pictured in the foreground is George Bohnenberger, Class B winner. 14 shooters attended the meal.

Outdoor Message Online

A lot has happened over the recent months around the club house. Members are enjoying the new roof and deck at the warm-up house, the rifle pavilion has been re-stained, the trap house has gone from a hole in the ground to a fully functional new house that can be walked into – for the people who replace the clays this is a great benefit (and relief on the joints!). It still needs a bit of “touching up” but it is functional. The parking lot had a new seal c o a t i n g performed.

Thanks to all members who have organized and made this happen. and the funds from the members’ dues that paid for it. ★

If you would like to receive The Outdoor Message via email, rather than in the newspaper format, please send the request to the club’s email address. It saves the club money.

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Subscription Form The Outdoor Message is available for individual subscriptions!

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Photos for trap combo 750 – Title “From a hole in the ground to a new trap house.”

Shotgun Sports News

Please double check the Shotgun Activities Calendar and note that while the coverage for the 5-Stand has been altered to Sunday only in recent months, this is open to change.

Summer League

This league is well under way with twenty people signed up.

Pistol & Rifle News

Scheduled Action Shoots are open to the

September 2013

Mailing Address

GOAL Weekly News

If you are not a GOAL member, but interested in staying up to date on GOAL announcement, the rightmost tab on the website page “GOAL News” will take you to a directory of the most recent GOAL articles. The website is automatically updated as GOAL issues new announcements.

New Members

Welcome to new members: Brian Dubois of Cumberland Edward Pacitto of North Attleboro The

First Name

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State

Postal Delivery 1 year/12 issues

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Middle Initial Zip

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Enclosed is my ❒ Cash ❒ Check ❒ Money Order To pay by credit card, please visit our website at http://www.theoutdoormessage.com/Subscribeform.html

Return form and payment to 37 Pierce Street, Northborough, MA 01532

Outdoor Message

9/13

Page 17

MASPENOCK ROD & GUN CLUB

Meeting Minutes, June 24 and July 29, 2013

After the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for our public servants, members of the armed services and deceased club member Henry Charzenski, the meeting was called to order. There was barely enough members in attendance for a quorum. There were a total of 4 new members voted in.

Welcome to Maspenock Gary Conner, Bill Ference, Shabaz Khan and Frank Natoli.

Treasurer’s Report

Lloyd Currie presented the report for both months. The transfer of responsibilities was completed the beginning of June.

Financial Secretary

Leo O’Rourke reported that there are 357 regular members, 81 lifetime, 19 spouse, 16 junior rifle, 9 military, 10 student and 11 junior members for a total of 503 members.

Recording Secretary

Minutes were sent to The Outdoor Message.

Directors

The directors are waiting for more information on the Capitol Planning document.

Manny and Dave went to the directors with an update on the juniors. All is well.

The Board of Directors appointed Lloyd Currie as Treasurer due to Jeff Croteau’s resignation. This was approved by the membership.

The board was informed that materials were stolen from the archery range.

The building was inspected and passed for 2013.

Trap

Joe Aiken reported that there was a meeting held in July. They discussed repairs that are needed on the trap house.

They will need lumber and windows. A

P.O. Box 42 - McGill Lane - Milford, Mass. 01757 www.MaspenockRodandGun.org

date will be set up in September to do the repairs. Buddy Mainini was able to get a fork truck to load 10 pallets of birds into storage. A Lewis League will start August 1st and run until October 31st. This will be run by L.A. The fee is $10.

Entertainment

Lloyd Currie reported on upcoming events. The clam bake will be held on September 21st. There will be a private party on October 12th 4-11 pm. Ranges will be closed.

A report was made on the Chicken BBQ that was run by Dewie. Thanks were extended to the Maininis, Maura and Dewie Mann, Brian Irr, Steve Weber, Dick Zontini and Ed Davis.

Structure and Grounds

Tony Manbucca addressed a couple of issues on the range. The floor refinishing had to be rescheduled due to the very hot, humid weather we had.

Rifle Range

Dave Kirschner noted that finish work still needs to be done. He is working on a proposal for security, fencing and an access system with a camera for the outdoor ranges. He informed the membership that he is stepping down as chairman of the rifle range committee due to work commitments. The suggestion is to find a person that will oversee both the rifle and pistol ranges. Dave will make his final presentation at the next monthly meeting.

Terry reported on the Silhouette shoot on June 23th. There were 16 shooters. The winner of the iron Sight class was Tim Konetzny and the winner of the Scope Class was Terry Thomas. Terry thanked everyone who came out to shoot and welcomed the new shooters. He also thanked Ed Davis, Zach Thomas, Manny Snyderman, Brent DeWitt, Harry Jarvis, Tim Kimball, Tim Konetzny, Amy Deer, Chris Rooney and Shawn Lyons for all their help and to Gene for all his help with the emails and web posting. He also thanked Manny and Dave Pedroli for helping to run the match.

5 Whittier Street, Framingham MA 01701

ROD & GUN CLUBS and GUIDES & OUTFITTERS

(Including private hunting clubs, private fishing clubs and guided hunting and fishing clubs)

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- SPECIAL EVENT COVERAGE - for your one date events (including liquor) - DIRECTORS & OFFICERS LIABILITY

- A+ (SUPERIOR) RATED INSURANCE COMPANY

We are a local independent agency who would be there for you when you need it. Our premiums are more competitive than other insurance companies.

Indoor Pistol Range/ Outdoor Pistol

Leo reported that there was a meeting in July addressing issues with the berm.

They will be putting up a deflector and trying it out. The T11 will be finished in the fall. The security fencing is in discussion. Wayne dressed the range.

Charlie Bertrand noted the first match will be held on September 4th at Maspenock. The team is looking for shooters. Anyone interested in shooting pistol should come. Offers to help new shooters were made.

Junior Rifle

Manny reported that he was able to get ammo for the juniors. He presented a video on USA Shooting. He also explained that USA Shooting is the only body to support Olympic shooting. He encouraged members to join. He reported on a match at Monument Beach Sportsman’s club. They shot .22 at 200 yards. It was a 6 hour match. Terry Thomas took first place in the Field Grade and Rob Camble took 2nd. Manny Snyderman took 5th place in Match Grade and Connor Campbell took 6th. Jason Darrow took 9th.

Manny will be taking over the CMP matches. He asked to close the ranges for these events on 9/28 at 9 AM and 10/19 & 11/16 at 1 PM.

Fish and Game No report.

Archery

Tony reported that John Clark volunteered to chair the archery committee.

Worcester County League

L.A presented the WCL report. The last meeting for the fiscal year was held in June at the North Worcester Fox & Coon.

The next meeting will be in September in South Barre. Some of the topics discussed at the last meeting are as follows: Pheasant farms from Massachusetts and New York State have begun shipping young pheasants to be raised by organizations participating in the Club Pheasant Program. Central District staff have met pheasant shipments in Belchertown and then made deliveries to the respective clubs. Large shipments of pheasants are expected later in July for rearing at participating correctional institutions in West Boylston and Gardner.

Some 5,700 birds are raised and released in areas open to public hunting as part of the Program. Boulders have been placed by a local contractor to deter illegal vehicle, ATV and snowmobile access to the Moose Hill, Ware River and High Ridge WMAs. The work was made possible using money from the Off Highway Vehicle Fund. District staff have begun seasonal stream surveys at predetermined sites to document or reconfirm the presence of native brook trout. Streams and tributaries in Sutton, Grafton, Northbridge, Upton and

Call for an insurance evaluation and quote.

508-656-1440 Arlene Pucillo apucillo@charlesriverinsurance.com Page 18

The

Outdoor Message

Boylston have been sampled to date. Data collected is maintained in a statewide cold water fisheries database at the Field Headquarters. Barrel trapping efforts have been suspended due to the extended heat wave. Traps will be retrieved, cleaned and stored for next year. Twenty-one steel pipe gates and 10 surveillance cameras have been acquired using Off Highway Vehicle Funding. Gates and cameras will be used on WMAs to deter illegal vehicle activity and help guide enforcement efforts conducted by the Environmental Police. A blog dedicated to Massachusetts outdoor activities, events, wildlife, state parks and local agriculture <http://blog.mass.gov/greatoutdoors/>.

Talk back with biologists, park rangers and agricultural and recreation experts about your outdoor adventures. Find out their top picks for hiking, hunting, birding, fishing, farm tours, boating, camping and more.

If you would like an up-to-date complete report sent to you, please contact L.A. Jones with your e-mail address and he will send one to you.

Old Business

A member asked when the covered outdoor pistol range will be ready for use.

The answer was more work needs to be done to the berm. It will hopefully be ready at the end of August.

Manny reminded the members that the Friends of the NRA Banquet will be held on September 20th. At the August club meeting he will request that the club purchase a table of tickets. Once approved, the tickets will be raffled off to members in attendance.

New Business

Buddy requested an appropriation for money to construct target frames. It was approved. He also requested money for material for the pistol range berm improvements. It was approved.

Leo presented a proposal for free training for new members. The company involved will come before the board to introduce themselves. Concerns were raised about how much time the ranges would be tied up for this training. It would require 1 hour of range time. A lengthy discussion was held about the responsibility of sponsors to make sure new members are safe and know how to use the range. This was taken under advisement and will be discussed at the next directors meeting.

Good Of The Club

Tony spoke about the frustration of obtaining ammunition and wanted members to be aware of the situation. He advised to keep an eye out for ammo.

Joe Aiken gave an update on proposed legislation. There are 3 remaining forums.

He will be trying to get something together to get members to Boston. Once he does it will be posted on the web site.

The monthly cash raffle was drawn and won by a member in attendance. In June it was donated back to the club.

No food was provided after the meeting. Food will be served prior to the August meeting at 6 pm. There will also be strawberry shortcake served in memory of Norm Fahy.

Motion was make to pay the billsApproved Respectfully submitted, Michelle St.Gelais ★ September 2013

BARRE SPORTSMEN'S CLUB

PO Box 111 - 221 Spring Hill Road - Barre, MA 01005 978-355-4643 Email: barresportsmansclub@gmail.com ~ Website: www.barresportsmansclub.org

Next known scheduled events

Clambake, September 8th, Fall Hunter’s Kickoff, October 6th Pre-Clambake Club Cleanup – September 7th, 8am

Call to members to serve – the time is now

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be on the board? Have you thought you could ‘make a difference’ and serve the club for a year in one of the positions?

Well your chance is coming… September 2013 will bring elections of officers and there are openings. So if you are interested in any position - President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, board of directors representative or bar manager be sure to ask one of the current folks serving in that role what it’s all about, and be sure to be there in September with someone to nominate you and ready to tell us why you’d like to serve your club. And please don’t be shy – we welcome the interest and the chance for someone else to bring their ideas and leadership to our club. It’s how we continuously improve and move forward!!

Membership

Update from the VP indicates 13 openings remain (there is NO cap for junior membership). The following new members were voted in: July – Michael Montiverde, Tom Hughes, Fred Garring and Allan Tinsley, as a well as a ‘welcome back’ to Peter Cirelli August – Kyle Duggan, Suzanne Russo and Mike Nobilini

Past Events

• Steak & Lobster – event was a success, with great attendance and delicious food as always. Thanks to all the volunteers and our organizer John. ☺ • Vintager’s shoot - was a successful event; the group enjoyed the use of the facilities.

• Two Club shoot – enjoyed by those who attended and participated; food was great and the clubs enjoyed the competition.

Updates and POCs for Sporting Functions

Trap – Weds. 7:30 pm, POC Mike Klawitter 508-867-8867 Sporting Clays – Thurs. 5:30 pm, POC Randy Klockers 978-632-8708 Archery – Mondays at 6 pm, POC Fig

(John Neri) 978-857-8202 Range .22 Shoot – Tues., POC Tony Pitisci 978-355-4474 Pistol Shoot –3rd Fridays 6 pm, POC Bert Duvernay 508-413-6529 200 Yard Rifle –Mondays at 6 pm, Peter Stalker 978-928-5223

PLEASE NOTE

Gate code has NOT changed. Awaiting an updated members list, the membership cards have not been printed, but please continue to use your prior card and code (new members, please ask your sponsor for the code until we can remedy the situation and distribute current cards).

Crowd Control Managers

All members are urged to go online and take this ~30 minute course and get certified.

Website address is <http://public.eopsselearning.com/>, and click on the DFS-Crowd Manager Training.

Other Club Reminders

WHEN YOU LEAVE, PLEASE CLOSE THE GATE & LOCK THE NEW COMBINATION LOCK. NO ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED TO BE BROUGHT IN AT ANY TIME – this is NOT a club rule, but is a state law due to our liquor license.

PLEASE ‘POLICE’ RANGE AFTER FIRING TO CLEAN UP CARTRIDGES/ROUNDS. SEPTEMBER Thursday, 5th – 7:30 pm Club Meeting followed by BOD Meeting (ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS) Sunday, 8th – 11 am, Clambake (POC Fig 978-857-8202) OCTOBER Thursday, 3rd: 7:30 pm Club Meeting followed by BOD Meeting Saturday, 5th – FALL HUNTER’S KICKOFF (POC Rob 978-7717013/Meridith 978-434-7932)

NOVEMBER Saturday, 2nd: 9 am, Youth Pheasant Hunt (POC Chris Duggan 978-928-5878) Sunday, 3rd: 10 am, Turkey Shoot (POC Janet Pierce 508-769-4660) Thursday, 7th: 7:30 pm Club Meeting followed by BOD Meeting DECEMBER Sunday, 1st: Kid’s Christmas Party Thursday, 5th: 7:30 pm Club Meeting followed by BOD Meeting

Tickets Are Available – Fall Hunter’s Kickoff

Tickets are on sale – please get some to

sell. Please know that ALL tickets are due back by September at the Clambake. If you do not return your tickets by then, you own them and MUST pay for them. (We want to be sure we have all tickets in and back so we can SELL OUT.)

3rd Annual Fall Sportsmen’s Classic October 5, 2013 Barre Sportsmen’s Club, 6 pm

Only 1000 Raffle Tickets - $20/ticket Purchase of a raffle ticket gets you dinner and entry to the event. Tables of sporting and outdoors items will also be raffled off, in ‘bulk’ or ‘meat raffle’ style at the event, besides the drawing for the ‘big’ raffle. Special thanks to Buck Rub Sporting Goods and Neri Painting.

1. Benelli Legacy 12 ga 15” barrel AA Satin Walnut, nickel/blued etched game scene finish; 2. Benelli Super Black Eagle II Amer Series 12 ga 3-1/2” black synthetic/real

tree max; 3. Benelli Super Black Eagle II rifled slug 12 ga 24” barrel satin walnut/blued finish; 4. Benelli Super Nova 12 ga 3-1/2” comfort tech stalk real tree max finish; 5. Benelli R1 rifle 300win mag scope mount comfort tech stalk stainless/realtree APG finish; 6. CZ Bob White 20 ga side/side wood/blued finish; 7. Remington Model 770 Rifle 30-06 stainless/real tree APHD finish 3x9x40 factory mounted scope; 8. Remington 870 12 ga field/slug combo wood/blued finish; 9. Marlin 17 HMR rifle black/gray finish stainless steel barrel; 10. Ruger 10/22 rifle; 11. Thompson Center .50 cal Triumph Bone Collector muzzle loader camo/blued finish; 12. Diamond Outlaw Compound Bow package; 13. Parker Bushwacker Crossbow package ★

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A TICKET, PLEASE CUT OUT, FILL OUT AND MAIL THE BELOW COUPON,

Include a check for $20 per ticket desired to purchase, written to ‘Barre Sportsmen’s Club’ (or BSC): Name:_______________________________________________________ Address:_____________________________________________________ City:_______________________________ State:______ Zip:__________ Phone: ____(_______)__________--______________________ ___ Check here if you will be attending the event.

Mail check and this coupon to: John Neri, POB 607, Barre, MA 01005

MASSACHUSETTS FIREARM MANUAL (ExPANDED AND UPDATED)

I GNORANCE OF THE LAW IS NOT ONLy NO ExCUSE , IT CAN BE VERy ExPENSIVE AND LAND yOU IN JAIL .

Contents: 1. Copy of Statutes Relating to hunting, Firearms, Rifles, Shotguns and Ammunition 2. Copy of Regulatory References 3. Copy of Gun Application Form with Suggestions on Filling Out 4. List of State Police Approved Gun Locks 5. Selected Federal Law and Statutory References 6. Summary of 1998-1999 statutory changes 7. Common Questions with Answers 8. Discussion and Case Law relating to Licensing, Firearm (possession and carrying), Purchase and Sale of Guns and Ammunition, Definitions, Firearms in a Motor Vehicle, Citizens Right of Arrest, Civil Liability (with Cases), Use of Force and Deadly Force (with Cases), Criminal Liability 9. Domestic Violence under Federal and State Law 10. Fully Referenced for case of use 11. Designed for Gun Owner - Police Officer - Attorney - Security Personnel - State Police Approved Instructors 12. Over 140 pages of valuable information. 8 1/2x11 pages lay flat for easy reading Civil and criminal sanctions are serious - Jail sentences added and expanded.

Cost: $24.50 (includes tax & shipping). Send check to William M. Cloran, Esq. 50 Union Street, Suite 1, Newton Centre, MA 02459 Phone 617-969-2001 Fax 617-969-6517

Also available...

“Criminal Law Reference Handbook” and Motor Vehicle Law Reference Handbook” Cost: $17.95 each (includes tax and shipping)

Traditional Archery, Muzzleloading Firearms & Accessories ● ● ●

●

200 Modern & Muzzleloading Firearms in Stock “The East’s largest stocking Over 150 Bows & Related Accessories in Stock dealer of Shiloh Sharps Single Shot Custom Made Traditional Archery Equipment, Long Bows, Recurves, Rifles and Accessories!”

Quivers, Cedar Arrows, Videos, Books, Feathers, Etc. Dealer for Zebra Archery, Wheeler Long Bows, Buffalo Creek, Howard Hill, Damon Howatt Quality Custom & Semi Custom Muzzleloading Firearms, Related Accessories & Building Components Historical Clothing & Garment Quality Buckskin, Buffalo and Elk Leather

HUNTERS RENDEzVOUS BOWHUNTER’S DEN ● ●

September 2013

(978)433-9458

Exit 31 off Rt 495 HOURS: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10 am - 6 pm ● 11 miles West on Rt 119 Pepperell, MA Tuesday Call Ahead ● Saturday 10 am - 5 pm ● Sunday 1-5 pm Look for the Log Cabin -- Headquarters for the Traditional Hunter/Sportsman and Historical Reenactor -The

Outdoor Message

Page 19

WOODVILLE ROD & GUN CLUB

252 Wood Street ~ Woodville, Massachusetts 01784 508-435-4148 ~ www.woodvillerodandgun.com

Est. 1927

Meetings

• Members’ Meetings held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the Month, at 8 pm.

• Membership Interviews are held the 3rd Tuesday 7 pm – 7:45 pm, Sponsors must be in attendance.

• Trap shooting 6 pm – 7:30 pm each meeting night • Trap shooting every Sunday 1:30 pm.

Club Website

www.woodvillerodandgun.com

Calendar of Events 2013 10/5/2013 10/26/2013 10/31/2013 11/23/2013 11/28/2013 12/14/2013 12/15/2013

Comedy Night Adult Halloween Party Kids Halloween Party Pot Luck Dinner Thanksgiving Adult Christmas Kids Christmas

In our thoughts

Our deepest condolences to the Stratton Family. You are in our thoughts and

prayers.

Welcome!

Welcome new members John Schroeder, Andre Yanni, Robert Webb, Mark Knowlton, William Wall, Alex Akhonen.

Club T-Shirts

If you placed an order for the t-shirt back in July, please stop by to pick up and pay for it. If you are interested in purchasing one, please contact cherryl_b@hotmail.com or call, 774-5788906 to order. I’m putting together another list now.

Seafood Bake 2013

You couldn’t have asked for better weather for this year’s Seafood Bake.

Over 100 people enjoyed a feast of mussels, steamers, clam fritters, chowder, BBQ chicken, baked potato, corn on the cobb and of course, Lobster! Our shucker, Lee Wright, did a fantastic job with the oysters and little necks! John Driscoll and

Rick Marchesi were chairpersons for the event and had a crew on hand to help in all phases needed. Preparations started on Friday night and continued throughout the day on Saturday. Many thanks to John, Rick and their volunteers for putting out a fine meal. Thank you to all who attended.

Maybe we’ll see some of you at the Chicken BBQ, which is approaching quickly! Tickets are now on sale.

Attention New Members

A great way to participate in a work detail is to help out at the Chicken BBQ and Club Cleanup. Ask your sponsor or any members of the club how you can help.

The more help we have, the faster and easier the work is. Not to mention, more fun and you get to meet other members of the club; a win-win situation all around.

Chicken BBQ 9/08/2013

Chicken BBQ tickets are on sale at the club house. Adult $12, seniors $8, children 12 and under $5.00. We are looking for volunteers to help out with

setting up, activities, serving, cooking, etc. Please contact the club if you can assist. Many activities are going on at this event: kids fishing pool, kid’s archery, trap shoot, horseshoes, etc. The list goes on. We’ll be looking for many hands to assist. Reminder to anyone who has to complete their 3 details. This is a fun day to do a detail.

Club Dues

It’s time to start thinking about club dues.

Starting in September you can pay your dues for the 2014 year. If you pay by 12/1/2013, your name will be entered into a drawing for free dues in 2015 which will be pulled at our Adult Christmas Party (12/14). Member dues are $80 if paid by December 31st. A $10 penalty is added if paid January 1 – January 31st, 2014.

Reminder to all new members voted in before 10/1/2013, you do need to pay your 2014 dues by 12/31/2013 as well. Anyone voted in after 10/1/2013 your dues go towards 2014. ★

SOUTH FITCHBURG HUNTING & FISHING CLUB

Mailing: P.O. Box 687 - Townsend MA 01469 Location: 60 Warren Road Townsend MA

Meetings

Board meeting: September 5 and October 3 at 6:30 PM. Membership meeting: September 7 and October 5 at 3:00 PM. I am going to try my best to get the minutes of both the July and August meetings in this newsletter so bear with me.

The July 13th membership meeting was called to order by the President, Larry Bevis 3:00 PM. There were 15 members present.

The August meeting was called to order also by your President, Larry Bevis at 3:02 PM and there were 20 members present.

The readings of minutes of both meetings were accepted as read. (As usual there was 1 acception)!

There were no members taken in either month.

Past Functions

The derby on June 8th had very poor attendance. The winners were 1st-Bob Souther Jr.- 16 1/8” trout; 2nd- Brian Souther – 15 ½” trout; 3rd-Tony Calleva14 ¾” trout. The pool for the biggest trout went to Bob Souther Jr. and the pool for the smallest trout went to Bob Souther Sr. with a 12 ½” trout.

The derby on June 9th was another poor attendance day. The winners were 1st- Carlos Pagan- 15 3/8” trout; 2ndTina Wayner- 15 ¼” trout; 3rd – Bob Souther Jr- 13 3/8” trout. The pool for the biggest went to Carlos Pagan and the pool for the smallest went to Tina Wayner with a 12 7/8” trout (Vern never heard the end of this day from anyone – out fished by Tina!!)

June 30th we held a meat and seafood raffle and had a pretty good attendance.

For those who came out in the heat, we thank you. Just ask Jack and Barbara who went home with the jumbo lobsters! I heard that she went home and cooked Page 20

Club phone 978-597-8733 * Secretary’s email: kblincoln2@comcast.net or Kblincoln@aol.com Web site: http://www.southfitchburghuntingandfishingclub.org

them in the heat too.

(Not even a taste?)

worth $24.00; (August) Daniel MacGilvray, it was worth $42.00 – he donated all of it towards the kid’s derby fund. Thanks again.

Upcoming Events

100 – Club winners

Kid’s only fishing July 5 winners of $20.00: #2Derby on September Bradfor Honnors (Brenda) #7615th from 9:00 am – Dawn Mandonca (Bob) #981:00 pm. This is a free Shana Conry (Vern) #48-Gene derby for all kids up to Leger (Vern) #23-Chet Moreau the age of 14. If (Bob) they’ve never fished August winners- big drawing this before this is a great month: (5)-$20.00 #96-Bob Dion day to give it a try! All (Bob) #78-Bill Pillsbury (Brenda) you need is a fishing #20-Bonnie Stepp #10-Bob Dion pole and some bait...

(Bob) #59-Bob Dion (Bob) and a little luck (2)-$50.00 #66-Barney Marion wouldn’t hurt either.

(Rick) #8-John Grafton (Brenda) Winners fo the June 9th fishing derby are, from left: On September Carlos Pagan, Tina Wayner, Bob Souther, Jr. (2)-$75.00 #48-Gene Leger (Bob) 22nd from 7:00 am – #81-Dennis Albert (Vern) 1:00 pm we have another public fishing member who pays dues, are you one of (1)-$100.00 #66-Barney Marion derby scheduled. The fee to fish is $12.00 them?

(Rick) for adults and $6.00 for children under the The big winner of the day was #43age of 14. There are 3 cash prizes.

Betty Wheet (Brenda) Breakfast and Lunch will be available.

Get well wishes go out the Al Leger, Not present to win the attendance drawing Make sure you bring your own bait. and Bob and Pauline Souther.

There is also another fishing derby (July) Al Leger, consolation won by With no further business the meetings scheduled for October 6th, same rules Dennis Pimentel; (Aug) Gary Clarke, adjourned at (July) 3:37 pm and August at consolation won by Albert Duffy (both apply as the ones for September 22nd.

3:43 pm. donated towards the kids derby fund, Respectfully submitted, thanks guys). The 50/50 liability raffle Brenda Saucier ★ was won by: (July) Ken Saucier, it was Work parties. I don’t know what we can say or do about this any more. We ask the membership for help and it is the same South Fitchburg Hunting & Fishing Club who show up! Don’t you think that maybe 60 Warren Road Townsend, MA 01469 if more members helped out, things would Club’s Number- (978) 597-8733 get done faster?

2013 Calendar 3-D archery. We had our first shoot and had 30 targets, and other things to set Sunday, Sept. 15th .........Kid’s Only Derby, 9 am - 1 pm up the day of our August membership meeting. Any one want to guess how Sunday, Sept. 22nd ........Fishing Derby, 7 am - 1 pm many showed up to do this? Five (5)!

Sunday, Oct. 6th.............Fishing Derby , 7 am - 1 pm They worked from 8 am until just before Sunday, Oct. 20th...........Fishing Derby, 7 am - 1 pm the meeting to get this done. So to all who Sunday, Nov. 17th ..........Slug Shoot, 12 pm had better things to do when all we ask is Sunday, Nov. 17th ..........Turkey Raffle, 1 - 4 pm for even just 2 hours of your time – Thanks a lot. This club belongs to every Sunday, Dec. 8th ............Holiday Raffle, 1 - 4 pm

Good and Welfare

New Business

The

Outdoor Message

September 2013

STANDISH SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ASSOCIATION

Texas BBQ Dinner

P.O. Box 258 East Bridgewater, Massachusetts 02333 www.standishsportsmans.com

The club is planning a TEXAS BBQ DINNER for Sunday, September 22 at 1:00 pm in the new pavilion at the clubhouse. The menu will be several different BBQ main dishes with lots of side dishes available and dessert, so there will be something for everyone! Cost is only $20.00 per person, with just 100 tickets available, so get your tickets early from Lorna Vasapollo, John Fabroski, Ed Holmes and Tim Hill. All guests are welcome!

Trap And Skeet

Walter Potaznick reported the trap committee will try something new and different on Sept. 22, before the TEXAS BBQ DINNER. They will be trying a â&#x20AC;&#x153;modified doublesâ&#x20AC;? trap shoot and some â&#x20AC;&#x153;wobbleâ&#x20AC;? trap as well to make the day more interesting. Walter will explain how these new games will work so everyone will be at equal disadvantage! Walter also reported that Bob Phillips, Jack Walsh, Tim Hill, and Sam? won the prizes at our recent gas can shoot. Thanks to Paul Clark and the others who setup and ran the shoot.

Ranges

Someone has damaged the backstop on the indoor pistol range, apparently by firing a rifle or illegal/ high powered loads of some type. The board of directors is investigating this incident and would appreciate it if anyone with information about this incident would come forward.

This is considered a very serious infraction and appropriate action will be taken.

Outdoor Archery

The club instituted a new policy that the outdoor archery range targets are not to be moved! These targets were carefully placed at 20, 30, 40 and 50 yard distances and were never meant to be portable! The broadhead target is the only target that was meant to be brought out for use and then returned to its original position when you are done. Ed Souza and a group of members have begun installing a new fence behind the archery range. More info will be provided when they are done.

Business Meeting - Thursday Sep 5 at 7 pm Texas BBQ Dinner - Sunday Sep 22 at 1 pm Board of Directors - Thursday Sep 26 at 7 pm

Club Information Books

The updated club information books are available for members at the clubhouse.

The books contain our Bylaws, Policies, Range Rules and Orientation Manual which all members must be familiar with.

Thanks to Bob Phillips and Jim Hardy for their efforts in getting these updated books to the membership. It should be noted that all new club policies will be posted on the club bulletin board so everyone will have the latest info available to them, thanks to Everett for this suggestion.

Around The Club

Thanks to Bob Phillips for helping Dick McMahon with updating our club 2013/2014 membership roster. Thanks to Tim Hill for his generous donation of paper for club copying needs. Thanks to John Fabroski, Ed Souza, Ed McElroy and the others who helped with updating the clubhouse lighting. Thanks to Jerry Snuffer for filling in potholes and

patching the club entry road. Thanks to Gerry Hartman for his generous donation of a deer mount for the clubroom.

A request to all members to make sure you TURN OFF all fans, lights, coffee pots, etc. and lock up before you leave the club. We have had several instances lately where lights and fans were left on all night.

Plymouth County League

The annual Plymouth County League banquet will be coming up on Wednesday, October 16 and the club has some tickets available for members. See Ed Holmes and John Fabroski asap because the tickets go quickly and there are only a few left!

Respectfully, Tim Santry â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

Don't Get Caught Unprotected By Those Who Want What You Have!

Proposed New Bylaw

A proposal for a new Bylaw change was introduced and read at the August business meeting. The proposed change will be up for discussion at the September 5 business meeting, with the vote coming up at the October business meeting. The proposed Bylaw change is as follows: MEMBERSHIP, Article IV, Section 4.

Delete existing section 4 in its entirety and replace with following new Section 4.

Section 4. Members in good standing for 15 years, consecutively, and who are charter members, who attain the age of 55 years or charter members who have been in the club for a period of 5 consecutive years and have reached the age of 65 years shall be eligible to apply for Life membership. Life membership will be granted or denied using the existing three reading process.

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The members pass on their condolences to Joyce and Chuck Francis on the recent passing of Joyceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother Dorothy.

We voted Al Fruzzetti in as a new Life member in July and also Mike Hill as a Life member in August. Michael Cassione was voted in as our newest Junior member in July. Dick McMahon reported we now have 118 people on our membership waiting list.

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The

Outdoor Message

Page 21

HOLYOKE REVOLVER CLUB, INC.

P.O. Box 543 - Holyoke, MA 01041 - 413-539-9345 - holyokerevolverclub.com

Western Mass Pistol League

President - Normand Desilets Secretary - Richard Asselin Directors - Marshall Johnson Vice-president - Joseph Knapik, Jr. Membership Secretary - William Burgess Ronald Mehlhorn Treasurer - Paul Cadorette Governor - Daniel Jones Ray LaBarre

The annual matches of the WMPL will resume in late September. The club participates in a .22 caliber indoor postal league with other local clubs. All matches are held at Holyoke. New shooters are encouraged to try it, and loaner guns are available. Ron Mehlhorn and Pete Galenski are co-captains. Details will be posted on the web site and the bulletin board.

Gun Raffle

Kevin Ross won two Browning A-Bolt rifles in the club’s raffle recently. The raffle was a fundraiser for the club’s junior shooters, as part of the MidwayUSA Foundation’s nationwide program to create endowment funds for junior teams.

Reloading Course

The club will offer an NRA Metallic Reloading course on September 14, presented by NRA Instructor Ralph Rechenberger. The course will feature hands-on reloading of rifle and pistol ammunition, concentrating on safe practices, and NRA certificates will be awarded. Reloading enables shooters to save money, shoot more and customize their ammunition. Preregistration is required. The course fee is $60, and lunch is provided.

Steel-core Ammo

Due to the current shortages of domestic ammunition, many shops are selling imported military surplus ammunition.

Much of it is manufactured with a steel core covered by a brass-colored coating. It must not be used on the indoor range, as it makes craters in the backstop leading to dangerous ricochets. It may only be fired outdoors. Magnets have been installed at each port on the indoor range to check for

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steel cores. Shooters are asked to pass ALL their pistol ammo over the range magnets prior to firing. If the ammo reacts, it is banned from the indoor range.

New Door System

The club has installed a new electronic passage system on the entry door. The new proximity card system replaces the old swipe card system, which became overloaded due to the recent increase in membership. The card reader is located on the block wall, low and to the left of the doors.

Cookouts

The club has resumed its tradition of summer cookouts at monthly meetings.

Burgers and hot dogs will be available starting at 5:30. Desserts and salads are welcome contributions. Dennis Kahelalis is head chef.

Trash Pickup

The city has ceased collecting the trash at HRC, ruling that the club is a commercial property that must remove its own rubbish. To avoid the expense and problems of a dumpster rental, HRC members are asked to take home a bag or two of trash for their local pickup. The club’s trash is primarily paper and cardboard. There are no food scraps, chemicals or toxic materials.

Wi-Fi at HRC

Wireless internet access is now available at the club.

Range Safety Officer Training

HRC will offer a training course for new NRA Range Safety Officers on October 12. The club’s RSO’s are a vital part of the monthly Basic Pistol Course, monitoring the firing line one-on-one with trainees.

100th Anniversary

The 100th anniversary committee will begin holding planning meetings in September. Anyone who wishes to be part of the committee should contact club vice president Joe Knapik, chairman of the event. A new date has been announced for

the 100th anniversary celebration dinner.

The event will be held October 25, 2014 at the Castle of Knights in Fairview.

Yellow Gate

At the request of the MA Division of Fish and Wildlife, the club members have been asked to close and lock the yellow iron gate whenever it is used to access the 100yard rifle range. All HRC members in good standing should have a key to the padlock. The DFW owns the gate and adjacent property and wants to keep unauthorized vehicles out of the area.

New Members

Joining the club at the July meeting were Jabet Lopez and Patrick Clayton of Holyoke, John McIntyre of Northampton, Diane DeAngelis of Chicopee, Francis LaBrie of Easthampton, Joseph Sarkis of Springfield, Mary Heffernan of Longmeadow, Linda Fitzgerald of East Longmeadow, James Barnes of South Hadley, Garrett Nobes of Granby, and Brian Kellogg of Peru. New members joining at the August meeting were Peter DiRocco and James Haas of Easthampton, Daniel Wunch of Springfield, Katharine Bryda and Wendy Brouilette, both of South Hadley, Robert Lane of Chicopee, Michael Levin of Longmeadow, Gary Arnhold of Belchertown and Steve Mendrek of Southampton.

HRC Hats and Patches

Hats and jacket patches embroidered with the club’s logo are now available for sale from Membership Secretary Bill Burgess.

The club encourages its members to join the National Rifle Association and the Gun Owners’ Action League, the state rifle and pistol association. Ed Pelland is the club recruiter for both organizations, and handles membership applications and renewals for both. Club members can save $10 per year by paying for their NRA memberships through Ed for $25, rather than the standard $35. Ed receives NRA points for each renewal or new membership, which he applies to NRA memberships for the junior members of the club.

Fun Shoots

Practical Matches

The club holds practical matches on the fourth Saturday of the month. New shooters should arrive at 9 am for safety instruction. Participants should bring a

The

centerfire pistol or revolver and 100 rounds of ammunition, extra magazines and speedloaders, a holster, which is not a shoulder or crossdraw model, a baseball cap and eye and ear protection. Chris Fila is in charge. Volunteers are needed to set up the stages, and should arrive at 8 am.

Pistol Course

Holyoke Revolver Club conducts an NRA Basic Pistol course every month on the third Saturday. Successful participants receive both the NRA certificate and the Massachusetts state certificate required for firearms licenses. Information is available at the club website or by leaving a message on the club phone at 413-5399345. The club is now listed on the NRA website and will appear on a zip code search for NRA instruction. The club has more than a dozen NRA-certified pistol instructors and a similar number of certified Range Safety Officers.

Volunteers are needed to monitor the firing line from around 11 am to 3 pm.

Paypal

The club has established a Paypal account for payment of fees for the NRA Basic Pistol course. Information is available on the website.

50/50 Drawing

Norm Desilets won $25.50 at the July meeting and Gary Tomestic won $49.50 in the August meeting’s drawing. Sandy Wallis, Kevin Ross and Chris Dupuis all had their names drawn in the members’ drawings, but they were not present at the meetings.

Organizations to Support Range News

Dave Sparko conducts fun shoots on Tuesday evenings at the club.

Competitors shoot .22 pistols at steel plates and a “Dueling Tree” of spinning targets, trying to move all of the discs to the opponent’s side of the tree. Match schedules will be posted on the club’s website and calendar.

Page 22

Jim Torrey Rob Lombardi George Apgar

Outdoor Message

Indoors: New LED lights have been installed on the indoor range. Members are reminded to shut off all lights and fans when leaving.

50-Yard Outdoors: The safety barrier beside the 50-yard pistol range has been completed, and shooting stations for the Scholastic Steel Challenge have been set in the ground. Steel plates have been repaired and replaced, and shooters are reminded that one set is limited to .22 pistol rounds, and the other to centerfire pistols. No rifles of any caliber or shotguns may be used on the falling plates.

100-Yard Outdoors: The main backstop is at 100 yards, and a smaller berm is located at 50 yards on the rifle range. These are the only safe impact areas. Lately there have been shots fired at targets on the ground short of the two berms. This is a dangerous practice that may cause ricochets, and is not permitted on either of the outdoor ranges.

New Tactical Range: The club is planning to build a new range for outdoor tactical matches. Several sites on the club property are under consideration, and discussions are under way with the city regarding permits and environmental regulations. ★

September 2013

FITCHBURG SPORTSMEN’S CLUB

289 Rindge State Road (route #119) in Ashburnham, Massachusetts http://www.fitchburgsportsmensclub.org/

Dear Fellow Sportsmen, Our monthly meeting was held on Monday August 5th, 2013. President Ring welcomed all back from the summer vacation and opened the meeting at 7:30 PM with the opening ceremony. Noting that we lost long time member Joseph R. Morin Jr. a member who contributed time, equipment and materials to the club over the years as well as running the BBQ with his late Father.

The 50/50 Moilanen.

The minutes of the June 3rd meeting were accepted as read.

Correspondence

Youth Turkey Hunt participants (from left to right) are Jarod Baldwin, Nicholas Hall and Kyle Rhodes. Also participating but not pictured is Sam Furman, who had to leave early for a baseball game.

Sager during the Saturday workday.

Trap

Keith Maynard reported that current year to date profit from trap is approximately $14.00. The cost of clays has gone up and we are now only making a profit of four dollars on each case of clays.

A suggestion to have advertising on fences facing the highway was brought up

by Keith to get some outside revenue. The idea was explained to the membership for consideration and suggestions.

Range

Treasurer’s Report

The Range Orientation has been revised and made easier to understand. Flags have been purchased for use on the Pistol Range.

A REMINDER: Keith Maynard, a Certified instructor can be contacted for Basic Handgun Safety instruction. Please contact Keith via email kbmaynes45@netzero.net. This course is necessary for those wishing to apply for a License to Carry Firearms.

New Member Applicants

Dan March reported that attendance has been not been great. The Bear has been attacking some of the 3D targets. He invited all to come up and enjoy the course. There are 15 3D targets for archers to shoot at. The cost will be $5.00 for members and $7.50 for non members.

Pamela L. Sager reported that all bills received were paid. A correction was made to the Trap fund and money will be put back into the fund which had been used for taxes. A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s report, Motion seconded and passed.

Vice President Esther A. Erickson read the applications of the following; Kevin P. Baker, Gardner; James P. McNamara, PhD., Fitchburg; Daniel Gordon Jr., Ashby; and Patrick J. Murphy, Hubbardston. Once approved we welcome you and hope that you will participate in our activities and workdays.

House and Grounds

Dan March reported that the Workday on Saturday, June 22nd was good, only one showed up for the Sunday. A good cleanup with trails policed, ranges cleaned and rubbish removed, the area was mowed and the clubhouse rest rooms cleaned and restocked as needed.

President Ring reported that the chair lift has been repaired and inspected.

Fish and Game

Leo B. Ross reported that the pheasant pen was worked on by Pam and Zack September 2013

won

by

Lauri

Good and Welfare

Meeting Minutes

A flyer from the Central Massachusetts Friend of NRA Annual Banquet and Auction announcing the event to be held on Friday, 6:00 PM at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel, Leominster, MA on September, 20th, 2013. For reservations call Dick at 978-582-65448 or Dave at 508-479-5278. For more info go online at <wwwCentralMassFNRA.org>.

The Greater Worcester Foundation granted our $1000.00 Scholarship to Derek N. Nikander, the grandson of a member. Congratulations from the membership.

President Ring received a letter from a Jerry Corradino with a list of Massachusetts Legislators along with their phone numbers and other pertinent information. He is organizing a “Phone ALL the Legislators” campaign. For the list contact him via email gcorradino200@comcast.net and he can email you the entire list.

A letter from the Boy Scouts of America, Knox Trail Council announcing a Clay Shoot for Scouting to be held on Sunday, October 27th, 2013 at Camp Resolute, 75 Hudson Rd, Bolton, MA. If you are interested you may contact Michael F. Labenski, Senior District Executive at 508-872-6551- Ext 223.

was

Archery

Kitchen

The kitchen is open on Wednesday nights and will be open on Kid’s Day September 21st.

Worcester County League

John Root distributed the July and August Issues of the Worcester County League of Sportsmen’s News. He reported that the Big Moe will be held on September 22nd at the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club.

Old Business

Upcoming events were discussed – please refer to upcoming events section of newsletter.

New Business

President Ring reported that with rising The

Taxes and operating costs we should consider ways to raise funds. A suggestion was made to bring back the “20 Week Club”. Richard E. Lampula will check on establishing a “20” Week Club and will report back.

Vice President Esther A. Erickson suggested having a raffle for a boat or a hunting trip to Maine with lodging being another prize.

James J. Belliveau attended the hearing at Assumption College on proposals to regulate and or ban firearms. Please go on to the GOAL website to find information on future hearings and attend if you can.

Vice President Erickson reminded all that members of the FSC Yahoo mail group can send emails to the group with any pertinent information that would be of interest to all.

Dan March has raffle tickets to raise money for the Jimmy Fund. Please contact him if you are interested.

Raffles

Attendance: Member #256, Gary Robidoux was not present. The next drawing on Kids’ Day meeting on September 8th will be $524.00.

The

Please contact your legislators and ask them to oppose the elimination of our Second Amendment Rights.

We will have a live Wolf program for Kids’ Day on September 8th. The program will start at 2:00 PM. The program is free and the public is cordially invited. This will be the September meeting. Hamburgers or Cheeseburgers will be free to our young guests along with a soda and a bag of chips. Adults may purchase this food as well as beverages. The food will be available at the end of the presentation. Hope to see you there.

The meeting adjourned at 8:29 PM. Respectfully Submitted Yours in Sportsmanship George F. LeBlanc, Secretary

Calendar of Events

Wednesday Nights – Trap and 3D Archery 6 PM– open to the public.

Kitchen is open.

Saturday, September 7th, Workday 8 AM to Noon. Range Orientation 10 AM Sunday, September 8th KIDS’ DAY. Wolf Talk 2:00 PM. Public invited.

Please NOTE: There is NO meeting on Monday, September 9th.

Monday, September 16th, Director’s Meeting 7 PM Sunday, September 22nd, Greater Boston Labrador Club Training Day. Spectators welcome.

Sunday, September 29th, Ashburnham Conservation Trust Concert event.

RANGES CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT. Monday, October 7th, Range Orientation 6:30 PM, Member Meeting 7:30 PM. Monday, October, 14th, Director’s Meeting, 7:00 PM. Monday, November 4th, Range Orientation 6:30 PM, Member Meeting 7:30 PM. Monday, November 11th, Director’s Meeting, 7:00 PM. ★

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Outdoor Message

Page 23

CAPE COD FISH & GAME ASSOCIATION

Depot Street, North Harwich MA 02645 - Club Lodge 508-432-4457 Mailing Address: PO Box 119 Harwichport MA 02646

September Meetings

President, Jim Gillespie 1st Vice President, George Baggitt 2nd Vice President, Dan Welch Treasurer, Ricardo Vasconcellos Secretary, Bob Preston

happier Christmas. Please consider Merle Mammato has joined the club York to compete in the Northeastern contributing to this worth while cause.

Board of Directors. Welcome aboard, Grand American Trap Championship.

The September Business Meeting will be With regards to the aforementioned Merle!

This year will mark the tenth year our held on Tuesday, September 10th 2013. Toy Drive, please be boys have made this Dinner will be served at 7 PM. The menu advised that John Francis trip to compete in this for the evening has yet to be determined “Jake” O’Rourke passed very popular clay bird however members are urged to arrive away on June 24th, 2013. contest.

The early for a good seat. The meeting will He was 82 years young.

Northeastern Grand begin at approximately 8 PM. Jake served in the Marine draws shooters from all The September Board of Director’s Corp during the Korean over the Northeast as Meeting will be held on Tuesday Evening, War and in recent years well as Canada. Over September 24th, 2013 at 7 PM. assisted with the Toys For 500 shotgun Tots Program here on enthusiasts will be Cape Cod. This year will competing for a mark the tenth year we number of prizes and have participated in this championship titles.

P. Fielding Roberts program and Jake along Good luck to you all!

Thank you to all who attended and with his colleague Bob Wasn't it Tony Montana in "Scarface" who said "Say hello to my little participated in the August 10th clubwide Spellman, would show in friend"? Pictured is Bob Bates (a regular on our trap range) sending a work party. We got quite a bit completed full dress Marine few rounds down the rifle range at a recent .22 caliber shoot at our club.

Please be advised that and we are moving forward with the new uniforms at our December trap is shooting Wednesday Afternoons at indoor range as quickly as possible. Business Meeting to collect whatever Pop Goes The Weasel!!??

Hopefully we will have it open for offering of toys our club had for the kids Well…Happy Birthday to Cape Cod Fish 12 Noon, Friday Afternoons at 12 Noon, member use in a very short period of time. here on the Cape. Some years that & Game’s own “Weasel Boy” who turns Saturday Mornings at 10 AM and Sunday The final project will be the installation of collection would number close to 300 19 on September 24th, 2013. Happy Mornings at 9 AM. All interested members and their guests are encouraged the target return apparatus. various toys and completely fill their van. Birthday, Adam…19 years young!! to join our Fame’s Favored Few for some Please be advised that this year’s I remember one year Jake and Bob trying clay breaking action!!

Annual Christmas Party will be held on to get a brand new 36” color television, Saturday, December 7th, 2013. The doors donated by Ray Ertel, out to their van. It will open at 6 PM for appetizers and took three of us to get it through the door Mike London This month’s NRA Home Firearms Safety Dinner will be served at 7 PM. Plenty of without dropping it. Jake, you will be Course will be held Tuesday, September raffles and prizes are planned for the missed! evening. The menu will be a holiday ham All shotgun enthusiasts are reminded 17th, 2013 at 7 PM. Anyone interested in Dan Grant dinner. Tickets will go on sale shortly. to put the date of Sunday, November 24th ascertaining his or her FID (firearm This message goes out to all of our trap Adult tickets are $10 each, Youth tickets on their calendars. This will be the date of identification) card or LTC (license to shooting friends at the Cape Cod Fish & for ages 6 to 15 are $5.00 and children our Annual Trap Turkey Shoot. This will carry) is encouraged to attend. Space is Game Association, AKA “Fame’s under age 5 will be admitted free of again be a Lucky Bird formatted shoot. limited and reservations are strongly Favored Few” and/or those who call charge. For details please contact Bob Each round will cost $5.00. We will mix recommended. Please contact Mike themselves the “Cod Squad.” All of us at the Hanson Rod & Gun Club are inviting Preston at 774.406.1573. at random both green and orange birds. London at any club meeting. you to a rematch of what has become our The trap shooter who Annual Interclub Trap Shoot. breaks the most green Please set the date and time of 9 AM, birds wins the turkey Bob Preston Saturday, September 28th on your prize. In the event of a Members are encouraged to attend the calendar as the day of this rematch. As tie, the highest over all monthly business meetings to not only usual, the game will be 100 rounds of 16score will win the prize. learn about what is going on at their club yard singles.

The cost per person will be For details contact Bob but to also win some great prizes. The $25.00 and lunch is included! Trophies Bates or Dan Welch at most popular prizes have been club will be awarded to the top five shooters on any club meeting. merchandise, fishing gear and hunting each team.

The team with the highest The Massachusetts knives. You all might notice that the combined score of their top five shooters Shotgun Deer Season prizes seem to get better with each will determine the champion club and will be here before you passing month. The reason for this is that therefore the club to hold on to the now know it. Want to be all proceeds go directly back into the fund famous towering trophy for the next year. ready by opening day? that is used to purchase the prizes. Have a (This will secure the more highly coveted Then you should attend suggestion of a prize? Please contact Bob bragging rights for the next year as well!) and participate in the at 774.406.1573 or at trap1058@aol.com.

What the heck….you won the club trophy 10th Annual Shotgun Board of Director member Peter Donovan and associate last time and we want it back!!! We look showing their culinary skill at a past meeting. Hosting Slug Shoot! Prizes will forward to all of you joining us here at the the kitchen committee at the monthly business meetings be available for both Hanson Trap Range. A sign up sheet for Don Davern is a great way to satisfy your obligatory work hours. Scoped and Iron Sight Please be advised that a Bow Hunters this event is available in your clubhouse.

Currently, help is needed for both the October and formats. This event will Course has been scheduled for Saturday, December meetings. begin at 1 PM, Sunday, September 15th, 2013. All ranges with the December 1, 2013 on The arrival of fall also means the the club’s High Power Rifle Range. The exception of the trap range will be closed holidays are right around the corner and cost to shoot will be $5.00. Retries are just that day. Any member wishing to attend George Baggitt the Annual Club Toy Drive for the Marine a mere $4.00 more. The prizes this year this program should contact Gary Kaser at All members are reminded that a current member must sponsor new applicants. All Corp’s Toys for Tots Program will be back will be holiday hams! For details, please any club business meeting.

As for the weekly Wednesday night applicants and sponsors must be collecting donations. All members are call Bob Preston at 774.406.1573. interviewed for membership. After encouraged to contribute a toy to this Thank you to member Neil Bransfield shoots, business has continued to be brisk. program as there are many families for taking the time and effort to mow the Wednesday evenings continue to have as submitting an application, all perspective affected locally by the current economic trap range. Thank you to Board of many as 10 or more archers using the new members will be contacted to conditions. Last year our club donated a Director Members Mike London and Don indoor range. Anyone with a compound schedule the interview. Anyone with a membership question is urged to contact hefty number of toys that all went to local Davern for taking the initiative in getting bow, reverse curve or long bow is George Baggitt at any club meeting. welcome. To all who have crossbows, Cape Cod children helping them have a the lawn mower repaired!! please feel free to bring them along as well. The fun begins at 7:30 PM. Come on GUNS AMMO ANTIQUE WEAPONS down members and throw some arrows!!

Fitz Matush, Clubhouse Upholstered RELOADING EQUIPMENT Furniture Tester ARCHERY SUPPLIES All members need to be reminded that the gate is to be closed and locked each time The Powderhorn any member enters or exits the club 210 BARNSTABLE ROAD facilities. The only exception to this rule HYANNIS, MASS. 02601 is when the club is open to a public 508-775-8975 Good luck to Jim Gillespie, Bob Fratus, event such as trap, 3D Shoots, Club HOURS: Ray Ertel, Bob Preston and Bob Borges Picnic, etc.

Mon- Fri 9 am to 5 pm who will all be making their way to the Sat 9 am to 5 pm NYSATA Homegrounds in Cicero, New Until September….Bob P. ★

Squib Loads & Shortrounds

Trap Range

NRA Training

From The World Famous Hanson Claybusters

Raffle Department

Archery Department

Membership & Workhours

Close The @#$%&*% Gate

Northeastern Grand American Trap Shooting Championship

Page 24

The

Outdoor Message

September 2013

MEETING MINUTES

AUGUST 5, 2013. Pres. Berube called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. Bob Brooks led the Club in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Pres. Berube asked for a moment of silence for John Baca.

The August Drawing was held tonight: 1st - #42, 2nd - #30, 3rd - #72, 4th - #145, 5th - #262, 6th – Dee Lavoie, 7th - #168, 8th – Peter Tellier, 9th - #100, 10th – Riley Giguere, 11th - #39, 12th – Barbara Boisvert, and 13th - #100.

Secretary’s Report

Chris Britt read the Secretary’s report.

Bob Holmes made a motion to accept; Jack Briggs seconded.

Treasurer’s Report

Jerome Jussaume read the Treasurer’s report. Bob Brooks made a motion to accept; Jack Briggs seconded.

Committee Report

There were no reports from Audit, BMP, Grounds, History, Kitchen, Membership, Newsletter, Pistol, Rifle, Trap, WCL, Website and Work Hours.

Board of Advisors

Bob Holmes reported back that the committee had met on the 29th. The BOA discussed Long Term Investment strategies and a potential By-Law change.

These will be discussed under old business.

Archery

Jack Briggs reported that they have repaired several targets and butts and commenced trimming the paths. Clearing will continue until the paths are all

UXBRIDGE ROD & GUN CLUB West Street - PO Box 412 - Uxbridge MA 01569 www.uxbridgerodandgunclub.com

opened. Our on hand supply of two dimensional targets and replacement foam is exhausted.

Fish

Pres. Berube reported that through midJuly the pond seemed to be still giving us some pretty remarkable fish but since then fishing pressure seems to be fairly light as there have been no recordings on our logs and there are still some pretty nice fish out there!! The next projected stocking is this fall around mid-October. I’ll post the exact date next month. As usual I ask that you use the pond at your own personal and safe discretion and to respect the space and rights of other members also!

Forestry

Pres. Berube reported that they’re waiting for the report from the Forester.

Game

Mike DiLibero reported tickets for the 2 gun hunt consisting of 10 Chukars are available. Tickets are $10.00 per ticket.

Limited to 100 tickets. Drawing to be held November 4th at the November Club meeting.

Tickets are available for the German Dinner to be held on September 7th, starting at 3 PM. Dinner will be served at 4 PM. Beer and wine will be sold. Tickets are available from Quaker Deli and various members. Help will be needed for servers and to help clean the pavilion before the dinner. Scott Graham has offered his power washer and leaf blower for cleaning the pavilion. Any club members needing hours can arrive at the Club approximately 8 AM or contact Willie Huber in the kitchen.

Old Business

Jerome Jussaume reminded the Club the

Youth Pheasant Program will be held on September 21st. They will need help and pointing dogs. Please contact Jerome if you are interested.

Bob Holmes reported: #1 – Long Term Investment strategies.

The BOA agreed the idea of developing investment strategies for a specified amount of Club money is a worthwhile initiative. That being said, the BOA recommends the following actions to be taken to begin the process: 1. Develop a review of our current financial structure; 2. Review all financial expenditure goals set in the past and potential future expenditure goals for capital projects and initiatives for next 3 to 5 years; 3. Get all Chairpersons involved in the 3 to 5 year review; 4. Define an operating budget with a 3 to 5 year view. In essence, develop a vision representing 3 to 5 years from now; 5. Based upon the operating budget, determine amount of monies available for investment strategies; 6.

Determine objective of investment strategy (e.g. growth, protection, etc.); and 7. Engage a consultant to aid in developing the investment strategies. #2 The BOA, after much discussion and review of the current By-Laws, recommend the Club stay with the current By-Law as written under section “Probationary Members” (page 6). The By-Law covers Jr. Members who may have a specific hardship meeting senior member requirements.

Pres. Berube brought up last month’s proposed by-law amendment. The BOA requested the following changes: 1. – Reduce meeting agenda postdate from 14 to 7 and

P l e a s e te l l o u r a d ve r t i s e r s you saw it in

2. – Insert language allowing critical items to be brought up and acted upon in “New Business.” The by-law amendment would read as the following: “The agenda of the meeting is the responsibility of, and controlled by, the presiding officer. The agenda for the meeting, including the Order of Business and accepted items of Old and New Business, shall be received in writing and posted in the club house at least 7 days prior to the next meeting by the presiding officer. An item deemed critical to the club may be brought up and acted upon during a general meeting without such prior written notice under New Business.” This will be voted on at the next meeting.

New Business

Dick Baker made a motion moving forward any Jr. Members or Auxiliary Members becoming a Full Member that are currently members of the Club, that has been so for a period of 5 years, should be exempt from paying the initiation fee and also work hours for the year. Bob Brooks seconded. This will be voted on at the next meeting.

Ron Manyak made a motion to appropriate money to purchase 3 pallets for Trap; Ed Pokornicki seconded Unanimous.

Ed Pokornicki donated $25.00 to the Club from the cans and bottles he has collected around the Club.

Bob Brooks made a motion to adjourn at 7:48 PM; Bob Holmes seconded.

Respectfully submitted, Chris Britt, Secretary www.uxbridgerodandgunclub.com ★

The Sportsman’s Calendar . . .Competitive Shooting Matches and Special Shooting Events

978-283-0304 www.capeannsportsmansclub.org SMALLBORE Sep 8: 3D Safari Archery Shoot 7 am 1st Sunday Sep 4-5: Smallbore Rifle Clinic Springfield Sportsman’s Club - 1 pm Hudson Fish & Game Club 215 Wood Hill Road Nipmuc Rod and Gun Club 53 Pine Road Monson, MA Fisk Mill Road Hudson, NH 413-267-9652 Upton, MA 617-594-2194 <http://www.nipmucrodandgun. 3rd Sunday, 1 pm bill@williamdutton.com Georgetown Fish & Game Club com/> or 508-473-9778 Lake Avenue SINGLE ACTION Wednesdays 6 pm: Indoor Paper Georgetown, MA League SHOOTING Craig 508-265-2255 Manville Sportsmen's Rod & Gun Club 4th Sunday 1 - 4 pm 3rd Saturday, 10 am 250 High Street Manville Sportsmen's Rod & Gun Club Lawrence Rod & Gun Club Manville, RI 250 High Street Webster Street msrgc.com Manville, RI Lawrence, MA Bob 401-773-7720 Art 978-687-9504 ext 1 LADIES NIGHT randies@cox.net Sep 10, Oct 15 PRACTICAL SHOOTS Hanson Rod & Gun Club SPECIAL EVENTS 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 4th Saturdays: Davis Road Aug 31-Sep 1: Gun Show IDPA League Club Matches Hanson, MA Everett Ice Arena S&W Shooting Sports Center Must pre-register at 15 Loudon Road Springfield, MA femalefirepower@gmail.com Concord, NH 413-846-6400 DiPrete Promo 603-225-3846 4th Sunday PIN & PLATE SHOOTS dipromo@comcast.net Rod & Gun Club of New Bedford Sep 8: Real Bowling Pins Sep 7: Western Mass Council BSA North Hixville Road Sep 29: Multi Shoot Sporting Clays Tournament North Dartmouth, MA Oct 13: Steel Plates Western Mass Bird Dog Club Dave 508-984-9589 Westminster Rod & Gun Club 87 Charles Farnum Rd 4th Sunday 8:45 am: IDPA Matches 175 Knower Road Granville, MA Nenameseck Sportsman’s Club Westminster, MA Olen 508-320-3824 Bacon Road Fay 978-407-1262 sportsman9165@yahoo.com Palmer, MA 1st Sunday Sep 7: Junior Pheasant Hunt Norm 413-967-3797 Cape Ann Sportsmen’s Club Orientation and Training www.nenameseck.com/idpa 57 Cherry Street Great Swamp Shooting Range Gloucester, MA 277 Great Neck Road

ARCHERY

September 2013

The

Outdoor Message

West Kingston, RI Must pre-register 401-539-0019 Sep 14: Annual Clam Bake Nipmuc Rod and Gun Club Fisk Mill Road Upton, MA Tickets on sale at the clubhouse <http://www.nipmucrodandgun. com/> or 508-473-9778 Sep 21-22: Gun & Knife Show Royal Plaza 181 Boston Post Road West Marlborough, MA 914-248-1000 Sep 22: Massachusetts Outdoor Expo “The Big MOE” Hamilton Rod & Gun Club Hamilton, MA www.fawnsexpo.com Sep 29: Mass State Black Powder Championships and Team Shoot Braintree Rifle and Pistol Club off Liberty Street Braintree, MA Don 781-789-7642 BPMFIRST@GMAIL.COM Oct 5: 2013 Scholastic Pistol Program (SPP) Northeast Fall Collegiate Match Sponsored by Smith & Wesson Harvard Sportsman's Club Littleton County Road Harvard, MA tammy.mowry@zoominternet.net Oct 5-6: Gun & Knife Show South Shore Expo Center 8 Natalie Way Plymouth, MA

914-248-1000 Oct 12-13: Rhode Island Junior Pheasant Hunt Weekend Management areas in West Kingston, Gloucester and Tiverton Must pre-register 401-539-0019 Oct 26-27: Gun & Knife Show Eastern States Expo 1305 Memorial Ave West Springfield, MA 914-248-1000 Nov 16-17: Gun Show hosted by Holbrook Sportsmen's Club Randolph Knights of Columbus Teed Drive Randolph, MA 781-767-4971 or web@holbrooksportsmenclub.com

SPORTING CLAYS

Sundays 10 am, Wednesdays at noon: Winter League Petersham Gun Club 159 Nelson Road Petersham, MA petershamgunclub12@gmail.com Parker win59pe@hughes.net

TRAP & SKEET

Sep 1: 2013 Summer Skeet League final evening Nipmuc Rod and Gun Club Fisk Mill Road Upton, MA <http://www.nipmucrodandgun. com/> or 508-473-9778 ★

Page 25

The Sportsman’s Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Education & Training

HUNTER EDUCATION S

Hunter Ed courses are offered through state agencies. Visit <www.theoutdoor message.com> and click on “Resources” for links to state websites.

GENERAL TRAINING

Daily: NRA and Mass Certified Pistol Course and FID Card Course Distribution Firearms Services 10 Colonial Road Suite 209-C Salem, MA Must pre-register 978-741-0044 3rd Saturday: NRA Home Firearms Safety/Mass Basic Firearms Safety Rod & Gun Club of New Bedford North Hixville Road North Dartmouth, MA Must pre-register R.J. 508-676-9861 Last Thursday and Last Saturday: Basic Firearms Safety & Handling Worcester County Jail and House of Correction 5 Paul X Tivnan Dr West Boylston, MA Pre-register Julie 508-854-1800 x2442 Weekends/Monthly: MA Certified Pistol Course, Law Enforcement and Civilian Training Franklin County League 721 River Road Deerfield, MA Alan 413-863-2964 Quarterly: 2-day Defensive Handgun IM-SAFE Firearms Training Center Simsbury, CT Dennis 860-651-4911 www.im-safe.com

TRAINING offered AS NEEDED: Mass Basic Firearms Safety Ayer Gun & Sportsmen’s Club Ayer, MA Dan 978-870-7298 dan.damato@comcast.net NRA Basic classes, Advance Tactical classes Dynamic Incident Response Mike 781-258-6577 mike@dynamicincidentresponse.com Mass Basic Firearms Safety, NRA Home Firearms Safety, NRA Basic Pistol, NRA Rifle, NRA Shotgun Carver, MA John 508-728-5899 jedduf@gmail.com NRA Basic Pistol, Home Firearm Safety, Tactical Pistol, Concealed Carry, Private Accuracy Workshops Central Mass www.centralmassfirearmsacademy.com NRA Basic Pistol, Home Firearm Safety, Personal Protection in the Home; Private Shooting Lessons; Advanced Tactical and Concealed Carry Courses Central MA Area First Defense Firearms, Inc. 508-278-6844 www.firstdefensefirearms.com FID & LTC Courses Cape Ann Sportsmen’s Club 57 Cherry Street Gloucester, MA 978-283-0304 capeannsportsmansclub.org NRA and Mass State Police Certified Pistol Course, Shotgun Shell reloading, Metallic Cartridge Reloading, Refuse to be A Victim Hampden and Worcester Counties Conrad 413-739-3015 www.FirearmSafetyClass.com NRA Basic Pistol, NRA First Steps Hanson Rod & Gun Club Davis Road Hanson, MA hansontraining@gmail.com NRA and MA State Police Certified Pistol Course Leominster, MA Michael 978-534-2484 firearmsinstruction@gmail.com Smallbore Rifle Courses Ludlow Fish & Game Sportsmen’s Road Ludlow, MA Al 413-782-2917 staff@lfgclub.org Craig 413-589-7093 Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Home Firearms Safety

Page 26

Millis, MA Paul 508-541-3164 pgmarier@verizon.net NRA Basic Pistol and NRA Home Firearm Safety Plainville, MA Jeff 508-944-3797 rkba@earthlink.net NRA Basic Pistol, NRA Home Firearms Safety, MA State Certified Shrewsbury, MA Mike 508-330-9430 Mass Basic Firearm Safety Course South Shore Charles 774-776-6494 www.magproinc.com Home Firearms Safety, NRA Basic Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun; Blackpowder Rifle, Pistol or Shotgun South Shore John 781-963-7785 john.monti@comcast.net NRA Home Firearms Safety, Basic Pistol, Mass Basic Firearms Safety Swansea, MA Mike or Richard 401-413-2313 NRA Basic Pistol, NRA Firearms Safety, NRA Personal Protection, and Muzzleloader Basics. Skill improvement courses also available Wayland Rod and Gun Club 4 Meadowview Rd Wayland, MA Stephen 978-460-4207 sgaranin@hotmail.com Home Firearms Safety, Basic Pistol, Basic Rifle, Shotshell & Metallic Cartridge Reloading Worcester, MA John 508-414-0491 fasafetytrng@aol.com NRA Home Firearms Safety, Basic Pistol, Personal Protection; Mass Basic Firearms Safety; GLOCK Certified Instructor; GLOCK Armorer Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut Harry 401-965-4648 Corporate Seminars & Workshops including workplace Violence and Women’s Safety Seminars. Custom programs available IM-SAFE Firearms Training Center Simsbury, CT Dennis 860-651-4911 www.im-safe.com MA/RI certified instructor, RI Pistol recertifications Tiverton, RI Steven 401-624-2649 steventsr@hotmail.com

NRA BASIC PISTOL

Sep 14, Oct 12, Nov 9 Mass Shooters Foundation 37 Pierce Street Northborough, MA 503-393-5133 Wednesday Evenings Cape Cod Steven 508-548-5879 www.capecodgunsafety.com Sundays 1 pm Black North Firearms & Training Dracut, MA Tony 978-337-4044 blacknorth@comcast.net Monthly. Must pre-register Hamilton-Wenham Rod & Gun Mike 978-815-6989 Every 3rd Saturday Hanson Rod & Gun Club Davis Road hansontraining@gmail.com Every 2nd Wednesday Ludlow Fish & Game Sportsmen’s Road Ludlow, MA Les lprentice@verizon.net Every 3rd Saturday Holyoke Revolver Club 431 West Cherry Street Holyoke, MA 413-539-9345 3rd Sunday Brockton, MA Charles 508-238-1586 chuck@cdavisgroup.com Saturdays & Sundays Instructional Shooting Inc. 164 Andover Street

Westford, MA Marlboro, MA Stony Brook Fish & Game Assoc.

Marlboro Fish & Game Jim 978-392-7996 1 Muddy Lane gunsafejim@verizon.net Mark 508-393-7575 Weymouth, MA Maynard, MA Weymouth Sportsmen’s Club Maynard Rod & Gun Club Joseph joefeepistolinstruction.com Kenyon 508-361-4259 trackertx17@yahoo.com NRA BASIC RIFLE Milford, MA Dave 508-243-1521 Courses offered AS NEEDED: New Bedford, MA Greater Lowell area Joe 508-863-0464 Ken 978-692-6818 www.nbpistolinstructor.com Gun-Safety@klmaurer.com Revere, MA South Shore Boston Firearms Training Center John 781-963-7785 Courses offered AS NEEDED: 796 Broadway john.monti@comcast.net Ayer Gun & Sportsmen’s Club Tom 781-284-6677 Ayer, MA www.botnfirearms.com NRA BASIC SHOTGUN Dan 978-870-7298 Shrewsbury, MA dan.damato@comcast.net Monthly Mike 508-330-9430 Blackstone Valley Area Ludlow Fish & Game South Shore Blackstone Firearms Training LLC Sportsmen’s Road John 781-963-7785 Fred www.basicpistol.com Ludlow, MA john.monti@comcast.net Braintree, MA Ray 413-596-3288 South Shore/Cape Cod John 781-848-0047 cr2smith@charter.net Steve 781-974-3920 jrwalsh@beld.net www.southshoregunsafety.com NRA HOME FIREARMS Central Cape Area Southboro, MA Harwich, MA SAFETY Chuck 508-485-1430 Steven 508-432-8036 Tuesdays, Thursdays 6 pm Swansea, MA Central Massachusetts Black North Firearms & Training Mike or Richard 401-413-2313 www.centralmassfirearmsacademy.com Dracut, MA Westboro, MA Central Massachusetts Tony 978-337-4044 Self Reliance Firearm Training First Defense Firearms, Inc. blacknorth@comcast.net 290 Turnpike Road, Ste 6, Box 390 508-278-6844 Weekly Steve 508-963-6073 dennis@firstdefensefirearms.net RKBA Personal Safety Training Westford, MA Central Massachusetts 129 No Main Street, Room 302 Stony Brook Fish & Game Assoc.

Richard 508-876-9270 Mansfield, MA Jim 978-392-7996 training@competitionspecialties.com Jeff 508-944-3797 gunsafejim@verizon.net Central Massachusetts www.massltctrain.com Charlie 508-981-6402 1st Tuesday and Thursday monthly NRA PERSONAL crfcook@verizon.net Scituate Rod & Gun Club PROTECTION Hampden and Worcester Counties Rte 3A Conrad 413-739-3015 Wednesday Evenings Scituate, MA www.FirearmSafetyClass.com Cape Cod 781-545-1510 Holliston, MA Steven 508-548-5879 secretary@scituaterg.com Holliston Sportsmen’s Association www.capecodgunsafety.com 3rd Saturday. Must pre-register 137 Bullard Lane Rod & Gun Club of New Bedford Courses offered AS NEEDED: Ed 508-641-7854 Ayer Gun & Sportsmen’s Club North Hixville Road Lenox, MA Ayer, MA North Dartmouth, MA Lenox Sportsmen’s Club Dan 978-870-7298 R.J. Kozik 508-676-9861 New Lenox Road dan.damato@comcast.net 3rd Sunday Lou 413-442-4550 Central Cape Area Brockton, MA Greater Lowell area Harwich, MA Charles 508-238-1586 Ken 978-692-6818 Steven 508-432-8036 chuck@cdavisgroup.com Gun-Safety@klmaurer.com Greater Lowell area - Offering In the 3rd Tuesday Marlboro, MA Home and Outside the Home courses Cape Cod Fish and Game Marlboro Fish & Game Ken 978-692-6818 Off Depot Street 1 Muddy Lane Gun-Safety@klmaurer.com North Harwich, MA Mark 508-393-7575 Jack 508-394-9466 REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM Evenings & Weekends Metrowest Boston, Eastern Mass Courses offered AS NEEDED: Mike 508-734-1156 or Greater Lowell area www.homegunsafety.com Ken 978-692-6818 Monthly Gun-Safety@klmaurer.com Starfire Haverhill, MA NRA INSTRUCTOR Maynard, MA Lynne & Edward 978-373-4325 Maynard Rod & Gun Club TRAINING starfirefst@comcast.net 45 Old Mill Road Courses offered AS NEEDED: Courses offered AS NEEDED: Kenyon 508-361-4259 NRA Range Safety Officer Certification Ayer Gun & Sportsmen’s Club trackertx17@yahoo.com Holyoke Revolver Club Ayer, MA New Bedford, MA Holyoke, MA Dan 978-870-7298 Joe 508-863-0464 413 539-9345 or dan.damato@comcast.net www.nbpistolinstructor.com roblombardihrc@comcast.net.

Braintree, MA Revere, MA NRA Instructor & RSO Training John 781-848-0047 Boston Firearms Training Center Greater Lowell area jrwalsh@beld.net 796 Broadway Ken 978-692-6818 Central Cape Area Tom 781-284-6677 Gun_Safety@comcast.net Harwich, MA www.bostonfirearms.com NRA Instructor Courses Steven 508-432-8036 Sharon, MA Instructional Shooting Inc. Central Massachusetts Sharon Fish & Game 164 Andover Street www.centralmassfirearmsacademy.com 307 East Street Lowell, MA Central Massachusetts Dan captdan33@aol.com Must pre-register 800-984-4867 First Defense Firearms, Inc. 781-784-5806 www.instructionalshooting.com 508-278-6844 Shrewsbury, MA NRA Instructor Courses for Rifle, dennis@firstdefensefirearms.net Mike 508-330-9430 Shotgun, Pistol, Personal Protection, Central Massachusetts South Shore/Cape Cod Range Safety Officer and Reloading Richard 508-876-9270 Steve 781-974-3920 Metallic or Shotgun training@competitionspecialties.com www.southshoregunsafety.com IM-SAFE Firearms Training Center Clinton, MA South Shore Simsbury, CT 978-368-8065 John 781-963-7785 Dennis 860-651-4911 gubber1@verizon.net john.monti@comcast.net www.im-safe.com Hampden and Worcester Counties Southboro, MA Utah Non-Resident Permit Class, Conrad 413-739-3015 Chuck 508-485-1430 Defensive Handgun Class, Defensive www.FirearmSafetyClass.com Swansea, MA Rifle Class, Defensive Shotgun Class, Holliston, MA Mike or Richard 401-413-2313 Holliston Sportsmen’s Association Basic Pistol, Home Firearms Safety Tewksbury, MA Central Massachusetts 137 Bullard Lane Stan 978-658-7308, 978-436-0639 First Defense Firearms, Inc. Ed 508-641-7854 Westboro, MA 508-278-6844 Greater Lowell area Self Reliance Firearm Training dennis@firstdefensefirearms.net ★ Ken 978-692-6818 290 Turnpike Road, Ste 6, Box 390 Gun-Safety@klmaurer.com Steve 508-963-6073 Lowell, MA Must pre-register 800-984-4867 www.instructionalshooting.com Monthly Starfire Haverhill, MA Lynne & Edward 978-373-4325 starfirefst@comcast.net Monthly Tactical Dynamics Firearms Training Foxboro, MA Rob 508.276.5730 www.tacticaldynamicsfirearmstraining.com

The

Outdoor Message

September 2013

The Sportsman’s Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shooting Practices

AIR PISTOL

Standish Sportsman’s Association off Burr Lane Sundays 5 - 8 pm East Bridgewater, MA Massachusetts Rifle Association Bill 781-447-0380 290R Salem Street Wednesdays: Smallbore Rifle Woburn MA Sagamore Rifle Club smacaulay@winsor.edu Sagamore, MA 978-239-2862 Leon 508-888-2474 Wednesdays 5 - 9 pm: Smallbore ARCHERY Rifle Mondays 7:30 - 9 Taunton Rifle & Pistol Club pm 460 Britannia Street Hanson Rod & Taunton, MA Gun Club Sid 774-473-7934 Davis Road, off Saturdays: Junior Indoor Archery Elm Street Manville Sportsmen's Rod & Gun Club Hanson, MA 250 High Street info@hansonrodandgunclub.com Manville, RI Wednesdays: Indoor Archery msrandgc@gmail.com Woburn Sportsmen’s Association Saturdays: Smallbore Rifle 155 Middlesex Turnpike Old Colony Sportsmen’s Assoc.

Bedford, MA Forest Street indoorarchery@woburnsportsmen.com Pembroke, MA Wednesdays 7 - 9:30 pm George 781-871-0003 Rod & Gun Club of New Bedford Sundays 4 - 8 pm: Junior Air Pistol North Hixville Road and Sport Pistol North Dartmouth, MA Massachusetts Rifle Association Randy 508-636-4493 290R Salem Street Barre Sportsman’s Club Woburn MA 221 Spring Hill Road smacaulay@winsor.edu Barre, MA 978-239-2862 John 978-355-4071 Sundays 5 pm: Smallbore Rifle Lenox Sportsmen’s Club BLACK POWDER 258 New Lenox Road Sundays 8 am - 12 pm Lenox, MA Leominster Sportsmen’s Assoc.

Jeff 413-528-1343 1455 Elm Street Sundays 6 - 9 pm: Smallbore Rifle Leominster, MA Nenameseck Sportsman’s Club Bacon Road CONVENTIONAL PISTOL Palmer, MA Mondays & Wednesdays 6 - 9 pm Dick 413-283-3920 Tiverton Rod & Gun Club Junior High Power Rifle Team 1529 Fish Road Reading Rifle and Revolver Club Tiverton, RI Haverhill Street John 508-675-2946 Reading, MA Tuesdays: Pistol League Duane 978-317-2811 Cape Ann Sportsmen’s Club duaneb1953@yahoo.com 57 Cherry Street LADIES NIGHT Gloucester, MA Fall River Rod & Gun Club Sep 10, Oct 15 Sanford Road Hanson Rod & Gun Club Westport, MA Davis Road Bob 508-995-7768 Hanson, MA 3rd Saturday 9 am Must pre-register at Barre Sportsman’s Club femalefirepower@gmail.com 221 Spring Hill Road Barre, MA PRACTICAL SHOOTS Bert 508-413-6529 1st & 3rd Monday 7:30 - 10 pm: IDPA Practice HIGH POWER RIFLE Harvard Sportsmen’s Club Littleton County Road 1st Saturday 9 am, 3rd Sunday 1 pm: Harvard, MA CMP www.harvardsportsmensclub.com Hanson Rod & Gun Club Davis Road, off Elm Street SINGLE ACTION Hanson, MA 781-293-9872 SHOOTING 4th Sunday 1 pm: DCM Shoots 1st Sunday 1 - 4 pm Maspenock Rod & Gun Club Manville Sportsmen's Rod & Gun Club McGill Lane, Milford, MA 250 High Street Dave 508-478-6211 Manville, RI Bob 401-773-7720 JUNIOR randies@cox.net Mondays 7 - 9 pm: Junior Rifle Reading Rifle & Revolver SMALLBORE Haverhill Street Barre Sportsman’s Club Reading, MA 221 Spring Hill Road Bob 781-246-4860 Barre, MA Mondays 6 -9 pm: Junior Archery Tony 978-355-4474 Hanson Rod & Gun Club Davis Road, off Elm Street SPORTING CLAYS Hanson, MA info@hansonrodandgunclub.com Every Day 9 am - Dusk Peace Dale Shooting Preserve Tuesdays 7 pm: Sporter Air Rifle Peace Dale, RI Fridays 7 pm: Smallbore Rifle 401-789-3730 Maspenock Rod & Gun Club Saturdays & Sundays 1 - 4 pm McGill Lane Independent Sportsmen Club Milford, MA Mirimichi Road Dave 508-243-1521 Foxboro, MA Wednesdays 6 pm: Smallbore Rifle Saturdays 9:30 am - 1 pm Hanson Rod & Gun Club Western Mass Bird Dog Club Davis Road, off Elm Street 87 Charles Farnum Road Hanson, MA Granville, MA Rick 781-293-6185 Jim 413-538-8941 Wednesdays: Smallbore Rifle Saturdays Noon - 5 pm Ames Rifle & Pistol Club Fall River Rod & Gun Club 110A Canton Street Sanford Road North Easton, MA Westport, MA Bob 508-238-8563 508-673-4535 Wednesdays: Smallbore Rifle g

September 2013

Sundays 9 am - 12 pm Cape Ann Sportsmen’s Club 57 Cherry Street Gloucester, MA 978-283-0304 capeannsportsmansclub.org Sundays 1 - 4 pm Fin, Fur & Feather 35 Crystal Spring Road Mattapoisett, MA 508-758-6790 Sundays 10 am - 2 pm Springfield Sportsmen's Club Woodhill Road Monson, MA Al 413-222-8322 Thursdays 5:30 pm Barre Sportsman’s Club 221 Spring Hill Road Barre, MA Randy 978-632-8708

TRAP & SKEET

Trap: Sundays 9 - 11 am Nashoba Sportsman's Club, Inc. 924 Main Street Acton, MA Trap Barre Sportsman’s Club 221 Spring Hill Road Barre, MA Mike 508-867-8867 Trap: Sundays 9 am - 1 pm Swift River Sportsman’s Club 79 Moore Road Belchertown, MA Sundays 10 am - 2 pm Standish Sportsman's Association Off Burr Lane East Bridgewater, MA John 508-378-7696 Trap, Skeet, 5 Stand: Saturdays & Sundays 1 - 4 pm; Wednesdays 5 - 8 pm Independent Sportsmen Club Mirimichi Road Foxboro, MA Trap: Sundays 9 am - 12 pm Cape Ann Sportsmen’s Club 57 Cherry Street Gloucester, MA 978-283-0304 capeannsportsmansclub.org Trap: Sundays 1 - 4 pm; Wednesdays 6:30 - 9 pm Hanson Rod & Gun Club Davis Road Hanson, MA 781-293-9872 Trap & Skeet: Sundays 1 - 4 pm, Thursdays 6 - 9 pm Southborough Rod & Gun Club 254 Fruit Street Hopkinton, MA steve-chouinard@hotmail.com Skeet: Sundays 9 am - 1 pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays 7 - 9:30 pm Trap: Sundays 9 am - Noon Riverside Gun Club 16 Wilkins Road Hudson, MA www.riversidegc.org Trap: Sundays 10 am, Wednesdays 5 pm, Fridays 9 am, Saturday Noon Lawrence Rod & Gun Club Webster Street Lawrence, MA John 978-470-0327 Trap: Tuesdays 9 am - 12 pm Skeet: Thursdays 9 am - 12 pm Trap & Skeet: Sundays 9 am - 1 pm, Thursdays 6 - 10 pm, Saturdays 12 4 pm North Leominster Rod & Gun Club Lancaster Avenue Lunenburg, MA 978-840-6322 Trap & Skeet: Sundays 9 am - 12 pm Leominster Sportsmen’s Association 1455 Elm Street Leominster, MA Trap, Skeet, Modern Skeet, Five Stand: Sundays 11:30 am - 4 pm Trap, Skeet, Modern Skeet: Saturdays 11 am - 3 pm Ludlow Fish & Game Club Sportsman Road The

Outdoor Message

Ludlow, MA Marshall 413-585-8662 Trap: Sundays 1 - 4 pm Fin Fur & Feather Club 35 Crystal Springs Road Mattapoisett, MA 508-758-6790 Trap: Mondays 5 - 9 pm Methuen Rod & Gun Club 240 Tyler Street Methuen, MA Eli 978-683-3261 Trap: Sundays 10 am; Wednesdays 6 pm Maspenock Rod & Gun Club 1 McGill Lane Milford, MA Joe jhaiken3@yahoo.comt Saturdays and Sundays 12 - 3:30 pm Fin, Fur & Feather Club 100 Larch Road Millis, MA 508-376-2977 Trap & Skeet: Sundays 10 am - 2 pm Skeet: Wednesdays until 1 pm Springfield Sportsmen's Club Woodhill Road Monson, MA Skeet field 413-267-9230 Al 413-222-8322 Trap: Sundays 9 am; Thursdays 3 pm; Saturdays 10 am Monument Beach Sportsmens Club Dump Road off MacArthur Blvd Monument Beach, MA Club 508-759-5653

September 28, 2013 Trap, Skeet & Wobble Skeet: Saturdays & Sundays 1 pm Angle Tree Stone Rod & Gun Club 57 Kelly Boulevard North Attleboro, MA Joe 508-699-6730 Trap: Wednesdays 7 pm North Brookfield Sportsmens Club 20 Boynton Road North Brookfield, MA 508-867-9216 Trap: Sundays 9 am - 1 pm; Fridays 12 - 3 pm; Saturdays 10 am - 1 pm Cape Cod Fish & Game Depot Street North Harwich, MA Bob batesauto@comcast.net Trap & Skeet: Saturdays & Sundays 10 am - 2 pm; Wednesdays 10 am - noon 5-Stand & Sporting Clays: Wednesdays 10 am - noon; Saturdays 10 am - 1 pm Old Colony Sportsmen’s Assoc.

159 Forest Street Pembroke, MA Dick 781-585-1875 Trap: Thursdays 6 - 9 pm Nimrod League of Holden Coal Kiln Road Princeton, MA www.nimrodleague.org

Sundays 10 am Sippican Rod & Gun Club 215 Dexter Lane Rochester, MA Paul 508-763-4226 Trap & Skeet: Sundays 1 - 3 pm; Thursdays 6 - 9 pm; Saturdays 1 - 3 pm Easthampton Fish & Game Rt 10, College Highway Southampton, MA 413-527-9340 Skeet: Sundays 9 am - Noon; Tuesdays & Thursdays 5 - 8 pm Stockbridge Sportsmen Club Route 102 Stockbridge, MA Gary 413-298-3623 Paul 413-528-0859 Trap: Sundays 9 am - 1 pm; Wednesdays 6 pm Townsend Rod & Gun Club Emery Road Townsend, MA Jim 978-597-9121 Trap: Thursdays 6 pm - dusk Trap & 5 Stand: Sundays 9 am - 1 pm Skeet & 5 Stand: Tuesdays 6 pm dusk Walpole Sportsmen’s Association Lincoln Road Walpole, MA 508-668-6919 Trap: Sundays 1 - 4 pm Westford Sportsmen’s Club West Street Westford, MA Tom 978-692-4974 Sundays 12 - 4 pm; Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm; Wednesdays 7 - 9 pm Fall River Rod & Gun Club Sanford Road Westport, MA 508-673-4635 Trap: Thursdays 7 pm Wrentham Sportsmen’s Assoc.

7 Madison Street Wrentham, MA Dave 508-883-7959 Trap: Wednesdays 6 - 9 pm; Saturdays 10 am - 2 pm Skeet: Thursday 6 - 10 pm; Saturday 12 - 4 pm 5 Stand: Sunday 11 am - 2 pm Wallum Lake Rod Gun Club 200 Brook Road Harrisville, RI 401-568-7171 or 401-568-5421 Trap: Sundays 9:30 am; Wednesdays 5:30 pm Manville Sportsmen's Rod & Gun Club 250 High Street Manville, RI www.msrgc.com Trap: Sundays 10 am - 1 pm; Saturdays 12 - 2 pm Smithfield Sportsman's Club Walter Carey Road, Off Route 5 Smithfield, RI Dave 401-949-1525 Trap: Sundays 10 am - 12 noon; Thursdays 4 - 7 pm Tiverton Rod & Gun Club 1529 Fish Road Tiverton, RI Clubhouse 401-624-3959 ★

List your club events free of charge in The Sportsman’s Calendar!

Event Category: ❑ Education & Training ❑ Competitive Events ❑ Informal shooting & practices Date of Event: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Event Description: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Event Location: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ______________________________ Contact Person, Phone, Email: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ______________________________ Email: editor@theoutdoormessage.com Mail: The Sportsman’s Calendar PO Box 306, Northborough, MA 01532 Fax: 603-642-4327

Page 27

WRENTHAM SPORTSMEN’S ASSOCIATION

PO Box 83 - 7 Madison Street - Wrentham, MA 02093 508-643-1322 - www.wrenthamsa.com

Meetings: Advisory Board: First Monday of the Month, 7 pm; General: Second Monday of the Month, 7 pm

From the Editors Desk

Not too much going on in July, no meetings, so nothing to report there. The heat has also discouraged a lot of us from outside activities. You could fry an egg on the seats of the aluminum boats and fishing is sluggish.

Sometimes I wonder………………

“Why is that Frisbee getting bigger?”

And then it Hits Me!

From the President

Yes, it seems like the “dog days” of summer have come early this year; a wet spring and a very hot and humid entry into summer. Howie mentions it in detail below, but I want to thank all those who have worked feverishly to reconstruct club financial records for past several years! It is nice to have the support of so many dedicated members!!!

From the Financial Secretary

My fellow members, it’s been a very busy two months. We continue to make significant headway in setting up the entire club on a computer based

accounting system. I’d like to thank Chris Bradbury, Al Greenleaf, Keith Sharron, Dave Munchbach, Skip Budlong and Jim Stella for all their hard work as we organized old records. Without the many volunteer hours this part of our progress would never have happened.

It is with deep regret that I report the loss of one of our favorite LIFE Members, Mr. Lee A. Silver, Jr. Lee was a hard working gentleman and always a welcome addition on our Sunday Club shoots, so much so he had his own target frame! No services were planned.

Range

We all enjoyed the ‘snub nose’ shoot, on July 7th. We didn’t fill the line, which means there was room for more shooters.

No matter what your skill level, this is a great opportunity to sharpen your skills.

The members are always ready to lend a hand, offer advice or ‘bust your chops’, always in good spirit. If you can’t enjoy yourself, get to know other members better and have fun, something’s wrong.

Range Schedule

SEPT 08 – THE GREAT VEGETABLE SHOOT, (Sidelock)

Spring Stocking!

SEPT 22 – RIFLE, Center Fire OCT 20 – RIFLE, Center Fire, Bench Rest

NOTES: Members who need hours or anyone interested in helping “Come On Down”!

Club events do not require sign in, unless noted events start at 1:00pm.

My friend thinks he’s smart, he said onions are the only food that makes you cry. So I threw a coconut at his face!

Pond & Grounds

Lazy Hazy Days...

Order your subscription -- or purchase a subscription for a friend -- online!

http://www.theoutdoormessage.com/Subscribeform.html Credit card payments through PayPal.

We’ve been invaded by a bumper crop of weeds this year. Gary is working hard to get us taken care of, weed control contractors are in big demand. If you subscribe to DU-Ducks Unlimited or TUTrout Unlimited, you realize the increasing damage that residential and commercial fertilizer is doing, promoting the growth of water born vegetation.

Be very vigilant this summer, especially if you are wearing shorts. Tickborn disease is on the increase according to Mass Public Health, including Lyme disease spread by tiny infected deer ticks.

Please consider that the tick problem continues well into the late Fall and depending on weather can still be active

GUNS WANTED

We Buy Guns - “Active Cash for Idle Guns” Any and all types of guns: shotguns, handguns, antique guns, target guns, hunting guns, European guns, military guns, World War II guns, and helmets, Civil War guns and swords.

One gun or entire collection.

Peter G. Dowd Fully Licensed and Insured Page 28

Peter G. Dowd

At home appointments may be arranged.

(508) 366-1999 The

30 Years Experience NRA Life Member GOAL Life Member

Outdoor Message

even in the winter. Always remember to check our little friends too, dogs then kids!!!

Homemade repellent recipe: In a spray bottle, mix 2 cups of distilled white vinegar and 1 cup of water.

To make a scented solution so you do not smell like bitter vinegar all day, add 20 drops of your favorite essential oil.

Eucalyptus oil is a calm, soothing scent that also works as a tick repellent, while peppermint and citrus oils give off a strong crisp scent that also repel ticks.

After mixing the solution, spray onto clothing, skin, and hair before going outdoors. Reapply every four hours to keep ticks at bay, and examine your skin and hair when back inside to make sure no ticks are on the body. NOTE: I wish Noah had swatted those two mosquitos!

Notes Of Interest

Normally I would not use this publication to promote a non-club function. With that being said, the 3rd Annual ACTION FOR JACKSON motorcycle ride will be held Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013. Event held at Medway VFW, you can get more info at club; flyer will be posted in meeting room, bulletin board.

Archery

Chuck organized the 3D shoot, June, 29, and it was well attended. Special thanks to Co-Op and Herb for their hard work setting up and securing targets.

2013 Officers

President - Keith Sharron First V.P. – Dave Munchbach Second V.P. – Skip Budlong Recording Sec. – Jeff Roy Financial Sec. – Howie

ADVISORY BOARD Chairman – Dave Munchbach

Remember we need your schedules, stories, event information to make this work.

As Always my thanks to our man about town, Jerry O ★ September 2013