SPORTSMEN S NOTES. The Official Publication of the Dormont-Mt. Lebanon Sportsmen s Club July 2008

Transcription

1 SPORTSMEN S NOTES The Official Publication of the Dormont-Mt. Lebanon Sportsmen s Club July 2008 MEMBERS GO HANDS ON WITH THE NEW TRAP MACHINE AT THE MONTHLY MEETING DMSC SHORT SHOTS July membership meeting: At press time there was no speaker selected, so if there is one, he or she will be as surprised as we will. On a somber note, DMSC extends its deepest sympathies to member James V. Maimone on the tragic loss of his son John and grandson Michael, when a pick up truck collided with their motorcycle over the Independence Day holiday. Condolences also to John s brother, member James A. Maimone, Trap program manager Doug Gawronski gives an orientation to members before they try their skills with the new trap machine. As dusk settled on the club grounds, the attendees at the June meeting moved outdoors to see the new trap machine in action. First, program manager Doug Garownski, gave the crew an overview of how the machine operated and what is could accomplish. For you trap aficionados, the machine is a top of the line Pat-Trap, the official supplier to the ATA Home grounds. The standard turret (magazine) holds four full cases of targets (540). It throws singles and doubles and is fully adjustable for windage and elevation. Doug is pleased with the ease of operation and the target savings. Of the first 1300 clays thrown, only three broke. Last year, the breakage rate was 20%. After his talk, Doug put on the lights to brighten the range and a fistful of members took the opportunity to give the machine a test ride. No one was embarrassed, and the shooters and non-shooters alike felt the machine was a great addition to the DMSC facilities. There are a lot of events going on in July, including the Benelli shotgun demonstration on July 27. Remember, only DMSC members will be permitted to test fire the Benelli products. Non-members who apply for membership during the event will receive a $10 discount on their first year dues. Bruce Ungar will need help in upgrading the ventilation system for the indoor range if we re going to get the project completed by August. Call Bruce, (412) , if you want to lend a hand. Check out the new short sleeve pocket tees for $10 on the Trading Post page. Like PenDOT, we will shortly be experiencing a temporary inconvenience for a permanent improvement, sort of. In a few weeks we will begin a capital improvement program on SHORT SHOTS continued on Page 5 Inside This Issue June Work Party 6 Budget Report 8 League News 8-9 PGC and PFBC News 10 Trading Post 11

2 SHOOTING OPPORTUNITIES REMINDER: SUNDAY SHOOTING HOURS BEGIN AT 9:00AM. All shooting hours are posted on the clubhouse outside bulletin board. 2 PISTOL MONDAY NIGHT OUTDOOR. The first line shoots at 6:00PM, the second line at 7:00. Call the program leaders, George Taylor (412) or Bruce Ungar (412) , for additional information. SATURDAY OUTDOOR SILHOUETTE The outdoor program fires every fourth Saturday at 9:00AM. Call George Taylor (412) for additional information. NOTE: FRIDAY SETUP. For RANGE SAFETY purposes, George needs a couple of volunteers to help coordinate movement and target setting between the pistol and rifle ranges. Call him if you re available or just show up. TRES BANDIDOS July 30, the fifth Wednesday of the month, is set for this fun shoot. Bring a team or come alone. Call George Taylor will call the line. Call him for details. RIFLE NRA 200 YARD HIGH POWER The program fires at 9:00AM the first Saturday of each month, except for this August when the shoot will be the second Saturday, August 9.. Remember, the program added a modified F class that permits the use of scopes. Call John Tupta (724) , or Al Jaworski (724) for equipment requirements and other particulars. SMALL BORE There will be a two-day small bore match on August 2-3 at 9:00AM. Come early for registration. CIVILIAN MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAM The matches are held the third Sunday of the month and start at 11:00AM, with the range available at 9:30. For information, call Al Marsico at (724) New shooters must contact Al for a safety orientation prior to shooting. For information, call Al Marsico at (724) BLACK POWDER. Contact Ron Watton, (724) , or watton2@verizon.net. SHOTGUN TRAP shoots on Tuesdays at 6:00PM. Call Doug Gawronski, , for info. 5-STAND shoots the first and third Sundays. Call Tom Kramer, , for more information. BRING A FRIEND TO THE BENELLI SHOT- GUN EXHIBITION WITH TIM BRADLEY on July 27 at 2:00PM. Any non-member who applies for DMSC membership at the event will get $10 off their first year dues.

3 3 AUGUST 2008 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday You can get daily NRA news reports in small Doses or a big chunk at NRA NEWS.com 1 2 9:00AM Match 3 9:00AM Match 9:00AM- 1:00PM 5-Stand 4 6:00PM Pistol (NMC) 5 7:00PM- 10:00PM Trap Range 6 5:00PM Rifle Practice :00AM NRA High Power Rifle :00PM Pistol (NMC) LAST MPRL 12 7:00PM- 10:00PM Trap Range 13 5:00PM Rifle Practice 14 7:30PM BOARD MEETING WORK PARTY 17 9:00AM- 1:00PM 5-Stand 11:00AM CMP Match 18 6:00PM Pistol (NMC) 19 7:00PM- 10:00PM Trap Range 20 5:00PM Rifle Practice :00PM Silhouette Setup 23 9:00AM Pistol Silhouette :00PM Pistol (NMC) 26 7:00PM- 10:00PM Trap Range 27 5:00PM Rifle Practice 28 8:00PM Members Meeting All Upper Ranges Closed Lower Pistol Range Closed All Ranges Closed

4 4 Dormont-Mt. Lebanon Sportsmen s Club P.O. Box Pittsburgh, PA Next Membership Meeting: Thursday, July 24, 2008 Speaker: Unannounced EXECUTIVE STAFF GEORGE TAYLOR IV... PRESIDENT THEODORE HILDABRAND...VICE PRESIDENT ELLSWORTH F. VINES...TREASURER MILES FORD...RECORDING SECRETARY GREG FINK.MEMBERSHIP CHAIR BRUCE UNGAR...EXECUTIVE RANGE OFFICER LOU ROMITO......NEWSLETTER EDITOR MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATIONS AND DUES Active (Full-fledged membership) $70.00 per year Senior (65 years old, 10 years consecutive membership) $25.00 per year Intermediate (18-21) $25.00 per year Junior (12-17) $ 5.00 per year Initiation fee (one time) $25.00 Computer Gate Card $10.00 CLUB DIRECTORS ROBERT L. ATKISON CHARLES R. AUGENSTEIN, II GEORGE A. DIETZ MILES R. FORD DOUG GAWRONSKI THEODORE K. HILDABRAND THOMAS H. KRAMER, JR RAYMOND C. NIST LOU ROMITO EARL L. TAYLOR GEORGE TAYLOR, IV BRUCE D. UNGAR ELLSWORTH F. VINES RONALD J. WATTON DAVE WILLARD AFFILIATIONS: National Rifle Association Allegheny County Sportsmen s League Washington County Sportsmen s League Metropolitan Police Revolver League Pittsburgh and Suburban Rifle League National Sporting Clays Association SANCTIONED BY: Department of Civilian Marksmanship Pennsylvania Rifle and Pistol Association United States Revolver Association CLUB COMMUNICATION Club Web Site: Club House Phone: (724) Membership Inquiries: DMtLSCMembers@aol.com (412) Newsletter: louromito@gmail.com MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO CARRY THEIR GATE CARDS AND BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES WHEN ASKED TO BY ANOTHER MEMBER OR THE CARETAKERS

5 5 SHORT SHOTS continued from Page 1 the club s main road. From the clubhouse side of the bridge to the bench rest range, we will be prepping and asphalting the road and improving drainage. Check your s for specific dates because, of course, the ranges will be closed for a couple of days during the roadwork. John Tupta one of the High Power program managers, recently attended the Master Instructor class at Camp Perry, with emphasis on the Garand, Springfield, and M-1. Event Heads Up. Here s a look at events in the months ahead for planning purposes: August 2-3. Small bore Prone Match August 24. Springfield Match September 21. Garand Memorial Match October 12. CMP Carbine Match November 9. Antique Rifle Match In addition, efforts are underway to have Congressman Tim Murphy (18th District) discuss his views on current firearms legislation at a meeting in the late summer or early fall. If the plans go through, it would be nice to have a large turnout. Safety Heads Up. The Batmobile The bat capturing net strung across the access road to the lower pistol range. The first range closure related to the power line installation went well. As part of the environmental assessment, TrAILCo contracted with CEC to conduct a capture study to determine the existence of an endangered bat species. Although the 500kb line installation will take some time, the work on the smaller 138kb line that will run across our property is ready to start in October. Some traditions are nice. Getting the family together for a pleasant meal at Thanksgiving. Nice. Visiting the old Forbes Field wall every October 13 to remember Mazeroski s home run. Nice. Going to hunting camp for the buck season. Nice. Meeting with friends at the range to share a six-pack of beer and shoot a few pistol rounds. Are you crazy!! The hot summer months may make such an excursion tempting, but resist the temptation. Besides the fact that alcohol is not permitted on club grounds, you should never mix booze, beer and bullets at anytime no where, no how, no way. So you re on the bench rest range and go out to set up some targets at 50 and 100 yards. While you re out there you decide to set targets at 200 yards. Stop! If the adjacent range is hot you first need stop and ask for a cease fire. That extra 100 yards can put you in jeopardy. There s no short cut to range safety.

6 6 JUNE WORK PARTY You can t have a party without a lot of people, so the June work party was more of a get together. But that didn t stop the hard workers who did show up. Dan Kiselica and Ken Zupkow ran the dueling tractors. Ken s sharp eye noticed the turtle eggs pictured on the next page and moved them to a safe place before they became turtle omelets. Above, the only thing standing between weed whacking Rick Linkhauer and Miles Ford was tree trimming Mike Haritan. On the construction side (left), Ted Hildabrand, George Taylor, and Bob Kirsopp replaced the bullet riddled 100 yard target frame (with assistance from Ell Vines, not pictured). You don t have to know how to drive a tractor or build structures to help out in keeping the club in tip top condition. Come to the party on July 19 and August 16.

7 7 PISTOL SHOOTING FEES UPDATE PROGRAM $FEE PER SMALL BORE Silhouette Silhouette Indoor Monday Night 4.00 Practice Session 7.00 Competition Session 3.00 Session 1.00 Line Rifle 3.00 Session CAR TRAILER FOR SALE. $5500. TOURS AVAILABLE. CALL ELL VINES FOR INFO. Dimensions: 7 6 center height 8 4 width 24 length Tandem axle Torsion suspension Aluminum wheels Trailer Specifications Brakes on both wheels 7000 lbs. GVW Wood grain inside finish Man door and drop door SHOTGUN Trap 3.00 Session 5-Stand Shot Round Four Rounds 2.50 Round Under 16 yrs. CENTER FIRE CMP 6.00 Round w/targets Round w/targets and 64 rounds of ammo MISC NRA 200 Yard Beginners Rifle Winter Postal 6.00 Round w/targets Week Program 2.00 Practice Session year membership Fees vary by discipline Ken s Zupkow s turtle egg discovery. Don t worry. The eggs were only uncovered for the photo.

8 8 DORMONT-MT. LEBANON SPORTSMEN S CLUB STATEMENT OF CASH RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS Through June 2008 CASH BALANCE-BEGINNING 1/1/07 CHECKING SAVINGS DREYFUS INVEST FUND CERT OF DEPOSIT ADD CASH RECEIPTS CMP DUES GATE CARD FEE INTEREST INC INVESTMENT INC ( ) MEETINGS OTHER INC./GRANTS VENDING MACHINE PISTOL PROG RENTAL PROP RIFLE PROG SHOTGUN PROG SIGHT-IN /HUNT SAF TOTAL CASH RECIPTS AND ASSETS SUBTRACT CASH DISBURSEMENTS ADMINISTRATIVE ARCHERY PROG CAPITAL IMPROV CMP EXP DONATIONS DUES PAID OUT INSURANCE MAINTENANCE MEETING EXP MEMB EXP& DEP RET PISTOL PROGRAM EXP RIFLE & BP PROG EXP SHOTGUN PROG EXP SPORTMEN S NOTES SUPPLIES TAXES UTILITIES , CASH BALANCE-ENDING 6/30/08 CHECKING SAVINGS DREYFUS INVEST FUND CERT OF DEPOSIT TOTAL CASH& DISBURSEMENTS Ellsworth F. Vines Treasurer, DMSC MEETING NOTES FROM THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN S LEAGUE AND THE WASHINGTON COUNTY SPORTSMEN S AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE (Delegates Mike Yanchak and Bob Kirsopp) Doug Dunkerly PGC WCO, was present at the June meeting of the WCSCL, He discussed the activity on Game Land 232. The timber cutting is being done to minimize adverse impact on coon hunting. The cutting is mostly border cutting to improve habitat for pheasants, quail, and deer. Clear cutting of large tracts is being avoided. Doug also noted most of the money from timber cutting goes to other areas of the state, mainly to purchase other game lands. He reported a new access road has been built from Route 221 to a new parking lot above the old scout comp. Doug reported Consol will be donating gravel for parking lots before the Fall. Additional reports included the start of work on the show at the Washington Mall. Preparation is a long process, and the establishment of a committee to explore way of increasing membership in the League. On the ACSL side, PGC WCO Dan Puhala stated the new hunting licenses are now available be sure to read your digest for changes. Bear issues are numerous and sportsmen are requested to intercede to calm public rumors. The white-tail problems are not too different from the 1940 s. The PGC approach is to check healthy forest habitat, reproductive data, and human conflict. The Citizen s Advisory Committee representing sportsmen, farmers and businesses can make recommendations after looking at the issues. A Citizen s Advisory Committee is needed in Allegheny County. PFBC WCO Bob Wheeler reported a state record for white perch caught in the Delaware River. The new record is 1 pound 12 ounces and 12.5 inches long, substantially exceeding

9 9 the old standard of 1 pound 7 ounces set in The current record for a golden rainbow trout of 11 pounds seven ounces was almost beaten, but angler witnesses indicated the fisherman s line broke before the fish was landed and the angler was forced to grab the fish with his hands; hand fishing is not an authorized, legal means for taking game fish. The PFBC has formally added eastern brook trout to the PA Wildlife Action Plan, protecting, management and recovery of species of concern. The Game Committee reported an amendment to HB 747 by Senator Armstrong. The bill originally provided for a special license and license auction to hunt one elk. 95% of the proceeds shall pay for elk habitat improvement. The amendment proposes to strip Deputy Officers of their power to: Go upon any property outside of buildings, posted or otherwise; Stop and inspect or search, at any time, vehicles; Inspect and examine or search, at any time or place, any means of transportation, any person, any clothing, any bag or any container; Inspect and examine or search, at any time, any camp, tent, cabin, trailer or any means of transportation or its attachments. The amendment further proposed to entirely remove the following language from 902 of Title 34: Retired Wildlife Conservation Officers and Retired Waterways Conservation Officers shall exercise all powers and duties conferred on deputy game commission officers, including the right to issue citations and field acknowledgements of guilt for violations. With the current shortage of enforcement officers and the unscrupulous activities of some sportsmen, the logic behind these proposed amendments is questionable. The Legislative Committee an overview of the Supreme Court Heller decision. The 157 page document is available on the Court s website The home page of the ACSL website carries an on-point extract from the July 1, 2008 issue of Gun Week, that you may find interesting reading. The article, by Senior Editor Dave Workman, states, in part: But the historic ruling, written by Justice Antonin Scalia, quickly divided a nation, and in the aftermath there did not seem to be much middle ground. The evidence was clear, in the hysteria-steeped reaction by anti-gunners including Washington, DC, Mayor Adrian Fenty, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, contrasting sharply with the victory remarks from gun rights leaders and activists. Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association stated "Our founding fathers wrote and intended the Second Amendment to be an individual right. The Supreme Court has now acknowledged it. The Second Amendment as an individual right now becomes a real permanent part of American Constitutional law." Scalia's majority opinion brought to an end decades of dispute over the meaning of the Second Amendment. The high court ruled that the amendment "protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as selfdefense within the home." The Conservation Committee reported on the States Dump the Pump Day, its purchase of 14 hybrid public transportation vehicles, and its launching of a website to promote alternate transportation, leading PA toward energy independence. He also noted the DUMP IT, DRAIN IT, TREAT IT program designed to control the mosquito population.

10 10 PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION NEWS TAGGING REQUIREMENTS CHANGE The PGC gave final approval to a regulatory change to allow hunters in special regulation areas counties (Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia) to harvest more than one deer at a time without first tagging previous harvested deer, provided all deer harvested are lawfully tagged immediately thereafter. This change is part of the agency's continuing efforts to find solutions to the high deer-human conflicts in these urban counties. This measure will take effect for the deer hunting seasons. GAME COMMISSION TO HOST ANNUAL WATERFOWL BRIEFING Representatives of waterfowl organizations, interested hunters and the public are invited to attend a briefing on Friday, Aug. 8, sponsored by the PGC the Susquehanna River Waterfowlers Association, on the status of Atlantic Flyway waterfowl populations and proposed preliminary federal frameworks for the waterfowl hunting seasons. The briefing will begin at 1 p.m., in the auditorium of the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area visitor center, along Hopeland Road, two miles south of Kleinfeltersville, Lebanon County. 23RD ANNUAL WILDLIFE ART SHOW SET The Pennsylvania Game Commission's Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area visitor center will feature hundreds of original paintings and fine-art prints from some of the bestknown wildlife artists in the state during its annual Wildlife Art Show from Aug The show is free, and the hours are: Friday, 1-6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. In addition to the artists' sales, the show will offer tickets for $2 each or three for $5 to win a selection of artwork in a drawing that will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3. Proceeds from the drawing will benefit The Wildlands Preservation Fund land acquisition program. PENNSYLVANIA FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION NEWS NO TROUT PERMIT IN SOME CASES At its summer quarterly meeting, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) voted to allow anglers to fish in lakes and ponds approved as year-round trout waters without possessing a trout/salmon permit, as long as anglers are not fishing for trout or salmon. Commissioners also voted to open 31 additional approved trout waters to yearround fishing. Both changes will take effect January 1, BASS FISHING JEWEL NEARBY Green Lick Lake (Fayette County) is a 101- acre lake owned by the PFBC. Located east of Woodale, near Mt. Pleasant, this lake is sometimes also known as Jacobs Creek Reservoir. During a recent nighttime electrofishing survey, biologists found the number and sizes of largemouth bass have increased to exceed the guidelines for Big Bass lakes, although this lake is not in that program. Largemouth bass assessment catch nearly doubled since the last assessment. In % were greater than 12 inches and 53% were greater than 15 inches in our assessment catch. Green Lick Lake provides a great place to fish for many species including walleye, largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, b/w crappie, suckers, and common carp. UNIQUE BASS TAGS The PFBC reminds anglers to report tagged smallmouth bass in order to help the agency with a population assessment on a section of the lower West Branch of the Susquehanna River. The tags resemble an orange strand of plastic spaghetti located on the fish s stomach area The tags are specially designed so that bass which are caught multiple times can be reported. Each tag contains two sets of serial numbers. Anglers harvesting bass should look for both the spaghetti tag as well as a small anchor button under the skin when filleting, The tag strand contains a tag number and a toll-free telephone number where tags can be reported.

11 THE TRADING POST 11 For sporting equipment associated with club related activities shooting, hunting, fishing, and archery. That means no golf clubs, soccer shoes, weight benches, old tires, personal dating services, etc....you get the point. I WANT TO BUY BOLT ACTION.22 LONG RIFLES Non-scoped.22 s needed for Boy Scout Troop 225 of St. Valentines, Bethel Park. Call Marc (412) (3/08) OFFICIAL DORMONT-MT. LEBANON SPORTSMEN S CLUB APPARREL Wait a minute!!! I can get some by calling Chuck Augenstein, the DMSC merchandising program manager, at A I WANT TO SELL RUGER 77/22 LR. excellent condition, walnut stock, with mounted Simmons 4x32 scope. $385. Call Rich (724) (6/08) RUGER 77/17 RM. excellent condition, walnut stock, with Tasco 3x9x40 scope. $450. Call Rich, (724) (6/08) REM. 540-X TARGET.22. Redfield peep sights, block and sling. Excellent condition. $450. Call Rich, (724) (6/08) H&R 1871 BUFFALO CLASSIC, 45/70 AND TARGET MODEL 38/55. Both new and unfired no boxes. $345 each. Call Rich, (724) (6/08) B C D A. Short sleeve pocket tee shirt, $10 B. Long sleeve denim shirt, $30. C,D. Short sleeve polo $25. All in color shown State size, S-M-L-XL The Trading Post is a free clearing house service for DMSC members. It bears no responsibility or liability for accuracy of information, item condition, or reliability of submitter. Mail Trading Post items to DMSC P.O.Box Pittsburgh, PA 15241, or to louromito@gmail.com. Indicate whether you want to buy or sell, list the general item, then specific details, and include a contact point, as well as a picture if available. After two issues the item will be removed unless the submitter requests an extension.