Belvoir Bowhunters Newsletter Issue 264 May 2016 The Next Club Meeting will be Wednesday, May 11, 2016 Start time 6:00 pm President s Message -by Bakari Dale Membership Committee: (recruiting, retention & reclamation) Hunting Committee: (Organized hunts, Hunter Orientation, Bowfishing ) Tournament Committee: (3D shoots, H4H 3D shoot, Indoor shoot USA Archery & NFAA) Communications Committee: (Photographer, Facebook, Newsletter, Website Bulletin Boards) Instructor Cadre: (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, IBEP, Certification, WTB) 2016 Wild Game Dinner and Awards Banquet HARD WORK PAYS OFF! This year we had our Wild Game Dinner and Trophy Night at the Park West Lions Club in Manassas. This was an amazing event, full of happiness and fun for the hunters, the spouses and the kids. Congratulations to all the Award winners. Wild Game Awards Best whitetail over 6 points taken on Ft Belvoir with a bow...stephen Allyn Best whitetail taken off Ft Belvoir with a bow...steve Richards Best big game taken with a bow...curt Lewis Best big game animal taken with a gun...curt Lewis Best small game animal taken with a bow...bakari Dale Most creative...bakari Dale Straight Arrow Award Nominees: 1. James Zolinski 2. Rich Vigue 3. Bakari Dale Achievement Award Nominees: 1. Rebecca Sikes 2. Brandon Sikes 3. Larry Readal Life Time Achievement Award Nominees: 1. Bob Foster 2. Bob Livingston Arrowhead Award Nominees: 1. Northern Virginia Archers 3D Tournament Cadre Volunteer of Year Award 1. Russ Hatchel 514 Volunteer Hours Thinking ahead next year for the Wild Game Dinner 2017 we had a recommendation from one of our members. The board thought it was such a good idea we wanted to share it in the newsletter, our major concern became how much time it would take to Judge the dishes. From Tracy Grevert, our local H4TH drop spot volunteer recommended having a Wild Game Cook Off as well during the WGD. Have an index card or something that states the wild game dish contents then and just a number on it for contest. If you want more food dishes in a certain area (Like Venison steak) encourage a hunter s cook off with a prize for that category. Spend a few minutes and have folks (audience members) clap as
to what dish they liked the best. Think of it as a chili cook off but with only Wild Game dishes. Some suggestions: Best crock pot dish Best cold appetizer Best cooked sausage/hot dog/cased meat Best grilled or smoked dish Best Fish Best turkey Best Ground Wild Game meat Most Creative Dish over all: Squirrel, possum, Gator, Quail, etc. Over all favorite/top Chef Congrats to the Winners of the Belvoir Bowhunters "Presidents 15 Challenge These guys consistently put in time at the range perfecting their craft. Each one received an E- Certificate from Gander Mountain. you may have an enjoyable experience and change your hunting game at a drop of a dime. Trust me, I went through them all before connecting with a nice hog, I started out with my 20 yards harvest limit but changed to about 40 yards after about 5 hours of seeing game not coming in close enough. I knew my capability and equipment so I was confident that my shot would be ethical. No matter what technique whether it is spot and stalk hunting for your trophy or Tree stand therapy, either way you choose to hunt these hogs it is a very exciting and adrenaline pumping hunt. Scored 15 points higher on VBA State Sectional SSMTRAD - Paul Vogel: Pin Score - 246 6x/State - 272 11x Set VBA 2016 State Record AFTRAD - Jennifer Stoner SMBB - Troy Stoner SFTRAD - Robin Vogel CFFSR - Mia Kull YMFSR - Logan Weller RAMBOAREE 2016 This was an awesome time, good friends, good food and hunts that allow you to develop your skills as a bowhunter. The lodges were are luxuriously rugged, it felt like home away from home. Even if you did not want to hunt with a bow, your hog hunt can be booked using your weapon of choice; including bow, handgun, or rifle. You may choose to hunt your trophy hog from ladder stands, box stands or spot and stalk. The ranch also has prepositioned stands and also tree stands set up so Turkey Hunting Lessons Learned If you did not get to the meeting last month Kevin Walter, the Fort Belvoir Wildlife Biologist and District Director and local chapter president of the National Wild Turkey Federation provided an excellent presentation on Turkey Hunting Tips and
Tactics. As usual it is always phenomenal to come listen to and learn the language of the wild turkey and what each and every call means, how to produce each call, and when to use them. We were able to learn tactics and techniques that benefit both beginner and seasoned hunters. Spring turkey season came and went like a blink of the eye. If your shots did not connect with the illusive long beard take a look at the pictures below to place a lethal arrow in the mighty Thunder Chicken. This data was pulled from the Matthews Archery team: Broadside The photo above shows the approximate location of the heart and lungs on a non-strutting bird. This graphic gives you an idea on how the vitals and bone structure lay out. As you can see, the vitals on a turkey tend to be slightly higher than center of mass, so place your shots accordingly. Generally, the final wing joint will point to the heart. Use this as a reference point when placing your arrow. straight line and the base of the fan offers a perfect aiming point. An arrow placed near the vent will drive straight into the chest cavity and sometimes even sever the spine. Quartering to Draw a horizontal line from the base of the bird s beard. Then, draw a line straight up from the offside leg. An arrow placed at the intersection of these two lines should drive straight into the heart and lungs. If you hit high, you might impact the spine which is equally as effective, if not more. If the bird is in full strut at this angle, place your horizontal line approximately two inches below the base of the neck rather than the base of the beard. You also may need to move your vertical line a few inches forward from the offside leg. A turkey s appearance changes significantly at full strut and can make pinpointing their vitals a challenge. A good general rule is to draw a vertical line just in front of the bird s legs. From there, aim for the point where that line would intersect the crease in the wing as marked with a red dot in the graphic. Straight on When a turkey is facing straight towards you, place your arrow between the base of the beard and the base of the neck. There is often a thin vertical line formed by the breast feathers that can act as an aiming point. Head/neck Shot A clean head/neck shot will produce devastating results. They key is to call the bird in close, and to release your arrow while he s relatively stationary. A turkeys movements are often erratic though so be warned, this is a challenging shot. Have fun and I hope your fall season is fruitful. Facing Away A strutting bird facing directly away is one of the best shots to take. In this position, the spine is in a
Activities Director Report -by Rich A big thank you to Jim Zolinski for taking the 1st and hardest half of the Activity Director s position! I wish him fair winds and following seas. I have a feeling we ll see him from time to time as we ve become good friends! As I take over this position, I d like to begin with reminding everyone to come out to the 3D shoots and invite your friends from Northern VA, MD and surrounding areas, we ve had a great turnout and need to continue the participation. The Hunters for the Hungry 3D shoot and benefit is August 27th we can always use more donations for the raffle! I m enlisting Ira and Felix to help me setup and run the raffle. Hunters for the Hungry is also doing a Northern VA banquet July 30th at the Manassas Lions Club. If you re interested in attending please contact me for information. John Castaneda has volunteered to lead the Carp, Gar & Snakehead tournament. I look forward to helping John with this and participating! See you on the water, at the range or in the woods! Secretary/Treasurer s Report -by Larry Readal BELVOIR BOWHUNTERS MEETING MINUTES 13 APR 2016 President Bakari Dale opened the meeting at 6:12 PM, and we had two guests/new members attending: John Castanada and Greg Pavletic. Tournament Captain Brandon Sikes said THANKS to everyone that came out for the 3D Shoot on 10 April and that it was a GREAT shoot with over 30 shooters. He reminded everyone that our next shoot was on 15 May and we would do set up the night before. He also announced that the Bowhunters of Rockingham were having the VBA Spring Classic 3D shoot the upcoming weekend. Secretary/Treasurer Larry Readal reported that the Club has 165 members, thanks in large part to President Bakari Dale, who has brought in a BUNCH of new members! The Club has about $10,000 in the account right now. Larry thanked Kevin Brown for bringing up the VBA knives the Club ordered a while back and gave out the knives during the program. Publicity Director Rebecca Sikes asked Club members to please send her pictures of Club stuff so she can publish them in the newsletter. Also, for the newsletter, if members have certain things they are interested in that they would like to see in the newsletter, webpage, or Facebook page, please let her know! Rebecca thanked Diane Eiland for taking pictures at the Wild Game Dinner. Rebecca announced that April 23 was Military Child Month, and the Club is supporting the PX by helping display and explain archery gear in the Sporting Goods area, and she needs volunteers to help with this. Activity Director Jim Zolinski gave a huge Thank You to all the folks that attended and volunteered to help out with the Wild Game Dinner. We had over 150 folks attend, with a net income of $6,500, which is 90% more than last year! He also thanked all individuals, stores, and companies who donated prizes by name and encouraged Club members to shop at these establishments to say thanks for their contributions. He announced that he will be relocating soon with the Navy, and that Rich Vigue is taking over as Activities Director. There was a round of applause for Jim for all his efforts as Activities Director this year. Sergeant-at-Arms Jerry Michonski announced he needs someone to bring the food for the meeting on 11 May and to cook for the 15 May 3D shoot since he will be out of town. Please let him know if you can help. He thanked Joe Kolling, Steve Richards, Bakari Dale, and Phong for helping him get set up for the 3D shoot on 10 April and also thanked all who helped him with food and set-up for the State Shoot back in March. VBA Rep Kevin Brown had not yet arrived so President Bakari Dale asked Paul Vogel how the VBA Banquet went. Paul indicated the banquet was nice, and that all had a good time. Several awards were given out, and that they had so many attendees that they had to add an extra table that night. President Bakari Dale discussed that this year for the Club has been very strong and reviewed the multiple events the Club has held and done an outstanding job with, as well as all the initiatives the Club is pursuing and making headway with. He said the common theme that binds us all together, the common bond throughout our events and initiatives, is the Stick and String. They are the shared interest of us all, and what continues to bring us together. He thanked Rebecca Sikes and Larry Readal for going with him to the Suburban Whitetail Management meeting to give an overview of the Club. The Hunting Committee is doing a GREAT job and Bakari reminded the Club about upcoming hunts: the RAMBOAREE and the Bear Hunt in Quebec. He also reminded Club members about the Certification Clinic in June and September and the Certification Clinic with Larry Wise at Singers Glen in May. He thanked all who worked on the range indoor and out getting them ready for the State Shoot and our first 3D shoot that support and effort is phenomenal!! He reminded the Club that VBA had approved a Known Distance Class (40 and 50 yds) for 3D shoots and that us as a Club needed to decide if we wanted to adopt that at our shoots. Brandon Sikes explained how it worked and there was some discussion, then a motion was made and seconded to adopt this into our shoots. The motion PASSED.
VBA Rep Kevin Brown had arrived by then and relayed that the VBA Banquet was great and strongly encouraged all that meet the criteria each year to apply for the Bill Bennett Big Game Award it was noted at the VBA Banquet that there are a lot of folks that qualify but do not apply. The President announced the results of the League shoots and gave out awards as well as announced the winners of his President s Challenge. Belvoir Bowhunters made a great showing at the State Shoot, with multiple Club shooters winning or placing and the President and Kevin Brown handed out those awards as well. Kevin Walter then gave a GREAT presentation on the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and Turkey Hunting Strategies. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM. Sergeant at Arms Message Treasurer's Report May 2016 (for previous month) Account Balance as of 31 Mar 2016: $ 10,411.83 Income Dues $ 193.00 Food Donations $ 164.00 Wild Game Dinner $ 4,784.00 Total Income: $ 5,141.00 Expenses Admin Supplies $ (50.64) H4H Prizes $ (156.95) Range Maintenance $ (42.50) Shoot Expenses $ (34.00) State Shoot VBA Fees $(590.00) VBA Dues $ (671.00) WGD Expenses $ (1,708.72) Total Expenses: $ (3,253.81) Account Balance as of 30 Apr 2016: $12,299.02 -by Jerry Michonski I hope everyone enjoyed the Cuban sandwiches at the last meeting. Partial left overs from the WGD. Everyone wants some, I want some too! Everyone wants some, How about you!! Food and Cooks. Please volunteer to cook for a meeting or help cook at one of the 3D shoots. May 13-3D Shoot June 8 - Club meeting June 25-3D/Pig roast, cooking starts Friday night. Thanks, Jerry Michonski Sergeant of Arms Michonski.14@gmail.com 703-946-1063 BBH Tournament Committee This past month several of our fellow members when to shoot at Bowhunters of Rockingham. It was great to see so many of BBH members shoot at another local club and make connections with other archers. It was also a way to invite others to come out to our shoots and enjoy all that Belvoir offers. There are other local clubs in the area that host many shoots throughout the year and I would like to encourage BBH members to get together and go out to these shoots. We can learn from each other clubs and overall build up the community of archery. If you know of any local shoots happening and would like to get a group together use our Facebook page!
Publicity Director s Message - By Rebecca Sikes This past Month was the Month of the Military Child and I was able to team up with the PX center to host an Outdoor / Archery event. During the event I was able to share information about the club to young committee. Many people did not know about the resources that the base offer and that there was a local archery club on base! I was able to encourage families to try out this hobby for their kids. For next year s shoot schedule, I would like to propose to the club to have a Kid s Shoot during the month of the Military Child. With a Kid s Shoot we can reach many families in the community that are not BBH members and encourage them to invest their kids into the world of Archery. Thank everyone for sending in their articles for the newsletter. Please try to have all articles sent in two weeks prior to the BBH meeting. Club Hunts My name is A.P. Phillips and I'm a member of Belvoir Bowhunters and NORVA. I wanted to share the story of my first deer harvest "ever" and luckily I tagged two deer in the same day. So I was out with Howard Isenberg on private land, we had been in the stand since 0630 that morning. It was 0940 and it had been windy, raining, a complete awful morning and I haven't seen one single deer all morning. I even texted Howard and told him I was getting down, which he promptly "called" me back and said "don't get down, I'm pushing deer toward you." Within 15 mins, deer all over my AO and under my stand, I had my pick of about 20+ deer to shoot. First, shot was on a deer at 19yds and I "single lunged" him. He ran about 20-25 yds., and just sat down. I was so wrapped up in getting my first deer, I didn't see the other two deer at 30yds. I stayed relaxed notched another arrow, drew back and "double lunged" the second deer at about 30 yds. I just want to thank God, and Howard for this awesome opportunity. It s been a long road, since being in the Warrior Transition Unit (2014) until now.
Belvoir Bowhunters 2016 Calendar JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH 6 th Executive Committee Meeting 3 rd Executive Committee Meeting 2 nd Executive Committee Meeting 13 th Club Meeting 6 th Club Indoor Shoot **Saturday 9 th Club Meeting Shoot 16-17 th VBS Meeting, Harrisonburg 8 th Great American Outdoor Show Bus Trip 12-13 th VBA State Indoor Shoot (Belvoir, Kingsboro, Rockingham, 24 th Club Indoor Shoot **Sunday Shoot** Sherwood) 10 th Club Meeting 18-20 th NFAA Indoor National Championships, Louisville, KY 20 th Club Indoor Shoot **Saturday** APRIL MAY JUNE 2 nd Wild Game Dinner @ Park West 4 th Executive Committee Meeting 1 st Executive Committee Meeting Lions Club, Manassas 2-3 VBA meeting and Awards 11 th Club Meeting 4-5 th VBA Quarterly Meeting Banquet 6 th Executive Board Meeting 15 th Club 3D Shoot **Sunday Shoot** 8 th Club Meeting 10 th Club 3D Shoot **Sunday Shoot** 28-29 th VBA State Open @ NORVA 25 th Club Pig Roast & 3D Shoot 13 th Club Meeting 16-17 th VBA State Spring Classic 3D(Marked) Bowhunters of Rockingham JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER 6 th Executive Committee Meeting 3 rd Executive Committee Meeting 3 rd -4 th VBA State Closed, Two Rivers 13 th Club Meeting 10 th Club Meeting 7 th Executive Committee Meeting 23 rd Club Annual Picnic and 3D Shoot 20-21 st VBA Fall Classic 3D 14 th Club Meeting (Unmarked) @ NORVA 27 th BBH Hunters for the Hungry 3D 17-18 th VBA Scheduling Meeting Benefit Shoot @ NORVA OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER 5 th Executive Committee Meeting 2 nd Executive Committee Meeting 7 th Executive Committee Meeting 12 th Club Meeting 9 th Club Meeting 14 th Club Meeting Club Officers & Phone Numbers President Bakari Dale 757-515-0498 dalebakari@hotmail.com Secretary/Treasurer Larry Readal 757-469-8700 lreadal@gmail.com Activities Director Rich Vigue 757-469-8700 Rich.vigue60@gmail.com Publicity Director Rebecca Sikes 912-614-1672 Rebeccarenee07@yahoo.com Range Warden Walt Spaulding 703-595-9379 Walt357xtra@yahoo.com Sergeant-at-Arms Jerry Michonski 703-946-1063 michonski.14@gmail.com Webmaster Timothy Seymour 571-220-7328 seymourtg@gmail.com Tournament Captain Brandon Sikes 757-469-8700 b_sikes07@msn.com
Club Items For Sell We have BBH hats and shirts in various sizes and colors! Let Larry know what you want! Hats $20.00 Hats come in six different camo styles, and several solid colors! Shirts $25.00 Shirts are microfiber sport / golf shirts in various colors. Belvoir Check Station & Outdoor Rec Center Office 703-805-3688 Belvoir Game Warden 703-806-0050 Belvoir MP s 703-806-3104/5/6 State Game Violations Hot Line 800-237-5712
NEWSLETTER May 2016 Belvoir Bowhunters P.O. Box 372 Ft. Belvoir