News from the Drumming Log January 2014 Inside this Issue: Local News RD Message Chapter News Banquet Schedule State Workshop ASV Gun Dog of Year Premier Hunt Local News The banquet season is upon us with planning meetings well underway and the banquets starting early February. Please watch for announcements about your local chapter and remember to bring along a friend to join us in our activities. Increasing attendance and committee volunteer growth is crucial to our success. 2013 showed continued growth here in Michigan. We added two new banquets in Warren and West Branch while continuing to grow event numbers nearly across the board. We also grew our chapter contributions to the State Drummer Fund from 2012. We look forward to our newest chapter, South Central Mitten hosting their first banquet 13 February 2014. If you know of anyone interested in starting up a new chapter anywhere in Michigan or across the country please let me know and we can see what we can do. We had a great re-start of the Southern Appalachian Chapter in Asheville NC this past August and look forward to another banquet on the 16 th of August as well as a shoot on 6 Jun 2013! We are currently working towards bringing back the Nashville TN Chapter and look to hold a banquet there in 2014. Our southern chapters are working hard to make sure that grouse and grouse hunting will improve across their range and the heritage will continue into the future. The RGS is working with them in issues such as developing an Appalachian Work Plan and increasing our presence at US Forest Service hearings to ensure that all of the approved plans and cuts do come to fruition. It is a huge undertaking that could not happen without the dedicated volunteers on-the ground, keeping it on the front burner.
The following is a list of the upcoming events and locations: 2014 BANQUET SCHEDULE Southwestern MI Chapter, Kalamazoo MI Saturday February 8, 2014 Jim Altman, autotech@mei.net Lower Central Mitten Chapter, Marshall MI Thursday February 13, 2014 Gabe Camp, campgc2@gmail.com Lakeside Chapter, Warren, MI Saturday February 22, 2014 Rick Napper, Hunterrnbirdhunter67@comcast.net Saginaw Valley Chapter, Saginaw, MI Friday March 7, 2014 Rod Weirauch, awbraw@charter.net Keith Davis Chapter, Flint, MI Friday March 14, 2014 Brad DePottey, bradandpeggy.depottey@gmail.com Robert J. Lytle Chapter, Imlay City Saturday March 22, 2014 Robert Byrnes, 810-338-1350 Appalachian Highlands Chapter, Bristol VA Saturday April 5, 2014 Mike Giles, Andy Ammann Chapter, Lansing, MI Friday April, 11, 2014 Bill Mollison, 517-294-1282 West MI Shoreline Chapter, Muskegon, MI Friday May 9, 2014 Brent Pike, brentpike@me.com Eastern U.P. Chapter, St. Ignace Saturday May 10, 2014 Bill Borst, bearborst@yahoo.com Jim Foote Chapter, Gaylord, MI Friday June 13, 2014 Pete McCutcheon, petermrgs@yahoo.com Grand Rapids Chapter, Grand Rapids, MI Wednesday August 27, 2014 Christian Betz, cbetz1974@gmail.com
Greater Southeast MI, Detroit, MI Friday September 5, 2014 Dan DeVito, devitdj@kellyservices.com Mid Upper Peninsula Marquette Chapter Thursday September 11, 2014 Jessejames23@gmail.com LeGrand Traverse Chapter, Traverse City, MI Saturday September 13, 2014 Rick Bechtold, R_Bechtold@charter.net North Central Michigan Chapter, West Branch, MI Friday September 19, 2014 Jason Michalski michalski@sme-usa.com Highlands Chapter, Cadillac, MI Saturday September 27, 2014 Sandra Misaras, smisaras2003@yahoo.com Northwoods Chapter, Crystal Falls, MI Thursday October 2, 2014 Rick Bath, rgsrjb@charter.net Al Litzenburger Chapter, Petoskey, MI Friday October 3, 2014 Mike McDonald, macvet51@gmail.com Thunder Bay Chapter, Alpena, MI Wednesday October 15, 2014 Joel Bauer, joelbauer@hotmail.com We are holding our annual Michigan State Workshop Meeting Saturday, February 1, 2014. This statewide workshop is a great opportunity for all to learn and share the ideas that will make a positive change in our state. Presentations will include Regional Updates on RGS policies and procedures as well as a State-of-the-State report. John Paige will discuss the ASV program highlights and accomplishments. The Michigan Leadership recently met and reviewed the applications for 2013 Michigan State Drummer Funds.
TO: ALL RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY VOLUNTEERS & INTERESTED MEMBERS Please join us Saturday 1 February 2014, 1:00 pm 5:30 pm at the Ralph A. MacMullan Center, Higgins Lake, for our state workshop where we will discuss what is happening in our state, the accomplishments, new procedures, and vision for the future. Come hear all of the exciting news and learn how you may join in and assist us in this valuable habitat conservation effort. Attendance is limited so please reserved a spot. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at the meeting. Please RSVP to: Bruce Wojcik rgsbruce@comcast.net or 412 874 8702 1:00 P.M. REGISTRATION 1:15 P.M. INTRODUCTIONS RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY MICHIGAN STATE WORKSHOP SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2014 R.A. MacMullan Center, Higgins LakeMI 1:30 P.M. MDNR REPORT AL STEWART 2:00 P.M. RGS REGIONAL REVIEW BRUCE WOJCIK 2:20 P.M. RGS NATIONAL REVIEW BRUCE WOJCIK 3:00 P.M. BREAK LIGHT SNACKS/BEVERAGES 3:30 P.M. RGS ASV MACHINE UPDATE JOHN PAIGE 4:00 P.M. RGS HABITAT UPDATE LARRY VISSER 4:30 P.M. MI DRUMMER FUND UPDATE HABITAT TEAM 5:00 P.M OPEN FORUM 5:30 P.M ADJOURNMENT
Habitat Management Equipment Program Equipment Rental Rates 2014 Public Lands Projects RGS supplies the operator/fuel Fuel surcharge Cooperator supplies the operator/fuel Transport $110.00/hour $10.00/hour $85.00/hour $85.00/hour Private Lands Projects RGS members (includes operator) Fuel surcharge Non-RGS members (includes operator) Fuel surcharge Transport $125.00/hour $10.00/hour $150.00/hour $10.00/hour $85.00/hour Michigan Contacts John Paige, jhpaige@chartermi.net, 810-938-0560 Larry Visser, LarryV@ruffedgrousesociety.org, 412-228-9472 Bruce Wojcik, BruceW@ruffedgrousesociety.org, 412-874-8702
This year s Gun Dog of the Year Trial was hosted by the Highlands Chapter and Chairperson Sandra Misaras has filed this report. Well another "Big Dance" has drawn to a close. The weather was about the worst in the history of the RGS Gun Dog of the year. Bone chilling cold and blizzard-like conditions were in all the braces. Nobody, no brace, got a break from the weather. Scenting conditions were rough, so it put the dogs to the test. Pointing Division Gun Dog of the Year - Michele MacMasters and Cruise, English Setter Second place - Sandra Misaras and Schatzie, German Shorthaired Pointer Third Place - Jerry Fagerman and Remy - Brittney Fourth place - Hugh MacMaster and Rim, English Setter Flushing Division Nick Moe with Kenny, Lab John Tisch with Axel, Lab Eric Hindes with Senzi, Cocker? Dave Veldman with Corbin, Lab Thanks to Chuck Connell for the two heated buildings that kept us thawed out, great birds. Judges Fritz Heller Bob Bricker Dave Lloyd Bird planter Dave Lloyd "Iceman" It s always good to get together and talk about dogs, grouse hunting, and some good natured ribbing among friends. Photo courtesy of Dave Veldman Sport Dog Photography
The Petoskey Al Litzenburger Chapter held their Second Annual Premier Hunt the day after their Annual Sportsman Banquet this past October 5 th. In addition to taking part in the Premier Hunt activities participants registered for the hunt become Banquet Sponsors and attend the Sportsman s Banquet with a guest the night before. This year that included a chance to hear from Keith Creigh, Director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Rex Schlaybaugh Natural Resource Commissioner and John Eichinger President/CEO of the Ruffed Grouse Society. The banquet was held at the Country Club of Boyne. The day of the hunt started with a hearty breakfast and then each of the Premier Hunters and guide were off to their respective hunt areas to hunt until noon. Lunchtime activities were hosted by Paul Keiswetter at his Grouse Hall. A great lunch followed by a habitat demonstration tour and social time were enjoyed by all. Then it was back to the hunt until dinner hour. The dinner was sponsored and hosted by Chandler s of Harbor Springs. A gourmet wild game dinner and accompanied by fine wines was the culmination of the day and a can't-miss event. Be sure to mark your calendars for these events next year. The dates are tentatively set for October 10-11, 2014. Photo courtesy Dave Veldman, Sport Dog Photography