HELP !! (#1)  Because of ever rising expenses, the cost of running the Club has increased. The costs for goods and services has started to deplete our funds to the point where we barely make expenses and have to keep dipping into our accounts.  This makes it almost impossible to make any needed capital improvements let alone repairs.  As a result of this financial hardship, the Board of Directors instituted across the board increases in membership, shooting, the bar and kitchen.  Please do what you can to keep us financially sound.                                                                                                                                                    

FARM &GROUNDS   2011 was another busy year. The annual spring cleanup went very well considering the lack of workers.  Thanks to all who helped out.  Thanks to Fred Vivacqua for keeping our grounds mowed and trimmed and to Ron Bunce for his heavy equipment expertise.  The excellent appearance of our grounds brought compliments from members and visitors alike and is one of our best selling points to gain new members.  A major enhancement to the pavilion was completed last summer with the construction of rest rooms. They should increase our pavilion rentals.           

RANGE NOTES  The rifle range (for members only) is in full operation, however, some of us need to exercise a little more pride and take a stronger share in the ownership of this facility.  Some moron shot several rounds at the power pole on the left of the driveway BEHIND which is a house.  Thankfully no one was harmed.  One incident could close the range.  Please read your “Range Rules” and observe the common-sense rules---especially the rapid-fire ban.  We value our neighbors and want to keep them happy.  Your indiscriminate machinegun-like firing will surly bring about trouble for the Club.  If you witness any untoward actions at the range, please get the license plate number of the offender and report it to the officers or directors.  Action will be taken against violators.  ***Please note that Range Keys may be purchased ONLY at the clubhouse.   

Please also note that no walk-ins are allowed; and the $15 key fee only begins to pay for the maintenance of the range---you are responsible for cleaning up after you are done shooting.

ARCHERY – Scott Capes , Chairman   Our 3-D program suffered from a lack of attendance and member help and so the 2012 schedule has not been finalized.  Anyone looking to help out should contact Scott at 822-6292

FISH RELEASE – Dale Lewis, Chairman Once again, last year’s release of 500  8-9 inch Brook  trout stocked Steele’s Creek

PHEASANT RELEASE – Ron Bunce, Chairman  The pheasant release program was reinstated this year with pheasants being released in the  Robinson Road State lands area and the Pence Farm in Columbia Center (you must secure permission to hunt the Pence property.

CLAY TARGET SHOOTING – Ed Freedman -- Chairman

SKEET – The John P. Brown Memorial Shoot is our main skeet shoot.  Thanks to Gary Blaise,  Dave Cooley, and John Grabski for maintaining our traps. 

TRAP – Our trap program has been incorporated into our regular Skeet shooting days.  If anyone is interested in operating a trap program on Tuesdays, please contact the club at 894-2938.

SPORTING CLAYS – Our 2012 sporting clays league and open shooting started 12/3/2011---but since we’ll be shooting for 21 weeks until May, you still have time to sign up for some fun and games.  Thanks to Betty Bunce and her family helpers, Sandi Lorraine and Suzanne Cruger, Ro Tripple, Dave Mackin, Jim Lorraine, Larry Capes and their crews for the tasty meals served up last year.  Come up and give it a try.  We shoot in the woods during the summer (see below for dates).  

5 – STAND CLAYS –We are  fully automatic, with one trapper pushing the buttons, and the challenge awaits you—usually every Wednesday from April thru September.  We have loaner guns and qualified instructors---please feel free to use them.)

TURKEY & BIG BUCK CONTESTS – Rick Bunce, Chairman   These are “members only” contests for those whose dues are paid prior to the start of the season.  You must bring your turkey beard and the leg tag or your buck rack and game tag to a member’s meeting to get it scored.  The December 2012 member’s  meeting, prior to 7:00PM, is the turkey deadline.  The January 2012 members’ meeting, prior to 7:00PM, is the buck deadline.  Prizes to be awarded at the respective meetings include 1^st, 2^nd, and random draw.

ANNUAL RAFFLE – Rick Bunce, Chairman  Our 2011 Raffle was a great success.  We extend a sincere THANK YOU to all who purchased and sold tickets

 FAIR BOOTH – Rick Bunce, Chairman  Our eleventh year with a booth at the Herkimer County Fair was a great success.  Our goal to show the club’s grounds and programs was met through the hard work of the volunteers who built, set up and manned the booth. We had a great response from the public as witnessed by the outstanding sales of tickets and the sale of ½ price memberships.  Thank You ! The sign-up sheet for those who wish to help out at the booth will be at the June and July general membership meeting. If you have any ideas about prizes for the raffle, please contact the club.

KITCHEN – Betty Bunce, Chairlady    Our kitchen crew serves up a tantalizing goodie (free of charge) for each month’s meeting, e.g., sausage, burgers, dogs, chili, chips and pickles.  A dollar donation would be gratefully accepted.  Get a full belly for a buck !!  In addition we hold our Annual Meeting--Roast Beef Dinner every January and we have our Annual Wild Game Dinner every February.  If you wish to donate any game for the dinner in February, please contact Betty.  Kitchen volunteers are always welcome. 

COMING EVENTS – Some of them are listed here---check out Clubhouse bulletin board and posted calendar for more details---

     --Summer Clays May 5, 12, 19; Jun 2, 16, 30; July 14, 28; Aug 11, 25; Sept 8, 22; Oct 13, 27;  Nov 10, 24

     --Winter Clays Dec 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2011, and every Saturday from 1/7 to May 19, 2012

     --Sunday  Skeet and Trap October 2011 through March 16, 2012 (8AM-12 Noon)

     --Wednesdays from 3/16 to 9/26/2012  Skeet and Trap and 5 – Stand (3PM to dark)

     (Note: Range keys available on the above dates)

     --Children’s Fish Derby – June 9, 2012