THE NEXT GENERAL MEETING, REMEMBER THE DATE: THURSDAY, April 6th 7:30 PM, AT THE CLUB HOUSE, LINCOLN PARK ROAD, IN DERBY TOWNSHIP.
 

The speaker for our April General Meeting will be Kevin Barber, "Upper Lakes Managing Unit Enforcement Supervisor" with The Ministry of Natural Resources.
 

The new name for the MNR lake unit commencing April 1st will be "Upper Lakes Managing Unit". Kevin, wants to discuss the unit itself and give club members an update on what is taking place in our area. He will be available to answer questions regarding present or future problem areas to the best of his ability.
 

NEW MEMBERS

The SSA welcomes the following new members:

Tina Humphries, Adult

Ron Lusher, Senior

Patrick McKeeman, Adult

Junior Tibbitts, Adult

Fred and Carol Le Doux, Family

Philip Bye, Adult

Rowland Gateman, Adult

David Tebbutt, Family

Mike Goodwin, Adult

Rodger Zarsen, Family

John Schillaci, Adult

H Ray Lundy, Senior

Michaela Weppler, Junior

Joe Weppler, Junior
 

DATES TO REMEMBER!!!

April 2ND, Swap Meet, at the club house, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

see last newsletter for details.
 

Beef Bar B Que : July 8th
 

KEY DAYS: MARCH 31TH, 7 TO 10 PM AND APRIL 1 ,10 AM TO 1 PM . LOCKS WILL BE CHANGED APRIL 1ST.
 

TAKE NOTE!!!

Is there interest in a safe boating course? It will lead to getting the necessary permits. Contact Richard Manley at 376 4669, if you are interested.
 

Sporting Dog Association. This Association will fight the banning the use of sporting dogs. If interested in a membership, contact Richard Manley at 376 4669.
 

There will be a contest to name the workshop, the white building at the front of our property. Submit your suggestions for a name, by the May General Meeting, to our Club mail box, see top of first page or to a Director.
 

If you have any spare power tools and would like to donate them to our workshop, bring them to our next general meeting or leave them with someone at the workshop.
 

For Sale:

Hornady 366 Automatic Shotshell Reloader plus a number of accessories. Call Doug Murdoch at 371 7878
 

WILDLIFE ADVISORY COMMITTEE 

Indian Commercial Fishery

For some time, the Grey/Bruce Conservation Coalition ( 20 Conservation Clubs) has been petitioning the Ministry of Natural Resources to assert control and Management over the out of control Indian Fishery in the waters adjacent to Grey and Bruce Counties. This was requested in order to provide fish conservation and fair resource sharing for all the people of Ontario. It now appears that our requests have been heard and that modest beginnings to regain MNR control are actually in the works. It should be noted that our M.P.P., Bill Murdoch, has been instrumental in ensuring that the MNR did indeed hear our requests.

For a starter, the MNR, has put a draft proposal before the Cape Crocker and Saugeen Bands. This draft would provide for an Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licence. It would specify quotas, reporting requirements, fishing management areas, etc. The waters covered would be those fronting Grey and Bruce, from Craigleith to Point Clark. It should be noted that there are no gamefish quotas.
 

The consultation process is a court-ordered requirement. Should this consultation exercise fail, then after a reasonable period of time has elapsed, the MNR is prepared to issue the licence to the two bands.
 

The downside is that the two Bays (Colpoys and Owen Sound) are proposed for protection for only part of the year. This could be bad news for both Bays and possibly disastrous for Colpoys, because of the proximity to Cape Croker. We have to find out more about this. The Coalition will then have to address this Bay issue and make presentations to MNR.
 

In summary, the intent to issue a licence offers hope that somewhere down the road, a solution to this long-standing issue may be found. There are still many many obstacles to overcome, but at least this is a beginning. It is a sign that MNR is trying to regain Fisheries management rights, that were so casually tossed away in the past by both Provincial and Federal Governments.

Wildlife

Dry weather and Wildlife

Our early, dry spring will quite likely have a major effects on some of our wildlife.

Everyone who fishes knows that drying and warming streams, could be really bad news for our cold water stream-dependent fish species. What most people do not realize, is how great an impact that drought can have on wildlife. Almost all wildlife, at least requires water to drink. Whole areas can see deer move to where water is available. However, the main effects will be felt by wildlife associated with wetlands. Drying bogs, marshes, swamps etc., will see migrations and die offs of furbearers such as mink, beaver and muskrats. Waterfowl will be affected differently, depending on species, sex and age. For example, a hen duck loses her flight feathers when her brood is small. If the swamp dries up, she and her brood are done, unless there is another wetland very close by. And it would have to be the right kind of wetland, the little ducklings require great quantities of invertebrates to supply protein for rapid growth and this protein is found in rank wetlands, stagnant, standing water etc. Most streams just don't have the nutrients to produce the quantities of invertebrates required. So, while the hens and the broods are dying, the post breeding males have congregated on larger bodies of water to shed their flight feathers and they survive. And this is exactly what happened two years ago. Almost all the early hunting season local ducks taken, were adult males. The hens and juveniles were already dead, from the summer drought. Geese, on the other hand, can survive drought conditions much better than ducks. The goslings do not need the invertebrate protein, but begin grazing almost immediately, so the goose family can get by on a small stream with enough surrounding grass for grazing. A big survival tactic is evidenced by the non-breeding one and two year old geese. They fly to big water to moult, many to James Bay, and drought has very little effect on them.
 

So, with all the weather aberrations, we can only watch and wait to see what the seasons bring, but remember, there are some things that can be done, our Beaver Baffler, next to McNabb Lake, is a prime example of the SSA attempts to enhance wetlands.
 

Wildlife Plantings

Our Tree/shrub supplier has given us a tentative date, April 29th, for stock delivery. We are cutting back quantity this year, in favor of larger stock, to see if we can get better survival. this means that we will have to take more time, bigger holes, more care placing roots, when we plant, in order to ensure survival. If you would like to participate in this years planting and are willing to do a very careful, professional type planting job, please call Doug Murdoch (evenings) 371 7848: John Ford 372 0410: Blake or Linda Smith 371 4682.

Blake Smith, Chairperson

Wildlife Advisory Committee
 

72^nd ANNUAL OFAH CONFERENCE

Thunder Bay, Ontario - February 24^th - February 27^th, 2000

Ontario Hunting Strategy/Premier's Symposium

Speaker: Dan Elliott, Ontario Manager of Hunting Heritage Initiatives
 

Mike Harris, Premier of Ontario, is hosting the Premier's Symposium on Hunting Heritage August 23 - August 26, 2000 at the Ottawa Congress Centre, Ottawa, Ontario.
 

There has been a decline in hunter numbers, approximately at 50% reduction since the 1970's, particularly in waterfowl. This has resulted in a loss of revenue for wildlife management from user fees.
 

The first symposium was held in Montana in 1992. Its purpose is to promote and protect ethical hunting, advance conservation education, and conserve wildlife and resource. Its purpose also includes the support for a "blueprint" commitment regarding hunting.
 

Some of the goals of the symposium are:

Celebrate history

Improve image

Encourage co-operation

Support wildlife management

Address non-hunter issues
 

The goals also include the intent to obtain critical resource data to support wildlife management.

There will be participants from all provincial and federal jurisdictions in Canada as well as international representation from the U.S. and other countries. Private individuals are encouraged to participate. It is anticipated that there will be between 700 and 1000 delegates.

The OFAH led the request for Ontario to host this important forum. There will be meetings of agencies and non-government organizations, speakers and challenge panels, an international hunting forum, a Canadian hunting forum, and a field day. 
 

For further information call toll-free 1-888-720-1960, Fax (705) 755-1900, or www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/ps2000 Registration fees are anticipated to be $300 for the conference, or single day $100. All groups are encouraged to send a representative.
 

72^nd ANNUAL OFAH CONFERENCE

Thunder Bay, Ontario - February 24^th - February 27^th, 2000
 

C-17 Animal Rights Legislation

Speaker: Dr. Terry Quinney, OFAH Biologist
 

The Federal Government has tabled for second reading revisions to the Criminal Code of Canada to increase penalties for cruelty to animals. The OFAH in 1998 submitted comments to the Federal Justice Department, which, to our knowledge, have received no consideration. The OFAH submitted a brief in February 2000 to the Justice Minister restating the OFAH's views. Changes contained in C17 threaten farming, bio-medical research, hunting and fishing, and fur harvesting. There is a serious risk, if this bill passes as is, of criminal prosecution to farmers for de-horning or castrating livestock, as well as anglers putting a worm on a hook. A hunter that accidentally wounds wildlife, or is using archery equipment, may be subject to this same prosecution. Trappers using a trap, based on the broad language of the bill, may also be charged.
 

There are six areas that the OFAH has noted need change in the legislation. Animal rights activists will seek recourse to criminal law if the current version of C-17 fails to provide any protection from attack. There is a need to re-introduce "wilful" or "wilful neglect" into the legislation, "unnecessary pain and suffering". The definition of animal needs to be changed. YOUR attention is required to this very serious matter. EACH person needs to contact his or her local Member of Parliament to express concern in relation to the present format of this legislation.
 

72^nd ANNUAL OFAH CONFERENCE

Thunder Bay, Ontario - February 24^th - February 27^th, 2000
 

The Latest Brook Trout Research Speakers: Dr. Rob Mackereth & Jamie Mucha 

Centre for Northern Forest

Eco-systems
 

The purpose of this research is to document and study the effects of timber management on lakes and streams. It is believed that there is a recovery period of two to ten years following clear-cutting. Study findings are different than expected due to smaller fish sizes, maturity, and movement in stream systems. Habitat has been fragmented by culvert placements, thus reducing range and productivity.
 

Master's student Jamie Mucha shared his study results on coaster brook trout found in the northern coastal areas of Lake Superior. The lake resident brook trout have been studied through the use of radio tracking to study the impact of timber management and the spawning habits. The information derived from this research has assisted in set back placement of clear-cutting from streams and rivers in Northern Ontario. The intent is to minimize the impact on aquatic species.
 

72^nd ANNUAL OFAH CONFERENCE

Thunder Bay, Ontario - February 24^th - February 27^th, 2000

Ontario's Fish & Wildlife Advisory Board

Speaker: Pat Kennedy, Chair

The Special Purposes Account contributes 75% of the Fish & Wildlife Budget for Ontario. A $53,000,000 withdrawal in 2000-01 fiscal year is planned.
 

Mr. Kennedy overviewed the activities of the council and noted the addition of new members, as well as acknowledging existing members. Hunting and fishing numbers are up in the last fiscal year in Ontario. The formation of a Fish & Wildlife Commission is still under discussion. The Fish & Wildlife Advisory Council has sent a proposal to the Minister of Natural Resources. They are still awaiting Minister Snobelin's response.
 

72^nd ANNUAL OFAH CONFERENCE

Thunder Bay, Ontario - February 24^th - February 27^th, 2000
 

Sea Lamprey Control

Speaker: Dr. Chris Goddard, Executive Secretary, Great Lakes Fisheries Commission
 

The Great Lakes Fisheries Commission is responsible for sea lamprey control and co-ordinates fisheries management in the Great Lakes. It is a joint U.S./Canadian operation. Canada has contributed 6.1 million dollars for fiscal year 1999-2000, and it is anticipated that we will contribute 8 million dollars for 2000-2001. However, no formal announcement has been made.
 

There has been a 90% reduction in sea lamprey population due to the use of the chemical TFM (Lampricide). Other population reduction efforts include low head barriers, lamprey traps, DC electric barriers, and sterilizing of male sea lamprey. The St. Mary's River is still the largest lamprey producer. Due to the river's size and water flow, conventional methods of lamprey control have been ineffective. A new chemical was developed in a granular form called Bayluscide, which has an 88% effective rate. A 50% reduction of lamprey in the St. Mary's River has resulted. The Great Lakes Fisheries Commission was able to trap an estimated 56% of lamprey swimming upstream in 1999. There were 27,000 sterilized males put back in to the river last year, resulting in approximately 1.4 sterile males for every fertile male in the river.
 

Intensive research is being undertaken to study sense of smell controls with certain chemicals naturally released by sea lamprey larva and sexually active sea lamprey. Through this new research they are hopeful for the development of new controls.
 

72^nd ANNUAL OFAH CONFERENCE

Thunder Bay, Ontario - February 24^th - February 27^th, 2000
 

Constitutional Challenge

Speaker: Dr. Terry Quinney, OFAH Biologist
 

The Constitutional Challenge related to the cancellation in 1999 of the Spring Bear Hunt and the resulting non-granting of an injunction against the Province of Ontario. The OFAH and other organizations mounted this constitutional challenge to attempt to entrench hunting & fishing as a right under the Canadian Bill of Rights. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IF) has been granted intervenor status in the court challenge. The Northern Ontario Tourist Operators (ONTO) and the Black Bear Association have withdrawn from the challenge.
 

In the 12 year period (1987-1998) it was illegal to shoot sows with cubs. This was the reason given for the cancellation of the spring bear hunt from the Province of Ontario. From M&R stats in the 12-year period it is estimated that the spring bear hunt had a 350-500 million dollar economic impact as well as 2,600 - 3,600 person years of employment. These have been lost due to the government's cancellation of the hunt. The parliamentary assistant to the M&R minister has been noted in writing to have stated, "the cancellation saved us 5 seats in the election". As a result of the cancellation of the spring hunt, bear cubs technically have rights. The government hasn't banned driving vehicles due to animals being killed in collisions. It should be noted that far more wildlife are killed by collisions than bears and, by extension, bear cubs, by hunting.
 

Every hunting (and fishing) activity is now threatened with future cancellation due to possible illegal activity (poachers). Animal rights have become enshrined by the ban of the spring bear hunt. Hunting is a legal right as a "Freedom of Expression". The OFAH has submitted 9 volumes of evidence to the Court from 25 witnesses. June 12-16 has been allotted for the court challenge by a panel of three judges (as yet unnamed) in Thunder Bay. Your help is needed to support this important court challenge. Donations to the OFAH Heritage Fund are encouraged from individuals as well as clubs. The SSA has donated $1200 to the Fund and requests individual support. Donations may be made to the OFAH Heritage Fund, PO Box 2800, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 8L5. Further information is available from the OFAH website www.ofah.org
 

72^nd ANNUAL OFAH CONFERENCE

Thunder Bay, Ontario - February 24^th - February 27^th, 2000
 

OFAH Eco-Adventure Tour

Speaker: Mark Holmes, OFAH Communications Specialist

The OFAH has spent the last nine months developing an interactive and accurate science-based Internet site. It is compatible with Ontario Curriculum with grade 1 through 8 activity levels.
 

You are encouraged to visit the web site at www.EcoEd.org
 

Murray Smart, OFAH Delegate
 

SSA FISH ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT

This year the SSA fish advisory committee have applied for five CFWIP grants totaling $9350.00. We're somewhat concerned about the outcome of these MNR grants because we have been hearing about the possible reduction on individual grant caps. Word has it that these caps for each CFWIP grant may only be as high as $1000 per project.

If all goes well, we hopefully will be able to complete all our fisheries projects. They are; 1) Our chinook, rainbow, and brown hatchery programs. 2) Fencing on Springhill Creek and graveled cattle crossing on the Doug Vanhorne farm. 3) Cattle crossing on Waterton Creek on the Gary Brewer/Ken Mitchell farm. 4) Tree

planting on Keefers Creek, on the Glenn Snider farm. 5) Fencing and spawning gravel for stream placement in Walters Creek, on the Robert Reid farm.
 

The fish in the SSA hatchery are all doing quite well. The brown trout were moved into the smaller SSA hatchery on Wed. March 15th. If you're one of our hatchery volunteers, don't forget to start duties in the smaller SSA hatchery with our brown trout.
 

Most of our year-plus rainbow trout have reached 8 to 10 inches in length and are moving on to 2 and 2.5 mm feed. They sure are beauties ! Probably as the weather warms a bit more we'll be looking to stock these large rainbows, likely in April.

The chinook salmon are all about 2 to 3 inches in length now and are eating a mix of 1 and 1.5 mm feed. We recently spread these growing chinooks out into some additional rearing tanks so their body growth has a better chance of increasing even more. During the middle to end of May, the MNR will again be fin clipping our chinook salmon prior to stocking.
 

The SSA fisheries committee have once again taken on the big task of running the Owen Sound Mill Dam fishway. We are presently organizing two crews, one for the morning lift and the other crew for the evening lift. We hope to start operations on March 27 and will probably go until the rainbow trout run is over, usually near the end of April.

Working to fill our plate even more, the FAC have taken on the task of running a fish and wildlife display in Heritage Place Mall from April the 12th. to 15th.. We are also assisting our SSA juniors in setting up a fisheries display at this years Home and Expo Sports Show at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Arena on April 15-16th.
 

We have received numerous request from people to remove trees which have fallen into the Sydenham and Pottawatami Rivers. We'll do our best to check them out and remove them if needed.

.

Lastly, the SSA fisheries committee continues to have major concerns about the Thornbury Dam. We are continuing our requests to the MNR for removal of the dam instead of repairing it. We strongly believe that all Georgian Bay salmonids would be the winners if this were to happen.
 

Fred Geberdt, Chairperson

Fishery Advisory Committee
 

YOUTH ACTIVITIES PROGRAM

Congratulations to Junior award winners. 

Dates to Remember!!

April 15 & 16 : Home Expo at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Area. The YAP members will be helping with the "Release a Rainbow" program again this year.
 

May 6th: Pitch In Day, 9:30 am to noon at the Mill Dam. Lunch will be provided, along with some draws at the Club House later.
 

May 13: Tentative date for Retriever Club Trials, help needed.

Camp Out Weekend: At club property, tentatively set for July 14, 15, 16 .

For further information, contact Tim Henrich, 376 5865
 

Tim Henrich, Co-chairperson

Youth Activities Program
 

Archery Committee

Dates previously announced for the East Grey Hunters and Anglers Archery Shoots apparently have been changed. New dates have not been confirmed.
 

There will be a Work Day, Saturday April 8th, 9:00 am to noon. As many archers as possible are asked to attend and bring any plastic (bags, sheets etc.) to repair butts and generally clean up the course.

Bill Thompson, Chairperson

Archery Committee