THE NEXT GENERAL MEETING, REMEMBER THE DATE: THURSDAY, March 1st. 7:30 PM, AT THE CLUB HOUSE, LINCOLN PARK ROAD, IN DERBY TOWNSHIP.
For March we are pleased to announce that turkey hunting guide and Grand Slam turkey hunter Trevor Aljoe will be returning as guest speaker for one of our general meetings. Trevor is now a Pro hunter and representative for Mississippi game call manufacturer Primos. Last March Trevor gave a turkey call demonstration and this year he has offered to provide turkey hunting tips as well.

Dates to Remember!!
Conservation Dinner, Saturday March 3rd at the Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. Tickets $35.00 per person. For tickets call Randy or Ruth Moore at 371 0378, Fred Geberdt at 376 2369 or Bill Thompson at 376 4555.
Clubhouse Swap Meet, Sunday March 4th. 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Everybody Welcome.

Board of Directors
Please note the following addition/correction to the Board of Directors which was inadvertently missed in the last newsletter. Grant Ferris, Director and Chairperson of the Meeting, Program Committee.

SSA FISH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The 2001 SSA Fisheries Advisory Committee has now been formed. The members are; John Bittorf, Coy Currie, Dennis Grummett, Doug Murdoch, Mark Porter, Rob Wilson, Jeff Graham, Rob Prowse, Norm Schatz, Fred Geberdt, and a very special member, SSA student member, Mike Anderson. If any SSA member has any fisheries concerns, don't hesitate to contact any of the above FAC members. Our first fisheries meeting will take place on February 27th.
I took in the pig farm meeting at Chatsworth on Jan. 31st. Over 200 people were in attendance. I listened to four speakers. A local resident, Dan Marshall stated that site location and residential planning for the 25 houses near the proposal was his main concern. Farming lawyer, Alan Wilford, hoped that environmentalists and farmers might get together on this type of issue and seek a solution. He believes manure composting instead of liquid manure would help solve these types of issues. A farmer from Proton Township talked on minimum distance separation and nutrient management plans for pig barn operations such as the one proposed. A hydrologist gave a scientific overview of the water situation. He stated that 35% of all rural wells have contaminants. Corn and soya bean crops produce the highest contaminant levels in ground water. The Geological features on the proposed pig farm site are of the largest concern. Moraines in the area are the source of head waters for both the Spey and Bighead Rivers. There is both a class 5 wetland and a stream on the site. He identified this fact as a possible environmental risk to the project. There were lots of questions from the audience, most were reflective of serious concern for this type of project, and some questions were a bit on the hard to take area, such as, these type of pig barns are cruel and non loving and harsh treatment for the pigs. Wayne McKibbon, the pig farmer was there also, but was not invited to speak at the front. He did answer questions, and gave an overview of what his proposed pig farm would be like, and what he has done to meet all planning and environmental concerns. This pig barn will be used to finish 1000 market hogs. It will be totally closed in, and covered by a roof, the liquid manure tank would be enclosed under the floor of the building. Wayne also said he would organize and invite concerned people to tour a barn similar to his proposal. He also welcomed people to look at his nutrient management plan for the proposal, all 160 pages of it.
Coy Currie and I also attended a meeting with the Grey County Roads Dept. on Jan. 23rd. They outlined the proposed work for the Creamery Hill road construction to be done this summer. All efforts will be made to send more water down the south side of the road to our hatchery. The Owen Sound PUC was also in attendance, and similarly promised to inspect their workings in the old filter bed at the top of the hill, and divert as much water as possible to our hatchery. Property owner Jim Weaver and Order of Good Cheer member Arnie Clark were also in attendance. Mr. Gary Howey from the Grey County Roads Dept. will be our contact on this issue.
Under the watchful eye of SSA hatchery manager, Coy Currie, the fish in the SSA hatcheries are all doing quite well. The brown trout were moved into larger raceways and are now starting to feed on .5 mm feed. Most of our rainbow trout have reached 3 to 5 inches in length and are moving on to 1.5 and 2 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 March or April. The chinook salmon are all about 1 to 2 inches in length now and are eating a mix of .7 and l 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 will again be taking on the big task of running the Owen Sound Mill Dam fishway this spring. We will be organizing two crews, one for the morning lift and the other crew for the evening lift. We hope to start operations in the latter part of March and will probably go until the rainbow trout run is over, usually near the end of April. If you're interested in helping out, we should hear from you A.S.A.P., so we can get you registered in a fishway workshop, put on by the MNR on March 10th, at the SSA clubhouse. Call me at 376-2369 if you want to help out

Fred Geberdt, Chairperson  Fish Advisory Committee

Wildlife Advisory Committee
The weather has let up somewhat and both deer and turkeys have been given a belated reprieve. Deer are moving and feeding . However, they could still be in trouble if they do not leave the yards for better feed by early March. Turkeys had their worst time during the earlier deep, powder snow. They were unable to walk to food or take off from the ground. Many just stayed in the tree roasts and waited it out, and some starved. M.N.R. staff picked up emaciated birds that obviously starved to death.
A lot of people have been feeding turkeys. Fred Hunt has been feeding corn to several flocks He made one interesting feeding observation. He had observed turkeys feeding on burdock. To bolster their diet, he hauled them in some cob corn. Later, he saw the birds walk right by the corn and begin eating burdock. You can't account for taste.
M.N.R. has been doing the groundwork that is necessary prior to any deer feeding program. the large yards in Bruce County lend themselves to an effective supplementary deer feeding program. The scattered, small yards, in Grey present a logistical feeding nightmare. Formal, large scale feeding programs would not be feasible for most of Grey County yards. At any rate, we are waiting to hear from M.N.R. as to their findings and suggested actions.
Possum Facts
Opossums are becoming increasingly plentiful and many and great are the conjectures of S.S.A. members as to their effects on other wildlife.  I have cribbed some information and will pass it on.
In 1612, John Smith wrote "An opossum hath a head like a swine and a tail like a rat and is of the bigness of a cat. Under her belly she hath a bagge wherein she lodgeth, carrieth and sucketh her young." Note, they are our only marsupials and carry their young in pouches, as do kangaroos.
Possums are small brained and subsequently are not too clever. As a matter of fact, they are famously stupid. They do not hibernate, but do store fat for the winter. They have approximately 3 large litters per year and have very short life spans. Possums prefer deciduous woodlands in association with streams, marshland, forests, grasslands agricultural habitats. they do like habitat close to water. Possums can be considered gleaners. They move around a relatively small area and eat what they can find. What do they Eat? It depends on where they live and what is available. For example, percent by volume studies from Texas and Wisconsin showed tremendous variation.
mammal bird
Texas 15 % 4
other vertebrates fruit/plants 25 45
mammal bird
Wisconsin 41% 24
other vertebrates fruit/plants
12 6
They are heavily predated by Great Horned Owls as well as Foxes and Coyotes.  They are relatively new to this part of the world and only time will tell how well they will be able to fit into our environment.  Possum pie anyone??

Blake Smith, Chairperson  Wildlife Advisory Committee

Shotgun Shooting Sports
Attention Shooters - The 2000 Shooting Season at the Sydenham Club was "a very good year" . The ATA regulation 27 Yard Handicap trap range, with its state of the art Beomat Automatic Bird thrower became reality. 18 Members of the Sydenham Club took part in Year 2000 Inter-Club Trap competitions winning Trophies in 6 Classes, Plus High Overall "A" Div. and "A+ Handicap". Great Showing by an Outstanding Group.
The 2001 season promises to be even greater. Our 10 Station Sporting Clay Course is already a household word in the shooting community. The new Trap Range is so popular we will have an additional evening shoot each week, plus Wobbletrap and related novelty shoots. Our Steak and Trap events will continue at the beginning of each month, and in July , we are planning a Pig Roast/Trap Shoot, plus a Trap Event in conjunction with the Annual SSA Beef BBQ in June.
The SSA Club has become one of the most active Shooting Clubs in the Grey/Bruce area, boasting Approved ranges in Archery - Handgun (Including Interclub competitions) - 22 rifle -100 yd HighPower Rifle - Trap - Wobbletrap - and Sporting Clays.
The SSA Club provides a safe and Approved place for Members and guests to take part in many different shooting events - be it competition, practice, teaching your children recreational shooting, or just having fun, this is the place to be.
Memberships are available for 2001 at a cost of $70.00 per adult - $90.00 per family - and NO DEBENTURES are required for new members.
A Membership not only allows one to take part in the excellent shooting programs, but, also makes one part of one of the Largest Conservation Clubs in Ontario with a voice towards our shooting-hunting-fishing rights in the future, both through the S.S.A. and Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.

Bill Beamish, Chairperson  Shotgun Shooting Sports

Youth Activities Program
We had a very successful meeting on Sunday, February the 11th. We'd like to thank members of the Wildlife, Fish Advisory and Shooting Committees for coming out and giving us their input and support. Mike Anderson volunteered to sit on the FAC as a Junior Executive, and PK McCallum will be our executive on the Wildlife Committee.
We discussed the upcoming campout, which will take place on March 10th, 10:00 AM to March 11th, 12:00 Noon at the clubhouse. Also spoken on was animal tracking, nature walks, star navigation, a shooting program, trapping, and bird identification.
Upcoming work projects include setting up a demonstration at the Home Show in April,
Pitch-In day on May 12th, and hatchery work. If any youth members are interested in any of these activities, they can contact either me, Laura Stephenson at 363-2893 or frost_wings@hotmail.com, or Jesse Henrich at 376-5865, or they can come to the next meeting, which will take place at 1:00 PM, Sunday, March 4th at the main clubhouse boardroom.
Laura Stephenson  YAP Co-Chair

S S A Members & Boating License Tests-J Ford
At the last S S A meeting, members were asked if they were interested in reading through the Boating Handbook together and then writing the exam. At that time it appeared that a considerable number of people wanted to do this. This would happen during an evening at the Club House. The net costs of the Handbook ($8.00) and the exam ($15.00) is $23.00. The club has to purchase these ahead of time, so we need a commitment from those who are interested. The time frame would probably be in late March or early April. If you are interested, please contact either John Ford at 372-0410 or Fred Geberdt at 376-2369. Cheques should be made payable to the Sydenham Sportsmen's Association for $23.00.

Assistance needed for the 14th Annual Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular
At the last Derby Committee meeting, the subcommittee chairs agreed to make up the Schedules for the various activities for 2001. We hope to have these at the March general meeting and available for you to sign up. Please mark these dates on your personal calendar as well. August 24 through September 2, 2001. This mammoth event needs everyone's help. The committee cannot do it by themselves. If each member would choose 3 shifts of duty, our job would become much easier.
In 2001 we need to place a greater emphasis on traffic flow and parking congestion at the Owen Sound Marina, which is our headquarters. If you have ideas that would help us plan a parking strategy for this year, please contact a member of the derby committee. Certainly, we will be needing more adult parking attendants to work with our willing junior members. Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Remember, this is our source for conservation project funding which includes such items as shrubs, trees, wildlife plantings, wood for nesting boxes, junior activities, hatchery materials and supplies and fishfood for up to 500 000 salmonids.

If you haven't paid your membership by the March meeting, this will be yourlast newsletter!!
John Ford, Chairperson  Membership Committee

Memberships are based on the Calendar Year (January until December). Please use reverse for additional names, ages etc. for family memberships. Membership Fees are:

FAMILY(Adult, Spouse, Children)-$ 90.00                STUDENT(Age 13-16 or in full time study; (no magazine)...$20.00

ADULT (Individual)..........$70.00 SSA                         JUNIOR (12 and under; no magazine)..$15.00

SSA SENIOR CITIZEN(Age 60 & over)..$55.00         PROPERTY GATE KEY: Add $2.00 to Membership Fees

Please review my application for Membership as a ______________member. (Magazine available for Juniors & Students extra $8.00)

NAME:_________________________________________________________________TELEPHONE:_______________________

ADDRESS:______________________________________________________________ POSTALCODE:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DATE OF BIRTH:__________________ (Juniors and Students only)

IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A STRONG AND VIABLE ASSOCIATION, ALL MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST. Please indicate which of the following activities are of special interest to you. This information is used in planning work parties, committees, etc.

Wildlife Advisory___	Derby Committee___	Fish Advisory___
Derby P R Booth___	Shotguns___	Hatchery Duty___
Tree Planting___	Social Activities___	Derby Weigh-in___
Board of Directors___	Fishing___	Turkey Shoots___
Derby Fish-fry___	Trap Shooting___	Hand Guns___
Black Powder	Ticket Sales___	Archery___
Property Care___	Wildlife Enhancement_	Stream Work___
Fish Stocking___	Hunting___	Jr Activities___
Hi-Power Shoots___	Pitch-in___	Computer__
Fall Fair___	Telephone Committee__

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