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

The guest speaker for our May meeting will be Trevor Aljoe, Professional deer and turkey hunting guide as well as Primos hunting equipment Pro-staffer, Trevor is always entertaining and provides a valuable resource for those turkey hunters who would like to be more productive.

New Members!!
The S.S.A. welcomes the following new members:

• Ken Noble Adult
• Thomas Severn Senior Citizen
• Gregg McCallum Adult
• Larry Miller Adult

DATES AND OTHER THINGS TO REMEMBER!
 

THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER

Days are getting more balmy, and fishing is underway in the bay. Our shooting ranges are once again in full swing, and all seems to be right in the world. Let's try to keep it that way.

Our sportsmen's club has a major role to play in our small part of the world, and the part we do play is the direct result of all the efforts of all the volunteers in our great organization. Many of our members contribute outstanding amounts of volunteer time. For example, some people, like the two Daves, Arnold and Hartrick, put in a tremendous amount of time in the woodworking shop. We don't expect all our members to make such immense efforts. However, in order to keep the ship afloat, it is up to each of us to periodically put our names down on the "sign-up" sheets, or to come through with some volunteer time when called by phone. New members are urged to pitch right in, and be welcomed into the workings, the activities and the wonderful fellowship and friendship to be found in our association. Don't be concerned that the programs are unfamiliar to you. We will welcome you, train you and be very appreciative of your coming on with the SSA team.

The Sydenham Sportsmen's Association is all of us pulling together. By doing so, we can continue to be one of the best sporting and conservation clubs in the province.

A tip of the hat to the SSA handgun-shooting members who played a major role in the Owen Sound Pistol Club's win at a major competition. Nice going, guys. Our congratulations.

Blake Smith. President

NATIVE AFFAIRS

Negotiations for a new commercial fishing agreement between the province and our two local Indian bands have not yet been finalized. We can only hope that an agreement can be reached that will permit the continued survival of our Great Lakes sport fishery.

Pierre Trudeau's constitution, combined with activist judges' court rulings and our politically-correct attitude towards our Indian and Metis brothers and sisters has had a very definite bearing on MNR enforcement of our conservation laws. It has made life very difficult, confusing and often distasteful for our conservation officers. For whatever reason, there is no equality in the enforcement of our game and fish laws. We have two sets of laws, the enforcement of which
depends entirely on the racial origin of the persons involved.

The following is the official enforcement policy of the MNR regarding Indians and Metis. Read it carefully, and you will get an idea of just how difficult it is for conservation officers to conduct an efficient, effective and fair enforcement program.

Blake Smith.

Amended: Pursuant to R. vs. Perry (1996)
INTERIM ENFORCEMENT POLICY

The Ontario Government, in consultation with the Government of Canada, is committed to negotiating arrangements as soon as it is possible with aboriginal people and to enacting appropriate legislation with respect to their harvest of wildlife and fish. In the interim, recognizing the impact of the Supreme Court of Canada decision in R. v. Sparrow and other judicial decisions, the Government of Ontario wishes to minimize the number of instances where aboriginal people are in conflict with the Government of Ontario in the application of the Game and Fish Act, the Fisheries Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act and the regulations enacted pursuant to those Acts, consistent with public safety and conservation objectives. Within this framework of objectives and subject to any constitutional or other legal impediment, the following detailed guidelines are effective immediately.

APPLICATION OF POLICY
1. An aboriginal person who identifies himself or herself as such, harvesting or transporting wildlife or fish as food for personal consumption and for social and ceremonial purposes, shall not be subject to enforcement procedures except as set out below.
Throughout the province this policy applies to an aboriginal person harvesting wildlife or fish for personal consumption or social or ceremonial purposes in the area which was the subject of the treaty under which he or she is entitled to benefits. In addition, where First Nations have a tradition of harvest beyond the boundaries of such treaty areas or where treaties do not explicitly recognize traditional harvesting rights, this policy will apply within areas in
which they have a tradition of such harvest. Boundaries of such traditional harvesting areas will be clarified through future negotiated agreements. In the interim, best efforts should be made to outline traditional harvesting areas, for the purposes of this policy only and without prejudice to future negotiations between First Nations and the provincial government, through discussions between the Provincial Government and representatives of Ontario First Nations. A model for these discussions might include the discussions occurring under the auspices of the Indian Commission
of Ontario.

RESTRICTIONS ON APPLICATION OF POLICY
2. The policy set out above will not apply in the following circumstances:
(a) Where an aboriginal person is hunting in an unsafe manner. The following examples of activities could be considered to be unsafe in certain circumstances:
(i) discharge of firearms from or across the travelled portion of a roadway, or in Southern Ontario, discharge of firearms from or across the right-of-way portion of a roadway;
(ii) possessing a loaded firearm in a vehicle or moving vessel;
(iii) discharge of a firearm from a vehicle or moving vessel;
(iv) hunting or possessing an unencased firearm at night, although not where expressly permitted under provincial and federal legislation and the regulations enacted pursuant to those Acts;
(v) careless hunting;
(vi) hunting within an unsafe distance from authorized forestry or mining operations while they are in progress.

(b) Where wildlife or fish are taken for commercial purposes. Wildlife or fish taken or transported by an aboriginal person solely for the purpose of personal consumption or social or ceremonial purposes, or for barter in kind of wildlife or fish within or among First Nations or aboriginal communities, will not be considered to be taken for commercial purposes.

(c) Where wildlife or fish are taken in a manner which will put conservation objectives at risk. The following examples of activities could be considered to put such objectives at risk:
(i) the destruction or harmful alteration of fish or wildlife habitat;
(ii) in certain circumstances, fishing in fish sanctuaries or waters which are closed at all times of the year, or hunting in waterfowl sanctuaries;
(iii) the taking or possession of rare, threatened or endangered species as outlined in Appendix I;
(iv) the taking of wildlife or fish in quantities or in circumstances which will put conservation objectives at risk.
Such circumstances might include the taking of spawning fish or the taking of wildlife while they are nursing their young;
(v) the wilful waste or spoilage of wildlife or fish.
(d) Where hunting or fishing occur on privately owned or occupied land, which is so posted or fenced or is visibly
occupied, without the express permission of the owner or occupier.

PERMISSION REQUIRED AND DECISIONS REGARDING ENFORCEMENT RELATING TO HARVEST OF WILDLIFE AND FISH FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES

3. (a) The written permission of the Deputy Minister will be required before planned enforcement procedures, including inspection of commercial establishments, search warrants and special investigations, are undertaken in respect of the harvest, transport, sale or exchange of game and fish for commercial purposes carried on by an aboriginal people. The existence of a right to harvest game and fish for commercial purposes will be a component of the determination of whether permission is given.

SCREENING PROCESS
(b) Subject to the intervention of the Attorney General, the normal screening process of all alleged native persons violations will also continue to apply as outlined in Appendix II. Before a decision is made to proceed with charges, the
Chief, or designate, of the affected First Nation shall be consulted in a timely fashion, and the appropriate Ontario
aboriginal treaty and political organization will be notified.

PRELIMINARY CONSULTATION
(c) MNR officials will contact the Chief, or designate, of a First Nation to discuss perceived concerns with respect to the harvesting of wildlife and fish as they start to emerge.

STRUCTURE AND MANDATE OF COMMITTEES
(d) A First Nations/Ontario Conservation Committee, composed of representatives from Ontario, including the Deputy
Minister of Natural Resources, as well as representatives from Ontario aboriginal treaty and political organizations, will be established immediately upon the adoption of this policy with the following mandate:
(i) to meet quarterly to discuss the decisions to proceed with charges of the past quarter of the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, as referred to above, and
(ii) to review the effectiveness of this interim enforcement policy and recommend changes to this policy if deemed required.
(e) First Nations/MNR Conservation Regional Committees, composed of representatives from MNR, including the
Regional Director, as well as representatives from the regional aboriginal treaty and political organizations, will be
established immediately upon adoption of this policy with the following mandate:
(i) to give direction on a regional basis as to which activities should be deemed to put conservation objectives and public safety at risk, which will involve the identification and discussion of conservation objectives, and to give direction where policy variation regarding public safety restriction are deemed to be required due to regional variation;
(ii) to discuss the necessity of existing and future fish sanctuaries and the closure of waters;
(iii) to discuss the rare, threatened and endangered species of the region;
(iv) to discuss those areas of lands, and related land values within the region, which require special protection due to their nature (e.g. Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest and Nature Reserves).

PROVINCIAL PARKS
4. Provisions of provincial or federal legislation, or the provisions of a treaty, which concern the harvest of wildlife and fish by an aboriginal person in Provincial Parks shall continue to apply, unless otherwise provided for by a negotiated agreement between the Provincial Government and a First Nation. Where a First Nation has entered into negotiations with the Provincial Government, the written permission of the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources will be required before planned enforcement procedures regarding the harvest of wildlife and fish by members of that First Nation in the Provincial Park under discussion will be taken.

FORCE OF THIS POLICY
5. This policy replaces the former Guidelines to Follow When Screening Native Person Violations with regard to hunting and fishing. This policy shall not be interpreted so as to make its application more restrictive on the harvesting of wildlife and fish by aboriginal people than was the case under former MNR policies
and guidelines.

OPERATION OF THIS POLICY
6. This interim enforcement policy is to apply until it is superseded by changes to this policy arising from
3(d)(ii) and/or negotiated agreements and/or appropriate legislation.

Archery Program 2004

The Archery Shooting Sports program had two Tournaments scheduled again for this year. The first was the "S.S.A Annual 3-D Tournament" which was held on Sunday April 25th/04, it consisted of 2 rounds of 20, 3D targets. The results of this Tournament are as follows:

Men's Bowhunter Unlimited First Nigel Read
Second Chad Cosby
Third Dave Robinson
Men's Bowhunter Limited First Luke Seward
Men's Barebow First Rick Marchand
Men's Traditional First Bill Thompson
Men's Crossbow First Mark Hummel
Juniors First Nathan Thompson
Bantam First Mike Winters

The second is a "Traditional only 3D Tournament" and it is being held on Sunday May 23/04" it will also be 2 rounds of 20 - 3D targets with a 10 a.m. shotgun start. This tournament is open to all traditional archers.

Coffee, soft drinks, donuts and Lunch will be available an site at a minimal charge.

Bill Douglas, Chairperson
Archery Committee

YAP Newsletter

May will see the beginning of a new schedule of events. The first is Pitch-in day May 8th beginning at 9:00 AM at the Marine Rail Museum on the west side of the harbour. We would like to see lots of juniors and their families at this event. Bring gloves and rubber boots if possible. We will have lunch following at 12:00 noon and if everyone is game we will have a short meeting at 1:00 PM.

We will also be firming up our summer shooting schedule with Dan Laxton soon. Details to follow. We will be planning our summer campout and fishing day also, so if you have some ideas let me know.

I would like to get everyones' email address so that we don't have to do so much phoning on upcoming events. A lot of events come up on short notice and it takes considerable time to contact everyone.

You can email me at mary.stephenson@sympatico.ca and I will add you to my list.

Mary Stephenson
Youth Co-ordinator

Mary Stephenson

Mary stepped into the breach that opened up in our junior program and is doing a great job maintaining and enhancing the varied youth activities.

Thank you Mary, The S.S.A. very much appreciates your efforts.

FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Collecting fish eggs can be a demanding job what with trying to get the right timing of the run and then getting enough manpower to have to put in the hours every day to meet our target. Considering that we had not been able to get any eggs over the last two years from our own attempts we can be very thankful for the professional efforts of our
volunteers and the co-operation of the Grey-Sauble Cons. Authority which combined allowed us to collect the impressive total of a little over 125,000 eggs.

All the rainbows were looking good with the general feeling that this years run is showing signs of an increase in the population. Fifty six fish were handled on the last night and one big male came in at 83 cm weighing around 18 Ibs.
A total of 149 fish were assessed and punched in the tail fin with none of the fish showing up again. Half of the fish that
swam through were from our earlier years stocking. A few had RP clips( right pectoral) indicating they were from Michigan. No rainbows from the native release were seen. The fish ladder is presently in swim through.

To make room for the rainbows, we will be planning to stock out our chinook salmon at the end of the month, so if
you get a call to help please do what you can. The salmon won't go out clipped this year, as we were going to use the
chemical oxy tetracycleen but are unable to get it across the border due to the bovine scare.

May is a time to work on our SFW I P projects with trees to plant. We need your help. This usually requires a few hours on a Saturday morning. It would make it a lot easier if you would contact me just to let us know that depending on the timing you may be able to help out. Phone 371-3827.

Enjoy your fishing and Turkey hunting

Mike Prevost
F.A.C. Chairman