THE NEXT GENERAL MEETING , REMEMBER THE DATE: THURSDAY MAY 5th, 7:30 PM, AT THE CLUB HOUSE, LINCOLN PARK ROAD, IN THE TOWNSHIP OF GEORGIAN BLUFFS (FORMERLY DERBY TOWNSHIP).

The speaker for the May General Meeting will be Rob Gibson, Enforcement co-ordinator for the Upper Great Lakes. He has a very good power point presentation on this units work and will also answer question from our members. Plan to attend.

New Members!!

The S.S.A. welcomes the following new members:

Donald Van Larkin - Senior	Dennis Richards - Adult
James Hamilton - Adult	Gregory Webster - Family
Brad Fritzsch - Adult	Jeff Brattain - Family
Brad Thomas - Adult	Kent Catto - Family
Roland Gore - Adult	Mike Gross - Senior
Scott Robinson - Adult	Ken Lisk - Senior

DATES TO REMEMBER!!!

• Thursday June 2 , General meeting, Hot Dog & Beer Night
• Sunday June 5 5:00 to 7:00 pm Beef Bar B Que at Club House. Tickets available at the may general meeting. Only 160 tickets will be sold.
• Wednesday August 17 th 5:00 pm Corn Boil followed by Derby meeting
• Thursday December 1 7:00 pm General meeting and Nibble Night

Retirement Party for Joel Tost, M.N.R. Conservation Officer

Date: Friday May 6 th At the Owen Sound Legion, Social Hour 6:00 pm, Supper at 7:00 pm

Tickets: $20.00 plus donation, available from Scott Wilson 376 3860 (work) 371 4623 (home).

Joel was a Conservation Officer for 36 years mainly in the Owen Sound District. Plan to attend and see Joel into a long and happy retirement.

Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular Volunteers .

All work schedules should be at the May and June meetings. If you have preference for dates and times, come out to the meeting and sign yourself up.

PITCH IN DAY

Once again, the SSA are teaming up with Communities In Bloom to clean up our Cities waterways.

This is a great opportunity to bring our club to the forefront in the city. The kids especially get a big kick out of helping in the cleanup. There will be treats etc., with hotdogs at noon after the cleanup.

We ask that you meet at the Tourism Office at 9 am so we can pick up our garbage bags, and Please come out and support your club.

We will be starting at the Tourism Office (Rail and Marine Museum) on the west side at 9 am. Saturday May 14, 2005

find out what areas are to be done. In total we are hoping for 5 teams for a total of 13 to 18 people.

Thanks Brian Clements

SSA Surplus Equipment for Tender

The Board of Directors of the Sydenham Sportsmen's Association have declared the former fish cleaning trailer used the past few years during the Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular as surplus as it has been replaced by a newly refurbished trailer last year.

The trailer is for sale "as is, where is" and must be removed by the successful bidder by May 31, 2005. The trailer has good condition dual axles and new tires last year. The frame is in OK condition but the upper walls and roof are in poor shape. An excellent opportunity to use the base and wheels and re-build up from there.

The SSA Board of Directors reserves the right to accept or reject the highest or any tender and reserves the right to withdraw this tender request without notice. The trailer may be viewed at the SSA property by contacting Ken Cowtan, SSA Property Manager at 372-2957.

Tenders must be submitted to the attention of the SSA Board of Directors, PO Box 264 STN MAIN, Owen Sound ON N4K 5P3 to be received on or before May 16, 2005 and clearly marked on the outside of the sealed envelope as Trailer  Tender".

Submitted by Murray Smart

Archery Committee

Attention all archers, there will be a Work Day on Saturday April 30/05, 9:00 am to noon. As many archers as possible are asked to attend to help repair butts, put up new Ames targets, clean shooting lanes and generally clean up the course and range areas. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Our Annual 3D Shoot for all classes will be held on Sunday May 1 st, registration 9:00 am, shoot starts at 10:00 am.

Our Annual Traditional 3D Shoot will be held on Sunday May 29 th, registration 9:00 am, shoot starts at 10:00 am.

A “ Fred Hunt Memorial ” Traditional Shoot will be held at the Otter Creek Club, Mildmay on the weekend of June4 th & 5 th. Call Bill Thompson, 376 4555 for further details.

Bill Douglas, Chairperson

THE PRESIDENTS CORNER

It ’ s almost May, the days are getting longer and the summer heat is just around the corner, or at least I thought is was until we got that dump of snow over the weekend. Oh well it too shall pass, then we can get back out fishing on the bay, turkey hunting in the country side, or pursuing our favourite springtime activities.

Our club has a major role to play in the community, and that part we play is a direct result of all the hard work and effort that our volunteers put forth. As you are no doubt aware many of our members put in a tremendous amount of time and effort volunteering their services in order to keep all our programs and events running smoothly. I realize we all can ’ t put in such large blocks of time and effort, or say yes every time we get called to help out. However, I am asking that we all try to do our share, and whenever possible put our names down on the sign-up sheets that periodically come around or say yes when called by phone. I ’ m also urging new members to get involved in the activities, fellowship and friendship to be found in our association, so please pitch in. The S.S.A. is all or us working together to keep our club one of the top sporting and conservation clubs in the province.

On behalf of the membership I would like to say, thank you, and welcome Stephen Lustig as the new “ Youth Activities Program ” Chairperson. We feel very confident that Steve will bring his unique talents and professionalism to this, one of the key positions and programs in the Club. This area directly effects all of our youth and their introduction into conservation, sportsmanship and sporting activities.

Bill Douglas, President

SHOOTING RANGES PROTOCOL UP- DATE .

Spring is fast approaching, bringing with it, the various Shooting Sports involving our members. Our Club Ranges will soon be fully active, thus prompting a review and update of our Club property Range Rules. These Rules are Mandatory for everyone's safety, and, to maintain our Club's Liability Insurance coverage for members and in certain circumstances, their guests.

Range Rules:

All ranges are posted with Approved Rules, that Must be followed to the Letter....Just to highlight a few..

(1) All members or Non-members who wish to use any range for the first time, MUST read the posted rules, prior to entry and use.

(2) Use the green Flag for its purpose as listed on the Rule board, every time.

(3) When the Green Flag is up.. DO NOT be sitting at a bench with the gun pointed down range.

(4) There MUST be a Range Master if anyone is shooting on a range...If you are by yourself then you are such. When someone else arrives, make a decision, One of you will be the Range Master, etc.

(5) Range Masters are in charge of each Range during its use... OBEY their range commands.

(6) Members Guests, are allowed at present,... BUT, must be accompanied by the Member at all times.

The member becomes the Range Master over his Guest, and IS RESPONSIBLE for his actions. Remember this as it will apply to Liability Insurance Coverage.

Use and Obey all the rules members may also borrow and read the Range rules in their entirety from the publication in our Club Library.

Range Security:

2005 will bring some changes and up-dates to our Club Property and Shooting Ranges. These changes are ongoing, in an attempt to insure realistic Liability Insurance protection. Recommendations are forth coming from our Club Lawyer, and will be dealt with at that time.

At the moment, expect to see an increase in "No Trespassing" signs throughout our property. Non-Controlled Ranges, can expect to see additional 'excess' restrictions such as.. Fences. Signs and Entry Gates, Range-use sign-in books for member and for their guests( Liability Ins,)

Guests are giving us a headache dealing with Liability Insurance coverage. You as a member must be with your guest, sign him in (name and address) , and be responsible for him. Be prepared to show your Membership Card if asked for it.. It is every members responsibility to make sure our ranges are being operated in compliance with our Coverage.

Do not be offended if someone doesn't know you and asks to see your card Be Responsible ASK Shooters you do

not know to see their membership card. Remember, anyone using a range and not accompanied by a member is Trespassing and should be treated as such.

Look for possible changes coming before hunting season, for the High Power Ranges, regarding use with guests. This is still in the works, as are some of the changes mentioned above.

Fisheries Advisory Committee

With the help of our volunteers we were able to collect about 97,0000 rainbow eggs. This is a little short of our target but considering the fluctuating weather and that initial mortality in the eggs is low we should do alright. A special thanks to Dennis Grummett who showed up every day for two weeks to strip the eggs and then finish them off at the hatchery.

While we were collecting eggs we also released all of the rainbow fingerlings ( approx 40,000 ) that we had raised over the past year. All the fish were vigorous and healthy as they started their next adventure in the Sydenham river at Harrison Park. Thanks to the junior members who came out and helped.

Despite their recent surgeries ;Fred Geberdt and Coy Curry were still a big part of the success of both the egg collection and release. You just can,t keep good men down.

The Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum presently has an exhibit on that shows some of the history and importance of commercial and recreational fishing in our area. Even though the display has started they are still very interested in getting any old pictures, news clippings or old fishing gear .They would make copies and artifacts would be on loan only. For more information drop into their site at 1165 1st Ave West or phone 371 333 3.After their presentation to the executive we decided to make a donation to help their program and all sponsors will be acknowledged to the public.

Not to do with fishing, but trying to expand our awards program we have added a Big TOM Turkey award. Keep a record of the weight, spur lengths and beard lengths and were you registered your turkey. You can bring the information to our June meeting or mail it to me at 580 1st Street West Owen Sound N4K 5Y3. Sorry no E mail.

Mike Prevost F .A.C. Chairman

FORESTS & WILDLIFE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Reports of many turkey sightings have been pouring in. Indications are strong that there will be a good spring hunt.

Gary Willis tells us that he was out for ah evening drive and counted 72 deer in local fields. Mild winters certainly seem to be helping our deer and turkeys.

Murray Smart tells us that things are moving ahead on the Sydenham Conservation Foundation's acquisition of the key property on the Shallow Lake wetlands. It is not yet a done deal, but it is certainly looking better. For over 20 years, the

process has seemed like a continuous series of "two steps back to get three steps ahead". However, we can thank the SSA's Murray Smart for his persistent, dogged determination in being the main push to bring this undertaking to where it is now. When the marsh is acquired, and Ducks Unlimited has completed its flood, our local anglers and hunters will owe Murray a huge vote of thanks.

The cormorant issue is rising again with the return of the birds from their wintering grounds. The battle lines are being drawn and we can only hope that the government will continue to recognize the problem and take the necessary steps to rectify the situation. we must be vigilant and persistent in letting the government know our concerns about the cormorants.

The differing opinions concerning cormorants can best be illustrated by the extremes from both sides:

For the cormorants, the Peaceful Parks Coalition, through Toronto's politically correct mayor, are .trying to set up a cormorant appreciation day on the Leslie Street spit. Such actions would certainly have the cormorants wearing halos.

Against the cormorants, the United Fish & Game Clubs of Manitoulin, who have publicly stated that, law or no law, they are going to have a big shoot of cormorants on the May 24th weekend. Recent reports indicate that the MNR might participate, although they have been silent on this lately.

This writer grew up on Manitoulin and did see cormorants in the~ 30's, 40's and 50's but not so many that they were a significant problem. The cormorants may not have been a problem back then, because both anglers and commercial fishermen went to the cormorant colonies in the spring, and did what they had to do they smashed the eggs and shot the adults.

It looks like a federal election might be in the wind, and we should think long and hard about how we vote. There will be many issues to consider, but here's one to which you might give some thought. Stephen Harper addressed the recent OFAH convention and, regarding firearms, stated that, if he became Prime Minister, his party would re-work our firearms laws. His party would increase penalties for firearms use in crime, toss out the parts that caused undue hardships or didn't make sense. However, they would certainly keep those that apply to public safety such as licensing after proof of firearms handling knowledge and the laws concerning safe storage and transportation.

Mr. Harper was absolutely blunt when he said they would do away with firearms registration.

Blake Smith, Chairman,

Forests & Wildlife Advisory Committee .

NATIVE AFFAIRS

The dispute between local anglers and the Cape Croker/Saugeen Indian bands is once more starting to heat up.

We have unofficial word that the new agreement has been signed. However, at the time of writing this article (April 24) no one in government will tell us exactly what is in the agreement, or even if there is an agreement. Again, unofficially, we have word that the new agreement will permit gillnetting to move further into Owen Sound and Colpoys bays. We have no idea how far they might be allowed to come into the bays, or what conditions, if any, might be placed on any such movement.

The uncertainty is causing some friction between the Sydenham and Bruce Peninsula clubs because of our differing approaches to the issue. The Bruce club feels, rightly, that they would be most affected by line movement, and BPSA members believe that the SSA is not supporting them as much as they would like.

The approach of the SSA has been to contact the Minister of Natural Resources directly regarding our concerns through upper-level staff of the OFAH. They have more open access to the. Minister than we have. At any rate, we will not be in a position to say very much about this highly contentious issue until we see exactly what is in the agreement and what effect, if any, it will have on the sports fishery in Colpoys Bay and the Sound.

Rest assured that we are not taking this issue lightly. We will continue to press for a reasonable and timely resolution to this problem, an issue that is so vital to our open-water sports fishery, as well as our highly-renowned derby.

Blake Smith,

Native Affairs Committee .

For Sale:

16 foot Ward Fibreglass Canoe Wood Gunnels, plus 2 paddles Call Bill at 376 4555