THE NEXT GENERAL MEETING, Thursday, (first Thurs. of month)    May 3, 7:30 PM,
AT THE CLUB HOUSE,    LINCOLN PARK ROAD, IN THE TOWNSHIP OF GEORGIAN BLUFFS.
{Fire number 082535} 021445 Grey County Road 16

PROGRAMS:    Future Meeting Events:

May: Dr. Scott Petrie Scott will give us an update on the Longpoint Waterfowl Research Centre.
Scott does some really interesting work on duck populations and how their populations fluctuate.

June: This meeting is a social affair where we provide hot dogs (free) and beer at a modest cost!
We will try a fun auction sale again. For those who missed last years event, the auction sale raised
$956 for the club!
We auctioned off everything from fresh baked cheese bread to an extension ladder!!!

MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE:
I need donations for the auction sale. Please bring me something nice!!! I really don’t want garage sale items that you couldn’t sell. Dig in your cupboard for something you bought but never got around to using. In fact....you don’t know why you bought it!!!!  I NEED THESE ITEMS!!   Take the HIT for the CONSERVATION TEAM !

Jack Doherty

New Members:       SSA welcomes new members:
David Stoakley,  adult             Ted Loughead,  family            Jon Gandila,  adult
Jamie McGillivary, adult         Murray Arnold, family

PRESIDENTS CORNER:

Here’s a bit of good news for the fisher men and women in the Club, in case you missed it The Ministry of Natural Resources are delaying the implementation of the new fishing regulations until January 1, 2008.

In a recent news release by Mike Reader, of the O.F.A.H. he said “They were pleased that Minister Ramsay listened to the OFAH and other stakeholders who strongly suggested that if the new regulations were not ready in time for the open water season, implementing them in mid-season would have caused chaos. The development of the new regulations has been a long and complicated process. We are pleased that after almost two years of consultation, that the Ministry listened to the angling community and made significant changes to the proposed regulations. While this may have delayed the introduction of the new package,
it was more important to listen to the concerns of the people who will be affected by the changes. Rushing the implementation would have prevented this and the government should be congratulated on doing the right thing.”

As noted in the Ministry’s media release, anglers should continue to use the 2005-2006 rules until the new regulatory package takes effect, with the exception of a few changes to bass and walleye seasons that took effect on January 1, 2007. These changes can be viewed at www.mnr.gov.ca. or www.ofah.org.

Another bit of news from the Federal Government this time, was issued on April 7th/07 in the Canada gazette, amending the amnesty period for registration of long guns. They have extended the deadline for long gun owners across Canada to register their firearms. The current amnesty was set to expire on May 16, 2007 and the government has extended the period for long gun owners to come into compliance with the law without fear
of reprisal to May 16, 2008.

Bill Douglas, President.

Reminder about New Gate Locks and Keys

On April 1 we changed the locks on all of the S. S. A.  property gates.  This has happened for several years now but we apologize for not putting it in the April newsletter.  As usual, we will make gate keys available to paid up 2007 members at our club meetings.  If you are unable to attend, you can get a key at the Gord Maher Memorial Centre (White House) or at Watson’s Tackle House in Owen Sound.  You need to show your membership card with the 2007 sticker on it.

ARCHERY CO-ORDINATOR UPDATE:

Spring has finally arrived and its time to get out to the practice facilities at the Club and hone those skills with the bow again. We have been through the course and cleaned it up after all the winter storms, so its all ready to go. We will be replacing a few butts [like we did last year] in the next few weeks to get everything up to par for your shooting enjoyment.
There are two archery tournaments again this year at the club, which some of you have probably already read about in the O.A.A. tournament schedule or on their web-site at www.oaa-archery.on.ca

1)  The first is on April 29th/07 at 10 a.m. and is a 3D shoot of  two rounds of 20 targets, for  all archers and bow
      classifications. Adults, children, and families welcome.
2)  The second in on May 20th/07 at 10 a.m. and is a Traditional Only shoot of two rounds of 20 targets.
       This if for Traditional archers only. Adults, children, and families welcome.

Soft drinks, coffee, donuts, and lunches are available at the clubhouse at a minimal charge. Hope to see you there.
 
Bill Douglas, Archery co-coordinator.

Membership Renewals:

Past members who have not paid their dues for 2007 do not receive a newsletter after March.  If you know someone who has not renewed for this year, you could help us by contacting him/her and making a pitch to
join for 2007. Thanks in advance for your help.

John Ford, Membership.

Reminder about S. S. A. Fish Contest and Turkey Contest

Please be reminded that our Fish Contest and Turkey Contest will begin with the start of the appropriate seasons.  We mailed out both entry forms to you but more will be available at the clubhouse.
In order to enter your turkey, you must bring it in to Watson’s Tackle House and have Drew do the measurements.
Let’s increase the number of entries in 2007.  Remember we have trophies for the major species caught in this area in three divisions:  Adult, Student and Junior.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES PROGRAM

The first weekend of May is going to be a busy one for the junior members of our club.
On May 5 at 9 am we will be meeting at the Rail and Marine Museum for the Communities in Bloom Cleanup. We need as many hands as possible for this, so even if you have not been involved in the youth activities but wish to help clean up Owen Sound please come out and join us  . Then the following day , May 6 we have our trees in for the planting project at the Sydenham Conservation Foundation property on the Sunny Valley Road. These are seedling size trees that have bare roots. We will be meeting at 10 am  at the SSA clubhouse and then driving the short distance to the project site.
There will be hotdogs and snacks provided as this will be a day of field work. We have 500 trees to plant and parents are encouraged to come out and help as well. There will be some shovels but if you have one it would be a good idea to bring it along to ensure we have enough to go around. These will be our only scheduled activities in May due to the long weekend. There maybe opportunities to organize a fishing outting with enough interest.
We are still planning the Saugeen River canoe trip on the Fathers Day weekend in June and we are needing canoes for the trip and more adults and kids for the trip, please contact me if you can loan a canoe . The cost is minimal  as we stay at Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area Campground as a group.
We are planning to set up camp on the Friday night and then transport the canoes to our launch site. From there we will follow the Saugeen back to our campground and camp the Saturday night. We will have the campsite packed up and ready for departure by 11 am Sunday .I need to know who will be going by May 15th to allow for proper planning.
The OFAH Get Outdoors summer camp registration begins at the end of April. There are 2 sessions July 14-17 and July 19-22. Cost is $165/camper. Anyone needing more information can go to getoutdoors.org.
 Anyone needing information regarding these events or wanting to get youths involved in the SSA Get Outdoors Club can contact me at jkmcnamara@persona.ca or call 519-369-3269.

John McNamara, Youth Activities Chair

WAL MART BBQ FOR CONSERVATION

By: Chris Geberdt - Fund Raising Chair

It is that time of year again when the Sydenham Sportsmen’s Association members prepare for the annual Wal Mart BBQ.  In the past, this has been a great fundraising opportunity for our organization to raise some much needed funds for our many ongoing conservation projects.  This years BBQ is Friday May 18, Saturday May 19 & Sunday May 20, 2007.  We are looking for volunteers to take a shift from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  If you can help at the
Wal Mart BBQ, please contact Chris Geberdt @ 519-237-3636 or  519-376-2369.

OWEN SOUND SALMON SPECTACULAR DERBY SECURITY

By: Chris & Craig Geberdt - Derby Security Committee

We are currently recruiting anyone that is interested in working paid security at the
2007 Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular. 
These positions will start Wednesday August 22 through to Monday September 2, 2007.
Any security experience would be a definite asset to anyone who is interested. 
If you know someone or if you are interested yourself, please contact
Chris Geberdt @ 519-237-3636, or Craig Geberdt @ 519-376-2369

UNRESTRICTED FIREARMS COURSE:

To be held on these dates.  May 30, May 31, June 1, 2007, at the SSA Clubhouse, at 6:30 pm
The exam is on Saturday June 2, 2007 at the SSA Clubhouse.
For more details, phone Robert McKay at 519-375-0424 any day between 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm

Submitted by Bob McKay, Coordinator

Disclaimer: The editorial comments in this Newsletter do not always reflect the policies or opinions of the SSA.

Thanks to those submitting material for this newsletter.

Anyone wishing to submit articles for the next Newsletter should get them to me before the 20th of the preceding month.
Dave Skelton 519-376-9554,    dskel@golden.net