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VOLUME 23 NO. 8 October 2004
THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER The Sydenham Sportsmen's Association is just as good as its volunteers. The recent, massive effort put into the Derby was a prime example of this. Within this larger effort, we have certain members who put forth truly outstanding individual efforts...witness the herculean efforts of Bill Beamish and Dan Laxton, who surmounted tremendous difficulties in the construction of our recently completed, extremely well constructed skeet range...and how about the very hard slogging, immensely time-consuming effort that Fred Geberdt put into the required upgrade of the Weaver pond. on our hatchery property...and we shouldn't overlook how Lorne Smith and Gerry Powers have put in immense amounts of time and effort on the SSA's renowned bluebird program...and don't forget Dave and Dave, who have been working overtime on all the construction for major events like the Derby and the Children's Water Festival. The foregoing are just some of the major projects involving SSA volunteers. However, the SSA has many smaller projects and activities .that are-ongoing, as well as a goodly number of new ones. These number among the many undertakings that keep the SSA at or near the top of all the conservation clubs in the province. We can justly be proud of the distinction that our members have earned for our sportsmen's association. It has been apparent for some time that many of our most productive members are approaching burnout status. It has also been quite obvious that we still have very many members who are not pulling their weight. What are we going to do to even the load? We are well aware that distance, age or certain disabilities limit some individuals' capabilities to participate in club functions. We certainly accept this as valid reasoning for non-participation. On the other hand, we must aim the following remarks at those people who are able, but for whatever reasons are unwilling to pitch in and help out. It has been suggested that we do as many other clubs do, and initiate a significant surcharge added to membership fees and which would be refundable at year's end upon completion of a specified number of volunteer hours. This could be done, but we would rather not place any financial burden, temporary or otherwise, on our members unless we can find no other way to handle this problem. One thing we can do is to revive our phone committee and see if direct contact for specific activities and projects will bring more members into involvement in club projects. Please note that we are not asking for major contributions of time...just a few hours now and again on the various projects and jobs as they come up. Member cooperation can be the winning option. Let's give it a try. Blake Smith.,President SHOTGUN SPORTS UPDATE The 2004 Inter-club Trap Competition is now completed for the year, with the following rather impressive results, from our club members: A Division Team Sydenham
Sydenham Shooters also did well at the Georgian Bay Open..
How about the DOW Kids !!!! They are our upcoming A Class shooters, in the not very distant future. Debbie LLOYD also stepped-it-up this year at the interclub level, as High Lady at the Geo. Bay Open. With a new shotgun and a 25 straight, it didn't end there, with great scores coming in Sporting Clays, and Skeet as well. The two top trophies were won by "Team" Sydenham, which consisted of 12-15 members who were dedicated enough, to attend shoot after shoot, to accumulate birds for the club totals. Thank You for the OUTSTANDING support. After 10 months of work, the Skeet Range is now completed as far as we can go till spring (Landscaping etc.). With the help of about 20 people (Members and Non- members) the range finally came together in mid-August, has been approved by the CPFO, and we are up and running... THANK YOU PEOPLE !! Weekly shoots will be every Thursday evening starting around 4.30pm. plus the odd Sunday at 1.00pm.. (see our online Web Page for complete schedule or phone me at home) We will be skeet shooting Sundays at 1.00pm throughout October. Bill Beamish 794-3317 Shotgun Sports Director. NATIVE AFFAIRS The new Indian commercial fishing agreement has not yet been reached. We have not been openly bothered by Indian fishermen at Owen Sound, but we have been informed that all may not be so rosy in Colpoys Bay. As you are aware, under the Supreme Court Powley case, the Sault Ste.Marie Metis were recently awarded aboriginal rights as per section 35 of the Constitution. Now, the big news is that the Minister of Natural Resources on July 7th signed an agreement with the Metis Nation of Ontario. According to the "Metis Voyageur" (the Metis newspaper) this agreement recognizes the Metis harvest card and that there will be no fishing and hunting charges laid against cardholders harvesting in their "traditional areas" unless safety or conservation is compromised. This writer attended the Metis charter meeting at Owen Sound on September l8th. Tony Belcourt, president of the MNO, outlined the Metis policies and rights given under this new agreement. He emphasized that the agreement is between the MNO and MNR Minister Ramsey. He stated that, even though many MNR employees were very much opposed to this agreement and were causing problems it was a done deal...the harvest cards will be issued, and the hunting, fishing and gathering can proceed. There are many questions rising from this agreement: The harvest shall be in traditional territories. The Metis have produced harvest area maps. Are they legal? Do they meet the Metis tests, as specified under the Powley Supreme Court decision. Mr. Belcourt assured me that they do. I am not so sure. I questioned Mr. Belcourt about seasons and harvest limits. He answered that seasons were all year, except for deer and moose, which seasons would run from September lst to December 3lst. Limits should not compromise conservation, and would, if necessary, be determined by the size of the cardholder's family. This leads to the question of priority rights, and would there be anything left over for the rest of us? Mr. Belcourt is an extremely intelligent, well-spoken individual, and he has done a very competent job of bringing his organization to its present state of recognition and acceptance. Be aware that there are several other Metis organizations, both large and small, who may or may not adopt the same degree of professionalism in their approach. There are many more issues, interpretations, questions, definitions, etc., as well as ongoing developments on which there will be comments in future bulletins. The issues of Indian and Metis rights and activities as they affect our rights or lack thereof do occupy a fair amount of this writer's time. And times are changing indeed. When I was growing up, there was definite overt discrimination against Indians and those of mixed blood. Most people that I know were happy to see such attitudes changing for the better. However, the Trudeau constitution, combined with activist judges' rulings, now ensure that people's rights are not equal, but are predicated upon one's ancestry. It goes completely against my grain that open, court-ordered racism now dictates our hunting and fishing harvest, law enforcements and rights. Whatever happened to the principle of equality? I always believed that our fish and wildlife laws were to be enforced impartially...one law for all. Put it this way, I am really glad that I am no longer in the business of enforcing fish and wildlife law. I wouldn't be able to handle it. Blake Smith, Chairman, Native Affairs Committee. Fisheries Advisory Committee Early September has been great weather to get out on the water and hopefully good fishing. I know it was good for goose hunting. We are always interested in your field reports on how things are going out there on the water. Has the number of fish and/or size of fish increased since the end of the derby? We had some 1500 registrations for the derby, which were down about 100 from last year and there were 1788 fish entered with the winning salmon weighing 20.16 lbs. Our boat draw tickets netted us $20,00.00 which was down slightly from last year. There was no Durham Wood Show this year, which had an affect on ticket sales. Some of our brown trout should be swimming out in the big water by now to make room for the salmon to come in the fall. There is still a little work to be done with construction on our hatchery, but things are looking good down there. Mike Prevost, Chairperson Fisheries Advisory Committee FORESTS & WILDLIFE ADVISORY COMMITTEE The Shallow Lake project is slowly, but .surely, moving ahead. Ducks Unlimited dinner, this year, is donating the money to help defray the Sydenham Conservation Foundation's costs of this major endeavour. For this support, we owe Ducks Unlimited a great big vote of thanks. We note that a lot of people are reporting many sightings of turkey broods. That is the good news. The bad news is that a great many of the poults observed are significantly undersized. We must assume that these smaller birds will require a very open winter if they are to see spring. Let us know of any observations of turkey broods, and their condition. Are you aware that proposed Ontario regulations will prohibit hunters and anglers from giving away or transferring fish or game to non-family members if it has not been cut up, etc., by licensed processors? The foregoing will probably not affect those of us who give nature's bounty to friends...after all, how will it be enforced? It just means that there will be more newly-created and undetected criminals among the angling and hunting fraternities. However, the sale of our angler-caught fish at club-sponsored fish fries will be much more difficult to carry out. We know that the foregoing is supposed to ensure McGuinty's promise to protect the safety of our food, however, it seems just plain silly. We are getting really good reports on deer numbers; so get out the bows and arrows for an early start...have yourselves a great time. hunting and put some low-fat, high protein, superb meat away for the winter. Be sure to tell your anti-hunting acquaintances that this is how we sportsmen get our organically-grown, all natural food...and our exercise too. Everyone have a great fall hunt. Blake Smith, Chairman, Forest and Wildlife Advisory Committee. Member Profile Dave Hartrick .Jack of all trades and master carpenter. Now putting his expertise into production of various S.S.A. projects. A welcome Addition to our club. For Sale: 3 new Remington choke tubes: 1 Full and 2 Imp Cyl. $15.00 each or 3 for $40.00. 12' aluminum boat (Harbour Craft). Great for hunt camp or inland lake. call 376-5347
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© 2001, Sydenham Sportsmen's Association |
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