THE NEXT GENERAL MEETING, REMEMBER THE DATE, THURSDAY OCTOBER 5 TH, 7:30 PM, AT THE CLUB HOUSE, LINCOLN PARK ROAD, IN THE TOWNSHIP OF GEORGIAN BLUFFS.

Our guest speaker this month will be Scott Petrie. Scott does waterfowl research at LONGPOINT WILDLIFE AREA. He looks for problems that are prevalent in ducks and the causes due to environment.

Dates to remember!!

On October 15 th at 3:00PM, the Rankin Resource Group is opening it’s viewing platform at Isaac Lake. Access from Highway 6 north of Wiarton.

With its lakes and river system, it is one of the best wildlife areas in Grey and Bruce. S.S.A. is a member of this group.

Jim Weir

Lost and Found

The following items were left by error at the Owen Sound Fall Fair gates on September 8th and 9th. One men's jacket with company logo (left in the SSA trailer) may be claimed by describing colour and logo name. One pair of ladies (?) clip on sunglasses for possible prescription eyewear (left in a volunteer's cash apron).

Both items may be claimed by describing them to Audrey Smart at 519-376-3346

Appreciation fish fry for all Salmon Spectacular volunteers will be held at the club house on Saturday September 30 th , starting at 5:oo PM.

SSA Bylaw amendment proposal

It has been recommended by the Board of Directors of the Sydenham Sportsmen’s Association that the SSA bylaws be amended in relation to the age limit for student membership. At present the SSA student membership allows for the extension of “full rights and privileges of the Association” to be extended to those who reach their 18 th birthday and are in full time attendance at an accredited educational institution. It is recommended that the SSA “Student Member” be changed to match the age limit of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters of which SSA membership provides as a member benefit. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters provide a “Junior membership” to those under 21 years of age.

Membership in the SSA for student members at present reads as:

“ 17 (b) The Association will accept Student Members on a yearly basis for those who shall be 13 years of age or more.

1. Full rights and privileges of the Association will be extended to those who reach their 18th birthday and are in full time attendance at an accredited educational institution. “

the recommended bylaw change is to read as:

“ 17 (b) The Association will accept Student Members on a yearly basis for those who shall be 13 years of age up to their 21 st birthday.

1. Full rights and privileges of the Association will be extended to those who reach their 18th birthday and are in full time attendance at an accredited educational institution up to the Student Members 21 st birthday.

This proposed bylaw amendment will be published a minimum of three times prior to the Annual General Meeting on January 4, 2007 at which time it shall be voted on by those members in good standing and having fully paid membership dues present. Discussion is encouraged from the membership as the appropriateness of this change at the General Meetings in advance of the matter to be put to a vote in January 2007.

SYDENHAM SPORTSMEN ’ S HELP WANTED POSTINGS

We are trying a new section in your newsletter where we will post positions which are vacant or will shortly become so, in order to ensure we don ’ t miss any possible candidates for these jobs. So here is your chance to become or continue to be, a very active member of our club.

1] NEWSLETTER EDITOR/CHAIRPERSON

position currently held by Bill Thompson for 17yrs. Skills desirable for this position are: a] a good working knowledge of computers, Works and Words software programs, plus scanners and printers. b] excellent coordination abilities, and c] lots of creativity wouldn ‘ t hurt. On the job training will be provided for the chosen candidate. Those interested in taking on this responsibility please contact Bill Thompson at 519-376-4555 or Bill Douglas at 519-372-0804.

2] FISH HATCHERY COORDINATOR

position currently held by Coy Currie for 9yrs. Desirable skill sets for this position are: a] a genuine concern to improve the fishery in the area and help conservation in general. b] good people skill and the ability to liaise with MNR and other agencies. c] good organization/coordination abilities to set up work crews, hatchery duties and other projects. d] ability to handle paperwork and physical labour is an asset. e] a little knowledge of biology would be nice but not totally essential. This is a position which requires a consistent time commitment so a retired or semi retired person may make an ideal applicant. The chosen candidate/apprentice would be given hands-on training in all aspects of running the hatchery and other duties of the position. Those interested in taking on this responsibility please contact Fred Geberdt at 519-376-2369.

3] WILDLIFE DISPLAY AREA COODINATOR/COORDINATORS

position currently one of Blake Smiths many duties. Skills desirable for these positions are:

a] a real interest in natural flora, planting and gardening in general. b] ability to do physical labour. c] more details are available in Blake ’ s Forest, Wildlife & Wetlands Advisory section of this newsletter.

Those interested in this position please contact Blake Smith at 519-371-4682 .

THE PRESIDENT ’ S CORNER

During the last four weeks many of our members and volunteers have been extremely busy, working long and hard to bring off our biggest and one of the most well attended Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular ever. They have also put in many hours at the O/S Fall Fair, the SSA turkey shoot, and the Youths Outdoors EXPO to name just a few of the events. So on behalf of the whole executive group we would like to sincerely thank all the members and volunteers and also state that we appreciate all the hard work and effort you put in over the past month. Remember that any and all funds derived from these events goes to pay for our many conservation projects of the future.

Now for some more good news, especially for the hunters. In case you missed the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources news release under the title of “ EXPANDED DEER AND MOOSE HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES ”

Here ’ s the good news:

Ontario Deer Season Regulation Changes for 2006

Wildlife management Units 82A, 82B, 83A, and 84 - Midhurst District

• Extends the current early November resident/non-resident rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader deer season by one day to include the following Saturday
• Extends the early December resident/non-resident muzzleloader deer season by one day to include the following Saturday and converts the season to an archery and muzzleloader season [no dogs allowed].
• Extends the current mid-November resident/non-resident muzzleloader deer season in WMU 82B [which starts on the third Monday in November] by one day to include the following Saturday and converts it to an archery and muzzleloader season [no dogs allowed].

Full details of all the changes are available at the MNR office or you can get them on line at http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/csh/news/2006/jul31fs_06.html. Have a good and safe hunt.

Bill Douglas, President .

FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Salmon Spectacular is a successful memory now for most of us but for a few hard working members the work of reviewing, improving, planning for next year and closing up all the financial matters continues. We owe a big thanks to theses volunteers.

The brown trout in the hatchery are ready to be moved out and salmon egg collection will soon start.

We are still looking at options to improve spring run off problems at the hatchery.

Coy Currie is still recovering from some health problems. We all wish him the best and certainly miss his experienced direction at the hatchery.

Mike Prevost F.A.C. Chairman

FORESTS, WETLANDS & WILDLIFE

Some of us are getting old. One day we will not be able to carryon at all with the duties considered so necessary to the smooth operation of the many aspects of our great sportsmen's club.

We haven't stopped yet, but we are certainly slowing down. Replacement personnel will be required. The transition from the old to the new will be much easier and more effective if successor people are given the opportunity to work alongside those who are already doing the job.

One job that cries for infusion of new blood is that of the care and maintenance and expansion of the Demonstration Wildlife Management Area that is adjacent to the SSA clubhouse. This property, dedicated to wildlife and to public education about that wildlife, is divided into three parts:

A dwelling area to show methods of wildlife-friendly tree/shrub plantings. This area should not require too much intensive care, but will still allow the yard area to be reasonably attractive: a wildlife-friendly alternative to those intensively sprayed, poisoned, trimmed, pruned and mowed, sterile, lifeless abominations so present in our countryside.

An old hayfield in the process of being converted to wildlife that should produce everything from bumblebees to deer and all forms of wildlife in between. It will take a long time to become a meaningful vegetative and wildlife community, but when it matures, it will have coniferous and deciduous trees, shrubs, openings with wildflowers and forage, brush piles and stone piles, nature trails and interpretive signs - all things that will provide for optimum wildlife production, combined with educational guides for young and old alike.

A memorial area which will be small, more formal and designed to eventually be a peaceful, restful setting in memory of the many long-gone SSA members who have contributed so much for so long and have made the SSA what it is today.

We are inviting approximately three people who are young enough to last for a while and are willing and able to engage in some physical labour.

These people will be expected to work alongside those who are presently doing the job, in order to learn the objectives, the reasons the areas are set up the way they are, the operational methods and the do‘s and don’ts, necessary for long-term success.

The new people will learn to identify the different plant species and the wildlife species that will benefit.

The people learning the business will work with the mechanized equipment manager in order to obtain authorization for equipment use.

The people who wish to participate should be prepared to give it a good try for a few years. You are going to learn some good stuff and put it to good use.

This is, along-term educational project that will have very long-lasting benefits, to the SSA in particular, as well as the public-at-large. This is not an undertaking for those who require instant gratification. Trees do not grow to 60 feet tall overnight.

We will certainly appreciate any help in this very worthwhile project. It will not take up a great deal of people's time, but at certain times, there are certain jobs that will have to be done.

It won't be too difficult - it will be quite rewarding for those who are willing to make the commitment to an extremely worthwhile project.

If you are willing, please call me at 519-371-4682.

Your wildlife scribe was out looking for field-feeding ducks in Keppel Township, and was treated to quite a sight at the Kirk farm west of the Copper Kettle. Two hundred plus sandhill cranes were feeding, calling and flying about a huge, harvested cornfield. I saw my first sandhill crane ever down at the as yet unflooded marsh at Hullett in the 1970's and that sighting was rare enough to warrant a write-up in the Globe & Mail. Now, they are relatively common and it is predicted that farmers in our area will start complaining, and a hunting season will be requested for crop protection. Then will come the yells from protectionists and another battle will be on. These are interesting times indeed.

Summer is winding down. We are on the cusp of autumn and our great celebration of Thanksgiving is almost upon us. For many, Thanksgiving is becoming a rather hollow concept, and the most prized items are the most expensive objects that can be possessed. Personally, I am far more thankful for still being able to enjoy the great outdoors - hunting, fishing, photography, bird watching, long walks on forest trails and rocky shores - and all the enjoyment that goes with sharing the outdoor experiences with family and friends. I am thankful to be able to live in such a wonderful part of the world that is Grey/Bruce.

I wish all the SSA members a share in such pleasures, and a happy and meaningful Thanksgiving - a Thanksgiving for being here in the real world - the great outdoors.

Blake Smith, Co-Chairman, Forests, Wetlands & Wildlife

ARCHERY RANGES

The archery range and practice facilities are all in good condition ready for our members and guest to hone their skills before the start of Archery deer season on Oct.1/06. Just one reminder, no broadheads are allowed on any of the clubs facilities.

Bill Douglas, Archery Coordinator .

YOUTH ACTIVITIES PROGRAM

Our Get Outdoors! Club has been active helping out with club projects already. In August we had fun at the Salmon Spectacular Kid's Day event helping build birdhouses. The organization of the Heinrich's and Dave & Dave in the woodshop is really appreciated. Some of our members were able to help with the derby as well and then the weekend following the derby we spent Friday night and Saturday helping park cars during the OS Fall Fair. Our most recent activities were on Friday Sept. 22 when we helped to park cars for the Can. Cancer Society's fundraiser at Victoria Park and the next morning we had kids down at the Milldam to clean out the fish trap and river to start our club's annual collection of salmon eggs for the hatchery, plans will be made to tour the hatchery when the young salmon are hatched and starting to be fed.

As you can see keeping these kids busy takes the contribution of many club members and I would like to thank the dedicated people who help to make these outings possible.

We have had our first regular meeting at the club on Sept. 17 and we will continue to meet on the first and third Sunday of the month at 1pm for at least 2 hrs each meeting depending on the activity. For planning upcoming outings we would like to have more kids out so please keep the SSA an active organization by bringing your child out or encouraging a young person you know to join in the fun, we look forward to seeing more kids out Oct.1 or 15.If you have any questions about our upcoming activities or can help in any way please contact John McNamara at 519-369-3269 or jkmcnamara@persona.ca.

John McNamara

Youth Activities Chair

YOUTH EXPO DAY

The day was a great success and many valuable lessons were learned by the kids and the organizers. A great big thanks to the volunteers who helped to make the day such a success, I know your time and skills are really appreciated. We will definitely be planning an event for next year. I would also like to thank the organizing committee members who are a great group of people to work with, Jason Ritchie, Cindy Cartwright, Jack Doherty, Jack Osadzuk, Doug Willsie, Nancy Griffin, Lyn Elliott, John Reaume.

John McNamara

SSA YOUTH EXPO committee rep.