Minutes From Last Meeting

Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club
Wahpeton, North Dakota & Breckenridge, Minnesota

Jr. Wildlife Club
Monday, April 9th- Bird-watching field trip to Tewaukon National Wildlfie Refuge. Bus leaves Wahpeton Community Center east-side parking lot at 5 PM. All girls and boys, ages 8-16 welcome. Call 642-2811 to register.

Sportsmen’s Club Meeting
Thursday, April 19th - Hughes Shelter - social at 6 PM and meal at 6:30 PM. Guest speaker is Mike McEnroe, ND Wildlife Federation President who will address impact of energy development on wildlife and conservation environment. RSVP by calling Cindie VanTassel at 643-4374 or E-mail at bvt@wah.midco.net.

March 15, 2012 Minutes

A Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club meeting was held on the 15th day of March, 2012 from 7:30-9:25 PM at the Wahpeton Community Center. Bill Straus, Dick Bell, Jon Bertelsen, Dave Siemieniewski, Paul Oehlke, Pete Kautzman, Brad Glarum, Patrick Brejcha, Rich Truesdell, Josh Barringer, Kim Barringer, Vern Shasky, Dave Langenwalter, Greg Braun, Kevin Manock, Paul Sinner, Tim Phalen, Randy Ehni, Cindie VanTassel, Dave Meyer and Wayne Beyer attended the meeting.

MSC (Straus, Langenwalter) to approve 2-16-12 minutes.

Awards Banquet

• Ewalt Catering will be preparing a two-meat meal for the Awards Banquet, scheduled at Hughes Shelter on Thursday, April 19th.
• Social starts at 6 PM, followed by the meal at 6:30 PM.
• Awards nominations can be submitted to Greg Gerou.
• Mike McEnroe, ND Wildlife Federation President will speak about the energy development impact on wildlife and the conservation environment.
• Membership dues can be paid.
• Please RSVP to Cindie VanTassel by Thursday, April 5th.

ND Wildlife Federation

• Next meeting is scheduled at Arrowwood Refuge on Saturday, March 17th. Due to the shooting sports training, it appears no members will be able to attend.
• A conference on the Future of Hunting in North Dakota is scheduled in Bismarck on March 30-31.
• Brochures are available for the Conservation Camp scheduled in August.

MSC (Langenwalter, Sinner) to allow for approval of budgeted items in excess of $500 at one meeting, including associated by-law changes.

Stocking fish at Heitkamp Pond was discussed. Should RRASC provide financial support for this project? This is a private pond and NDGF does not manage it. Greg has been in contact with NDGF regarding stocking the pond. There are a number of MN fish hatcheries that could supply fish for stocking. NDGF requires a permit (no cost) for stocking private ponds. Tim will get an access agreement from Bob Frohlich so the club can see what that entails. A ‘kids only’ or ‘catch and release only’ pond were suggested. Julie Heitkamp will need to be contacted.

MSC (Ehni, Oehlke) to spend up to $500 for stocking fish in Heitkamp Pond if OK’d by owners and NDGF.

Randy Ehni, Rich Truesdell and Kim Barringer were appointed to the Nomination Committee. Dick Bell announced that he will not be accepting the Vice-President position.

MSC (Glarum, Brejcha) to approve $600 donations to the Head of the Red Trap Club, Head of the Red Rifle Range, Mooreton Sportsmen’s Club and Three Rivers Archery Club.

Tickets for the US Sportsmen’s Alliance Raffle are available. The drawing is scheduled on March 21.

RRASC won the sponsor gun (Mossberg Model 817 in .17 HMR) and Midland LXT 2-way radio set at the Renegade Toms NWTF Banquet. RRASC was presented with a NDWF knife for its sponsorship donation.

Catfish Tournament

• Anybody fishing on the North Dakota side of the Red River must have a fishing license purchased in North Dakota (resident or non-resident).
• Boats can continue to access fishing ramps on either side of the river.
• Entries will be sent to past participants.
• ND residents can fish for free. The club could require any participants to have a ND fishing license.
• Tim Phalen, NDGF
• Northern pike spearing is allowed on all North Dakota waters (without muskies) and limit was increased to five.
• 14” minimum walleyes size limit was approved for Elsie, Lueck, West Moran, Alkali, Buffalo and Tosse.
• Tim expressed appreciation to RRASC and the SE Sportsmen’s Club for helping bring about a fishing conservation law. Sportsmen and wildlife officials have recognized the effectiveness of several clubs working together. Creel census, including surveys conducted this winter, will help provide scientific data for evaluating the effectiveness of any regulations. 80% of the walleyes caught at Buffalo Lake this winter were 12”. West Moran walleyes were under-sized, too.
• Red River shoreline fishing regulation was changed without local consult. There was question whether allowing MN residents to fish on the ND side was ever legal?
• Expect major changes regarding availability of deer hunting licenses. Hunting success was under 50% in 2G1, slightly over 50% in 2G2, 70% for antlerless in 2A (highest in state), but statewide, 50% or lower.

Treasurer’s Report

• Checking account balance is $21,953.69.
• Bill included Creative Stitches - $297 for caps and Parks & Recreation - $17.47 for Jr. Wildlife Club meal.
• MSC (Glarum, Manock) to approve financial report.

Fishing tournament volunteer reports were updated and listed on the back side of the agenda. Members were encouraged to double-check for accuracy.

The SE Area Sportsmen’s Club meets on Monday, March 26th at Hughes Shelter at 7 PM. All club members are invited.

Junior Wildlife Club

• Merlyn Krause presented high adventure big-game hunting at tonight’s meeting.
• Shooting sports / air rifle training is scheduled this Saturday, March 17th. Brad Glarum, Kim Barringer, Rich Truesdell, Gaylord Hibl and Wayne Beyer are signed up.
• Funding requests were submitted to the Eagles Club and Alliance Pipeline.
• Justin Birkelo, Vision Ford received a Colorado Elkhorn Outfitters elk hunt and wished to have a youth experience the hunt. Vision Ford is a corporate sponsor of the ‘Wildlife Pursuits’ television show. More information will be obtained regarding legal ages, family costs, parent attendance, etc. Some suggested that interested youths write an essay why the hunt would be a memorable hunting experience for them or perform some community service. Elkhorn Outfitters has an excellent web site to check out.
• Information has been received on the summer youth fishing camp.
• Rich Truesdell has been in contact with the Fergus Falls Youth Shooting Sports Club. They will make a presentation and have requested financial support. Fergus Falls is hosting a state shooting event this spring.
• Birding at Tewaukon Refuge is scheduled on Monday, April 9th. Transportation will leave the Wahpeton Community Center at 5 PM. Wildlife biologist Kristine Askerooth will guide the event. Lunch will be provided en route to the refuge.

MSC (Glarum, Shasky) to sell a Benelli Nova shotgun to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for $375. The gun was needed for their fund-raiser.

Youth Hunt Committee

• Funding request was sent to Dakota Territory Gun Collectors.
• Grant applications are being submitted to ND Game & Fish Department and RMEF.

Fishing Contest

• Crappie – (Adult) – Josh Barringer, 13.5”, Nelson Lake, 2-4-12.
• Largemouth Bass - (Youth) – Grant Manock, 3 lb 5 oz, Swan Lake, 6-11-11.
• Largemouth Bass - (Adult) – Josh Barringer, 4 lb 6 oz, Nelson Lake, 2-4-12.
• Northern Pike (Adult) – Bill Straus, 36”, Willard Slough, 2-15-12.
• Rainbow Trout – (Adult) – David Siemieniewski, 18”, Moon Lake, 1-14-12.
• Walleye (Adult) – David Siemieniewski, 27.5”, Wild Rice River, 1-25-12.
• White Bass - (Adult) – Cindie VanTassel, 15.5”, Lake Traverse, 6-11-11.
• Yellow Perch – (Adult) – Greg Braun, 12.5”, Richland County Slough, 2-4-12.

Pheasant tail feather contest winners are youth – Jamie Keller – 19” & adult – Joe Keller – 24 3/8”. Big Buck Contest winners are youth – Jamie Keller and adult – Brad Glarum.

Brad Glarum thanked the RRASC for its sponsorship of the Wild Turkey Federation fund-raiser at the Mooreton Community Center.

Cindie VanTassel reported the MN DNR sent a letter requesting support of its fish stocking program. 44 Fergus Falls area lakes were stocked with walleyes.

MSC (Ehni, Shasky) to donate $250 to the MN DNR for Fergus Falls Area walleye rearing ponds.

Kevin Manock reported the Head of the Red Trap Club fund-raiser is scheduled at the Community Center on Friday, March 30th. Tickets are presently $20 or $25 at the door. Volunteer numbers are good.

Rich Truesdell reported that lanyards (50¢) and bracelets (30¢) are available for discounted prices when purchased in quantities of 100.

MSC (VanTassel, Braun) to authorize the Public Relations Committee to purchase novelty items for youth events.

Rich Truesdell reported that 1000 2” RRASC stickers can be purchased for $200. They could be used for marketing RRASC prizes.

MSC (Ehni, Shasky) to authorize the Public Relations Committee to purchase stickers for RRASC marketing.

MSC (Ehni, Beyer) to sell RRASC embroidered caps for $15.

Correspondence included Air Rifle Training, Brochure, Archery Brochure, Banquet E-Mail, Brueckner Letter, Budget, By-Laws, Ducks Unlimited Letter, Fishing Tournament Volunteer Report, Flickertales, Hunting Roundtable Agenda, Joe Pikarski Trap Club Update, Membership Reports, ND Sportfishing Congress Newsletter, ND Wildlife Federation Correspondence, Oil Impact Report, Outdoor Adventure Flyer, Renegade Toms Thank-You Letter, RMEF Thank-You Letter, U.S. Sportsman’s Alliance Raffle, Volunteer Incentives, Wahpeton Baseball Fund-Raiser Thank-You and Woodcarvers Class Flyer.

Calendar of Events

• Saturday, March 17th – air rifle training at Community Center.
• Friday, March 30th – Head of the Red Trap Club fund-raiser at Community Center.
• Monday, April 9h – Jr. Wildlife Birdwatching at Tewaukon Refuge.
• Thursday, April 19th – Annual Banquet at Hughes Shelter.

MSC (Langenwalter, VanTassel) to adjourn the meeting. 

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