Call to order at 7:30 pm by President Greg Gerou
Attendance: Greg Gerou, Greg Braun, Pat Brejcha, Abby Carlson, Kelly Carlson, Brad Edwardson, Brad Glarum, Kevin Manock, Curt Mund, Melissa Schumacher, Leroy Smith, Becci Truesdell, Rich Truesdell, Kelly Turgeon, and Cindie VanTassel
Guests and New Members
- New member, Kelly Turgeon, introduced himself. Recently moved to Wahpeton from Hallock, MN to be closer to family.
- Guest, Mason Miller, gave a presentation on his Eagle Scout project which was a bench at Brushvale landing. He requested funding for the cost of the concrete ($697.16). MSC (Brad Glarum, Kevin Manock) to provide a donation of $697.16 for Mason Miller’s Eagle Scout project.
MSC (Brad Glarum, Kevin Manock) to approve the September 21, 2023 meeting minutes.
President Report
- Recommended making donations to ranges that provided use of their facilities for RRASC-sponsored hunts. Previously have donated $100 for each hunt. Head of the Red Gun & Archery Range was used for the Youth Waterfowl Hunt. Joe Pikarski Trap Range was used for the Youth Pheasant Hunt and Band of Brothers Hunt. MSC (Pat Brejcha, Kelly Carlson) to make donations of $100 to Head of the Red Range and $200 to Joe Pikarski Range for use of their facilities.
Vice President Report
- Planning to present a $500 check to the HS trap club at the smoker.
Treasurer Report
- The current balance is $57,807.76. Expenses paid out to members for purchases of guns and other smoker supplies, youth hunts, Ladies Rooster Roundup, Jr. Wildlife, and ZooBoo.
- MSC (Rich Truesdell, Cindie VanTassel) to approve the Treasurer’s report.
General Committee Reports
Parks & Recreation
- Brad Edwardson reported that the docks are out and they will be cleaning the kidder lines this week.
Jr. Wildlife Club
- Cindie VanTassel reported that 8 kids attended tonight. Sgt Devan Medhaug from the ND Army National Guard presented on Outdoor Survival Skills.
Mooreton Pond Projects
- Greg Gerou reported that the docks were pulled out today.
Seasonal Committee Reports
Fall Youth Pheasant Hunt
- Greg Gerou provided a recap on the hunt. There were 25 kids. They shot trap the night before, hunted in the morning, and learned how to clean the birds after. Each kid went home with something. They kept one bird to have mounted. Dean Bellmore gave away a Benelli shotgun to one of the participants. The name drawn was McKenna Manock.
Hunters Smoker
- Rich Truesdell provided an update. He noted that more sponsorships were received this year. Greg Gerou recognized Rich for stepping into the Chairperson role and thank the whole committee for their efforts to get everything planned in a short period of time.
- Set up on Friday – Asked people to arrive at the Community Center by 5 pm and sooner if able. Some will be starting earlier in the day. Food prep will be at St. John’s. Greg Gerou will be picking items up from Fairmount and Great Bend.
- Saturday – 2-3 more helpers could be used to help with the games. Workers are asked to arrive by 4 pm on Saturday so they have time to make rounds around the games and get in place for doors to open at 5 pm. Brad Edwardson will get the ATM filled. People can also run cards through the club for cash. Planning for Paul Sinner to monitor the chili and stew roasters during the day.
- Games & Prizes – There are 34 guns that will go out; one was donated by T&G sanitation. There will be a couple of new games this year. The raffle boards will be a flat rate per square instead of offering a “3 for” deal. In addition to gun boards, there will be raffle boards for a goose hunter package and an ice house package. The number of meat raffles will be reduced to five and we will be adding five 50/50 raffles. There will be 100 or more general raffle items valued around a minimum of $50 each. There are at least 30 silent auction items. Cash, check or credit card will be accepted for payment. The club purchased 30 prints, a gun, and a game cam from Cliff Barth. A selection of the prints will be included in the silent auction. There are also 3 youth guns that will be drawn for the participants of each of the youth hunts.
Ladies Rooster Roundup
- Abby Carlson reported that there are 12 hunters registered. There will be 5 mentors from Her Wilderness. The group will arrive at 2 pm on Friday. They will shoot trap and they have a dog demonstration. They will hunt Saturday morning, clean the birds after, and will be attending the smoker that evening (18 expected to attend). Invoices will be turned in after the weekend.
Internal Club Contests
- Submissions were made for a tail feather of 21” (McKenna Manock) and a 10-5/16” turkey beard (Mark Althoff).
Other Upcoming Events
- ZooBoo (October 28th) – Cindie VanTassel is managing the booth again this year.
For Good of the Order
- Greg Gerou shared thank you’s from the Youth Pheasant Hunt, Pikarski Trap Range, Band of Brothers Hunt, Fergus Falls Game & Fish, and the Youth Archery Club.
- St. John’s Church would like to use the club’s large tumbler for their Mardi Gras event. There were no concerns about this.
- A certificate was received from Tracks Magazine for the club’s sponsorship.
- Four out of twelve deer were harvested during the Twist of Fate hunt.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.