Red River Area Sportsmen's Club

Author: RRASC Admin

  • February 20, 2020 Minutes

    A Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club meeting was held at the Wahpeton Community Center on February 20, 2020. Dylan Teberg, Vern Shasky, Brad Glarum, Brad Edwardson, Dave Langenwalter, Paul Sinner, Greg Gerou and Wayne Beyer attended the meeting.

    The agenda packet include the meeting agenda, hunting / fishing contest leaders, 2020 budget report and itemized January, 2020 income / expenses report.

    Motion-Second-Carried (MSC) – (Shasky, Edwardson) to approve 1-16-20 minutes with the following corrections:

    • $1000 Mooreton Pond dock application was not submitted to NDGF.
    • Richland County Pheasants Banquet is scheduled on March 7, 2020.

    President’s Report

    • Nominations for club awards were encouraged and are due by the end of the March meeting.  
    • KBMW welcomes club member guest appearances anytime to market an activity.
    • MSC (Beyer, Glarum) to approve fishing rod and tackle box for Make a Wish Foundation fund-raiser at Wyndmere.
    • Mooreton Pond dock repairs are needed.
    • Recent Breckenridge survey indicated lack of knowledge about ice fishing. On-line social media like Instagram gets kid’s attention.

    MSC ( Langenwalter, Glarum) to approve financial reports.

    Jr. Wildlife Club

    • Mark Althoff did a great job presenting spear fishing to 14 youths tonight. The crew enjoyed Polish sausage / sauerkraut.
    • Funding request letter to Alliance Pipeline was signed by meeting attendees.
    • Dakota Territory Gun Collectors approved $250 for youth hunts.

    North Dakota Wildlife Federation

    • MSC (Glarum, Langenwalter) to write a letter to Representative Kelly Armstrong to support Reinvest in America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA).
    • ‘ASK’ signs were available for distribution. Wildlife organization fund-raisers are good sites.
    • Joe Keller is attending ‘No Trespass Committee’ meetings in Bismarck.
    • Thank you card was received from Executive Director John Bradley.

    Renegade Toms

    • Club got a camera and turkey call.
    • Renegade Toms donated $75 to the Jr. Wildlife Club.
    • Leroy Smith and Brad Glarum went to a National Leadership Conference in Nashville, TN. In 1960, 15% of Americans hunted. Now it is 3%. Recruit-Reactivate-Retain. Save the Habitat – Save the Hunt. Wild Turkey Federation has recruited 500,000 new hunters. New theme is “I’m a Conservationist so I Hunt.’
    • 140 people attended the banquet.
    • 17 guns were available + a youth .22 rifle was donated by Brad and Luke Glarum.
    • Wild Turkey Federation has a blow-up air rifle shooting game headquartered in Bismarck.
    • Thank-you card was written to the Sportsmen’s Club.
    • Next year’s fund-raiser is February 5, 2021.

    Archery

    • NASP State Tournament is scheduled at Minot on March 20-21.
    • MSC (Glarum, Shasky) to donate $500 to Breckenridge Public Schools for archery targets.

    Neil Heitkamp Ice Fishing Derby

    • Thanks to Frank Stanko / Daily News for covering Ice Fishing Derby.
    • 249 kids attended, including 55-68-42 boys and 32-40-12 girls. Ages were 1-5, 6-11 and 12-18.
    • Kids got a tackle box with five jigs and two slip bobbers along with other door prizes.
    • 53 fish were caught.
    • Kids ate 600 hot dogs, 16 dozen cookies and gallons of hot cocoa. Butch Stollenwork collects much of the donations.
    • Rocky’s donated minnows.
    • Heitkamp Construction crew does a great job. Gary Page and Jon Hegge provided much of the leadership.
    • Next year’s Ice Fishing Derby is scheduled on February 20, 2021.
    • Christmas trees at the Wahpeton tree disposal site intended for Heitkamp Pond fish habitat need to be picked up by Monday, March 23.

    Head of the Red banquet is scheduled on Saturday, March 28, 2020. It is chaired by Brian Gefre.

    Tickets were available for an Ice Fishing Derby on Big Pine Lake that benefits high school fishing teams. Heart of Lakes Conference fishing participants increased from 125 the first year to 400 the second year.

    ND Game & Fish Department

    • Hunter education classes are scheduled at Hughes Shelter on March 23, 24, 26, 30, 31 and April 1. On-line registration starts a month before the first class.
    • Dick Bell Catfish Tournament permit application will be submitted.
    • 3R (Recruit-Retain-Reactivate) ideas were encouraged by Jeff Long, ND Game-Fish. Brad suggested gopher hunting. Dylan said he and friends could be interested in an early-season Canada goose hunt. Squirrel and mourning dove hunting were also mentioned.
    • RRASC did not receive a special big-game allocation lottery license. There were 55 applicants.
    • Fishing pier signs were received.
    • $7,500 grant was approved to rock rip-rap the shoreline for the Kidder Recreation Area fishing pier. A long process involving the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers permit application is underway. Other permits are needed, too.

    ND Sportfishing Congress

    • Addressing Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) is its current highest priority and is working with ND Game-Fish.
    • Annual meeting and banquet are scheduled in Bismarck on Saturday, April 25th.

    Calendar of Events

    • March 19th at 6 PM – Jr. Wildlife bird nest box project at Comstock Construction.
    • March 19th at 7:30 PM – club meeting at Community Center.
    • April 4th – Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation fund-raiser at Wahpeton Events Center.
    • April 4th – NDWF quarterly meeting at Valley City and Big Spenders Banquet at Valley City.
    • April 13th from 5:30- 9 PM – Jr. Wildlife birding field trip to Prairie Wetlands Learning Center.
    • April 16th – Club Awards Banquet at Hughes Shelter.

    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

  • January 16, 2020 Minutes

    A Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club meeting was held at the Wahpeton Community Center from 7:30 to 8:30 PM.

    Attendees: Jerry Oren, Brad Glarum, Greg Gerou, Abby Heitkamp, Kelly Carlson, Cindie Van Tassel, Curt Mund, Paul Oehlke, Paul Sinner, Nathan Rausch, Mary Rausch, Randy Bostrom (guest)

    Motion-Second-Carried (MSC) – (Paul S, Abby) to approve November 21, 2019 meeting minutes as corrected.

    • Correction to Nov minutes should have indicated J&K Marine instead of T&S Sanitation

    President’s Report

    • RRASC received a Special Achievement award for R3 Efforts at the NDWF state convention – R3 refers to recruitment, retention, and reactivation

    Treasurer’s Report

    • $51,626 check book balance
    • Approve financial report – MSC Curt, Cindie

    Parks & Rec Report

    • ND Game & Fish:
      • Abby present at the NDWF state convention
      • Looking at applying for a grant for Kidder Recreation Area to rip-rap the shoreline; $7500 grand and $2500 club match
      • Wayne has applications ready to go for dock maintenance at Mooreton Pond; $1000 grant with some club match
      • MSC Jerry, Cindie to submit grants
    • Dick Bell application – MSC Cindie, Paul O
    • Landowner signs available; some have NWTF logo on them
    • Habitat, Hunt, Harvest, A Women Caring for the Land Event will be held March 5 in Ft Ransom from 9AM-2PM

    Smoker

    • Committee has not had a follow up meeting yet
    • Would club want to make a donation to St. Johns Mardi Gras for use of kitchen for Smoker?
      • Discussed purchasing an item for the kitchen, such as an industrial can opener, or other item needed – Greg G  reached out to the church to see what needs they may have
    • Possible dates being researched, Fri 10/23 or Sat 10/24
      • Zoo Boo would be 10/30 and Halloween on 10/31

    SE Area Sportsmens

    • Vern and Curt attended – talked about doing a fundraiser but nothing has been decided – discussed CWD in western ND – Hankinson’s club coyote bounty began January 1 – Richland County Pheasants Banquet scheduled for March 4

    Junior Wildlife Club

    • Archery was tonight’s event; 20 youth attended

    Scholarships

    • Brad shared that NWTF has scholarships for high school seniors whose families are members of NWTF or youth are part of the JAKES program – scholarships are for up to $500

    Club Contest Additions

    • Nate Rausch had pheasant tail of 23 1/2”
    • Mary will be consolidating the submissions received
    • April Club Awards Banquet will be held April 16, location will be announced soon
      • Greg G has talked to a couple of potential speakers; Cindie is working on catering
      • 5:30 Social, 6:15 Supper, 7:00 Presentation

    Public Relations

    • Reminder to send pics to Becci and Abby to post on Facebook and the club’s website

    Recruitment Committee

    • Abby has other commitments so we are looking for someone to head up this committee – if interested, please let the club know!

    2020 Budget

    • The Board met last week to go through the budget
    • Wayne will send out a revised worksheet with changes to a couple of categories
    • MSC Brad, Cindie

    NWTF Richland Renegades Banquet

    • Brad asked if RRASC would like to purchase a sponsorship ticket again this year.
    • Last year the club paid $500 for a sponsorship
      • MSC Cindie, Jerry to spend $500 again this year: sponsorship itself is $270, the remaining $230 will go to the JAKES program
    • At the state NWTF meeting, it was decided to make a $1500 donation to Twist of Fate

    Other News

    • Ladies Rooster Roundup (Abby) – 11 women from 3 states (ND, MN, WI) participated – 16 roosters were harvested – NAVHDA donated time and dogs – will be looking at getting more help next year to move things around
    • Barnes County Wildlife April 4, Big Spenders Banquet in Valley City
      • NDWF quarterly meeting will be held prior to the banquet
    • Pollinators Planter / Wild Grasslands
      • Abby is looking into seeds/styles of grassland in and around the Wahpeton area – the local conservation office is supportive of this
      • It is a little expensive; approximately $500/acre
      • Would also have to work with the city; State has interest in supporting this state wide, per John Bradley
    • Feb 5 will be a work night to repair rods for the February 15 Neil Heitkamp youth ice fishing derby – planning for 300 youth
    • Twin Town Archery matching grant request of $500 – MSC Cindie, Brad

    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

    Calendar of Events

    • March 19 – 6:00-7:00 PM – Jr. Wildlife Club, Build Bird Nest Box, Comstock Shop
    • March 19 – 7:30-9:00 PM – Member Meeting, Community Center
    • April – 5:30-9:00 PM – Jr. Wildlife Club, Birding Field Trip, Prairie Wetlands
    • April – 7:30-9:00 PM – Club Awards Banquet, Location TBA

  • Benefits of wildlife conservation clubs

    By Wayne Beyer – Jan 10, 2020

    The North Dakota Wildlife Federation (NDWF) held its 85th annual convention in Bismarck over the past weekend. It is one of the oldest wildlife federations in the country and dedicated to conserving wildlife and habitat in our state for youths, conservation and outdoor recreation.

    The Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club (RRASC) received a ‘Special Achievement Award’ for its efforts to advocate the three R’s – Recruit, Retain and Reactivate. President Greg Gerou, who attends nearly all the club’s activities, accepted the award.

    Youth events like the four fishing derbies, Jr. Wildlife Club, youth waterfowl and pheasant hunts, TRACKS magazine, birdwatching field trips, archery, trap shooting and Eagle Scout projects were recognized.

    Abby Heitkamp, another local RRASC member, was a presenter on the successful ladies’ pheasant hunt held on the Chuck Haus farm west of Hankinson. Many long-time sportsmen were impressed with her organization that included trap shooting, hunting safety, cleaning game, professional photography and a delicious meal.

    NDWF is very active in the legislative process and works hard to support public access, conservation funding and science-based game and fish laws. Its presence in Bismarck is a strong voice for sportsmen.

    Estates received over recent years provide support for conservation projects for mule deer, elk and sharptail grouse in Dunn and McKenzie Counties and wetlands habitat for sandhill crane in the Prairie Coteau region. It is gratifying that citizens consider NDWF an organization where their outdoors legacy can be followed through.

    NDWF is passionate about getting youths outdoors and has a grant program to support shooting sports programs. Bismarck-Mandan trap shooters made one of the presentations and touched on the big picture effects – teamwork, fun, lifetime recreation, introduction to hunting, confidence and the value of hard work. It is always inspiring to hear from outstanding young people.

    Affiliation with the National Wildlife Federation results in a concerted effort to impact conservation nationwide. For example, Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) is federal legislation that would result in $13 million for the ND Game and Fish Department to develop wildlife habitat.

    ASK signs are produced by the hundreds to work with landowners, our state’s most important conservationists who own over 90% of North Dakota’s land.

    The Report All Poachers (RAP) Program with ND Game-Fish successfully apprehends criminals who break game and fish laws.

    The major source of funding for conservation like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is the Farm Bill. Sportsmen walk the talk and many projects like the Waterfowl Production Areas where our youth duck / goose hunts are held are the result of hunters purchasing duck stamps over the years. It takes the time and efforts of passionate sportsmen to continue encouraging our state and federal elected officials to support critters on the ground. Wildlife is completely dependent on our attention to sharing the land with them.

    NDWF partners with many other outdoors organizations like Audubon, ND Game-Fish, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Natural Resources Trust to stretch resources. It always makes sense for like-minded organizations to maximize opportunities. One example is the introduction of sage grouse in southwestern North Dakota to invigorate a challenged population and the addition of pollinator gardens at highway rest areas to support Monarch butterflies.

    Local wildlife clubs make up the North Dakota Wildlife Federation and the Red River Area Sportsmen’s Club is proud to be an active member. We encourage all hunters, fishermen and outdoors enthusiasts to join wildlife clubs like RRASC, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and Wild Turkey Federation. Do more than buy a hunting license. Become involved so our children and grandchildren can co-exist with healthy wildlife populations.

    Wayne Beyer is the director of Wahpeton Parks and Rec.

Red River Area Sportsmen's Club

A non-profit sportsmen’s club introducing kids to the outdoors while supporting local conservation and habitat stewardship.