Category: Meeting Minutes

Call to order at 7:30 pm by President Greg Gerou

Attendance: Greg Gerou, Greg Braun, Rich Truesdell, Melissa Schumacher, Becci Truesdell, Cindie VanTassel, Abby Carlson, Kelly Carlson, Curt Mund, Bob Rosemore, Paul Sinner, Kelly Turgeon

MSC (Kelly C.,  Mel S.) to approve the February 15, 2024 meeting minutes

Board of Directors Reports

President

• Received a memorial donation of $1,000 from Rhonda McGee Luebke in memory of Denis Luebke to go towards our youth programs. Greg will be sending a thank you with information about the programs we offer to kids. He will also write up an article about the donation for the Daily News.
  • Purchase of a memorial tree at Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge (Greg B., Cindie V.)
• Clarence Schultz passed on February 29, 2024. Cindie will send a sympathy card to the family. As a member of the club we will purchase of a memorial tree at Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge.
  • Greg B. will submit the forms and pay the $25 for each tree.
• Mooreton Sportsman’s Club applying for grant funding to purchase new throwers that will cost $7,500 total (may need the use of 501(c)3 status). They are also having a 5-gun raffle $20/ticket 750 tickets.
• Individual standing committees need to be reviewed to see if there are any changes to members.
• April Awards Banquet – April 25 at Hughes Shelter, social at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m.
  • Potential Speaker – Ron Schara (Due North Outdoors) was too expensive. Other suggestions are a Big Horn Sheep presentation by ND G&F or Chahinkapa Zoo bringing an animal to talk about.
• RMEF Bois de Sioux banquet April 13 at Wahpeton Event Center 5:30-8:30 p.m. They are requesting 2-3 volunteers to help with kid’s games. Contact Greg G. if you are interested in helping.
• Richland County Park Board Chair reached out and offered to help get the 4th dock set up at Mooreton Pond this spring. They will provide additional man-power and the use of a portable welder.
• New bank account is set up and Greg will start transferring the money over iin small amounts. First check will be for $10,000. President, VP, Treasurer and Secretary are on account. Club will have two debit cards.
• Club computer is ready, Microsoft is not setup yet, and Quickbooks transfer is in progress.
• Nominations are open for the club awards until the end of the March meeting (Board of Directors will review nominations following March meeting)
  • Sportsperson of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Lifetime Member Award, Landowner/Conservationist, Conservation Officer
  • New “Special Service Award” for Dave and Katie Pauly for their dedication to the club over the years with gun registrations. Suggested gift of 2 nights in Medora hotel and dinner and show ticket vouchers for $750. They will also be invited to the banquet. (Rich T., Kelly C.)

Treasurer – $73,959.34 (plus $10k invested and $6k in cash)

• Bills – $614.84 (Rich T. for Jr. Wildlife and Recruitment), $31.64 (Cindie for Jr Wildlife), $30 (Cindie for stamps)
• $10k check transfer to new account
• Incoming $200 for Heitkamp Fishing from OTP
• MSC (Curt, Paul) to approve the Treasurer’s report.

Secretary

• Daily News wants to know how we would like to receive our bills. Email (what account?), if we have them mailed there will be a service charge.
• Set up a non-profit Canva account with the club’s Gmail. If anyone would like to use it reach out to Becci for the login information.
• Communications from Library and Wahpeton Middle School about suggested speakers for activities they have coming up in the next few months. Suggestions were given and Becci will reach out to those groups with our ideas.

Directors

• MN DNR R3 is ready to send for review and approval.

General Committee Reports

Parks & Recreation

• Brett L. shared that the proposed new Wellness Center would have an area for the current senior groups and would be available for large events with a full kitchen. Nothing is official yet.

Jr. Wildlife Club

• March 21 – Wood Duck Houses at Comstock Construction. Had 20 kids participate. Next year will check into and grants available through ND to purchase the wood.
• April meeting is Monday, April 28 and they will be going to Prairie Wetlands. Limited to 15 kids only and about 3-4 chaperons.

Scholarship

• $500 Application from Joe P going into Natural Resources Management at NDSU. (Rich, Kelly) Invite him to the banquet to present.

Public Relations

• Please make sure to share any photos you have from events with Becci so they can be added to our Flickr page. Email them to redriverareasportsmen@gmail.com
• Continuously working on updating the website with new information, news articles, etc. If you see anything that needs updating please bring it forward.
• Proposed purchasing 500 string bags with our logo for various events (Kelly, Kelly)
• Another giveaway idea is USB drives – Becci will look into pricing
• Zoo is looking for volunteers for upcoming event this summer – contact Cindie for more information

Recruitment

• Working on cleaning up the current membership list and discussed sending out a mailed piece to get back some of our past members who haven’t paid up in a while.

Seasonal Committee Reports

• Neil Heitkamp Ice Fishing Derby – 165 kids participated. Lots of prizes, purchased Ugly Sticks for all the kids this year. 6 grand prizes between the age groups. Handmade rod to the biggest fish, 2nd and 3rd gift cards plus all got trophies. Prizes for next year are already ordered.
• Vince Herding Fishing Derby – Thinking about water bottles for prizes. Posters are ready if anyone would like some to hang up. RAP may have a bunch of items with old logo that they are looking on donating, Greg G. will check on it. Volunteers needed for the day of the event.
• Dick Bell Catfish – Justin is planning on having it the same as past years. June 1 during Blue Goose Days. 

Internal Club Contests

• Submission was made by Abby – 27” Walleye

New/Old/Unfinished Business

• Justin’s memorial tournament plans are on hold right now and he will update the club once plans are more finalized.
• Bench plaques – add Clarence Schulz
• ND Sportsfishing Congress – rewriting to include all ND waters again
• Woody camp donation request – $250 donation (Cindie, Kelly C.)
  • Event is August 4-10, 2024 and the club will cover the deposits for any kids that are selected from the area to participate. Put out a social post about applying.
• Building update – the Nielson storage building is for sale on 4th Ave.100×60’ building with loading dock, heated and non-heated storage. Parking for about 35-400 cars. $200,000 asking price.
• Elk Foundation Sponsorship – $500 donation (Rich, Cindie)

Communications

• Received thank you’s from Northern Lights Council, St. John’s Church and FFA Chapter.

The meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.

No April Meeting. Please attend the Spring Banquet on April 25 at Hughes Shelter.
May meeting on the 16th at 7:30 pm at the Wahpeton Community Center.

Call to order at 7:30 pm by President Greg Gerou

Attendance: Greg Gerou, Greg Braun, Brad Edwardson, Rich Truesdell, Justin Kratz, LeRoy Smith, Jerry Oren, Melissa Schumacher, Becci Truesdell, Cindie VanTassel, Charlie Loll

MSC (Rich T., Mel S.) to approve the January 18, 2024 meeting minutes

• Note: The Boy Scout donation from the January meeting. The budget committee discussed making sure any donation went directly to Camp Wilderness instead of the Northern Lights Council. Check already issued for this year. We will address if a request from Camp Wilderness is received.

President Report

NDGF Youth Conservation & Leadership Waterfowl Summer Camp Opportunity

• June 3-7 in Washburn, ND for ages 13-17
• Application deadline March 15
• The club can provide scholarship opportunities to anyone from the area if they are selected

Status of Wahpeton Community Center with proposed Wellness Center

• The new facility would not host rental events like our smoker, the club would need to find an alternative option
• The current community center may not be used the same in the future – TBD
• Nothing is official yet, the project still needs to pass a vote

Transfer of checking to First Community Credit Union – in progress need to get signatures from the executive board

Plan to purchase a laptop computer and software for the club

• In progress – applied for a non-profit Microsoft account

Nominations are open for the club awards until the end of the March meeting (Sportsperson of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Lifetime Member Award, Landowner/Conservationist, Conservation Officer)

Multiple grant funding is available. NDWF grant has been submitted.

• If anyone is interested in taking on the responsibility of writing grants for the club talk to Greg Gerou. There are many opportunities available.
• Heather Retzer has some experience in grant writing and could be a resource for assistance.

Treasurer Report

• $84,894 (plus $9,960 invested and $6,085 in cash)
• Bills – Digital Guru for computer deposit, Park & Rec, EconoFoods, Joe Keller (conference travel), Becci (Smoker/Printer/Website), Cindie (Heitkamp Derby/Conference Travel), Jeff Schwartz (mount), Melissa (Jr Wildlife)
• MSC (Cindie, Justin) to approve the Treasurer’s report.

Directors

• Turkey banquet – they were 62% better than last year (goal is 50%). Attendance was down 10-15 people from 2023. The club won a pistol. Received a thank you for the group.
• Two summer camp opportunities (NDGF Waterfowl Camp & Prairie Wetlands Woody Camp). Create social posts promoting registering for the camps. If we can find a list of emails of our youth hunt participants send them an email about both opportunities. Camp sponsorship is available.

General Committee Reports

Parks & Recreation

• ND G&F $5,000 reimbursement to Park & Rec for running the fish station
• Community Center has a new digital display in the lobby to promote events

Jr. Wildlife Club

• Feb 15 was Animal Tracking & Identification led by Brad. Had 6 kids participate.
• March 21 is Birdhouses at Comstock Construction

Scholarship

• Received an application to review
• The committee wants to get together to discuss changing some of the requirements

Public Relations

• Ice Fishing derby was featured on ND Today.
• Please make sure to share any photos you have from events with Becci so they can be added to our Flickr page. Email them to redriverareasportsmen@gmail.com
• Continuously working on updating the website with new information, news articles, etc. If you see anything that needs updating please bring it forward.

Recruitment

• Working on cleaning up the current membership list and discussed sending out a mailed piece to get back some of our past members who haven’t paid up in a while.

Seasonal Committee Reports

• Neil Heitkamp Ice Fishing Derby: The event is still on – a social post should go out letting people know. Holes will be drilled Friday by hand – need volunteers. There is about 10” of ice on the pond. Have lots of volunteers for Saturday. Ordered more food than last year. Got some homemade fishing rods to give out to 1st place. Grand prizes of fish houses and underwater camera.

Internal Club Contests

• Submissions were made by Cindie 15” crappie and Justin (Kris) 10” puffer fish & 34” redfish.

New/Old/Unfinished Business

• Justin confirmed the memorial fishing tournament date will be June 22 from 7 am-2 pm. There will be an opportunity for the club to have a table.
• Betsy Sitz donated 6 rods/reels to the club
• The insurance renewal date is in discussion to try and make it earlier in the year.
• Greg will be sending out an email with committee lists to make sure everyone still wants to be on what they are listed
• Andrew Meyer is the new St. John’s youth director and will accept information to share on any events we host

The meeting adjourned at 8:39 pm.

The next club meeting is March 21 at the Wahpeton Community Center at 7:30 p.m.

Call to order at 7:30 pm by President Greg Gerou at the Wahpeton Community Center

Attendance: Greg Gerou, Greg Braun, Brad Edwardson, Rich Truesdell, Curt Mund, Justin Kratz, LeRoy Smith, Jerry Oren, Melissa

Schumacher, Kelly Carlson, Becci Truesdell, Brad Glarum

MSC (Kelly C., Curt M.) to approve the November 16, 2023 meeting minutes.

President Report

Review/Update/Approve the 2024 proposed budget

• There were some increased budgets to a few categories due to the costs increasing for purchasing prizes, food, etc.
• Added some new categories (ex. public relations, pass through, ammo, advertising).
• MSC Kelly C., Greg B.

NDWF Annual Convention

• Congratulations to Becci Truesdell – NDWF Sportsperson of the Year
• Financial Update – Grant funding sources. The $30,000 Outdoor Heritage Fund has provided new opportunities for the state. The NDWF has money through grants they have received that we can apply for, including habitat grant funding. There is money specifically from high school programs. NDWF received a $3 million endowment that they can use the interest toward projects outside of the endowment requirements.

Plan to purchase a laptop computer and software for the club

• Digital Guru has a laptop option including Microsoft that would be about $1,500 (MSC Jerry O., Brad G.)
• Is a printer needed? Becci requested we purchase a printer that can be used by the secretary to print out minutes and agendas and handle the mailings to people that we cannot email. If we ever have our own location it would be located there. Approved to find a good quality one. (MSC Greg B., Brad G.)

Nominations are open for the club awards until the end of the March meeting (Sportsperson of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Lifetime Member Award, Landowner/Conservationist, Conservation Officer)

Applications are open for the NDGF Encouraging Tomorrows Hunters Grant

• The deadline is May 1, 2024. Financial support for the Fall Goose, Waterfowl & Pheasant Hunts. Must provide a follow-up report on our 2023 events to qualify for the 2024 grant. We received $3,000 previously so need to submit a write-up and photos from the fall events.

Multiple grant funding is available – If anyone is interested in taking on the responsibility of writing grants for the club talk to Greg Gerou. There are many opportunities available. Someone who knows the club well would be ideal. Grants could help us fund getting our own building.

The Building Committee met to discuss what our club needs are – further discussion to come.

Vice President Report

The 17th Annual NWT Richland Renegade Toms banquet is February 2. They have all the games and prizes ready. Jakes table will have a single shot and 22 rifles. Trying a PP board this year at $20/sq. (120 squares) that will have 4-5 pistols on it. There will be multiple prizes on each game.

• RRASC $500 sponsorship again this year ($300 sponsor / $200 to Jakes table) MSC Rich T., Kelly C.
• Two tickets draw names from members at meeting. Rich and Greg G. received tickets.

Secretary Report

Would like to meet with the President and Treasurer to clean up our Excel membership list.

Treasurer 

$89,913.64

• Bills (since November) – $837.40 Daily News, Post Office $82.00, Econo (Christmas party) $52.30, Trigger Sports $690.00, Storage Unit $825, Wahpeton Chamber $180, Econo (meeting) $55.57, Cindy $90.44, Greg G. $650.56, Rich $419.65, Richland Toms $500
• Incoming – $20.76 memberships online, $40 memberships in person, $600 G&F grants
• MSC (Curt, Leroy) to approve the Treasurer’s report.
• There is also $5,400 in cash in safe for next year’s smoker start up cash

The club needs to find a different bank. The current bank charges to many fees and they have become difficult to work with. Proposed to move to First Community Credit Union. Greg Gerou, Brad Glarum, Greg Braun, Rebecca Truesdell would be listed on the new account (MSC Brad G., Kelly C.)

Directors Reports

MN DNR Fisheries & Wildlife

• They still have an outstanding balance of $1,500 to pay for the 2024 fish rearing pond payments. Cindie proposing part of our 2024 budgeted amount to MN DNR goes to help them pay this. The club gave them $500 toward this in 2023. We are going to table for further discussion.

Chahinkapa Zoo

• Donation to the Zoo for Giving Hearts Day (accepted through February 8). They have already raised their matching funds. We donated $452.51 from the smoker. We are going to wait on doing a donation until later in the year that could help support something more specific (MSC Becci, Greg)
• The zoo is looking for 4-6 volunteers to help with an event at the zoo from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, June 28. Let Cindie know if you are available to help.

General Committee Reports

Parks & Recreation

• They will be running power to Knights Shelter at Kidder Rec Area and making some campsite updates. ND G&F needs to reapply for the grant for the cleaning station.
• The safe area of the Community Center storage needs to be locked at all times because of the equipment stored in it for the Archery Group and RRASC. Greg G. has a key to get in.
• February 15 is the deadline for entity registration with the state. Brad will make sure it is done.
• The new Park and Rec website is ready. Space reservations will be held through the website now.
• Deer was shot in the archery range by golf course. Being it was in the city it was a city issue not Game & Fish

Jr. Wildlife Club

• Archery was held on November 19 and they had 10 kids participate. January 18 was air rifle and there were 8 kids. Many were new shooters. February meeting is Animal Tracking and Identification.
• We will utilize the RRASC email moving forward instead of Park & Rec (Brad) sending out the meeting notifications

Public Relations

• Zoo Boo – Melissa and Denise helped out Cindie and represented Jr Wildlife and handed out giveaways and candy
• Working on sharing hunting/fishing/activity photos on our social. Please send to the club any photos you have from your hunts, etc., or of your kids. Make sure to include some details we can include on the post. We also need photos from our events we have had in the last year to add to the website.

Air Rifle

• It appears that TJ & Mandy are not going to follow through with this. If anyone is interested in helping or taking it on, please let Greg know.

Seasonal Committee Reports

• Neil Heitkamp Ice Fishing Derby will be on February 17 at Heitkamp Pond again this year. Volunteers can contact Cindie.

Internal Club Contests

• Submissions were made for Deer – Brad Glarum 4×4. Waterfowl – Abby Carlson 1/17/24 Arkansas 9 species

New/Old/Unfinished Business

• Justin is setting up a Memorial Fishing Tournament for his dad. This would be a catfish tournament with entry fees and cash prizes (kids could participate for free for door prizes). Planning on holding early summer. He is asking for RRASC to partner on the event and would like to use our 501(c)3 status and would need volunteer help. The plan is to donate 30% of the proceeds back to our club and we could have a table at the tournament to promote the club. Also going to talk with Band of Brothers and Operation Zero. (MSC Brad G, Rich T. to use 501(c)3)
• Rich brought up that there was some issue with the company we have been using for the Smoker hog hunts. Clint bought them on the silent auction found the company to be difficult to work with and ended up purchasing another hunt with a different company. He would like us to do something to make up for this. We should for sure to a ticket package to next year’s smoker – continue this discussion in the future. Clint is a very influential part of our future youth hunts in North Dakota.
• Dave P. will no longer be doing FFL. Plan is to invite him and Katie to the Spring Banquet and present a “Distinguished Service Award”. Rich is checking into a custom knife for Dave and we need to think of something for Katie. Add this new award to our annual awards – MSC Kelly, Melissa.
• Del Hoefs makes wine and takes donations for it. He would like to make a donation to the Band of Brothers through the club.
• Smoker committee is planning to start meeting earlier to keep up with any changes to the ND gaming laws.

Correspondence

• NLC request for donation – $300 MSC Brad G., Kelly C.
• Thank yous received from Mason Miller and Chuck & Cheri Haus

The meeting adjourned at 9:27 pm.

Call to order at 7:33 pm by President Greg Gerou

Attendance: Greg Gerou, Rich Truesdell, Curt Mund, Justin Kratz, Kelly Turgeon, Charles Loy, LeRoy Smith, Kevin Manock, Jerry Oren, Cindie VanTassel, Melissa Schumacher, Kelly Carlson, Becci Truesdell 

Guests and New Members

Welcome new member, Charles Loll.

MSC (Kelly C., Kevin M.) to approve the October 19, 2023 meeting minutes.

President Report

• Chahinkapa Zoo Wild Game Night is Friday, November 17. Usually would present a check to at the event from the money raised on the game during the smoker but the total from the fundraiser game hasn’t been calculated. The club is also donating a shotgun to the event.
• North Dakota Wildlife Federation Annual Conference is January 5-7, 2024 in Fargo. Greg G. will be attending. Anyone interested in attending the social can register online.
• There will not be a December club meeting, we will have our annual holiday party on December 15.
• The Board of Directors will need to meet to discuss the budget before the January 2024 club meeting.
• Consideration of appointing a Building Committee to look into a permanent building for the club
• The two 2-wheel carts for the speakers need new inner tubes. Rich T. recommended foam tires instead, he will follow up with replacing them.
• The System for Award Management (SAM) Administrator renewal (currently done by Wayne Beyer). This is needed for the club to continue to apply for federal grants. Greg G. will take over as the club contact.
• November 11 was Veteran’s Day – With respect, honor, and gratitude, thank you to all Veteran club members and their families for their service and sacrifice

Secretary Report

• Need to start mailing out meeting reminders and minutes to a handful of members. NDWF has a membership software that may be available to the club to use.

Treasurer Report

• $96,913.05
• Bills – $550 for last year’s dumpsters, $25 late fee on insurance payment
• Incoming – $822 (2022 Deer Hides)
• MSC (Rich, Curt) to approve the Treasurer’s report.
• The Quickbooks is on a computer in Brad’s office and it would be good to transfer it to a computer owned by the club.
• ND Youth Archery Request – match 2022 donation (MSC – Kelly, Rich)

Board of Directors

• Cindie sent around registration for the holiday party in December. Information to RSVP will be emailed out to the club membership.
• ND Game & Fish is now requiring all applications for Fishing Tournaments to be done online, $75 fee. This only applies to tournaments that have a registration fee.
• MN Roundtable is the third weekend in January – Cindie will be attending
• April 18 is the possible date for our Spring Banquet

General Committee Reports

Jr. Wildlife Club

• Moved Archery meeting to Nov. 19 due to location availability.  Jan. 16 meeting is Air Rifle.

Public Relations

• Zoo Boo – Melissa and Denise help out Cindie and represented Jr Wildlife and handed out giveaways and candy
• Working on sharing hunting/fishing/activity photos on our social. Please send to the club any photos you have from your hunts, etc., or of your kids. Make sure to include some details we can include on the post.

Seasonal Committee Reports

Neil Heitkamp Ice Fishing Derby

• Will be on February 17 at Heitkamp Pond again this year.

Fall Youth Pheasant Hunt (Sept 29 & 30)

• Was held at Chuck’s place. Had a great turnout of 15 youth and they all got birds.

Hunters Smoker (Oct 21)

• The event started out smoothly but had a couple of small stumbles. Decent turnout of approx. 350 people. Next year’s goal is to be done around 10 pm. Anticipated profit to be about $35,000.
• Greg B recommended an additional tip to the bartenders. Agreed on a $50 gift card (MSC Rich, Kelly)
• Items to check into for next year: ND Attorney General may be changing some of the gaming laws. Hog Hunt needs to be checked into more closely. The current company may not be a positive as we originally thought. Kelly will do some research on other options.
• This is Dave Pauly’s last year helping with our gun registrations. He received a $100 gift card as a thank you. Proposed to present him with a plaque or something during our Spring Banquet. A custom knife from Burkett Knives was suggested – Rich will check into it.

Ladies Rooster Roundup (Oct 21-22)

• Successful event. The ladies enjoyed attending the smoker Saturday after completing their hunting. Had 12 hunters plus 5 mentors.
• Will continue to have it the same weekend as the smoker. The Her Wildnerness organization that is partnering with us would like to see all the hunt participants volunteer during our fundraiser.

Internal Club Contests

Submissions were made for Youth Deer – Carter Gerou (spike buck) & McKenna Manock (4×4 buck), Adult – Justin Kratz 4×4 Whitetail Buck & 21-¾” Pheasant Tail

New/Old/Unfinished Business

Deer Hide Dumpsters

• Over the hunting weekend did a reminder social post about want & waste due to carcasses being dumped with just the backstraps removed
• We should check into cameras for next year
• Recommended for next year to put pallets in the bottom to prevent the hides from freezing to the dumpsters
• Curt recommended to give a thank you gift card for $50 to a restaurant to each of the managers (Tractor Supply and Blazer Express) for allowing the club to have the dumpsters on their property – MSC Kelly, Kevin

The meeting adjourned at 8:38 pm.

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.

7 p.m. Wahpeton Community Center

Call to order at 7:35 pm by President Greg Gerou 

Attendance: Greg Gerou, Greg Braun, Kelly Carlson, Abby Carlson, Kevin Manock, Cindi VanTassel, Jerry Oren, Leroy Smith, Pat Brejcha, Justin Krantz, Rich Truesdell, Becci Truesdell, Brad Edwardson, Brad Glarum, Melissa Schumacher

MSC (Brad Glarum, Kevin Manock) to approve the August 17, 2023 meeting minutes

Board of Directors Reports 

• President
• Vice President 
• Secretary – Mary Rausch is moving away from Wahpeton and has to resign from the Secretary role. Becci Truesdell volunteered to serve in the role until May elections. 
• Treasurer – After receipts that were submitted during the meeting, current checking balance is $64,297. Expenses were paid out to club members for youth hunts, smoker items and Jr. Wildlife. Trigger Sports was paid for ammo and donation made to Band of Brothers. Grant money has been received for the Ladies Rooster Roundup. 
• Directors – Rich Truesdell reported that the zoo has decided to move ZooBoo to the Saturday before Halloween from now on. Tom contacted Rich about potential conflict with the smoker. Will plan for the smoker to be held on the 3rd Saturday of October moving forward to avoid conflict. If 5 Saturdays, it would be held the 4th Saturday. 

General Committee Reports 

Parks & Recreation

• Brad Edwardson reported on youth hunt registrations. 

Jr. Wildlife Club

• Rich reported on the evening’s event on dog handling held at Truax Kennels. Next month is Outdoor Survival Skills being coordinated by Brad Edwardson. Becci Truesdell brought up ideas for promoting and growing attendance. 

Wayne Beyer Scholarship

• No applications have been received. 

Public Relations 

• Website – Online registration is being used for Jr. Wildlife events. Working well but trying to work out some of the formatting. 
• Community Events – NDSCS Homecoming Parade is October 7th and ZooBoo is October 28th. Becci ordered pens to pass out during the Smoker.
• Online Store – Becci has been working on some updated logo design. Recommended to keep current logo for standard print materials and select different designs for clothing. Discussed printing some shirts to have at the smoker. Brad Edwardson noted that the Parks Dept has extra shirts in inventory and a heat press that could possibly be used by the club. 

Mooreton Pond Projects

• Greg noted the docks are planned to be removed sometime in October. 

Seasonal Committee Reports 

Fall Youth Goose Hunt

• Held September 9th & 10th. Limited to 8 participants. Registration filled on the first day. Cindie VanTassel noted that the MN law changed the age limit will change to 17 years old instead of 16. 

Marv Manock Youth Waterfowl Hunt

• Held September 16th. There were 12 participants. Kevin Manock reported that the hunt was good and Greg Gerou handled the breakfast. 

Fall Youth Pheasant Hunt

• Scheduled for September 29th & 30th. 12 have registered through Parks & Rec and a few online registrations have been received. Have some mentors lined up but more may be needed. 

Hunters Smoker 

• Donations – Need to be in by October 13th in order to get the raffle permit. The City is requiring the application to contain a detailed list of all items that will be given out that night. 
• Games – Some planned changes include cutting down on the number of meat raffles, adding some 50/50 raffles, guns boards will be $10/square with no “3 for” deals, there will be no ice house board this year, and adding a goose hunting board. 
• Food – Could use carrots, onions and peppers if anyone has excess in their garden. 
• Volunteers – A sign-up sheet was passed around for volunteers to help with set up and food prep on Friday night and to work the smoker on Saturday. 

Ladies Rooster Roundup

• The hunt is full and there are 2 people on the waiting list. They cut back to 12 participants this year. Going to the trap range on Friday night, staying at AirBnB in Wahpeton, hunting Saturday morning and then attending smoker that night. 

Old/New/Unfinished Business 

• Twist of Fate (September 21st) – Chuck Haus is attending 
• WB Chamber Mix & Mingles (October 12th) – Not sure if attending yet. Don’t believe we gained any members after attending last year. 
• RAP Auction – Greg Gerou and Greg Braun attended the RAP auction 
• Thank yous we’ve received from the two recent youth hunts and the MN DNR. 

The meeting adjourned at 8:38 pm. 

7:30 PM • Wahpeton Community Center  

Attendees: Brad Glarum, Brad Edwardson, Cindie VanTassel, Kevin Manock, Leroy Smith, Joe Keller, Curt Mund, Mary Rausch 

Approve Minutes from the previous meeting – MSC Cindie, Kevin 

Vice President Report 

• $500 grant from ND NWTF for a virtual machine for youth trap team 
• Feb 2, 2024 banquet 

Parks & Recreation 

• Fish cleaning station at Kidder Rec is in – once all bills are in, P&R may ask for contribution from RRASC 
• Mike Manock donated 10 fishing rods 

Jr Wildlife Club Committee 

• Aug: went to Milnor to see a honey bee live hive and extraction 
• Sep 21: Dog Handling
• Oct 19: Outdoor Survival Skills
• Nov 16: Archery 

Public Relations  

• Website – Becci worked out glitches with registration through the site; may go through P&R as a backup plan if necessary – Cindie has updated waivers for this year’s events 
• Facebook/Instagram – please share RRASC posts! 
• Cindie watches for members or family members that pass away for sympathy cards – see any let her know 

Community Events 

Cindie shared an idea to have pens with the club name and website to give out at parades, events, etc – Becci will get some pricing put together 

There is a company in Hankinson that can put the club logo on sucker sticks 

Pop-up online store (Abby) – looking into additional/alternative options – the link is currently expired 

Online clothing store; will include stickers, cozies, coffee mugs, etc. 

Becci has some ideas she will bring to the club for possible logo rebranding for clothing 

Red River Projects 

• Brad E has an idea for placing the fishing pier at Bois de Sioux near Welles Park on the ND side; he will go check it out for next year 

Seasonal Committee reports –Summer/Fall Activities 

Head of the Red Gun & Archery Club

• Open Now, Tues, Thur & Sun! 
• League teams: 10 mens, 3 womens, 4-5 youth – 1 team for the new 5 stand league – season is wrapping up 

Mooreton Sportsmen’s Club, Joe Pikarski Trap Range & MSC Rifle/Pistol Range 

• Summer league and open shooting starts May 31 
• Sept 4, Turkey Shoot starting at Noon 

Fall Youth Hunts

• Fall Youth Goose Hunt – Sep 9-10, 2023. Registrations for this event go through Cindie – poster shared on the RRASC facebook page 
• Marv Manock Youth Waterfowl Hunt – Sep 16, 2023, Tewaukon NWR 
• Fall Youth Pheasant Hunt – Sept 30, 2023, Chuck & Cheri Haus property, rural Hankinson 
• Ladies Rooster Roundup (Abby Carlson) – Oct 21-22, 2023 

Hunters Smoker – Oct 21, 2023, WCC 

• Tickets should be ready by the next meeting – more info to come! 

RRASC Internal Hunting Contests 

(April – March) – Youth & Adult categories 

• Deer/Elk/etc.
• Turkey Beard
• Pheasant Tail Feather
• Waterfowl, # of species harvested 

RRASC Internal Fishing Contests 

(April – March) – Youth & Adult categories 

• Fresh Water
• Salt Water 

Old / New / Unfinished Business 

Bench recognition plaque name nominations; nominations received: 

• Completed: Randy Hovde, Vince Herding, Mike Fenske, Jeff Trom, Larry Brunkhorst, Marv Manock, Randy Hoerer, Wayne Beyer 
• Pending: Chuck Haus, Dick Bell, Dave Langenwalter 
• Question was asked if we should have plaques for original club members? Will go through club records for list of names and get it to Becci 

“Ask for Permission” signs are available, free to land owners 

RAP Auction date confirmed, August 19, 2023 

Other upcoming events 

Youth Trap Shooting – Sept 8, 6:00PM at Head of the Red Trap Range 

Headwaters Days – Sept 9, Parade start time 10:30AM 

Youth Trap Shooting – Sept 15, 6:00PM at Head of the Red Trap Range 

Youth Trap Shooting – Oct 6, 6:00PM at Joe Pikarski Trap Range 

NDSCS Homecoming – Oct 7, Parade start time 10:00AM 

Band of Brothers Veterans Hunt – Oct 13, Chuck & Cheri Haus property, rural Hankinson 

• We received a request for sponsorship – Cindie made a motion to donate $500; second by Kevin 

Communication / Correspondence 

For the Good of the Order 

Adjournment 

7:30 p.m. Wahpeton Community Center 

Attendees: Greg Gerou, Justin Kratz, Cindie VanTassel, Greg Braun, Kevin Manock, Becci Truesdell 

Minutes – MSC Cindie, Kevin 

President Report 

• RAP Auction – August 19 in Bismarck at the Capital Schronberg Arena 
• Greg traveling Thursday and helping to set up on Friday 
• Doors open at 10 and starts at 11 
• Could use additional volunteers if anyone is available – need to know in advance 
• Some larger items will be available online for bidding 
• NWTF pledged $500 towards the Wahpeton Trap Team tent 

Treasurer Report 

• Balance – $75,808.64 
• Thrivent Update – investment improvements over last quarter 
• MSC Justin, Kevin 

Park & Rec 

• Brad has a plan to digitize all the files in storage 

Southeast Area 

• Single meeting so far to discuss future 

Jr Wildlife 

• Zoo Scavenger Hunt – 12 participants 
• August – Milnor Bee Hives week earlier and leaving at 3 pm 

Public Relations 

• Website  – Tried online registration for this week’s event – still a work in progress 
• Request to update the Jr Wildlife form to Cindie’s contact information (PDF on the website) 
• Becci has some pen option information and will have some samples to check out at the next meeting 
• Clothing rebranding – work in progress 

Carp & Sucker – August 2 from 4-7 pm 

• Should we have a permit based on the ages of participants and that there are no cash prizes? 
• Justin will have flyers out in the next week 
• Need a Facebook event created 

Head of the Red 

• Keeping pretty busy, the numbers of shooters are up 
• Follow up on request to support the Wahpeton team at Nationals – $500 Rich, Kelly 
• 5 shooters went to the Nationals 

Mooreton Trap Range 

• Labor Day Turkey Shoot 

Fall Hunts 

Goose Hunt – Sept 9 & 10 

• Cindie is setting up and will get the word out for registrations 
• Ordered shell belts that can be given out for all the fall bird hunts 
• Have a number of shells in storage and can work with Trigger to get more 

Waterfowl Hunt – Sept 16 

• The refuge has a new manager to work with 
• The water report is not great for the area (spotty dry/wet) 

Pheasant Hunt – Sept 30 

• Chuck will be getting birds 

Ladies Hunt – Oct 20-21 

• Abby is hoping since it is during the smoker weekend that the ladies will attend that night 

Club Contests

• Cindie emailed fishing in from an Alaska trip 

Old/New/Unfinished Business 

• Benches – no updates 
• Remind landowners we have “permitted hunting signs” 
• Headwaters Day trap shooting 
• NDSCS HC October 7 
• Brothers Hunt 13 (Chuck) 
• Cliff Barth has wildlife prints to donate to our smoker 
• Jane West – Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, her husband passed and she would like to possibly donate (possible options for the smoker) 
• ND Wildlife Fed Grants – Abby $1,500 hunts, Mooreton Trap $2,500 
• K of C/St. John’s Academy Raffle information shared 
• MN D&R request for funds for walleye ponds – $500 Cindie, Kevin  
• OT County Let’s Go Fishing request – passed 
• Jon Kaatz offering Conceal Carry in Mooreton on July 30 
• ND WOW event in Bottineau – Sept 15-17 
• Women’s weekend events related to outdoors, shooting, etc. 

7:30 p.m.• Mooreton Pond

Attendees: Greg Gerou, Rich Truesdell, Brad Edwardson, Cindie VanTassel, Brett Lambrecht, Curt Mund, Brad Glarum, Becci Truesdell, Mary Rausch 

Approve Minutes from the previous meeting – MSC Cindie, Brad G 

Treasurer Report

$81,185.66 – MSC Brad G, Curt 

Parks & Recreation

NDGF came on June 5 for fish cleaning station reconfiguration; once work is done, NDGF will bring in a new station 

Jr Wildlife Club

• June: Fishing at Mooreton Pond; no youth attended this evening 
• Working on the upcoming year’s plan and will be shared once available 
• July: TBD, possibly Zoo
• Air rifle will be an upcoming activity

Community Events 

• Cindie shared an idea to have pens with the club name and website to give out at parades, events, etc – Becci will get some pricing put together 
• Pop-up online store (Abby) – looking into additional/alternative options. Online clothing store; will include stickers, cozies, coffee mugs, etc. Becci has some ideas she will bring to the club for possible logo rebranding for clothing.

Red River Projects 

• Revamping area near the golf course, needs rock to be brought in – there are some other ideas but we need to get it in front of the City 
• There is a dock not being used; can it be moved? If so, where to? 

Mooreton Pond Projects 

• The dock on SE corner needs a board to be replaced and floats need to be adjusted 

Fishing Activities 

Dick Bell Catfish Derby – June 3, 2023 

• Special Thank You to Justin Kratz for the Dick Bell Catfish Tournament! 
• 4 kids, 11 adults – some new faces this year – volunteers needed for next year 
• Family Fishing Nights (Cindie VanTassel, Justin Kratz) – TBD for 2023 – volunteers needed! 
• Looking at Wednesday nights, not having a lot of luck with scheduling 

Brunk’s Carp & Sucker Derby – August 2 from 4PM-7PM 

Head of the Red Gun & Archery Club – Open Now! 

• Added a shooting night; now open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sunday starting at 6PM 

Mooreton Sportsmen’s Club, Joe Pikarski Trap Range & MSC Rifle/Pistol Range – Summer league and open shooting starts May 31 

• Second reading of the MSC grant request – first reading done at May meeting – MSC Brad G, Brett for $2500 grant approval – signage created, pending finalization 

RRASC Internal Hunting Contests (April – March) – Youth & Adult categories

• Deer/Elk/etc.
• Turkey Beard
• Pheasant Tail Feather
• Waterfowl, # of species harvested 

RRASC Internal Fishing Contests (April – March)

• Youth & Adult categories: Fresh Water & Salt Water 

Old / New / Unfinished Business 

• Bench recognition plaque name nominations; nominations received. Completed: Randy Hovde, Vince Herding, Mike Fenske, Jeff Trom, Larry Brunkhorst, Marv Manock, Randy Hoerer, Wayne Beyer. Pending: Chuck Haus, Dick Bell, Dave Langenwalter. The question was asked if we should have plaques for original club members? Will go through club records for a list of names and get it to Becci 
• “Ask for Permission” signs are available, free to landowners 
• RAP Auction date confirmed, August 19, 2023 
• Proposed signage to recognize funding support  
• Coupon for minnows/worms for youth – Becci added Business Name and Date fields to the back of coupons to help people from making copies; will distribute to businesses 
• New ND Conceal Carry Instructor, Jon Kaatz, Wahpeton Police Officer. Schedule to be determined.
• Congratulation to Heather Retzer – 2023 NDGF Volunteer of the Year 
• NAVHDA recognized RRASC with a plaque for our platinum sponsorship for their Point of Faith youth event 
• Headwaters Royalty Program – request for funding to support their event – no action taken 

Upcoming Events

• Sep 9 Headwaters Parade
• Sep 9-10 MN Youth Goose Hunt
• Sep 16 Marv Manock Youth Waterfowl Hunt
• Oct 7 NDSCS Homecoming Parade
• Oct 7 Youth Pheasant Hunt
• Oct 21 Smoker
• Oct 21-22 Ladies Rooster Roundup 

7:30 PM • Wahpeton Community Center  

Attendees: Cindie VanTassel, Kevin Manock, Greg Gerou, Justin Kratz, Becci Truesdell, Rich Truesdell, Greg Braun, Nathan Rausch, Kelly Carlson 

Approve Minutes from the previous meeting – MSC Rich, Kevin 

President Report

Club elections: the following have agreed to be nominated for reelection to their offices: 

• Greg Gerou – President 
• Brad Glarum – Vice President 
• Greg Braun – Treasurer 
• Mary Rausch – Secretary 

For the appointment of 4 officer positions above: MSC Greg B, Rich 

• Kelly Carlson – 1 Year Director 
• Cindie Van Tassel – 2 Year Director (odd year) 

For appointment of 2 Director positions above: MSC Greg B, Rich 

• Nominations are open for any of the offices/positions on the Board of Directors. Please bring your nomination(s) to the May meeting. 
• No additional nominations were received by the May meeting. 

Completed the North Dakota Community Foundation online application for the RRASC – may have grant funding available to RRASC for various projects 

Inventory from the 2nd level of City Hall 

• Duck decoys, goose decoys, 50 summer fishing rods, 2 ice shelters – not in the way, but we do need to make a decision  

Treasurer Report

• $81,947.75 
• Greg B recognized by Greg G for working through taxes 
• Canceled QuickBooks account – paid $590, will get all but $50 back 

Parks & Recreation 

• WCC has implemented its fob & key control system, added a padlock on the safe room 
• WP&R is cleaning the storage area at WCC. RRASC has 8 file drawers of information dating back to 1985 
• We need to make a decision on these; discussed scanning and making digital copies; Greg B volunteered to help with this effort. 
• Still waiting for high water to subside before we put the fishing pier in; our anchor points are still under water. 
• Parking lot for golf course fishing pier has gravel; rocks still need to be placed along east side of parking lot along the river bank. BBQ grill needs to be welded back onto its post. Future plans are for a covered picnic area. 
• Last fall the grinder for the fish cleaning station locked up. NDG&F plans to replace the entire fish cleaning table and grinder. Park staff will remove the old one and that will be taken with them to place at a site that just needs a table for cleaning. Wes will be here June 5th to determine what plumbing and/or electrical needs to be moved to fit the new table. The utilities will be the responsibility of the park. When the cost is determined, RRASC may be approached for a contribution. 

SE Area Sportsmen’s Club

• Putting together information to see about getting it going again 

Jr Wildlife Club Committee

• May: Plant Identification at Kidder Recreation Area; NDSU Extension is bringing in plants 

Public Relations 

• Website – Renewed hosting for next 3 years; provides additional services/features 

Red River Projects 

• Potential for power projects at campsites – look at helping to get power to Knight Shelter 

Mooreton Pond Projects

• Richland County Park Board is asking our input on placement of a bench being donated to Mooreton Pond 
• Potential for NW corner – scheduling a date to install docks, payloader available all next week – Tuesday at 4:30PM 

Fishing Activities 

Dick Bell Catfish Derby – June 3, 2023 

• Fliers handed out – 6:45AM-8AM sign up – 7AM-11AM weigh in 

Family Fishing Nights – TBD for 2023 

• Looking for volunteers – event occurring is contingent on volunteers 

Head of the Red Gun & Archery Club

• Open Now! 

Mooreton Sportsmen’s Club, Joe Pikarski Trap Range & MSC Rifle/Pistol Range

• Summer league and open shooting starts May 31 
• Planning improvement at the Joe Pikarski Trap Range – they will be making grant applications & using RRASC 501(c)(3) 
• MSC grant request to RRASC for $2,500.00 
• Total project funding is $8,000 – Motion by Rich to approve grant request of $2,500 which includes sponsorship signage, seconded by Kelly, approved 
• Second viewing of grant request at June meeting 

RRASC Internal Hunting Contests (April – March) – Youth & Adult categories

• Deer/Elk/etc.
• Turkey Beard
• Pheasant Tail Feather
• Waterfowl, # of species harvested 

RRASC Internal Fishing Contests (April – March)

• Youth & Adult categories: Fresh Water & Salt Water 

Old / New / Unfinished Business 

• Hosting a hunting and fishing rummage sale – May 20, 2023, WCC, 8AM – 1PM Outdoors themed: hunting, fishing, archery, camping – booth table rentals to recoup costs of space rental – NO guns will be able to be sold at this event. Cindie got a layout of the WCC gym from Melissa so event booths can be planned; Contact Cindie to register for a booth 
• Shot gun shells needed for the upcoming fall hunts – Inventory is complete – Need steel shot #4 
• RAP Auction date confirmed, August 19, 2023 
• NDWF Quarterly meeting, April 1, 2023 in Valley City 
• Matching Funds for our carcass dumpster program are still available 
• Mason Miller is planning an Eagle Scout Project at the Brushville dock area – he may request funding to support project 
• Shalie Lipp passed away May 7, 2023, she is the sister to club member and sponsor Stevin Lipp 
• Wahpeton Trap: looking for sponsorship – Motion by Becci to donate $500, seconded by Kelly, approved 
• ND State Fair, July 21-29, volunteer help requested, contact Greg G if interested 
• Bait card process for kids – being investigated