Youngwood Sportsmen's Association

The Sportsmen

Meetings the 2^nd Wednesday of every month at 8 p.m.
Address: P.O. Box 13, Youngwood, PA, 15697

Fall 2002

Clyde Trout - President

Thanks to all who helped make 2002 one of the Clubs most successful years ever.

Many projects have been completed and more are on the agenda for the remaining months of the year.

Some of those include providing housing for the tractor and equipment, basement restroom remodeling and possible range coverings. To do so, we need extra hands on scheduled work days, so do your best to come on out.

Also, although we have a few major expenses coming up, we should end the year in excellent financial shape. Some of the reasons for this were the most profitable game dinner ever, a return of most of the 3-D startup monies, and last but not least some major volunteer work which reduced cost on the pavilion tremendously.

Finally thanks to all that voluntarily ran our programs such as Hunter Safety, Trap, YHEC, 3-D, Youngwoodsmen, and Range Repairs.
 

From The Field

Roger Davis- Field Captain
 

When you are at the club take the time to look around. Notice the scenery and wildlife. Also notice the improvements and work that has been done. When you see something that needs taken care of notify the Field Captain or another officer. There is a list of work that still needs to be completed on the bulletin boards inside and outside the clubhouse.

The fall trout stocking will occur when the weather gets a little cooler. Pheasants will be stocked the first three (3) Friday nights of the season. The dates are 11/01, 11/08, and 11/15. Stocking will begin approximately 6:00PM. For more information call the Field Captain at 724-832-1582 or the Stocking Chairman, Tony (Mr. Pheasant) Stackewicz, at 724-836-2044. If you want to help with the stocking please call Tony.

As we head into the hunting season please remember SAFETY first. A safety zone will be taped off around the clubhouse. Please observe this safety zone.  Mr. Pheasant has released some male and female Pheasants on the club grounds. When hunting this year remember hens are not legal birds! For safety purposes the club has designated starting time, on the Saturdays for ALL small game, to be 8:00AM. This will be strictly enforced. The ranges will be closed until 1:00 PM each Saturday of Pheasant season and the opening day of Deer season.

There were eighteen (18) work parties scheduled this year. They were scheduled on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays to try to suit a number of club members. Some were rained out. I could not attend one work party. One club member, other than myself, attended a work party. A few dedicated members are doing the work that has been getting done around the club. When work needs done, if we do not have club members volunteering to help, the board has no choice but to contract the work out. This costs the club money. With 1000 members, if each would volunteer 1 to 2 hours of their time, the club would accomplish much and save dollars. Remember there are many ways to help. We are not just talking about physical labor. Call the field captain if you’re willing to help your club.

The club has a chairperson for each of the committees this year. Some of the committees could have used more volunteers to help the chairperson. Please take a look at the committees in next spring’s newsletter and volunteer a little of your time on a committee that interests you.

The club property will be posted with new signs this year. If you want to help post the property please call Roger at 724-832-1582 or Clyde at 724-925-8054. The dates for the property posting are September 22^nd and 23^rd. And we will begin at 8:00AM. Of course everything is weather permitting.
 

Trap

Trap shooting will be held on September 29 beginning at 10:30AM. In October, November, and December Trap shooting will begin at 1:00 PM. The dates are October 6^th and 20^th, November 3^rd and 10^th, and December 15. The Running Deer range will be in operation on October 20^th, November 3^rd and 10^th, and shooting will begin at 1:00PM and end at approximately 4:00PM. The Pistol Range will be closed when the running deer is in operation. Trap will begin in the spring of 2003 on the last Sunday in April at 1:00PM. Bobbie Davis, the current trap chairperson, will need help if Trap is to be run 3 Sundays a month. If no one volunteers to help her with trap she will only operate it 1 Sunday a month. To contact Bobbie call her at 724-832-1582. When we get the new poles and lights up, if we have help, we will shoot Trap 1 evening a week.
 

3-D Archery 

The 3-D archery shoot concludes its first season on September15th. Rich Zakutney said they had a good first year. The 3-D course takes a lot of work and time and Rich could always use some more help. For information on how to help and shoot dates call Rich at 724-837-8426. Shoot dates will be published in the Spring newsletter, but shoots may begin as early as January 2003.
 

Muzzleloader

With early muzzleloader season approaching, and the use of in-line muzzleloaders approved, we are requesting that the use of in-line muzzleloaders on the ranges be restricted to the muzzleloader range only. Thank you for your cooperation on this.
 

HTE class dates:

Hunter safety classes have concluded for the year. The 2003 HTE schedule will be announced in the spring newsletter, at the regular meetings in the spring and by posters in the clubhouse.
 

A general note to all

All members need to police the grounds and keep them free of debris. They must also assure that non-members are not trespassing by asking to see membership card when there is doubt. If you see dirt bikes or quads running on the club property or on the property across the road try to get a license plate number and report it to the field captain so trespassers can be prosecuted.

Also

Users of the 25 and 50-yard rifle ranges are reminded that slugs are ONLY permitted on the muzzleloader range. Please be considerate of your fellow sportsmen and limit your usage to the chicken wire backstops only. Slugs are far too destructive to the homosote backstops to allow their usage there.
 

For the Youth
 

Youth meetings

Youth meetings continue to be the second Wednesday of each month, coinciding with the regular adult meetings. Several interesting programs are planned.

Activities

An open shoot is scheduled for October 20^th and 27^th, 1:00 to 5:00 PM. It’s a great day to share the sport with our children. The running deer and trap will be in operation. We will all have some shooting fun!!

The Pennsylvania Game Commission invited several of our youth members to participate in the First Annual Youth Pheasant Hunt in Lyccippus (?), PA. Several youths will participate and give us the details of the hunt at an upcoming meeting.
 

Game Dinner

The 37^th annual game dinner will be held Saturday, February 22^nd 2003, at the Roosevelt Hall in Norvelt, PA. Tickets are $12 each, and will go on sale November 1, 2002. Purchases may be made by mail or at the club meetings.

The Game Dinner Committee is now accepting game contributions for this dinner.
Contact Pete Hawley (724-925-7165) for more information.
 

Club Membership

The 2003 clubs membership renewal period begins October 1, 2002 and runs through December 31, 2002. During that period, new membership will be closed. Renewal cards are included with this newsletter. After December 31, 2002 any member who chooses to be reinstated will have to join as a new member. Renewals will also be accepted at the regular club meetings in October, November, and December
 

Lifetime Memberships

Persons who have been regular members in good standing in the association for ten (10) consecutive years and have attained the age of sixty-five (65) or older shall be entitled to lifetime memberships. An eligible member shall submit a letter to the board of directors verifying that he or she has met the requirements for lifetime membership
 

Officer Elections

Remember that officer elections are in December. Nominations will be accepted in October and November. It’s your club, get involved!!! The best way to make and keep a club such as this growing is to become an active participant.
 

Pavilion Rentals

Remember that the pavilion is available for member use at no cost. There will be a $50 deposit required, this deposit will be returned if the pavilion has been properly cleaned up after your event. If you’re interested in reserving it, please leave a message on the clubhouse answering machine or call Mark Wills at 724-837-0835
 

NRA Renewal

Remember that you may renew or sign up for your NRA membership through the club. This encompasses new memberships, renewals and other membership services. As of this writing it still only costs $25 per year (this price could change if NRA so dictates.)! In return the club will receive a rebate from the NRA for each sign up or renewal tendered. This is an excellent way to support two excellent organizations: the NRA and the Youngwood Sportsmen’s Association. See John Zombar (724-925-1992) or Clyde Trout for more information.

Club Contacts

The clubhouse phone number is 724-925-8131. As time permits we attempt to update the upcoming events on the answering machine, so you may wish to check the message on the machine first.

Officers:

President--Clyde Trout—724-925-8054
 

Vice President—Mark Wills—724-837-0835
 

Secretary—Mike Spychalski—724-836-2920
 

Treasurer—Frank Davis—724-834-3234

Field Captain—Roger Davis—724-832-1582

Trustees: Dave Davis—724-834-4134

                Jim Hill—724-547-4679

                 Dale Close—724-838-1510

                Dave Smith—724-523-5311

Committees:

Game dinner—Pete Hawley—724-925-7165

Hunter Ed.—Jim Hill—724-547-4679

Kitchen—Bob Mull—724-423-8585

Youngwoodsmen—Dave Davis—724-834-4134

Membership—Ken Carlson—724-925-3610

                       Dan Henry—724-925-8788

YHEC – Dale Close – 724-838-1510

            John Zombar – 724-925-1992

Ranges and Grounds:

Rifle and small bore – Bill Petrakis – 724-423-7329

Pistol Range – Mike Spychalski – 724-836-2920

Pheasant Stocking – Tony Stackewicz – 724-836-2044

Lake – Clayton Fox – 724-925-9409

Trap – Bobbie Davis – 724-832-1582

Archery & 3D – Rich Zakutney – 724-925-9409

Dog Training – Roger Davis – 724-832-1582

Shotgun/Muzzle Loader – Mark Wills—724-837-0835

Tractor – Jim Hill—724-547-4679

Clubhouse and Pavilion – Mark Wills—724-837-0835