Minutes of Pendleton Sportsman’s Club meeting on December 13, 2005

Call to Order.  Meeting opened by President Dennis Loftis at 1835.

Introduction of distinguished guests

-Mr. Jim Asmus, Wildlife Biologist for Camp Pendleton

-Mr. Vic Yoder, Head of Resource Compliance Branch

Approval of November’s minutes as published.

Report of Secretary / Treasurer.  New membership year started 1 October and previous annual membership dues expired September 30th.  27 Active paid members, 22 military / 5 civilians.  Total $1478.46, in account.

Committee Reports

a.  Membership Committee – Club membership dues are a flat fee of $20 per year and will be effective for one year from time of activation. Dues will no longer be prorated.  Dues can be paid at Club meetings or mailed in, see the Club Website, http://thesportsmansclub.netfirms.com, for mailing address.

b.  Buildings and Grounds – The Club is still looking for a permanent home for our club meetings and input is welcome.  The Club has found a building in the 24 area next to the PX and Gym, building number 24065, and has been approved for the next meeting on the 10th of January at 1830.  Please spread the word of the new location.

c.  Publicity Committee – Club Patches are available from Steve Karns the Clubs Secretary / Treasurer.  Please Contact Steve at a meeting or event about purchasing your Club patch, cost is $5.  Some Club members have sewn the Club patch on their hunting vests to publicize the Club.

d.  Hunting Committee – The duck blinds have been built for the Percolation ponds and blind locations have been identified.  Jeff Guilloz and Dave Kelley will head a working party to paint, relocate, and install the blinds, as well as, refurbish the Stuart Mesa pond blinds.  If you want to help contact them. 

e.  Fishing Committee – There are still free fishing trips available through the Dana Wharf Sportfishing.  See Fishing News on the Clubs website for information and contact one of the coordinators.

Old and unfinished business

- The Sportsman’s Club Volunteer program to assist the Game Wardens at the Warden’s Office Building was a big success.  Letters of Appreciation have been completed and submitted for the Game Wardens who continue to do an outstanding job assisting sportsmen. 

- Hunter Education Safety Course information

-Classes will be conducted by the Escondido Fish and Game Association on the second full weekend of each month except for January which will be on 21 & 22 Jan, 0730-1330 each day, cost is FREE for active duty and $10 / person for others.  Contact Larry Collins or Frank Aleisso to sign-up at 760-741-1324 or 760-743-8718.

 -Classes will be conducted by Ed Watkins at the Murrieta Police Department.  Classes are from 0900-1700,for two weekends, minimum of 16 hours of instruction.  No charge for classes.  To get more information and sign-up contact Ed Watkins at 951-461-7846.

- Rifle Sight-in/ Familiarization Fire range dates have been scheduled for March 18th,April 15th, May 13th, June 24th, July 15th, August 12th, and September 9th.  These dates have been submitted for approval to the base and the club is awaiting the response. 

-The new and existing duck blinds for both the Percolation ponds and Stuart Mesa ponds need work and maintenance completed on them.  Jeff Guilloz is in charge of duck blind working parties, contact him if you want to help.

-Discussion on when to perform clean-up and maintenance on fishing areas at Lake O’Neill and Pulgas Lake proposed that the work be conducted beginning in February 2006.  Further discussion and coordination is required and will be completed before actual work can begin.

Special Presentation.  The club was given an excellent class on why the base collects the two lower teeth and how Mr. Jim Asmus does the aging of the deer.  Specials thanks to Jim for taking time to come and give the outstanding class. 

New business

-Club needs Base certified Range Safety Officers (RSO’s) / Officers-in-Charge (OIC’s) to conduct live-fire rifle events.  Additionally, after January 1, 2006, civilian club RSO’s will be required to complete the National Rifle Association (NRA) RSO course in addition to have the Base certification.  For club members who take the NRA RSO one-day course the cost is $17 and will be paid for by the Club

-There has been another great opportunity brought to the club.  On the second or third Saturday in February the club has been asked to provide 20 Marines to take part in a duck hunt at a private club.  The Club name is Green Head and located off the Interstate 8.  The event will be totally free for these 20 Marines except for the cost of CA State license, also State and Federal Duck stamps are requested. The ammunition is included.  Please send your name and contact information to stevekarns@hotmail.com.  Volunteers will be taken and all names put into a hat to take part in the event.  Please monitor your e-mails for more information. 

-The next Club meeting will be held at a new location on January 10th at 1830 in building 24065.     

Adjournment.  Meeting adjourned at 2034.