The Outdoor Message February 2013

FEB 2013 VOL. 34 NO. 2

$2 Archery - Canoeing - Fishing - Highpower - Hunting - Pin & Plate - Pistol Shooting - Trap - Skeet - Smallbore - Sporting Clays

Braintree Rifle & Pistol’s Junior Rifle program

by Michelle Y. Siudut, Editor

On a Friday night in December, I had the opportunity to spend an hour or so at the Braintree Rifle & Pistol Club. I had heard about their Junior Rifle Program and wanted to check it out.

Mike McCabe has run the program for the last 9 years, having been involved with it for 6 years prior to that. The club has been running a junior program for 100 years. But Mike is not alone instructing

junior shooters. He said there are usually anywhere from 2 to 7 assistant instructors at the club each week.

Like most firearms programs, it’s Safety First at Braintree. When kids join the program they must first go through a comprehensive orientation on safety and instruction on the single shot .22 rifles used by the club. After that, they are allowed to shoot on one of the club’s 50 foot indoor ranges. Instructors are there to help out, but once the kids are established they are left to do what they came to do shoot.

They don’t hold competitive matches at the club. The focus of the Friday night program is more about giving youth a place to enjoy shooting, rather than compete. But certainly many of the attendees get competitive on their own and attend matches at other locations with a couple of the instructors.

Mike told me there are up to 20 kids attending on any given week. There are usually anywhere from 1 to 7 new shooters each week and that the program has seen over 300 kids

Camp Perry Open 2013

by Todd May

The winter chill is upon us, yet we yearn to travel to the home of shooting. Camp Perry, Ohio calls to the Air Rifle and Pistol shooters each winter. Yes, it is an indoor match held at the Civilian Marksmanship Center at Camp Perry, Ohio. The teams from Taunton Marksmanship Unit, Mass Rifle and Maspenock, travel 12 long hours by car to compete shoulder to shoulder with the country’s best air rifle athletes.

The competition started with the Juniors-only event on the Friday afternoon. This consisted of 3 Position Air Rifle shooting. That is Prone 20 shots, Standing 20 shots and finishing with Kneeling, 20 shots for a possible score of 600 points. Only the top eight scores would advance to the Finals.

There the top eight marksman would compete shoulder to shoulder, firing one shot at a time on command. These shots would be scored to the tenth of a point, with a 10.9 being the highest value. A possible 109 points would be at sake. For your information a world class final score is 102.

Well, the teams finished the 3P part of the match and the Taunton Marksmanship Unit had three young athletes entered into the Final. Two of them were making their first appearances on the national stage in a Final. Novices Brendan Whitaker and

in the past 12 months.

The program runs from 7 to 9:30 pm every Friday - even if that Friday is 4 days before Christmas as it was the night I attended. Those in charge are a dedicated bunch, giving these kids the chance to shoot every week. Range officers are always present as are experienced shooters and instructors.

There is a $20 annual fee for the kids to participate, but that $20 covers all supplies - club rifles (Marlin 2000 International Standard Rifle) and air rifles, ammunition (22LR), spotting scopes, slings, gloves, eye & ear protection and targets (A-17 & A-36).

There are even snacks & drinks provided each week.

Youth interested in joining the program may do so starting at age 11, up to 18. The kids don’t have to be club members to be part of the junior rifle program.

are all welcome.

The club is located at 788 Liberty Street in Braintree.

Other facilities include a trap field, 50 yard pistol, 100 yard rifle, 25 yard pistol, archery and two indoor ranges. You can find out more about the club and contact them with questions through the club website at <www.brp.org> If you are local to the South Shore area, and looking for a junior program to get your youngster involved in, check out the Braintree Rifle & Pistol Club. They are a friendly, experienced group. I really like the fact that club membership - either the youth or the parent - is not required to enjoy this program. It’s a sure sign that the interest here is just teaching kids responsibility with a gun and letting them enjoy the fun of shooting. ★

The NRA smallbore 4 position and American Rifleman Qualification Programs are supported. With a BSA Counselor/Instructor in house, Boy Scouts have the opportunity to earn their Rifle Badge through BRP. Girl Scouts, JROTC, Sea Cadets, 4H and school teams

As for each competitor at the match, we would see many personal bests achieved. TMU would bring three new rifle juniors to the match, Mass rifle would have two individuals that were first timers, and the whole Maspenock team was traveling here for the first time.

Day two and three of the CPO consisted of 60 shot standing matches

with juniors competing shoulder to shoulder with adults, some of whom are from the US Army Marksmanship Unit, the USA National Team and several college teams. Many of the juniors would again see personal bests. The TMU team would see two of their athletes advance to either Junior Finals or Open Finals on (continued on page 3)

2013 CMP 3P Air Rifle National Champion Sonya May

Alexa Aguiar joined Sonya May and 5 other athletes to compete for the Gold. In the final matchup, Alexa Aguiar would take the individual Bronze and Sonya May would stand on the highest podium for the Gold.

The Team events would see TMU on the podium, taking home a silver medal.

Outpaced by the Alexandria Junior Rifle team from PA, Alexandria would take home the Gold by one point. Great job, teams!

From left are Open Silver medalist Sonya May, Gold medalist Elizabeth Gratz and Bronze medalist Mackenzie Martin.

The Government is Coming After Your Freedoms

by Michelle Y. Siudut, Editor By now you’ve read or heard about the numerous gun control measures being offered - and in some case enacted across the country.

It was with extreme grandier that the President surrounded himself with young children when he signed 23 executive orders. Though he claimed they were for safety, the facts don’t show that to be true.

People who are bent on taking away our rights, have been waiting for just such a tragedy to exploit.

I won’t take the space here to outline the president’s plan. If you would like to review the list, you can view it at <http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/ Obama-guns-executive-orders/ 2013/01/16/id/471689> Of course, we all know that restrictions on law abiding citizens do nothing to stop crime and that in fact the opposite is true.

What’s more bothersome is that legislators across the country were more than ready to jump on the bandwagon.

With Obama’s making a concentrated effort to trample the Constitution, states across the nation have responded in different ways.

One of the most vocal cheerleaders of the attack on the second amendment is California’s Sen. Dianne Feinstein who has been chomping at the bit waiting for just such an opportunity. As this issue heads to the printer, she is preparing to present her modified “assault weapons

ban”.

Although the 1994 ban was not renewed because it was deemed ineffective by the FBI, she is reaching her talons ever further.

This ban goes far beyond the 1994 language by including handguns and shotguns, in addition to rifles and changing the definition of assault weapons by requiring only one the cosmetic features listed. Also included would be magazine limiations, gun owner registration, investigation of anyone who is grandfathered, a $200 tax for every registration, and forfeiture of those guns upon death.

That is on the national level. Some states are calling for more laws while others are denouncing enforcement of such laws if enacted.

Just in New England, we see a great difference in approach.

In Vermont Sen. Phil Baruth, DChittenden County introduced a bill which would have banned assault-style weapons and capped the number of rounds in a magazine to five. But the idea has been shelved as Baruth realized there is not enough support in the Statehouse or among Vermonters to pass it.

And why should they? With virtually no “gun control” Vermont has one of the lowest crime rates in the nation.

Maine officials say they plan to discuss proposals, but in a more logical

fashion than New York, where a bill that was rammed through their legislature is already being amended. Maine has no interest in rushing through legislation, preferring to let emotions settle and give them time to organize public hearings around common issues and gather background information.

Although no language is yet available, their approach will likely include improving gun safety education; upgrading school security; banning highcapacity magazines; requiring background checks for gun shows and private sales; and restricting access to firearms for the mentally ill.

One bill that has been filed by Senator David Burns of Washington County will allow teachers to carry guns at school.

They would need permission, a training course, certificate & physchiatric exam.

In New Hampshire so far what I have seen is a bill to restrict the use of deadly force. A couple of years ago the “stand your ground” law was enacted making it legal to use deadly force. The current bill would limit that to only in the home.

Hundreds of gun owners turned out for the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee hearting in opposition to the bill. I haven’t seen any further proposals.

Rhode Island seems to be taking a “let’s wait and see approach” with some legislators more oncerned with reviewing current gun laws on the books, rather than

by Michelle Y. Siudut, Editor On January 19, law abiding gun owners in every state in the nation rallied at their Capitals to condemn ideas of further gun regulations. As a gun owner, we do not think of restrictions as “gun control”. Gun control to us, is good aim! We know that the control the government seeks is not really over guns - but over the people.

Many in modern society are complacent - or sometimes I think of it more as being numb. Things happen, laws get enacted and we look around at each other, shrug our shoulders and ask, “Well what can I do?”

You can do something. You can - and you must.

The government is intervening in all

aspects of our lives. they are telling us how to live, how to spend our money, what to believe, and what we can and cannot say. They are telling us what we can and cannot own.

And yet they hold themselves accountable for nothing. They spend our money on a great number of things that the American government has no business supporting. The government has grown way larger than it was intended.

It is time, all good Patriots, to raise our voices. Phone calls, letters, emails and visits to our legislators.

We all have busy lives. But we cannot let that stop us from putting forth every effort to protect our rights, to protect our

freedoms - for ourselves, and yes FOR OUR CHILDREN. I attended the rally in Concord NH. There were many children there, from toddlers in their parents arms to teenagers. There was a college group with two lovely young women, carrying a sign for Young Americans for Liberty (UNH Manchester chapter), each with sidearms.

There is hope, seeing these young people stepping up to defend their freedoms.

When much of society has cries out what-can-i-get-forfree?, these young people are looking at the future.

Commenting on the day, SAF Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb said, "More than a million American citizens attended rallies at their state capitols and other places, visited gun shows or gun shops, or went hunting or shooting at a local range. These were patriotic, law-abiding people exercising their First Amendment rights to protect

Rallies Across the Country

THE

Outdoor Message New England’s most active outdoor people

The Outdoor Message (USPS 790-980, ISSN 027-8053) is published monthly by the Outdoor Message Cooperative, Inc., 37 Pierce Street, Northborough, MA 01532.

Periodicals postage is paid at Northborough, MA and at additional mailing offices. A subscription to The Outdoor Message is available through membership in one of the member groups, through single subscriptions by postal mail for $10 annually or via electronic means for $6 annually. Permission is hereby granted to reprint material in this publication that does not contain a byline as long as credit is given to The Outdoor Message. Written permission must be obtained from the author to reprint articles with a byline.

Publisher: Michael D. Yacino Editor: Michelle Yacino Siudut

MEMBER GROUPS: Rhode Island Rifle & Revolver Association, Holyoke Revolver Club, The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation, Maspenock Rod & Gun Club, South Fitchburg Hunting & Fishing Club, Independent Sportsmen’s Club, Standish Sportsman’s Association, Hanson Rod & Gun Club, Wrentham Sportsmen’s Association, Fin, Fur & Feather Club of Wellesley and Natick, Woodville Rod & Gun Club, Cape Cod Fish & Game Association, Uxbridge Rod & Gun Club, Ayer Gun and Sportsmen’s Club, Fitchburg Sporsmen’s Club and Barre Sportsmen’s Club.

The editorials and articles appearing in this paper do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of all subscribers or contributors. Although sportsmen, in general, support each others views, they may occasionally differ over certain controversial issues. Each group’s articles reflect that group’s own position.

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To request advertising information or to submit materials to The Outdoor Message mail to 37 Pierce Street, PO Box 306 Northborough MA 01532; phone 603-642-4628; fax 603-6424327; e-mail editor@theoutdoormessage.com. Information is available at www.theoutdoormessage.com.

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just throwing more laws into the mix.

And then there is Massachusetts. Gov. Patrick has recommended a long list of proposals which would include a mental health database, the creation of 4 new gun crimes (2 of which are already law). There would be increased penalties for third and fourth offenses for illegal possession, (my question here is why not punish them on the first offense?). It reduces access to high powered rounds of annunition, limits purchases to one gun a month and requires that all private sales must go through a dealer so they can be tracked electronically. The proposal also aims to target criminal activiy for gangs and a few other things.

Those who believe in firearms ownership have a fight ahead. We must work overtime to retain the rights we have. Well, let me correct that. Our rights are our rights, God-given and inalienable.

The government has no business negotiating them. But they will try and indeed are trying.

It is encumbent upon all of us, to write letters, make phone calls, visit legislators.

Talk to your firends who may not be gun owners and get them involved.

The attack on the second amendment is an attack on ALL liberties, an attack on the very foundation of our nation. We must fight back. ★

their Second Amendment rights."

When I was younger and my momma would take us somewhere, she would always say, “We must leave it in better condition that we found it.” She meant picking up our trash at the park. But we must expand our view beyond the park to leave a better country, a better world, than we have. ★

Range Money for Clubs

by Michael D Yacino Does your club need money?

Do you have ranges or access to them or shooting programs that could use financial help? Well you may be in luck because the Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife has $50,000 of grant money to give away.

The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation in cooperation with the Plymouth County League of Sportsmen, will host a public information seminar on range grants. Speaking at this function will be Tom O’Shea, assistant director of Mass Wildlife.

When I spoke with Tom he explained how very few clubs had requested consideration for a piece of the $50,000

Outdoor Message

allocated each year for “range development and improvement of activities in order to provide public access for hunter education and shooting sports purposes.” By attending this meeting, club officials can learn how to apply and get answers to any questions they might have.

The seminar will take place at the Standish Sportsman’s Club, 1 Burr Lane, East Bridgewater, Massachusetts at 7 pm on April 18th, 2013. Please contact Michelle Kirouac at Foundation Headquarters, 508-393-5133 to reserve spots. There is no charge to attend and light refreshments will be available. ★ February 2013

Camp Perry Open 2013 (continued from page 1) these two days. The top eight Open competitors and the top eight Junior competitors would advance to the new Finals Format. The new Finals format consisted of all standing shots, two 3 shot strings to be fired in 150 seconds, then two shots to be fired in 50 seconds each.

After shot number 8, it gets interesting.

This is the time they start dropping the lowest scoring finalists, until only two competitors remain standing to battle it out for the Gold. Fate can be decided on one shot. Who can shoot the highest scoring shot consistently? The finals are scored in decimal scoring, with a perfect

Mackenzie Martin in “the zone”.

score of 218 points. Very hard to achieve.

That would be shooting all 10.9.

Mackenzie Martin and Sonya May would be competing in the Junior Final on Day one. Mackenzie would battle through the other competitors to finish in Third place for the Bronze on Day One. Sonya would advance until it was just her and one other Junior Athlete competing for the Gold.

Sonya would take Silver (205.6) to USA National Junior Team member, Elizabeth Gratz, (206.6) from Indiana.

Day Two of the Standing competition would see more personal bests. Some would beat yesterdays performances, some would fall to the Camp Perry travel fatigue. Again TMU would see two of their team travel to the Finals.

This time Sonya May would make the Open and the Junior Finals, while Mackenzie Martin would make the Junior Finals.

Sonya would finish the finals with a 203.3 to take home the Silver in the Junior category on Day two also. Mackenzie would finish just out of the medal contention, but put up a huge score. At the end of that day’s competition there is an Photo by Todd May event called the SUPER

FINAL. Well, it is just that, a Super Final. The top 10 men and the top 10 women compete shoulder to shoulder for the prize. This year’s event would see many fall by the way after only 10 record shots, in five minutes.

Quite the amount of pressure.

M a c k e n z i e Alexa Aguiar demonstrates absolute focus. Photo by Todd May Martin and room for Sonya May to advance with a Sonya May would be part of this year’s higher shot. The audience is quiet in Super Final. Mackenzie would last all the anticipation as Sonya squeezes off her last way up to 5th place. Mind you now, each shot. A 9.9. Some of the most exciting time the command to start is given, the matches are decided upon the very last audience is as big a part of the final as the shot. So it was a clean sweep of Silver for shooters. There is loud music playing Sonya May at the CPO and Mackenzie from the speakers, Mass Rifle thought in would have a Bronze, Alexa would have a advance to bring loud whistles and noise Bronze and the TMU team would all have makers. The audience is cheering and a Silver. There were ten appearances in jeering. Calling names and screaming at finals for New England Athletes. the competitors to not choke. In the end it For athletes who are competing at this would come down to an Adult Woman level, it is amazing to me to see the and a Junior Woman competing for the consistency that they display in their top prize. Last year’s winner Ann Alves performances. To truly be a part of the and last year’s last remaining Junior, rifle each and every time they make their Sonya May would battle it out to the last shot count. shot. Ann Alves, with nerves of steel Camp Perry 2014 awaits you and your would fire first. A 10.0. This would leave team. ★

Mass Junior Conservation Camp News

Program Update

by Michael Yacino, Camp Treasurer The Camp is now in full swing and as of the 12th of January we had 64 slots already reserved out of the 120 possible camper spaces. Half of the girl positions were part of that number and that means by the time you read this the girl’s group may already be filled!

As you might imagine the past few years we have had a long waiting list to attend this very special and unique outdoor educational program. Our camp offers two weeks of specialized training in archery, rifle, pistol and shotgun shooting, fishing, boating and a variety of other outdoor activities not found anywhere else in the Commonwealth.

On January 5th we held a staff meeting at noontime where members were able to critique last summer’s schedule and begin developing a very detailed manual of operations. Every instructor has been asked to prepare a summary of what they do, what materials are needed to effectively administer their segment and what qualifications are needed for those providing the learning experience.

We also began to build upon our base of possible staffers so that in the years ahead the natural attrition will not encumber the camp’s ability to continue without interruption. Aside from the instructors, most staff are counselors and junior counselors who have recently attended as campers and wish to return as staff. Because of college and early job commitments this group has regular turnovers. We seek staff that complements our program by being hunters, fishermen and shooters in general so they can talk of their experiences when the nightly fireside camp sessions take place at the respective sites.

In addition we have begun to create an annual “wish list” of equipment and expendable supplies needed for the program. For instance, we are looking for 20,000 rounds of standard .22 ammunition which would handle all the rifle and pistol shooting (ELEY club or

February 2013

Federal 711B are the recommended choices). In shotgun generally 5000 rounds of 12 gauge and 20 gauge shotshells will do the trick and we prefer number 8’s of Winchester AA’s or an equivalent low brass target load commonly used in trap. We also use approximately 30 cases of biodegradable targets in shotgun shooting each year.

We had announced the need for a siton-top style kayak for our water safety program and thanks to the generosity of Gerry Lemire owner of <www.theelusivewhitetail.com> we now have one. Thanks Gerry! All contributions are fully tax deductible under the law because the Camp is tax exempt under the IRS Code as a 501(c)3 corporation.

If you haven’t yet reserved your camper’s spot, call Michelle Kirouac at 508-393-5133 now. Visit the camp at www.juniorconservationcamp.org for more information.

Attending Camp in 2013

by Michelle Kirouac, Camp Administrator The dates for the 2013 camp session will be Sunday, August 4th – Friday, August 16th. The 2013 Camp applications and other paperwork are available at, <www.juniorconservationcamp.org> and reservations are now be accepted.

The camp cost for 2013 is $650 and a 50% deposit is due at time of reservation.

The remainder of the funds will be due no later than May 1st and no refunds will be issued after that date.

Anyone sponsoring campers should submit their campers names within 60 days of reserving their spots but no later than April 1st. When reserving spots, please identify whether campers will be male or female. If you reserve spots for unknown campers, this will not guarantee a female spot! Clubs who have sponsored campers in the past have received their mailing.

If you do not receive a sponsorship mailing and would like one sent to you, please call the camp at 508-450-4150.

We are looking forward to another The

successful camp year!

Junior Camp Holds Elections

On January 5, 2013 at 3PM the Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp held its annual board of directors meeting and elections. The new slate includes President Stephen Johnson, Secretary Ellie Horwitz, Treasurer Michael D. Yacino, Directors Brian Bastarache, Emily Johnson, Jon Green, Gerry Lemire, and Wayne MacCallum. The board also approved two members of the corporation Kevin McGovern and Michelle Siudut.

President Johnson accepted the official resignation of Nancy Snow and Richard Burrell who had served for many years.

Mrs. Horwitz who was approved as a member in the early stages of the new camp corporation was unanimously elected to replace Mrs. Snow who had served as secretary for more than 20 years.

There is now an opening on the board and based on communications and participation by several young past and present supporters there will be more changes before the year is out. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the board will take place in August. ★

THIS MONTH in The Outdoor Message

SP EC IAL A RTI CLES

Access Remains Chief Concern Among Hunters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 5 Coach (Level 1) Certification Course . .Page 14 Editorial: Will Anyone Ever Learn? .Page 10 Handheld Firearms . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 7 Maspenock Junior Rifle League . . . .Page 5 SHOT Show Golf event Raises $100,000 for Military Groups . . . .Page 10 NRA BB Sectional . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 5

Outdoor Users; Thank a Landowner Today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4 Rallies Across the Country . . . . . . . .Page 2 Range Money for Clubs . . . . . . . . . .Page 2 The Government is Coming After Your Freedoms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 2 Trout Unlimited Respond to FDA Finding on Genetically Engineered Salmon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 10

Classifieds ..........................................Page 25 Gun Owners’ Buyers Guide...............Page 12 Hap’s Corner ......................................Page 6 Hipshots & Hangfires ........................Page 4 Hunting Around New England ..........Page 5 In Pop’s Pantry...................................Page 6 Maine Fisheries & Wildlife ...............Page 9

MassWildlife News............................Page 8 NH Fish & Game News.....................Page 9 Notes from the Little Cabin...............Page 6 The Sportsman’s Calendar.................Page 26 Vermont Fish & Wildlife News .........Page 9 What’s In America’s Backyard? ........Page 7

Ayer Gun & Sportsmen's Club . . . . .Page 19 Barre Sportsmen’s Club . . . . . . . . . .Page 21 Cape Cod Fish & Game Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 15 Fin, Fur & Feather Club of Wellesley and Natick . . . . . . . . . .Page 21 Fitchburg Sportsmen’s Club . . . . . . .Page 11 Hanson Rod & Gun Club . . . . . . . . .Page 24 Holyoke Revolver Club . . . . . . . . . .Page 20 Independent Sportsmen’s Club . . . . .Page 28 Maspenock Rod & Gun Club . . . . . .Page 19

Rhode Island State Rifle & Revolver Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 17 South Fitchburg Hunting & Fishing Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 23 Standish Sportsman’s Association . .Page 25 The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 12 Uxbridge Rod & Gun Club . . . . . . . .Page 22 Woodville Rod & Gun Club . . . . . . .Page 16 Wrentham Sportsmen’s Association .Page 18

FEATUR E AR TI CLES

The

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Outdoor Message

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Outdoor Users: Thank A Landowner Today

by MassWildlife

With the New Year just beginning and our fishing, hunting, or wildlife related adventures becoming special memories, it's time to remember the private landowners who, through their generosity, helped make these experiences possible.

"Access to fishing, hunting, hiking or watching wildlife is a privilege provided by landowners," says Marion Larson, MassWildlife Information and Education Chief. "Let them know you appreciate it.

If you have been recreating on local land trust or other private non-profit conservation lands, be sure to include those groups on your thank-you list."

Larson offers the following suggestions

for hunters, anglers and other outdoor users when thanking private property owners who allow access for outdoor recreation: - Be thoughtful and personal in expressing your appreciation, treating the landowner as you would like to be treated.

If you are mentoring a new or young hunter, angler, birder or naturalist, include him or her in the process of thanking the landowner.

- Visit the landowner at the end of the season to express your appreciation in person; if possible, provide him or her with some of your fish and game harvest, share images, or a list of the wildlife you

Hipshots & Hangfires

by Mike Yacino

On the eve of the celebration of the birth of Christ….we call Christmas Eve…..a soldier was taken home. He was a man I had been honored to have known and worked with in our Second Amendment cause for over 40 years. I never saw him say no to helping with time or money and when it came to young people he dug deeper than anyone I know.

When I worked with the Boy Scouts out at Chesterfield to rebuild their ranges so we could run the entire spectrum of the shooting programs for the Junior Conservation Camp, he volunteered his time and equipment to get the job done.

He also volunteered his son and his equipment and lined up the men and women needed to move that equipment from place to place. He wanted no money and even resisted when I had fuel brought in to fill his heavy equipment.

He was Dick Desmarais of Hawley, MA. Even in his passing by his will there will be two spots for juniors to attend camp coming from the Ashfield Rod and Gun club for many years to come. He was a true warrior and I send my sincere condolences to his family and long list of friends.

The news is typical following a mass shooting that has left a lot of questions unanswered. I do not believe in coincidences with this stuff nor did I when Clinton was in office. Gun confiscation is anti-American and anyone suggesting such a thing should be removed from the country. Ammo bans, taxes on what guns are out there LEGALLY, insurance costs, and all the rest are the workings of what my generation called Communists and whoever supports such things is my enemy.

That includes Scott Brown and any republican who joins the socialists in the democratic party. We should remove the United Nations from American soil as they are preaching anti-American advocacy to young and old as citizens tour that facility. For the skeptics who say it won’t happen here……just look at the election results. IT DID HAPPEN HERE ✦ ✦ ✦

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and mostly because of stupid voters who have selfishly been duped into believing they will benefit in every way from government handouts. The American Indian was sucker-punched into that position and look what they got.

I also do not believe you can trust the police or the military to “do the right thing” if ordered to begin the house to house searches being proposed. More stupidity there also. Look at what happened in New Orleans after Katrina.

Arm yourselves and be prepared as our Founders were to put everything on the line or get ready to be marched into the showers or lined up in the fields because that is the future of our great nation under the leadership now in office.

Gun dealers are receiving a letter from the state saying that they will not release the names and addresses of gun owners to the media. OF COURSE NOT. I wrote the law that protects that information and Gov. King signed it back in 1982. I refer you to Chapter 66 of the General Laws Section 10(d). It all came about because the Boston “Glob” wanted to publish the list of machine gun licensees. Thanks to Sen. Tom White, the late Speaker Tom McGee, Sen. President William Bulger and the late Gov. Ed King we stopped that foolishness in 17 hours!

I suspect the letter was sent because as many know a New York newspaper, The Journal News up in the Hudson Valley, actually had online maps of where licensed gun owners live. A reader could click on the map and gets names and addresses of pistol license holders. ✦ ✦ ✦

“Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him, better take a closer look at the American Indian.” Henry Ford said that many years ago. ✦ ✦ ✦

This line comes from a letter to the editor in the Worcester Telegram, “Statistics are generally used like a drunk uses a light pole: for support, not illumination.”

GUNS

✦ ✦ ✦

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BOUGHT - SOLD - REPAIRED 443 Fitchburg Road, Corner of Rte. 31 & 124 - Mason, NH 03048 Phone 603-878-2854 Fax 603-878-3905 Hours MON-FRI 10 am - 7 pm; SAT 9 am - 6 pm; SUN Noon - 4 pm

WE GUARANTEE THE NEW & USED GUNS WE SELL The

suspicious or illegal activities to the Environmental Police at 800-632-8075.

"Hunting, fishing, birding, and other wildlife-related activities are traditions that will continue only if everyone follows the basic principles of being a responsible outdoor recreationist," Larson said. "Take a few moments to reflect on our outdoor traditions, including the importance of access to private lands in maintaining these traditions. What can you in 2013 to ensure that these recreational opportunities will continue to be available to you and future generations of outdoor users?" ★

Did you see the one on the internet about the professor who was an atheist and challenged God saying if He existed he should prove it by knocking him down. He even gave God 15 minutes to do so and after waiting Between Mike Yacino (left) and Ron RIcci (right) stands the 10 minutes boldly greatest Governor Massachusetts had, Gov. Ed King.

Photo by Nancy Passavant, 1980 stated “I’m still w a i t i n g ” . ✦ ✦ ✦ Apparently in the classroom was a Marine By the way please remember the student who walked up and cold cocked Massachusetts Shooters Foundation when the professor. you are doing any estate planning.

When that professor woke up and Leaving a contribution as a part of your chastised the Marine asking why he did legacy will ensure that young people that, the soldier calmly replied, “God was never forget there is a lot of opportunity in too busy today protecting American this great country for those who care soldiers who are protecting your right to enough to do their very best. say stupid shit and act like an idiot. So he ✦ ✦ ✦ sent me!” SEMPER FI. CONGRATULATIONS to Sonya May ✦ ✦ ✦

Football players, soccer players, hockey players, basketball players and all those getting in the ring in hand to hand boxing or other sport of violent behavior are having substantial issues with brain trauma and its impact in the area of suicides and other anti-social activity.

Has anyone ever heard of that happening in the shooting sports? Just curious. ✦ ✦ ✦

I forgot to tell you this one last month, which comes from the gun buyback program run in Worcester by the “gem” of a police chief and other public safety officials. It seems that all the clamor about getting guns off the street and destroying them so the guns won’t jump up and commit a crime was somewhat silenced when a “vintage Japanese rifle from WWII was turned in for a $25 Walmart card. Some UMass surgeon said he thought a museum should have the piece preserved for historical reasons.

Hypocrisy at its worst and from an alleged educated man participating in the public fraud known as gun buybacks where the government gets to cheat senior citizens out of the market value of a product under the false pretense of public safety. ✦ ✦ ✦

There are a host of clubs running gun shows where you can get some great buys.

Check out the one at Standish Sportsman’s Club in East Bridgewater February 2-3. Stop by the booth for the Massachusetts Shooters Foundation and make a contribution or purchase one of the many items the Foundation has for sale to raise money for its junior programs. ✦ ✦ ✦

w w w. s l g u n s h o p . c o m

Page 4

discovered on their property.

- Send a personal note or card thanking him or her for the opportunity to use their land. Consider giving a small gift such as a certificate to a local restaurant, a gift basket, or a subscription to Massachusetts Wildlife magazine. In the case of a nonprofit landowner, make a donation or join their organization.

- Offer to assist with tasks around the property that would be helpful, or identify, clean up and properly dispose of any illegal dumping that has occurred.

- Assist the landowner in protecting the property by documenting and reporting

Outdoor Message

the 2013 CMP National 3 Position Air Rifle Champion and Alexa Aguiar who took second place nationwide. The Taunton Marksmanship Unit just keeps producing the best of the best.

I have learned that there isn’t a one size fits all formula for success but the one for failure is always trying to please everyone. ✦ ✦ ✦

BIRTHDAYS include Kim Golinski on the 3rd, My dear friend from PA Judy McGinnis on the 10th, Dee Bonney on the 17th, Seth and Carol’s favorite daughter Judy Candage on the 19th, the greatest hog hunter south of the Florida border Larry Tavares on the 20th, and my good pal from Anchorage, AK Wayne Anthony Ross who hits the big 70 on the 25th. You finally can get a free license partner!

DAYS to remember are Boy Scouts of America on the 8th celebrating 103, Lincoln’s Birthday on the 12th when you fly the Flag at full staff, Valentine Day the 14th (I like chocolate presents too), and Presidents day on the 18th when you fly the Flag at full staff. There will be a new moon on the 10th and its full on the 25th. ✦ ✦ ✦

I know there will be some hard times this year for a lot of people. Focus on the good, trust in yourself and never let the negative people or situations take over your life. Believe in your ability to rise above the unjust or the difficult issues you face and walk with those who care. Do not acquiesce to lies or deceptions and rely on your instincts when making a judgment about who is good and who may not be.

And say a prayer for our troops…..God Bless. Stay safe. ★ ✦ ✦ ✦

February 2013

Maspenock Jr. Rifle League Second Match Results

by James Lee

The second match of the 4 match season was held January 5, 2013 at the Southborough Rod and Gun club. In total 43 competitors from Harvard Sportsman Association, Holliston Sportsmen’s Association, Marlborough Fish and Game, Maspenock Rod and Gun Club, Maynard Rod and Gun and Southborough Rod and Gun Club participated.

In the team match Harvard took first place with an aggregate of 914 based on the scores of Mark Vicik, Anne Donaldson, Dana Cochrane and Haley Dickenson. Marlborough took second place with an aggregate of 817 based on the scores of Colton Valchuis, Will Aube, Gianna Ferrecchia and Paul Ferrecchia.

Maynard took third with an aggregate of 774 based on the scores of Ben Whitcomb, Bendan Crowe, Bennett Skoletsky and Alex Biehl.

Overall team league standings are: Harvard: 1823 Maspenock: 1692 Marlborough: 1681 Maynard: 1450 Southborough: 1314

Holliston 1200 While many of the teams turned in lower scores due to having some of their expert marksmen at the Junior Olympic Qualifier match, congratulations go to the Maynard team for an almost 100 point improvement in their second league match, having just joined the league this season.

Individual high scores for prone only go to Marcus Mojica of Maspenock with a 279, Ryan Moore (Marlborough) 265 and David Akker (Marlborough) 239.

Individual high scores for three-position were Mark Vicik (Harvard) 259, Laura Kacir (Maspenock) 256, and Dan Reynolds (Maspenock) 248. These Pictured Left to Right: Marcus Mojica (Maspenock), Ryan Moore (Marlborough), Three-Position scores in the 250 range Zach Resendes (Marlborough), Billy Soto (Marlborough), Wyatt Moberg (Harvard), help these young marksmen achieve their Nick Perline (Harvard), Luke Lea (Marlborough). expert qualification where they need to score 230, 240 and 250 (or better) in clubs have fully filled programs, contact coaches, competitors parents and other matches to receive their expert rating. the clubs to find opportunities for your volunteers well fed with breakfast and The league will hold two more child to participate. lunch. matches in February and March, followed Many thanks go out to the head About the Author: James Lee is a by a banquet in April. Contact any of the coaches of the teams, the assistant volunteer assistant coach in the league coaches at any of the clubs to volunteer to coaches and volunteers and especially the and is the publicist for the league.★ help. Some clubs have openings and some Southborough kitchen crew who kept

Access Remains Chief Concern Among Hunters

February 2013

which report their results to the NRA. You have quite a bit of time to get your scores in, too. The 2013 season starts as soon as the Times Square Ball comes to a halt on January 1 and continues through midApril.

There's no need to travel half-way across the country to compete. If you can make it to a sectional tournament you're golden. And with around 300 sectionals held across the country, it's pretty hard not to be near one. After the top scores are compiled here at headquarters, results are announced and awards are mailed out easy.

"We've been getting a lot of requests to do this for the past few years," National Rifle Manager HQ Moody told us. "This year we finally got the budget room and, because our goal is to keep supporting our shooters, we did it."

BB Gun is joining the Junior Championship while Light Rifle will become a part of Open championship.”

Please be sure to contact Sid so that we know who is interested in participating.

We look forward to seeing the shooters (15 and under) perform their best with the BB Guns. ★ The

Check The Sportsman’s Calendar on page 26.

Hunting Around New England

MASSACHUSETTS

CONNECTICUT

Please be sure to verify dates and daily limits in the state regulations or on the individual state websites. Waterfowl hunting dates can also be found on websites.

MAINE

Junior Coaches please be aware that an NRA BB Sectional is planned to be held at The Taunton Rifle and Pistol Club (TRPC) in Taunton, MA on March 23, 2013. The TRPC has agreed to hold this sectional at the request of the NRA to help promote this new sectional. We’re looking for coaches or shooters to contact Sid Martin (sidm3@aol.com or 774-4737934) to indicate interest in participating in the postal by February 22, 2013 so that we can gauge how many targets, target stands etc. that we’ll need for the tournament.

From the NRA blog “Expecting to bring in hundreds of new competitors, the annual NRA National Indoor Championships are adding BB Gun and Light Rifle to its list of championships starting in 2013.

The Indoor Championships, which already see participation in the thousands for its rifle, pistol and collegiate championships, are one of the easiest ways to get involved with the shooting sports.”

Unlike NRA matches shot at one range such as the Bianchi Cup or Camp Perry, the Indoor Championships are fired at local tournaments called “sectionals,"

seven percent of those respondents said they acquired access to another property where they were able to hunt more than planned. ★

NH

NRA BB Sectional

affected by losing access to available hunting land.

“Finding a place to hunt remains one of the biggest challenges to hunters and hunter recruitment” claimed Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, which helps companies and conservation leaders make better decisions through their research. “As available lands for hunting diminish or change ownership, some hunters will inevitably grow frustrated and pursue other activities.”

Indeed, more than half (52 percent) of those respondents who admitted to losing access to a hunting location said their time spent hunting last year was reduced as a result—a seven percent increase over the previous year—while 11 percent said the lost land kept them from hunting altogether. Only

RI

When asked in a HunterSurvey.com <http://www.HunterSurvey.com/> poll if access to any of the places they tried to hunt in the past year had been restricted or placed off limits to them, nearly 23 percent of hunters said it had. When compared to the previous year’s results to the same question, hunters who lost land access grew by less than one percent, a statistically insignificant bump, but their numbers still reveal that nearly one in four sportsmen nationwide are potentially

VERMONT

by Donna Leonard, Southwick Associates

Need a Firearm s Safety or Basic Pis tol course?

Phone: 860-424-3011 HTTP://WWW.CT.GOV/DEP/CWP/VIEW.ASP?A=2700&Q=323414&DEPNA V_GID=1633 COYOTE: Open through Apr 23 COTTONTAIL RABBIT, CROW, GRAY SQUIRREL: Open through Feb 28 DEER - Archery on Private Land Open through Jan 31 PHEASANT, RED FOX, GRAY FOX: Open through Feb 28

Phone: 508-389-6300 http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/regulations/abstracts/abstracts.htm No closed season on ENGLISH SPARROW, STARLING, CHIPMUNK, FLYING SQUIRREL, RED SQUIRREL, WEASEL, PORCUPINE, SKUNK, SNAPPING TURTLE, WOODCHUCK BOBCAT Zones 1-8: Open through Mar 8 COTTONTAIL, FOX (RED AND GRAY): Open through Feb 28 COYOTE: Open through Mar 8 CROW: Open through Apr 10 SNOWSHOE HARE Zones 1-4: Open through Feb 28 Zones 5-14: Open through Feb 2 Phone: 207-287-8000 http://www.eregulations.com/maine/hunting/ No closed season on COYOTE, WOODCHUCK, PORCUPINE, RED SQUIRREL BOBCAT: Open through Feb 14 COYOTE night hunt: Open through Aug 31 CROW WMDs 1-6: Feb 6 through Apr 15 WMDs 7-29: Open through Mar 31 FOX: Open through Feb 28 SNOWSHOE HARE: Open through Mar 31 Phone: 603-271-3211 http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/pubs/hunting.html No closed season on COYOTE, WOODCHUCK COYOTE: Night hunting Open through Mar 31 FOX (Red and Gray), OPOSSUM, SKUNK, RACCOON: Open through Mar 31 MINK, MUSKRAT, WEASEL varies by WMU: Open through Apr 10 SNOWSHOE HARE varies by WMU: Open through Mar 31 Phone: 401-222-6800 http://www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/regs/index.htm#FandW No closed season on COYOTE (private land only) CROW, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays only: Open through Apr 15 FOX (Red and Gray), GRAY SQUIRREL, COTTONTAIL RABBITS, SNOWSHOE HARE: Open through Feb 28 RING-NECKED PHEASANT: Open through Feb 28

Phone: 802-241-3700 http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/Calendar_of_events.cfm?eventcat=hunt&date range=future No closed season on COYOTE BOBCAT: Open through Feb 7 HARE & RABBIT: Open through Mar 10 RED AND GRAY FOX: Open through Feb 10 ★

Outdoor Message

Page 5

Notes from the Little Cabin: Let’s Hear it For Simplicity

by Paul Kress

I like things plain and simple - solid, no frills. Bolt action riles, double barreled shotguns, side-by-sides with two triggers preferred. The farmhouse I lived in between the two world wars. No electricity, no indoor plumbing, heating by wood burning stoves. Can’t get much simpler than that. Best of all from the time I was very small until I grew up I had a room of my own. Unburdened with extra furniture. It was a small room but with space enough for a chest of drawers and several hooks on the wall in case I should have an attack of neatness and want to hang my clothes up. With a little adjustment the hooks did make an acceptable gun rack when I got my first .22 rifle. The chest was a handy place to store my valuables like ammunition, extra pocket knives, slingshots and my threecell flashlight - the envy of all coon hunters around the settlement of Locust

Ridge. I did have a fine bed.

Big enough for me and two or possibly three fox hounds to sleep comfortably. Never got to test the bed’s full capacity after the unfortunate night I sneaked in a grumpy old hound and a fun loving pup.

Don’t know how it started.

Must have been asleep. Loud barking, shouting and cussing, I was shocked.

Didn’t know my mother knew all those bad words. Orders came down. No compromise. Only one dog at a time. One more incident and all hounds would forever sleep in their beds in the barn. It was my first experience with blatant discrimination.

I didn’t give up. All it would take was patience and diplomacy. Patience from me and diplomacy from the hounds. We had

one big thing going for us.

Mother liked things plain and simple and the dogs were all of that. Not a mean bone in their bodies.

The worst they ever did was to occasionally annoy a fox. Everything was going perfectly. Whenever mother came outside the house or visited the barn a dog rushed over - a lot of tail wagging and hand licking. I thought that sometimes the pups overdid it. It was working. I knew we had it made the day I caught mother scratching a dog behind the ears and telling it that he was the finest hound around. Then tragedy struck.

Some might say it was Buck’s fault. He was the senior dog and should have known better. But we were all victims of circumstances. It was one of those midwest steamy hot August days. The barn was an oven. The dogs had scattered around the place, in the orchard and under the lilac bushes in the yard looking for shade and a bit of breeze. Then Buck found the perfect spot, a strip of cool damp ground. He immediately set out to build a summer resting place. Just as it was finished to his satisfaction he was interrupted by a pail full of cold well water. There was a lot of yelping, shouting and cussing. Buck had dug a deep hole in the middle of mother’s flower garden.

Mother always had a forgiving nature.

Not this time. Never again did a dog spend a night in the house. On the bright side I didn’t have to join them in the barn. ★

sport, is passed around like the first born at a baptism or briss. Each player and staff member of the winning team is allowed to keep the Cup in their possession for 24 hours during the summer following the play offs.

The past adventures of the Stanley Cup make the 14 year disappearance of the Leech Cup seem like a fortnight in a monastery.

Apparently concurrent possession of the Stanley Cup, alcohol, and questionable judgment enjoy a long and storied relationship. For openers, after the Ottawa Silver Seven won it in 1905 they quickly began a pub crawl of Brobdingnagian proportions with the Cup in tow. In the shank of the night, after imbibing more than a few, several of the Seven thought it would be interesting to see if they could boot the trophy across the Rideau Canal which connects the city of Ottawa on the Ottawa River, to the city of Kingston on Lake Ontario. The Cup disappeared in a soaring arc into the darkness and never made it across.

Fortunately the Rideau was frozen and the players were able to retrieve it the following morning after they came to their senses.

The Montreal Wanderers won it in 1907 and proudly took their picture with the cup. Some months later they realized that no one knew the whereabouts of the trophy. Retracing their steps they eventually arrived at the photographer’s home where they found it holding the photographer’s mother’s prized geraniums.

The Montreal Canadiens proudly took possession of the Cup in 1924 and tucked it safely away in the trunk of the car taking them to the post game celebration.

On the way the vehicle had a flat. The jack and spare were dug out and the tire quickly replaced. The exuberant hockey players arrived at the banquet hall and quickly uncorked a few Jeroboams of champagne to fill the Cup for a victory toast, only to find that they didn’t have it with them. They piled back into the car

a n d frantically drove back to where they changed the tire and, much to their relief, found the Cup sitting forlornly in a snow bank three kilometers from the hotel.

Mark Messier, who won six Stanley Cups with both the Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers, used to bring it to his favorite Edmonton strip club and let patrons drink out of it. When he dented it in 1998 he simply brought it to a local auto body repair shop to have it repaired.

More than one player has proudly posed his naked infant child in the cup for a celebratory photograph without regard to the child’s state of potty training. The results were inevitable when the baby was startled by the flash bulbs and excitement.

The Cup has been put to more bucolic and domestic use by others. Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sylvain Lefebvre, after insuring that La Coupe Stanley was sterilized I am sure, had it filled with Holy Water to serve as the baptismal font for his daughter, Alexanne.

While I am sure the NRA has the best

interests of the trophies at heart by not letting them out of their sight, there is something of the imp in me that wishes, like a Stanley Cup winner, I could have brought the RWS Trophy home with me from Camp Perry in 2002.

In celebration of my victory I can picture in my mind’s eye my family poised about the silver bowl, napkins tucked into collars, spoons at the ready, prepared to dive into a massive ice cream treat. Imagine, if you will, pineapple topping spooned over strawberry, chocolate syrup enrobing vanilla, and strawberries oozing down the chocolate like lava on Kilauea. This mountain range of ice cream would be garnished with crushed nuts, whipped cream, and maraschino cherries, ringed by a garland of banana slices.

Thus, the victory would have been made all the sweeter. ★

Hap’s Corner: Major Leech and Lord Stanley’s Cups…

by Hap Rocketto

Hockey fever was sweeping New England in the late spring of 2011 as the Boston Bruins battled it out for the National Hockey League Championship and the honor of hoisting the Stanley Cup. It was mentioned that the Stanley Cup is the oldest trophy competed for by professional athletes in North America and was donated, in 1892, by Sir Frederick Arthur Stanley, then the Governor General of Canada.

While Lord Stanley’s Cup may be the oldest professional athletic trophy it is still junior to the Leech Cup (pictured at right), which is arguably the oldest North American sports trophy, by nearly two decades. The Leech Cup was presented to the Amateur Rifle Club of New York by Major Arthur Blennerhassett Leech, Captain of the Irish Rifle Team, on the occasion of that team’s visit to America in 1874 and passed on to the National Rifle Association of America in 1901. It is the oldest trophy in competitive target shooting in the United States.

The Stanley Cup (pictured far right), standing 35 ¼ inches and weighing in at 34 ½ pounds, consists of a bowl, three tiered wooden bands, a collar and five metal bands. The Leech Cup is a massive masterpiece of the Victorian Irish silversmith’s art. The silver tankard is heavily embossed and surmounted by a representation of an ancient tower in ruins. It is currently presented to the winner of the 1,000 yard metallic sight prone match which bears its name.

In the past, match winners at the National Matches and NRA Championships were allowed to take the trophies home with them. However, the Leech Cup disappeared after the 1913 National Matches, not to be seen again until 1927. In response the NRA Board of Directors quickly required that all NRA trophies to be kept by the NRA and stored at NRA Headquarters or Camp Perry during the matches.

On the other hand the Stanley Cup, in a whimsical tradition unlike any other

In Pop’s Pantry Sweetheart Brownies

Makes 8-12 brownies, depending on how big you cut them 36 2-inch graham crackers, finely crushed 1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated) 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon salt 16oz semisweet chocolate morsels 3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans Preheat oven to 350º (325º if using glass pan). Grease 8” square baking pan. In a large mixing bowl, stir sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract and salt. Add the chocolate morsels, pecans and crushed graham crackers; mix well. This will produce a very stiff batter. Spoon batter into greased pan, using knife or fingers to spread evenly. Bake 20-25 minutes. Cool completely in pan. Use a small heart shaped cookie cutter or cut with knife. Serve with scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzle with raspberry sauce.

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Page 6

With what is deemed the most romantic holiday of the year arriving mid-month, we wanted to share a treat to offer your sweetie - no matter what their age!

Pop has been sharing recipes for just over a year now. How many have you tried? How many would you recommend? Any modifications you’d suggest?

We’d love to share your favorite recipe! Whether it is a traditional meat and potatoes meal, a flavorful side dish, fish, dessert or a healthy treat or your favorite go-to recipe when time is short - send it along! Email to editor@theoutdoormessage.com or mail to PO Box 306 Northborough MA 01532. ★

If you cut this out, it will fit nicely on a standard recipe card.

The

Outdoor Message

February 2013

What’s In America’s Backyard?

by Sierra Taylor

Welcome back to “What’s In America’s Backyard?” This month we are going to learn about the Black Bear and the Beaver. Both animals are residents of North America.

We begin with a tour of the American Black Bear. This mammal is five to six feet in length with a five inch long tail.

When on all fours, they stand between 32 and 38 inches tall. Males, called boars, weigh 250 to 600 pounds and females, known as sows, weigh 220 to 310 pounds. A black bear’s diet consists of grasses, fruit, nuts, insects, fish, carrion and mammals.

Their teeth are specially made for grinding plant matter – which takes up most of a bear’s diet.

Generally, the black bear will follow a seasonal pattern and will forage for berries and plants during the spring and summer, while he will eat nuts and acorns in the fall. Garbage can meals are always a

bonus!

No matter where a black bear lives (which can range from Alaska through Canada and down through most of the contiguous states), it will breed in the summer months of June and July.

Gestation period for black bears is typically 220 days, which is a little over seven months. Then, the sow will give birth to as little as one cub and as many as

February 2013

with the family for 18 months before it leaves to create a family of its own.

Both the beaver and the black bear have some cool adaptations that help them to survive in the harsh place we call the wilderness. Black bears have padded feet that allow them to sprint at up to 24 miles per hour. A cool tidbit is that black bears in southern parts of their habitats may not actually hibernate – they may just stop and rest for short periods of time.

Beavers have webbed hind feet that propel them through the water. Their chisel-like teeth enable them to chew through a five inch thick tree in half an hour, when two beavers take shifts.

Well, that’s it for this month’s “What’s in America’s Backyard?” Next month, I am going to introduce you to the red fox and the American red squirrel.

Meanwhile, enjoy your time backyardwatching! ★

KAREN L. MACNUTT

Hand Held Firearms

by Tony Lake It wasn’t Sam Colt who first came up with one. Near as we can figure the first provable reference to gunpowder comes from England. Just before 1250, Friar Roger Bacon set down the formula for gunpowder and described its reaction when ignited. He was so frightened by the power he concealed the information.

By 1267 the good Friar thought that the noise created by the powder would be enough to scare off enemies during warfare. No one is exactly sure who made the first firearm but a painting circa 1326

by Walter De Milente in England showed a primitive cannon.

By 1350 the first hand cannon was built as nothing more then a blunt cast tube with a hole halfway down on top and a “post” protruding downward from the center. It was equivalent to a .50 bore and no doubt rattled the person who tried the first shot.

By the beginning of the 15th century, these iron hand cannons, or handguns as they were later called, had become quite common in European countries. One German-made firearm had a .70 bore and I suspect the first person to fire one was a soldier told what to do.

Wouldn’t you know that in the early 1500s Henry VIII was concerned that this new instrument might put his monarchy at risk and established laws restricting handgun use to only the rich. Yet at the same time he encouraged his “subjects” to practice with long bows “for defense of his house and family”.

Although the ignition system changed from lighted wicks held over the powder charge, to flints and then percussion caps, the overall design would change very little until the Americans began tinkering with guns. The late Elmer Keith says it was Sam Colt who forever changed the face of handguns when he was granted patent #138 on February 25, 1836 for the first revolving pistol. Although each chamber of the cylinder was individually loaded, extra cylinders already loaded could be carried at the ready. This made for a distinct advantage to the hunter, cavalry or other peace officers and farmers who could protect their lives from bandits.

In 1856, Smith and Wesson purchased the rights to Rollin White’s patents

five, but the usual amount is two or three cubs. Female bears only give birth to cubs every 2 or 3 years. This is because cubs stay with their mother for about two years.

Now, my friend the North American Beaver is waiting to give us a tour of his lodge.

Mr. Beaver is two and a half feet long with a 12 inch tail. Other beavers can have two foot long tails and can be between 10 and 18 inches long. Mr. Beaver eats leaves, ferns, herbs, grasses, algae, twigs and woody stems.

He usually feeds at night. His wife Mrs. Beaver has to feed her babies!

On the subject of babies, the Beaver family mates every year during January and February. It doesn’t matter which location they are in – some of Mr. Beaver’s relatives live in Canada or the contiguous states, while he lives in Alaska. After a gestation period of 100-110 days, the mother gives birth to between one and nine babies. Every baby is named Kit. Every Kit stays

GENERAL PRACTICE OF LAW

making possible the self-contained metallic ammunition used in revolvers.

S&W had 13 years to cover that market but when the patent rights ran out in 1869, Colt began developing its now famous 1872 single action peacemaker. The compound “black powder” made of saltpeter, charcoal and sulfur was all that was used in handguns. It was very susceptible to dampness so the ability to protect it from the weather was a huge factor. The later discovery of what we call smokeless powder not only increased stability but offered more consistent ignition.

In 1877 when other patents expired Colt once again introduced the double action revolvers and names like Walker, Bisley, S&W, Buntline, Newman, and Richards took their place in the annuls of American handgun design. In the late 1800s Colt came forth with semiautomatic pistols under patents by John Browning. The first was a .38 caliber with a 6 inch barrel made around 1900. Army Ordnance ordered 200 of them. Then the Colt .32 caliber came in 1903 and it was estimated over 1 million of those were produced.

This was about the time when all manufacturers began responding to the demand for these guns for self defense, especially for women. Although single shot or double shot derringers were common in the late 1800s, now Colt and S&W began to make “muff guns” the ladies could carry in their purses or “hand muffs”. After WWII Sturm Ruger, Hi Standard, H&R, Iver Johnson and of course Colt and S&W soon became world leaders in the production of quality crafted “hand cannons”. Interestingly these companies all shared a relatively common location—the Connecticut River Valley region of New England.

From hunting to law enforcement or Olympic Competition to the need for self defense, the last hundred years went much faster then the first 700 for handgun development.

Although their history may be tainted by pockets of abuse it is absolutely undeniable that firearms greatly improved the overall safety and security of millions of families on the road to the 21st century. ★ The

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Outdoor Message

Page 7

Connect Youth To Nature Through Duck Stamp Art

The Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) Program is looking for youth artists to submit a duck stamp art entry in a statewide competition. Art and science may seem to be an unlikely combination, but when blended in the context of the JDS Program, art makes science come alive. This dynamic program links the study of wetlands and waterfowl conservation with a national waterfowl art project. Students in grades K-12 learn about the habitat requirements of various kinds of ducks and geese (waterfowl) and then express their knowledge of the beauty, diversity, and interdependence of these species artistically, by creating a drawing or painting and submitting it to the Massachusetts Junior Duck art contest. The art is judged in four age group categories in a statewide competition, and the entry judged Best of Show moves on to represent Massachusetts in the national JDS competition. Registration information is now available for the 2013 JDS Program; Connecting Children With Nature Through Science and Art at <www.fws.gov/juniorduck>. Artwork submissions are due by March 15, 2013.

NOTE: The address for submitting entries has changed this year: JDS Art Entry, DFW, 100 Hartwell Street Suite 230, West Boylston, MA 01583.

In celebration of 20 years of success in ‘Connecting Children to Nature Through Science and Art’ the federal JDS Program recently redesigned its arts and science curriculum to spark youth interest in habitat conservation and careers in natural resources through science, art, math and technology. Targeted for students in grades 5-8, with suggested adaptations for younger and older audiences, the curriculum encourages students to engage with their natural world and develop a deeper appreciation of natural resources.

"A great way to appreciate waterfowl is to spend time outdoors observing and photographing them at your local ‘duck pond’," said Pam Landry, MassWildlife Education Coordinator. The guides meet a number of national educational standards for students in grades K-12. The curriculum may be downloaded at <www. fws.gov/juniorduck/curriculum.html>.

The Federal Junior Duck Stamp is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Junior Duck Stamp is a pictorial stamp produced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to recognize the

conservation efforts of students and support environmental and conservation education programs. The first place national winner of the art contest graces that year’s JDS and is sold by the U.S. Postal Service <www.usps.com> and Amplex Corporation <www.duck stamp.com> for $5. All proceeds are invested in the program to fund environmental education efforts; awards for the students, teachers and schools that participate in the program; and to market the JDS program.

In Massachusetts, the JDS is coordinated by the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (MassWildlife) with support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Massachusetts Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, and the Massachusetts Wildlife Federation.

For more information on the JDS go to <www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/education/jd s/jds_home.htm>. For inquiries relating to hosting the Junior Duck Stamp Awards ceremony in April, 2013 or an artwork exhibit in 2013, contact Education Coordinator Pam Landry at 508-389-6310 or Pam.Landry@state.ma.us.

MassWildlife at Home Shows and Sportsmen’s Shows

Consider visiting with Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) staff at home shows and sportsmen’s shows across the state. Learn about the common wildlife in your neighborhood at the home and garden shows and share your latest fish story or hunting adventure or buy your license at the sportsmen’s shows. The Boston Home Show has moved to a new location at the Cruiseport Center in Boston and kicks off the show season January 26–27, 2013 <www.the bostonhomeshow.com>. This year, sportsmen should note that a new producer is mounting the New England Fishing and Outdoor Expo, still at the DCU Center in Worcester, to replace the old Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Expo.

Check out the new and improved show, visit with staff, and pick up your 2013 hunting and fishing license, Friday, February 8, through Sunday, February 10, 2013 <http://www.newenglandfishing expo.com/>. In the last weekend of February, MassWildlife will be at the Springfield Sportsmen’s Show which runs Thursday, February 21, through Sunday February, 24, 2013 <www.oseg sportsmens.com>. Other shows may be added as the schedule is finalized. Watch for listings in the agency’s web Calendar of Events and next month’s newsletter for additional shows.

Mail: 100 Hartwell Street, Suite 230, West Boylston MA 01583 Phone: 508-389-6300 Email: Mass.Wildlife@state.ma.us Website: www.MassWildlife.org

Resolve To Report Rare Species With A New Mobile App

The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is pleased to announce that a new Android mobile application is now available for citizen scientists, sportsmen, birders, naturalists and other actively involved conservationists to report observations of rare species and vernal pools. The new app is part of the electronic Vernal Pool and Rare Species Information System (VPRS) developed and launched this past November by MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species program. The app allows registered VPRS users to capture basic information (species, location, photographs) while out in the field. The captured information is used to create an observation report which can then be completed at a home computer and submitted to MassWildlife through the VPRS system. More information on the app and a tutorial can be found at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/species _info/vprs_home.htm. The VPRS was funded by an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Wetland Program Development Grant with some additional funds provided by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) in support of the Linking Landscapes Program.

2012 Preliminary Deer Season Results

Preliminary reports on the 2012 paraplegic, archery and shotgun deer season results have been compiled though some game check stations have yet to report their tallies. During the special three-day deer hunting season for paraplegic hunters, 4 deer were taken.

For the archery deer season, an unofficial statewide total of 3,879 deer were checked at game check stations. The Western District office tallied 314 deer while Connecticut Valley District office reported 408. Central District stations checked 655 deer; Northeast District, 1190; and Southeast District checked 1,312 deer. During the statewide shotgun season, licensed deer hunters checked in an unofficial statewide total of 4,945 deer.

The breakdown of the total is: Western District, 638; Connecticut Valley District, 731; Central District, 1,074; Northeast District, 911; and Southeast District, 1,591. In addition to the shotgun season total above, the DCR Quabbin Reservation reported 84 deer taken during their deer hunt. Preliminary muzzleloader

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season figures will be reported later this winter. All reported figures are preliminary; the final, official harvest numbers will be available later in 2013.

MassWildlife To Shift Eagle Survey Efforts From Midwinter To Early Spring

After over 30 years of conducting a midwinter eagle survey in January, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) will be shifting its effort to a survey of breeding eagles in the early spring. The Breeding Eagle Count will be similar to the Midwinter Eagle Survey. A certain survey period will be chosen, allowing people to report eagle sightings and a specific count date for a more concerted effort will be chosen sometime in late March before the leaves begin to grow on trees. There will also be a survey period for people to report eagle sightings similar to the survey period for the midwinter count. When the details have been finalized, an announcement will be issued through the MassWildlife eNewsletter and posted on the agency website.

Massachusetts began participating in the national midwinter count in 1979 when only eight Bald Eagles were reported in Massachusetts. At that time the Bald Eagle was doing very poorly across the country and was listed as Endangered on the original federal and state lists of Endangered and Threatened species. Now the Bald Eagle has been completely removed from the federal list and in Massachusetts has just recently been downlisted from Endangered to Threatened thereby reducing the need for a midwinter survey. The state survey effort continued through 2011 when a record number of 107 birds were reported.

Volunteer cooperators and other citizens braved tough weather conditions during the January surveys, and their reports of eagle sightings during the “eagle count” have been valuable data for the agency.

“This is a good time to shift our focus to our growing population of resident, nesting birds,” said Tom French, Assistant Director of Natural Heritage and Endangered Species. “For several years, we have been aware of resident eagles in areas where no nest has ever been found.

By shifting annual surveys from midwinter to early spring, we hope to have cooperators and MassWildlife staff locate active nests for all known pairs and visit other bodies of water across the state to look for additional breeding eagles.”

French also noted the need to determine the identity of breeding adults and encourages birders and photographers to make an effort to read and report the unique leg band information on as many eagles as possible. “We can learn a lot about the history of each bird with this important information.”

“We also want to take this opportunity to thank our long time partner, originally Massachusetts Electric, now National Grid,” said French. “This company has been incredibly generous by providing the survey helicopter to cover the Quabbin and Connecticut River since the beginning of the eagle restoration effort.

This generosity has been greatly appreciated and essential to the success of our midwinter surveys for many years.

National Grid employees have been wonderful to work with and very enthusiastic about participating in this effort.” ★ February 2013

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council approved several new fishing regulation proposals during the December Advisory Council meeting. Several of these new regulations take effect for this ice fishing season.

To take advantage of some of these new fishing opportunities, view all the changes approved by the Advisory Council by visiting <http://www.maine. gov/ifw/laws_rules/fishing/index.htm>.

Changes to the online rule book will

Safe, Successful Hunting in 2012

It was a good year to be a big game hunter in Vermont in 2012. In particular, populations of wild turkeys and black bears were at very high levels, offering hunters of those species excellent opportunities. The whitetail harvest also saw several positive trends in 2012, with the totals for all hunting seasons within the statewide management goals. Perhaps of greater note, 2012 marked the first year in which there were no hunting-related shooting incidents in Vermont.

Hunters harvested 13,850 white-tailed deer during Vermont’s archery, youth, rifle, and muzzleloader deer hunting seasons in 2012, which is commensurate with the previous three-year average of 13,977 deer. Following last year’s mild winter, the Fish & Wildlife Board issued more antlerless permits in 2012 resulting in a 16 percent increase in muzzleloader harvest over the previous season.

“While the number of antlerless

occur as soon as possible and all changes will be available in the next printed lawbook.

For more information on fishing in Maine, go to <www.mefishwildlife.com>.

Do you have a Loon License Plate?

If you do....please show your pride in supporting Maine's state parks and nongame wildlife to other Maine drivers by displaying this attractive new bumper sticker next to your Loon Plate. It is printed on high quality, removable vinyl.

Help spread the message about how

important Maine's Conservation Plate Program is to our State's natural resources!

To request the Conservation Plate Bumper Sticker(s), please email your name, mailing address along with the number of stickers you would like to receive to karen.estabrook@maine.gov.

(Stickers are also available from any MDIFW headquarters or regional office.)

To learn more about Maine's Conservation Plate Program and the species and programs

Phone: 802-241-3700 Email: fwinformation@state.vt.us

permits rose slightly in 2012, License Center and Temporary Office: 542 US Rte 302, Berlin VT 05641 they still allowed for slow Mail: 10 South, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05671-0501 growth of the herd in most regions,” said Adam Murkowski, deer Forrest Hammond, wild turkey and black Alexander. “We reached our target harvest project leader for the Vermont Fish & bear project leader for Vermont Fish & in the Kingdom’s management zone E1, Wildlife Department. “The number of Wildlife. “In 2011, there was a high which was the last zone where we still antlerless permits changes annually to production of nut and seeds, so turkeys needed to bring the population down a bit meet our management objectives for the and especially bears were staying put in to meet moose density objectives.” deer herd. However, rifle season harvest high remote places away from hunters.

“The department’s ability to manage totals increased from last year and from This year, the low production of nuts and game herds is only possible because of the the three-year average, and there were seeds drew the animals out in the open, to sportsmen and sportswomen of Vermont,” many reports from hunters that they were corn crops and grass fields, where they’re added Murkowski. “Every Vermont harvesting larger and healthier bucks.” more easily harvested by hunters.” hunter is involved in the research and Vermont hunters were very successful Moose harvest numbers fluctuate management process, in addition to during the 2012 bear season and fall annually based on the number of moose providing the information needed to turkey hunting seasons. Turkey hunters permits issued in order to meet assess and manage game herds throughout harvested 1,365 birds in the fall 2012 management objectives.

Hunters the state.” seasons, up 53 percent from the previous harvested 222 moose in 2012 and had a 52 Vermont is also celebrating its first three-year average and nearly tripling last percent success rate among permit hunting season with no hunting-related year’s total. Vermont hunters harvested holders, down slightly from 58 percent in shootings. “Vermont hunters should be 621 bears in 2012, which represents a 20 2011. This was likely due to unseasonably proud,” said hunter education coordinator percent increase from the previous three- warm temperatures during moose season Chris Saunders. “This year’s record defies year average. and lower moose densities overall. the common misperception that hunting is “The high turkey and bear harvests this “Moose hunters did quite well in the dangerous.” The 2010 hunting season was year are due to large population sizes and Northeast Kingdom this year,” said Fish the previously lowest year, with two to changes in food availability,” said & Wildlife moose project leader Cedric minor incidents. ★ v

Open the Door and Connect Kids and Families with Nature

February 2013

utilizing New Hampshire's rich and diverse natural resources.”

This is a great time to make a resolution for children, according to Marilyn Wyzga of the NH Children in Nature Coalition and the NH Fish and Game Department. “Looking ahead to all the possibilities of a new year, let’s make a resolution for our children,” Wyzga said. “Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher or any caregiver for kids: Encourage your children to play outside. Let them explore.

Let them play in the snow, jump over a log, build a fort. It doesn’t have to be a formal activity; just enjoy a little time out each day. Open the door and let them play.”

With today’s children watching screens an average of 54 hours a week, the consequences are obesity and sedentary lifestyles, deepening misconceptions about the natural world, and less emphasis on unstructured time outdoors, according to the Coalition’s report. “The price of continuing these trends is serious, not only for children and their families, but for our communities, our schools, our culture, our economy, and the identity of the Granite State.”

In New Hampshire, 71 percent of children ages 6 to 17 and 53 percent of high school students do not get enough physical activity, according to the NH The

Mail: 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301 Website: info@wildlife.nh.gov Phone: 603-271-3211

Department of Health and Human Services. And it’s no coincidence that 32 percent of children ages 6 to 12 are overweight or obese. Combined, excess weight and lack of physical activity are risk factors for asthma, diabetes, hypertension and other chronic illnesses that burden the state’s health care system and lead to lost productivity.

Nationally, the amount of outside space where children are allowed to roam free around their homes is one-ninth what it was in 1970.

Yet, research shows that the benefits of embracing an active, outdoor lifestyle are many, and that children who spend time outdoors are healthier and more creative, have better concentration, and even get better grades.

The good news is that this can be done easily in New Hampshire, and at little cost. In fact, New Hampshire is well positioned to lead the nation in promoting a healthy, active lifestyle that takes advantage of all the natural beauty, outdoor opportunities, and facilities our state offers – attributes that already help make tourism one of the state’s most important economic engines.

The coalition – representing agencies and organizations from diverse health, education and conservation disciplines – supports seven goals: 1. Increase participation in outdoor

Outdoor Message

learning experiences for children and families.

2. Urge more children and families to get outside on a regular basis.

3. Ensure that every child has the opportunity to experience nature in his or her local community.

4. Provide children with more time for free play outdoors.

5. Increase appreciation and care of the outdoors through organized activities and groups.

6. Improve the health, fitness, and well-being of New Hampshire children.

7. Deepen the understanding of the natural world among children and youth.

For more information about the N.H. Children in Nature Coalition and how you can make a resolution to reconnect children, youth and families with nature, visit www.nhchildreninnature.org. ★

Th

re u t u ef depends

on the young.

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!

To welcome the new year, a statewide coalition hopes parents and child caregivers think about this as a resolution: Connect children with the great outdoors in 2013. They’ll love it and it’s great for them!

The NH Children in Nature Coalition has released a new report, Opening Doors to Happier, Healthier Lives, which outlines recommendations for connecting kids with nature in New Hampshire. The coalition’s seven goals – starting with getting kids outside to enjoy the great outdoors – are endorsed and welcomed by Susan E. Lynch, MD, New Hampshire’s First Lady.

“As a pediatric lipid specialist and as New Hampshire's First Lady, I am very interested in working to encourage children to lead a healthy, active lifestyle as a preventative measure against childhood obesity,” Lynch said. “This emphasis on the importance of the health and physical activity of our children is equally represented and championed by the great work of the NH Children in Nature Coalition.

This coalition demonstrates the importance of outdoor activities and learning experiences while

it supports, please visit Maine's Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund <http://www.maine.gov/ifw/wildlife/spec ies/endangered_species/nongame_fund.ht m> and Maine's Loon Conservation License Plates <http://www.maine.gov/doc/parks/volunt eer/loonplates.html>. ★

T

New Fishing Regulations Approved

Mail: 1284 State Street, Augusta, ME 04333-0041 Phone: 207-287-8000 Website: http://www.mefishwildlife.com

Page 9

Editorial: Will Anyone Ever Learn?

The 90’s were marked by tragedy after tragedy. Multiple murders took place on subway trains and in restaurants. They also happened at a religious compound outside Waco, Texas and in the home of a family living on a mountain top in Idaho.

Sometimes the perpetrators of those crimes were deranged individuals alleged to be taking prescribed drugs. Sometimes they were employees of the United States government acting under the color of the law.

And then there was an explosion that ripped apart a federal building in Oklahoma City. America cried for its dead and injured. Like the incidents at Ruby Ridge, Idaho and Waco, Texas, among the dead were women and children---innocent and frail.

The people demanded answers.

If America was to survive she should not abandon a need for effective law enforcement. The people couldn’t renege on their responsibility to support law

officers by doing their part to make neighborhoods safer. But they should also never stop demanding accountability.

Our internal defenses, strengthened by a clear and decisive criminal punishment system and the use of legitimate domestic intelligence, became a front burner priority. We prayed the people wouldn’t allow themselves to be stampeded into embracing the false and dangerous solutions being offered by the very existing government officials who put them in jeopardy in the first place.

Sacrificing their integrity, personal security, privacy, along with their civil, human and property rights was simply not an option. Should that happen the people would have failed to live up to their responsibilities to the veterans of Concord and Lexington, the soldiers who commemorate the anniversary of V.E. Day, the men and women who died at Gettysburg, in Korea and the jungles of Viet Nam, and the desert of Iraq.

No hand wringing, no finger pointing,

no whining about how impotent the government was in dealing with crime.

Unlike a president who shirked his duty to serve, an attorney general who constantly looked for someone else to blame and legislators bent on creating problems for them to solve, the people needed to rise above such incompetence, roll up their sleeves and take America back.

The future for our brothers of 1775 was not so much unlike our own. The main difference was the right to vote. If that option wasn’t used there were only two left. Take the same steps those patriots took back then or give up being a citizen and go back to being a subject.

That was then and this is now. The president was Clinton and you know who the rest were. Now we have Obama.

Obviously the voting - the use of the ballot box - never worked out. Are you prepared for option #2 or will it be #3?

Some things are different but they are still the same. ★

SHOT Show Golf Event Raises $100,000 for Military Groups By shotshownews

Derek and Nicolas W. enjoying some outdoor sports.

Have You Moved?

Chapter 140, Sections 129B(11) and 131(l) of Massachusetts state law requires holders of a Firearms Identification Card (FID) and a License to Carry Firearms (pistol permit) to notify certain authorities of any change of address. You must notify - by certified mail, in writing and within 30 days - the authority who issued the card and/or license, the chief in your new town of residence and the Executive

Director of the Criminal History Systems Board (200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200, Chelsea, MA 02150). Failure to notify of any change of address is cause for revocation of the Card or License.

If you haven’t yet done so, we also urge you to re-register to vote. A mail-in form can be obtained by calling 1-800462-VOTE. ★

It is my belief that there are ‘absolutes’ in our Bill of Rights, and that they were put there on purpose by men who knew what the words meant and meant their prohibitions to be ‘absolutes.’

Justice Hugo L. Black

West Lebanon, NH Concord, NH

Biddeford, ME Augusta, ME

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“NSSF is a proud supporter of this event and thanks all the event sponsors and everyone who came out to the course to show their support for these organizations,” said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and chief marketing officer.

“We also thank TPC Summerlin General Manager Lee Smith, Nicole Tassone and staff for an amazing job in making this event a resounding success.” ★

Trout Unlimited respond to FDA finding on genetically engineered salmon

HUNTERS RENDEZVOUS BOWHUNTER’S DEN ●

Military Warriors Support Foundation, Tedy Purdy and David Toms Navy SEAL Foundation, Frank Lickliter II, Vijay Singh and Jerry Kelly Wounded Warrior Project, Nick Watney, Jason Gore and Boo Weekley Operation Homefront, Corey Pavin

Contact: Keith Curley, Director of Government Affairs, 703-399-9190

Traditional Archery, Muzzleloading Firearms & Accessories ●

The SHOT Show Birdies for the Brave golf outing in January at TPC Summerlin raised more than $100,000 for military homefront groups, surpassing last year’s total by 30 percent.

Birdies for the Brave is a national military outreach initiative proudly supported by the PGA TOUR. It was founded by PGA TOUR pro Phil Mickelson and his wife, Amy. Organizations benefitting from the money raised are listed here with their Tour player partners: Green Beret Foundation, Bubba Watson Homes For Our Troops, Phil Mickelson United Through Reading, Rory Sabbatini Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Phil Mickelson

The

Outdoor Message

recreational salmon fishing sector.

Second, we want to ensure that a more detailed environmental impact review isn’t the more appropriate process for this issue rather than a simple FDA environmental assessment, which is far less thorough (and, frankly, is the FDA the correct agency to analyze environmental impact?).

Third, prior to permit approval it must be clear that an effective regulatory framework exists so that impacts to wild fisheries and aquatic ecosystems are prevented, and future permit applications receive an appropriate level of scientific analysis and public scrutiny to understand and avoid environmental risk.

Trout Unlimited will be reviewing the environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact to see whether an adequate analysis of potential threats has been completed by the agencies with expertise in aquatic ecosystems.

Trout Unlimited is the nation's oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization, with over 145,000 members dedicated to preserving and restoring North America's trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds. ★ February 2013

FITCHBURG SPORTSMEN’S CLUB

289 Rindge State Road (route #119) in Ashburnham, Massachusetts http://www.fitchburgsportsmensclub.org/

Dear Fellow Sportsmen, Our monthly meeting was held on January7, 2013. President Philip A. Madonia III welcomed all and wished everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year opening the meeting at 7:30 PM with a moment of silence for deceased members, and our brave warriors fighting the war on terrorism. President Madonia then led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Meeting Minutes

The Secretary read the minutes of the December 3, 2012 meeting, an amendment to the minutes was made to indicate that members could renew at the present rate.

Correspondence

Insurance renewal was received and various club mailings were also received.

Treasurer’s Report

James J. Belliveau reported that all bills received are paid and he has the new Membership Cards for 2013 back from the printer. He has the new Dues forms.

He has received one application for the Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp. The Camp will run from August 4th to August 16th, 2013.

A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s Report as read, motion seconded and passed.

New Member Applications

Vice President Randy A. Nichols read the applications of Mark Mazza, Samuel Mazza, Daniel W. Schultz, Samuel Harvey and Christopher Tourigny. A motion was made to accept and refer to the Board of Directors for final action.

Once accepted, we hope you will participate in our activities and workdays.

House and Grounds

Dennis Ring reported that everything is Status Quo.

Fish and Game

Leo B. Ross reported that the Ice Fishing Derby will be held on Sunday, February

17th, from 7.00 AM to Noon. The Kitchen will be open for Breakfast.

Trap

No report. President Madonia said that nothing is going on and this will be brought up at the Director’s meeting.

Old Business

Nominations were brought up: President Madonia said that he will not seek another term as President and thanked everyone for their support through the last six years.

He said that he is proud of the membership and said new ideas and blood are needed to attract more members.

Stating that it is incumbent upon us to bring up new ideas and keep the club active and inviting. Please bring your ideas to the Officers and Directors. He received a round of applause.

Nominations were made at the membership: For President Dennis Ring, he accepted the nomination and Esther A. Erickson withdrew her nomination for President. Nominated for Director : Philip A. Madonia III. Note: At the Director’s meeting on 14 January, Randy A. Nichols withdrew from consideration for Vice President. Esther A. Erickson was nominated for Vice President.

New Business

President Madonia said we will hold our Annual Banquet on Monday, March 4th, 2013 at Slattery’s Restaurant and Bar located at 106 Lunenburg Street, Fitchburg, MA. The Social Hour is from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, with Dinner served at 7:00 PM. He emphasized that this is a fine event to meet our elected officials and reminded everyone to make their reservations and pay at the February meeting so that the Secretary can have time to relax during the Social Hour and mingle with our guests and club members.

It is a great time to enjoy the evening.

Raffles

Attendance prize drawing; Member #483, Joseph Amorino was not present. The next drawing on February 4th will be worth $311.00. The 50/50 was won by John Nikander Jr.

FITCHBURG SPORTSMEN’S CLUB, INC. P.O. Box 594 - Fitchburg, MA 01420 www.fitchburgsportsmensclub.org

Good and Welfare

President Madonia said that last month the Board of Directors discussed the scheduling of Hunter Safety, Handgun Safety courses. Esther A. Erickson said the there will be a Hunter Safety Course conducted April 8th, 10th, 13th and 15th one class is all day, please call Esther at 978-827-3340 if you are interested.

President Madonia reminded everyone that the Greater Worcester Community Foundation has many Scholarships available in a vast variety of studies. We provide a grant to those who are pursuing studies related to wildlife, environmental police, and you can go to their website and see our Club scholarship information.

John Root brought copies of the Worcester County League of Sportsmen’s News. He said that ground was broken for a new Fisheries and Wildlife headquarters. It will be 90,000 square feet and the Hunter Education office in Ayer will be moved once construction is completed. He said the Trout Unlimited is going to do a survey to find out problems for cold water streams.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:33 PM. Respectfully Submitted Yours in Sportsmanship George F. LeBlanc, Secretary

_______

Do you wish to join the Yahoo email group (circle one): Already on Yahoo group No, thanks Yes, please add me 300 Tickets ______ #tickets at $10.00 each = Drawing will be held April 28th after the Member Derby Please select the appropriate Member level ❒ Single (18 - 64 years) ❒ Family (2 adults and children under age 15) ❒ Junior (15-17 years old) ❒ Senior (age 65 and up) ❒ Please include late fee if renewing after March 1 Please mail to address above

February 2013

$65.00 $85.00 $35.00 $40.00 $10

Monday, February 4th: Range Orientation at 6 PM, Membership meeting at 7:30 PM Monday, February 11th: Director’s meeting at 7 PM Sunday, February 17th: Ice Fishing Derby from 7 AM to Noon Monday, March 4th: Annual Banquet at Slattery’s Restaurant in Fitchburg.

Social Hour 6 PM to 7 PM. Dinner choices are: Baked Stuffed Chicken Breast, Yankee Pot Roast, and Baked Haddock. $20.00 per Dinner.

Vegetarian dinner is available.

Monday, March 11th: Range Orientation at 6 PM, Director’s Meeting at 7 PM Monday, April 1st: Range Orientation at 6 PM, Membership Meeting at 7:30 PM ★

Name:______________________________________ Phone:________________ Appetizers include Cheese & crackers, Cup of homemade soup, Tossed garden salad. Dessert - TBA Meal:* Baked Haddock ___________ Baked, stuffed breast of chicken ___________ Yankee Pot Roast ___________ Vegetarian ___________ TOTAL DINNERS @ $20.00 each = ___________ * All entrees are served with mashed potatoes, vegetables, crusty rolls, coffee, tea, decaf available. All reservations must be received no later than Monday, February 25, 2013. Please call the Secretary for reservations. In order to expedite persons upaid, please show up between 5 and 5:30 pm. This will allow the Secretary to get set up for the Banquet. Arrangements may be made to pay prior by contacting the Secretary at 978-342-5928.

Please return form and payment by mail, or call the Secretary at 978-342-5928.

Deadline February 25, 2013

Tues & Wed 12 to 5 pm Thurs & Fri 10 to 7 pm Sat 9 to 4 pm

Collectors Firearms & Militeria

Address: _________________________________________ Age: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Email Address: ____________________________________ Phone:

Calendar of Events

Slattery's Restaurant & Bar (Backroom) 106 Lunenburg St. (enter via Culley St) - Fitchburg, MA 01420 Monday March 4, 2013 at 6:00 pm.

Members with unpaid reservations must pay at 5 PM.

Name: ___________________________________________ FSC Mbr. # _ _ _ _ _ City/State/Zip: _____________________________________ Date Of Birth: _ _ _ _

We will sponsor a camper to the Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp. Boys and Girls ages 13 to 17 are eligible to attend, the classes fill quickly and anyone wishing to attend must have their Parent’s or Guardian’s written permission.

Please contact Treasurer Belliveau at 978-342-5959 if you are interested.

139th Annual Banquet

Terry Goode

Dues Renewal Form 2013

Secretary’s Note - Mass Junior Conservation Camp

122 Bridge Street, Unit 9 Pelham NH 03076

603-635-9699 603-635-8443

__________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________

Total enclosed $__________.

The

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Outdoor Message

70 Nemco Way Ayer, MA 01432 T: 978.772.9034 F: 978.772.3012 Page 11

THE MASSACHUSETTS SHOOTERS FOUNDATION 37 Pierce Street ● PO Box 306 ● Northborough, MA 01532 Phone 508-393-5133 Fax 508-393-5134 Web www.massshooters.org Email foundation2012@verizon.net Donate to The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation

The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation is a non-profit tax-exempt corporation that supports education and training programs for the responsible use and ownership of firearms. Funds are also used to help defray costs for our Junior Shooters to compete in national competitions.

Enclosed is my tax-deductible donation to The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation in the amount of: ___$25 will include a 1-year subscription to The Outdoor Message and a donor decal ___$100 will include a 1-year subscription, a donor decal and a shooters bag ___$500 will include a 1-year subscription, a donor decal, a shooters bag and a shooters shirt* ___$1000 will include a 1-year subscription, a donor decal, a shooters bag, a shooters shirt and a 3 season jacket* ___other amount $______

President: David Tetzloff Secretary/Treasurer: Michael D. Yacino Directors: Al Bonney, Dee Bonney, Don Holmes, Coach Russ Doucette, Coach Kevin Winters, Joe Colbert

The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation would like to thank the following individuals for their generous donations: R. Bens, A and D Bonney, W. EwEll, J. Snuffer, E. Souza, J. Zimmer, J. Nava, I. Chandler, J. Wilbur, S. Wesson, D. Donovan, Williamsburg Rod & Gun Club and Plymouth County League of Sportsmen.

Monthly Pledges: If you are interested in making monthly pledges to The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation, please contact Michelle at 508-393-5133. You can arrange payments through www.PayPal.com or we can create a convenient payment booklet for you.

Name: _____________________________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________________

City: _______________________________________ State: _______________ Zip: _______________

* If eligible to receive shirt or jacket, please indicate size ________

Donations of $25 or more will include a subscription to The Outdoor Message. If you already receive The Outdoor Message and would like to give the subscription to a friend please list their mailing info here: Name: _____________________________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________________

City: _______________________________________ State: _______________ Zip: _______________

The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation is a non-profit 501(c) 3 corporation.

Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Send this completed form with check or money order to The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation, PO Box 306, Northborough, MA 01532. Credit card donations may be made through PayPal.com.

Simply click “Send Money” and enter email address Foundation2012@verizon.net

3 season jacket awarded for donations of $1000 or more

Gun Owners’ Buyers Guide ✮ ✮ ▲

✮✮

Are you in need of a product or special service? Wouldn’t you like to know that you are giving your money to a business who believes in the same things you do? Following is a list of businesses who are owned or run by gun owners. They have agreed to give a donation to The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation for every reader who shops at their store or uses their services. So when you shop at these businesses, tell them you saw their listing in the Gun Owners Buyers Guide in The Outdoor Message! Participation is voluntary - the people listed have asked to be a part of this Guide.

Help support fellow gun owners. Take advantage of the Gun Owners’ Buyers Guide.

Accounting/Tax Services L.A. Jones Tax & Accounting Services (L.A. Jones) Milford MA 508-634-2711 Archery Supplies Eryleen Archery Pro-Shop (Emery Loiselle) Burlington MA 781-272-0244

Building/Remodeling Curtis K. Abbott Co Inc (Curtis Abbott) Charlton MA 508-248-4416 www.curtiskabbottco.com Mr Fix It (Eddy Provost) Worcester County MA 508-798-8216

Concrete, Granite & Asphalt Cutting & Coring Concrete Cut & Core (Curtis Abbott) Charlton MA 508-248-7778 www.concretecutandcore.com Constable/Notary Raymond Harris Constable Service, Dedham MA 781-326-7597 Northern Process Servers (Ronald Bertheim) Greater Lawrence MA 978-685-0093 Deep Sea Fishing Trips Tuna Hunter Fishing Charters (Gary Cannell) Rockport MA 978-407-1351 www.tunahunter.com

Dentist Dental Care North (John Kozlauska, DMD) Lynnfield MA 781-334-2520

Electrical Contractor Morse Electric (Richard A. Morse) Rowley MA 978-948-2727 EJ Kennedy Master Electrician (Eric Kennedy) North Attleboro MA 508-TUGWIRE Firearms Instruction Joe Nava, Fairbanks AK 907-479-2340

Flooring Touchdown Carpet & Flooring (Doug Gibbs) Marlboro MA 508-480-8552

Gun Sales Mike’s Gun Shop (Jon Green) Northboro MA 508-369-9234

Real Estate Scharpenter Realty (Jack Scharpenter) Lakeville MA 508-946-5602 Peter Neslusan at the Mercure Group 508277-7503

Scaffolding Cape Cod Staging (Kevin Kelleher) New Bedford MA 508-992-2411, Cranston RI 401-941-6660

Security Merchant Services/Credit Card Processing EJ Kennedy Security/Life Safety Systems Strategic Payment Systems (Michael Roux) Contractor (Eric Kennedy) North Canton MA mroux@spsprocessing.net Attleboro MA 508-TUG-WIRE www.spsCreditCardProcessing.com 978Stained Glass 337-7126 Custom Stained Glass (Jack Hurley) South Optometrist Easton MA 508-238-0386 Dr. Arthur Breen, Peabody MA 978-532-0097 Charlton Optical (David Snowdon) Charlton Steel Buildings Metal Building Concepts (Brian Robbins) MA 508-248-1188 Raynham MA 508-828-1368 Outdoor Wood Furnace Crystal Rock Farm (Eliot Starbard) Oakham Surveying & Engineering Landmark Engineering of New England MA 508-882-0178 (Brian Lane) Norfolk MA 508-384-3064 Plumbing & Heating Russo Plumbing and Heating (Steven Russo) TV & Satellite Pierce TV & Satellite (Richard “Ben” Pierce, Boston MA 617-201-8042 Jr.) East Falmouth MA 508-548-4519

For more information about the Gun Owners’ Buyers Guide call 508-393-5133.

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Promotional Imprinting Gumption, Inc. (Joe Cassia) Malden MA 781322-6400 MCA Promo (Michael Amburgey) Lunenburg MA 978-582-3662

The

Outdoor Message

Website Development Gumption, Inc. (Joe Cassia) Malden MA 781322-6400 February 2013

The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation Junior Smallbore Postal Matches The 2012-2013 Massachusetts Shooters Foundation Conventional Smallbore Postal matches are underway. These matches are run with the goal of promoting the shooting sports among young people.

When submitting scores, please be sure to include juniors complete names and birthdates on the score sheets as well as contact information for the club (club name, address, phone # and coach name).

Postal certificates will be mailed on a monthly basis to the team captain or coach.

Schedule: The postal matches run from November through April and we must have your score sheets by the 5th of the following month.

For example: November’s postal scores must be received to us by December 5th and will be posted in January’s issue of The Outdoor Message.

Clubs or organizations should submit scores once a month. The score sheets can be sent to The Mass Shooters Foundation, PO Box 306, Northborough, MA 01532. Or you can also email them to Foundation2012@verizon.net or fax them to 508-393-5134.

Eligibility: Any Massachusetts boy or girl who has not yet reached their 20th

birthday by December 31st of 2012 may born on or after January 1st, 1998 Intermediate Junior: born between compete.

Course of Fire: The Mass Shooters January 1, 1995 and December 31, 1997 Junior: born between January 1, 1991 Foundation recommends that all competitors fire the NRA Three Position and December 31, 1994 If you have juniors participating in Course; 20 shots prone, 20 shots kneeling and 20 shots offhand. All firing will take December postals, those scores need to be place on the A-36 target. Competitors may sent to us by January 5th. For a complete participate in 1, 2 or all 3 positions by set of rules and to receive a copy of our firing 20 shots at two A-36 targets per postal score sheet, please call our office at 508-393-5133. Please note that you do position.

Awards: Award certificates will be NOT need to use our scoring sheet as long mailed to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place shooters as you submit all the pertinent in each category.

Massachusetts Shooters Foundation Postal 1st place Club Name Prone requires a minimum of 3 Intermediate Junior shooters in the Holyoke Revolver Club Noah Galko category, 2nd Holyoke Revolver Club Will Torrey place requires a Steve Bohin minimum of 5 or Lenox Sportsman's Club more shooters in Lenox Sportsman's Club Baraq Polston the category and Lenox Sportsman's Club Geno D'Agostino 3rd place Lenox Sportsman's Club Luke Hibbard requires a Johnathan May 85 minimum of 10 Lenox Sportsman's Club or more shooters Sub Junior in the category.

Holyoke Revolver Club Justin Mohr Categories Holyoke Revolver Club Dahlia Windoloski 192 are as follows: Caleb Galko Sub Junior: Holyoke Revolver Club

How Well Do You Shoot Off Hand?

Aren’t contests fun? The target shown here is just waiting for a junior to put 10 holes in it!

The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation invites juniors to try something new, using air rifle, air pistol, smallbore .22 rifle or smallbore .22 pistol.

If you choose to use an air rifle or air pistol the target should be shot at a distance of 33 feet. If a smallbore .22 cal rifle or a .22 cal pistol is used, the target must be shot at 50 feet. All shooting is to be done in the off hand or standing position ONLY. No resting. Pistol shooters can use two or one-hand hold.

Targets should be mailed to The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation, with Entrant Info completed.

Scorers will review them and select the five best for each month. Shooters may also submit a photo taken of the junior and the target. These photos may be used in this publication or on the MSF website.

Targets will be printed in The Outdoor Message each month from now through August. In order to be eligible for the contest, the targets must be originals, cut from The Outdoor Message, not a reproduction. Please submit only one target per month. If friends or team mates are interested in participating in the contest, subscriptions can be obtained online at <http://www. theoutdoormessage.com/Subscribeform.html> Certificates and decals will be awarded and the five overall best scores in the 6 month period will receive an invitation to attend the Foundation banquet in October.

Their banquet ticket will be free and recipients will be recognized at the event.

Have fun & happy shooting! ★

Holyoke Revolver Club Lenox Sportsman's Club Lenox Sportsman's Club Lenox Sportsman's Club Lenox Sportsman's Club Lenox Sportsman's Club Lenox Sportsman's Club Lenox Sportsman's Club

Andrew Holbrook Steve LaRochelle Paddy Sullivan Will Kipp Tyler Coelho Mansel Marangoni Steven Silverman Nick Puntin

172 144 151 179 112

information!

Please feel free to submit any photos of your juniors and/or teams along with your postal scores! I'm sure they would love to see those in The Outdoor Message!

There will be no fee charged to participate in this program. The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation believes that the importance of attracting new shooters is the highest priority.

Donations are greatly appreciated. For questions or details, please contact Michelle at 508-393-5133. ★

Scores - December 2012 Standing Kneeling 53 3 118 72 81

20 125 25 44 106 53 112 104

1st S

155

2nd S

1st P, 1st S 106 95 115

2nd S 1st K 2nd P

Turn the page for more Massachusetts Shooters Foundation news!

1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.

2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.

3. Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.

MSF Receives Thanks from Junior Trap Team

Mr. Yacino, Our Tewksbury SCTP Junior Trap Tam wants to thank all of our friends at the Massachusetts Shooters Foundation very much for the sum of $2,000.00 toward the purchase of a new PatTrap target thrower.

This machine replaced a 28 year old thrower, and was installed on our trap field during the summer 2012. Our own junior trap team raised an additional $1,250.00 toward its purchase as well. The Tewksbury Rod & Gun Club members voted to support the purchase for our field with the remainder of the $8,000.00 total cost for this new PatTrap thrower.

I cannot tell you just how important your contribution was to getting this much needed piece of equipment for our program’s use. There were so many benefits for our shooting facility resulting from your generosity I could not list them all in this letter.

With our very best regards, Steve Stella, Head Coach, Tewksbury SCTP Program Walter Bristol, Tewksbury SCTP Program, Secretary & Team Fundraising Mike Capozzi, Coach, Tewksbury SCTP Program ★

February 2013

Entrant Info

Name ________________________________________ Age _____ Address ________________________________________________ Club ___________________________________________________ Adult Witness ___________________________________________

Massaschusetts Shooters Foundation 37 Pierce Street - Northboro MA 01532 www.massshooters.org

The

Outdoor Message

Feb2013

Page 13

More from... THE MASSACHUSETTS SHOOTERS FOUNDATION Christmas Raffle Winners Announced The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation is happy to announce that our Christmas Day 3 Gun Raffle was a great success.

The winners were happy to get their call on Christmas morning. As has been our custom in announcing winners, no last names will be given. All winners have received their prizes and are very pleased with their new guns.

Carl, holding ticket number 402, was the winner of first prize, the Walther P22.

Carl acknowledged that his ticket was purchased from supporter Bob Miller.

The second prize, a Ruger 10/22 SemiAutomatic 22 rifle was won by John from our neighboring state of Rhode Island.

John acknowledged that he was merely trying to help support the programs of the Foundation and had purchased the ticket from a friend in Massachusetts who

owned a store that had some of the tickets on hand. He suggested that although he did appreciate winning we should draw another name and keep up the good work.

We did draw a second ticket for that prize and picked another person named John, holding ticket number 514, sold by a close friend of his who is a huge supporter of the Foundation from the northern Worcester county area.

Third prize was a Pardner camouflage pump action 12 gauge shotgun. The lucky winner of that prize was William, who was holding ticket number 760.

A tremendous thanks for all those who helped make this fundraiser a success, from acquiring the guns to selling the tickets. Look for a new idea in raffles coming soon. ★

The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation will be holding NRA Basic Pistol Courses once a month. The date for this month will be February 9th, from 8 am to 5 pm. The course will be held at The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation facility at 37 Pierce Street in Northborough, MA. This one-day, 8-hour course includes classroom and range time, learning to shoot revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. Students learn NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; pistol parts and operation; ammunition; shooting fundamentals; range rules; shooting from the bench rest position and two handed standing positions; cleaning the pistol; and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Winchester/NRA

Marksmanship Qualification booklet, take a Basics of Pistol Shooting Student Examination, and course completion certificate. The course completion certificate can be used to obtain your Class A or B License to Carry (LTC) or a Firearms Identification Card (FID) through your local police department.

Registration is required and the course fee is $125.00. Students can call the Foundation at 508-393-5133 to make a reservation. Checks and money orders are accepted; credit card payments can be made online through PayPal. Go to <www.PayPal.com>, click on “Send Money” and enter email address “Foundation2012@verizon.net”.

Lunch will be included. Range time will he hosted at Woodville Rod & Gun Club, in nearby Woodville, MA. ★

The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation continues to work with instructors to develop our training schedule for 2013.

Our aim is to contract with certified instructors who are able to cover a wide spectrum of courses for students, both young and old.

On February 23-24, Level 4 Coach Russ Doucette will share his knowledge to help interested candidates achieve their Level 1 Certification as a Pistol Coach.

Details on that training are outlined in the ad below.

Additional Coach Certifications and

other trainings are being planned. Our allvolunteer Board of Directors and our parttime administrative assistant have been working to put together a new dedicated team of instructors, committed to bringing valuable learning opportunities to the public.

If you are interested in becoming a member of our training team or if there are particular courses you would like to see The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation offer, please contact Michelle at 508-393-5133 or send an email to foundation2012@verizon.net. ★

NRA Pistol Courses at Foundation Headquarters

Coach Certification and More Trainings on the Way

Coach (Level 1) Certification course for Pistol

Have you ever wanted to become a certified pistol coach? The Coach (Level 1) is the entry level for all NRA coaches. It is step one to being trained and recognized to coach beginning and intermediate athletes. The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation is sponsoring a Coach (Level 1) Certification course that will offer: ● Introduction to the Coaching Program ● Safety and Risk Management ● Competition Events ● Equipment and Facilities ● Fundamentals of Shooting ● Running Quality Programs ● Coaching Ethics ● Coaching Methodology ● Sports Psychology ● Training Planning ● Rulebook use ● How To Conduct Tournaments

Jamie Kirouac pulled the winning tickets for the Christmas 3 Gun Raffle.

Junior Shooting Equipment For Sale * ITEM: Champions Choice Prone Mat, like new, $50. * ITEM: Kowa Spotting Scope TS-502/Z zoom 20x-40x 50 mm lens 10 inch Grey, NIB, $150. * ITEM: 8# of Alliant Powder 2400 for $75. * ITEM: Four DY 887 Gold Medalist gas operated air rifles with sights, refill

Items are FOB at our Northborough office. Shipping is available for an extra charge.

All checks or money orders should be made out to the “Massachusetts Shooters Foundation”. Cash will also be accepted for items picked up.

If you are interested in purchasing any of these items, please send an email to foundation2012@verizon.net or call 508-393-5133. ★

INDOOR YARD SALE!

March 10th - 10 am - 2 pm 37 Pierce Street Northboro, MA

Everything Must Go!

Some of the items we will have for sale include: ✒ mahoganite desk & matching 2-drawer lateral file cabinet ✒ metal 2-drawer lateral file cabinet ✒ five office desks in various shapes & sizes ✒ two L-shaped office desks ✒ one 2-drawer file cabinet ✒ five - swivel office chairs ✒ seven - 4-drawer metal file cabinets ✒ expandable kitchen table with 3 chairs ✒ three side tables ✒ two safes ✒ large display case

Saturday & Sunday - February 23 & 24 from 9 am - 5 pm Cost: $140, includes lunch

Reservations required, space limited. If you would like to register for the course call 508-393-5133.

Advanced Certified Coach (Level 4) Russ Doucette will be leading the course.

If you have questions you may call him directly at 508-561-2327.

Page 14

The

tank and adapter. $1200 for the lot. * ITEM: 1907 wood LEFT HAND stock.

This is a 3 Position stock, not a heavier prone stock and is in very good condition. Asking price $750. * ITEM: Champions Choice CC-542 Spotting Scope Zoom 12x-50x 60 MM 45 degree lens w/carry case, NIB, $75.

Outdoor Message

We will also have a variety of other small items, such as holsters, books, etc.

February 2013

CAPE COD FISH & GAME ASSOCIATION

Depot Street, North Harwich MA 02645 - Club Lodge 508-432-4457 Mailing Address: PO Box 119 Harwichport MA 02646

President, Jim Gillespie 1st Vice President, George Baggitt 2nd Vice President, Dan Welch Treasurer, Ricardo Vasconcellos Secretary, Kim Johnson

Membership & Business Meetings

The next club Business Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 12th, 2013. As usual dinner will be served at 7 PM and the meeting will begin at approximately 8 PM. All members are urged to arrive early for a good seat.

Please be advised that the February Board of Directors Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 at 7 PM.

Nominations Committee

license to carry (L.T.C.) is encouraged to attend this invaluable course. Space is limited and reservations are strongly recommended.

Please contact Mike London or George Baggitt at any club meeting. December’s course hosted 25 students!

during February, March and April. Members should mark their calendars for the third Sunday of each of these months. The second 3D Shoot for 2013 is slated for Sunday, February 17th, 2013. Those hearty souls who wish to hone their skills are reminded that the shoots begin at 7 AM and breakfast will be available in the clubhouse.

Christmas Ham Shoot

Bob Bates On Sunday, December 23rd, Bob Bates 2012 our club held its own It is that time of year again and the month Trap Range based Christmas of May will be here before you know it. Lucky Bird Ham Shoot. The As for the weekly That means the Annual Election of club would like to thank all Shaun Baggitt won the Henry .22 caliber rifle that was the big raffle Wednesday night shoots, Officers is right around the corner. In fact, trap shooters who came out prize at the December Christmas Party. Looks like Shaun's Dad business has continued to be this year’s Annual Meeting and Election to participate in this event. George (pictured to Shaun’s right) might have a few plans for this brisk. Wednesday evenings of Officers, will be held on Tuesday continue to have as many as Not only did we have our new addition to his son's collection.

Evening, May 14th, 2013. Our newly own trap shooting cast of 10 or more archers using the Non members will pay just a dollar more! appointed Nominations Committee is characters however we hosted a few indoor range. Anyone with a compound Our trap range is open to all whether you seeking individuals to run for office to fill shooters from Monument Beach, Midway bow, reverse curve or long bow is the positions of President, 1st Vice as well as the Hanson Rod & Gun Club. are a novice, a rookie, an expert or an ATA welcome. To all who have crossbows, superstar.

Everyone is welcome so come President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, As a result nine rounds of trap allowed please feel free to bring them along as Treasurer, Clerk as well as members to fill nine lucky participants the opportunity to on down and join us for some shooting well. The fun begins at 7:30 PM. Come on fun! three Board of Director seats. Any walk away with a ten-pound ham to help down members and throw some arrows!! member in good standing, wishing to seek compliment each of office and help contribute and their holiday tables. administrate this organization is urged to Special thanks to contact any member of the Nominations Peter Morgavio, Adam Committee.

Preston, Rusty Crocker, Joe Bison, George Baggitt Dan Grant, Kyle Grant Please be advised that all new as well as Dan Welch Jill and Al Savage members who come into our Speaking of meetings! Members are and his nephew Liam organization during the 2013 reminded that the monthly raffle at each who all helped with the membership period are reminded that club meeting features a number of prizes loading of birds and the they are responsible to fulfill their from hunting paraphernalia, fishing poles, scoring of rounds. obligatory commitment of four hardware, housewares and sometimes Congratulations to all workhours. Failure to do so will club merchandise. All members and their of our trap shooting result in a $50 assessment for the guests are encouraged to purchase raffle ham prize winners! following year's dues. tickets to win some great prizes.

All members are further reminded that a current member must sponsor Dan Welch new applicants. All applicants and All members are Rusty Crocker (left) and Joe Bisson (right) are both sponsors must be interviewed for reminded that Trap is "associates" to our club's "Trap Range Gang" on Sunday membership. After submitting an Mike London shooting Saturday Mornings. Rusty took fifth place and Joe won the "Veterans" application, all perspective new This month’s scheduled NRA Home Mornings at 10 AM, award in the recent shoot at the Hanson Club. members will be contacted to Firearms Safety Course will be held Sunday Mornings at 9 schedule the interview. Anyone with a Tuesday February 19th, 2013 at 7 PM. AM as well as Wednesday and Friday membership question is urged to contact Anyone interested in ascertaining his or afternoons at 12 noon. The cost to shoot is George Baggitt at any club meeting.

Howie Bearse her firearm identification card (F.I.D.) or a mere $3.00 per round of 25 clay targets.

All members are reminded that the club’s plinking range is open for business! All Ray Ertel breaks clay at the December Trap Range Ham Shoot. members and their guests are further reminded to read, review and most of all, UNDERSTAND the range rules before Buddy Gillespie Esq. firing any firearms on this range.

All members need to be reminded that the This range is here for your enjoyment. gate is to be closed and locked each time Be sure to use it properly. If you are any member enters or exits the club unsure of a policy contact a club officer facilities. The only exception to this rule for clarification. is when the club is open to a public event such as trap shooting, scheduled 3D Archery events, Turkey Shoots, Slug Shoots and etc.

Wednesday Night Archery

Membership & Workhours Department

Raffle Department

Trap Range

NRA Training Department

Plinking Range

Do You Live In A “#$%&%$#” Barn?

3D Archery Shoot Department

3D shoots are back and are being held

Until next month….Bob P. ★

Please tell our advertisers you saw it in The

February 2013

Outdoor Message™ The

Outdoor Message

Page 15

WOODVILLE ROD & GUN CLUB

252 Wood Street ~ Woodville, Massachusetts 01784 508-435-4148 ~ www.woodvillerodandgun.com

Est. 1927

Meetings

8/3/2013 8/24/2013 9/8/2013 10/5/2013 10/26/2013 10/31/2013 11/23/2013 11/28/2013 12/14/2013 12/15/2013

Members’ Meetings held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the Month, at 8:00 pm. **New Membership interviews held on the 2nd Thursday of the Month, 7 pm.

Trap shooting is every Sunday, 1:30 pm.

Club Website

www.woodvillerodandgun.com

Calendar of Events 2013

Seafood Bake Club Cleanup Chicken BBQ Comedy Night Adult Halloween Party Kids Halloween Party Pot Luck Dinner Thanksgiving Adult Christmas Kids Christmas

Happy New Year!

(Please note new events, Porketta Dinner – March, Texas BBQ – May and Pot Luck Dinner – November) 2/2/2013 Kids Ice Derby 2/3/2013 Super Bowl Sunday 2/9/2013 Game Feed 2/10/2013 Meat Shoot 2/23/2013 Adult No Ice Date 2/24/2013 Kids No Ice Date 3/2/2013 Horseshoe Banquet 3/10/2013 Meat Shoot 3/16/2013 Porketta Dinner 4/13/2013 Comedy Night 4/20/2013 Trout Derby 4/21/2013 Meat Shoot 4/27/2013 Club Cleanup 4/28/2013 Greg Montalbano Day 5/4/2013 Margarita Night 5/11/2013 Kids Fishing Derby 5/18/2013 Texas BBQ

With the start of the New Year, we have several changes. Our new officers are in place, we have added some new events to our calendar throughout the year, and we have had several new members join the club. We are looking forward to another exciting year at the club. Your help and support will make us successful.

We would like to thank the outgoing trustee and officers for all their contributions over the past year. We know taking on an officers’ position or a position on one of the committees can be a little daunting at times. We appreciate all the efforts and the extra personal time spent on keeping these roles in check, which helps to keep our club running smoothly. Thank you also, to the many volunteers that lend a helping hand at our functions and other club events. The more volunteers we have, the easier and faster

things get done. We look forward to having another good year. Lots of opportunities for new members to get their details done!

New Members

Welcome new members Denise Flanders, Mark Sullivan, Robert Frederico and Paul Wilson.

Game Feed

Our game feed will be held on February 9.

The chefs are working feverishly to come up with some exciting dishes for you to try. Stay tuned for all the details.

Fishing Derby

We will have all the exciting details of the Fishing derbies for you in the next issue.

Dues are Due

Dues were due by 12/31/12; anyone who has yet to pay their dues, the fee is now $90.00. Please arrange to have your dues arrive prior to 1/31/2013 in order to avoid being dropped from the membership.

Please contact the membership committee if you need to request a hardship and we will work out something. We value each and everyone’s membership.

2013 TV Raffle

Tickets are on sale for the 2013 TV Raffle.

1st prize: Sony 46" LED/LCD/1080p/2D & 3D/ Motion Flow XR 480 2nd prize: 42" Panasonic LED/LCD/Full HD 1080p Drawing - Super Bowl Sunday 2013 Price $20.00 Only 100 Tickets being sold

The Outdoor Message

Reservations are open for the 2013 Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp!

Camp dates are August 4 - 16. Learn about the camp and download an application at www.juniorconservationcamp.org

The

Outdoor Message

New England’s Most Active Outdoor People

Subscription Form The Outdoor Message is now available for individual subscriptions!

Last Name

First Name

Mailing Address City

Home Phone

State

Postal Delivery 1 year/12 issues

Email Address

Please notify Karen Remillard (karen.remillard@emc.com) if you are interested in obtaining The Outdoor Message via email. This will save the club money. If you have already responded to my original email then you are all set.

The printed, mailed version of The Outdoor Message will still be available to those who do not have internet access or who simply prefer having a paper in hand.

Pictures

Do you have any pictures you’d like to have put in The Outdoor Message or on our website? Please send them over to anyone on the Website Committee, Gary Schultz shulg@msn.com, Karen Remillard karen.remillard@emc.com, Heidi Schwarz hschwarz@netexposure.net or Kim Clark kimba57@comcast.net; you can send them with captions or without. Or send them to The Outdoor Message committee, Cherryl Barrett cherryl_b@hotmail.com, Phil Goodwin phil-sheila@comcast.net, Tom Marcone tmarcone@comcast.net or Karen Remillard karen.remillard@emc.com.

Reminders

• If anyone knows of a member who is sick or hospitalized, please let us know.

You can leave a message at 508-4354148.

• Please remember to lock the gate behind you if you are the last or only person that is on the range on any given day. Please be considerate of others and pick up after yourself.

• Trap Shooting - Come on down and bring a friend, weather permitting. Trap starts at 1:30 pm on Sundays. The public is welcome.

• Trap Shooting on member meeting nights from 6:30 – 7:30 pm, if enough interest to open the range.

Scholarship

The club offers a $500 scholarship each year. Call the club, email David Laquidara at oct31st@comcast.net or go to our website for more info. Many local students have benefitted from our scholarship over the years.

Clothing

If you’re interested in club clothing see Cherryl Barrett, or send an e-mail: cherryl_b@hotmail.com

Hall Rentals

The hall is available for rentals, please contact, Kim Clark at: kimba57@comcast.net or leave a message at 508-435-4148. ★

Middle Initial Zip

❒ $ 10.00

Electronic Delivery (include email address above) 1 year/12 issues ❒ $ 6.00

Enclosed is my ❒ Cash ❒ Check ❒ Money Order To pay by credit card, please visit our website at http://www.theoutdoormessage.com/Subscribeform.html

Return form and payment to 37 Pierce Street, Northborough, MA 01532

201302

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Outdoor Message

February 2013

RHODE ISLAND STATE RIFLE & REVOLVER ASSOCIATION

President: Charles Hawkins, Sr.

PO Box 10177 - Cranston RI 02910 - 401-573-0260 Executive Officer: Joseph Graf

Treasurer: Stephen P. Hogan stephenhogan@msn.com

Where We Are

by Gail A. Hogan Let me start by thanking those of you who have sent e-mails expressing your support of our association, asked if you could help in any way, sent facts and videos of statements that would have gone unnoticed. We can’t expect the media to show that there are upstanding people, good citizens, who do not want more gun control or more gun laws!

Thank you to our good friend Daria Bruno, of Lock Stock & Daria, who allowed us to go on air and discuss the proposal by the Providence City Council.

Tune in to Daria every Saturday from 11:00 am until Noon, on 920WHJJ, on the AM dial! She, Mike Wojo and Tom Murphy are personal friends of ours who really make a difference in our Second Amendment Rights here in Rhode Island!! Also, thanks to those who tuned in and sent kind words. That helps us know we are on the “right track”.

Last year Liz Clupny, Assistant Executive Officer and our Volunteer Lobbyist, and I testified at the State House regarding this bill. This current Bill 2573, is similar to the one introduced last year by the Providence Public Safety Commissioner. Due to the violence in our capitol city they would like people to know that you can’t come into Providence with a firearm. Last year the bill wanted to grant each city and town the right to regulate their own firearms laws. That would be a nightmare for all of us, not to mention the cost of administering this proposal! Presently, we have 38 communities who can issue CCW permits and there are some who will not do so because they do not believe a citizen should have that right.

Another bill that came up last year, and we effectively lobbied against it, was in the absence of a Police Chief in the Town of Exeter, was to have the Superintendent of the State Police issue. I was told by one representative that I set the NRA back fifty years. Buddy Cianci had Colonel Steven O’Donnell of the Rhode Island State Police on his show just before Christmas. When he asked the Colonel how many permits he signed, he replied “not a single one, and I won’t ever sign one”.

Every time there is a violent act committed with a firearm or firearms we go through this same scenario. It isn’t about guns! It’s about one’s mental capacity, obviously lack thereof!!! It’s mostly about the Democrats and their anti-gun agenda!

My heart goes out to the families of the victims of Sandy Hook. They need our prayers. It is not the norm that a parent buries their child. I know, I saw what my parents went through when they had to bury not one, but two of their sons, one as an infant and one as a young man.

We have educated the elected officials as much as they want to be. They just want to jump on the proverbial band wagon and join their peers to wipe out guns. We won’t let them!!!! Again, thank you for your support. This is just the

Happy Valentine’s Day February 2013

beginning. Please be mindful that when we speak, write, e-mail or text our elected officials it should be accomplished with respect.

No Deer, No Blood, But Wait…

by Raymond Casale (Our newest member) I arrived at my hunting spot around 5:45 am on a November Sunday in Scituate, Rhode Island. It was a cool morning with a calm wind. I was planning to stay and put in a full day of hunting. At my vehicle, which is a vintage Landcruiser I’ve owned for 26 years and recently restored, I started my usual routine of gathering my gear, loading my muzzleloader and lastly, the most important, finishing my hot mug of coffee.

I slowly and quietly proceeded north up a small trail that was off the main fire road. After about a 20 to 30 minute walk I came across a spot that had numerous deer tracks running east to west and vice versa, so I decided to watch this area. I went back a little to a spot that overlooked

Assistant Executive Officer: Elizabeth Clupny

Secretary: Gail A. Hogan gahogan777@hotmail.com

this area, which had a downed pine tree, and set up behind this perfect natural blind. It was still early, and the wind was in my favor.

No more than 30 minutes later, I heard that infamous crunching sound. I readied myself, first by saying—please, please be a deer and next by raising my muzzleloader. Sure enough three does came out. I watched them quietly, hoping they would keep walking my way so I could get a clean shot. They did, about 50 yards away and I put sights on the first one.

Just as I was ready to shoot, it jumped over a stone wall that was running down one side of the trail. I set my sights back to the middle one that so happened to stop broadside in the middle of the trail. I fired and…darn I couldn’t see a thing because

the smoke blocked my view. Saying to myself after cussing, did I hit it?

Then I went down to the spot to check and there was nothing there, no deer, no blood, until I looked to my right and spotted it on the ground on the other side if the wall, clean shot, just behind the shoulder. “Yes! Yes!” I hollered. Now comes the fun part, dragging this 110 to 120 pound animal a ¼ mile out of the woods. Good thing no one was around to hear me cursing this deer for being heavy and yelling at it to get up and help me out a little because you’re giving me a half of a heart attack. Yes there is a light at the end of the tunnel, I see my vehicle.

Please send us your stories or club events to be published here in our page of The Outdoor Message! ★

Do you have a firearms or sporting business in Rhode Island?

This publication reaches all current members of the Rhode Island State Rifle & Revolver Association. To find out how to get your business name out to hundreds of RI sportsmens, contact editor@theoutdoormessage.com for rates and information.

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Outdoor Message

Page 17

WRENTHAM SPORTSMEN’S ASSOCIATION

PO Box 83 - 7 Madison Street - Wrentham, MA 02093 508-643-1322 - www.wrenthamsa.com

Welcome 2013

Meetings: Advisory Board: First Monday of the Month, 7 pm; General: Second Monday of the Month, 7 pm

Howie Bristow howard.bristow@gmail.com A few things have changed, so here’s a quick recap. After many years of hard work Chuck DuPont is getting a welldeserved break. I’m going to take a stab at The Outdoor Message. Please join me in thanking Chuck for his dedication to this role.

Please keep in mind that The Outdoor Message is sent to WSA members who are LIFE members and paid up to date REGULAR members. I will be updating The Outdoor Message monthly on status changes. The cost for your subscription is paid out of your annual dues. It does not have anything to do with GOAL. Please consider supporting our voice to protect our gun rights in MA, along with NRA. The first Monday of the month the Advisory Board meets at 7 pm in the main room. If you want to be more involved or just see some of the interesting inner workings of your club, please attend. The second Monday is our regular meeting also at 7 pm. Jerry Harpin and his team always provide us with a great meal for just $5.00.

On the topic of great meals we have Pizza night back. Like last year Chris Compagnone and Tom Houde prepare custom pizzas and calzones that can’t be beat. Stop by, bring a guest or order take out.

Archery

The practice archery range now is lighted and open until 9 pm at night. Archery is shooting Wednesday nights at 6 pm.

For more information or interest about archery or events you may contact Chuck DuPont 508-520-3339.

Range

The range is a private range except during shoots. Other than those times, nonmembers are only to use the range as a guest when they are accompanied by a member in good standing.

Competition shoots at the club are held on Sundays at 1 PM. The entry fee is $20.

You will shoot 10 targets at 2 distances.

The distances normally are 25 and 50 yards for rifle. The distances normally are 15 and 25 feet for pistol. Prizes of steaks

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or gift certificates are awarded to the highest shooter of each round. Shooters may only win twice, once at the closer distance and once at the further distance.

The shoots are open to all. Plan on 50-60 rounds for rifle and pistol shoots, less for black powder and shotgun slug shoots.

Any ideas for future shoots would be greatly appreciated; you may contact John directly or email the editor with your comments.

Range hours are 7 am to ½ hour after sunset Monday through Saturday, and 9 am to ½ hour after sunset on Sundays.

The lighted Pistol Range is open until 9 pm each night.

There will be no range use during scheduled archery events.

If you are interested in doing reloading, and never knew how to get started, you can contact John Dennis and he will set something up.

For more information or interest about the range or events you may contact John Dennis 508-384-7607.

Fish & Game

New members see the fish & game committee to get your work party hours signed off. Good luck hunting & fishing and be safe. For more information or interest in fish and game you may contact Gary "Who" Duquette at 508 384 3415 or e-mail at gyduke28@msn.com.

Give a man a fish feed him for a day, teach a man to fish feed him for a lifetime.

Do You Have a Story?

(Including private hunting clubs, private fishing clubs and guided hunting and fishing clubs)

- LIABILITY - Comprehensive General Liability (Limits up to $2,000,000) - PROPERTY - Building & Contents

If you are a member and would like to have your story, photograph or information published in the next issue of The Outdoor Message, my contact information is Howie Bristow email: howard.bristow@gmail.com

Kitchen

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We are a local independent agency who would be there for you when you need it. Our premiums are more competitive than other insurance companies.

Call for an insurance evaluation and quote.

508-656-1440 Arlene Pucillo apucillo@charlesriverinsurance.com

Meals (while they last) are available prior to Regular Meetings for $5.00. Pizza and Calzone served Friday nights through winter.

Range Schedule

Feb 10 - Rifle 22 Rim Fire Feb 24 - Pistol 22 Rim Fire March 10 - Mountain man – Black Powder Pistol, Rifle; Gary March 24 – Military Pistol 45 cal any

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Outdoor Message

model or make 1911 style April 7 – Shotgun Turkey #4,# 5 or #6 shot; Jerry April 21 Pistol Center Fire Iron Sights 25’, 50’ and 50 yards May 5 – Rifle 22 Rim Fire, Bench Rest May 19 Military Rifle & Pistol; Keith June 2 - Pistol Rim Fire June 23 – Pistol Black Powder

Full listing on board in Members Lounge.

NOTES: Scopes are allowed unless noted ie: ‘iron sights’ Bench Rest events, there are some available at the range, on a first come bases or bring your own.

You do not need to sign the ‘book’ at the club for these scheduled club events.

Notes of Interest

Sadly we lost a good friend and member in January, Fred Burns.

On the mends is Tim Plant’s wife Laurie, good to see her recovering.

A BONFIRE is scheduled for February 16 and we will have Hot Dogs and Chili available. This is a fun night for the family, see you there.

Work Parties: Soon we will be posting WP opportunities on the caulk board in the main room. In addition I will post events that can always use help and a contact person. Please keep in mind the Kitchen needs clean up help EVERY Meeting night.

Still some openings for the Winter Trout and Coyote pools.

Membership

Regular Membership dues must be paid by the General Meeting in February. After that night late renewals must go through the Advisory Board.

LIFE Members, please fill out a renewal form and update any new information. It’s been 5 years since last census of LIFE Members.

The existing subscription list for the The Outdoor Message is being purged and updated with renewals from 2013. The Outdoor Message costs 61¢ per month to send out, so let’s make sure it goes to current members only. The Outdoor Message is also available by email if you’d like.

2013 Officers

President - Keith Sharron First V.P. - Dave Munchbach Second V.P. - Skip Budlong Rec. Sec. - Jeff Roy Financial Sec. – Howie Treasurer – Tara Suchy ★

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AYER GUN & SPORTSMEN'S CLUB

255 Snake Hill Road - Ayer, MA 01432 - 978-772-9748

Email: ayergsc@verizon.net Website: http://www.ayergsc.vzwebsites.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ayer-Gun-SportsmensClub/265885770137669

New Members

Welcome Alvin Stewart, Kyle Blanchard, Gordon Blanchard and Michael Anderson.

Items of Interest

To keep up to date on current events and activities, visit us on Facebook or on our Website – both are listed above.

Sunday Breakfast

Breakfast is open to the public on Sundays from 8 to 11 am. It is a great way to come check the club out and meet some of us. We hope to see you there.

Range Communication

Are you interested in a .22 caliber travelling bullseye team? Please leave your name, phone number or an email address so that you may be contacted for an informational meeting. Thanks for taking the time to view this notice, Barry ASGC Field Captain 978-204-8277.

December 17, 2012 After the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for our public servants, members of the armed services, the victims of the Newtown CT shooting and deceased member John Brenna, the meeting was called to order by President Dick Zontini. There were 49 members in attendance.

There was one new junior member voted in. Welcome Colleen O’Shea.

Prior to the start of the meeting, the junior team came out. They recently shot a postal match. They placed 8th out of 41.

That resulted in the team being invited to the National match in Fort Benning.

Manny Snyderman announced his son Max will be joining the coaching team to help prepare them for the next level.

Treasurer’s Report

Jeff Croteau presented the treasurer’s report. Dave Gregoire thanked Jeff for his part in supplying financial information needed to obtain the grants the club has been awarded.

Financial Secretary

Leo O’Rourke reported that there are 369 regular members, 78 life time members, 22 spousal, 23 junior rifle and 5 juniors, 8 students and 9 military. The total membership is 514.

Recording Secretary Minutes were sent to Message.

Directors

The

Outdoor

Tony Manbucca gave the directors report.

They discussed an issue with the rifle range lights, members requesting more indoor range availability and GOAL memberships for new members.

Trap

New members may use their two free rounds either on Wednesdays, 6-9 PM, or on Sundays, 9 AM to whenever.

February 2013

Fish & Ponds

Any member interested in chairing Fish & Ponds, please contact Ernie Johnson. Scott has done a great job, but he has other commitments preventing him from spending as much time with this. He will take the time to work with getting the person up to speed and will still help out with the charity derbies.

Thank you Ed Barwicki for you donation to our annual ARC Derby. It is very much appreciated and we look forward to seeing you at the event!

Sick Committee

We are very said to say that Mau Pau passed. Our sympathy goes out to his family. Dan D’Amato recently had hip surgery. Buddy is doing well. He just went back to work and is on light duty.

President - Ernie Johnson DirectorsVice President - Buddy Shorey Tom Horgan, Chair Treasurer - CJ Moore Gail English, Gail Bruhn, Secretary - Darlene Johnson Todd Moore, Jared Sergeant of Arms - Andrew Anderson Clough, Norman Field Captain - Barry Schwarzel Reynolds, Miles Donell

club or emailing Darlene at AYERGSC@verizon.net letting her know if you would rather receive this via email.

To view the meeting minutes look on the back bulletin board at the club or check your email.

Children’s Christmas Party

Outdoor Message

As members of the club you receive a copy of The Outdoor Message Paper. It is now offered digitally so that you can receive it via email instead of the hard copy you now receive. This offers us a good savings per person per month.

Please let Darlene know by either leaving a message with your email address at the

Thanks to everyone who helped make this such a successful event! We could not do this without all of your help. The kids had a fantastic time. Here are a few pics:

2013 DUES

IF YOU HAVE NOT PAID YOUR ANNUAL DUES OF $65.00, YOU ONLY HAVE UNTIL FEBRUARY 7TH TO PAY, INCLUDING A $5.00 LATE FEE. PLEASE NOTE THAT JUNIOR MEMBERSHIPS ALSO NEED TO BE RENEWED ANNUALLY. THEIR COST IS $10.00. ★

MASPENOCK ROD & GUN CLUB

P.O. Box 42 - McGill Lane - Milford, Mass. 01757 www.MaspenockRodandGun.org

Rifle Range

Dave Kirschner reported that the components have been ordered. Once in, there will be a work party scheduled.

Terry Thomas let the membership know that he will be holding a 3-2-1 shoot.

Junior Rifle

Members of Maspenock Rod and Gun Club traveled to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, RPI in December (see photo).

Indoor Pistol Range/ Outdoor Pistol

requirements should be 1) to read NRA Ten Commandments of Safety, 2) Read and sign Range Safety Rules and 3) Sign a new member release and indemnity.

He suggested that guests and non-member participants need to sign release and indemnity (short form). The hall rental release is being addressed. He is On December 15th members of Maspenock Rod and Gun Club traveled reviewing the bylaws to RPI in Troy, NY to participate in a USA Shooting Preliminary Try-out and will suggest (PTO) 60 shot Precision Air Rifle match. All fired the grueling 105 minute changes. offhand match and had solid performances. This was a tune up match for the teams’ participation in the Massachusetts Junior Olympic Rifle Qualifier match in January. Stay tuned for those results next month.

Pictured from left to right, are Abby Monique, Colleen O’Shea, AJ Comady, Tyler Lefebvre, and Chris Rooney.

Charlie Bertrand noted that windows were installed.

Asphalt will need to be spread.

The indoor league is still shooting. The league is one team short as a result of Hudson not participating. The team is still looking for shooters to participate.

Entertainment

Lloyd Currie had no news. It was noted that the Pinewood Derby will be held in the club on March 8th and 9th. The range will be closed on 3/9 for it.

Structure and Grounds

Tony Manbucca noted that the large tree that fell in the archery range was removed

by Bruno Blanchard. He will submit an invoice. The range is safe to use again.

Tony has a quote for the cost of replacing windows in the hall.

Archery

Archery is still looking for someone to chair a committee. Tony would like a map created of the archery stations to define where they are. He is looking for a The

member to do it. He would like photos taken and superimposed over a map of the property. Once completed it would be posted on the web site with hopes of promoting archery.

Worcester County League

L.A. Jones reported that the league has not yet met at the time of our meeting. His will update us at the next meeting.

Old Business

Nominations were reopened. The election committee has been created. It will be Dave Gregoire, Dennis Dorr and Lenny.

Joe Austin and Troy Dyson were nominated for director and accepted.

Nominations were closed. Voting will take place in January.

Jeff spoke to the club attorney about the bylaws. He advised to separate the bylaws, standing rules and range safety rules. He noted that new member

Outdoor Message

New Business

The new budget will be proposed in February. Committees should submit proposals by the next meeting. A member suggested that Building & Grounds look into air-conditioning for the hall. Motion was made and approved. We will need a Building & Grounds Committee. Anyone interested should contact the directors.

Jeff asked for clarification about a bill he received from GOAL memberships for new members. Joe Austin explained how it originated. A motion was made to give all new members a 1 year GOAL membership and it was made a standing rule.

Good Of The Club

The monthly cash raffle was drawn and won by a member attending the meeting.

Motion was make to pay the billsApproved Motion to adjourn.

Respectfully submitted, Michelle St.Gelais ★ Page 19

HOLYOKE REVOLVER CLUB, INC.

P.O. Box 543 - Holyoke, MA 01041 - 413-539-9345 - holyokerevolverclub.com

HRC Facilities Update

President - Normand Desilets Secretary - Richard Asselin Directors - Marshall Johnson Vice-president - Joseph Knapik, Jr. Membership Secretary - William Burgess Ronald Mehlhorn Treasurer - Paul Cadorette Governor - Daniel Jones Ray LaBarre

The Holyoke Revolver Club has spent more than $100,000 over the last six years improving and rebuilding its facilities.

The club has a 50-foot, 10-port indoor range for pistol and .22 rifle, a 50-yard outdoor range for pistol and .22 rifle, and a 100-yard outdoor range for high-power rifle. Competitive matches are held at all the ranges. Improvements on the indoor range include increased ventilation, sound attenuation and electric target carriers.

One bathroom has been modified for handicapped access. The interior and exterior of the club have been completely repainted for a fresh look. All improvements, including a high concrete barrier wall next to the rifle range, have been made with safety in mind. A new concrete barrier wall will be built next to the pistol range this year. Some of the improvements have been made with the help of grants from the NRA Foundation.

In addition to the 13 monthly activities at the club, including the NRA Basic Pistol course, there is a Junior Rifle safety course and marksmanship program for 10 to 20 year olds. Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops are welcome to earn their marksmanship merit badges, as the HRC instructors are certified counselors and trained in youth protection. The program is held on Thursday evenings.

Anyone interested in becoming a club member should visit the club’s website at <www.holyokerevolverclub.com>.

A state firearm safety certificate (available through the club’s course) and a MA License to Carry are required for membership.

Dues Time

Membership dues are being collected for 2013. A renewal application is included in this issue of The Outdoor Message.

Membership Secretary Bill Burgess will accept applications during membership and directors’ meetings. Locks will be changed after the February meeting and electronic access cards will be cancelled for non-renewing members.

Chronograph Session

Club members will have a chance to check their reloads for velocity and consistency when reloading instructor Ralph Rechenberger sets up his chronograph on the indoor range on

February 2 from 8:30 to noon. No heavy magnums may be used, and the session is open only to HRC members. Other club members with chronographs are invited to participate if their machines will work indoors.

Yellow Gate

At the request of the MA Division of Fish and Wildlife, club members have been asked to close and lock the yellow iron gate whenever it is used to access the 100yard rifle range. All HRC members in good standing should have a key to the padlock. The DFW owns adjacent property and wants to keep unauthorized vehicles out of the area.

Instruction Opportunities

Shooting Orientation 101. Sandy Richard and Ann Robinson are planning a day of instruction and familiarization for new shooters. It will include an opportunity to try out various firearms prior to making a first purchase. Participants must have passed the HRC safety course or hold a current Massachusetts LTC. Time and place to be announced.

High Power Rifle Course. The club will hold its annual rifle instruction clinic on May 4. Participants will study the care and feeding of the M1, M1A and similar competition rifles and then shoot a highpower match in the afternoon. The course is open only to club members. Rifles and ammunition will be available. Rick and Dave Wallis are in charge.

Pistol Course. Holyoke Revolver Club conducts an NRA Basic Pistol course every month on the third Saturday.

Successful participants receive both the NRA certificate and the Massachusetts state certificate required for firearms licenses. Information is available at the club website or by leaving a message on the club phone at 413-539-9345. The club is now listed on the NRA website and will appear on a zip code search for NRA instruction. The club has over a dozen NRA-certified pistol instructors and a similar number of certified Range Safety Officers. Volunteers are needed to monitor the firing line from 11 am to 3 pm. Marshall Johnson is chief instructor.

Gun A Day Drawing

Tickets for the 2013 raffle are available from committee member George Apgar. It

is sponsored by the Pioneer Valley Friends of NRA as a fundraiser for youth programs, conservation programs and range development. The drawing takes place during the month of March, with a new gun awarded every day when a ticket number matches the first three digits of the Mass. Daily evening lottery number.

Tickets are $25. The club has received several grants through the Foundation.

Scholastic Steel Challenge

The club has purchased equipment to hold SSC matches for junior and adult members. The course of fire is an action match against a series of steel plate targets, and winners are decided by the shortest times. Adult range officers accompany each junior through the course, and safety is emphasized at all times. Guns used are .38 Special revolvers, 9 mm pistols or .22 rifles and pistols. Juniors must be HRC members and have a signed parental permission slip. SSC membership is $20 per year.

There will be a safety training course for SSC at a date to be announced. Marshall Johnson and Joe Knapik are in charge.

Security Cameras

Cameras have been installed to monitor the interior of the building as well as the parking lot and 50-yard outdoor range.

Images stored on the hard drive will only be reviewed if there is damage or suspicious activity at the club.

being fitted with electric target return motors to facilitate their use by handicapped shooters.

Outdoor Message

For years the club has benefitted from using The Outdoor Message to deliver its news and notices, and Gun Owners’ Action League paid for the subscriptions of club members who were also members of GOAL. The club now pays for all subscriptions, which are available in both the traditional paper format or as an electronic newspaper, which costs the club one-third as much. Anyone who would like to receive the online publication should contact Membership Secretary Bill Burgess to make the change, or to alert him if a household is

HOLYOKE REVOLVER CLUB, INC. P.O. Box 501, Thorndike, MA 01079

City:

Email:

Tel No:

Occupation:

(Check membership desired)

Membership:

Make checks payable to: Holyoke Revolver Club, Inc. Please Circle All That Apply

Address:

State:

Firearms ID card Y N

Zip:

__Annual ($85.00)

__Spouse ($40.00)

License to carry

Y N

GOAL Member

Y N

NRA Member

Employer:

__Over 65 ($50.00)

Y N

__Junior ($25.00)

As a member, I will abide by the by-laws and regulations of the Holyoke Revolver Club. I will also abide by the new visitor policy. Visitors may accompany a club member to the property, but neither party can shoot or handle firearms. Visitors may observe regularly scheduled events. I release from liability and responsibility the Holyoke Revolver Club and its membership.

Would you like to receive The Outdoor Message publication? _____Yes _____No

If Yes ____Electronic copy or _____Paper copy. To receive either copy, you must make a selection.

Your Signature: ____________________________________________ Date:______________________________ Page 20

The

receiving more than one copy of Outdoor Message.

The

Plate Racks

The pistol target plates and the rubber bumpers on the outdoor racks were recently replaced. The plates on the left are rated for .22 caliber, and will fall when hit with a .22. The plates on the right are for normal centerfire pistol rounds, and will fall when struck with a .38 or 9 mm, but not a .22. Neither set of plates should be shot with any rifle or shotgun rounds.

Badges

Following a recent discussion by the board of directors, the membership voted to purchase plastic ID carriers so that HRC members can display their membership cards. The badges are now required on all club ranges. Members are also required to sign in at the clubhouse prior to using indoor or outdoor ranges.

New Members

Thomas Penna and Donna Rawson of West Springfield; Roland Menard, John Rhodes and Lynn Desilets, all of Chicopee; John W. Smith and Timothy Farris of Longmeadow; Bruce Hermans of Granby; Bruce Mitton of East Longmeadow; Lyudmila Briere of South Hadley and Juan Andujar of Holyoke all joined the club in January; as did Leah Buzzee of Westhampton and her son Bradley, a junior member.

Automatic Target Carriers HRC Hats and Patches The target carriers on the indoor range are

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Name:

Jim Torrey Rob Lombardi George Apgar

Outdoor Message

Hats and jacket patches embroidered with the club’s logo are now available for sale from Membership Secretary Bill Burgess.

Organizations to Support

The club encourages its members to join the National Rifle Association and GOAL. Ed Pelland is the club recruiter for both organizations, and handles membership applications and renewals for both. Club members can save $10 per year by paying for their NRA memberships through Ed for $25, rather than the standard $35. Ed receives NRA points for each renewal or new membership, which he applies to NRA memberships for junior members of the club.

Club Shoots & Matches

Fun Shoots. Dave Sparko conducts fun shoots on Tuesday evenings at the club.

Competitors shoot .22 pistols at steel plates and a “Dueling Tree” of spinning targets, trying to move all of the discs to the opponent’s side of the tree. Match schedules will be posted on the club’s website and calendar.

Practical Matches. The club holds practical matches on the fourth Saturday of the month. New shooters should arrive at 9 am for safety instruction. Participants should bring a centerfire pistol or revolver and 100 rounds of ammunition, extra magazines and speedloaders, a holster, which is not a shoulder or crossdraw model, a baseball cap and eye and ear protection. Chris Fila is in charge.

Volunteers are needed to set up the stages, and should arrive at 8 am.

PayPal

The club has established a Paypal account for payment of fees for the NRA Basic Pistol course. Information is available on the website. ★ February 2013

FIN, FUR AND FEATHER CLUB OF WELLESLEY AND NATICK Pistol and Rifle Report

As of this writing we are now 14 weeks into the League season, the Club's Pistol Team has a record of 13 wins and 1 loss.

The team is always looking for new shooters. Any Club Member who is interested in .22 caliber bullseye target shooting is encouraged to join us at one of the Wednesday night matches. See our Schedule of Matches on our website. The first relay starts shooting at about 7:30 pm, but you can arrive up to about an hour after that. For more information, contact Ken Wellington.

The Maspenock League schedule for February: 6 February Southborough @ Millis 13 February OPEN 20 February Millis @ Maspenock 27 February Hopedale @ Millis

Fish and Game

We have had a great hunting season this past year with many members participating in our Pheasant Hunting programs. We are presently planning for the spring fish stocking of our club pond.

At this time it is very important to understand that due to the constant

PO Box 272, 100 Larch Road - Millis, MA 02054-0272 508-376-2977 www.finfurandfeather.us

changes in the height of the river, it's not safe to walk on the ice on the Trout Pond.

All members and their guests are warned to stay off the ice at all times, regardless of its perceived thickness.

Annual Game Dinner

The Club’s annual Game Dinner will be held on Saturday, March 2nd. Tickets will be on sale at the Trap and Skeet house and from Board Members for $30 per ticket.

Tickets are limited to 125 so buy your tickets early.

This year the menu will be filled with various types of game and as in previous years there will be many raffle prizes.

Electronic Newsletter

By now you will have noticed that we are publishing our club news in an electronic form and sending it to your email address we have on record. If you have not supplied your email address to the club or if you have changed it recently it is very important that you inform us now. If you wish to receive club information and club billing for dues and cardkey fees we MUST have your email address. All of the membership information is club

confidential and is not shared with anyone or organizations except for your mailing address which was provided to The Outdoor Message for the monthly publication. We are very conscientious about NOT sending SPAM email to our members.

We will continue to be publishing some club news in this publication, The Outdoor Message, until the March issue.

After that point the club sponsored subscription to this publication will cease.

For many members The Outdoor Message is a great publication even if there was no Fin Fur and Feather Club news contained in each issue. Each member can subscribe individually by visiting The Outdoor Message webpage at <http://www.the outdoormessage.com/Subscribe form.html> or call 603-642-4628 to request a subscription form be sent to you by mail.

New Members

Membership applicants in January: Reginald Foster – Needham Peter Gerard – Wellesley Robert Hebeler – Millis Louise May Hebeler – Millis Jeff Krasofski – Natick

James Sullivan – Medfield Note: The next New Member Safety Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 10th at 11 am.

Calendar of Events

February 4 Board of Directors, 8 PM 10 New Member Safety Mtg, 11 AM 13 Norfolk County League, 7 PM 21 Practical Shoot, 8 PM March 2 Game Dinner, 6:30 PM

Club Webpage

Please visit our club web page at <http://www.finfurandfeather.us> for a lot more information about the club and its activities. Many thanks to our webmaster Ken Wellington for much of the information published above.

Address Updates

If you've had an address change, please forward it to Greg Nealand at The Fin, Fur and Feather Club, P.O. Box 272, Millis, MA 02054, or email to webmaster@finfurandfeather.us . ★

BARRE SPORTSMEN'S CLUB

PO Box 111 - 221 Spring Hill Road - Barre, MA 01005 978-355-4643 Email: barresportsmansclub@gmail.com ~ Website: www.barresportsmansclub.org PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE TO OUR CLUB NEIGHBORS: Hours on Sundays are 10am to dusk, consider type of fire and time of day.

No high power/rapid fire target practice.

Reports

There was no new member information for January.

Secretary, treasurer and bar report read and accepted.

Archery

Enjoy hunting season! We’ll start up again in the Spring. ☺

Trap

Trap will start up again in Spring.

Sporting Clays - Five Stand

CANCELLED. Future plans and dates to be announced.

Pistol

Pistol shoots the 3rd Saturday of the month, in the am. Questions, call Bert DuVernay at 413-477-6529.

200 Yard Rifle

Mondays at 6pm – come on out and shoot.

Contact is Peter Stalker.

Range Notes

Discussion on the rate of fire at the club as well as the possibility of sign-ins for the range were part of the discussion. Other discussions in moving forward with safety at the club included keys which would open the front gate, as well as the rest of

February 2013

the facilities, and would keep a record of access based on the key utilized (fob type key). The VP is currently working on meeting with a security company to get the keys updated as well.

REMINDER: Crowd Control Managers

All members are urged to go online and take this ~30 minute course and get certified. The club is required before opening for any event to go through a safety checklist and have a Crowd Control Manager on site at each event. For renting the club you will be required as the sponsoring member to have this certification as you will be responsible for the checklist. When you finish the course, please provide a copy to the board secretary and treasurer as there must be 1) One on site in a notebook which resides in the kitchen, 2) Must have the information in order for the maintenance of the liquor license as per MA state laws. Website address is <http://public.eopsselearning.com/>, and click on the DFS-Crowd Manager Training.

Special thanks to those members who have taken the course and submitted their certificates to be included in the onsite book as required.

Building Updates

Roof repairs are currently being discussed, as the roof is in need of replacement after damages from prior storms. Currently getting quote details to determine best course of action.

Volunteer Needed

Herm Eck noted the Ware River Watershed Advisory is looking for a The

representative from the club. The prior member who served in this position is stepping down. The committee meets four times per year. If interested, please contact Herm at 978-355-9090.

Youth Turkey Training

Any youth interested in attending the training and then attending the Youth Turkey Hunt sponsored by the club, please call Rick French or Pepper Cooley after January 1st to register. If you have not attended the training before you must attend in order to participate in the hunt.

Be sure if you have taken the course in prior years, and you wish to hunt this year, that you register. Registration to hunt is required. (POC Pepper Cooley 978-3556218 & Rick French 978-939-8946)

Volunteer Mentors For Youth Turkey Hunters

We need volunteers to mentor the attendees for this event. Please contact Rick French 978-939-8946. We need to be sure we have enough mentors for the attendees, especially the return hunters.

Other Club Reminders

WHEN YOU LEAVE, PLEASE CLOSE

TO M B S TONE Trading Company

THE GATE & LOCK THE NEW COMBINATION LOCK. NO ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED TO BE BROUGHT IN AT ANY TIME. PLEASE ‘POLICE’ RANGE AFTER FIRING TO CLEAN UP CARTRIDGES/ROUNDS.

Club Events

FEBRUARY 2013 Thursday, 7th – BOD 6:00pm; 7:30pm, Club Meeting Saturday evening, 3rd Annual Grand Slam Fishing Derby – date pending announcement by organizer Mark Koenig (If interested in the event, call Mark at 978-724-0213) 3rd Saturday @ 9 am – Pistol

MARCH 2013 Thursday, 7th – 7:30 pm, Club Meeting Saturday, 9th – GAME SUPPER, 6 PM Saturday, 30th – Youth Turkey Training (POC Pepper Cooley 978355-6218 & Rick French 978-9398946) 3rd Saturday @ 9 am – Pistol

Next months’ Outdoor Message will have the full calendar year of events for the Club. ★

508-867-6800

Junction of Rt. 9 & Rt. 148 Brookfield, MA

HUGE SELECTION OF USED HANDGUNS - 1911’s in 10mm, 45, 38 super, 9mm Also - target, personal defense, cowboy, plinking, shotguns, rifles and much more.

Outdoor Message

Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 12 PM to 7 PM Sat. 10 AM - 4 PM

Page 21

Pres. Berube called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. Bob Holmes led the Club in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Pres. Berube asked for a moment of silence for Ken Morrisette, who had passed away this month. Ken was a lifetime member and a member on the Board of Advisors.

Secretary’s Report

Chris Britt read the Secretary’s report.

Pres. Berube made an amendment to the motion regarding the membership application. CORI check will also be added to the application. If the person chooses to provide the CORI, they will need to obtain this themselves and provide it the Board of Advisors for review. After review, the CORI will be returned to them. Bob Hayward made a motion to accept; Bob Holmes seconded.

Treasurer’s Report

Jerome Jussaume read the Treasurer’s report. Gordon DeJong made a motion to accept; Ed Pokornicki seconded.

UXBRIDGE ROD & GUN CLUB West Street - PO Box 412 - Uxbridge MA 01569 www.uxbridgerodandgunclub.com

Officers

Chris Britt reported that on December 9th, the Children’s Christmas Party was held.

We had a great turn out with 35 kids. The kids enjoyed the entertainment we provided, Curious Creatures. Chris thanked Willie, Ed Gervais, Colby Petrillo, Scott Rondeau and Ray DeMore for cooking; Gary and his wife Elaine for Christmas and food shopping, and setting up; her daughters Vicki Rondeau and Courtney Britt for shopping, setting up and cleaning up; Mel Boisvert for setting up; Monique for Christmas shopping; Don Bruno for playing Santa and riding up on the fire truck; everyone who baked for the party; and anyone else I did not mention. Thanks to everyone who helped!!

Fish

Pres. Berube reported that there will tentatively be another stocking of the pond on Saturday, February 9th at 10 AM, closing the pond until Saturday, February 16th. The pond will open then at 7:30 AM with an Ice Fishing Derby which will run until 10:30 AM. Prizes will be awarded for the top 3 fish taken. The Derby will be

open to all club members with no specific age categories. Registration will be from 6:15 to 7:30 AM at the Club House. He’s hoping to have the kitchen open for breakfast throughout the morning. Rules will be passed out at the time of registration and no holes will be drilled or tilts set until the start of the Derby. The reason for this is that the limit of fish rules for this Derby and only this Derby will be modified to a 2 fish limit and of course no culling is allowed!! Obliviously this is contingent on safe ice conditions for members; otherwise, the pond will be open for regular fishing at that date.

Please remember to use our pond at your own personal and safe discretion and to respect the space and rights of other members also!

Game

Jon Quinn reported that they are finished stocking the birds. All the birds were put out. Just a reminder that only 1 bird per day can be taken. He thanked the kitchen, the committee, and anyone who wasn’t on the committee that helped out.

The game dinner will be held on February 9th. The dinner starts at 5:00 PM and it’s $25 per ticket. Tickets are limited.

They’re also selling tickets for takeout.

Kitchen

Ray DeMore reported that they are looking for any unusual game for the supper, such as elk, moose. They will also need help after the dinner is done for clean-up.

Trap

Dario DePasquale reported that they had a wonderful year. Shoots are held on Sunday mornings and everyone is welcomed. He’s seen a lot of new faces at the shoots.

Membership Andrew D. sent us this photo of a momma deer and her fawns, taken in Rockland.

How awesome to see this family dining in your own backyard! If you have a photo you would like to submit for publication, please send it to editor@theoutdoormessage.com or mail to PO Box 306 Northborough MA 01532.

Be sure to include a caption!

MASSACHUSETTS FIREARM MANUAL (ExPANDED AND UPDATED)

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Contents: 1. Copy of Statutes Relating to hunting, Firearms, Rifles, Shotguns and Ammunition 2. Copy of Regulatory References 3. Copy of Gun Application Form with Suggestions on Filling Out 4. List of State Police Approved Gun Locks 5. Selected Federal Law and Statutory References 6. Summary of 1998-1999 statutory changes 7. Common Questions with Answers 8. Discussion and Case Law relating to Licensing, Firearm (possession and carrying), Purchase and Sale of Guns and Ammunition, Definitions, Firearms in a Motor Vehicle, Citizens Right of Arrest, Civil Liability (with Cases), Use of Force and Deadly Force (with Cases), Criminal Liability 9. Domestic Violence under Federal and State Law 10. Fully Referenced for case of use 11. Designed for Gun Owner - Police Officer - Attorney - Security Personnel - State Police Approved Instructors 12. Over 140 pages of valuable information. 8 1/2x11 pages lay flat for easy reading Civil and criminal sanctions are serious - Jail sentences added and expanded.

Cost: $24.50 (includes tax & shipping). Send check to William M. Cloran, Esq. 50 Union Street, Suite 1, Newton Centre, MA 02459 Phone 617-969-2001 Fax 617-969-6517

Also available...

“Criminal Law Reference Handbook” and Motor Vehicle Law Reference Handbook” Cost: $17.95 each (includes tax and shipping)

Page 22

The

Ed Gervais reported the waiting list is up to date with the information he has. Once again we are getting closer to membership renewal time. The schedule for renewal has been posted throughout the Club House.

The renewal dates are as follows: February 3rd: 12:30-4 PM February 10th: 12:30-4 PM February 17th: 12:30-4 PM February 24th: 12:30-4 PM Wednesday February 20th: 6-8 PM.

Work Hours

Durk Lawson reported that 22 out of 27 probationary members have completed all their requirements. It looks like one person needs one more meeting. A few meetings left to attend.

There were no reports from Archery,

Protect the Second Amendment.

It’s your passport to freedom.

Outdoor Message

Audit, BMP, Board of Advisors, Club House, Forestry, Grounds, History, Kitchen, Newsletter, Pistol, Rifle, WCL, and Website.

There was no Old Business.

New Business

*Dick Baker made a motion to have the Board of Advisors review and make suggestions to allow non-members to attend private hunts at the Club; Paul Soares seconded. Unanimously. *Ken Mercer made a motion to ask the Board of Advisors to clarify in writing what the fish and game accounts are responsible for (net, pond, maintenance of the pond); Ray DeMore seconded. *Pres. Berube made a motion to add Ken Morrisette to the plaque for his lifetime achievements for the Club; Bob Hayward seconded. *Pres. Berube made a motion to amend Rule #5 for Pistol and Rule #3 for Rifle to limit only 2 guests per member; Bob Holmes seconded. Unanimous. Bill Wurzburg made a motion to refer this to the Board of Advisors for discussion; Lenny Audette seconded. Unanimous. *Pres. Berube opened up the floor for nominations.

Nominations for OFFICERS: Lenny Audette nominated Gary Berube for President; Bill Wurzburg seconded.

Gary Berube nominated Paul Soares for Vice President; Ed Pokornicki seconded.

Jerome Jussaume nominated Chris Britt for Secretary; Durk Lawson seconded.

Gordon DeJong nominated Jerome Jussaume for Treasurer; Bob Holmes seconded.

Nominations for BOARD OF ADVISORS: Ed Pokornicki nominated Harry Romasco; Jerome Jussaume seconded.

Paul Soares nominated Tom Binckiwitz; Bill Wurzburg seconded.

Ed Pokornicki nominated Bill Wurzburg; Bob Holmes seconded.

Lenny Audette nominated Ed Pokornicki; Paul Soares seconded.

Bill Wurzburg nominated Lenny Audette; Durk Lawson seconded.

Paul Soares nominated Joe Leonardo; Bob Miller seconded.

Ed Pokornicki nominated Mike DiLibero; Paul Soares seconded.

Paul Soares nominated Bob Holmes; Jim White seconded.

Nominations will be still open in February. *Ed Pokornicki reported that he will be holding the kids black powder class on Saturday, March 16th from 9 to 4 PM. Ed Pokornicki made a motion to use the Club and close the ranges on March 16th from 9 to 4 PM; Bob Hayward seconded.

Ed Pokornicki asked if the Club could publish the classes in the paper. Bob Hayward made a motion to have this published in the paper for Ed Pokornicki; Bob Miller seconded.

The black powder and handgun courses are being held for kids 12 to 18 years old. If you have any questions or would like to sign your child up, please contact Ed at 508-278-2600.

Paul Soares made a motion to adjourn at 7:52 pm; Bob Holmes seconded.

Respectfully submitted, Chris Britt, Secretary www.uxbridgerodandgunclub.com ★ February 2013

SOUTH FITCHBURG HUNTING & FISHING CLUB

Mailing: P.O. Box 687 - Townsend MA 01469 Location: 60 Warren Road Townsend MA

Meetings

Board meeting: January 31 & February 28 at 6:30 PM Membership meeting: February 2 & March 2 at 3:00PM The January 5, 2013 membership meeting was called to order. There were 27 members present.

New Members

The club would like to welcome 2 new members this month- James Pelletier and Michael Turgeon (both from Townsend).

Past Functions

The club held our annual holiday raffle in December and was a huge success. We had about 70 in attendance and a good time was had by all.

Upcoming Events

February 3rd the club will hold our annual Valentine’s Day Meat and Gift Raffle.

The raffle will run from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.

There will be a variety of meats and certificates as well as items that may go along with the holiday!

Scheduled for February 10th we will hold 3-D Archery Shoot. The shoot will run from 6:00 – 12:00. Breakfast and Lunch will be available. This is also a reminder to the members that both the range and pond will be closed on the 9th due to the set up of the course beginning at 8:00 am. They will also be closed the day of the shoot.

The club has 2 ice fishing derbies scheduled for the month of February, the 17th and the 24th. The derbies will run from 7:00 – 1:00 pm. The fee to fish is $12.00 for adults and $6.00 for kids 14 and under. There are 3 cash prizes.

Breakfast and Lunch will be available.

Make sure you bring your own bait! The board is also going to keep the pond closed after the derby on the 17th until the one on the 24th, so members please make note of this.

March 2nd the club will be holding our annual meeting/awards banquet. For

Club phone 978-597-8733 * Secretary’s email: kblincoln2@comcast.net or Kblincoln@aol.com Web site: http://www.southfitchburghuntingandfishingclub.org

those members who took 1st place in a club event for the 2012 season you should plan on attending as you may just have an award coming to you. For those members, or guest of a member who is planning on attending and eating at the annual banquet let this serve as notice that we will be charging a fee of $5.00 per person for those wishing to eat.

New Business

2013 Calendar has been completed!

Renewals will be going out soon.

Members are reminded that they must be postmarked no later then March 30th or they are considered late. If you want to have your key and card mailed to you please enclose a stamp.

Good and Welfare

December and January we will be taking nominations for the following positions.

President: Larry Bevis Treasurer: Ken Saucier Secretary: Brenda Saucier Board of Directors: (3 positions available): Carlos Pagan This is how the ballot will look. Voting will take place at the February membership meeting from 1:00 – 3:00 pm.

Members are reminded that your daily fish catch is now 3 and juniors are at 2, until further notice.

Not present to win the attendance drawing was Arthur Fascione. The consolation prize was won by Bill Yeaton.

The 50/50 raffle was won by Bob Souther it was worth $46.00. (Good thing you came in off the ice long enough to win, guess you weren’t catching much fish anyways)!

100 – Club winners. (5) $20.00 Winners were #12-Ken Saucier (Brenda) #87-Cassandra Farnam (Bill) #83-Brenda Saucier (Brenda) #19-Bill Gerow (Bill G) #14-Wendy Hood (Bob) With no further Business the meeting adjourned at 3:33 pm.

Respectfully submitted, Brenda Saucier ★

Please support our advertisers.

Sunday, Feb. 3rd ............Valentines Day Meat Raffle, 1 - 4 pm Sunday, Feb. 10th ..........3-D Archery Shoot, 7 am - noon Sunday, Feb. 17th ..........Ice-Fishing Derby, 7 am - 1 pm Sunday, Feb. 24th ..........Ice-Fishing Derby, 7 am - 1 pm Saturday, Mar. 2nd .........Annual Meeting/Banquet, 3 pm Sunday, Mar 24th ...........Easter Meat Raffle, 1 - 4 pm Sunday, April 14th ..........Fishing Derby, 7 am - 1 pm Sunday, May 5th.............Fishing Derby, 7 am - 1 pm Sunday, May 19th...........Meat & Seafood Raffle, 1 - 4 pm Saturday, June 8th .........Fishing Derby, 7 am - 1 pm Sunday, June 9th............Fishing Derby, 7 am - 1 pm Sunday, June 30th..........Meat & Seafood Raffle, 1 - 4 pm Sunday, Aug. 25th ..........Meat & Seafood Raffle, 1 - 4 pm Sunday, Sept. 15th .........Kid’s Only Derby, 9 am - 1 pm Sunday, Sept. 22nd ........Fishing Derby, 7 am - 1 pm Sunday, Oct. 6th.............Fishing Derby , 7 am - 1 pm Sunday, Oct. 20th...........Fishing Derby, 7 am - 1 pm Sunday, Nov. 17th ..........Slug Shoot, 12 pm Sunday, Nov. 17th ..........Turkey Raffle, 1 - 4 pm Sunday, Dec. 8th ............Holiday Raffle, 1 - 4 pm

Law abiding gun owners converged on State House steps across the country on January 19 to show support of the Second Amendment.

The

Outdoor Message

New England’s Most Active Outdoor People

Coach (Level 1) Certification course for Pistol

Have you ever wanted to become a certified pistol coach? The Coach (Level 1) is the entry level for all NRA coaches. It is step one to being trained and recognized to coach beginning and intermediate athletes. The Massachusetts Shooters Foundation is sponsoring a Coach (Level 1) Certification course that will offer: ● Introduction to the Coaching Program ● Safety and Risk Management ● Competition Events ● Equipment and Facilities ● Fundamentals of Shooting ● Running Quality Programs ● Coaching Ethics ● Coaching Methodology ● Sports Psychology ● Training Planning ● Rulebook use ● How To Conduct Tournaments

Saturday & Sunday - February 23 & 24 from 9 am - 5 pm Cost: $140, includes lunch

Reservations required, space limited. If you would like to register for the course call 508-393-5133.

Advanced Certified Coach (Level 4) Russ Doucette will be leading the course.

If you have questions you may call him directly at 508-561-2327.

February 2013

South Fitchburg Hunting & Fishing Club 60 Warren Road Townsend, MA 01469 Club’s Number- (978) 597-8733 2013 Calendar

The

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2/2013

Page 23

HANSON ROD AND GUN CLUB

Davis Road - PO Box 101 Hanson MA 02341

President: Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer:

Phone 781-293-9872

2013 Club Election

www.hansonrodandgunclub.org

CMP

On Thursday, January 10, 2013 our club held its Annual Election of Officers.

JUSTIN JEROME is our NEWLY ELECTED 2013 CLUB PRESIDENT!!

Other results are as follows.

Vice President: Bob Preston Secretary: Bob Sullivan Treasurer: Bob Mitchell Board of Directors: Dave Gonsalves (Three Year Term), Gregg Williams (Three Year Term) Congratulations to all newly elected club officials.

Deadline for Dues

Please be advised that the deadline to pay your dues for the 2013 membership year is January 31, 2013. Members should keep in mind that failure to pay your dues by this date will result in the termination of your individual key card ability to gain access to the club facilities. Payment after this date will incur a $20.00 late fee.

14th Annual New Years Eve Non-Party A Big Hit!

Karen & Kirk Obillo Attendance ran high at this year’s New Year’s Eve Party as over 30 members and their guests came forward to celebrate the New Year.

The party began on the trap range as a number of our party goers started the evening by making a little noise, shooting some of Hanson R & G’s more elusive clay pigeons. Interestingly enough, participation saw some newer faces on the

Executive Board: Dave Gonsalves Greg Williams Rick Zadrozny

Please be advised that the time and dates for the February CMP shoots are 9 AM, Saturday, February 2, 2013 and 1 PM, Sunday, February 17, 2013. Interested attendees are encouraged to arrive early to get a bench.

Trap and the World Famous Hanson Claybusters

February Meetings

Please be advised that the next scheduled Business Meeting will be held at 7:30 PM on Thursday, February 14th, 2013.

The February Executive Board Meeting will be held at 7 PM on Thursday, February 28th, 2013.

Justin Jerome Bob Preston Bob Sullivan Bob Mitchell

Bill Howard (AKA Howie) with his recent trophy from a hunting trip. Word has it that this buck dressed over 200 pounds. Somebody has some good eats for the kitchen table that is for sure! Congratulations Howie!"

range as members of the Ames Club as well as Cape Cod Fish & Game joined in the festivities!

After about four rounds of trap our revelers retired to the clubhouse for a sizable Chinese Buffet prepared by Karen & Kirk Obillo. Over twenty separate dishes were offered. This included Kirk’s own spicy steamed clams and spicy hot wings. (Believe me folks when I say one bite of these and smoke does come out your ears!) With all of this food no one could possibly go away hungry and doggie bags were available for everyone.

A special thank you goes out to everyone who donated a contribution to the buffet table. A big thank you goes out to Karen & Kirk who as we understand it had to cook all day to pull off this event.

Next New Year’s Eve will be the 15th Anniversary of this event which started back in 1998 with two club members, their wives and a small order of Chinese take out.

Dan Grant Currently we are in week number five of our sixteen-week winter trap league. At this time we have over seventeen participants. Each shooter is responsible for shooting a minimum of 50 targets (2 boxes) each week. We record the scores and at the end of sixteen weeks we drop the four lowest scores to determine the true score of each participant. Trophies are then awarded to all shooters at an awards banquet held sometime early in the spring. Currently the scores are too close to call to determine who in fact is the leader.

Business has been brisk on the club trap range as Wednesday Evenings have hosted over twenty shooters. It is not uncommon for our club to run upwards of ten or even eleven lines of trap. The fun begins at 6 PM and ammo is available along with loner shotguns. Our range is also open Sunday Afternoons at 1 PM.

Angelo Nuby John Coyman Barbara Dunn

an introduction to handgun shooting. The action begins at 6 PM and the cost is $10 for the evening. Reservations are limited to 20 people each evening. For details please contact Mitch Soroko at any club meeting.

NRA Basic Pistol Course

Mitch Soroko Please be advised that this month’s NRA Basic Pistol Course will begin on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 8 AM. Anyone interested in taking this course so they can ascertain their Massachusetts License To Carry Firearms (LTC) or their Firearms Identification (FID) card are encouraged to contact Mitch Soroko or John Coyman at any club meeting.

3D Archery Course Schedule

Mike Hurney Please be advised that the 2013 3D Archery Schedule is as follows: April 14, July 28 and October 27. All archers are asked to mark their calendars appropriately. Help is needed to set up the course on the immediate Saturday before each of these shoots. Additionally, help is needed late in the day of the shoot to break down the course and put the targets away. Work hours are available. Please see Fuzzy for details.

Our club trap shooters celebrated the end of the 2012 summer league at a local restaurant. Trophy prizes were awarded to all participants. Congratulations to Adam Preston who won the title of "Top Gun!"

Junior Rifle

Happy New Year!! Over 30 members and their guests made some noise and welcomed in 2013 at our club's "Unofficial" New Years Party.

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State NRA Certified Pistol Safety Courses

508-947-5900

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194 East Grove Street (Rt 28) Middleboro MA 02346 HOURS: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9 - 5; Saturday 9 - 4 Closed Sunday and Wednesday Page 24

The

Rick Zadrozny Wednesday Nights on the indoor range at 6:30 PM is the timeframe of our Junior Rifle Program. Juniors between the ages of 10 and 18 are urged to try out this program. Over the years our club has produced a number of champions and these kids have gone on to shoot competitively at national events. This is a great way for a kid to get introduced to the sport of competitive target shooting.

Members are urged to bring their kids and/or grandchildren to this event. In return they will have a lot of fun for not a whole lot of bucks!!

Ladies’ Night

John Coyman All members are reminded that Ladies’ Night is scheduled for the Tuesday Evening of February 12th, 2012.

Participants attending this event will learn the fine points of firearm safety as well as

Outdoor Message

Junior Olympic Archery Development

Mike Hurney Monday Night Archery is returning to the club schedule! Please be advised that our club Archery department now features a full Junior Olympic Archery Development Program or J.O.A.D. Our Junior Archers are shooting on Monday Nights at 6:00 PM.

Monday Night Adult Archery Achievers

Mike Hurney All members are further reminded that after the juniors leave the range at 7:30 PM, members of the newly formed Adult Archery Achievers or AAA then take over the range and shoot until…whenever! All interested archers are urged to contact Mike Hurney on the archery range or at any club business meeting.

Until next month…Bob P. ★ February 2013

STANDISH SPORTSMAN’S ASSOCIATION

Election Results 2013

P.O. Box 258 East Bridgewater, Massachusetts 02333 www.standishsportsmans.com

The results of the election of Officers and Directors for 2013 are as follows: President Ed Holmes, Vice-President Lorna Vasapollo, Treasurer Mike Scanlon, Financial Secretary Richard McMahon, and Recording Secretary Tim Santry.

Directors: George Andrews, Mike Vasapollo, Bill Ewell, Tim Hill, Scott Blood, Everett Hanson, Ed Souza and Walter Potaznick.

Congratulations to all the new officers and directors and many thanks to all of last year's officers and directors who put in so much time and effort for the good of the club.

2013 Sportsman’s Show

Our Annual Southeastern Mass.

Sportsman's Show will be held on Saturday and Sunday, February 2 and 3, 2013 at our clubhouse on Burr Lane, off Union St. and route 18 in East Bridgewater. The show will run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday and 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Sunday. This is the weekend of the Superbowl and we will close up early on Sunday afternoon so everyone has time to get home to watch the game.

Our show committee chairman, Hugh Hurley, reported things are going very well, with almost all the tables sold already. There will be booths displaying and selling all types of hunting, fishing, camping, firearms and marine equipment.

There will also be sportsmen's videos, raffles, refreshments and much more. To get more information call Hugh Hurley at 508-588-9327.

Final Dues Reminder

I would like to remind all members that their $80.00 dues payment was due January 1st. Anyone who has not paid yearly dues by the last day of the Sportsman’s Show on Sunday, 3 February 2013 has only until Thursday, February 7, to pay or they will cease to be a member of the club. We once again request that you pay by check only, no cash, so it is easier to keep track of who has paid.

We continue to have a few people come back to us each year and say they forgot to send in their check for some reason. This excuse won’t work; you are automatically dropped from club membership. Please remind any of your friends who are members to make sure

they have paid.

New Keys

The club’s locks will all be changed at the February 7 business meeting, so make sure your dues are paid up.

New keys are available at the clubhouse from any officer or director.

Sunday mornings are good times to come to the club and pick up your new key.

Your new key and membership card will be available in an envelope with your name on it if your dues are paid up. Please turn in your old key when you get your new one, we are going to try and save the keys and tumbler sets for reuse in the future.

New members must receive the club orientation before they can get a club key.

Contact Lefty Kravitz to arrange for orientation.

Committees

Ed Holmes, as the newly re-elected president for 2013, thanked all of last year's officers and directors for their service and he asked everyone to work to support the good of the club. Ed thanked the committee chairpersons and members for all their efforts on behalf of the club during the past year. Most of the committees will remain the same for 2013 and the club greatly appreciates their continued support.

Thanks to Lorna and Mike Vasapollo, Tim Hill, Ed Holmes and all the others for all their efforts with the kitchen committee. There is a huge amount of work involved with purchasing supplies; planning, preparing and serving meals and cleaning up afterwards. A special note of thanks to Lorna, Mike and Tim for the great dinners they served to the Plymouth County League and to the Standish members on Election night!

Night Trap

The club will be having night trap shoots from 5 to 8 pm on the third Thursday of every month, come on down and have some fun! Thanks to Tim Hill for organizing the night trap.

Ranges

Please remember to pick up your brass after using the indoor and outdoor ranges, those pesky .22 rimfire cases are a slipping hazard on the concrete floor.

“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.”

--Dwight D. Eisenhower

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508-695-4852 northeasttrading.com

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Rt. 152 / 580 Kelley Boulevard, North Attleborough MA February 2013

The

2013 Sportsman’s Show - Feb 2nd-3rd Business Meeting - Thursday Feb 7 at 7 pm Board of Directors - Thursday Feb 28 at 7 pm

Also, centerfire rifle magazines can only be loaded with a maximum of ten rounds on the rifle range.

The Cowboy Action Shooters (CAS) will be using the rifle range for CAS practice on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Everyone is welcome to come and give it a try, but you need to show up at 9:00 am to help with the setup if you want to shoot.

Ken Kelley reported the pistol shooters are having a great time on Monday nights from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.

Everyone is welcome and the rules are very relaxed! You can even bring your .22 cal rimfire rifle to shoot, so come on down and give it a try!

The Young Marines will be using the indoor pistol range on Tuesday, February 19th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Club Raffle

The club has started a member’s only raffle for a new 20 ga. over/under shotgun. There will only be 100 tickets at $10.00 each and the drawing will be held by the May 2 business meeting.

Membership

We welcomed Dale Braasch as our newest Life Member and Kyle Harper as our

newest Junior member at the January business meeting.

Our condolences go out to Ed Holmes and his family on the recent passing of his sister. A $50.00 donation will be made in her name to the club’s Junior Conservation Camp fund.

3-D Archery

The next 3-D archery shoot is a two day shoot on Saturday and Sunday, March 9th and 10th, with setup on Friday the 8th at 8:30 in the morning. George Andrews gave a summary report for 3-D archery for 2012 that showed all the hard work of the 3-D committee was of great benefit to the club.

Around the Club

If anyone is interested in plowing the club grounds this year, please contact John Fabroski at 508-378-7696.

A reminder to everyone that no hunting is allowed on club property. Several illegal tree stands have been found and removed by the EPO’s. Please notify any club officer or director if you see anyone hunting on club property.

Respectfully, Tim Santry ★

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See Photos, Descriptions, Prices on website w w w. e m e r y l o i s e l l e . c o m ERYLEEN ARCHERY 781-2720244. Also MATHEWS dealer.

Wanted!! Military items for educational purposes and collection. Uniforms, swords, hats, medals, bayonets, flight jackets, helmets, flags. Anything - any

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Paying cash, I buy it all! Call Randall 978-772-2563 U.S. SILVER DOLLARS WANTED. Paying $25 each. Also buying all other coins. Higher pay than coin shops or mall buyers. Call Lin at 781-956-8891.

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Advance payment required. Send check, payable to The Outdoor Message, to 37 Pierce Street, Northborough MA 01532.

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Page 25

The Sportsman’s Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Education & Training

HUNTER EDUCATION

Hunter Ed courses are offered through state agencies and are listed on their websites. Massachusetts <www.mass. gov/dfwele/dfw/education/hed/hed_co urse_schedule. htm>; New Hampsire <www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/hu nter_ed.htm>; Maine <www.maine. gov/ifw/education/safety/>; Rhode Island <www.dem.ri.gov/programs/ bnatres/fishwild/huntered/>; Vermont <www.vtfishandwildlife.com/edu_hun ter.cfm>; Connecticut <www.ct.gov/ dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2700&q=429892 &depNav_GID=1633>.

GENERAL TRAINING

Daily: NRA and Mass Certified Pistol Course and FID Card Course Distribution Firearms Services 10 Colonial Road Suite 209-C Salem, MA Must pre-register 978-741-0044 3rd Saturday: NRA Home Firearms Safety/Mass Basic Firearms Safety Rod & Gun Club of New Bedford North Hixville Road North Dartmouth, MA Must pre-register R.J. 508-676-9861 Last Thursday and Last Saturday: Basic Firearms Safety & Handling Worcester County Jail and House of Correction 5 Paul X Tivnan Dr West Boylston, MA Pre-register Julie 508-854-1800 x2442 Weekends/Monthly: MA Certified Pistol Course, Law Enforcement and Civilian Training Franklin County League 721 River Road Deerfield, MA Alan 413-863-2964 Quarterly: 2-day Defensive Handgun IM-SAFE Firearms Training Center Simsbury, CT Dennis 860-651-4911 www.im-safe.com

TRAINING offered AS NEEDED: Mass Basic Firearms Safety Ayer Gun & Sportsmen’s Club Ayer, MA Dan 978-870-7298 dan.damato@comcast.net NRA Basic classes, Advance Tactical classes Dynamic Incident Response Mike 781-258-6577 mike@dynamicincidentresponse.com Mass Basic Firearms Safety, NRA Home Firearms Safety, NRA Basic Pistol, NRA Rifle, NRA Shotgun Carver, MA John 508-728-5899 jedduf@gmail.com NRA Basic Pistol, Home Firearm Safety, Tactical Pistol, Concealed Carry, Private Accuracy Workshops Central Mass www.centralmassfirearmsacademy.com NRA Basic Pistol, Home Firearm Safety, Personal Protection in the Home; Private Shooting Lessons; Advanced Tactical and Concealed Carry Courses Central MA Area First Defense Firearms, Inc. 508-278-6844 www.firstdefensefirearms.com FID & LTC Courses Cape Ann Sportsmen’s Club 57 Cherry Street Gloucester, MA 978-283-0304 capeannsportsmansclub.org NRA and Mass State Police Certified Pistol Course, Shotgun Shell reloading, Metallic Cartridge Reloading, Refuse to be A Victim Hampden and Worcester Counties Conrad 413-739-3015 www.FirearmSafetyClass.com NRA Basic Pistol, NRA First Steps Hanson Rod & Gun Club Davis Road Hanson, MA hansontraining@gmail.com NRA and MA State Police Certified Pistol Course Leominster, MA

Page 26

Michael 978-534-2484 firearmsinstruction@gmail.com Smallbore Rifle Courses Ludlow Fish & Game Sportsmen’s Road Ludlow, MA Al 413-782-2917 staff@lfgclub.org Craig 413-589-7093 Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Home Firearms Safety Millis, MA Paul 508-541-3164 pgmarier@verizon.net NRA Basic Pistol and NRA Home Firearm Safety Plainville, MA Jeff 508-944-3797 rkba@earthlink.net NRA Home Firearms Safety, Basic Pistol, Personal Protection; Mass Basic Firearms Safety; GLOCK Certified Instructor; GLOCK Armorer Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut Harry 401-965-4648 NRA Basic Pistol, NRA Home Firearms Safety, MA State Certified Shrewsbury, MA Mike 508-330-9430 Mass Basic Firearm Safety Course South Shore Charles 774-776-6494 www.magproinc.com Home Firearms Safety, NRA Basic Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun; Blackpowder Rifle, Pistol or Shotgun South Shore John 781-963-7785 john.monti@comcast.net NRA Home Firearms Safety, Basic Pistol, Mass Basic Firearms Safety Swansea, MA Mike or Richard 401-413-2313 Home Firearms Safety, Basic Pistol, Basic Rifle, Shotshell & Metallic Cartridge Reloading Worcester, MA John 508-414-0491 fasafetytrng@aol.com Corporate Seminars & Workshops including workplace Violence and Women’s Safety Seminars. Custom programs available IM-SAFE Firearms Training Center Simsbury, CT Dennis 860-651-4911 www.im-safe.com MA/RI certified instructor, RI Pistol recertifications Tiverton, RI Steven 401-624-2649 steventsr@hotmail.com

Maynard, MA Maynard Rod & Gun Club 45 Old Mill Road Feb 9 Kenyon 508-361-4259 Mass Shooters Foundation trackertx17@yahoo.com 37 Pierce Street New Bedford, MA Northborough, MA Joe 508-863-0464 503-393-5133 www.nbpistolinstructor.com Wednesday Evenings Revere, MA Cape Cod Boston Firearms Training Center Steven 508-548-5879 796 Broadway www.capecodgunsafety.com Tom 781-284-6677 Sundays 1 pm www.bostonfirearms.com Black North Firearms & Training Sharon, MA Dracut, MA Sharon Fish & Game Tony 978-337-4044 307 East Street blacknorth@comcast.net Dan captdan33@aol.com Monthly. Must pre-register 781-784-5806 Hamilton-Wenham Rod & Gun Shrewsbury, MA Mike 978-815-6989 Mike 508-330-9430 Every 3rd Saturday South Shore/Cape Cod Hanson Rod & Gun Club Steve 781-974-3920 Davis Road www.southshoregunsafety.com hansontraining@gmail.com South Shore Every 2nd Wednesday John 781-963-7785 Ludlow Fish & Game john.monti@comcast.net Sportsmen’s Road Southboro, MA Ludlow, MA Chuck 508-485-1430 Les lprentice@verizon.net Swansea, MA Every 3rd Saturday Mike or Richard 401-413-2313 Holyoke Revolver Club Tewksbury, MA 431 West Cherry Street Stan 978-658-7308, 978-436-0639 Holyoke, MA Westboro, MA 413-539-9345 Self Reliance Firearm Training 3rd Sunday 290 Turnpike Road, Ste 6, Box 390 Brockton, MA Steve 508-963-6073 Charles 508-238-1586 Westford, MA chuck@cdavisgroup.com Stony Brook Fish & Game Assoc.

Saturdays & Sundays Jim 978-392-7996 Instructional Shooting Inc. gunsafejim@verizon.net 164 Andover Street Weymouth, MA Lowell, MA Chris 781-812-2541 Must pre-register 800-984-4867 www.instructionalshooting.com Weymouth, MA Weymouth Sportsmen’s Club Monthly Joseph joefeepistolinstruction.com Starfire Haverhill, MA Lynne & Edward 978-373-4325 NRA BASIC RIFLE starfirefst@comcast.net Courses offered AS NEEDED: Monthly Greater Lowell area Tactical Dynamics Firearms Training Ken 978-692-6818 Foxboro, MA Gun-Safety@klmaurer.com Rob 508.276.5730 South Shore www.tacticaldynamicsfirearmstrainJohn 781-963-7785 ing.com john.monti@comcast.net Courses offered AS NEEDED: NRA BASIC SHOTGUN Ayer Gun & Sportsmen’s Club Monthly Ayer, MA Ludlow Fish & Game Dan 978-870-7298 Sportsmen’s Road dan.damato@comcast.net Ludlow, MA Blackstone Valley Area Ray 413-596-3288 Blackstone Firearms Training LLC cr2smith@charter.net Fred www.basicpistol.com Braintree, MA INSTRUCTOR TRAINING NRA HOME FIREARMS John 781-848-0047 Feb 22-23: Coach Certification jrwalsh@beld.net SAFETY Course - Pistol Central Cape Area Tuesdays, Thursdays 6 pm Mass Shooters Foundation Harwich, MA Black North Firearms & Training 37 Pierce Street Steven 508-432-8036 Dracut, MA Northborough, MA Central Massachusetts Tony 978-337-4044 508-393-5133 www.centralmassfirearmsacademy.com blacknorth@comcast.net Courses offered AS NEEDED: Central Massachusetts Weekly NRA Range Safety Officer Certification First Defense Firearms, Inc. RKBA Personal Safety Training Holyoke Revolver Club 508-278-6844 129 No Main Street, Room 302 Holyoke, MA www.firstdefensefirearms.com Mansfield, MA 413 539-9345 or Central Massachusetts Jeff 508-944-3797 roblombardihrc@comcast.net.

Richard 508-876-9270 www.massltctrain.com NRA Instructor & RSO Training training@competitionspecialties.com 1st Tuesday and Thursday monthly Greater Lowell area Central Massachusetts Scituate Rod & Gun Club Ken 978-692-6818 Charlie 508-981-6402 Rte 3A Gun_Safety@comcast.net crfcook@verizon.net Scituate, MA 781-545-1510 secretary@scituaterg.com 3rd Saturday. Must pre-register Rod & Gun Club of New Bedford North Hixville Road North Dartmouth, MA NRA Instructor Courses Hampden and Worcester Counties R.J. Kozik 508-676-9861 Instructional Shooting Inc. Conrad 413-739-3015 3rd Sunday 164 Andover Street www.FirearmSafetyClass.com Brockton, MA Lowell, MA Holliston, MA Charles 508-238-1586 Must pre-register 800-984-4867 Holliston Sportsmen’s Association chuck@cdavisgroup.com www.instructionalshooting.com 137 Bullard Lane 3rd Tuesday NRA Instructor Courses for Rifle, Ed 508-641-7854 Cape Cod Fish and Game Shotgun, Pistol, Personal Protection, Lenox, MA Off Depot Street Range Safety Officer and Reloading Lenox Sportsmen’s Club North Harwich, MA Metallic or Shotgun New Lenox Road Jack 508-394-9466 IM-SAFE Firearms Training Center Lou 413-442-4550 Evenings & Weekends Simsbury, CT Greater Lowell area Metrowest Boston, Eastern Mass Dennis 860-651-4911 Ken 978-692-6818 Mike 508-734-1156 or www.im-safe.com Gun-Safety@klmaurer.com

NRA BASIC PISTOL

The

Outdoor Message

www.homegunsafety.com Monthly Starfire Haverhill, MA Lynne & Edward 978-373-4325 starfirefst@comcast.net

Courses offered AS NEEDED: Ayer Gun & Sportsmen’s Club Ayer, MA Dan 978-870-7298 dan.damato@comcast.net Braintree, MA John 781-848-0047 jrwalsh@beld.net Central Cape Area Harwich, MA Steven 508-432-8036 Central Massachusetts www.centralmassfirearmsacademy.com Central Massachusetts First Defense Firearms, Inc. 508-278-6844 www.firstdefensefirearms.com Central Massachusetts Richard 508-876-9270 training@competitionspecialties.com Clinton, MA 978-368-8065 gubber1@verizon.net Hampden and Worcester Counties Conrad 413-739-3015 www.FirearmSafetyClass.com Holliston, MA Holliston Sportsmen’s Association 137 Bullard Lane Ed 508-641-7854 Greater Lowell area Ken 978-692-6818 Gun-Safety@klmaurer.com Maynard, MA Maynard Rod & Gun Club Kenyon 508-361-4259 trackertx17@yahoo.com Milford, MA Dave 508-243-1521 New Bedford, MA Joe 508-863-0464 www.nbpistolinstructor.com Revere, MA Boston Firearms Training Center 796 Broadway Tom 781-284-6677 www.botnfirearms.com Shrewsbury, MA Mike 508-330-9430 South Shore John 781-963-7785 john.monti@comcast.net South Shore/Cape Cod Steve 781-974-3920 www.southshoregunsafety.com Southboro, MA Chuck 508-485-1430 Swansea, MA Mike or Richard 401-413-2313 Westboro, MA Self Reliance Firearm Training 290 Turnpike Road, Ste 6, Box 390 Steve 508-963-6073 Westford, MA Stony Brook Fish & Game Assoc.

Jim 978-392-7996 gunsafejim@verizon.net

NRA PERSONAL PROTECTION

Wednesday Evenings Cape Cod Steven 508-548-5879 www.capecodgunsafety.com

Courses offered AS NEEDED: Ayer Gun & Sportsmen’s Club Ayer, MA Dan 978-870-7298 dan.damato@comcast.net Central Cape Area Harwich, MA Steven 508-432-8036 Greater Lowell area - Offering In the Home and Outside the Home courses Ken 978-692-6818 Gun-Safety@klmaurer.com

REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM Courses offered AS NEEDED: Greater Lowell area Ken 978-692-6818 Gun-Safety@klmaurer.com ★

February 2013

The Sportsman’s Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shooting Practices

ARCHERY

Trap: Thursdays 6 - 9 pm Nimrod League of Holden Coal Kiln Road Princeton, MA www.nimrodleague.org Sundays 10 am Sippican Rod & Gun Club 215 Dexter Lane Rochester, MA Paul 508-763-4226 Trap & Skeet: Sundays 1 - 3 pm; Thursdays 6 - 9 pm; Saturdays 1 - 3 pm Easthampton Fish & Game Rt 10, College Highway TRAP & SKEET Southampton, MA 413-527-9340 Trap: Sundays 9 - 11 am Skeet: Sundays 9 am - Noon; Nashoba Sportsman's Club, Inc. Tuesdays & Thursdays 5 - 8 pm 924 Main Street Stockbridge Sportsmen Club Acton, MA Route 102 Trap Stockbridge, MA Barre Sportsman’s Club Gary 413-298-3623 221 Spring Hill Road Paul 413-528-0859 Barre, MA Trap: Sundays 9 am - 1 pm; Mike 508-867-8867 Wednesdays 6 pm Trap: Sundays 9 am - 1 pm Townsend Rod & Gun Club Swift River Sportsman’s Club Emery Road 79 Moore Road Townsend, MA Belchertown, MA Jim 978-597-9121 Sundays 10 am - 2 pm Trap: Thursdays 6 pm - dusk Standish Sportsman's Association LADIES NIGHT Trap & 5 Stand: Sundays 9 am - 1 pm Off Burr Lane Skeet & 5 Stand: Tuesdays 6 pm Feb 12, Mar 19 East Bridgewater, MA dusk Hanson Rod & Gun Club John 508-378-7696 Walpole Sportsmen’s Association Davis Road Trap, Skeet, 5 Stand: Saturdays & Lincoln Road Hanson, MA Sundays 1 - 4 pm; Wednesdays 5 - 8 CONVENTIONAL PISTOL Walpole, MA Must pre-register at pm Mondays & Wednesdays 6 - 9 pm 508-668-6919 femalefirepower@gmail.com Independent Sportsmen Club Tiverton Rod & Gun Club Trap: Sundays 1 - 4 pm Mirimichi Road 1529 Fish Road Westford Sportsmen’s Club PRACTICAL SHOOTS Foxboro, MA Tiverton, RI West Street Trap: Sundays 9 am 12 pm 1st & 3rd Monday 7:30 - 10 pm: John 508-675-2946 Westford, MA Cape Ann Sportsmen’s Club IDPA Practice Tuesdays: Pistol League Tom 978-692-4974 Trap & Skeet: Sundays 10 am 2 pm 57 Cherry Street Harvard Sportsmen’s Club Cape Ann Sportsmen’s Club Sundays 12 - 4 pm; Tuesdays, Skeet: Wednesdays until 1 pm Gloucester, MA Littleton County Road 57 Cherry Street Thursdays & Saturdays 10 am - 4 Springfield Sportsmen's Club 978-283-0304 Harvard, MA Gloucester, MA pm; Wednesdays 7 - 9 pm Woodhill Road capeannsportsmansclub.org www.harvardsportsmensclub.com Fall River Rod & Gun Club Fall River Rod & Gun Club Monson, MA Trap: Sundays 1 4 pm; Wednesdays Sanford Road Sanford Road Skeet field 413-267-9230 6:30 9 pm SINGLE ACTION Westport, MA Westport, MA Al 413-222-8322 Hanson Rod & Gun Club Bob 508-995-7768 SHOOTING 508-673-4635 Trap: Sundays 9 am; Thursdays 3 pm; Davis Road 3rd Saturday 9 am 1st Sunday 1 - 4 pm Trap: Thursdays 7 pm Saturdays 10 am Hanson, MA Barre Sportsman’s Club Manville Sportsmen's Rod & Gun Club Wrentham Sportsmen’s Assoc.

Monument Beach Sportsmens Club 781-293-9872 221 Spring Hill Road 250 High Street 7 Madison Street Dump Road off MacArthur Blvd Trap & Skeet: Sundays 1 - 4 pm, Barre, MA Manville, RI Wrentham, MA Monument Beach, MA Thursdays 6 9 pm Bert 508-413-6529 Bob 401-773-7720 Dave 508-883-7959 Club 508-759-5653 Southborough Rod & Gun Club randies@cox.net Trap: Wednesdays 6 - 9 pm Trap, Skeet & Wobble Skeet: 254 Fruit Street HIGH POWER RIFLE Saturdays 10 am - 2 pm Saturdays & Sundays 1 pm Hopkinton, MA 1st Saturday 9 am, 3rd Sunday 1 pm: SMALLBORE Angle Tree Stone Rod & Gun Club Skeet: Saturday & Sunday 12 - 4 pm steve-chouinard@hotmail.com CMP Tuesday & Thursday 6 - 10 pm 57 Kelly Boulevard Barre Sportsman’s Club Skeet: Sundays 9 am - 1 pm, Hanson Rod & Gun Club Wallum Lake Rod Gun Club North Attleboro, MA 221 Spring Hill Road Tuesdays & Thursdays 7 - 9:30 pm Davis Road, off Elm Street 200 Brook Road Joe 508-699-6730 Barre, MA Trap: Sundays 9 am - Noon Hanson, MA Harrisville, RI Trap: Wednesdays 7 pm Tony 978-355-4474 Riverside Gun Club 781-293-9872 401-568-7171 or 401-568-5640 North Brookfield Sportsmens Club 16 Wilkins Road 4th Sunday 1 pm: DCM Shoots Trap: Sundays 9:30 am; Wednesdays 20 Boynton Road SPORTING CLAYS Hudson, MA Maspenock Rod & Gun Club 5:30 pm North Brookfield, MA www.riversidegc.org Every Day 9 am - Dusk McGill Lane, Milford, MA Manville Sportsmen's Rod & Gun Club 508-867-9216 Trap: Sundays 10 am, Wednesdays 5 Peace Dale Shooting Preserve Dave 508-478-6211 250 High Street Trap: Sundays 9 am - 1 pm; Fridays pm, Fridays 9 am, Saturday Noon Peace Dale, RI Manville, RI 12 - 3 pm; Saturdays 10 am - 1 pm Lawrence Rod & Gun Club 401-789-3730 JUNIOR www.msrgc.com Cape Cod Fish & Game Webster Street Saturdays & Sundays 1 - 4 pm Mondays 7 - 9 pm: Junior Rifle Trap: Sundays 10 am - 1 pm; Depot Street Lawrence, MA Independent Sportsmen Club Reading Rifle & Revolver Saturdays 12 - 2 pm North Harwich, MA John 978-470-0327 Mirimichi Road Haverhill Street Smithfield Sportsman's Club Bob batesauto@comcast.net Trap: Tuesdays 9 am - 12 pm Foxboro, MA Reading, MA Walter Carey Road, Off Route 5 Trap & Skeet: Saturdays & Sundays 10 Skeet: Thursdays 9 am - 12 pm Saturdays 9:30 am - 1 pm Bob 781-246-4860 Smithfield, RI am - 2 pm; Wednesdays 10 am - noon Trap & Skeet: Sundays 9 am 1 pm, Western Mass Bird Dog Club Mondays 6 -9 pm: Junior Archery Dave 401-949-1525 5-Stand & Sporting Clays: Thursdays 6 10 pm, Saturdays 12 87 Charles Farnum Road Hanson Rod & Gun Club Trap: Sundays 10 am - 12 noon; Wednesdays 10 am noon; Saturdays 4 pm Granville, MA Davis Road, off Elm Street Thursdays 4 - 7 pm 10 am - 1 pm North Leominster Rod & Gun Jim 413-538-8941 Hanson, MA Tiverton Rod & Gun Club Old Colony Sportsmen’s Assoc.

Club Saturdays Noon - 5 pm info@hansonrodandgunclub.com 1529 Fish Road 159 Forest Street Lancaster Avenue Fall River Rod & Gun Club Tuesdays 7 pm: Sporter Air Rifle Tiverton, RI Pembroke, MA Lunenburg, MA Sanford Road Fridays 7 pm: Smallbore Rifle Dick 781-585-1875 Clubhouse 401-624-3959 ★ 978-840-6322 Westport, MA Maspenock Rod & Gun Club 508-673-4535 McGill Lane Sundays 9 am - 12 pm Milford, MA Cape Ann Sportsmen’s Club List your club events free of charge in Dave 508-243-1521 57 Cherry Street Wednesdays 6 pm: Smallbore Rifle The Sportsman’s Calendar!

Gloucester, MA Hanson Rod & Gun Club 978-283-0304 Event Category: Davis Road, off Elm Street capeannsportsmansclub.org Hanson, MA ❑ Education & Training ❑ Competitive Events ❑ Informal shooting & practices Sundays 1 - 4 pm Rick 781-293-6185 Date of Event: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Fin, Fur & Feather Wednesdays: Smallbore Rifle Event Description: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Ames Rifle & Pistol Club 110A Canton Street Event Location: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ North Easton, MA ____________________________________________ Bob 508-238-8563 Contact Person, Phone, Email: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Wednesdays: Smallbore Rifle Sagamore Rifle Club ____________________________________________ Sagamore, MA Email: editor@theoutdoormessage.com Like The Outdoor Leon 508-888-2474 Mail: The Sportsman’s Calendar, PO Box 306, Northborough, MA 01532 Wednesdays 5 - 9 pm: Smallbore Rifle Message!

Fax: 603-642-4327 Taunton Rifle & Pistol Club 460 Britannia Street Taunton, MA Mondays 7:30 - 9 pm Sid 774-473-7934 Hanson Rod & Gun Club Saturdays: Junior Indoor Archery Davis Road, off Elm Street Manville Sportsmen's Rod & Gun Club Hanson, MA 250 High Street info@hansonrodandgunclub.com Manville, RI Wednesdays: Indoor Archery msrandgc@gmail.com Woburn Sportsmen’s Association Saturdays: Smallbore Rifle 155 Middlesex Turnpike Old Colony Sportsmen’s Assoc.

Bedford, MA Forest Street indoorarchery@woburnsportsmen.com Pembroke, MA Wednesdays 7 - 9:30 pm George 781-871-0003 Rod & Gun Club of New Bedford Sundays 5 pm: Smallbore Rifle North Hixville Road Lenox Sportsmen’s Club North Dartmouth, MA 258 New Lenox Road Randy 508-636-4493 Lenox, MA Barre Sportsman’s Club Jeff 413-528-1343 221 Spring Hill Road Sundays 6 - 9 pm: Smallbore Rifle Barre, MA Nenameseck Sportsman’s Club John 978-355-4071 Bacon Road Palmer, MA BLACK POWDER Dick 413-283-3920 Sundays 8 am - 12 pm Junior High Power Rifle Team Leominster Sportsmen’s Assoc.

Reading Rifle and Revolver Club 1455 Elm Street Haverhill Street Leominster, MA Reading, MA Duane 978-317-2811 duaneb1953@yahoo.com

35 Crystal Spring Road Mattapoisett, MA 508-758-6790 Sundays 10 am - 2 pm Springfield Sportsmen's Club Woodhill Road Monson, MA Al 413-222-8322 Thursdays 5:30 pm Barre Sportsman’s Club 221 Spring Hill Road Barre, MA Randy 978-632-8708

Trap & Skeet: Sundays 9 am - 12 pm Leominster Sportsmen’s Association 1455 Elm Street Leominster, MA Trap, Skeet, Modern Skeet, Five Stand: Sundays 11:30 am - 4 pm Trap, Skeet, Modern Skeet: Saturdays 11 am - 3 pm Ludlow Fish & Game Club Sportsman Road Ludlow, MA Marshall 413-585-8662 Trap: Sundays 1 - 4 pm Fin Fur & Feather Club 35 Crystal Springs Road Mattapoisett, MA 508-758-6790 Trap: Mondays 5 - 9 pm Methuen Rod & Gun Club 240 Tyler Street Methuen, MA Eli 978-683-3261 Trap: Sundays 10 am; Wednesdays 6 pm Maspenock Rod & Gun Club 1 McGill Lane Milford, MA Joe jhaiken3@yahoo.comt Saturdays and Sundays 12 - 3:30 pm Fin, Fur & Feather Club 100 Larch Road Millis, MA 508-376-2977

g

February 2013

The

Outdoor Message

Page 27

INDEPENDENT SPORTSMEN’S CLUB, INC.

Club Location: Mirimichi Road - Foxboro, MA 02035 Club Phone: 508-543-9887 Mailing Address: PO Box 902 - North Attleboro MA 02761

Web Site

Web address: www.independentclub.com Email address: independentsportsmensclub@gmail.com

Get the most up to date information on what is happening at the club in the “Latest News & Calendars”. Check the web site and the Google Calendar for open hours, league dates and activities. In addition there is a staffing calendar which will make it easier to volunteer for staffing the 5-Stand and Warm Up coverage. Double check before you drive to the club.

Range Times

Skeet, Trap, 5-Stand: Wednesday, 5:00 to 8:00. Saturday & Sunday, 1:00 to 4:00.

Open to the public.

Sporting Clays: Saturday & Sunday, promptly at 1:00. Open to the public.

Pistol & Rifle Ranges: Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to sunset.

Sunday and Holidays from 12:00 PM to sunset. Open to members. Limited member guest visits (must sign in).

Meeting Times

Board Meeting: 3rd Tuesday, monthly at 7:30 PM.

Membership Meeting: 1st Tuesday of March, June, September and December at 7:30 PM.

Orientation

New member orientation is held at 9:00 AM on the 4th Sunday of each month. All new members must attend a session in order to get a gate fob. If you plan to attend, call Vinny Tuzzo 508-543-7029 in advance.

Shotgun Sports News

The “Fall” trap league finished- just about in time for the “Winter” league to begin!

The leaders were Matt Kanavos, Al Digiampietro, and Mike Lombardy.

Honorable mention goes to Mike Cook who progressed nicely over the last few months, shooting his first 25 straight on the very last round of the league.

Winter Shotgun League. This is in full throttle; results will be posted in an upcoming issue.

Registered Shoots for 2013. Plans for Skeet registered shoots for 2013 are being planned. One will be a 4 gun event with

folks shooting two gauges here, and two gauges at another club; final details in upcoming editions. Also monitor the website and calendar for dates and sign-up details.

Pistol & Rifle News

Scheduled Action Shoots are open to the public. During scheduled shoots, the rifle/pistol ranges are CLOSED to normal member use until approximately 1:00 PM. Always check the calendar before setting off to shoot at the range in case it is being used for an activity.

Action Shoot Reminders: • 7:30 AM Setup; 8:30 AM Signup; 8:50 AM Shooters Meeting; 9:05 AM Start Time • NEW shooters are ALWAYS welcome! If a new shooter shows up at 8:00 AM, we would be happy to give them some personal instruction before the shoot begins.

• Ear protection, and eye protection with side protection, is required.

For shoot information contact John

“Nailed it!”

Allen 508-400-8042 or Vinny Tuzzo 508543-7029.

The Action Shoot schedule is posted on the web site. Upcoming activities: 1. February 23: Action Pistol Shoot 2. March 23: Action Pistol Shoot 3. April 13: TBA

Outdoor Message OnLine

If you would like to receive The Outdoor Message via email, rather than in the newspaper format, please send the request to the club’s email address.

From the Editor

In Memory: Paul Remick passed in December 2012. He was a valiant club member, an ex-board member for several terms, pistol & rifle committee member and ran the action pistol shoots. His efforts on the pistol and rifle committee were particularly impactful within the club. Paul will be missed. ★

“Things were going just fine in the skeet round, when…”

The Sportsman’s Calendar . . .Competitive Shooting Matches and Special Shooting Events

SPECIAL EVENTS

Feb 2-3: 34th Annual Southeastern Mass Sportsman’s Show (see ad/coupon on page 10) Standish Sportsman’s Association Burr Lane E Bridgewater, MA 508-588-9327 www.standishsportsmans.com Feb 16-17: Gun Show Fireside Inn 25 Airport Road West Lebanon, NH 603-225-3846 dipromo@comcast.net Feb 22-23: Coach Certification Course - Pistol Mass Shooters Foundation 37 Pierce Street Northborough, MA 508-393-5133

Rifle Mar 16: NRA Open Sectional 3P Precision Air Taunton Rifle & Pistol Club 430 East Britannia Street Taunton, MA Must pre-register Sid sidm3@aol.com 774-473-7934

LADIES NIGHT

Feb 12, Mar 19 Hanson Rod & Gun Club Davis Road Hanson, MA Must pre-register at femalefirepower@gmail.com

Lawrence, MA Art 978-687-9504 ext 1

PRACTICAL SHOOTS

2nd & 4th Thursdays, 4th Saturdays: IDPA League Club Matches S&W Shooting Sports Center Springfield, MA 413-846-6400 PIN & PLATE SHOOTS 4th Sunday ARCHERY Rod & Gun Club of New Bedford 1st Sunday Feb 17: 3D Archery North Hixville Road Cape Ann Sportsmen’s Club Cape Cod Fish & Game North Dartmouth, MA 57 Cherry Street Depot Street Dave 508-984-9589 Gloucester, MA North Harwich, MA 4th Sunday 8:45 am: IDPA Matches 978-283-0304 Wednesdays 6 pm: Indoor Paper Nenameseck Sportsman’s Club www.capeannsportsmansclub.org League Bacon Road 1st Sunday Manville Sportsmen's Rod & Gun Club Palmer, MA Springfield Sportsman’s Club 250 High Street Norm 413-967-3797 215 Wood Hill Road Manville, RI www.nenameseck.com/idpa Monson, MA msrgc.com 413-267-9652 SINGLE ACTION 3rd Sunday, 1 pm BB Georgetown Fish & Game Club SHOOTING AIR RIFLE/PRECISION Mar 23: NRA Junior Sectional BB 4P Lake Avenue 4th Sunday 1 - 4 pm Taunton Rifle & Pistol Club Georgetown, MA AIR Manville Sportsmen's Rod & Gun Club 430 East Britannia Street Craig 508-265-2255 Mar 2: NRA Open Sectional 250 High Street Taunton, MA 3rd Saturday, 10 am International Air Rifle Manville, RI sidm3@aol.com 774-473-7934 Lawrence Rod & Gun Club Mar 16: NRA Junior Sectional 3P Air Bob 401-773-7720 Webster Street

Page 28

The

Outdoor Message

randies@cox.net

SMALLBORE

Feb 1-2: NRA 4P Junior Sectional Feb 22-23: 3P Junior Sectional Hudson Fish & Game 53 Pine Road Hudson, NH 617-594-2194 bill@williamdutton.com Feb 9-10: NRA 3P Open Sectional Feb 9-10: NRA Metric 3P Sectional Mar 9: NRA Open Sectional International Smallbore Taunton Rifle & Pistol Club 430 East Britannia Street Taunton, MA sidm3@aol.com 774-473-7934

SPORTING CLAYS

Sundays 10 am, Wednesdays at noon: Winter League Petersham Gun Club 159 Nelson Road Petersham, MA petershamgunclub12@gmail.com Parker win59pe@hughes.net ★

February 2013