Black Forest Conservation Association

Meeting Minutes

Minutes Last Updated: 12/12/2005

189 Back Road; Coudersport, PA

Correspondences: No action was taken on any of the correspondences. 

Treasures Report: The bills were read and approved with a balance of $8353.37 minus the van bill from the Conservation Camp that hasn't been received yet (~$1,000).

Membership: Acquired 1 new member at $35.00 (last quarter of current year plus next year's dues as approved at the November meeting).

Old business: N/A.

New business:

• Posting of Club Property.  There was concern about nonmembers hunting club property.  Consensus is club property shouldn't be posted. 

• Elections: Motion made and passed to postpone elections until the January meeting. 

• DRIVING from Rifle House to Backstop: Sign to be erected forbidding driving to the backstop to prevent property damage (ruts). 

• Club ID buttons:  It was decided that we need a way to readily identify club members without asking a person to present their membership card.  Bill Sallade is checking on pricing of buttons to be used for this purpose.

• Calendar: Jim Berger would like to get a calendar list of planned activities (Archery, Trap Shoots, Silhouette, etc.) by the January meeting so he can include it in the annual membership letter.

Attendees: Bill and Kathy Sallade, Paul Lilja, Jim Berger, Terry Gerner, Bob Rees, Mark Rees, Harry Boyer, Bryan Forney, and Larry E. Lukehart, Sr.

Meeting adjourned at 09:13 PM, respectfully submitted by Larry E. Lukehart, Sr.

                     Directors                     Term expiration 

• Robert Currin               2003

• Bob Elliott                    2004

• Hank Nagengast           2005

• Jim Berger                    2006

• Dan Cowburn               2007

Committee Reports

Archery: PATHA Shoot (Traditional only) is Mar 27&28, 2004.  PATHA has stated that they didn't feel splitting the fee for the shoot gave the club enough money to cover expenses (electric, heat, etc.) and have decided that after they deduct money to cover the food this year, they will give the club the remainder from the shoot fee ($30-35/person).  PATHA will conduct raffles to raise money for themselves.  Tentative shoot dates for 2004:  April 25th, May 30th, June 20th, July 25th, August 29th, and September 26th (&25th?).  Dates will be finalized by new committee chairman when one is found.

Rifle: No Report

Silhouette: No Report

Trap: No Report

Hunter education: No Report.

Conservation school: Still waiting on the van rental bill.  Scheduled for the first week of August (Sunday - Sunday).

Gun show: April 2nd: Setup and Club Meeting at Roullette Firehall.  April 3rd & 4th, Spring Show.  October 1st: Setup and Club Meeting at Roullette Fire hall.  October 2nd & 3rd: Fall Gun Show.

House: John Boraten and Brian Forney moved aged wood into clubhouse and split and stacked new firewood.  They measured the basement for insulation.  Discussed installing regular insulation in basement ceiling and then covering with 3/4" styrofoam insulation to help hold it in, followed by ceiling tiles.  John & Bryan devised a plan to add shelving in back room of basement to get cots and Conservation Camp items off the floor and neatly stowed.

Events: Winter BB Gun Shoot: date TBD (February).

Correspondences: No action was taken on any of the correspondences.

Treasures Report: The bills were read and approved with a balance of $8498.34.

Membership: Acquired 1 new membership.

Old business: N/A.

New business: Motion made and seconded to purchase from the Potter Co. Anglers assoc. a lottery ticket and calendar for $35.00. WCO Mark Fair stopped at the meeting to discuss the updated antler restriction changes. Points now need to be one inch in length, including the bow tine.

Attendees: Bill and Kathy Sallade, Paul Lilja, Jim Berger, John Boraten, Jr., Terry Gerner, Bob Elliott, Bob Rees, Mark Fair, Mort Weakland, Bryan Forney & Larry Lukehart, Sr.

Meeting adjourned at 09:35 PM, respectfully submitted by John Boraten, Jr. club Secretary.

        Directors             Term expiration

• Robert Currin         2003
• Bob Elliott              2004
• Hank Nagengast     2005
• Jim Berger              2006    
• Dan Cowburn         2007

Committee Reports

Archery: Bryan resigned as Archery chairman. Thanks goes to Bryan for getting the archery program back off of the ground!

Rifle: N/R

Silhouette: N/R

Trap: Trap gave an income & expense report.

Hunter/Trapper education: WCO Mark Fair gave a brief overview of some of the new changes. Such as, practical computer training and no more live firing of guns.

Conservation school: Still waiting on the van rental bill.

Gun show: Another good show. Attendance for the fall show was 712 people and grossed approximately $6669.00. Thanks Bill!

House: N/R

Events: The turkey shoot went ok; there was a learning experience for the next shoot. Approximately 15 shooters attended.

Correspondences: No action was taken on any of the correspondences.

Treasures Report: The bills were read and approved with a balance of $5445.95.

Membership: Acquired 5 new members.

Old business: The additional club hats arrived today.

New business: N/A

Attendees: Bill and Kathy Sallade, Paul Lilja, Jim & Lorrie Berger, John Boraten, Jr., Hank & Karen Nagengast, Terry Gerner, Bob & Jenna Elliott, Bob Rees, Mark Rees, Harry Boyer, Don Cook, Rich Cochran & Max Gaberseck.

Meeting adjourned at 09:16 PM, respectfully submitted by John Boraten, Jr. club Secretary.

                     Directors                     Term expiration 

• Robert Currin               2003

• Bob Elliott                    2004

• Hank Nagengast           2005

• Jim Berger                    2006

• Dan Cowburn               2007

Committee Reports

Archery: 3D is over for another season. Thanks to everyone for keeping it alive another year!

Rifle: Bill S. finished staining the last side and repaired the portal doors. Thanks Bill!

Silhouette: Discussion on the feasibility of silhouette for next year. Thanks goes to Kathy & Bill for running silhouette another year!

Trap: Trap is over for the season. Thanks goes to everyone who participated in keeping trap running through its long season!

Hunter education: The Game commission is changing its hunter education program for next year. More information to come as it’s made available.

Conservation school: Still waiting on the van rental bill.

Gun show: Tables are sold out! The church is allowing parking on Saturday for a $50.00 donation.

House: Discussion on cutting a sugar maple behind the clubhouse. No resolution.

Events: The events committee will be holding a turkey shoot on October 19^th. Everyone is welcome. Cost, $2.00 per shot. 

Correspondences: No action was taken on any of the correspondences.

Treasures Report: The bills were read and approved with a balance of $4890.33.

Membership: Jim gave an updated membership report, with the following membership totals: 47 Life, 8 Complementary 77 Annual, for 132 members

Old business: N/A

New business: The membership gave approval to purchase 4 dozen club hats. 2 dozen white, 1 dozen orange & 1 dozen green. Larry L. is going to have his Boy Scout troop do some community service around the clubhouse. The next club workday is scheduled for September 21 at 9 am.

Attendees: Bill and Kathy Sallade, Paul Lilja, Jim Berger, John Boraten, Jr., Hank Nagengast, Terry Gerner, Bob Rees, Mark Rees, Dan Cowburn, Larry Lukehart & Mort Weakland.

Meeting adjourned at 09:36 PM, respectfully submitted by John Boraten, Jr. club Secretary.

Directors                     Term expiration 
Robert Currin               2003
Bob Elliott                    2004
Hank Nagengast           2005
Jim Berger                    2006
Dan Cowburn               2007

Archery: 36 paid shooters attended the August shoot. For the September shoot Bill S. will cook Saturday morning breakfast from 8 am to 09:30 & will cook lunch on Saturday.

Rifle: Bill S. has stained 3 sides of the range house & will finish staining the last side.

Silhouette: No one showed up for the August shoot.

Trap: Turnout has been light. Trap will be wrapping up at the end of this month.

Hunter education: No report.

Conservation school: Another successful conservation school! With 23 participates & plenty of volunteers. Thanks Paul!

Gun show: Window cards, flyers & raffle tickets are available. To date, 1/3 of the tables are rented. Social club setup will be at 4 pm on October 1^st. The engine bay setup will be at 1 pm on October 3^rd.

House: The stain is here and needs to be applied to the clubhouse before bad weather sets in.

Events: The events committee will be holding a turkey shoot on October 19^th. The committee will also be putting together a BB gun league.

 Minutes of June 06, 2003 Club Meeting

Treasurers Report: The bills were read and approved with a balance of $6,452.56. Club insurance of approximately $1,100 is due and will be paid this coming week. Future expenditures include approximately $1,400 for taxes and $3,000 for Conservation Camp.

Correspondences: Read with no action taken (see Federation under Committee Reports for tabled resolutions to be voted on next meeting).

8:55 PM Meeting was moved to the Rifle House to make observations on its current state while there was still light enough to see. Damage/decay was noted. Addition of a 50-yard mound to the right side of the range was discussed by a few members. The meeting resumed at 9:05 in the Clubhouse.

Old Business: Sealing the new siding on the clubhouse. Staining the clubhouse was discussed and the consensus was to do so. The pavilion was discussed and due to the quickly dwindling treasury, it doesn’t look like it will get built this year. An estimate is going to be obtained from the Amish to determine what the cost will be.

New Business:

Rifle House: Bill Sallade is going to pick up stain for the 3 sides closest to the road and provide his sprayer and an extension ladder for use at the next Club Work Day (June 21). Discussion ensued concerning the front of the rifle house (portal side). It was decided to see how far the boards left over from the siding of the clubhouse will go. Everyone agreed that the portals need extended a few inches lower to help prevent the wall being shot through.

July Meeting: Date set for Friday, July 11th. Format will include a family picnic and work bee to set up for Conservation Camp. This will provide ample time to reschedule the work bee in the event of rain.

Conservation Camp: Motion made and passed to purchase materials to build two new tent platforms: one to be replaced (3rd one up the trail) and one new one to handle the number of kids attending this year.

Trap House: Terry Gerner will dig out around the trap house this summer with a backhoe to install drainage pipe and gravel as the walls are being pushed in. He will also dismantle the old trap house (beyond reasonable repair) and do some landscaping to fill in the hole. Gravel is needed to be purchased for placement around the good house. Johnson’s have it for ~$175.00 a truck load. Motion made and approved for Terry to obtain it when he’s ready to do the work. He will provide the pipe.

Hats: A supply has been found at a cost of $7.00 each with a minimum 2 dozen order. Discussion ensued concerning buying 3 dozen hats now of varying colors and to order 2 dozen when we get down to about a dozen. Motion made for the immediate purchase of 3 dozen hats and approved.

Attendees: Bill and Kathy Sallade, Hank Nagengast, Larry Lukehart, Bob Elliott, Dan Cowburn, Terry Gerner, Bob Rees, Max Gaberseck, Mark Rees and Glenn Boyd.

Meeting adjourned at 10:05 PM, respectfully submitted by Larry E. Lukehart, Sr.

Archery: No Committee Members present. Other members at the Memorial Day Sunday shoot believe 47 archers came out to shoot and several had lunch with a few remaining for the trap shoot later in the afternoon. Next Archery shoot is Sunday, June 22nd.

Rifle: No Report

Silhoutte: Kathy and Mort were in attendance at the last shoot.

Trap: Rained out the past 2 weeks. Mort, Larry and/or Bill attend every week in case the rain let’s up and anyone shows up. The shoot three weeks ago resulted in 20some rounds being shot. 9 or 10 shooters shot on Memorial Day Sunday.

Hunter Ed: 24 pupils were registered. Jim Thomas is looking for someone younger to assist and eventually take over. Hunter Ed will be scheduled for the first weekend in June, 2004.

Conservation School: Will be held from July 27 to August 2. 3 girls and 21 boys have registered.

Gun Show: Nothing to report.

House: Bowhunter Education course will be held June 14th and August 16th. Club is rented to the Radio Club June 28th and 29th.

Membership: 47 Life, 8 Complimentary, 72 Annual for 127 total including 10 new members.

Events: Six kids enjoyed the BB Gun Shoot, each earning a prize donated by local businesses. Maple Festival booth generated a lot of interest. Next Club Work Day is Saturday, June 21, 2003. Items to be worked on are: building of new tent platforms, fixing/replacing the loose shingle on the rifle house, staining of the rifle house, and possibly residing the front (portal side) of the rifle house.

Federation: There are 3 resolutions to be voted on:

1) There is a resolution to open State Game Lands to vehicles for persons in poor health (heart disease, severe respiratory problems, etc.). The Game Commission is working on legislation for this. Discussion: Appears to be too much red tape to make it worth having as those who need it won’t go through it and then there’s the issue of “I have to go with him because he can’t be alone.”

2) A member organization of the Federation would like to have a 200 yards section of Clear Creek designated for disabled persons and children under the age of 15 from opening day of trout season until May 15th.

3) Delaware Sportsmen Federation members want the Fish Commission to quit taking shad from the Delaware River to stock other waters as shad numbers are low. New Jersey has implemented creel limits due to the decline in the number of shad.

Minutes of May 02, 2003 Club Meeting

On May 02, 2003, the May BFCA meeting was held at the clubhouse at 08:08 PM. The minutes from the previous months meeting were read and approved.  

Correspondences: No action was taken on any of the correspondences.

Treasures Report: The bills were read and approved with a balance of $5836.47.

Membership: No report.

Old business: More membership discussion and final approval on the proposed club fee structure. The new fee structure is attached. Bob R. received an estimate of $1700.00 from the Amish to install the clubhouse siding. Three of the trustees were contacted and gave approval to complete the work. The only thing left for the club to do is seal the new siding. Larry L. got the clubs webpage, www.pottercountybfca.com up and running. Nice job Larry!

New business: Bob R. donated an answering machine to the club. It was brought to the memberships attention that the second Trap houses roof is falling in and the siding on the Range house is in need of repair. Paul L. is donating some butternut logs to the clubhouse to replace the paneling in the basement. Before this can be installed, the club needs to pay to have the logs milled down for lumber. Paul is also going to put the BFCA road sign back up.

Attendees: Bill and Kathy Sallade, Paul Lilja, John Boraten, Jr., Hank Nagengast, Terry Gerner, Bryan Forney, Dan Cowburn, Rich Cochran, Mort Weakland, Ed Dietz, Bob & Jenna Elliott & Harry Boyer

Meeting adjourned at 10:05 PM, respectfully submitted by John Boraten, Jr. club Secretary.

Directors                     Term expiration

Robert Currin               2003

Bob Elliott                    2004

Hank Nagengast           2005

Jim Berger                    2006

Dan Cowburn               2007

Committee Reports

Archery: 33 paid shooters attended the first shoot.

Rifle: New fencing and signs were placed in front of the Range house. Two of the Silhouette dirt mounds were burned off and trash was collected from around the backstops and Range house.

Silhouette: No Report.

Trap: Held shoots on two of the last four Tuesdays with low attendance.

Hunter Education: Will be held from May 31^st to June 1^st.

Conservation school: Will be held from July 27 to August 2.

Gun show: Another great show. 973 attendees and the club made $6998.00. Thanks Bill!

House: June 14 and August 16 are bow hunter education dates.

Events: Mort and some volunteers will be setting up a table at the Maple Festival, to promote what the Black Forest is all about to the public, the cost of this is $25.00. The membership gave approval to sponsor, with prizes a kids BB shoot at the clubhouse on May 10, 2003. Mort also asked the club to donate $150.00 and two club memberships to Duck’s Unlimited. After some discussion, the membership gave the ok. Following the May 25^th 3D shoot at 3 pm, Trap will be holding a Trap shoot. For $11.00 on May 25^th, you can shoot 3D and Trap and lunch will be provided in the price.

Federation: Paul discussed the new membership fee structure and other highlights of the spring conference.

Minutes of April 04, 2003 Club Meeting

On April 04, 2003, the April BFCA meeting was held at the Roulette Fire Hall at 08:00 PM. The minutes from the previous months meeting were read and approved.  

Correspondences: No action was taken. 

Treasures Report: Paul left his brief case at home so there was no official report. 

Membership: Jim gave an updated membership report, with the following membership totals: 48 Life, 8 Complementary 58 Annual, for 114 members

Old business: More membership discussion on John’s club fee structure. The membership was interested in a day or evening fee schedule, and a few other issues; John will modify his proposal and resubmit it at the next meeting. John also reminded the membership that his and Andy’s offer to remove unwanted junk at the end of May is still available.

New business: Bob R. will be getting an estimate for the next meeting on having the Amish install our hemlock siding. Bryan F. stated to the membership that we are out of club hats. Mort W. brought up chairing and setting up an Events committee, which will help let the public, know what Black Forest is all about. Larry L. asked the membership if they were interested in a club web site, which he said he would build and maintain. A&D web hosting will host the site for $6.95 a month, which includes these features: 200 Megs of hard drive space and 50 e-mail addresses. An additional cost of $14.95 is needed to register our domain name of “pottercountybfca” A motion was made and seconded to try the web site for one year.

Attendees: Bill and Kathy Sallade, Jim Berger, Paul Lilja, John Boraten, Jr., Hank & Karen Nagengast, Bob Rees, Mark Rees, Terry Gerner, Bryan Forney, Dan Cowburn, Rich Cochran, Andy Shappell, Don Cook, Larry Lukehart, Sr., Mort Weakland, Ed Dietz, Bob Elliott & Tom Strawderman

Meeting adjourned at 09:20 PM, respectfully submitted by John Boraten, Jr. club Secretary.  

Directors                     Term expiration

Robert Currin               2003
Bob Elliott                    2004
Hank Nagengast           2005
Jim Berger                    2006
Dan Cowburn               2007 

Committee Reports

 Archery: The PATHA shoot was a great success and is scheduled for next year on March 26-28, 2004. The club also made $190 from this shoot. Our new targets were picked up by some of the members a few weeks ago. All of the targets were gone over and 6 targets will be sold to members first for $15.00 each and then to the public for $20.00 each. The opening 3D shoot is this Sunday, April 6^th.  If anyone is interested a major portion of the setup is being done on Saturday April 5^th at 3 pm. Ron V. and Andy S. will be spending the night at the club house to keep an eye on the targets. 

Rifle: No Report. 

Silhouette: No Report. 

Trap: The opening trap shoot is this Tuesday April 8^th starting at 6 pm. 

Hunter Education: Will be held on May 31^st and June 1^st. 

Conservation school: No Report. 

Gun show: All tables are sold out! Raffles ticket sales are going well and all of the advertising is out. Thanks Bill! 

House: June 14 and August 16 are bow hunter education dates. 

Events: No Report. 

Correspondences: No action was taken.

Treasures Report: The bills were read and approved with a balance of $3599.59.

Membership: Jim gave an updated membership report.

Old business: None

New business: The club voted to purchase 1 Potter County Anglers club raffle ticket and calendar for a total of $20.00. The club also voted to renew its membership in the Chestnut tree foundation for $40.00. John B. presented the membership with his proposal for new club rental fees. The membership decided to table this action. John B. with the help of Andy S. offered to take any unwanted junk to Gold with the Trustees permission, around the end of May. All the Trustees need to do is get the unwanted junk together for disposal.

Attendees: Bill and Kathy Sallade, Jim Berger, Paul Lilja, John Boraten, Jr., Hank Nagengast, Bob Rees, Harry Boyer, Terry Gerner, Bryan Forney, Dan and Anthony Cowburn

Meeting adjourned at 09:18 PM, respectfully submitted by John Boraten, Jr. club Secretary.

Directors Term expiration:

Robert Currin 2003
Bob Elliott 2004
Hank Nagengast 2005
Jim Berger 2006
Dan Cowburn 2007

Committee Reports:

Archery: Dan C. called the Genesee Rod and Gun club to see if they accepted our offer of $800.00 for their 3D targets. Genesee Rod and Gun club wanted $900.00 for the targets. Therefore, the membership voted to give Genesee Rod and Gun club the $900.00 for the targets. Dan will deliver the check.

Rifle: No Report.

Silhouette: No Report.

Trap: No Report.

Hunter Education: No Report.

Conservation school: No Report.

Gun show: Raffle tickets and window cards are available. Currently 50 % of the tables are rented. Bill S. ordered a second prize of a PSFE lighter and knife combo. John B. volunteered Mort W. and himself to work the door sometime over the weekend. Bill scheduled them to work Saturday morning.

House: PATHA shoot next weekend.

Membership: Jim gave a membership report, with the following totals.

Total members as of February 7, 2003, 103. 48 Life; 8 Complementary; 46 2003 Annual; 27 Unpaid from 2002 and 29 Unpaid from 2001 (to be deleted).

Old business: Thanks to the efforts of Bill S. and Terry G., the club now owns a new furnace and hot water heater. At the same time they discovered water running down the basement wall, turned out to be a broken connection at the well housing. Terry made a temporary repair; the real fix will have to be made after the spring thaw.

New business: The annual party is tomorrow night starting at 6 PM. Discussion on a club website.

Attendees: Bill and Kathy Sallade, Jim Berger, Paul Lilja, John Boraten, Jr., Hank Nagengast, Bob Rees, Mark Rees, Ron Vought, Bob Elliott, Harry Boyer, Larry Lukehart, Sr., Mort Weakland, Terry Gerner, Ralph and Adam Fesemyer.

Meeting adjourned at 09:05 PM, respectfully submitted by John Boraten, Jr. club Secretary.

Directors Term expiration:

Robert Currin 2003
Bob Elliott 2004
Hank Nagengast 2005
Jim Berger 2006
Dan Cowburn 2007

Committee Reports:

Archery: Dan C. called Bill S. before the meeting to say that he went to the Genesee Rod and Gun club and made them an offer to purchase there 3D targets. Genesee Rod and Gun club wanted to go over the targets to see what they had and consider our offer, before giving Dan an answer.

Rifle: No Report.

Silhouette: No Report.

Trap: Larry L. and Mort W. said that the trap committee was considering holding members only trap shoots, one possibly in June and another around small game season.

Hunter Education: No Report.

Conservation school: Conservation school was moved a week earlier, starting July 27th.

Gun show: More discussion of possibly adding a gun safe to the raffle. A major concern was what if the winner of the safe was from out of the area, how does the winner claim the safe. The membership voted not to add a safe to the raffle, just raffle off one high-end rifle as usual. Bill S. also stated that the raffle tickets would be here by next meeting.

House: No Report.

Correspondences: A few were read with no action taken.

Treasures Report: The bills were read and approved with a balance of $7267.14.

Membership: Jim will be sending out the 2003 calendar of events, along with the 2003 membership letter.

Total new members:

Total members: 126

Old business: Once the area is plowed, for access to the building, the furnace and hot water tank can be installed. Bill S. will try to accomplish this on Saturday afternoon. If Bill can’t open up the area with his tractor, the club will have to consider hiring in a loader.

New business: The annual party will be February 8th at the clubhouse. Cost is $5.00 per person. RSVP Kathy S. by February 3rd.

Attendees: Bill and Kathy Sallade, Jim Berger, Paul Lilja, Hank Nagengast, Bob Rees, Mark Rees, John Boraten, Jr., Dan Cowburn, Bob Elliott, Harry Boyer, Bryan Forney, Larry Lukehart, Sr. and Terry Gurner

Meeting adjourned at 09:30 PM, respectfully submitted by John Boraten, Jr. club Secretary.

Directors Term expiration:

Robert Currin 2003
Bob Elliott 2004
Hank Nagengast 2005
Jim Berger 2006
Dan Cowburn 2007

Committee Reports:

Archery: Bryan F. and Dan C. went to the Genesee Rod and Gun club today to look at the targets that are for sale. The club has 30 plus targets and some mid sections for sale. Bryan rated the targets by condition and came up with an approximate value of $850.00. Dan will see what the club wants for the targets at their next meeting. BFCA authorized no more than Bryans estimate of $850.00 to Genesee Rod and Gun club. Dan will see what he can do.

Rifle: No Report.

Silhouette: The 2003 activity dates were chosen.

Trap: Larry L. supplied Jim B. with the 2003 Trap activity dates.

Hunter Education: No Report.

Conservation school: The 2003 school date was chosen.

Gun show: Bill S. reported flyers and window cards would be out mid February. Raffle tickets will be out by the March meeting. There was a discussion of possibly changing the raffle to a gun safe, instead of a gun or in addition to a gun. Members were asked when they were out and about, and they come across gun safes, to get some prices. This will be decided at the next meeting.

House: No Report.

Federation: Paul L. discussed the 6 propositions that will be brought up at the spring convention on March 28-30 in York, PA.