Black Forest Conservation Association

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Minutes of the December Club Meeting held on December 1, 2006

On November 1^st, 2006 the December monthly meeting was held at the clubhouse at 8:00 PM. With the Secretary’s absence at this meeting, the following is a summary of the meeting as relayed to him at the January meeting.

Correspondences:

Treasurer’s Report:

Old business:

• Gas Exploration Lease: There has been no news on the lease.
• Club Signs: There was further discussion on the signs with Bob Elliott to check on additional options.
• Grill: .
• TV/DVD/VHS Combo: No discussion.
• Tent platform plywood: No discussion.

• Staining of the clubhouse: The stain is still in the basement. No discussion.
• Running of electric to the shed for 2 lights and one receptacle:  No discussion
• Replacement of the wire fencing from the rifle house toward the backstop with approximately 200’ of chain-link fence donated by Terry Gerner.  A metal gate is needed along the road to the rifle range, right in front of the sluice to keep people from driving there as they are tearing up the property there. 
• Pavilion.  Leveling of the site is complete, the sluice is installed and covered with rock and the drainage ditch excavated.  Some of the material from the site and ditch was added to the rifle range mound.  Further work halted until it dries up in the spring.  Bill Sallade (BFCA) is to talk to the other Bill Sallade about getting on his construction list for the spring.  The logs in the yard are the club’s firewood.

 New business:

• Elections: Jim Berger was re-elected to another term as Trustee, expiring in 2011.  There being no other members willing to come forward, all other officers were re-elected to their current positions.

Attendees: Terry Gerner, Bill Sallade, Kathy Sallade, Paul Lilja, Jim Berger, Robert Elliott, and Bob Rees.

Meeting adjourned around 9:00 PM, respectfully submitted by Larry E. Lukehart, Sr., Secretary.

Committee Reports

Archery: Ron Vought has stepped down as Archery Chairman due to having to leave the area for work.

Conservation school:  No Report.

Events: No Report. 

Gun show: Nothing to Report.

House: Nothing to report.

Hunter/Trapper education:  No report.

Membership:.

Muzzleloader: No Report.

Rifle: .

Silhouette:  Nothing to Report.

Trap:  Nothing to Report.

Federation: .

Minutes of the November Club Meeting held on November 3, 2006

On November 3^rd, 2006 the November monthly meeting was called to order at the clubhouse at 8:00 PM. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved as read.

Correspondences: PA Bowhunters, Upper Allegheny Watershed Association letter on projects completed this year, Chestnut Tree newsletter, On Target and Allegheny Highlander newsletter.

Treasurer’s Report: The bills were read and approved with a balance of $17,653.85. Bills included: Roullette Fire hall $1000, WFRM $100 (gun show advertising), Potter County Angler $25, Close’s Lumber $86.81 (Eagle project donation), Tioga Publishing $128.20, WPIG $120, Valley Hardware (Eagle project donation), along with the regular bills and utilities.  Deposits noted were: Gun Show $2,456, Gun Show $1,439, Mailing List donation $5.00 and Membership $100.

Old business:

• Eagle Project Update.  – The Eagle Project of building a new section and widening part of the archery trail and completing and building a total of 10 archery bale boxes has been completed.
• Gas Exploration Lease: There has been no news on the lease. 

• Staining of the clubhouse: The stain is still in the basement. No discussion.
• Running of electric to the shed for 2 lights and one receptacle:  No discussion
• Replacement of the wire fencing from the rifle house toward the backstop with approximately 200’ of chain-link fence donated by Terry Gerner.  A metal gate is needed along the road to the rifle range, right in front of the sluice to keep people from driving there as they are tearing up the property there.  Options were discussed.
• Pavilion.  Leveling of the site is complete, the sluice is installed and covered with rock and the drainage ditch excavated.  Some of the material from the site and ditch was added to the rifle range mound.  Further work halted until it dries up in the spring.  Bill Sallade (BFCA) is to talk to the other Bill Sallade about getting on his construction list for the spring.  The logs in the yard are the club’s firewood.

 New business:

• Club Signs: Bob Elliott looked into the cost of signs for the club.  A Redwood or Cedar sign would be about $700.  Bob is going to check on some more sources and options.
• Grill: The club needs a new grill as the existing one is fairly well shot.  The membership authorized Paul Lilja to buy a new gas grill as end-of-season sales should be on-going.
• TV/DVD/VHS Combo:  The membership authorized the purchase of an all-in-one unit, up to $200, for installation downstairs for the primary function of Conservation School training.  Melissa Lukehart is in charge of this expenditure.
• Tent Platform plywood: The membership authorized Paul to purchase ¾” pressure-treated plywood to resurface 2 tent platforms.
• Officer Nominating Committee: The Trustees present were voted to be this year’s nominating committee for the Annual Election of Officers at the December meeting.

Attendees: Larry E. Lukehart, Sr., Melissa Lukehart, Terry Gerner, Bill Sallade, Kathy Sallade, Paul Lilja, Jim Berger, Robert Elliott, and Karen Nagengast.

Meeting adjourned at 9:19 PM, respectfully submitted by Larry E. Lukehart, Sr., Secretary.

Committee Reports

Archery: No report.

Conservation school:  Some platforms need resurfaced – motion made and carried to purchase the materials necessary to resurface 2 of the platforms.

Events: The next event will be the February BB-Gun shoot. 

Gun show: 801 people attended.  We made ~300.00 on the gun raffle.

House: Nothing to report.

Hunter/Trapper education:  No report.

Membership: 4 new members were accepted into the club.

Muzzleloader: No Report.

Rifle: No Report.

Silhouette:  Nothing to Report.

Trap:  Nothing to Report.

Federation: We received the “Credentials Report” to fill out, certifying our officers.

Minutes of the October Club Meeting held on September 29, 2006

On September 29^th, 2006 the October monthly meeting was called to order at the Rouellette Firehall at 7:49 PM. The minutes from the previous meeting were not available.

Correspondences: Game Commission “Thank-you” letter for being enrolled in the Forest Landowner Program and the PA Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation newsletter was the only correspondence of note.

Treasurer’s Report: The bills were read and approved with a balance of ~$15,201.18. Notable bills were: Bradford Era Gun Show Advertising: $84.01, Raffle tickets: $84.80 and Valley Hardware for Archery supplies of $22.15, archery targets $525.00, along with the regular bills and utilities.  Income noted was Gun Table Rental $200, Archery $293 and Membership $25.

Old business:

• Eagle Project Update.  – The trail has been completed except for cutting up and removing some logs at the “southern” end of the old trail for a turn-around. Construction of the archery bale boxes is to begin tomorrow.  The club voted unanimously to purchase the materials needed to complete the construction of 10 bale boxes, estimated to be 32 pressure-treated 2x4s and coated screws to secure them without them rusting off.
• Gas Exploration Lease: There has been no news on the lease.  The 90 day period the gas company had to execute the lease is nearly up.  Bob Elliott reported that they let his lease expire without executing it because they had no way to transport the gas.
• Lawnmowers: Both lawnmowers have been serviced and are back in operation.

• Staining of the clubhouse: The stain is still in the basement. There was a very short discussion of staining the clubhouse and running the electric.  Everyone is busy with the gun show or other projects at the moment.
• Running of electric to the shed for 2 lights and one receptacle:
• Replacement of the wire fencing from the rifle house toward the backstop with approximately 200’ of chain-link fence donated by Terry Gerner.  Paul has found a large supply of split-rail fence that could be used around the property at a price that can’t be beat.  There was a several minute discussion about it with no decision about the split-rail fencing.  A metal gate is needed along the road to the rifle range, right in front of the sluice to keep people from driving there as they are tearing up the property there.  No discussion.
• Pavilion.  Leveling of the site is supposed to start this coming week.  Weather has backed up the excavator’s projected start date a few times this summer.  The sluice is ready to be installed and covered with rock as soon as the site is leveled and the drainage ditch excavated.  The logs in the yard are the club’s firewood.

 New business:

• No new business was brought up at the meeting.

Attendees: Larry E. Lukehart, Sr., Bob Rees, Terry Gerner, Bill Sallade, Paul Lilja, Jim Berger, Robert Elliott, Mark Rees, Don Cook, Brian Forney, and John Boraten, Jr.

Meeting adjourned at 8:29 PM, respectfully submitted by Larry E. Lukehart, Sr., Secretary.

Committee Reports

Archery: The 3D course will be taken down on October 29^th.

Conservation school:  Nothing to report.

Events: Nothing to report. 

Gun show: Tables have been sold out.  One dealer sent a $5.00 donation to stay on the mailing list as he couldn’t attend this year.  The gun for the raffle is a Weatherby 243 Vanguard.

House: The clubhouse has been rented to Larry the weekend of October 28^th.

Hunter/Trapper education:  No report.

Membership: Life: 46, Complimentary: 8, Annual 89, Total: 143.

Muzzleloader: No Report.

Rifle: Brian did some work on the backstops.

Silhouette:  Nothing to Report.

Trap:  Regular shoots are over for the season.  There will possibly be some Sunday shoots as some of the new regulars have asked for them.

Federation: Paul discovered there’s life outside of Potter County and went on vacation to Hawaii, so he has nothing to report!

Minutes of the April Club Meeting held on March 31, 2006

On March 31, 2006 the April monthly meeting was called to order at the clubhouse at 7:59 PM. The minutes were approved as read.

Correspondences: There were very few correspondences received, and none that were noteworthy.

Treasurer’s Report: The bills were read and approved with a balance of $13,465.77.

Old business:

• Logging – junk trees:  Completed with the sale bringing in $7,105.00.
• Eagle Project Update.  – On March 25^th the remainder of the trees that needed cut down to establish the northern end of the trail, were dropped.
• Gas Exploration Lease: The Trustees met with two oil representatives, one from McIntyre, and the other from Mid East Oil.  McIntyre sent a sales guy that was pushing free gas as his sales pitch.  They did offer $10.00 an acre for a 3 year exploration lease, but they wanted Oil, Gas AND Mineral rights.  They also are into coal mining.  McIntyre’s lease agreement also included language that the club could decide where wells and roads could be placed.  Mid East Oil only wants Oil and Gas rights.  They were offering $5.00/acre for a 3 year lease, but Shawn said they may be able to go higher.  They will add a paragraph that road and well placement would be up to the club, within reason.  They said if they drilled one well and it didn’t have enough gas for production, they would drill a second well; if it didn’t have enough gas for production but would provide enough to heat the clubhouse, we’d be able to buy it for $1.00.  There was concern voiced that if we wait too long then our neighbors may execute a lease and the first company that punched a well would then have the 1,000 and 200 ft rules in place that may affect us.  A motion was made to permit the Trustees to negotiate the best deal for the club and execute it without coming back to a club meeting.  It was approved with no objections.  Paul will provide Larry with a copy of the club’s property deed so Larry can create a map of the property that can be used to define where the gas company can operate.

• There was a general discussion of the business that has been on hold for better weather.
• Staining of the clubhouse: Stain donated by Joe Shandlay is in the basement.
• Running of electric to the shed for 2 lights and one receptacle:
• Replacement of the wire fencing from the rifle house toward the backstop with approximately 200’ of chain-link fence donated by Terry Gerner.  Paul has found a large supply of split-rail fence that could be used around the property at a price that can’t be beat.  There was a several minute discussion about it with no decision about the split-rail fencing.  A metal gate is needed along the road to the rifle range, right in front of the sluice to keep people from driving there as they are tearing up the property there.
• Pavilion.  It has been decided to move the pavilion site below the clubhouse in the vicinity of the old privy.  Dust from the road and wind across the field were factors considered into this move.  A good road will need to be put in to the pavilion.

 New business:

• Website Domain Name is expiring.  Larry couldn’t remember if it was 7.95 or 8.95 per year.  Motion was made to extend the website domain name for 2 years to coincide with the web space lease.  The motion was unanimously approved. (Price was $7.95 per year +.25 per year ICANN fee, totaling $16.40 for 2 years.)
• Servicing of Lawnmowers.  The club approved Bob Rees to take the lawnmowers in for servicing; sharpening/replacing the blades, oil changes, batteries checked, etc.

Attendees: Larry E. Lukehart, Sr., Melissa Lukehart, Bob Rees, Terry Gerner, Kathy Sallade, Bill Sallade, Paul Lilja, Jim Berger, Robert Elliott, Harry Boyer, Mark Rees, Don Cook, Dan Cowburn, and Karen Nagengast.

Meeting adjourned at 9:11 PM, respectfully submitted by Larry E. Lukehart, Sr., Secretary.

Committee Reports

Archery: The 3D course is setup.  Ron sends his thanks to those who helped.  It only took about 2½ hours to put the target out, including cutting lanes in the treetops in the logged area.  The internet shoot is April 8^th-9^th at a cost of $10/day to shoot.

Conservation school:  Letters should be going out to schools this week.

Events: Nothing to report. 

Gun show: We’re 5 or 6 tables short of being sold out.  Church parking is available for Saturday.  $1,965 has been turned into Paul for table rental and was included in the Treasurer’s report.

House: It is rented next weekend for the Archery Internet Shoot.  Paul, Terry and Bill will try to finish the butternut walls this Monday to have the basement cleaned up for them.  Ron and Larry had discussed the group that is renting it will clean out the firewood under the back porch and the Scouts will fill it back up as they work on the Eagle project.

Hunter/Trapper education:  No report.

Membership: Nothing to report.

Muzzleloader: No Report.

Rifle: The combination has been changed.

Silhouette:  Nothing to Report.

Trap:  Nothing to Report.

Federation: Convention Highlights: Friday night fundraiser was a lot of fun.  They raised about $1,000.  Fish Commission:  License increase made them solvent.  Grants are available for any organization wanting to promote youth fishing – no one day derbies.  The idea is that equipment will be bought for the kids to keep and that they will be taken fishing at least a few times. Deadline for application is May 1^st with money being awarded June 1^st.  Game Commission:  If there’s no license increase by next year, they won’t have enough money to operate in 2008. The legislature is saying that if they want money, the Game Commission is going to have to control the deer population the way the legislature wants it controlled.  Environmental: The mercury bill has a foothold – legislation has been proposed that they think will pass.  Poster contest: There were three youth that placed in the contest from Northern Potter. 

Minutes of March 3, 2006 Club Meeting

On March 3, 2006 the March monthly meeting was called to order at the clubhouse at 8:09 PM. The minutes were approved as read.

Correspondences: Renewal for the Chestnut Foundation membership at $50. – approved.  Received the Potter County Anglers annual report.  Potter County Anglers raffle for a shotgun at $5.00 - approved.

Treasurer’s Report: The bills were read and approved with a balance of $6,338.55.

Old business: Reviewed the following old business.

• Logging – junk trees:  Paul is still looking for a logger that won’t tear up the property.
• Eagle Project Update.  – No further work has been completed yet due to weather and schedules.
• Gas Exploration Lease: Paul has a copy of Mid East Oil’s standard lease.  It has all of the bad stuff in it that they pointed out at the meeting.  Paul recommends a meeting of the trustees with Paul to go over the lease and then meet with the Mid East Oil representative.
• The following business is on hold until April:
• Staining of the clubhouse: Stain donated by Joe Shandlay is in the basement.
• Running of electric to the shed for 2 lights and one receptacle:
• Replacement of the wire fencing from the rifle house toward the backstop with approximately 200’ of chain-link fence donated by Terry Gerner. 
• Pavilion.  Discussed next steps after logging.

 New business:

• Pavilion Trusses: There were 6 trusses picked up for the pavilion by Terry Gerner.  The remainder had been snagged by someone else.
• Bunn Coffee Pot:  The club approved the purchase of a brand new two burner Bunn coffee pot.  The pot needs to be unplugged when the user is leaving.  Run a fresh pot of water through it before making the first pot during your stay.  Larry  Lukehart will provide operating instructions so someone doesn’t burn out the heating element by leaving it plugged in.
• Penn State Conservation Leadership school at a cost of $495.00 was approved.

 Attendees: Larry E. Lukehart, Sr., Bob Rees, Ron Vought, Terry Gerner, Joe Parr, Kathy Sallade, Bill Sallade, Paul Lilja, Jim Berger, and Robert Elliott.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM, respectfully submitted by Larry E. Lukehart, Sr., Secretary.

Committee Reports

Archery: March 25^th will be the 3D course setup day.  Bob Rees, Jim Berger & Larry will bring four wheelers.  The internet shoot is April 8^th-9^th at a cost of $10/day to shoot.

Conservation school:  It is for 13-15 year olds at a cost of $175.00.

Events: BB Gun shoot went well.  Potter County Outfitters donated a couple of T-shirts and hats, Fox’s Pizza donated small Sundaes. 

Gun show: More than half of the tables are rented.  The spring show is April 1^st and 2^nd.

House: The faucet has been fixed, the septic system pumped and the paneling pulled off of the basement walls to prep for the butternut walls.

Hunter/Trapper education:  Joe Parr volunteered to help.

Membership: 46 Life, 8 complimentary, 66 paid so far with 39 of last year’s members who haven’t paid.

Muzzleloader: No Report.

Rifle: The combination will be changed in the next couple of days.  “Everything is on sale.”

Silhouette:  No Report.

Trap:  No Report.

Federation: North Central Division meeting:  The Fish Commission spoke on snake hunts.  They raised the permit fee from $5.00 and from a Family Permit to an Individual Permit being needed.  The Game Commission is staying the course on deer management, but they will likely reduce the number of permits.  Democrats are pressuring the Game Commission to go back to the old management system.  The Convention is next weekend in State College.  Paul is donating an NWTF print on behalf of the BFCA. 

Minutes of February 3, 2006 Club Meeting

On February 3, 2006 the February monthly meeting was called to order at the clubhouse at 8:00 PM. The minutes were approved with a correction to the BB Gun Shoot dates the dates should have been Feb 11^th and Feb 18^th vs. Feb 4^th and 11^th.

Correspondences: Upper Allegheny Watershed newsletter and membership renewal received.  The club approved the renewal of our membership.  The other ordinary correspondences were received.

Treasurer’s Report: The bills were read and approved with a balance of $6,282.90.

Old business: No outside projects were completed and there was no discussion of any of them at this meeting.

• Pennsylvania Game News Subscription for the 2 Coudersport school libraries: They are receiving them.

• Logging – junk trees:  57 log trees totaling approx. 9-10,000 bd ft have been marked.  Paul is going through the possible loggers and is looking for someone we can trust not to tear up the property.
• Annual Party: The date for the annual party is set for February 18^th at 6:00 pm.  Cost is $5.00 each.  Reservations need to be made to Kathy Sallade by February 14^th so they can properly prepare for the party.

• Eagle Project Update.  – Work to resume this weekend, weather permitting.
• The following business is on hold until April:
• Staining of the clubhouse: Stain donated by Joe Shandlay is in the basement.
• Running of electric to the shed for 2 lights and one receptacle:
• Replacement of the wire fencing from the rifle house toward the backstop with approximately 200’ of chain-link fence donated by Terry Gerner. 

• Pavilion.  Discussed next steps after logging.

 New business:

• The Boy Scout Troop would like to stay at the club on the night of February 10^th, they will work on the Rifle Shooting Merit Badge on the 11^th and work on the archery trail too, weather permitting.
• A gas exploration lease of $5.00/acre has been requested of us.  There is meeting of the North Central PA Landowner Association at the end of February about what’s going on.  Further discussion on this matter was tabled until the March meeting.

Attendees: Larry E. Lukehart, Sr., Bob Rees, Dan Cowburn, Terry Gerner, Max Gaberseck, Karen Nagengast, Paul Lilja, Jim Berger, and Robert Elliott.

Meeting adjourned at 9:08 PM, respectfully submitted by Larry E. Lukehart, Sr., Secretary.

Committee Reports

Archery: No report.

Conservation school:  No report.

Events: BB Gun shoot on Feb 11 and 18.

Gun show: No Report

House: No Report

Hunter/Trapper education:  Bob Rees, Dan Cowburn and Max Gaberseck volunteered to help.

Membership: Memberships are coming in.

Muzzleloader: No Report.

Rifle: No Report

Silhouette:  No Report.

Trap:  No Report.

Federation: Next meeting is Saturday, February 25^th at the St. Mary’s Sportsmen’s Club at 2:00.