Black Forest Conservation Association

Minutes of the December Club Meeting held on December 7, 2007

On December 7^th, 2007 the December monthly meeting was held at the Club House at 8:08 PM. The minutes from the November meeting were read and approved with a correction to the Treasurers balance from $12,251.67 to $13,578.77.

Role Call:  Terry Gerner, President and Bob Rees, Vice President, present; Paul Lilja, Treasurer, present; Larry E. Lukehart, Sr, Secretary, absent.           

Correspondences: American Tree Farm & Chestnut Tree Foundation soliciting funds, no action taken.

Treasurer’s Report: Bills paid to Verizon, various gun show expenses, PPL, Boys Scouts, Tri-county & the church for gun show parking leaving a balance of $12,908.77. 

Old business:

• Logging: Paul estimated there is ~ 35,800 board feet from 182 trees that can be harvested with the club making a potential $25,000. Paul will contact a broker and put it out for bid..
• Gas Exploration Lease:  Drilling has started in the area. The next place they are drilling is the Austin area and then they possibly could come to our area.

• Pavilion.  The Bills met and discussed having the footers and piers in before years end. There was discussion around putting in a centrally round fireplace or a fireplace at the end of the building, what type of roofing will be used and will there be a need for additional roof trusses. The only thing accomplished was to make provisions to have some sort of fireplace installed. With all of this said, the club would like to have Bill submit an estimate by year’s end so a deposit can be made to him.
• Small Game of Chance License.  The 3 dates were selected, they are the two gun show Sundays and the first Sunday in September..
• Staining of the clubhouse: Tabled in October until spring.
• Running of electric to the shed for 2 lights and one receptacle:  Tabled in October until spring.
• Replacement of the wire fencing from the rifle house toward the backstop with approximately 200’ of chain-link fence donated by Terry Gerner.  No discussion. 

 New business:

• Archery 3D Targets: Bob R. said the Arrow Head gun shop went out of business and has two 3D targets for sale, an elk and mountain lion totaling $300.00. The club gave Bob permission the purchase the two targets for $300 dollars or less.
• Land Presentation: Marc P. informed the club the district forestry office is looking to put on a land presentation and was wondering if the membership was interested.
• Calendar: Jim B. informed the committee heads and the membership to get there 2008 events together by next meeting so they can be published.
• Annual Party: The membership appreciation party is tentatively set for February 16^th 

Attendees: Terry Gerner, Bob Rees, Paul Lilja, Jim Berger, Bob Elliott, Bill Sallade, Mark Rees, Stuart Young, Marc Popchak, and John Boraten Jr.

Meeting adjourned at 8:58 PM, respectfully submitted by John Boraten, Jr.

Committee Reports

Archery: N/R.

Conservation school:  Nothing to report.

Events: N/R. 

Gun show: N/R.

House: N/R.

Hunter/Trapper Education:  N/R.

Membership: N/R. 

Muzzleloader: N/R.

Rifle: N/R.

Silhouette:  N/R.

Trap:  N/R.

Federation:

   Terry G. informed the membership our Governor is on a gun control campaign which the Federation is opposing.

Minutes of the November Club Meeting held on November 2, 2007

On November 2^nd, 2007 the November monthly meeting was held at the Club House at 8:01 PM.

Role Call:  Bob Rees, acting President and Vice President, present; Paul Lilja, Treasurer, present; Larry E. Lukehart, Sr, Secretary, present.

Correspondences: Calendar and Ticket received from the Potter County Anglers.  Thank-you from Bill Sallade for flowers for Kathy, bill from Allegheny Highlands Council, Boy Scouts of America for $250 for the “Friends of Scouting” fundraiser campaign (tax deductible), Game Commission letter and form to renew our Forest Game Cooperator status, notice from the Upper Allegheny Watershed Association about a meeting on 10/22/07 (missed by us), and the usual magazines and newsletters.

Treasurer’s Report: Expenses: Bob Monroe: $1,000.00 for Pavilion Beams. Deposits: $6,022.00 from Gun Show Revenue, Archery: $97.00, Tax Refund from Homer Township: $3.00, Membership: $35.00.  Balance: $13,578.77. 

Old business:

• Logging: Paul needed the okay for the final phase of cutting the 5 acres so he can have it advertised for bidding and get the trees cut this winter.  We need to complete the 2^nd cutting so more regeneration can occur.  We will also need the cash for to complete the pavilion.  Terry Gerner made a motion for Paul Lilja to take care of the final phase of cutting, seconded by Bob Elliott and unanimously approved.  We also need to have some deer shot to help cut down on the browsing off of the saplings – tell your friends.
• Gas Exploration Lease:  There has been some drilling activity and door-knocking in the area, time will tell if they are going to drill on the property.

• Pavilion.  Bill Sallade is going to talk to Bill Sallade this weekend about getting the footers and piers poured.  He is also going to discuss cost estimates and retainer fees so we can reduce our balance before the 1^st of the year for tax purposes (the money has to go back into the property to qualify).
• Small Game of Chance License.  We’re going to get it.  It’s only $10.00 for 3 dates and Bill is going to continue gun raffles at the gun show.
• Staining of the clubhouse: Tabled in October until spring.
• Running of electric to the shed for 2 lights and one receptacle:  Tabled in October until spring.
• Replacement of the wire fencing from the rifle house toward the backstop with approximately 200’ of chain-link fence donated by Terry Gerner.  No discussion. 

 New business:

• Election of Officers: In accordance with the By-Laws of the Association, elections were held.  The following officers were elected:  President: Terry Gerner, Vice President: Bob Rees, Treasurer: Paul Lilja and Secretary: Larry E. Lukehart, Sr.
• Trustee Election: Marc Popchak was nominated and elected to replace Dan Cowburn on the Board of Trustees with his term expiring in 2012.
• Stakeholders Meeting of Sinnamahoning Creek Watershed Association: Paul went to the Austin meeting.  Right now they are trying to get people involved.  The watershed contains a large area with diverse needs.  They discussed committees and sub-committees of the Association to concentrate on a particular area’s specific needs.  Paul brought back surveys for the membership to fill out and mail to the Association.

Attendees: Larry E. Lukehart, Sr., Stuart Young, Terry Gerner, Bob Elliott, Bill Sallade, Paul Lilja, Jim Berger,  Bob Rees and Marc Popchak.

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

Committee Reports

Archery: Targets are in. We have two volunteers to head the Archery committee: Mark Popchak, Chairman and Troy Steimaker, Co-Chairman.  We discussed the general status of the targets and what needs to be done and what’s available.

Conservation school:  Nothing to report.

Events: N/R. 

Gun show: Good Success.  Seven dealers told Bill that it was the best show that they’ve ever been to.  Bill had to turn away about 30 dealers due to a lack of space.  886 attended, $2,657 was collected for admission, $747 for the gun raffle, $2,625 for table rentals, grossed $6,022.00.  Need a $50.00 check for the use of the Church parking lot.  Had a lengthy discussion about possibly raising the price and including a ticket.  No definitive decision was reached but the consensus is that Bill is doing a great job and to let him continue as he sees fit.

House: Zimmermans renting the club house for a week from the day after Christmas.

Hunter/Trapper Education:  No report but a general discussion was held about next year.  It is unclear at this time if Jim Thomas will run it next year, largely depends on the date it is set for, or if it will be run as it was this year.  This year’s Hunter/Trapper Ed was very successful.

Membership: Nothing to report. 

Muzzleloader: N/R.

Rifle: Backstops are in good shape having been recently replaced.

Silhouette:  N/R.

Trap:  N/R.

Federation:

    1. Notice received about the PA Dept. of Agriculture’s proposed regulation on Dog Kennels.  The regulations proposed include things like the dogs must be exercised every day but can’t get wet or muddy while being exercised; kennels must have concrete floors without any cracks and there can’t be any rust on the fence.  The regulations would apply to anyone with 26 or more dogs in the kennel during the calendar year.  A motion was made by Jim Berger to oppose the proposed legislation, seconded by Larry E. Lukehart, Sr. and unanimously approved by the membership.

    2. Conservation District Nominations.  Bob Elliott made a motion to nominate Carl Long and Dick Curfman for Conservation District representatives; seconded by Bill Sallade, unanimously approved.

Minutes of the October Club Meeting held on October 5, 2007

On October 5^th, 2007 the October monthly meeting was held at the Roullette Fire hall at 7:53 PM.

Correspondences: Thank you from “Hunt of a Lifetime”, Upper Allegheny Watershed Association, Penn State thank-you for supporting the attendance of Jed Wunderlich in attending Penn State Conservation Leadership School.

Treasurer’s Report: Expenses: Taxes: $1,397.47.  Balance: $10,954.68. 

Old business:

• Logging: No discussion.
• Gas Exploration Lease:  

• Staining of the clubhouse: Tabled until spring.
• Running of electric to the shed for 2 lights and one receptacle:  Tabled until spring.
• Replacement of the wire fencing from the rifle house toward the backstop with approximately 200’ of chain-link fence donated by Terry Gerner.  No discussion. 
• Pavilion.  Discussed trying to get the foundation in this fall.

 New business:

• Potter County Anglers and Fish, Rod & Gun: PCA January 2008 Gun Raffle $10.00, PCA 4 month Lottery ticket $15.00, FR&G Raffle for December $5.00.  Terry Gerner made a motion to purchase all 3 in support of the local organizations, Larry Lukehart seconded, and the motion was approved.
• Sinnamahoning Creek Watershed Association: We have been invited to informational meetings about the association; October 16, Sinnamahoning; Oct 17, DCNR in Emporium; Oct 18, Forest building; Oct 25, Austin Fire hall.
• Small Game of Chance License:  Tabled until next meeting.
• By-Laws: Paul found a copy of the club’s By-Laws.  Larry now has them to scan and is to return them to Paul.
• Elections: Next meeting.

Attendees: Larry E. Lukehart, Sr., Stuart Young, John Boraten, Jr., Terry Gerner, Don Cook, Bob Elliott, Bill Sallade, Paul Lilja, Jim Berger,  Bob Rees, Mark Rees and Karen Nagengast.

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

Committee Reports

Archery: Paul has found 2 young men interested in taking charge of Archery.

Conservation school:  14 signed up, 12 attended.  Good school and kids were good too.  The school went well with no problems.  The kids that didn’t show up were both sponsored by the Sinnamahoning Sportsmen.  Question remains to give them credit to send 2 kids next year as we have done in the past for no-shows.

Events: N/R. 

Gun show: Sold out, set-up, Close’s parking lot is available for our use.  Bill recruited workers for the weekend.

House: Boy Scouts wish to use the property Oct 13-14 for a campout.  The house is rented Oct 18-21.

Hunter/Trapper education:  No report.

Membership: 2 more new members. 

Muzzleloader: N/R.

Rifle: N/R.

Silhouette:  N/R.

Trap:  N/R.

Federation: No one from the club attended the Fall Convention.  There were 3 resolutions considered at the convention:

1. There are 9 WMU’s without an extended pheasant season and a resolution was presented to include those WMU’s in the extended pheasant season.  DEFEATED
2. Spotlighting: Stop 1 week before opening day of rifle season to help cut down on poaching. PASSED.
3. PFSC to get out of the National Wildlife Federation because of the alignment of the NWF with the United Nations. DEFEATED.

Minutes of the January Club Meeting held on January 5, 2007

On January 5^th, 2007 the January monthly meeting was held at the clubhouse at 8:20 PM. Notes from several of the previous meetings were reviewed and the election results from the December meeting were provided to the Secretary.

Correspondences: On Target, Upper Allegheny Watershed Association, PFSC packet with a lot of material came in today, and the Allegheny Highlands quarterly newsletter were received.

Treasurer’s Report: Expenses: $4,303.04 to Greeley’s for the pavilion site preparation work, $1,177.77 for new carpeting in the clubhouse, Lowes $179.14 for a new gas grill, Lowes $304.78 for new, comfortable, folding chairs, and the ordinary bills.  Deposits: $75 from memberships.  Balance: $10,838.39.  The club is up approximately $4,000 over last year’s balance at this time.

Old business:

• Logging: Some Cherry seedlings came up this year, but the ground is still fairly barren of new seedlings.  We’re hopeful that there will be more seedlings in the spring.  Further logging is on hold until a good seedling base is established.
• Gas Exploration Lease: We’re pretty sure this option has expired and, unless Paul finds otherwise when he checks our copy of the lease, this item will be dropped.
• Club Signs: There was further discussion on the signs.  Of particular interest in our discussion was finding a lasting backboard.  Terry Gerner remembered that he has an old lab countertop that is practically indestructible and has offered it to the club.  Paul Lilja has offered to provide locust posts to hold the sign up.  Bob Elliott “volunteered” to chair a sign committee, Terry Gerner and Paul Lilja volunteered to participate on this committee.
• Grill: A new gas grill has been purchased and was assembled by Paul, Terry and Bob E. before the meeting began.  It is a better grill than the one we had, with a larger cooking surface and looks to be of good quality.
• TV/DVD/VHS Combo: Melissa found a 24”, curved screen model for $238, Bill & Kathy found a 20” flat screen model for about $200 plus tax.  The club opted to go with the flat screen model to make viewing easier from side angles during classes.  Hopefully the purchase will be completed by next meeting.
• Tent platform plywood: Paul forgot about this item. During discussions, Brian Forney said that he delivers to a plywood company out west and will see what he can get ¾” pressure-treated plywood for as he was able to get ½” untreated sheets for $5/sheet!

• 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.  Bill Sallade (BFCA) talked to the other Bill Sallade about construction of the pavilion.  Bill is committed to the construction but needs to meet with us to see exactly what we want, what materials we have and what materials he will need to supply to provide us with a cost.  Paul Lilja will take charge of this coordination.
• Firewood:  The logs in the yard are the club’s firewood.   Brian has brought his log splitter home and has his saw sharpened.  We discussed cutting firewood this weekend, but with the soggy conditions of the yard, will wait until it freezes or dries up, whichever may come first. 

 New business:

• 2007 Calendar: Most, if not all, of the calendar dates were established by the close of the meeting.  See the Committees section for details.
• Annual Party: February 3^rd.  Please contact the Sallade’s with your RSVPs.
• Website:  Larry was auto-billed for the server space in mid-December.  While reviewing minutes on the website just prior to the meeting, he saw that we purchased a 2-year domain-name renewal in April to coincide with the server rental and needs to check on why we were billed this year.  This item was brought up just to make the club aware of the situation at this time.

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

Meeting adjourned at 9:46 PM, respectfully submitted by Larry E. Lukehart, Sr., Secretary.

Committee Reports

Archery: A new Chairman is needed.  Brian Forney will serve as acting Chair in the interim.  The 3-D course will be set-up to be available April – October 15^th.  Usage dropped when archery season opened and the bears started really tearing it up.

Conservation school:  August 5-11.

Events: BB-Gun Shoot: Feb 10^th, 1:00 – 5:00. 

Gun show: Spring Show: Mar 31 – Apr 1, Fall Show: Oct 6-7.  Bill needs to contact the Potter Leader Enterprise for tri-folds and window cards for the spring show.

House: New grill, carpet and chairs have been purchased.

Hunter/Trapper education:  No report.

Membership: 3 more new members.  Several members present paid their 2007 dues.

Muzzleloader: As there as been no event or report in over a year, this committee is being dropped for now.  It can be added back in whenever there’s activity in this area.

Rifle: Brian needs to check the condition of the backstop.  He hasn’t been around lately to have the chance.

Silhouette:  As there as been no event or report in over a year, this committee is being dropped for now.  It can be added back in whenever there’s activity in this area.

Trap:  First Tuesday in June through the end of September.

Federation: Paul received a large packet in the mail today, but didn’t have a chance to go through it.  He will report on it at the next meeting.  Paul will attend the convention in Williamsport in March, other club members can also attend, please contact Paul for details.