MISSISSIPPI VALLEY HUNTING RETRIEVER CLUB

 

MAY 2008

 

NEWS LETTER

 

Hi Folks!

 

The Hunt Test season is now in full swing. A big congratulations goes out to Mike Botts, his dog HRCH UH RNK’s The Black Pearl MH and Handler David James for their second Grand Pass and GRHRCH Title!

 

Our Hunt Test was a great success! Thanks to Melissa McMahon (Hunt Secretary), the Hunt Committee and all the Judges, Marshals, Club members, and bird boys who helped make this one top notch event. 

 

Congratulations go out to Daylan Daniels and Ace for achieving their HR Title at Kankakee River HRC!

 

We had a great turnout on Sunday April 20th to meet with Jeff Glaw, IDNR. A big thanks to all those who showed up! Here are the notes of the meeting from Burt Fletcher:

 

“I would like to thank everyone who was present for our training date on April 20th. The meeting with Jeff Glaw, Wildlife Management Biologist, Maquoketa Wildlife Unit went well.  He didn’t realize the extent the Princeton area was used for retriever training.  The State, in his words, can put aside areas for dog training or equestrian or snow mobiles or 4 wheelers but they cannot maintain them for the specifics of one group.  In turn, they will let us maintain this area for retriever training. He will allow it to be sprayed to kill the willows but the spray being hazardous material, it has to be applied by a licensed applicator or under his direct supervision.  Bob West and Mike File, who were responsible for the State setting aside this area, have taken responsibility of getting the willows in the area of most importance eradicated.”

“The plan of attack will be one of two options: 1) pay a commercial spray applicator to spray the area of most concern or 2) have a commercial applicator buy the chemicals for us and we will spray the area under his direct supervision with rented or borrowed equipment.”

“Bob West has $1,200.00 + in a special account for dog training area purposes.  Mike File has taken on the responsibility to get the willow problem solved.  Darrell Day has indicated that the local Waterfowl USA Chapter might be interested in funding this project. If Bob West and Mike File could come up with a total cost of this project our Board of Directors would send a formal letter to the local Waterfowl USA Chapter asking for funding in that amount.”

“The IDNR will, sometime this spring, will be placing signage at the Princeton area concerning rules and regulations of the area such as No Littering, No Target Practice, and Remove All Trash, and that they would work directly with us and the applicator to get the willow problem solved”

“Your scribe and Vice President filling in for Bill Sarafin, who was at a hunt test.    Burt Fletcher” ~ Thanks Burt!

 

The special training day at Mecco Mines in Victoria, IL on Sunday, April 27th went very well.  The following members attended the training ~ Daylan Daniels, Jeff Daniels, Mike File, Burt Fletcher, Terry and Carole Hartley, Rod King, Clark Malmer, Ken Martin, Keith Pauli, Mark and Kris Raskie, and Mike Seaman.  Thanks to everyone involved with pulling this training day together.  And kudos goes out to everyone who brought food for lunch with special thanks to Keith for the rib eye steaks….they sure hit the spot!

 

As discussed in the April News Letter, I am including a Club Roster with this News Letter as requested by the Board of Directors.

 

We have an offer of $225 from Lisa Seaman for the club mower.  The sale will go forward unless Darrell hears of another offer by May 31st.

 

Remember our upcoming training days at Princeton Wildlife Area are Saturday May 17th , Sunday May 25th , Saturday June 14th , and Sunday June 22nd .

 

MEETING ~ Finally, there will be a Board of Directors meeting and Grand Hunt Test Planning meeting at the Gander Mountain in Davenport, IA on Tuesday, May 27th at 6:30 PM.  All volunteers should try to attend the Grand Hunt Test Planning meeting.  It will be held immediately following the Board of Directors meeting.

 

I hope your training is going well. Good luck at your next Hunt Test!  May your dog(s) mark all falls, line all blinds and be steady to shot.

 

Bill

 

“She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.  You are her life, her love, her leader. She will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of her heart.  You owe it to her to be worthy of such devotion.”