ice fishing derby - January 30, 2011

CANCELLED
heavy snow | lack of lake access | uncertain ice conditions underneath

MSC's Annual Tri-Lakes
Ice Fishing Tournament
Sunday, January 22, 2012 :
6 am – 1 pm - New Date!!!!

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Weather/Ice decision: 4:00 pm Saturday 1/21, please call 860-873-3381 to confirm || Rain / no ice date: February 6th

Tournament Sponsor Moodus Sportsman’s Club

Tournament Fee: $20.00 per adult || $5.00 per child under 16 years old

ALL ADULT PARTICIPANTS
MUST HAVE VALID CT FISHING LICENSE

LICENSE MUST BE PRESENTED TO RECEIVE AWARDS

Prize Fish Types: Bass – Largemouth/Smallmouth, Chain Pickerel or Yellow Perch

Prizes: Adult Division $1000.00 total purse; First Prize $600.00 for heaviest fish of the three species || $200.00 each to the largest fish in the two other species listed
       Children Division Trophies to be awarded in all three categories

Registration Forms:
• Available at the Moodus Package Store

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• Click on the image to your right to enlarge, then you can print it, fill it out and mail it ||   Snail Mail applications must be postmarked by Monday, January 24, 2010

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• Send an e-mail to MSC Webmaster who will e-mail an MS-Word [2003] document back to you ||   Email applications must be received by Thursday, January 27, 2010
• or at the Moodus Sportsman’s Club Jan 29th 4-6pm
NO REGISTRATIONS ACCEPTED AFTER 6 PM Saturday, January 29th

Locations:
      • Lake Hayward || East Haddam
      • Bashan Lake || East Haddam
      • Moodus Reservoir || Moodus
        [You can still fish there, but see note below]

Verification: The official weigh-in will be held at the Moodus Sportsman’s Club at 1:10 pm sharp!

Party Festivities: The Moodus Sportsman’s Club will host one of it's famous lunches after the weigh-in [1:15 pm] with prizes and our usual activities to follow.

Tournament Finish: Please return to the Club by 1:00 pm for final tally, lunch and awards.

Regulations: Fish must conform to Connecticut fishing regulations for the area being fished
         • Click here for the CT DEP lakes regulations

CAUTION!!!!!!!!!!: The Moodus Sportsman’s Club does not represent that the ice is safe in all places on these lakes. All participants are responsible for their own personal safety.

NOTICE: Pay attention to the channel in the Moodus Reservoir.
With the lowering of the water level, certain areas may not be safe!.

about hunter safety courses at MSC

We've been getting a number of questions from folks about being in the Connecticut Conservation Education/Firearms Safety courses that are offered and held on the MSC grounds every Spring and Autumn.
     In part, people are asking to sign up, but you ought to know that the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection [DEP] wants all sign ups be done through the local DEP office, not through the site where classes are held, like those held at our club. The closest offices to MSC are in Marlborough or Franklin. You could also sign up online once that option on the DEP site is opened again.
     The DEP provides - in advance - the names and contact information to the certified instructors holding the classes. At the MSC, all those certified to teach are MSC members.
     This "restriction" is really to help our instructors know how many are expected to attend. Good training works best when classes are a certain size; besides, we need to know how many copies of training manuals, targets, [and other handouts] will be needed. It's an important consideration.
     We try to figure some folks might just show up on the class day; but we cannot guarantee if you do this there will be room for you to attend. Folks signing up in advance, not walk-ins, will be given first priority.
     The DEP Hunter Safety Course Spring 2011 series dates to be held at the club for the Spring 2011 series are:

FEBRUARY: Wednesday 23rd, Thursday 24th, Friday 25th
MARCH: Thursday 3rd, Friday 4th and Sunday 6th

     Our class series is usually filled. Be considerate and sign up in advance, and don't assume that we have kept a separate list; we don't. All of us do this because we are interested in helping others become knowledgeable, responsible hunters. And part of good hunting practice is planning ahead.
     As of December 26, 2010] sign-up for classes is not yet available. Keep checking the CT-DEP website for when the classes will be posted. However, Pre-Registration for all classes is Mandatory. All firearms hunting courses are 16 hours or longer. You must attend all scheduled class times.

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IMAGE SOURCE: Connecticut Department of Environmental Preservation

wildlife management ~ "Growing Deer"

We recently stumbled upon a new website, Growing Deer TV. Describing it is perhaps best done by quoting the words of the site's principal speaker, Dr Grant Woods:

     GrowingDeer.tv’s mission is to provide current, useful information about hunting and growing white-tailed deer throughout the year. Each episode will show what we are focusing on that week as we manage properties for growing and hunting whitetail deer. GrowingDeer.tv episodes will include action packed hunts, proven hunting tactics, food plot and trail camera techniques, and the gear it takes to get it all done.
     GrowingDeer.tv is a creation of Dr. Grant Woods, a lifelong hunter with 20+ years of experience in managing whitetails throughout their range. Grant’s goal is to use this web site to provide real time information for men and women that are passionate about deer, deer hunting, and management programs. Grant loves to hunt turkeys also — so expect a few turkey episodes during the spring!
     Episodes are designed to help you resolve the common problems that are encountered while hunting or the daily tasks associated with improving your hunting property — real time — week to week with no repeats.
     You can keep updated between episodes by reading Grant’s blog, “Thoughts from the Field.” He will share some insights into his thoughts of the daily events that are of interest to folks that are passionate about hunting and wildlife management — everything from hunting, trapping, frustrations and blessings from weather patterns, all the way to how a change in legislation may affect hunter interests.
     All the content on the site is free of charge, paid for by the sponsors. So please support them as best you can. The GrowingDeer.tv Team looks forward to sharing current hunts and information with you!

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IMAGE + TEXT CREDIT: Copyright © 2009-2010 GrowingDeer.tv. GrowingDeer.tv is a Trademark of Woods & Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

hunting books for kids

It may be too late to order these books and have them by Christmas, but it's never too soon to get youngsters interested in hunting and the outdoors. I'm also glad to see that books like this are available.

My First Deer Hunt by Curtis and Michael Waguespack. A photo book where a boy goes out hunting with Dad, learns how not to scare off the deer and gets to see what it's like. Available through Amazon.com, Charting Nature and other booksellers.

Shawn Meyers' Hunt with a Kid website offers two titles, Conner's Big Hunt and Conner's Spring Gobbler. The illustration artwork, by Reed Sprunger, in both these books is superb! Also available through Amazon.com.

Also available at Amazon.com is Will's First Hunt by Kerri Busteed with illustrations by Leon Byers. It's been said that this book "...is a fabulous introduction to the world of Hunter's Safety and all that it entails...[and] that it opens the door to speak to our own children about the importance of guns, gun safety and hunting. This story is easily relatable to hunting and non-hunting families alike".

Even if you aren't certain your kids [or grandchildren, or nephews and nieces] are interested in hunting, getting them to learn about outdoor sports when they are young, is worth the effort.

basic trapping video

This video appears to be made to show a youngster how to make a snare trap for small game. It is also useful to show a youngster [...or another interested adult, for that matter] things to be aware of when placing a trap, and other tips as well.

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VIDEO CREDIT: Ryan J. Cus. Ryan produces other interesting videos as well, including basic knot techniques. Of his efforts, he says: "You can watch as many videos as you want about survival skills, but I can't stress enough the importance of practicing those skills."

ice fishing blues

From the Bluesberry Jam, performed at our annual Summer Harvest Picnic, held at the Club's grounds near Moodus reservoir.

September 18 - Harvest Feast

It's that time again!

Summer Harvest Picnic
September 18, 2010      ~      rain or shine
4:00 to 6:00 pm

Donations: Adults - $15; Seniors - $13; Kids under 12 - $6

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A rich repast of grilled chicken, pork, venison chili, clams and chowder, salads, desserts along with good company and entertaining activities

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Tickets available from any member or at the Moodus Package Store

Autumn Hunting Seasons near

Deer archery and turkey bow hunting season will be here sooner that you think.

In Connecticut, bow/archery season starts on the
15th of September.

Depending on whether you hunt in the north [9/1/10] or south [9/15/10] zone, the September hunt period for Canada Geese may have started already.

Check the charts.

A NOTE TO LANDOWNERS: Hunters appreciate when you offer permission to hunt on your land, but an oral agreement is not sufficient. If you are allowing someone to harvest those nuisance deer gobbling your landscape, please give us a note in writing. We have to carry it with us. Thanks.

Lost Dog

UPDATE: The pup was found and returned home safely.

About MSC Club Rentals

Any rental must be sponsored by a club member!
The sponsoring club member must be present at the event. No exceptions.

There are no Sunday rentals during fall and winter months, from September 12th through March 1st.

In general, Fridays are reserved for Members Only activities.

Please check our calender of events, which we post on the site every 3 months, and also at the bottom of the right hand column. Any date that is listed is not available for rental.
ALL LISTINGS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

ALL Sundays from September 2014 thru March 2015 are booked

Any reservation date MUST be cleared by Jim Ventres in advance. [Don't start inviting folks until you know the club is available.] Jim keeps track of the scheduling.

Animal Tracks

Fall Fishing Trip?

At August's meeting Dave raised the question of renting a charter fishing trip on the Long Island sound.

Talk was enthusiastic.

But what is needed are commitments to sign up.

Stay in touch with Dave and let him know if you want to be on the trip.

Details to follow as I get them. Watch here for them.

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IMAGE CREDIT: hot pepper fishing charters

2010 Fall Skeet League

Fall Skeet League shall begin on Sunday, September 12th. Opening rounds start at 9 a.m.

The cost is $35 for the season, or $5 per round. This covers the cost of the clays only. Participants are expected to bring their own firearms and shells. [Yeah, this might seem obvious but last year one person seemed surprised]

Non-members may participate if accompanied by a member. The fee for participation is the same.

Hunter Safety Course

The DEP Hunter Safety Course starts on 22nd September, a Wednesday. Anyone wising to enroll must do so through the DEP regional office in Franklin, CT.

FRANKLIN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA - 391 Route 32, North Franklin
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Phone: (860) 642-7239

Pre-Registration is Mandatory. All firearms hunting courses are 16 hours or longer. You must attend all scheduled class times.

everyday life - towing

When your car breaks down and it has to be towed in for repair, the event can be immensely frustrating. So how frustrating is this? the tow truck that needs a tow after pickup up a couple of clunkers?

Shad Bake - June 27 - starts at noon

Plank baked shad, bluefish and other goodies at out annual spring Shad Bake. Sunday, June 27th.

Advance tickets available from any club member or at the Moodus Package Store.

Adults: $18 / $20 at the gate
Children under 12; $5 / $6 at the gate
Seniors: $15 / $17 at the gate

EVENT HELD RAIN OR SHINE

We have plenty of space under the pavilion and inside the clubhouse.

Horseshoes, fishing at the pond for the kids (bring your own equipment), good company and more!

PARKING: Pay attention to the parking guides. This is a popular event; overflow parking may be at the town beach in a designated area.

NOTE: The range will be closed that Sunday.

May 2nd - Chidren's Fishing Derby

Sunday, May 2 : Children's Fishing Derby ~ 8:00 A.M. UNTIL NOON.
Open for all children ages 12 and under ~ accompanied by an adult.

The Club is located on the ridge above the south part of the Moodus Reservoir, and you can enjoy one of the finest scenic vistas in town.

This is a free event. Bring your kids, your grandchildren or your nephews and nieces. A great opportunity to find out how to do things hands-on, away from video games, TV and the stuffy indoors. A good time to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

Come fish in our trout-stocked pond. Tired of fishing? You can hike on the trail up from the pond and roam the woods; or bring your sketch pad or camera and save nature on paper, film or digital upload.

The event is fun for the grown-ups as well.

Afterward, hot dogs and soda for the children.

The Moodus Sportsmens' Club is located on 299 East Haddam-Colchester Turnpike, just uphill from the East Haddam Town Beach and the Moodus Reservoir causeway.

April 3rd: Town Wide Clean-up - Picnic to Follow

Saturday, April 3 : Town Wide Clean-up ~ Tired of seeing that rotting mattress on the back road from Norwich? ...or the smashed up computer monitor in front of the old town landfill on Route 151?
     The Moodus Sportsmen’s Club, and the East Haddam Scout Troops are sponsoring the Annual East Haddam Town Wide Clean Up Day to be held on Saturday, April 3, 2010. The goal of these organizations is to coordinate an annual effort to pick up the streets, lakes, streams, and other public access areas in the Town of East Haddam. Would your organization or individuals in your organization be willing to participate? We are still in search of families and groups to pick up sections of the streets in which they live on. Is there a section of town that you or your group would like to take over the stewardship? Could you and your neighbors adopt a street?
     The Sportsmen’s Club members will concentrate on State and Town boat launches and Babcock Wildlife Management Area. The Scouts will be working on Rte 82 from the East Haddam swing bridge to River Road. East Haddam Scout Troops have also been contacted to assist in picking up these other designated areas.
     Pickup starts at 8:00 a.m. If you wish to join our groups, meets us at the East Haddam Town Hall on Town Street at 8:00 a.m. or start from your own street.
     Lunch starts at noon at the Moodus Sportsmen's Club. Traditional picnic items such as hot-dogs, baked beans, coffee and iced tea and lemonade will be served along with the seasonal bounty only a sportsmen’s club could serve.
     We can inventory the items collected and talk about ways to reduce these problems. We'll also have educational information about the Town’s natural resources and outdoor recreational opportunities.

PHOTOS: Recycling containers in Eagle Lake, Maine; Litter piles in another town.

game dinner repast

Another sold out event, even with pouring rains coming down. The beaver stew was excellent, as was the oriental venison kabobs; for that matter, everything was fine - our chefs have out done themselves again!

saltwater fishing rules - news item of interest

Public input period for federal fishery strategy has ended. Robert Montgomery writes at ESPN Outdoors that:

"The Obama administration will accept no more public input for a federal strategy that could prohibit U.S. citizens from fishing some of the nation's oceans, coastal areas, Great Lakes, and even inland waters."

"Some of the potential policy implications of this interim framework have the potential to be a real threat to recreational anglers who not only contribute billions of dollars to the economy and millions of dollars in tax revenues to support fisheries conservation, but who are also the backbone of the American fish and wildlife conservation ethic," said CSF President Jeff Crane.

Morlock, a member of the CSF board, added, "There are over one million jobs in America supported coast to coast by recreational fishing. The task force has not included any accountability requirements in their reports for evaluating or mitigating how the new policies they are drafting will impact the fishing industry or related economies.

"Given that the scope of this process appears to include a new set of policies for all coastal and inland waters of the United States, the omission of economic considerations is inexcusable."

For a complete list of articles about this topic: see the ESPN outdoors archives

IMAGE CREDIT: ESPN Outdoors, in an article by Robert Montgomery.

Special Member Notices

Just a reminder to members, the special legal fee assessment of $150 is due this coming meeting. If you are unable to attend the meeting, get in touch with one of the club officers in advance.

Members who have reservations for the March 13th game dinner should confirm your numbers. We look to be sold out again this month. If you are planning on attending the April Game buffet, it will help if you can give Jim V your estimated count for that event, too. Make sure that Jim has written down your reservation numbers; don't leave them on voice mail.

Finally, the Spring Hunter Safety and Archery courses begin this week. You do not need to be a member to participate in this class. Now's a good time to get your kids signed up. Anyone who is interested must sign up through the Department of Environmental Conservation website.

Humor

Okay. What's amiss with this situation? Was the deer tagged? Is it road kill? Is it dressed out? I don't see the guy's license. Where's his bow or rifle? Anything else?

Connecticut DEP Deer & Bowhunting Surveys

A message from the CT DEP to all Connecticut Deer and Bowhunters:

This is a reminder for you to respond to the 2010 January Bowhunter Survey. If you have already completed the survey, you can ignore this message.

If you have not completed a survey, please do so at your earliest convenience. Your input is important.

You should complete the survey even if you did not hunt deer this January.

While doing surveys, If you bought a deer hunting permit in 2009, please complete the survey about your 2009 deer hunting activity. The survey will only take a few minutes to complete and will help with the management of Connecticut's deer population. To take the survey, you will need to enter your Connecticut Conservation ID number that is printed on your license. Take the 2009 Deer Hunting Survey Now

You will need to know your Connecticut Conservation ID Number to complete the survey. Your Conservation ID Number is printed on your license.

If you have any questions about either of the surveys, you can contact the Deer Program at 860-642-7239 on weekdays between 8:30am and 4:00pm. The DEP thanks you for your time and input.

Information provided by: Howard J. Kilpatrick, Deer Program Biologist
DEP - Wildlife Division; Connecticut DEP Hunting and Trapping Website: www.ct.gov/dep/hunting

laws + legislation

Click here for details on the Hunting License cost bill.

When contacting your legislator, make sure to refer to proposed bill #115, which is before the Environment Committee.

Don't be a target, be ON target

OTHER BILLS OF INTEREST:
S.B. No. 26 AN ACT CONCERNING THE EXPENDITURES OF THE BOATING ACCOUNT. Sen. John McKinney, 28th Dist., Rep. Lawrence F. Cafero, 142nd Dist. To implement the Governor's budget recommendations. REF: Finance, Revenue and Bonding. OPPOSE. Eliminates the Boating Fund.

Proposed S.B. No. 82 AN ACT REPEALING INCREASES IN HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE FEES. Sen. John A. Kissel, 7th Dist. To repeal the increase in hunting and fishing license fees that is part of the recently enacted state budget. REF: Environment.

Proposed S.B. No. 115 AN ACT REDUCING THE RECENT INCREASE IN HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE FEES AND INCREASING CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLE FEES. SEN. STILLMAN, 20th DIST. To reduce the recent increase in hunting and fishing license fees and offset the reduction in such revenues with an increase in certain motor vehicle fees. REF. ENVIRONMENT. SUPPORT.

Proposed H.B. No. 5080 AN ACT CONCERNING THE INCREASE IN HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE FEES. Rep. Penny Bacchiochi, 52nd Dist. To reduce the increase in hunting and fishing license fees that was made in the current state budget. REF: Environment. SUPPORT.

Proposed H.B. No. 5038 AN ACT CONCERNING SPORTSMEN AND CAMPING FEES. Rep. Bryan Hurlburt, 53rd Dist. To reduce the recent increase in hunting, fishing and camping fees. REF: Environment. SUPPORT.

Thanks to Robert Crook, at the Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen

Ice Fishing Derby Winners

Winners:
Largest Fish:
1st place James Bohara, Pickerel, Moodus Reservoir, 5.39 pounds $600
2nd place: Rich Urban; Largemouth Bass, Moodus Res; 4.25 lbs $200
3rd place: Mike Wrobel, Yellow Perch, Lake Heyward, 1.19 lbs $200

Junior winners - received trophys
Austin Urban: Bass, Moodus Res, 3.75 lbs
Cameron Gonzales, Bashan Lake, 1.60 lbs
Chris Czekala, Perch, 1.34 lbs

Ice Fishing Day

You should be signed up by now. We'll see you around weigh-in time.

Coming Up: February 7th

Get ready folks. We have the Ice Fishing Derby in the first part of the day, and Super Bowl on the big screen later on. Pot luck will feed us fine. More to follow

IMAGE CREDITS: 1- The Super Bowl official logo; 2- Yukon Historical Fishing Gallery, Ice fishing, ca. 1930's. (YA, Claude B. Tidd Coll., #7298); a service of the Canadian Government, Oceans, Habitat and Enhancement Branch.

Doubled hunting fees causes more problems; yet solves none

Friday's Hartford Courant had a thoughtful article in it by Dale May, certified wildlife biologist, recently retired from state service with the DEP. In it he says:

"...the changes affect sportsmen most directly, [and] the public should understand that license and permit fees paid by recreational fishermen and hunters, in combination with federal excise taxes they also pay, represent nearly all of the revenue devoted to Connecticut's fish and wildlife, including non-game species. For nearly a century, this user-pay model has been enormously successful in generating predictable annual budgets that have been used to restore and manage our wildlife.

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"The public should understand that license and permit fees paid by recreational fishermen and hunters, represent nearly all of the revenue devoted to Connecticut's fish and wildlife, including non-game species".

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"In the face of an aging sportsmen demographic and broadening wildlife-related mandates, state and federal initiatives have been underway for nearly two decades to expand and strengthen the model by including other constituency groups. Less than a handful of states, however, successfully direct other sources of funding to wildlife — and Connecticut is not one of them. With the gloomy fiscal forecast, it appears Connecticut's wildlife will depend almost solely upon sportsmen for the foreseeable future.

"So, now is not the time to discourage hunting and fishing in Connecticut. Given the budget crisis, most sportsmen would have accepted (albeit unhappily) a fee increase of 20 percent to 25 percent. The 100 percent increase, however, is indefensible. [You can find the complete article here]

Seems he's being immensely diplomatic, while our politicians chose not to be. Now there is an effort being put forward to correct this rank injustice. Contact the governor's office as well as your local legislator [even if he or she is not in favor of hunting] and make your voice heard on this important matter. [here's a set of guidelines on speaking before the legislature.

Don't know your local state representatives? Fird them here.

IMAGE CREDITS: 1- How Stuff Works, with an entry about hunting licenses, special regulations, poaching, and other hunting lore; 2- Terrirman's Daily Dose, the image was used there to a link where one can purchase hunting licenses for most of the lower 48 states.

Fish Derby re-set to February 7th

Bad news folks. We checked the ice this morning and while it is - sort of - walkable in places, it isn't really safe enough to hold the event this week-end.

So we plan on having in next Sunday, February 7th, 2010 instead. This means that the NEW deadline for turning in your entry application at the club [299 East Haddam-Old Colchester Turnpike, Moodus, CT] is next week, Saturday, February 6th between 4 to 6 pm. OR by e-mail to Will by Saturday morning.

By the way, we plan on coming back later on for the Super Bowl Sunday afternoon/evening.

IMAGE CREDIT: New York Times, in an article about what happens when the ice becomes unstable.

MSC Upcoming Events

#1 - Ice Fishing Derby Sunday Jan. 31st Sign up by Saturday 4-6pm at the club.
Ice Fishing Derby Rain Date – Feb 7

#2. Sausage making - ordering pork & spices on Monday - 1/25, cutting & spicing Friday pm 1/29, Sausage making 1/30. If you have not contacted JV and are still interested - let him know!

#3. Game Dinners - Feb 20, March 13, maybe April 17
a. We have collected additional waterfowl so with a few more squirrels and a few hind quarter, we may be able to make a run at an April game dinner - squirrel season is open until Feb 27th.

b. Reservation - JV will be calling the people who have typically reserved spots in the past before the Feb meeting. Get your ducks in a row.

#4. Smelt trip - Feb 13th & 14th If you are still interested - let JV know

#5. Word is the cod fishing has been hot and heavy in R.I. Take a look at http://www.francesfleet.com/inshore.html Is anyone interested?

#6 Super Bowl - Feb 7th Jets? Colts? / Saints? Vikings? What does a Giants or Pats fan do? At least the Cowboys are out! Potluck dinner - details to be ironed out at the Feb meeting.

#7 Hunter Safety or Bow Course - sign up now!

IMAGE CREDITS (1) The Food Museum, (2) Bucks County [PA] Courier Times