WOODS-WATER-WILDLIFE
The newsletter of the Elk River Sportsman’s Club
December 2014
Volume 58, Issue 12
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Club meetings are held on
the 3rd Tuesday of every
month, and begin at 7pm.
The next meeting is
December 16th, 7pm, at the
Elk River American Legion
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Going to the club for some
shooting? It’s a good idea
to call the clubhouse to
ensure the range is open.
763-441-1025
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have you got a sporting
photo you’d like to share
with the club?
Photos with game, fish,
dogs, exotic locales and
especially children
welcome.
Send your digital photos
and a brief description to
[email protected]
December Membership Meeting
The December 16th Membership
meeting/Election will be held at
the Elk River American Legion. A
Potluck/Christmas Party will be
held prior to the meeting (see flyer
below).
at the October Membership meeting. See separate article below.
2015 Club Dates
New Member Orientation
Sunday February 15th - 9am
Saturday February 21st - 9am
A decision was made at the November membership meeting to hold
this meeting at the Legion instead
of Broadway pizza as reported in
the November newsletter.
Cold Finger Shoot
February 22
Elections for 2015
Summer Picnic
June 21
It’s that time of year again. Elections will occur at the December
membership meeting.
The ballot is listed below. These
members have stepped forward to
include themselves on the ballot.
Spring Work Day
May 2
Corn Feed
August 23
Fall Work Day
September 12
Proposed Bylaw Change
Youth Day
September 19
A bylaw change was put forth and
approved by the board of directors
Cowboy Shoot
September 26
New Member Committee
held at the clubhouse.
Club members are being asked to
participate in the new membership
committee.
Membership Renewals
This committee will meet once in
January to review new member applications. Successful applications
will be submitted to the board of
directors for approval.
Please contact Cathy Hagen if you
can help. [email protected]
Winter Meetings Reminder
Per a board decision earlier this
year, all winter club meetings (except the December ‘14 mtg) will be
Renewals must be post marked on
or before December 31, 2014.
Cathy Hagen has asked that
members NOT use certified mail
for their renewals. This involves a
special trip to the post office and
a lengthy wait in line during the
busiest time of the year. This makes
Cathy crabby.
If you’re concerned about your
renewal, Cathy will accept renewals
in person at the December membership meeting.
Winter Air Rifle Shooting
Starting December 30th there will
be Air rifle night every Tuesday until early March. Open to everything
but BB guns.
All shooting will take place from
10 meters, and will start at 6pm.
Any question please call 612-8047813. - Leo Huhta
Proposed Bylaw Change
A proposed amendment to the club bylaws would increase the maximum number of Honorary Life memberships from 15
to 20. The current limit of 15 was established at a time when the total membership was less than 300, we currently have
675 members.
Proposed revision to the ERSC Constitution and Bylaws, to raise the maximum number of Honorary Life members from
15 to 20:
Pages 15-16 of Member’s Manual
ARTICLE III
(3) HONORARY LIFE - An Annual or Senior member nominated for such title by the Board of Directors and
elected thereto by the general membership at a regularly scheduled general membership meeting in recognition of
outstanding service to the club. Nominations for Honorary Life membership shall be made to a club officer, and
shall be approved by the Board of Directors, prior to presentation to the general membership. Annual dues, special
dues, and special assessments shall not be required of an Honorary Life member.
Not more than three (3) Annual or Senior members shall be elected as Honorary Life members in any one calendar
year. The maximum number of Honorary Life members at any one time shall not exceed 20. An Honorary Life member
shall enjoy all the rights and privileges of the club.
Club bylaws requires that any amendment be approved by the Board of Directors, and that the amendment then be published in the club newsletter. Following publication, a 2/3 majority vote of the general membership at the next club meeting
is required to accept the change.
This change was approved by the Board at the October 2014 meeting. This is the required “official” publication of the proposed amendment, and a vote by the general membership will be held at the December membership meeting.
Election Ballot for 2015
The only contested position is Recording Secretary.
The candidates are:
Gary Boham
Todd Wallace
All other positions are uncontested
President-Ed Church
Vice President-Dan Whalen
Corresponding Secretary-Dan Larson
Conservation Chairman-Scott Laaveg
Treasurer-Brad Stevens
Research Officer-Bill Fenstermaker
Membership Secretary-Cathy Hagen
Finance Officer-Jon Thompson
Recording Secretary-Gary Boham
Sgt at Arms-Paul Wherely
Sgt at Arms-Merle Kratzke
Board of Directors - Jim Hagen
Board of Directors - Jim Schmidt
Board of Directors - John Hein
Board of Directors - Carl Kerssen
Board of Directors - Bob White
Board of Directors - Eric Nathe
Board of Directors - Ron Volrath
Board of Directors - Leo Huhta
Board of Directors - Loren Kohnen
Board of Directors - Fred Hiller
Small Bore-Bruce Hassig
Pistol-Marc Donarski
Bench Rest-Ed Higgins
Shotgun-Russ Overbye
Archery-Paul Rupar
KD Range-Nick Larson
25/50 Range-Dave Jaeger
Firearm Safety-Bob Mohs
Camping-Matt Moberg
Food Chair-Paula Adamski
Editor-Jon Clauson
Wow, where did the time go?
President’s Report
It seems like only a short time ago that I was elected as Vice President of the Elk River Sportsman’s Club but as I check
my records, it was 2007. I never would have predicted that I would have served as an officer of the club for this long. As
this is my last report, please allow me to review some club history I was involved in.
My wife Lisa and I joined the club in 2003 after passing Harry Steven’s tough screening interviews. One of Harry’s considerations in sponsoring a potential member was an implied obligation for being an involved member of the club. I have tried
hard to live up to Harry’s expectations. Thanks Harry!
During my first few years of membership, I brought my skidsteer out to the club several times for small projects. I also became interested in the game of Highpower rifle shooting. Much time was spent learning the very basics of over the course
shooting. Lisa joined in too and proved that she is a better shot than I. I also earned many pitchers of beer by trapping
countless gophers on the KD range. After laying in the sandburs and poison ivy of the KD range, I needed little encouragement to help install the water lines to the campground and the KD firing lines.
From 2007 through 2009, I served as Vice President of the club. During those years, many changes occurred at the club. I
proposed a dues increase to bring the club into an operating surplus financially. I am proud to say that we have not raised
the membership dues since 2007.
In early 2008, our clubhouse was condemned by the city fire dept. and required a complete structural and interior renovation. In the winter of 2009, a great crew stepped up and we renovated the building to what it is now.
In 2009, the club required all members, both old and new, to attend an orientation session to review club policies and
safety rules. 2009 also brought the electric gate and proximity card readers to the club. In late 2009, the Range Attendant
policy was done on a trial basis. In December of 2009, the club contracted with the NRA to have the range inspected by
their Range Technical Team engineers. The team evaluated all aspects of the club including the member manual, range
rules and procedures and most importantly berm construction.
I was elected as President in 2010. In early 2010, the range evaluation report was released. The team advised the club
that the berm heights on several of the ranges needed improvement. We also needed better signage on the ranges and
on our perimeter fence. Various ranges were closed for periods of time while the berm improvements were completed during the summer. 2010 was also the official start of the RA policy.
In 2012, more berm improvement work was done by raising the side berms on several ranges for additional safety. The
storage building was built during the summer and fall of 2012.
Construction began on the restroom addition to the clubhouse during 2013. The bathroom project was completed in February of 2014 much to the delight of nearly every member.
Reflecting on all that has been accomplished, I still have a few items on my wish list of projects that I didn’t get done. I
think a patio on the north side of the clubhouse would make picnics and other events more enjoyable. It would also provide more spectator viewing opportunities for trap/skeet events.
Second, I would like to see an entrance vestibule installed on the clubhouse. This would ease the heating of the clubhouse and by changing the parking lot slightly; the clubhouse could be more easily accessed without the steep grade in
front of the door. Finally, installing a curtain across the clubhouse would allow the front portion of the building to be air
conditioned efficiently during the summer months.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have served the membership as an officer for these many years. The club will be in
good hands after the election. I look forward to being “just a member” for a while. I still plan to spend much time at the
range, but from now on I plan to be shooting! I have many hunts to prepare for and many rifle matches in my future. I
might even dig out the shotguns again.
See you at the range,
Scott Olson
Corresponding Secretary’s Report
Nine years have flown by since I was asked mid year to fill in for the then two part position of Membership Secretary/Corresponding Secretary. The previous secretary was moving out of state and they needed a warm body. I had only been a
full member for 6 months and an Associate member the year or two before. Needless to say I jumped in head first and I’m
pretty sure I wasn’t wearing a life jacket, but I managed to keep my head afloat. Back then my winters were filled with processing renewals and organizing new member applications. It wasn’t a bad way to spend our long boring winters-I’ll admit.
I was lucky that my oldest daughter enjoyed helping and I could enlist Scott to help me.
As the club grew in members and the email correspondence to club members grew, it because apparent the job needed
to be split back to 2 officers. Our club bylaws originally had the positions split up. Cathy Hagen bravely jumped in (she at
least had a noodle or a life jacket because she’s been amazing) and saved me and has been a great addition to the club’s
officers.
I always liked floating new ideas out to the club. Examples: organizing members to bring food shelf donations to the
Christmas party to bring to CAER in Elk River. I worked with a knitting company to offer personalize woven blankets for
members to order, getting a club logo designed to make us look more “official”, starting up a online store where members
could order hats, shirts etc. These and many other “projects” were fun to be involved in.
The very best part of being a member of ERSC is by far, the amazing people I have gotten to know. The friendships that
will last a lifetime and the ones that are yet to come. It’s great to do business with people in the club that I know are like
minded. If you ever are ever looking for someone for something drop Cathy an email and she can let you know or ask
members at the club. We have great accountants, tire people, locksmiths, upholsterers, home builders, dentists, veterinarians, oral surgeons and even a tattoo artist in our midst. If you need a service for something it feels so much nicer to put it
in a fellow member’s pocket.
It’s been great to see a lot of things grow and progress at ERSC. Like many others in the club, I’m extremely proud to
been a part of what has progressed in the 11 years I have been a member. Mr. Dan Larson is taking over as Corresponding Secretary and I am positive he will be great fit for this job. It takes a big man to fill this women’s shoes!!!
I hope to see you on the archery range, pistol range, KD Range, trap field (I stink at skeet), and campground!
Sincerely,
Lisa Olson
Membership Secretary’s Report
End of the year is in sight, and as predicted, the RA calendar is full. Members needing RA shifts will have to buy shifts in
order to renew. Hope this isn’t a surprise to these members, they had all year to pick and chose, now they can pay the
piper for the shifts they need. And these members owe thanks to the members who covered the open shifts so the club
was open for everyone to enjoy.
I haven’t hit the half way point for renewals yet, so the next few weeks should see my mailman filling up my mail slot with
renewals and applications. Don’t forget the drop dead deadline is December 31st for your renewal. Your renewal needs to
be postmarked no later than December 31st or you will be looking for another place to shoot.
New member applications are coming in, will probably have more applications than openings. If you are sponsoring a new
member make sure that all their paperwork is in order. There is a reason we ask for the Permit, NRA membership and
application up front. It saves me time from having to hunt down the forms from everyone and if your applicant can’t follow
these simple instructions, are they really going to adhere to the other club rules?
Don’t forget to attend the December meeting at the Legion in Elk River. I will be there before the meeting to accept renewals from members. The meeting will mainly consist of the club elections for 2015 Board and Officer positions preceded by
a potluck dinner. Hope to see you there.
Cathy Hagen
Membership Secretary
2014 Bragging Board
Bob MacDonald and a dandy 6x6 Elk. His first Elk Trip!
Bill Fenstermaker and his ERSC archery buck
Scott Olson on his first trip to Africa
Lisa Olson on her first trip to Africa
Scott Olson with a fine 61” Alaska Moose
Jon Clauson with a 64” Alaska Moose. His first trip to Alaska
Our smallest rifle sight-in customer (note sandbags under his rear, not under rifle)
No worries Mom! He shot better than most grown-ups!
30
[email protected]
Sun
Add/change
calendar - email
[email protected]
7
Add/change
calendar - email
[email protected]
14
Add/change
calendar - email
[email protected]
21
Add/change
calendar - email
[email protected]
28
Add/change
calendar - email
[email protected]
Mon
1
8
15
22
29
Tue
7 p m - ERSC Club
Meeting/
Election - ELK
RIVER LEGION
@ ELk River
Legion
6 p m - Winter Air
Rifle @ ERSC
Club House
2
9
16
23
30
Wed
7 p m - Fall Vegas
Archery
League @
ERSC Club
house
7 p m - Fall Vegas
Archery
League @
ERSC Club
house
7 p m - Fall Vegas
Archery
League @
ERSC Club
house
Sat
6
Dec 2014 (Central Time)
5
13
Fri
6 p m - Long Rangers
air rifle shoot
@ Elk River
Sportmens
Club, 20309
Meadowvale
Rd NW, Elk
River, MN
55330, United
States
12
20
4
11
6 p m - Long Rangers
air rifle shoot
@ Elk River
Sportmens
Club, 20309
Meadowvale
Rd NW, Elk
River, MN
55330, United
States
19
Thu
10
18
3
17
27
3
6 p m - Long Rangers
air rifle shoot
@ Elk River
Sportmens
Club, 20309
Meadowvale
Rd NW, Elk
River, MN
55330, United
States
26
6 p m - Long Rangers
air rifle shoot
@ Elk River
Sportmens
Club, 20309
Meadowvale
Rd NW, Elk
River, MN
55330, United
States
2
25
1
24
31
6 p m - Long Rangers
air rifle shoot
@ Elk River
Sportmens
Club, 20309
Meadowvale
Rd NW, Elk
River, MN
55330, United
States
look for calendar updates on the web - www.ersportsman.com
28
[email protected]
Sun
Add/change
calendar - email
[email protected]
4
Add/change
calendar - email
[email protected]
11
Add/change
calendar - email
[email protected]
18
Add/change
calendar - email
[email protected]
25
Add/change
calendar - email
[email protected]
Mon
29
5
12
19
26
Tue
6 p m - Winter Air
Rifle @ ERSC
Club House
6 p m - Winter Air
Rifle @ ERSC
Club House
6 p m - Winter Air
Rifle @ ERSC
Club House
7 p m - ERSC Club
Meeting Club House @
ERSC Club
House
6 p m - Winter Air
Rifle @ ERSC
Club House
Fri
Sat
3
Jan 2015 (Central Time)
2
10
1
6 p m - Long Rangers
air rifle shoot
@ Elk River
Sportmens
Club, 20309
Meadowvale
Rd NW, Elk
River, MN
55330, United
States
9
17
Thu
8
6 p m - Long Rangers
air rifle shoot
@ Elk River
Sportmens
Club, 20309
Meadowvale
Rd NW, Elk
River, MN
55330, United
States
16
31
7
15
Wed
6
14
30
13
24
31
6 p m - Long Rangers
air rifle shoot
@ Elk River
Sportmens
Club, 20309
Meadowvale
Rd NW, Elk
River, MN
55330, United
States
23
6 p m - Long Rangers
air rifle shoot
@ Elk River
Sportmens
Club, 20309
Meadowvale
Rd NW, Elk
River, MN
55330, United
States
30
22
29
21
28
20
27
6 p m - Long Rangers
air rifle shoot
@ Elk River
Sportmens
Club, 20309
Meadowvale
Rd NW, Elk
River, MN
55330, United
States
look for calendar updates on the web - www.ersportsman.com
2014 Contact List
Club Officers
Scott Olson
President
Lisa Olson
Corresponding Secretary
David Granlund
Tammy Standal
Brad Stevens
Jon Thompson
Scott Laaveg
Merle Kratzke
Paul Wherley
Jon Clauson
Cathy Hagen
Vice President
Recording Secretary
Treasurer
Finance Officer
Conservation Officer
Sergeant at Arms
Sergeant at Arms
Research Officer
Membership Secretary
Small Bore
Ed Higgins
100-yard Range
Dave Jaeger
Marc Donarski
Ed Church
Shane Rosby
Dan Whalen
Robert Mohs
Paula Adamski
Jon Clauson
Jim Hagen
Ron Volrath
John Hein
Fred Hiller
Loren Kohnen
Leo Huhta
Matt Moberg
Jim Schmitt
Dan Larson
Eric Nathe
KD Range
25/50-yard Range
Pistol Range
Shotgun Ranges
Archery
Camping
Firearms Safety
Club Food
Newsletter
[email protected]
763-263-0015
[email protected]
763-441-7584, 612-369-6235
612-508-0651
763-441-8196
763-263-9587
612-616-3245
763-441-1381
763-755-8002
612-251-4286
763-529-4113
Activity Chairs
Bruce Hassig
Mike Miceli
763-263-0015
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
952-249-0283
[email protected]
612-363-6378
[email protected]
612-701-7531
847-942-6034
612-309-6856
763-274-0458
763-360-9229
763-350-3187
320-345-0478
763-464-2854
612-251-4286
Board of Directors - At Large
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
763-529-4113
[email protected]
763-786-2338
[email protected]
763-498-8321
[email protected]
612-210-8002
763-238-1654
763-566-2009
763-441-8114, 612-849-4160
763-441-8080
763-913-4029
763-647-0695
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor
Jon Clauson
[email protected]
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Club Phone
763-441-1025
FAX
763-263-0086
e-mail
[email protected]
On the web
www.ersportsman.com
FaceBook
Elk River Sportsman’s Club
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
22743 171st Street
Big Lake, MN
55309
22743 171st Street
Big Lake, MN
55309