McSherrystown Fish and Game Association

The Mcsherrystown Fish and Game
Protective Association
was established to advance the interests
in fish and game activities and to help assist
in raising the standards of sportsmanship
among the hunters and fishermen in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

From Octobers Membership meeting and Officers Elections. Results of the Election with 60 members voting President-Mike Sokolowski, Vice President Bill Rittase, Treasurer Joe Helwig, Recording Secretary-Jim Smith, Financial Secretary-Open, and Field Captain-Corey Gajewski those positions all ran unopposed and will serve for 1 year. There were two open trustee positions which serve 3 years with 6 candidates Ed Jacoby with 41 votes and Rick Reichart with 30 are you new trustees. Tim Atkins received 19, Nick Smith 15, Russ Wolf 5, and Allen Warner 3. 2025 dues are now due they are $40 info on paying them where in the newsletter, you can not just stop by in the morning and pay them anymore unless you happen to catch an officer-not very common. If mailing them in please include a self addressed stamped envelope so your card can be mailed back to you. Sheriff Muller Stopped by and will be hosting a Christmas for kids for families in need at our club, attached is the letter he sent out if you know a business or person who would like to donate, he aims to help as many families as he can. Big Buck contest tickets have just a few weeks left before Rifle Season starts, they are available in the Members Only Room $20. Officer Knash from the Game Commission visited us-he did clarify that since we are a private club and on private property and we buy the pheasants ourselves we are not required to have a pheasant stamp to hunt on club grounds. Not much change on the rules this year for hunting but did say to take note of late season orange requirements. There will be a few days of fall turkey in 5a next year. CWD all of 5a is in Zone 2. EHD mite bit of deer causes internal hemorrhage, usually find deer near water dead. Signs include blood in cavities were there generally is none blue tongue and hoof problems. Officer Turner-Diaz from the fish commission also visited, reminder November is cold weather and any vessel under 16ft you are required to wear your life jacket. Boat renewals now start on Jan 1st. There is a new cadet class and when graduate they should be a full coverage. Notice of stocking is required when moving fish, it in now illegal to transfer fish from one body of water to another without a stocking notice, within two years when filling a notice of stocking they will accept or reject it before you can move fish. We are facing a mud snail problem which is very bad for trout should clean off your waiters and gear when coming out of the water and at home before entering another body of water. From the Range Captain November is Members only at the Firearm Ranges-NO Guest over 16 years old. We are in our busy time of year please be safe and work with fellow members when needing to go down range, please limit your use to one bench and one matt during busy times. There is a lost and found and free target mailbox under the roof of the storage area, it also has hearing protection. The first aid kits should be lifted off and placed on a flat surface for use. From the officers reminder all blinds and stands on club ground should be labeled with members full name, phone number, and membership number-stands and blinds should be no closer then 100 yrds apart. The club is looking for a help or a someone to take over the website and Facebook page, duties include writing info updates like this one, taking pictures at club events and updating information. If interested please message or email the club. We are also still in need of a financial secretary. Jim Smith Honorary Life

At Septembers Membership meeting Jim Smith was awarded the clubs highest Honor-Honorary Life Member. Jim is the current Recording Secretary, but Jim has never shied away form doing what needs to be done, taking on more and more jobs over the last few years. Hes always been up beat and willing to do what needs to be done from organizing events to mopping the bathroom floors after an event, his work ethic and willing to work with everyone at the club is a fine example. This acknowledgement of all his hard work is truly deserved, we thank him for all hes done for the club. We also had nominations of officers, the following were nominated-President Mike Sokolowski, Vice President Bill Rittase, Recording Secretary Jim Smith, Financial Secretary-None, Treasurer Joe Helwig, Field Captain Corey Gajewski, Trustee two positions open- Ed Jacoby, Tim Atkins, Nick Smith, Russ Wolf, Allen Warner, Rick Reichart. Elections will be held at the October 29th from 9:00AM to 7:30PM, You MUST have your membership card to vote results and membership meeting to follow. Dues are now due they are $40, payable on the select dates in the newsletter-Second Tuesday and last Tuesday of the month 6:30-9PM, a few weekend dates and during club events-these are the only time for in person, no stopping by in the mornings unless you happen to catch an officer there. Mail-in-don't forget the self addressed stamped envelope, and as always at the Pig Feed. This is the last week to get in the Archery Division (closes Friday) of the Big Buck contest $20 for a T-shirt, meal and door prize-must have ticket in advance. Lots of Events going on this month including Cajun Catfish and Chicken Fry-Tickets on sale now, SOY Planning Meeting, and Kids trout fishing see below for dates and details. Reminder from the Firearms Range committee there are NO guest over the age of 16 in the Month of November on the firearm Ranges. Any Stand or Blinds placed on club grounds must have your full name, phone number and membership number, any stands no clearly displaying that information will be consider trespassing and abandon and removed. Stands should be no closer then 100 yards apart.

From August Membership meeting, a Bylaw change was adopted by a yea vote of 42 to 49 Dues for 2025 are now $40. Other important information, Stand and Blinds on club grounds for the 2024-2025 hunting season must have a full name, membership number and phone number, stands can be no closer then 100 yards apart and not placed before Sept 21 and removed by Feb 15th. Stands not following these rules will be considered abandon and/or trespassing and removed. A nomination committee has been selected for the 2025 club elections Ernie Hossler is Chair with Dave Swope on the committee. There are two Trustee positions open as well as all regular officer positions-President, Vice President, Financial Secretary (currently open-main duty is membership), Recording Secretary, Treasure, and Field Captain. Please see the nominating committee, sign up in the members only room, or show up to the September membership meeting to run. The annual Youth Pheasant Hunt will be Oct 12th, sign up will start Sept 1st with a post on Facebook and the clubs website with the information needed, there will be 6 spots and two wait list spots, the youth must be between 12-16 years old and have taken the Hunters Ed Class. Calendar feed help is needed Wed the 4th for cleaning buckets at 6PM and Fri the 6th at 6pm for cutting chicken in prep for the Event Sunday the 8th were lots of help is need, both during the day and cleaning up in the afternoon. This is our second biggest event help is needed. The officers have also adopted a new policy that any one attending a feed that appears to be under 25 will be carded at the door, if underage their hand will be marked so that no alcohol can be served to them. Anyone not having an ID who is asked for one will be considered under age as well. We have quite a few events coming up a work day Sept 14 for firearm range clean up, a rimfire fun shoot Sept 21 just $5 a target, and our Thanksgiving Block Shoot Nov 24th. Also Decembers Christmas party has been moved to Sunday the 15th as to not interfere with the last day of Deer Season for Rifle. There will also be a work day that morning and a grounds orientation before the party-more details to come. A reminder the Month of November is Members Only at the Firearm Ranges, NO Guest over the age of 16 is allowed. Lastly the club is looking for a contact at anyone of the local mines for the used mine matt/belts from the conveyor for the Firearm Ranges. Hope everyone has some time off this weekend and truly enjoys Labor day, so many people work hard and get little thanks or appreciation, we thank the few who continually give up their time to help keep this club running.

***As always membership cards must be on you at all times when on club grounds***

Important upcoming Dates and Events

November
November 24 Thanksgiving Block Shoot Registration 11:00AM Shoot Starts at 12:00PM Noon
-NO NOVEMBER MEETING - GOOD LUCK HUNTERS - NO GENERAL MEETING-
*****November 30 - December 14 ALL Firearm Ranges Closed During Deer Rifle Seasson *****

December
*****November 30 - December 14 ALL Firearm Ranges Closed During Deer Rifle Seasson *****
December 10 General Meeting - 7:30PM
December 14 Work Day Grounds Clean up 8:00AM Start
December 14 Grounds Orientation/Walk Around 11:00AM Start
December 14 Christmas Party 12:00PM Noon at the club
December 2024 Late Pheasant Stocking Dates Will Vary

Need someone to talk to, Feeling Down, Perhaps a little lost,
Consider contatcing our Club Chaplin

It is with a heavy heart we are sharing that Lawrence "Gump" Bolin passed away at home on Monday, February 28 2022 at age 99. A truly great member, who supported our club since the beginning, and a founding member of Goofy's of McSherrystown. A World War II vet who received 5 Bronze stars he could often be found at club events and in the members only room telling stories. A self taught artist he painted many of the scenes and art around our club, and donated his art to hundreds of our events to help raise funds for the club, including bringing one in January this year, he supported us to the end. He provided much of the art work for the annual T-Shirts of the Big Buck contest which were so loved by many members. A local legend and irreplaceable as a human being his loss will be felt by all who knew him. Words can not tell how much he meant to our club and his love is shown even after his passing asking for donations to the club in lieu of flowers.

Its is again with a heavy heart we are sharing the passing of a long time member and continual presence at our club. Richard A. Welty often referred to as Dick or Dickie passed on April 10 2022. A regular fixture in the kitchen at the sink washing dishes and lending a hand, he would often say he has to earn his beans. Anyone who knew him, knew he had to be at church for 4 o'clock mass every Saturday, and if you started at 6AM he started at 5:30AM, never late, always early and don't forget the salt and pepper. He took care of so may little details for so many events over the years, he truly will be missed. Always had a comment, and quick to give it back to you, did you know he trimmed trees with Willie Nelson, a great man who lived an exceptional life of hard work, lending a hand, and giving. He may not have been in the forefront of pictures but he was almost always there at an event. Rest in Peace you certainly earned your beans Dickie.

With Sadness we announce the passing of Robert Flickinger know as Bob or Flick. A long time member from the 50's, former trustee, and Lifetime member, he was a very active member in the club, even at a membership meeting a few days before his passing. A staple in the members only room in the morning, club coffee pot hunter and my yard sale buddy may he rest in peace.

Robert B. Flickinger, 84, of Abbottstown, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 12, 2023 at his home. He was the loving husband of the late Georgianna (Therit) Flickinger; together they shared 33 years of marriage before her passing in 2000.

Edward Fuhrman, we will remember you December 7, 2010

McSherrystown Fish and Game Protective Association
2 Fish & Game Road, New Oxford, PA 17350
Phone: 717-624-2668
info@mcsherrystownfishandgame.org

Last Updated: 11/04/2024