California FNAWS Sponsors, "Past Sheep Hunters` Luncheon"

Officers
President
Kyle Meintzer
Vice President-Northern California
Larry Johns
Vice President-Southern California
Tammy Scott
2
President's
Message
3
Business Section
4
Vice President's
Message
5
Kamchatka
Bighorns
Secretary
Mike Borel
Treasurer
Ed Charkowicz
8
Banquet
Directors
Mike Borel
Dan Caughey
Ed Charkowicz
David Combs
Richard Cox
Doug Holl
Larry Johns
Butch Kuflak
Richard McDrew
Kyle Meintzer
Richard Musselman
Brenton Scott
Tammy Scott
Dennis Swanson
Brett Wingfield
CA FNAWS TO EXHIBIT AT
SAN MATEO ISE SHOW
The California Chapter of FNAWS will have a
booth at the International Sportsmen's
Exhibition in San Mateo, from January 29 February 2, 2003. The San Mateo ISE show
offers a myriad of interesting thing for
outdoors aficionados to enjoy. From hunting to
fishing to boating to camping, this show is well
worth your time.
KKyle's 2002 Stone Sheep
The night of January 11, 2003, will set the stage in determining just how great an impact CA FNAWS
will have in securing the future of wild sheep in California. That night, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in
Sacramento, our first annual fund raising banquet will lay the groundwork, not only for the future of
the California Chapter of FNAWS, but, more importantly, for the future of wild sheep in our state.
The dollars that are raised that evening will be put into critical sheep projects, educational programs,
and outreach endeavors. All of these things are crucial, not only in building the herds of wild sheep
in California, but in maintaining our hunting heritage and rights, as well!
None of this will happen without the support of wild sheep enthusiasts such as you! Your support of
this event will go a long ways in determining whether or not the wild sheep populations in the state
remain stable, or whether they will grow. Healthy and growing sheep populations, of course, mean
not only more sheep for everyone to enjoy, but also lead to more sheep tags being made available in
the annual hunt application drawing. And the more sheep we can put on the mountain, the more we
do to win the battle against the "antis," who do nothing to improve habitat or increase populations.
Not only is your support of this event vital for us to achieve our goals, but we also promise you a
roaring good time! Our Banquet committee has already committed to over 30 fine guns for the raffle.
These are top-of-the-line firearms, to boot, with half being Brownings, and the other half being
Weatherbys! That's right! Fully half of the raffle firearms are Weatherbys! We've also got over twenty
super hunts lined up for the auction, in addition to some premium Governor's tags! And, yes, we've
got some great art prints, but we also have at least four original paintings by some of North
America's best known wildlife artists!
California's a big state, and that makes putting on a successful event like this a real challenge. But
then, no organization has a more committed group of supporters than does FNAWS. We hope you'll
make an extra effort to show your support for "putting sheep on the mountain," and that you'll join
us in Sacramento next month! We look forward to seeing you there!
Kyle Meintzer
CA FNAWS President
Upcoming Events
The next few months will be very busy for California FNAWS. Please check your calendars
and be sure to come out and see us!
January 11, 2003
1st Annual CA FNAWS Banquet
January 22-25, 2003
National FNAWS Convention, Reno, NV
CA FNAWS will have a membership booth
January 29- February 2, 2003
San Mateo International Sportsman's Exposition
CA FNAWS will have a membership booth
Correction!!!!!
We have a correction from the Debbie Ramsey-Casey story featured in the last issue.
Debbi's ram was actually harvested in 1987, not 1988 as published. 1987 was the first
year the public hunted sheep in California. We apologize Debbie!
Webmaster Needed
Brenton Scott and Zack Skochko have been responsible for getting this site put together
for us and have done a fine job. We are now looking for a webmaster capable of
maintaining and updating the California FNAWS website. Please contact Brenton or
Kyle for more information.
Presale Raffle Tickets----A Great Christmas Gift!!!!
Stuck for stocking stuffers this year???? CA FNAWS raffle tickets make the perfect gift,
and with the firearms on this year's raffle, everyone will wish they had another packet!
Buy now and save!
$140 raffle packet........$100
$300 raffle packet........$200
CALIFORNIA CHAPTER - FNAWS
Northern California Vice-President's Message
I recently found myself in a conversation that seems to come up on a fairly regular basis.
While visiting with a new acquaintance, a gentleman who has taken a World Slam of Sheep,
along with over three Grand Slams of North American Wild Sheep, and most, if not all, of the
North American big game species, our conversation turned to our hunting experiences and, of
course, sheep hunting. I asked many questions and listened to him tell of his many hunts
from all over the world while sitting in amazement, wondering what it must be like to have
visited and hunted in so many wonderful locations.
At the end of his story telling, he turned to me and asked what my fondest memory of sheep
hunting had been and where I had hunted. When I told him I had never been sheep hunting,
he looked at me in bewilderment and asked, " Why, then are you involved with FNAWS?"
Moreover, his expression made me wonder if he was really thinking, "What are you really
after? No one would put this amount of time and effort into an organization without an
agenda of some sort." I stumbled around for a moment and tried to answer his question, but
couldn't really find the words to express my feelings properly, so I said I just stated that I
have a real love for sheep and changed the subject.
A few days later while visiting one of my project sites, wearing my CA FNAWS shirt, an
individual approached me and inquired about our California Chapter. He stated that he had
been a member of national FNAWS for over five years, belonged to SCI and many other
organizations, and enjoyed attending all of the conventions. He said that until he saw my CA
FNAWS shirt, he was unaware that there was a California Chapter. As our conversation
continued, we found that we had both been asked on a regular basis by family and friends
why we put so much time, effort, and support into an organization when we had not "taken"
the species that the organization is dedicated to conserving. To my relief, he was able to put
into words the exact feelings I had been unable to express. This made me wonder about how
many individuals there are, who find themselves searching for the right words when asked
the question, "Why does someone belong to this organization?" First, a person doesn't need
to have hunted or harvested the particular species to belong to an organization. Most
organizations are established to promote and enhance increasing populations, as well as
improve and maintain the natural habitat of the particular species they represent. They are
established to protect, defend and preserve the rights of our hunting heritage, and to inform
and educate their membership on being responsible conservationists at the same time.
If good people fail to get involved by volunteering their time and money to organizations
like CA FNAWS, the opportunity for us, our children and our grandchildren, to tell stories of
our hunting experiences may well be lost forever. THIS FOLKS IS WHY I BELONG,
SUPPORT AND BELIEVE STRONGLY IN F.N.A.W.S.
Larry J. Johns
Northern California Vice-President
By:
Stanford H.
Atwood,Jr.
Pamela and I recently hunted the
Kamchatka Bighorn on Kamchatka
Peninsula, Russia. Gretchen Stark
with Safari Outfitters handled all
arrangements for us, which included
flying
from
Anchorage
to
Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka.
From
Petropavlovsk we took one of the Old
Russian
military
helicopters
northwest for about two hours, until
we were dropped off at our base
camp. We were only in camp five or
six days because Pamela scored on the
evening of the first day with a 38 x 14
and I scored on the second day with a
37 x 14. Remarkably, Pamela's sheep
was 12 years old and min 14.
5
Having talked with hunters going in and
coming out, and talking with locals who set up
the operation for Safari Outfitters and their
Russian man in charge, Sasha Kiselov, Pamela
and I have concluded that now is probably "the
time" to hunt the Kamchatka Bighorn. Our
reasoning is that there are very few hunters
going in because of 9/11 and the economy. But,
probably more importantly, the Russian
association that puts the concessions together
has committed the largest, and from the
evidence of hunters' success that we were able
to gather, the best areas available. Sasha
Kiselov, of Safari Outfitters Russia, has
trappers, which work the areas during the
winter scouting and reporting back as to sheep
populations. Based upon this information,
Safari Outfitters places its hunters in area with
known "shooters." This sure worked for the
others and us. Interestingly, other hunters in
other concessions were told to, and in fact did,
shoot 32 and 33 inch rams, while we were
advised that because of the quality in the area
we should settle for nothing less than 36 inches.
Those hunters who scored in other areas were
lucky to take 32 or 33 inchers, with several
returning home unsuccessful.
Once again, Safari Outfitters performed as promised and
made the best out of the given conditions in Russia. It had
quality people to assist us both in town and in camp, with
quality equipment. My conclusion is that they have done
their homework scouting the areas so that the hunters are
placed in the best areas, where they will have the best
changes for success. But, most importantly to me, what
distinguishes Safari Outfitters from other outfitters is their
honesty and always producing a quality experience, as
represented. Pamela and I wish we had the same high
opinion of others with whom we have booked.
California FNAWS Sponsors, "Past Sheep Hunters' Luncheon"
California FNAWS was asked to participate in the 2002 sheep hunter orientation at Camp
Cady back in October. Anyone that has the privilege of getting that magical call stating they
were drawn for a California sheep permit is required to attend an orientation. If fact, the
actual tags are issued at the orientation, not by mail! The California Department of Fish and
Game, the Park Service, and BLM are given a chance to speak to the hunters regarding rules
and regulations specifically related to the hunting areas. The hunters have the opportunity to
take advantage of many years of combined sheep hunting experience. The Society for the
Conservation of Bighorn Sheep puts on an impressive, "how to," clinic in the afternoon portion
of the event, including scoring, shooting, and trophy care seminars by guest speakers.
Although this event is not open to the public due to space restrictions, this orientation is a
great foundation for the hunt of a lifetime! California FNAWS was happy to be a part of this
informative day by donating funds for an afternoon meal for the 40+ people involved in
making this event happen. Special thanks to the Bighorn Society for their invitation to
participate in an outstanding orientation!
6
Second Amendment: An Election Night Winner
by Kyle M. Meintzer, President, CA FNAWS
The GOP wasn't the only clear winner in the recent November election. For, regardless of which party you
support, the Second Amendment got a big boost as well.
The National Rifle Association endorsed 24 candidates for the US Senate in the 2002 elections. Twenty-one
of them won. The bottom line in the Senate is that the Second Amendment picked up two net pro-gun
Senators, while two anti-gun Senators, net, were tossed out.
In the House of Representatives, the Second Amendment fared even better. 232 of the 246 NRA endorsed
candidates won. Pro-gunners gained eleven seats, net, in Congress. This means that there are now 232
Members of Congress who are rated "A+" or "A" by the NRA, a clear majority.
Significantly, the candidate who took perhaps the most anti-gun stance in her campaign of any candidate in
the country, Kathleen Kennedy-Townsend, lost her Maryland gubernatorial bid to pro-gun Bob Erlich, and
by a substantial margin.
Your guns, and more importantly, your freedoms, are secure for another two years. A clear message has
been sent to the Brady Bunch that their anti-gun agenda is a losing issue.
(Note: This offer not valid in California).
CA FNAWS TO EXHIBIT AT
NATIONAL FNAWS CONVENTION
While you are at the FNAWS convention
in Reno next month, be sure to drop by
the CA FNAWS booth to say "Hello!"
Check out our great CA FNAWS shirts,
hats, and other merchandise. Chat with
us about our plans to improve the future
for California's wild sheep.
Fred Clifton of Wofford Heights, CA with California's
1st Desert Ram of the 2002/2003 Season taken from the
Marble Mountains Unit. Congradulations Fred!
HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE GREAT SPONSORSHIP OFFERS FOR THE B
ANQUET ?
SEE THE BANQUET SECTION IN THIS ISSUE FOR DETAILS.
As you all have certainly heard by now, January 11, 2003 is the day for California sheep
enthusiasts to come out and show their support for these majestic animals.
Our Auction and Raffles will be second to none! We currently have over 50 items donated to
our live auction, and are adding more daily. Original artwork by some of the industry's most
well known artists, a collection of prints that will look more like an art museum than a
fundraiser, and a collection of firearms that will impress even the most particular marksmen, will
be sure to make this an event you will be hearing about months after the last item is sold!
Tiboron Island Desert Bighorn Permit!!!!
(The most coveted of all Mexican sheep permits!)
Alaskan Moose Permit
Alaskan Caribou Permit
Gila Wilderness Elk Hunt
Canadian Whitetail Hunt
Argentina Dove Hunt
Montana Antelope Hunt
Nevada Mule Deer Hunt
Lazeroni Custom Rifle
Swarovski Optics
Just to name a few!!!!!!!