February 2013 - Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters

OFAH ZONE J FEBRUARY 2013
NEWSLETTER
Special Points of Interest:
 Attend the OFAH Zone J Annual General Meeting and Election
Inside this issue:
 We Need Your Help compiling memories for the 25th Annual Youth Campout
Zone Contacts
2
Wellington Street
Sportsmen’s Club
3
Deer Hunt Survey
3
From The Chair
4
Election Time
4
 History of the Wellington Street Sportsmen’s Club
OFAH ZONE J VISITS THE RONDEAU ROD & GUN CLUB
The January 2013 OFAH Zone J meeting
was hosted by the members of the Rondeau Rod & Gun Club.
Rondeau Rod & Gun Club President Jim
Jackson and his dedicated volunteers
welcomed Sunday morning.
We had an excellent chili lunch. During
the meeting we were educated by Dr.
Scott Petrie on the work being done by
Long Point Waterfowl.
After the meeting, we were invited to
shoot skeet and handguns. Many thanks to
Wayne for working with us in the handgun
range.
Thank you Rondeau Rod & Gun Club for a
fantastic Day!
Jim Greenwood presents Thank You to Jim Jackson
Brian McRae, Club Liaison from OFAH
Peterborough discussed member benefits and Club insurance.
As I See It by F. Barbetti 5
25th Annual Youth
Campout
6
Upcoming Club Events
By Law Letter
By Law Changes
6
7
8-12
Follow us on
Twitter
@ofahzonej
Charlene Vantyghem presented MNR’s 5
year Revenue Strategy program and had
everyone complete an 80 question survey. Not often do we get homework to
do at a Zone meeting.
OFAH ZONE J MAKES A DONATION
www.longpointwaterfowl.org
OFAH Zone J Chair presents Dr. Scott Petrie with a cheque for
$1,000.00 to assist Long Point Waterfowl with their Lake St. Clair
project.
Did you catch a big one!
Get your entry in!
ontarioanglerawards.com
Page 2
OFAH ZONE J
OFAH ZONE J EXECUTIVE 2012-2013 CONTACT INFO
Chair, Jim Greenwood
Simcoe area
[email protected]
519-426-2590
1st Vice, Brian Moore
Watford area
[email protected]
519-919-1520
2nd Vice, Cassandra Holtby
Chatham area
[email protected]
519-351-8348
Secretary/Treasurer, Kathy Moore Brantford area
[email protected]
519-756-9386
Alt. Director, Randy MacPherson
Fergus area
[email protected]
519-843-6310
Past Chair, Tony Jackson
Stratford area
[email protected]
519-273-4193
Past Chair, Felix Barbetti
Fonthill area
[email protected]
905-892-4381
To have something
added to the OFAH
Zone J website,
please send
an email request to
[email protected]
February 16-18, 2013
Visit ontariofamilyfishing.com
to find a “license-free” fishing
event in your neighbourhood.
To receive this
Newsletter
electronically,
please send
an email request to
[email protected]
OFAH Zone J
www.shopofah.org
Tune in to the 20th Season of
Angler and Hunter TV on
the Outdoor Life Network (OLN)
Every Sunday at 8am.
www.ahtv.com
Page 3
OFAH ZONE J
WELLINGTON STREET SP ORTSMEN’S CLUB—A LONG , PROUD HISTORY
George Winder - Original Founder - 1929
Purpose of the club was Jack Rabbit drives - 20 members & friends
participated. Meeting place was Hill and Wellington Street above a
store. Hence the origination of Wellington Street Sportsmen's club
George had one brother Harry, who was also a member.
George and Mrs. Winder, in the past have entertained members at
Christmas parties, playing the piano and caroll singing.
Last function George and Mrs. Winder attended was our Christmas
party at the Ivanhoe in 1971. George was 90 years old and was the
oldest living member.
William Rodriguez - Man of Action
Joined the club in January 1941
Chairman - Trap Committee 1969 - 1974
Chairman- Kitchen Committee - 1971 - 1974
Vice President - 1973 - 1974President - 1975 - 1976
Bill was a member of the First Hussars Corps. 1940 - 1950
Lapse of time he rejoined 1956 - 1963
Awarded the C.D. Medal in 1969 for being the only man they couldn't
catch.
Bill was a member of the Beaver Mountain Fisherman Assoc. Was
President of the Borden's Social Club
Accomplishments - Our club crest is due to Bills perseverance
in following it though to conclusion.
Founder of our annual Turkey Shoot.
Won the club trophy for the biggest pike in 1972 & 1974.
Sportsmen of the year 1971 & 1974
Bill's hobbies include trap & skeet, fishing.
He likes to reload his own shotgun shells.
Dabbles in history and is the club historian.
Bill is still a active member in 2013 and attended the January meet-
A successful hunting trip was enjoyed by the
members of the Wellington Sportsmen's
CLub Saturday when they bagged 25 rabbits
and two foxes in drives north of the city.
Above are shown some of those taking part.
Front, left to right, John Reichold, Douglas
Mourant, Fred Eggett, Tom Cheloner, Billy
Boyd and Jack Boyd, and George Cake.
Standing, rear, left to.
Arnold Kemp, Tom Mourant, Wayne Stewart,
Art Edwards, Fred Smith, Bill Mitchel and S.
R. Edwards.
OFAH ZONE J WOULD LI KE YOUR OPINION
What is your opinion on the Controlled Deer Hunts?
Are they effective?
Do you see a way they can be improved?
Should the Controlled Deer hunt system continue?
Does your WMU have 1, 2 or 3 Controlled Hunt seasons?
Should there be more or fewer seasons?
Would you support bow hunting during Controlled Hunts?
Send your comments:
 by email to [email protected]
 contact any of the Zone Executive,
 post a comment on facebook
 post a comment ofah.org/zonej website
Visit www.wellingtonstreetsportsmensclub.com for more
information and Upcoming events such as:
Monthly Trap Shoots: February 16 and March 16
Wild Game Dinner: April 20
OFAH Zone J 25th Annual Youth Campout: June 7, 8 & 9
Family Fishing Day: June 23
The Wellington Street Sportsmen’s Club is proud to be a
100% OFAH affiliated Club
Page 4
OFAH ZONE J
From The Chair by Jim Greenwood
Our local prognosticator, Willie didn’t
see his shadow and has forecast an early
spring. Evidently he wasn’t aware of the
recent snowfall that hit our zone from
one end to the other.
the Grand River Conservation Authority.
Persons hunting on parts of the
St. Williams Conservation Reserve in
Norfolk County were confronted by
other trail users during the Controlled
Deer Hunt in December and advised that
It would be nice to see this moisture
hunting would be discontinued there in
soak into the ground and not run off, but the future.
with rain coming we could easily see
flooding in surrounding areas. Increased Essex Region Conservation Authority is
runoff however would help our local
looking at reducing waterfowl hunting
Great Lakes that are experiencing low
opportunities at Holiday Beach. Our
levels not seen in years.
executive has been active in speaking up
on these and other issues and will conIce fishing that just began on Long Point tinue to advocate for hunters interests
Bay now will have to endure another
and rights.
round of warm weather and rain that
effectively could end the season as
Coyote hunters are reporting good numquickly as it started. For the fishing
bers of healthy animals, although some
enthusiasts, be careful when venturing
mange has been showing up. Populaout on any ice. Check with the locals,
tions seem to be maintained through
and the hut operators first. It is not worth increased litters in the spring. With reputting yourself and others at risk.
duced habitat especially pasture and hay
fields being used for grain production,
Our winter hunts are nearly over, and
these animals along with fox are being
issues have been brought to our attention seen more often in urban settings as they
that impact hunting opportunities in the search for food. Predation is still of confuture. Use of a public trail along the
cern to livestock farmers, with escalating
Grand River between Cambridge and
compensation being paid by municipaliParis by hunters carrying unloaded and
ties.
encased firearms has been prohibited by
The Randall Reef toxic waste containment project is moving forward in an
effort to delist Hamilton Harbour as an
area of concern. The project will in time
reduce the toxin loading in fish and improve habitat conditions in the harbour.
A First Nation hunt in 2 provincial parks
this winter have prompted the OFAH to
discuss the rationale for these with the
Ministry of Natural Resources.
There is widespread concern among our
membership that this may be just the
beginning of more hunts in provincial
parks where there has been no discussion or consultation with the non native
community.
As I have stated before, we have a very
active zone. Our executive does a great
job. If you have an interest in being part
of this dynamic team, please contact Past
Chairs Felix Barbetti or Tony Jackson or
any of the other executive for more information.
Only 11 weeks till turkey season!!
It’s Election Time for OFAH Zone J Executive.
As OFAH Zone J Executives we invite members in good standing (at least one full year)
to step up to the plate and bat for our South
Western Ontario hunting and fishing interests. Your contributions to making our Zone
what it could and should be regarding increased opportunities and standing up for
our collective interests will be appreciated.
To stand for one of the Zone 5 annually
elected executive positions, after determining your personal time and travel availability
you simply need to declare your intend to
stand by advising us ( Tony Jackson or Felix
Barbetti --nominating committee) by e-mail
or phone or by advising any of our current
executive.
Time &Travel Commitments
There are 3 quarterly general meetings at
which delegated reports and updates are
presented to our membership at large. Between these get togethers are teleconferences scheduled as required. Other discussions and commitments should also be expected commensurate with your dedication
and interests to our core directions. In appreciation Executive and their spouses are also
invited to our OFAH annual conference and
wildlife dinner.
Travel and costs incurred while conducting
Zone business are reimbursed.
It's essential to the health and progress of
our Zone J to refresh the team and network
by encouraging new energetic and dedicated
members to stand for election for Chair, 1st
vice, Secretary/Treasurer, (these positions
are also full OFAH Board participants with
additional commitments), 2nd Vice Chair
(alternate to the OFAH BOD) meaning they
step up if/when one of the afore-mentioned 3
can't complete their obligations) and Alternate.
After the elections a new year commences
with the newly elected team announced. The
chair then assigns or confirms the areas of
interest that each member is expected to be
attentive to and or report on. The Zone J and
OFAH policies are also discussed early in
each year.
Our past 2 chairs are also members of the
current executive for Zone continuity and
their proven expertise.
So please join us and continue to make your
Zone a great place to hunt and fish
Page 5
OFAH ZONE J
As I see it by Felix Barbetti
Travelling from Norfolk to Fonthill yesterday, we noticed a profusion of new
gravel roads going well back over farmers
clay fields (crop and pasture lands). Piping
and conduits being bored under all roads
and rural laneways in this area east of
the mothballed Nanticoke G.S. Along several side concession roads high tension
transmission towers being readied to stand
up with assorted cables on spools.
It's a huge even impressive (if you like
development) construction undertaking.
In the middle of the checkerboard of these
construction sites over plowed fields
were the foundations and lower sections of
wind generators just beginning to pop up.
We drove to the site where a large crane
was towering above the trees and saw
the Fisherville fingerboard. That's where
an eagle's nest was recently permitted by
MNR to be removed. Later some construction materials were burned perhaps in retaliation.
So as with Norfolk west to Essex now
Haldimand is receiving the full affect of
the GEEA subsidies and with the pace it's
moving at these things will be blowing in
the wind this year. From what I'm told by
MNR the 2 expropriated young eagles are
looking on.
Some homes also have for sale signs.
Quite a difference on what was once quiet
countryside especially in winter
This is also the area that was assembled
(expropriated) by Ontario including some
of the woodlots for urban industrial development in the 70's . It's also the general
location for much of the Samsung wind
and solar power deals cut by
the current Provincial Government Senior
officials. We see the exodus of some of
those
who were most involved in this scheme.
Regardless of alleged adverse impacts on
health and our natural environment these
industrial wind turbines (IWT) are being
completed.
In the background are law suits as Government attempts to cap the payouts to these
companies when excessive electricity is
not needed.
Then there are lawsuits and settlements for
starting and stopping some of these projects like the 2 oil-fired generating stations
A new OFAH edition Fish-O-flauge style Plano Softsider tackle bag with three (3)
stowaway tackle containers

A Shimano Sienna 2500 reel

A Berkley Flicker Shad crank bait

A Coast LED Emergency Area Light

A FOX 40 Classic Whistle

Berkley PowerBait, and Berkley Trilene

Three (3) packages of Fish Crisp Original 30g

A world famous Eppinger Dardevle

An OFAH 85th Anniversary edition folding BUCK Knife!

10 issues of Ontario OUT OF DOORS Magazine;

$3,000,000 hunting & fishing public liability Insurance;

PLUS all of the other benefits of OFAH membership.
A $275.00 for $76.95 Adult Single Membership (plus $10 S&H)
closer to Toronto.
So while some of us question and oppose
the slamming of these IWT's across our
landscapes (with reason) others fearing
global warming seems to be pressing for
them (as long as they are not in their backyards).
What it'll mean for our shrinking opportunities to hunt in SW Ontario is more
than speculation when factoring in the adverse affects on natural and habitats
and even farm fields. A full accounting of
costs to taxpayers, ratepayers and
wildlife will likely never be properly undertaken as the folks responsible for initiating this mess cut and run.
That part of the official opposition that
could have nipped this in the bud by
supporting a PC vote after our last provincial election didn't
Whether we support or feel badly about
IWT's spreading across our landscapes it's
a topic that'll be debated for years to come
as Ontario's promise of competitive efficient energy becomes just another " back
in the good old days" memory.
The Ultimate Fishing Membership Package
OFAH Zone J 25th Annual Youth Campout
Back in 1987/88, there was a
vision, a vision of “Involving today’s
youth, building tomorrows conservationist”. This vision also included, providing
a weekend camp at NO cost to the participants, moving it’s location every two
years, this allowing other youth to attend
that otherwise could not travel to us.
From this vision, the annual OFAH Zone
J Youth Camp was created. The inaugural camp was held in the early summer of
1988 at the Wellington Street Sportsman’s Club in Dorchester, just East of
London.
Since the 1st annual OFAH Zone
J camp in 1988, we have seen almost
every corner of our Zone and hosted hundreds of eager youth. Our camp is
slightly different than others, as we require the parents or guardians to attend
all aspects of the camp with the youth as
a mentor. This allows the parent’s to become engaged and learn with the youth.
Every year, we kick things off
Friday evening with Opening Ceremonies, a presentation and also a community
camp fire. Saturday kicks off early in the
morning when everyone gathers at the
club house for a welcoming from the host
club President and further instructions on
the day’s activities. The activities are the
host clubs decision; this allows the club
to work in areas of expertise. In the past,
activities have included, but not limited
to; Archery, Air rifles, Bird house building, Bat house building, Canoeing, Detecting invasive species, Fishing, Lure
making, 22. Rifle range, Map/Compass
reading, Flora/Fauna ID, etc. The list and
ideas are almost endless. This is why we
leave the activities to the host club as
they can capitalize in an area that they are
familiar with. Saturday wraps up with a
community camp fire. Sunday morning,
we generally have a guest speaker or an
activity that will engage the minds of our
youth and their mentors.
As I write this, we are diligently
working on creating the largest and best
OFAH Zone J Youth Camp to-date as,
this year, 2013, marks our 25th Anniversary!! We are very much looking forward to June 7,8 and 9th as we have a few
surprises in the works for this Silver Anniversary. You will find details and the
itinerary printed in the 2013 Camp Flyer.
If you are interested in attending, I would
recommend singing up early as space is
limited.
We need YOUR Help!
As mentioned above, we are
celebrating our 25th anniversary in 2013.
We are trying very hard to compile as
much history of the camp as possible to
create a timeline of the past 25 years. If
you or your club were involved in any
way with any of our past camps
(attended, hosted, or participated), we
would like you to pass on, dates, locations, clubs, photos, memories, etc. We
encourage you to share a memory of a
past camp as a testimonial that we can
share with others. This will help us paint
a picture of our history for future camps
and generations to reflect on.
Looking forward:
We are looking for a Club to host our 26 th
and 27th (2014-2015) annual Youth
Camps. The OFAH Zone J Youth Camp
historically has been held on Father’s
Day weekend in June. If you or your club
are interested in learning more, please
contact Brian Moore.
A few upcoming OFAH affiliated Club events
February 22 thru 24 at the Western Fairgrounds in London—London Boat, Fishing and Leisure Show
www.boatcottagefishingshow.com
March 2—1st Annual Eco Conference—An environment and Conservation Awareness Day. 9am to 3pm at the Brant Rod &
Gun Club For more info visit www.brantrodandgunclub.org or [email protected]
March 16 & 17—Open House at the Bluewater Anglers in Point Edward. 10am to 4pm. For more info visit
www.bluewateranglers.com or email [email protected]
April 6 at the Tilbury Arena is the Southwest Outdoors Club Big Buck & Bull Day www.swoutdoorsclub.com for more info
April 6 at St Johns Parish Hall in Woodslee is the Annual Wild Game by Gosfield North Sportsmen Association. Advance tickets ONLY by calling Ron & Beth Reitsma at 519– 839-4980
April 13th—Brant Rod & Gun Club annual Wild Game dinner Visit brantrodandgunclub.org for details
April 20—Wellington Street Sportsmen’s Club annual Wild Game dinner. Email sandy at [email protected] for more info.
April 27 at the Greens of Renton, Simcoe is the Long Point Waterfowl
2nd Annual Fund Raising Dinner Tickets $100.00 per person. Email Rob Smith at [email protected] for tickets and
details.
OFAH ZONE J OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This award is to recognize an individual’s outstanding effort towards
Stewardship, Conservation, and/or the promotion of angling or hunting
in Southwestern Ontario as selected by the OFAH Zone J membership.
The members attending the January OFAH Zone J meeting were presented with two Nominees and the vote by secret ballot was held. I
would like to thank everyone who submitted a name. It was a tough
decision for our members.
The Winner of the 2012 OFAH Zone J Outstanding Achievement Award
will be announced at the April 6th AGM in Dorchester.
OFAH ZONE J ANNUAL EXECUTIVE ELECTION
APRIL 6TH, 2013
Once again it’s time to get your Nomination in if you’d
like to stand for a position on the OFAH Zone J Executive.
The positions are:
Chair, 1st Vice Chair, 2nd Vice Chair,
Secretary/Treasurer and Alternate Director
If you are interested and are an OFAH member (Zone J)
in good standing for the past 12 months, please call one of our
Nominations Committee: Past Chair Tony Jackson or
Past Chair Felix Barbetti for details.
The Annual Election will be held April 6th at 3pm.
DETAILS FOR ZONE J A NNUAL GENERAL
MEETING AND ELECTION APRIL 6
Location: Wellington Street Sportsmen’s Club
2290 Slo-Pitch Road, Dorchester
From Highway 401 take exit 203—Elgin Road/Hwy 73 Go
north on Elgin Rd/Hwy 73 about 1/2 Km.
Turn
left onto Slo-Pitch Road – watch for signs
Doors open at 8:30am with the meeting being called to
order at 9am sharp.
Lunch will be served noon to 1pm for a nominal fee.
MARK YOUR 2013 CALENDARS
March 14—17—OFAH Annual General Meeting
and Wildlife Conference at the Delta Meadowvale Hotel and Conference Centre, Mississauga
Zone J By Law review and vote will occur at 1pm.
Elections will be held at 3pm with the meeting adjourning
at 4pm.
PLEASE BRING YOUR CURRENT OFAH
MEMBERSHIP CARD TO BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE
Guest speakers and Sunday activities have not been
finalized at the time of publication.
OFAH Zone J Annual General Meeting and Election—April 6 & 7— Wellington Street Sportsmen’s Club, Dorchester
25th Annual OFAH Zone J Youth Campout—
June 7, 8 & 9—Wellington Street Sportsmen’s
Club, Dorchester, ON Registration starts April
1st.
For updated agenda, please
visit www.ofah.org/zonej
Or call a member of the Zone J Executive
OFAH Zone J General Membership Meeting—
September 15—Dunnville Hunter and Angler
Club, Dunnville, ON