"For Hunters by Hunters"

THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER

September 2009

By: Dan Ochsner, President, Valley Waterfowl

2009/2010 Waterfowl Season

This newsletter contains what most of you have been waiting for.  The hunt applications

and waivers for the 2009/2010 season.  Take a close look at Ron Tobeck’s article,

it summarizes the hunt application process and procedures for utilizing our blinds

this season.  First, to reiterate what Ron says, there will be a $35.00 hunt application fee

for all hunters age 16 and over in addition to your membership dues, payable with your

hunt application. If we do not receive the fee with the application, your paper

 work will be put at the back of the stack. Because our costs have increased, we are

 compelled to charge this fee to allow us to continue to provide the hunt opportunity that

 we do. We have hunt applications for our regular blinds and for Cougar Wetland. Cougar

 is for 1^st year male hunters (under age 16) with hunter safety certificates dated after

 February 1, 2009, any age female hunter, and disabled hunters.  There is information on

 the website to further clarify the hunt opportunity at Cougar, based on our permit

 application.

Scolarship recipient

Congratulations go out to Sara Walling, our successful candidate

for the Valley Waterfowl $1,000.00 college scholarship.

1^st Annual Apprentice Hunt Day      

August 29^th, we held our first all day waterfowl hunter clinic for boys under 16, any age females, and disabled.  We are encouraged by the glowing remarks we received from many participants during the event, and hope to do something similar next year. Thanks to Bruce Bullard and John Bertilacchi for organizing a well run event.

6^th Annual Sportsman’s Dinner

SAVE THE DATE:  March 13, 2010, at Chardonay Hall at the Festival Grounds in Lodi. Dinner ticket order form is included the the newsletter.  It is not too early to start planning.

In Closing

Looks like waterfowl numbers are up.  We can now bag 2 Sprig for the 1^st time in many years.  You may not recall my January article, but as a reminder, it looks like the majority of our blinds will not have water until mid November.  We may have only one blind that shoots for the opener.  We will keep the website updated as to the number of blinds available, as we did last year.  Think safety at all times.  Remember that each of you represents Valley Waterfowl when you are in the field, so act accordingly, and finally, enjoy the Season.