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Thoughts From Your State Chapter President
California Yelper
May 2003
Yes, The Yelper is being published again! Thanks to several new State Board Members and especially Robert Klotz for getting this newsletter published. The Yelper is one way that the State Board can communicate with the California members about what is happening in our state with the NWTF.
Six years ago, Charlie Ryan and Dick Bradish led a group of interested turkey hunters through a discussion about what we could do to help turkey hunting in California. I attended that meeting in San Francisco as Charlie and Dick worked to reestablish a San Francisco Chapter. Billy Odgen was the local chapter president and he formed the Golden Gate Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
The next year, Charlie asked that I form a local chapter in the East Bay. I was very apprehensive about doing this, being new to turkey hunting an all. I bad not even harvested a wild turkey. How could I start a local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation? Charlie and Dick convince me that I didn't need to be seasoned turkey hunter, they said that anyone that wants to do something good for California hunters could start a chapter. That was the beginning of the Mount Diablo Chapter.
Within a couple of years, Charlie and Dick again approached me and requested that I help serve the NWTF on the State Board. After a couple of years serving as State Treasurer, I was asked by the Board to serve as State Chapter President. I have been serving as State Chapter President since January 2002.
Charlie Ryan or David Rasmussen initially contacted most of the local chapters in California. They brought together a great group of volunteers that have held over 40 fund raising banquets in a year. We currently have over 30 banquets being held tins year and I know that we have several new chapters that will have banquets this summer.. I know that the new Regional Directors, Steve Moreno and Brian Yerman are working hard to increase the number of local chapters and increase our state membership.
I was recently asked, "Why do you volunteer so much time to the NWTFT?" I know that I sometimes wonder that question myself, but I actually have an answer for that question. I volunteer because I believe that I can make a difference for my children and others through the NWTF. I believe tat this organization can and does help maintain our hunting heritage and improves our hunting opportunities.
Each of you has made a difference. The money raised has helped the turkey hunters in California. We have more turkeys in California today that we had in the 1950's. The money raised also helped defeat an attack on our hunting heritage with the withdrawal of AB 1190 - The Dove Hunting bill.
Through our JAKES, Women-in-the Outdoors, Vheelin' Sportsman and other education programs, the money raised is helping to ensure that we will be able to maintain our hunting tradition.
The communication from the state board has been limited (or nonexistent depending on who you talk to) over the past couple of years. Other than, local chapter committee meetings with their Regional Director or the State Leadership Day, local chapters have not heard from the State Board regarding activities of the NWTF in California. I hope that The Yelper will improve this communication.
I hope that each local chapter will also begin to use The Yelper as a way of communicating with members throughout California. Articles On events that were successful in your area could be of great help and inspiration to others. Please submit articles reporting on events of your local chapters.
I have heard from several volunteers over the past couple of months - most wondering what is being done in California. I hope that this Yelper will provide each of you with some insight as to what is happening in California.
As a fellow volunteer, thank you for your efforts. The, money being raised through the local chapter banquets is making a difference. We are able to provide funding for projects that the Department of Fish and Game would otherwise not complete as well as fund projects that help maintain our hunting heritage.
Good hunting ~
Vincent A Rosdahl
State Chapter President
==========================================
The YELPER, The Newsletter of the California State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation
Bob Klotz - Editor
Welcome to the first issue of your newly resurrected National Wild Turkey Federation's California state newsletter known as the '"Yelper''.
The purpose of this newsletter is to inform the California membership of the issues we face, whats going on within our state and who's doing what, why, where and when. And most importantly, it is a means for all the membership to communicate. The Yelper is a team effort and you are on the team. It is important that you use this newsletter, to communicate with other chapter members, your state officer's
and your state director's as well as state agency's and the folks in the national office. The NWTF California membership is growing almost as rapidly as our turkey populations. Our Regional Directors, our state chapter as well as local chapters and our great volunteers are working just about 24-7 to stay up with all that needs to be accomplished within California.
The Yelper is being mailed quarterly to all the membership within California as well as our partner's at CDFG, the US Forest Service and other agency's that we work with in California. Other copies will be made available on the counters of local outdoor retailer's for non-member reading as we want
everyone to know what a great conservation group we are and encourage them to join our growing programs.
The Yelper will continue to grow and improve with your help and eventually will gain sponsors who will help offset some of our costs. Advertising is available to those individuals or businesses that wish to reach the households of some of the most dedicated outdoor men and women in the country. Please
contact editor for prices.
Please submit all articles or pictures for publication to the editor at email: Klotzb@earthlink.net. Or mail to: The Yelper, Bob Klotz, PO Box 1353, Orangevale, CA 95662. Phone: 916-726-4024.
===========================================
State Chapter News
The California State Chapter officers and Board of Directors met in Sanger, CA on March 8, 2003.
Some good news from RD Steve Morino is that the San Andreas Chapter is going to hold a banquet in July and the Ukiah Chapter is back on board with their banquet scheduled for June. Also the Sonora Chapter is fired back up and ready to get going. Steve has two new chapters in the works, The Guns and Hoses chapter (Sacramento Police and Firemen). Knights Landing may start a chapter as well. Those of you in the far north part of the state that think that you might be interested in starting a local chapter in your town, call Steve @ 916-996-7775.
Our central and southern Regional Director, Brian Yerman has also been busy for the NWTF. He has started chapters in Stockton and in San Luis Obispo with others like Mammoth Lakes to come. Also if you are in the Santa Maria or San Jose areas and can spare some time for a great conservation group .... call Brian @ 707-432-0369.
The following projects were funded at this meeting:
1. Horseshoe Ranch Wildlife Area - Access Road improvements. Cost partner: DFG
2. Horseshoe Ranch Wildlife Area - Fencing. Cost partner: DFG
3. Horseshoe Ranch Wildlife Area - Spring Development: Cost partner DFG
4. Modoc, Eldorado and Mendocino NF - Habitat improvement projects Cost partner: USFS
These are great projects for the wild turkey and the California turkey hunter. The Board agreed that these types of projects are the future of the NWTF in California. Improving hunter access, opening up private lands as well as land locked property for hunting to name a couple. "Hunting promotes conservation and conservation promotes hunting" a quote from Scoff Gardner at DFG, a quote that I use often as it is right on the mark in today's California.
The Board emphasizes the importance of getting involved politically. Pay attention to the laws that are written and submitted to the legislature and their affect on our organization and our hunting heritage. Get involved with future hunters via the "Jakes" program. Take a young man or lady hunting for the first time or just take the time to get them out into the great outdoors. Involve the women in your area through the "Women In The Outdoors" programs. And what about the handicapped folks? The NWTF has a great program called 'Wheelin' Sportsmen". All these programs need your help now. So take a few minutes and talk to your chapters about putting one or more of these fine programs on in your area. Sure they are hard work, but look at what you can accomplish for the future of our hunting heritage. Remember the old saying 'if not you .... who?
California Yelper
May 2003
Yes, The Yelper is being published again! Thanks to several new State Board Members and especially Robert Klotz for getting this newsletter published. The Yelper is one way that the State Board can communicate with the California members about what is happening in our state with the NWTF.
Six years ago, Charlie Ryan and Dick Bradish led a group of interested turkey hunters through a discussion about what we could do to help turkey hunting in California. I attended that meeting in San Francisco as Charlie and Dick worked to reestablish a San Francisco Chapter. Billy Odgen was the local chapter president and he formed the Golden Gate Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
The next year, Charlie asked that I form a local chapter in the East Bay. I was very apprehensive about doing this, being new to turkey hunting an all. I bad not even harvested a wild turkey. How could I start a local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation? Charlie and Dick convince me that I didn't need to be seasoned turkey hunter, they said that anyone that wants to do something good for California hunters could start a chapter. That was the beginning of the Mount Diablo Chapter.
Within a couple of years, Charlie and Dick again approached me and requested that I help serve the NWTF on the State Board. After a couple of years serving as State Treasurer, I was asked by the Board to serve as State Chapter President. I have been serving as State Chapter President since January 2002.
Charlie Ryan or David Rasmussen initially contacted most of the local chapters in California. They brought together a great group of volunteers that have held over 40 fund raising banquets in a year. We currently have over 30 banquets being held tins year and I know that we have several new chapters that will have banquets this summer.. I know that the new Regional Directors, Steve Moreno and Brian Yerman are working hard to increase the number of local chapters and increase our state membership.
I was recently asked, "Why do you volunteer so much time to the NWTFT?" I know that I sometimes wonder that question myself, but I actually have an answer for that question. I volunteer because I believe that I can make a difference for my children and others through the NWTF. I believe tat this organization can and does help maintain our hunting heritage and improves our hunting opportunities.
Each of you has made a difference. The money raised has helped the turkey hunters in California. We have more turkeys in California today that we had in the 1950's. The money raised also helped defeat an attack on our hunting heritage with the withdrawal of AB 1190 - The Dove Hunting bill.
Through our JAKES, Women-in-the Outdoors, Vheelin' Sportsman and other education programs, the money raised is helping to ensure that we will be able to maintain our hunting tradition.
The communication from the state board has been limited (or nonexistent depending on who you talk to) over the past couple of years. Other than, local chapter committee meetings with their Regional Director or the State Leadership Day, local chapters have not heard from the State Board regarding activities of the NWTF in California. I hope that The Yelper will improve this communication.
I hope that each local chapter will also begin to use The Yelper as a way of communicating with members throughout California. Articles On events that were successful in your area could be of great help and inspiration to others. Please submit articles reporting on events of your local chapters.
I have heard from several volunteers over the past couple of months - most wondering what is being done in California. I hope that this Yelper will provide each of you with some insight as to what is happening in California.
As a fellow volunteer, thank you for your efforts. The, money being raised through the local chapter banquets is making a difference. We are able to provide funding for projects that the Department of Fish and Game would otherwise not complete as well as fund projects that help maintain our hunting heritage.
Good hunting ~
Vincent A Rosdahl
State Chapter President
==========================================
The YELPER, The Newsletter of the California State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation
Bob Klotz - Editor
Welcome to the first issue of your newly resurrected National Wild Turkey Federation's California state newsletter known as the '"Yelper''.
The purpose of this newsletter is to inform the California membership of the issues we face, whats going on within our state and who's doing what, why, where and when. And most importantly, it is a means for all the membership to communicate. The Yelper is a team effort and you are on the team. It is important that you use this newsletter, to communicate with other chapter members, your state officer's
and your state director's as well as state agency's and the folks in the national office. The NWTF California membership is growing almost as rapidly as our turkey populations. Our Regional Directors, our state chapter as well as local chapters and our great volunteers are working just about 24-7 to stay up with all that needs to be accomplished within California.
The Yelper is being mailed quarterly to all the membership within California as well as our partner's at CDFG, the US Forest Service and other agency's that we work with in California. Other copies will be made available on the counters of local outdoor retailer's for non-member reading as we want
everyone to know what a great conservation group we are and encourage them to join our growing programs.
The Yelper will continue to grow and improve with your help and eventually will gain sponsors who will help offset some of our costs. Advertising is available to those individuals or businesses that wish to reach the households of some of the most dedicated outdoor men and women in the country. Please
contact editor for prices.
Please submit all articles or pictures for publication to the editor at email: Klotzb@earthlink.net. Or mail to: The Yelper, Bob Klotz, PO Box 1353, Orangevale, CA 95662. Phone: 916-726-4024.
===========================================
State Chapter News
The California State Chapter officers and Board of Directors met in Sanger, CA on March 8, 2003.
Some good news from RD Steve Morino is that the San Andreas Chapter is going to hold a banquet in July and the Ukiah Chapter is back on board with their banquet scheduled for June. Also the Sonora Chapter is fired back up and ready to get going. Steve has two new chapters in the works, The Guns and Hoses chapter (Sacramento Police and Firemen). Knights Landing may start a chapter as well. Those of you in the far north part of the state that think that you might be interested in starting a local chapter in your town, call Steve @ 916-996-7775.
Our central and southern Regional Director, Brian Yerman has also been busy for the NWTF. He has started chapters in Stockton and in San Luis Obispo with others like Mammoth Lakes to come. Also if you are in the Santa Maria or San Jose areas and can spare some time for a great conservation group .... call Brian @ 707-432-0369.
The following projects were funded at this meeting:
1. Horseshoe Ranch Wildlife Area - Access Road improvements. Cost partner: DFG
2. Horseshoe Ranch Wildlife Area - Fencing. Cost partner: DFG
3. Horseshoe Ranch Wildlife Area - Spring Development: Cost partner DFG
4. Modoc, Eldorado and Mendocino NF - Habitat improvement projects Cost partner: USFS
These are great projects for the wild turkey and the California turkey hunter. The Board agreed that these types of projects are the future of the NWTF in California. Improving hunter access, opening up private lands as well as land locked property for hunting to name a couple. "Hunting promotes conservation and conservation promotes hunting" a quote from Scoff Gardner at DFG, a quote that I use often as it is right on the mark in today's California.
The Board emphasizes the importance of getting involved politically. Pay attention to the laws that are written and submitted to the legislature and their affect on our organization and our hunting heritage. Get involved with future hunters via the "Jakes" program. Take a young man or lady hunting for the first time or just take the time to get them out into the great outdoors. Involve the women in your area through the "Women In The Outdoors" programs. And what about the handicapped folks? The NWTF has a great program called 'Wheelin' Sportsmen". All these programs need your help now. So take a few minutes and talk to your chapters about putting one or more of these fine programs on in your area. Sure they are hard work, but look at what you can accomplish for the future of our hunting heritage. Remember the old saying 'if not you .... who?
