Susquehanna Branch QDMA

Minutes of April 16, 2009 Susquehanna Branch of QDMA Board of Directors

Board members present - Jim Dovin, Dave Taylor, Bob Wagner, John Butler, Damien Rutkoski,
Al Cuevas.

Associate Board members present - Dave Wilcox, Alton Arnold, Matt Sellers, Rusty Ely.

Presidents Opening Remarks - Branch President Jim Dovin Thanked all who helped put this
Meeting together. Thanked the group for electing him, he hopes to bring new ideas, help us
move forward with our whitetail deer education and outreach.
Updated the group on Becky Grasavages’ condition - she has a large tumor in her head and is being operated on soon.

Treasurers report - We have $17,058.89 in the check book, with some monies yet to come in.
Final banquet report - we need to pay National QDMA $11,820.25. Our local branch will get about $4280
Of this. Compared to last year we are about the same 2008.
In 2008 our total banquet monies were $30435, with the QDMA pkg. costing $4670.
In 2009 our total banquet monies were $32120, with the QDMA pkg. costing $5990.
Bills - Bob Wagner turned in bills for $103.
Motion -made by John Butler to accept the treasurers report, seconded by Dave Taylor
Approved by ALL.

Secretary’s report - Last meetings minutes. Motion to approve the last meetings minutes made
By Damien Rutkoski, seconded by Dave Wilcox. Approved by ALL.
Several items of correspondence were discussed and passed around,
Thank you letter from the Springville Baptists Church.
Thank you note and a check for $25 from Jim Day who had attended the Antler Roundup and found it
To be a positive event.
A letter from the Pa. Federation of Sportsmen along with our Membership Certificate.

Old Business -
Tom Fegeley books - showed the group the books that we had bought from the PAQDMA, sold both of the ones that I had with me.

Branch Consulting - Al Cuevas had turned over a contact he had made, Mr. Boatwright (who had come to our banquet), to Jack Sorber to work with.

Signs - Dave Wilcox is getting quotes from the company. These signs are for completed projects that have the Susq. Branch's contact information.

New business -
Finance Committee - currently made up of Dave Wilcox, Al Cuevas and Jack Sorber.
How will the finances be handled. We feel that the money categories need to be tweaked to better reflect the categories that national uses on their end of the year report. Al C. would like to match the categories up. Dave W. sees ways to make improvements.
Much discussion.
2009 committee is composed of Dave Wilcox, Al Cuevas, Dave Taylor, and Jack Sorber.

Food Plots on SGL 140 & 35
We really need to know how much we can afford to spend and how much is in the checkbook. We will need a report from the Finance Committee.
We will ask the Susquehanna Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and the individual clubs for donation to help
Reseed these food plots.
Dave Wilcox has seed he will donate.
Get soils tests done on both food plot areas. John Butler will do the ones on SGL 140; we will contact Ray Stanis about doing the ones on SGL 35, Dave Wilcox will contact him.
Dave Wilcox made a motion to obtain 6 soil test kits for use on SGL 140 & 35, John Butler seconded.
Vote Yes by ALL.

Andres Sportsmen’s Event. This event will be held on August 1, 2009 at Andres. The guest speaker is
Dr. James Kroll (Dr. Deer). He is being brought in by the Buck Forage Oats Company. More details to follow. Do we want to be involved? YES! Talked of possible alternative sites not many that can hold 200 or more people. Montrose High School is not air conditioned either.

Cyber Deer - An Educational DVD about shot placement on deer. Jim Dovin believes that we should purchase this, preview it before we try and use it. Damien rutkoski and others will preview it. We may be able to build on this for any youth events. Motion made by Dave Wilcox and seconded by Damien Rutkoski to purchase a Cyber Deer package. Vote yes by ALL. Dave Wilcox will contact Tim Smail to see if he has any at the PAQDMA State Store.

?? On “Whitetails in the Classroom - Damien Rutkoski is interested in this and maybe we should look into this for possible use.

Youth Scholarships to the Woodland Resources Camp and the Wildlife Leadership Adventure camp.
We will match last years totals $100 for the Woodland camp and $350 for the Wildlife camp.
News articles should be written to get any interested parties, John Ords son may be a candidate for the Wildlife camp. The Northern Counties full Fan Chapter of the NWTF will also sponsor kids for these camps.

Cancellation of Quality Whitetails TV show due to money problems and human resources. QDMA will partner with other wildlife groups, agencies to get the word out on their shows about QDM.

Funding for Directors to Attend Deer Steward courses and the National Convention - much discussion
Jim Dovin talked about the need to go to these events to be on the cutting edge of information,
Damien Rutkoski said that Deer Steward II was much better than the I course as after the first course they asked for input and made changes to get more northern information into the programs. Dave Wilcox said that the people that go to these events, who have used some of our branch money, should provide information back to the branch and its members. Damien R. feels that he has learned new things at each of the curses that he has attended and that they are worthwhile. Jim Dovin feels that if he attends these sessions that he needs to come back and talk to groups about deer habitat and management.
The Branch said that we will fund this category at the same level as last year. $750. If the Finance committee says we can put more money into this then it will be considered.
Motion by John Butler, seconded by Dave Wilcox to fund $750 for directors or officers to attend Deer Stewardship courses and/or the National Convention. The $750 to be divided amongst the attendees. Vote Yes by ALL.

Future Fund Raisers- handout on a possible branch Annual fundraising Gun Raffle. Discussion that we should stagger this from the banquet. Possible groups to contact would be Deer Park Lumber (Dave Wilcox), RSP Shotgun Shells (Bob Wagner or Jim Holbert), High Pt. Rod and Gun Club (Jim Dovin)

Consulting on Wildlife Management - much discussion on how, should we, can we, can’t we, are we interfering with any private groups or individuals who may be offering these services. Rusty Ely feels that we should tread softly in this area. It should be noted that Pheasants forever does this type of work and charges $15 per acre consulting fee, they believe that this is why they are there to offer these services.
Possible hot contacts to service - Dr. Garry Wrobleski - 56 acres. Dr. Latimer - 100 acres near Elkdale.
We will try and meet next week - Jim Dovin will assemble a working group.

PAQDMA State Report - Dave Wilcox and I tried to update the group about the possible troubles with small games of chance and what we really should be doing to be in total compliance with the law. We also told them of the trials and tribulations of the Northeast Branch with the national office and trying to hold a sanctioned summer family day event in lieu of a Banquet.
Membership for Nick Tallamelli as a thank you for his efforts to help out the Susquehanna Branch at various events over the past year. Al Cuevas will get this taken care of.

Thank you notes/cards -The group felt that we should send thank you cards out to the people, organizations, companies that have supported us for our banquet. Dave Wilcox will check with
Montrose Publishing to see what their costs are versus the cost quotes we have received from National and elsewhere.

Damien Rutkoski notified us that Nick Tallamelli will donate the cost of the website to our branch as he is very thankful for the kindness, consideration and camaraderie that he has received when he has been at our events.

Next meeting May 14th 7pm at the Inn at Montrose.

Motion to adjourn made by Damien Rutkoski, seconded by Rusty Ely. Yes by ALL.