blackhillssportsmenclub@gmail.com | PO BOX 9161, Rapid City, SD 57709

February 2023 Newsletter

PLEASE PAY DUES NOW!!!!!
 


February 2023




Renew online at www.blackhillssportsmenclub.com OR send us a check to PO BOX 9161, Rapid City, SD 57709 

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Greetings From Your President


Send us your hunting Pictures. We need to spice up the photos section.


January went quick! I think just about all I can say about January is firewood… Lots of firewood…
 
Spring Turkey applications are out! I’m pretty sure I already have my bird picked out.
 
It’s that time of year for board member elections. Please get your names in for the election at this month’s meeting. We could really use an additional board member or two as we lost a couple this last year. The Club is already facing some important GFP and legislative issues this year and we need some fresh input on what direction the club should be heading. These issues impact all of our hunting and fishing opportunities here in South Dakota and without a voice like this club these issues will go through without hesitation. The GFP commission and our state legislators need to hear how these issues impact the sportsman of this state. Help us get the word across and join the board!
 
See everyone at the Meeting.

 
~Cody Hodson~
 


Golden Hills Taxidermy- Gary English
Alaskan Brown Bear taken by Jeff Olson

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-SEND A NEWSLETTER PIECE/STORY & PICTURE TO US-
WE ARE LOOKING FOR NEW INPUT FROM OUR MEMBERS!! 
 
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A big thanks to Sec Robling attending our meeting last week along with Jake Davis (Fisheries) and John Kanta. We were able to discuss four topics
1.  Rapid Creek de-watering, "It may take two years to see the affect on the fresh water fish but it will be difficult to assess even then."
2.  French Creek being used as a discharge location for the Custer Water treatment plant. The GFP had to trust the new DANR on this. (The Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, previously the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources

3.  Unlimited non-resident archery licenses on private land. "This is completely a social issue and has no effect on deer or antelope populations." (Please note our board response to this proposal in this newsletter)

4.  Shooting Range. The project is up and moving again and all has been approved by the Meade Co Commission.  It is out for bid now and all that remains is to raise the 12 million needed to make this a great destination.

One very good thing we heard was the GFP has raised the salary of Conservation Officers and they are very close to being fully staffed in the field for the first time in a long time. As some of you may know, I had two goals when I was on the commission. One was to build an outdoor campus west river. That was accomplished. The other one was to raise salaries of GFP employees. Many of them had taken second jobs to make end meets. That was 2006 and I did not reach that goal during my time on the commission but better late than never.  Congrats to Kevin Robling and others who got this very difficult task accomplished

It is time to have our annual board elections and nomination at our next meeting. We also discuss legislation. Not much out at the writing of this news letter but that will change by meeting day.
We are dire need of new board members. This is not a lot of work. We meet maybe 6 times a year for a quick hour meeting. PLEASE we need fresh input. I will let Cody state how important this is in his two cents.

Please respond to attached ballot. 
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We have put a lot of time into the web page also. If anyone has input or would like us to add to our webpage please email us at blackhillssportsmenclub@gmail.com 

~ Jeff Olson, Treasurer ~



  Upcoming Events

PLEASE NOTE THESE DATES WILL ALL BE LISTED ON THE BHSC WEBSITE UNDER "EVENTS"  
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February 7th - BHSC Monthly Member Meeting
Legislative Issues 
Location: Rushmore Inn & Suites
Time: 11:45 am 



LATER MONTHS:
March 7th - BHSC Monthly Member Meeting
Hunting Stories & Pics 
Location: Rushmore Inn & Suites
Time: 11:45 am 


April 4th - BHSC Monthly Member Meeting
South Dakota Wildlife Federation Directors 
Location: Rushmore Inn & Suites
Time: 11:45 am 


May 2nd - BHSC Monthly Member Meeting
TBA
Location: Rushmore Inn & Suites

Time: 11:45 am 

June 6th - BHSC Monthly Member Meeting
TBA
Location: Rushmore Inn & Suites
Time: 11:45 am 


July No Meeting due to Holiday
July 29th - SCI Auction
 


Interested in volunteering for Outdoor Campus West?

For anyone interested in being a volunteer mentor please contact Katie Schlafke or Clint Whitley. 

Katie (primary contact for all volunteers) 

Katie.Schlafke@state.sd.us

Clint (contact for volunteer hunting/shooting mentors - Hunting 101) 
clint.whitley@state.sd.us

For other kinds of volunteering - please visit their website linked below: 
https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?ap=1970180025


 




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- Quote of the Month - 
"Humankind must learn to understand that the life of an animal is in no way less precious than our own."
 Paul Oxton