ELECTION OF CLUB OFFICERS: At the February 2012 meeting the club members present elected a new club president and change the required number of directors on the Executive Committee. Chris Goodman was nominated and elected club president. He will assume his duties in March. Special thanks go out to Paul Nelson for his service as club president over these past few years. The members present also elected to reduce the size of the Executive Committee to four directors, plus the three club officers. Gordy Weber, Dale Simonson, Jeff Jerde, and Paul Nelson were nominated and elected as members of the Executive Committee.
SPRING HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES: Spring Hunter Safety Classes begin March 12th. Pre registration is required. Maurice Amundson is the point of contact for these classes.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT ARCHERY: Once again the club is sponsoring a Wednesday Night, indoor, Open Archery Shoot. Cost is $5.00 per night and the program will run through spring. So bring your bows, check your pride, and have a good time shooting with other like minded sportsmen. The shoot takes place in the lower club house and begins at 6 pm on Wednesday nights.
WISCONSIN CONCEALED CARRY CLASS: George Bell, an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor will conduct Concealed Carry training that meets the Wisconsin application requirements. Class is scheduled for December 11, 2011 in the upper club house. For additional information and to register for this training contact George Bell at george@bellfirearminstruction.com or on his website www.bellfirearminstruction.com.
SIGHT-IN CLINIC: The 2011 Sight-In clinic was a success. Some two dozen hunters participated and several volunteers assisted those hunters. One hunter sent a thank you note indicating he had not hunted in over 15 years and was surprised when he was able to zero his weapon with only on adjustment. Volunteers assisted the shooters by spotting rounds and providing recommended changes to scope settings. Thanks go out to Ray Weibel for heading up this event, in spite of some personal challenges, and to the half dozen volunteers who assisted in making this annual event a success.
DISABLED DEER HUNT A SUCCESS: Leslie Hauck, this years selected disabled hunter successfully harvested a deer during the 2011 Disabled Deer Hunt sponsored by the Sparta Rod & Gun Club. He was assisted by Chet Huber and the two of them had a perfect western Wisconsin fall day. Pictures are posted on the photo album page. Congratulations to Leslie Hauck and thanks to Chet Huber for assisting him. Special thanks also go to Tom's Custom Meats for donating the meat processing and to the anonymous club member who donated the deer tag for Leslie Hauck.
DISABLED DEER HUNT: Mr Leslie Hauck has been selected as this years club sponsored Hunter for the 2011 Disabled Deer Hunt. Special thanks go to the anonymous club member who donated the funds to purchase Mr Hauck's Deer Permit. Thanks also go to Tom's Custom Meats for agreeing to process a harvested deer. Chet Huber will work with Leslie Hauck over the period of the hunt on October 8-9, 2011.
SPORTING CLAYS: Sporting Clays have ended for the season. This season was especially successful for Sporting Clays. The club was able to purchase several target throwers and has already enjoyed the payback returns for these items. We anticipate next season will be even more successful.
CLUB FUND RAISER: The fund raiser conducted in August 2011 was successful. The club hosted a 100 bird shoot for both Trap and Sporting Clays. We also hosted youth fishing in the club pond, and several children were successful in catching fish.
CONCEALED CARRY CLASSES: Several people have asked if the club will conduct or sponsor Conceal Carry Classes in response to the new Wisconsin law legalizing Conceal Carry. Given the state has not issue definitive requirements or regulations concerning concealed carry, the club has elected to wait until regulations covering this subject are issued by the State of Wisconsin. Regulations are expected to be released in the fall of 2011.
RINEHART 100 SHOOT: The recently completed Rinehart 100 (R-100) archery shoot was a rousing success. Over 700 archers from across the country, and at least one from overseas, competed in the event. The "Archery Guys" once again did an outstanding job in running this event. Additional information, including pictures, will be posted on the Archery page soon. Watch for them.
CLUB FUND RAISER SHOOT: The Sparta Rod & Gun Club will conduct a fund raiser shoot on August 27-28, 2011 at the club grounds. Activities will include 100 bird Individual Open Trap Shoot and Sporting Clays 100 bird Shoot on Saturday. On Sunday activities include 2 Person Team Trap Shoot, with open shooting after the team shoot is completed, and 100 bird Sporting Clays Course. The club will also host youth events which include fishing in the Trout Pond for children 12 and under, and a Youth Bow Shoot (16 yrs and under). The Black River Bass Masters will sponsor the fishing activity. Food will also be served in the Trap Building and will include Brats, Hot Dogs, and BBQ.
FALL HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES: Fall Hunter Safety Classes begin September 12th. Maurice Amundson is the point of contact for these classes.
FISHING POND OPEN TO ALL CLUB MEMBERS: The fishing pond will be open to all club members during the period May 2-6, 2011.
HUNTER SAFETY INSTRUCTOR TRAINING SESSION: The Sparta Rod & Gun Club will host a Hunter Safety Instructor Training Session for all Monroe County instructors. The session will be held on June 23, 6-9 pm on the club grounds.
CONCEALED CARRY SAFETY COURSE: The club will host a Concealed Carry Safety Course on June 11, 2011. Classes will be from 8 am to 5 pm. Cost is $135 per person. Jeff Ripp is the point of contact for additional information. All ranges will be closed for this event.
COUPLES FUN NIGHT: The club hosted the annual Couples Fun Night on February 19th. Close to 50 couples participated, enjoying an excellent meal of Prime Rib and taking chances on a number of outstanding raffle prizes. A good time was had by all. The participants would like to thank all the volunteers who helped make this event a success. Special thanks go out to the Chef and his crew for the excellent prime rib dinner.
CLUB DONATES MONEY TO FREEDOM FLIGHTS: The club is happy to once again help with this worthwhile endeavor and has donated money toward the Veterans Freedom Flights for the second year in a row. Our donation will cover the cost of flying a Veteran to Washington DC for a day.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT ARCHERY: Once again the club is sponsoring a Wednesday Night, indoor, Open Archery Shoot. Cost is $5.00 per night and the program will run through to spring. So bring your bows, check your pride, and have a good time shooting with other like minded sportsmen. The shoot takes place in the lower club house and begins at 5 pm on Wednesday nights.
PHEASANT RELEASE: In October the Club release approximately 200 pheasants to provide local sportsmen with the opportunity to harvest pheasants. At least two hunters were successful in taking a few birds and one sent a thank you note. That hunter's own words best some up the success of the pheasant release program.
"I would like to thank the Sparta Rod and Gun Club for stocking the public hunting land with Pheasants.
This was the first time I had ever gone pheasant hunting and had a great time. I would not have had
this experience if the Club didn't take the time and effort to stock public land...Chris Davis"
Chris sent us a picture of his hunting partner, their two companions, and the fruits of his hunt. More pictures of the Pheasant release are on the gallery page.
ACCESS TO COUNTY FOREST LANDS: In November 2010 the club drafted a letter to the Monroe County Board of Supervisors concerning access to county lands in New Lyme. That letter outlined our concern with the limited access to county forest lands located in New Lyme. Specifically we stated our opposition to the blocking of the access road off Birch Road. On November 15, 2010 Ray Weibel presented this letter during a meeting with county officials. As a result of Ray's and the clubs efforts the county agreed to allow full access to the area in question for the balance of archery and Gun Deer seasons. Our thanks go out to Ray for taking the time to present the club's concerns and to the county for understanding the needs of the local sportsman.
