Ohio Waterfowl Association

Ohio Waterfowl Association
2012 Winter Meeting

Ohio Waterfowl Association 2012 Winter Meeting

Saturday February 18th, 2012 at 1:00pm

 

The Cardinal Center

616 State Rt 61

Marengo OH, 43334

(I-71Exit 140)

 

The winter 2012 winter membership meeting will be held Saturday February 18, 2012 at the Cardinal Center in Marengo, Ohio.

 

Agenda to include:

District reports

Waterfowl Bootcamp

OWA Marsh Status Report

Upcoming Events

Event Reports

 

Please join your fellow members for the general membership meeting at the Cardinal Center.  All members are welcome.

 
2011 Season Dates

2011-12 Ohio Waterfowl season dates as recommended by the Cheif to the Wildlife Council

Dated Aug 24, 2011

 

 

 

Coots, Mergansers, and Ducks - Lake Erie Marsh Zone

October 15 - October 30 and from November 12 - December 25

 

 

Coots, Mergansers, and Ducks - North Zone

October 15 - October 30 and from November 19 - January 1

 

 

Coots, Mergansers, and Ducks - South Zone

October 22 - November 6 and from December 17 - January 29

 

The daily limit is six ducks which may not include more than:

 

Four mallards, of which no more than one can be female

Three wood ducks

One black duck

Two redheads

Two pintail

One mottled

Two scaup

One canvasback

 

Five mergansers, no more than two may be hooded.

 

Daily bag limit for coots will be 15

 

Brant and Geese - Lake Erie Canada Goose Zone

October 15 - October 30 and November 12 - January 8

 

 

Brant and Geese - North Zone

October 15 - October 30 and November 19 - January 1 and January 9 - January 22

 

 

Brant and Geese -South Zone

October 22 - November 2 and December 17 - January 29

 

The daily bag limit for geese and brant shall be:

 

Two Canada geese

One brant

Two white-fronted geese

Ten snow, blue or Ross' geese singly or in the aggregate

 

Youth waterfowl season is proposed to be October 1 and 2 for hunters aged 15 and younger, and accompanied by a licensed non-hunting person. 

 

  

“Inaugural Buckeye Fowl Assassin Waterfowl Flea Market Supporting the Ohio Water Fowl Association”

 

Where:   Hill’n Dale Club

                     3605 Poe Rd.

                     Medina OH, 44256                 

 

When:    October 1st, 2011

 

Time:       1-7 pm

 

Prices:    

Option 1- $50.00 – Steak, side, salad, beverage / 50 clays / Flea Market Table / 1 year FREE membership to OWA

 

Option 2 - $35.00 – steak dinner and flea market table

 

Option 3 - $30.00 - dinner only

 

 

Kids 12 and under are ALWAYS free / Kids upgrade to steak for $10.00

 

Event will include: This is a first time event to help support the OWA at Hill’n Dale Club.  There will be some of the newest gear on the market available to view and also try out, not to mention used gear! This includes and not limited to the 2 new calls from Zink Calls, the Call of Death and Naughty by Nature. Not only that, but there will be for display the new Avian X goose decoys that are made by Fred Zink and Rick Johannsen on display as well. There will be Zink Staff members on hand for any questions, tuning calls and just to talk about the upcoming season! Event will also include 50 sporting clays (option 1) which takes roughly 1 ½ hours to shoot. A steak dinner will be held after the sporting clays and will include steak, salad, side, and drink.  Flea market will continue until 7p.m.  Bring your used gear and come check out everyone else’s!

 

Please call or email us if there are any questions and visit us on Facebook as well!

Brandon Baker 440.541.8448 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Caleb Cole 440.670.7189       Bryan Kepic 440.240.3107

Pat Evans 440.935.4797

 
2011 Summer Meeting
Ohio Waterfowl Association 2011 Summer Meeting

Saturday, August 13th, 2011  11:30AM


Where: Quaker Steak and Lube
            8500 Lyra Drive
            Columbus, OH 43240
            (Polaris Area, two exits South of Cardinal Center)

The summer membership meeting of the OWA will be held 8/13/11 in Columbus, OH.

Please join your fellow members for the general membership meeting.  All are welcome to stay after the meeting for food and drink with your fellow waterfowlers.  (Note: individual checks and gratuity for large group will be added).

Come to the meeting and bring the family to Columbus. Magic Mountain Family Fun Center is adjacent to the restaurant and Polaris Fashion Place Mall is across the street.

Agenda to include:
Waterfowl Boot Camp Report
OWA Marsh Report
Blind Draw Staffing
District Reports
Pickerel Creek Blinds
ODNR Liaison  Committee
Constitutional Amendment (see below)

Special Guest Speaker:  Jacob Gray, Ohio Division of Wildlife State Waterfowl Biologist


****
Proposed correction and amendment to the Ohio Waterfowl Association Constitution, replace references from Secession to Succession.  Adds language for vacant offices and North/South Vice President succession.

Article 9 - Officers
Section 12 - Succession of Officers:

In the event an officer is unable to fulfill their or his term of office (through death, disability, or any other reason) or after a prescribed election an office remains vacant, the following rules of succession will apply:

A. President - Succeeded by either the Northern Ohio Vice President or the Southern Ohio Vice President as determined by the Board of Directors.

B.  The succession of all other offices will be by appointment of the Board of Directors with a 2/3 concurrence of those Directors.

C.  The appointment of a Northern Ohio Vice President or Southern Ohio Vice President can be made without consideration of the member's county of residence, in the event there are no interested members residing in the zone of the vacant office.

 
Hunter Ed Home Study

The Ohio Waterfowl Association is pleased to announce that it will be sponsoring an Ohio Hunter Education Home Study course in conjunction with the 2011 Waterfowler’s Boot Camp.

 

Waterfowler’s Boot Camp will be held July 16 &17, 2011 at the Cardinal Shooting Center and Campground just north of Columbus in Marengo, OH.

 

The classroom and testing components of the Ohio Hunter Education Home Study class will be held starting at 9:00AM Sunday, July 17th in the Central Entry Building at the Cardinal Shooting Center.  The class and test is approximately 3-4 hours in length.

 

Completion of a hunter education course is required for all first-time hunting license buyers in Ohio.

 

  • Limited to Ohio Residents Only

 

 

  • Class size is limited, so please register early.

 

  • Participants must read and COMPLETE the Home Study Manual available on the ODNR Division of Wildlife website:

 

Information:

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/LinkClick.aspx?link=18574&tabid=18566

Manual:

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/LinkClick.aspx?link=18577&tabid=18574

 

  • All Home Study review questions from the Home Study Manual MUST be answered, printed, and brought to the course.  Upon entry to the course, the answer sheets will be checked by Hunter Education instructors.  Without completed review questions, the student will not be able to participate and take the required test.

 

Please note:  This is a “private” Hunter Education class, so as a result it will NOT be displayed at the Ohio Division of Wildlife web site.  Please direct any questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

 

10th Annual Educational Youth Event

for Boys and Girls of all ages!

Saturday April 9, 2011

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sign-in begins at 8:00 a.m.

Fairfield Fish & Game Club

 

2270 Bickel Church Road NW, Baltimore, Ohio

The Fish & Game Club will be selling assorted

donuts and hot beverages in the morning

and a hot meal for lunch.

 

The Southeast Ohio Chapter of Pheasants Forever

will be co-hosting this event with: ODNR Division

of Wildlife, U S Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife

Restoration Program, Ohio Waterfowlers Assoc.,

Ohio State Trappers Assoc., Fairfield County Bird

Dog Club, Whitetails Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited,

Fairfield Fish and Game Club, Angler’s Paradise,

Lancaster Pistol and Rifle Club, VFW of Ohio Charities,

Central Ohio Coonhunters Association, Headhunters International,

Johnstown Community Sportsman’s Club & Ohio Gun Collectors Assoc.

 

Events:

dog demonstrations; conservation; habitat; firearm safety with multiple

shotgun, BB gun, 22 rifle, and muzzleloader stations; archery stations;

tree stand safety and instruction; bird house building; duck decoy

painting; calling demonstrations: duck, goose and turkey; fishing,

casting and fly tying; taxidermy; learn trophy scoring; veterinary

station/pet care; electric safety demo; GPS and more.

 

Important:

• No pre-registration is required!

• All children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

• Sorry, no pets!

• Do not bring firearms, we supply all equipment.

 

Check us out on the web: http://seohio.pheasantsforever.org

• The registration/release form can be printed out, completed

and brought with you the day of the event.

• Get answers to common questions.

• View photos from past year’s events at:

http://seohiopheasantsforeverchapter701.shutterfly.com/

 

Contact us: Jim Davis: 740-862-4223 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Brian Love: 740-215-3810

Jan Gummere: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Fairfield Fish & Game Club is 1.2 miles west of State Route 158 on Bickel Church Rd.

Bickel Church Road is 1.5 miles north of Baltimore.

Bickel Church Rd. is the fifth intersection south of I-70 on State Route 158.

 
2011 Winter Meeting

Sunday, March 13th, 2011

Minutes of the 2011 Winter Meeting and Elections of The Ohio Waterfowl Association

 

The 2011 Winter Meeting of the Ohio Waterfowl Association was convened at the Cardinal Center in Marengo, Ohio. The meeting was called to order at seven after 11:00AM by Northern VP Dan Boone. 29 adult members and two youth were present for the meeting. Officer noted as absent was OWA Secretary Shawn Philbrick, for other obligations.

 

 

The summer 2010 meeting minutes were offered for review, a motion to accept the Summer 2010 Meeting Minutes was made by Ed Thacker and seconded by Mike Beatty.

 

 

Treasurers Report: Kyan Kraus made available a detailed Treasurers report to the Membership and noted a current bank balance of $11,492. Ky also noted that when the current administration took office two years ago that the Treasury was approximately $1200. The 10-fold increase was largely attributable to the success of Waterfowler’s Bootcamp and will allow the OWA to invest in larger projects in Ohio. It was also noted that on the evening previous to this meeting, $324 was raised at the Crooked River Wild Game dinner via a specific “Buckethead Raffle” and that money was being donated to the OWA by John Beckwith and Crooked River Guide Service bringing the Treasury total to $11,816 Motion to accept the Treasurers report was made by Fred Wright and seconded by Darren Brooks. A detailed report is available for members to view upon request.

 

 

Membership Report: Amy Petkovich submitted a membership report of approximately 340 current members. Amy noted three new members and 17 renewals of memberships since August 2010, and the addition of a Teal Sponsorship by Decoy Rigs of Whiting, IN. Since the inception of the OWA there have been 579 members on the books and discussion was noted suggesting that a new membership drive similar to the one undertaken by the second administration with an incentive (call, t-shirt, etc.) for joining or renewing should be taken up by the next administration, as effort to contact over 100 expired members by Amy had been met with little response. An outstanding suggestion was also to have key DNR officials added to all mailings and meeting invites. A motion to accept the Membership Report was made by Ky Kraus and seconded by Matt Jackson.

 

 

Old Business

Bootcamp 2011

An update of planning efforts for Waterfowler’s Bootcamp 2011 was given by Chris Wright. The Bootcamp 2011 committee is being headed up by Troy Thompson and Chris. The committee has been meeting for over a month and is currently ahead of last year’s planning efforts to date, with the show looking even more promising as it builds on the success of the past two years. Chris noted that 27 new vendors had already contacted them asking to be part of the show based on word of mouth from other vendors and patrons. Chris also reported that 95% of the 78 vendors from last year expressed interest in returning. Vendor packets have been mailed out. Buck Gardner has committed to coming to the show already and he has communicated an interest in being part of the Youthcamp program this year. The committee is currently focused on signing other national names for seminars and has been in contact with Shawn Mann, Fred Zink and Scott Threinen, among others. A vendor appreciation night and mixer will be held Friday evening this year and will allow patrons to spend some quality time with vendors and industry figures before the show. The calling contests will tentatively be scheduled for Sunday this year, with the Hunter’s Triathlon run on Saturday. Discussions with Ducks Unlimited to host the Saturday evening dinner are looking promising, but not confirmed at the time of the meeting. Due to the overwhelming positive feedback received about Youthcamp in 2010, the committee is looking at expanding it to 100 kids this year and possibly 2 days, with one 50 kid group per day. There will again be a youth fishing derby on Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening entertainment at Dinner. Dan Boone asked for volunteers to help out with the Youthcamp program and other Bootcamp activities, and staff the OWA booth, anyone interested in assisting can contact Dan.

 

Discussion was brought forth on a need identified from the last couple years’ shows of a greater advertising budget in order to increase show visibility with potential patrons. Dan Boone and Darren Brooks noted that the internet avenues had been tapped out and to really drive new patrons and expand the show’s success, that an expanded paid print and media budget would be necessary. The Bootcamp committee noted that they have been very stingy with advertising dollars, leveraging relationships in order to get the absolute most free and cost-effective advertising for the OWA’s investment. Discussion started with a proposal of a $3000 advertising budget for the show, and eventually a Motion to allocate $1750 for advertising of the 2011 show was made by Darren Brooks and seconded by Ed Thacker. The motion was carried by a vote of the Members.

 

 

Ky Krause requested that an overall show budget be developed based on past expenditures. Chris Wright agreed to work with Ky on a show budget. The Membership has previously voted and endorsed the OWA sponsorship of Bootcamp year over year, and given the OWA Board of Directors discretion over overall show planning and budgeting, no further vote will be necessary.

 

 

Ultimate Hunter’s raffle tickets were distributed to members present to begin pre-sales. Items will be added to the raffle as vendors are signed up, with internet sales commencing shortly. Alan Marzec volunteered to be responsible for collecting pre-sale raffle proceeds. Alan may be contacted via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if anyone is interested in buying or selling Ultimate Hunter Raffle Tickets.

 

 

All other show information, including a vendor application packet, can be found online at http://www.waterfowlersbootcamp.com Updates will be added regularly as the show prep progresses.

 

Youth Shotgun Disposition

Continued discussion was had on how best to distribute two youth Tri-star shotguns purchased by the OWA. One will be given away in conjunction with Youthcamp at the 2011 Waterfowler’s Bootcamp and the second will be entered into a raffle or merit-based essay to be determined.

 

 

New Business

Mercer Wildlife Area Wetlands Construction Request

Bill Snader read a proposal from Sean Finke, ODNR Mercer Wildlife Area Coordinator outlining plans and asking for assistance building 2 brand new wetlands at Blind #’s 1 & 3 at Mercer. The expressed purpose of these new wetlands would be to directly benefit public hunting opportunities at Mercer by providing flooded crop land. Dirt work and water control structures are already being provided by Pheasants Forever and Mr. Finke has requested the OWA to consider donating towards pumps to ensure adequate water supply so as to not have to rely on seasonal rains. Each pump and associated utilities was priced at $4500- $5500 for a total cost of $9,000 - $11,000. Discussion was brought forth as to the OWA’s proper level of support, noting that that whole cost of the project would consume the entire current Treasury if borne solely by the OWA, however, the direct benefit to duck hunters in Ohio was recognized as a worthwhile endeavor to support in the current, and going forward if able. An eventual initial investment of $1500 was motioned by Tom Kubicz and seconded by Ky Kraus. It was noted that in a previous meeting the OWA had already allocated $500 to Mercer for nesting structure hardware that has not been utilized to date, and if Mr. Finke would like to redirect that amount to the current wetland project that would bring the sum total to $2000 available from the OWA. The Motion carried by a vote of the members. Bill Snader to follow up with Sean Finke.

 

 

 

SE Ohio Nesting Structures

Jeremy Cramer brought forth a request to the OWA for hardware to install 30 wood duck boxes and other nesting structures in SE Ohio near Cambridge. The area currently has 400 acres underwater and the local authority is proposing to add 300 more acres to be turned into wetlands and flooded timber in order to help alleviate water table issue around the city. The area would make prime nesting habitat in SE Ohio. Jeremy has already secured water softener tubes and other nesting structures, and is only in need of mounting poles and hardware. A motion to allocate $300 for the project was made by John Uridel and Seconded by Amy Petkovich. The Motion carried by a vote of the Members.

 

 

 

Magee Marsh Youth Hunt Funding

Tom Kubicz brought forth a request to the OWA to fund items for the Magee Marsh Youth hunt packages that go home with the kids. Previously OWA has funded calls for the event. Calls may be already available and discussion was had to potentially fund calling CD’s for the kids. A Motion to allocate $600 toward the Magee Youth hunt for supplies and educational materials purchased at the discretion of event organizers was made by Darren Brooks and seconded by Matt Jackson.

 

 

 

Letter from OWA Member John Beckwith

Prior to the Officer Elections a letter was read by OWA Member John Beckwith at his request. Mr. Beckwith apologized for being unable to make the meeting to read the letter in person. The letter expressed his regret for certain activities undertaken that were aimed at undermining the organization in its infancy. These activities were perpetuated by a certain Ohio watefowling website run by a former business partner with the intent to “submarine” the organization before it ever got off the ground, and contained “many personal attacks on those who were trying to start the OWA […] not for the betterment of waterfowl hunters in the state of Ohio but solely to try and divide and conquer those involved with the OWA”. John went on to make note that he was “both ashamed and embarrassed because of [his] behavior” and expressed his gratitude for the second chance he has been given by many members of the OWA. John expressed his support for the organization now and in the future noting that: “I have been given a second chance by many of you and I am truly blessed to still be able to call you my friends. The OWA has been a great organization right from the start. The elections have always put the right people in the right positions.”

 

 

The Members present acknowledged Mr. Beckwith’s letter with sincere appreciation and recognition of the strength of character it takes to stand up, admit past transgressions and communicate what he did directly to the Membership. Mr. Beckwith continues to remain a Member in good standing, his letter will be viewable upon request of OWA members and his participation in the OWA is both appreciated and welcomed.

 

Officer ElectionsOfficer elections were held for all Officer Positions plus a Board of Directors structure consisting of: OWA President, Northern VP, Southern VP, Secretary and Treasurer, immediate past President (if successful in serving their full term), plus 5 non-Officer District Representatives that would serve as contacts and represent the interests of the constituents in each of the five ODNR Division of Wildlife Districts within Ohio.

All newly elected Officers and Board Members were confirmed by a vote of the Membership. Results of the elections were as follows:

 

 

President Pete Stryjewski

Northern Vice President

Steve HooverSouthern

Vice President Dave Stephen

Secretary Matt Jackson

Treasurer Kyan Krause

Membership Chair Mike Beatty

Media Relations VACANT

District One Chairperson Chris Wright

District Two Chairperson Tom Kubicz

District Three Chairperson Dan Cahl

District Four Chairperson Jeremy Cramer 

District Five Chairperson Bill Snader

 

 

Congratulations to the new OWA Officers and Board of Directors! Future elections for District Representatives will be determined by the schedule included in the Ohio Waterfowl Association Constitution as posted on the OWA website. The next Officer Election will be held during the winter meeting of 2013.

 

Under Open Discussion items were brought forth from:

Darren Brooks brought forth a proposed Constitutional amendment empowering the OWA Board of Directors to appoint, by 2/3 majority concurrence of the Board, a representative to fill any vacant Officer position going forward from any one of the current members at large and in good standing. Currently the Board may appoint vacant District Chairs, but it is not explicitly granted the power to appoint any vacant Officer positions. A motion to amend the Constitution of the Ohio Waterfowl Association to allow these specific appointments of unfilled or vacated positions by the OWA Board of Directors was made by John Klingenstein and Seconded by Bill Snader. The motion carried by a vote of the Membership and the Amendment will be up for vote at the Summer 2011 Meeting.

 

 

 

 Mike Petkovich took the floor and was joined by Dan Boone, and as former OWA Officers expressed their support for the current Administration and for the direction in which the Organization is going.

Tom Kubicz noted that there will be a League of Ohio Sportsman Meeting at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge at 9AM on March 27th.

 

 

 

The Meeting was adjourned by Motion of Ky Kraus at quarter till 2PM, seconded by the group.

 

 

 

The next Meeting of The Ohio Waterfowl Association in August of 2011, with details and agenda mailed to the membership in advance. Please join the OWA for Waterfowler’s Bootcamp 2011, July 16th & 17th, with a vendor appreciation night the evening of July 15th.

 

 Minutes faithfully submitted by Bryan Schreiber, outgoing OWA Media Relations
 

 

President’s Note:



It is an honor to have been elected to serve as the 2011-2013 Ohio Waterfowl Association president and I will do my best to fulfill the duties of the position. I’m sure the other members of the OWA Board of Directors will do the same. All officers of the BOD are committed to the mission of the OWA: “The mission of the Ohio Waterfowl Association (OWA) will be to promote Ohio's water fowling heritage through education, example and advocacy for all waterfowl enthusiasts in order to conserve our waterfowl resources and ensure that our children's children can enjoy what we love and share today”.


I’d like to thank all of the previous officers of the OWA for handing off a healthy organization to the incoming Board. Their work at keeping the organization going and growing took a lot of commitment and perseverance. Many non-profit organizations fail within the first couple years, but the OWA is still here and is thriving.


I’ll offer a little of my background. For over 15 years (much to the chagrin of my family) I’ve been involved with non-profits including: Pickaway County Sportsmen Inc., Peoples’ Rights Organization, NRA Instructor and Training Counselor, Central Ohio Friends of the NRA, Ohio Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor, NRA Youthfests, Ohio Hunter and Trapper Education Instructors Association., and of course the OWA. I donate my time to these organizations as a volunteer, because I believe in the causes and I believe educating the public, especially youth, about the sports I enjoy. The smile on a child’s face when they hit the target for the first time, the “light bulb lighting up” for a former anti-gunner or anti-hunter, the giggling wife outshooting her husband on range night – this is my payment.


An important point I want to make about the organization is that it is all-volunteer. No one gets paid for his or her time; they serve on the board or volunteer for the OWA because they want to. To that end, please be aware that sometimes our “day jobs”, family commitments, personal/family health, or “life” in general may bump OWA activities down in priority. When this happens it’s the time for the rest of us to step up and ask, “What can I do to help my fellow waterfowler or help the OWA?”


The large majority of OWA business is conducted at the membership meetings. If there is OWA issue that needs to be addressed in a more immediate fashion, the BOD elected to act on behalf of the organization will address the issue in a timely manner and in the best interests of the OWA. These issues should be few and far between; even then, nothing the OWA does is that time critical. There is no danger to life or limb if the OWA membership or BOD doesn’t vote on an issue. Please remember, this is a volunteer organization.


The success of any volunteer organization depends on its membership. The OWA has members who: hunt “big water”, hunt muddy fields, hunt creeks, hunt geese, hunt ducks, carve decoys, are young, are old, hunt every day, never hunt at all. The organization is stronger by having this diverse membership all joining together for a common goal. We are a collection of individuals. Individuals who have their own backgrounds, beliefs and opinions.


It is important to note: actions, statements, and opinions of any member of the OWA are strictly their own. All official statements of the Ohio Waterfowl Association will be found on the Ohio Waterfowl Association website (www.ohiowaterfowl.org) and will be noted as an official position or statement of the Ohio Waterfowl Association and/or be issued in a press release. Again, the reality is that official statements should be few and far between. Any other comments should be considered editorial in nature and reflects the views of the author.


A final note, the OWA constitution was amended in 2010 to include a Director from each of the Ohio DOW Districts. At the Winter 2011 meeting, all of these Director positions were filled through election by the general membership present at the meeting. If you have ideas for projects, need help with a project, or want to volunteer for a project please contact your district director first. The district directors should have a good idea of activities in their region.


I look forward to meeting you, serving the organization, and helping the membership meet the mission of the Ohio Waterfowl Association. Now, let’s get to work!


Pete Stryjewski

 

 

 
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