Alberta Traditional Bowhunters Association

Alberta Traditional Bowhunters Association

Annual General Meeting Minutes

March 02, 2013

Red Deer, AB

Present: David SherwinTerry Brew

Randy HermannCatlin McNab

Gil DavisDennis Dobrowolsky

Susan DavisGun Lemke

Mark BarberRichard LePine

Peter MerkleyILse LePine

Tim PardelySandy Hrycyk

Ken SchwartzJustin Black

Ron DixonJean-Marc Cazabon
Samantha Adie

Meeting Chairman; Mark Barber

Call to order at 6pm

1. Introduction & Overview of Agenda
2. Any additions to the agenda as circulated…No
3. Review ofthe March 2012 AGM minutesMinutes read by Mark.

Last year we had a last call to the agenda

David has one from AHEIA

Mark calls to approve the minutes.

Terry Brew moved and adoptsminutes circulated, movedby and 2ndby Gil Davis

Unanimousdecision Motion carried

Executive Reports

President’s Report – read by David Sherwin

FrommyvantagepointtheAlbertaTraditionalBowhuntersAssociationisanexcellentorganizationforthe traditionalbowhuntingcommunity,foritiscomprisedofpeoplewhoseecollectivestrengthinitscause: independenceisnotanallyfor thecommongoal.

First,Iwanttoacknowledgeandstatemyspecialappreciationforeachofyouinyourparticipation. This organizationiscontinuingtoevolveanddevelopbecause,sinceitinception,ithashadpersonswhohaving joinedhavebeenabletosupportandstepintoleadership,whetherelectedornon-electedpositions. Iwantto commendthesefolksstrongly:duringthispastyeartheyhavebeenRandyHermann,SandyHrycyk,Peter Merkley,SusanDavis,GilDavis,CalBriggsandGunLemke. Theyareexceptionalintheircommitment andcreativity. LetmethankRandyHermannwhoissteppingdownandhaswell-served foranumber ofyears. Also,athankyou toGilDaviswho servedasourTreasurerandMembershipChairmanuntilNovember.

Althoughwearenotalargeorganizationithastakenaconsiderableamountoftimeandenergytokeepthe

“ploughshare”intheground. Fromlastyear’sAGM onward:

-PeterandIcollaboratedtocoordinatethe 2012Heritage ClassicJamboree. Thelogistics ofalltheelements ofmakingajamboree possiblerequiresalotofcollectiveaction. Therearehoursofworkinvolvedinsettingupthecoursesandaccessingservicesforanewlocation. Publicly,IwanttothankPeterforhowhardheworked locallytomakethisjamboreeassuccessfulasitwas. Andtherestoftheexecutiveduginvaliantlyaswell.

-helpedinitiatecontactswithJamboreesponsors, andpickedup donations,

-sentoutover20 individualizedthankyou’s aftertheevent,

-managedthet-shirtandmerchandiseorderfortheHCJ. Seeingourmemberswearsuchatothereventsis rewarding,

-wentontotheGroupHuntassistingPeterinorganizing andparticipating. Goodtimes! Onewould thinkthat inatraditionalbowhuntingorganizationparticipatinginsuchwouldbelookedforwardtobutonce againresponsewaslimitedasinpreviousones,

-movedon toeditingTheQuiver,Autumnedition,

-worked toextend ourfeaturestoincludewinterthruofferinganarrowsmithingcoursethruBert Frelinkasthe masterarrowsmith.No oneshowedinterestso withrealdisappointmentitwascancelled,

-shoulderedwithSandytheinterimTreasurerMembershipcoverageasGilhadsteppedaway,

-mailedout126 invitationstonon members,invitingthemtojoin the ATBA,

-startedaddressingdetailsforthe2013HCJ.Wewanttomakeitspecialasit’sour10thanniversaryofthe ATBA.

-arrangementshavebeenmadetobringLarryJonestotheClassicasour specialguest,

-helpedsetup throughJackKempf’skinddonationhisRavenbow anniversaryraffle,

-inmaintainingcommunicationtothemembershipsentoutPresident’sUpdateletters.

Vice-President’s Report – read by Randy Hermann

Hello fellow ATBAers,
This past year has been another very full year for the executive. I believe we have again made some forward motion with the ATBA. Here are some of the highlights:
We started the year with a successful AGM of which the highlight was the honoring of the first recipient of the Jack Kempf Award, Jack himself. It was a privilege to do this and Jack has set the bar high for those receiving the award in the future.
It was exciting to be able to pick up the trailer that we had purchased the previous year. Mark Barber was the one who picked it up from the manufacturer and was very pleased with the quality and workmanship. We were able to use the trailer for the HCJ last summer and it worked well for us.
Our HJC was once again a great success and that was because of the effort of the coordinators, Peter Merkley and David Sherwin and many other volunteers. Thank you. We were able to secure an amazing venue, the Entrance Ranch, which had fantastic scenery and great terrain to test our shooting ability. I volunteered to lead the kids in their activity and together we learned some basic leather craft. I think the kids had almost as much fun as I did. This was definitely one of my favorite Jamboree’s; in fact my family and I enjoyed it so much we stayed at the ranch for another week!
We have started planning for this summer’s HCJ which will be held in Vermillion and we have a group of fellows from the area working as coordinators. They have been hard at it and have come up with some great ideas for the event. This year marks the 10 year anniversary of the ATBA and we are planning on some celebrations in conjunction with the HCJ.
One of the challenges of holding the HCJ is coming up with enough targets to hold the event and in the past we’ve ‘rented’ from other clubs. We’ve been fortunate to find clubs that have been willing to do this, however we would like to be able to have enough targets so that we don’t have to rely on other clubs. Procuring funds for more targets has become a major focus of your executive for the next while. Shortly following the HCJ we were offered 9 targets from another club’s surplus and we were able to purchase these at a very good price. This was a first step towards our goal but we have a little way to go. Nearly two years ago we found ourselves in a place of needing a treasurer/membership person and thankfully Gil Davis stepped up to the plate and did a fantastic job for us. I’d like to thank Gil for that. Unfortunately, due to new job commitments he could no longer continue in this role for us and this left a bit of a challenge for us to work around.
I was very excited ten years ago when a few fellows that shot DART together decided to form an association of traditional bowhunters in Alberta. I had seen a need for this for awhile and thankfully there were others who saw the same need. Guys like John Schnieder, our first president, Gary McCartney, Bryan Down, Yves Blouin, Cal Briggs, David Sherwin, Jack Kempf, Duane Hicks, and many others. I’ve been involved with the ATBA from the beginning and ten years later I am proud of where we are as an association. From our website to the HCJ, group hunts, Technohunt and other events the ATBA is first class but it’s the members, executive, and volunteers that make it what it is.This is my last term as Vice President and I’ve decided not to run for an executive position again. I feel honored to be a part of this organization and I look forward to being a part of it in the future. Thank you.

Financial Report

Aswe are a Society registered under the Societies Act we need to have the financial books done by the end of our year end. David contacted Pam French, Professional Account Management to finalize the ATBA books. Pam reviewed & properly prepared the books for $300.00. David passed around a copy of the balance sheet.

Pam reported that our books and the banks statements reconcile with one another…a sigh of relief from David.

This is our statement that we submit to the Societies act, is shows our assets, liabilities, income and dispersements.At the end of 2012 we had $170.00 to the good. The start of this year 2013 we have $2200.00 in the bank. We are now looking at hiring Pam to look after out books.

Communication & Information Director’s Report –read by Sandy Hrycyk.

We have been invited back to the Cabelas Great OutdoorSpring Days event March 23rd & 24th 2013 and we still are looking for volunteers for Saturday and Sunday. This is away to introduce ourselves to the new up and coming Traditional Archers.
I would like to thank all the members who are getting their memberships renewed early as you have noticed you have received a Jack Kempf / Joey Ryan commemorative Bow and Quiver and accessories ticket with your membership card. (2 per family)
I would like to say, the 2013 HCJ with Orest Popil and gang and with support from the ATBA executive Orest is planning one fun filled 10th anniversary celebration we will never forget,The year of the Prairie Moose. The Mark Barber & Tracy Neil commemorative gift suggestion is to me a priceless Heirloom to remember such a memorable week-end with our Trad Family’s. Please mark the dates on your calendar August 3, 4 & 5 2013. We will be having lots of door prizes, silent auction raffles and many bucket items this year, all of them will be posted on the ATBA web site.
It's that time of year to get your animal harvests measured up for the 2012 A.T.B.A. Big Game Award.

Definition of Traditional Hunting.
The main topic is: As I have stated at other Archery Associations...today’s weapons are not traditional...except for the stick bow and re-curve...then there are traditional throwing spears and alt-alta darts. As a cross-bow out of the box can shot 100 plus yards with 100% accuracy, a black powder rifle today can shot up to 300 plus yards with 100% accuracy.
This is not going to snowball into a witch hunt this is going to be a civilized discussion...

Just an update on the ATBA web site, as Calvin is updating it whenever he receives something for sponsors, dart shoots, HCJ news…so please if you have not visited the web site lately please take a minute to check it out.

It was a dark day for the executive when Gil Davis had to resin…to a full time job that took him a broad. He will be missed and did a great job as our Treasure / Membership Chairman. Since then David and myself have picked up the slack to keep things going till we get a new Treasure / Membership Chairman. If YOU! Have any interest been on the executive please toss your name in the hat and become our newest executive.

Director-at-large Report – read by Mark Barber

As the Calgary director I have supported the proposed purchase of new targets. I would like to Thank Peter Merkley for his spreadsheet and thought on the type of targets and making contacts for purchase.
I attended a meeting of the Rocky Mountain Longbow Society and gleaned a couple of points to pass along.
One is that their membership is down and so has the number of people going to the North American Longbow Safari. This is a unique part of Alberta history in archery and I would encourage our members to also join this organization. Together we are stronger.
There was discussion at their meeting as to insurance. I asked Brent at the ABA for clarification on insurance. Any member of the ABA is fully insured and that includes Lifetime members. No additional fees are required if you are a lifetime member.
As we look forward to spring we must also come together and support our organization. I f there are barriers to people joining or helping out I would very much like to know what they are. I will be proposing a blind survey this coming year, to this end.
I encourage all our members to endeavor to assist this organization as we continue to grow. We need active participation from more of our members.

I look forward to working at the ATBA booth at Cabalas’ in March. Anyone interested in helping out?

Director-at-large Report – read by Peter Merkley

This was the second year of my term as a Director at Large for the ATBA. And a very busy one at that assisting David Sherwin with putting on the 2012 HCJ, organizing and hosting a group hunt, and presently working on the 3 D target acquisition.
The HCJ, for me, quickly became a source of unbelievable frustration, time consumption, and a small financial burden. But aside from this I did learn some important things.
By the end of Feb. I had secured the commitment of all the suppliers of the needed equipment and had spent 3 short days a week for a month at it, going back and forth to Hinton and the Entrance Ranch. Along comes July and I am calling my contacts to arrange pick up when I discover 3 of the 8 providers were not living up to their side of the bargain. To fill the void it takes another 6 days of phoning, and talking to people to find out where I can find a BBQ, 25 tables and 140 chairs, and the registration/raffle tent. Next an overzealous volunteer undoes 9 hours of volunteer work from the night before

What did I learn from all of this?

One must be prepared with alternatives as the best laid plans will not work out 100%.
I would like to extend a special thanks to Mark Barber who possesses the important skill of quickly and diplomatically dealing with event problems. An essential skill for running such a large event.
Following the HCJ I put on a group hunt just down the road which had 3 participants. We enjoyed 4 days of spectacular weather, David especially enjoyed the trains which went by the campsite just below ridge crest, stunning views, traditional bow hunting, stump shooting and camp life. The camp was perched on the steep valley side of the AthabascaRiver offering stunning vistas and a 10 o’clock bugling bull from across the river. The first morning at 6:15 we are making plans for the morning hunt when a small whine is heard beside our camp. I don’t remember Mark finishing his sentence. We were out of there in a heart beat. The bull came from the pasture across the road and was on his way across the river to where the 10 o’clock bull was. Let the games begin!! I followed a single track trail through these 4 sections of pasture and quickly encountered 3 mule deer does bouncing away as Mulies do. Thirty minutes later I hear something I have never heard before, the rattling of antlers. Mark & David were not carrying antlers the day before. I wonder where they are. I better check this out. I quickly close the gap and low-n-behold there is a bachelor group of 4 Whitetail bucks sparing. One has a very impressive rack. They stop and start browsing in the early morning light. I continue my stalk, guessing at their direction of travel because they are now behind a hedge row of small spruce trees. I have 1 more spruce tree to get to and I’m in a prime shooting position, of 25 yds. from a window in the hedge row, when the giant steps up to hole in the row of trees ... Sorry I’m digressing, you will have to read the rest of story in the Quiver. I believe all had a great time stalking around this huge pasture nestled in on the Eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies and I am thinking of hosting another one there next fall.
Presently I am working on a report regarding the purchase of 31 3 D targets to complete our goal of having 50 to 55 targets on hand for the HCJ, which brand suits our needs, and what targets would suit a traditional bow hunting association. Our goal was to have 50 3D targets for 2 courses of 25 and have 5 for the practice range and as spares. The preferred brand would be Rinehart because they offer realistic size and representations of North American animals, and the quality of the foam for its longevity and durability. With this purchase of 31 targets our fleet would consist of 16 large, 17 medium, and 17 small North American animals giving us good representation with duplication so that most of the targets will be found on both courses. Hopefully our raffles will generate enough revenue, approx. $9000, to allow us to bring our 3 D targets up to a respectable level. This will be discussed further with the new executive at future meetings which I hope to be part of if re-elected for the position of Director at Large.

Recently a member has pointed out to the executive that we as an Association are lacking in definition. I would like to participate in forming our constitution / mandate thus completing our bylaw reworking that we started last spring. Another project at the 2012 AGM I stated I was interested in was raffle draws that pull in revenue from outside the membership. This is just coming into being. Again if re-elected I would like to be part of this project.

Old Business

3D Target Acquisition

Presently Peter is working on a report regarding the purchase of 31 3 D targets to complete our goal of having 50 to 55 targets on hand for the HCJ, which brand suits our needs, and what targets would suit a traditional bow hunting association. Our goal was to have 50 3D targets for 2 courses of 25 and have 5 for the practice range and as spares. The preferred brand would be Rinehart because they offer realistic size and representations of North American animals, and the quality of the foam for its longevity and durability. With this purchase of 31 targets our fleet would consist of 16 large, 17 medium, and 17 small North American animals giving us good representation with duplication so that most of the targets will be found on both courses. Hopefully our raffles will generate enough revenue, approx. $9000, to allow us to bring our 3 D targets up to a respectable level. This will be discussed further with the new

New Business

Definition of Traditional Archery as it pertains to the ATBA

To commence discussion with regards to definition of traditional Archery as it pertains to the ATBA, and the ofThe Rules of Fair Chase. We are looking to membersto provide their understandings. We will compile these and come up with the definitions and rules.
The term “Fair Chase” shall not include the taking of animals under the following conditions:

• Helpless in a trap, deep snow or water, or on ice.
• From any power vehicle or power boat.
• By “jacklighting” or shining at night.
• By the use of any tranquilizers or poisons.
• While inside escape-proof fenced enclosures.
• By the use of any power vehicle or power boats for herding or driving animals, including use of aircraft to land alongside or to communicate with or direct a hunter on the ground.
• By the use of electronic devices for attracting, locating or pursuing game or guiding the hunter to such game or by the use of a bow or arrow to which any electronic device is attached.
• Any other condition considered by the Board of Directors as unacceptable.

The fair chase concept does, however, extend beyond the hunt itself; it is an attitude and a way of life based in a deep-seated respect for wildlife, for the environment, and for other individuals who share the bounty of this vast continent’s natural resources.
We want to stress to everyone the above new rules – pay close attention to the one on “use of electronic devices”. These include Lumenocs, lighted sights, and cameras on bows. We know some members use these and they are perfectly LEGAL in Alberta but not in the “ABA/P&Y Rules of Fair Chase”. Animals taken with these devices will not be eligible for any ABA Game Awards.