February 26, 2004 Regular Meeting
BROOKS AND DISTRICT FISH AND GAME ASSOCIATION

Members Present – 12
Visitors Present – 4 (representatives from the 1st Brooks Venturers)
Meeting was called to order 7:30pm by Pete Green (President)
1.0 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES (January 15, 2004)
The minutes were read and adopted
2.0 CHAIR REPORTS
2.1 Treasury (Kerry McKenzie, treasurer – see attached reports)
– 2004 Awards Night & Banquet net revenue – 10,190.86
– Association bank balance (Feb. 23/04) – 14,697.36
– Association GIC – 10,696.90
– total financial assets – 25,394.26
Kerry McKenzie has checked into changing the fiscal year for the F&G Association to coordinate it with the Pheasant Festival’s. As the Association charter does not specify a fiscal year, this can be done by providing our annual financial reports to the auditors as of December 31, 2004 and including a statement that from now on our accounting will be done based on the calendar year.
It was noted by Mr. McKenzie that the Association had received a refund of the $500 donation re: firearms control/legislation from the now defunct Ottawa office (see Firearms Chair report, meeting minutes January 15, 2004)
Dawn Mckenzie pointed out that the Association’s Charitable Organization License/Registration is due for renewal. She has provided Rod Svenson (secretary) with the appropriate renewal forms to be filed with Grasslands Registry.
2.2 Membership (Rick Martin, chair)
– 219 memberships total (individual, youth and family) sold to date

2.3 Hunter Education (Bill Marshall, chair)
– 2004 program begins March 1, 2004, 19 students enrolled to date
– a request was made for funding to cover the cost of books and supplies over and above the money brought in from registration fees.
MOTION – Bill Marshall moved that the Association provide $250 – $300 to cover these costs, seconded by Greg Feth. CARRIED.
2.4 Pheasant Festival (Scott Briggs, chair)
– next P.F. meeting scheduled for march 16, 2004
– discussion on dates for 2004 Festival, schedule to avoid conflict with opening day of pheasant season and Bassano Festival
– it was suggested that the Brooks P.F. be scheduled for the evening of Thursday October 14 2004, with an alternative date of Friday October 15 2004. Kerry McKenzie will contact the Heritage Hotel to book the rooms. It was also suggested that the rooms also be booked for the October 2005 P.F. at the same time to avoid conflicts.
MOTION – Scott Briggs moved that the Brooks Pheasant Festival make a contribution to Partners in Habitat Development in the amount of $13,689.50, seconded by Kerry McKenzie. CARRIED.
2.5 Fishing (Wayne Pullin, chair)
– Mr. Pullin reported that Alberta Sustainable Resource Development is planning to conduct creel counts on Crawling Valley Reservoir starting early this spring and continuing until late fall 2004. Counts are also being considered for selected sectors of Lake Newell, but this has not been confirmed to date.
2.6 Firearms Range (Lloyd Cook, chair – Bill Marshall reporting)
– completion of the range is projected for late April 2004. This date is not firm as much of the work remaining is affected by weather and ground conditions.
– Mr. Marshall presented the meeting with a draft copy of the new Range Rules. These rules are a requirement in order to receive federal government approval for a firearms range, and must meet minimum standards. Some amendments to the draft were discussed, and Mr. Marshall will make the necessary changes (see attached). The final version will be mailed to the entire membership (likely with the spring newsletter) as well as being posted at the range itself.
– There was some discussion regarding the use of handguns at the range. Dawn McKenzie will check our insurance policy to see if this use is covered.
– some additional signage is still required, including warning signs on all access points to this parcel of land. Pete Green, Rick Martin and Bill Marshall will ensure this requirement is met.
– a quote in the amount of $6263 for the building materials for the shooting station has been received.
– a quote for the labor to erect the building has been received from Ron Eckert Construction in the amount of $7000 (includes installing and compacting the gravel pad). A second quote is still pending at this time.
– The total estimated cost to rebuild the range to meet federal standards is approximately $20,000. This does not include any donated materials, labor or equipment.
2.7 Archery, Trophy, F.A.C. and Firearms – reports not available.
3.0 NEW BUSINESS
3.1 Presentation – First Brooks Venturers (see attached)
MOTION – Rick Martin moved that the association support the Venturer’s trip to Alford Lake to a maximum of $1500
AMENDMENT – After some discussion Rod Rosland amended the motion to include the requirement that all participating Venturers purchase a Youth Membership in the Brooks F&G Association, if not already a member ($10 each). The amended motion was seconded by Scott Briggs. CARRIED.
3.2 2004 Southern Alberta Upland Habitat Symposium (Dawn McKenzie presenting)
March 25 - 26, 2004, Heritage Inn, Brooks Alberta
– the Association has been approached to sponsor one coffee break at this function – the cost will be between $275 - $350, depending on attendance
MOTION – Scott Briggs moved that the Association sponsor one coffee break, seconded by Kerry McKenzie. CARRIED.
– Dawn McKenzie suggested that the Brooks F&G Association set up a display at this function (no charge as the Association will be a sponsor). This would necessitate two members attending the symposium to man the display.
MOTION – Dawn McKenzie moved that the Association pay the registration fee ($75 each) for two members to attend, seconded by Lloyd Cook. CARRIED.
3.3 Special Youth Pheasant Hunt (Rick Martin, Bill Marshall)
A special youth pheasant hunt has been approved by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development on the first Sunday of the 2004 pheasant season (October 17, 2004) at the Aqueduct Pond location. It was suggested that one member of the First Brooks Venturers be selected to sit on the organizing committee. Rod Rosland will keep the Association informed as to the Venturer’s decision.
The Venturers were thanked for their presentation and participation in the meeting, and excused from the meeting at 8:20pm.
3.4 Heintz Plontke – Zone 1 Director, was approached by Pete Green and invited to attend the Brooks F&G Association regular meeting March 18 2004. Mr. Plontke has accepted the invitation.
3.5 Sylvia Burkholst from Licensing and Vendor Services, Alberta Fish & Wildlife would like to come and speak to our Association membership about the hunting license special draw system. After some discussion it was suggested that her presentation be combined with a presentation from Reg Russell, biologist for Alberta Fish & Wildlife Brooks office. Pete Green will try to set up for sometime in May 2004. It was suggested that the event be heavily advertised in the local media, and that posters be printed and placed in appropriate locations. The event would also be advertised in the Association spring newsletter.
3.6 Zone 1 Casino Fundraising Project is looking for volunteers to work in the casino September 2004. After some discussion it was decided that as an Association we were too far from Lethbridge to be able to effectively help, but individual members are free to volunteer if they wish.
3.7 Board Member Rules & Responsibilities course – scheduled to be held in Tilley March 8 2004, may be cancelled due to lack of response. Dawn McKenzie spoke to the presenter to see if she would run the course at a later date in Brooks, as the course is available at a reasonable rate to groups. There seems to be sufficient interest from members of the Association if the timing is right.
3.8 Tanis McLean of Partners in Habitat Development will attend the March 16 2004 meeting of the Pheasant Festival committee to provide an update on PHD activities. The committee will present her with the Pheasant Festival contribution at that time (see motion under point 2.4 of these minutes)
3.9 Partners in Habitat Development is looking for financial support for a wild rye research project (separate from the Pheasant Festival donation mentioned in points 2.4 and 3.8). Various other clubs and agencies are already interested. They are also looking for locations for test plots. Several locations were discussed, including the old dump/gun range area. The Town of Brooks would have to be consulted as the area is already seeded and the contractor is responsible to ensure successful regrassing. No decisions were made.
3.10 Ron McConnell of the Canadian Pheasant Company has approached Scott Briggs and proposed that the Brooks F&G Association set up a for-profit 3-dimensional archery range at the pheasant hatchery location as a part of the "complete hunting experience" atmosphere they are creating at the location. Administration of the range would be provided by the Canadian Pheasant Company for a small charge, and the remainder of the entry fees charged would go the Association. Pete Green suggested that the First Brooks Venturers could provide some labor for set-up and maintenance in return for sponsorship money in the future. Scott Briggs will continue to look into this project.
3.10 Lloyd Cook suggested that we formally place someone in charge of photography during awards presentations at future Awards Banquets. This individual could also ensure that the information gets to the local media. Mr. Cook proposed that the Association secretary approach Mr. Art Rushka (member) in writing to ask if he would be interested in this assignment.

4.0 NEXT MEETING – March 18, 2004 Brooks Legion
MOTION – Pete Green moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Greg Feth. CARRIED.
Meeting was adjourned 9:20pm.