Since I do all of my shooting on a trap field or the pistol range, I was amazed to find out that there is no “real” hunting season open right now. But before the hunters take up arms…I did go to the MassWildlife web site and look up what’s available. If you want to eat crow...you have until April 10th to get one. Turkeys are out until the spring. My husband’s staying home now, as all of his favorite birds have flown south until next fall. Deer, bear, and bullfrogs are out too. But take heart, if you want a bobcat (and no, not the kind you can drive), or a fox (but only red or gray ones) you have a little time left. My suggestion would be to come on down to the club and sit by the fire and watch a video. I think I saw some how-to hunting titles in the bookcase.

If you have a recipe or a story to share, please call me at 781-424-1800 or email me at Kimberly.Sullivan@parsons.com

1 pound small red chili or kidney beans
½ tsp baking soda
1 tbsp salt
2 pounds venison scraps, trimmed from neck, shoulder, shanks or ribs
1/2 cup shortening or cooking oil
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
4 to 6 tbsp chili powder
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
4 tsp ground oregano or 8 tsp fresh oregano
2 tsp crumbled dried sage or 3/4 tsp ground sage.

Soak the beans overnight in water. In the morning, add the baking soda and boil for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse. Cover the beans with water and salt and bring to a boil.

Meanwhile, trim all the fat and tendons from the meat and cut into small cubes. Brown the cubes in the shortening or oil, then add the meat to the beans. Cook the onion in the remaining oil until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Add the chili powder and flour and mix, then add to the beans and meat. Rinse the pan with a little water, stirring to removal all particles and add it to the chili.

Add the remaining ingredients and cover the pan. Simmer for 4 hours, stirring occasionally, adding more water if necessary. 6 to 8 servings.

The winter months have forced all but the hardiest of souls indoors, and it seems that it's not going to end any time soon. To keep your skills honed, please join us for archery "practice" in the main hall every Thursday night. The boards and targets are stored on the porch for anyone to use.

There will be two Bay State Archers shoots this summer. They are scheduled for May 2nd and August 1st.

The Second Annual Traditional shoot will take place on club grounds on August 8th.

Please plan on volunteering or attending these exciting events.

There were 19 hunters signed up for the contest and a record of 32 deer were taken. The final tally for each of the six categories is posted on the hunter's board in the bar area.

Take a look at who got the biggest and best!

Michael Hammonds sponsored by Brad Stetson, Ray Arseneau sponsored by Steve Ferranti, and Mev Barton sponsored by Artty Kinsman

If you have recently joined the club and are looking for ways to fulfill your work requirement here are some contacts who may be able to identify some chores or work that needs to be done on the grounds or at an upcoming event. There is also a list posted on the Club's bulletin board.

Artty Kinsman: President 978-369-1379
Joe Facenda: Archery 781-899-7824
Bill Lewis: Grounds 978-952-6696
Robert Alpert: Pistol 508-651-1153

For those members that renew their membership with a business check, please remember to include your name and phone number on your checks when you send them in. It is often difficult to match them up if they become separated.

Travis and Liza (Gurall) Snell of Carlisle announce the birth of their daughter, Susannah Westphal Snell, born Wednesday, January 21, 2004 at Emerson Hospital in Concord.

Grandparents are Bruce and Kristen Gurall of Concord and Hilary and Constance Snell of Grand Rapids, MI.

Both Travis Snell and Bruce Gurall are members of the CR&GC.

MONTHLY MEETING
February 25, 2004
7:30 P.M.

BOG Meeting
March 2, 2004
7:00 P.M.

Game Dinner Raffle tickets are
available at the club.
Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10.Makes 6 servings. Submitted by Mike Barton

FIRST PRIZE: 5 Day Deer Hunt courtesy of Full Fan Lodge, PA

SECOND PRIZE: Matthew's Solocam Bow

THIRD PRIZE: Ladder and Hangon Stand

You do not have to be present to win.

This program focuses on the learning of outdoor skills - skills traditionally passed from father to son - but valuable to anyone wishing to enjoy outdoors pursuits. A sampling of workshop offerings includes basic fishing, beginning shotgun, kayaking, map & compass, reading the woods, archery, pond and stream adventures, nature photography, martial arts, outdoor and game cooking, edible plants and much more.

Designed primarily for women, it is an opportunity for anyone 18 years of age or older who may have never tried these activities, but wants an opportunity to learn. Co-sponsored by the MA Sportsmen's Council and others.

• Feb 18-Deadline for Animal Tracks Workshop
  
• Feb 21-22-Winter Survival Weekend, Savoy
  
• March 21 -Animal Tracks & Signs, Sudbury
  
• April -Shooting Sports Day -Including rifle, shotgun, archery
  
• May -Turkey Hunt
  
• June 11-13-Becoming an Outdoorswoman Weekend, Eastover Resort, Lenox.
  
• September -Coastal Fishing Weekend
  
• October -Outdoorswomen in the City-Including hiking, map & compass, fishing & more!
  
• November - Deer Hunt

Mass.Wildlife@state.ma.us

Change to Expiration of Certain FID Cards

Several changes were made to the firearms laws, M.G.L. c. 140, §§ 121-131P, between 1998 and 2000. One of the changes made is only now beginning to affect firearms identification (FID) card holders, licensing authorities and gun dealers. The FID card normally has an expiration of four years, but chapter 180, section 73 of the Acts of 1998, as amended by chapter 159, section 313 (www.state.ma.us/legis/budgets/fiscal01.htm) of the Acts of 2000 extended the expiration date of certain FID cards.

The expiration date of those FID cards issued between October of 1999 and June of 2000 were extended by one, two or three years, depending on the date of issue. The purpose of this Act was to more evenly distribute the renewals to be processed every fourth year beginning 1999 when the FID cards first expired. The schedule for expiration is as follows:

• Cards issued in October, November or December of 1999 expire in the year 2004 (same month and day);
  
• Cards issued in January, February or March of 2000 expire in the year 2005 (same month and day);
  
• Cards issued in April, May or June of 2000 expire in the year 2006 (same month and day).

The records of the Firearms Record Bureau, as the repository for the Commonwealth, have been changed to reflect the new expiration dates as provided by law.

Saturday, February 21, 2004
Saturday, March 6, 2004
Saturday, March 20, 2004

The NRA's Education and Training Division announces the availability of "Basics of Personal Protection in the Home," a 60-minute VHS videotape concerning the equipment, techniques, tactics, and potential implications of armed self defense.

The close-captioned video complements material presented as part of the NRA's standard course of instruction on personal protection in the home. Included are discussions of the four levels of awareness of the potential for danger, recommended responses to events at each level, mental and physical requirements for response at each level, selection of defensive firearms, marksmanship fundamentals, shooting techniques, practice regimens, and the legal, moral, and social implications of active self-defense. The difference between cover and concealment and the benefits of effectively using each is covered. The instruction includes examination of alternative techniques of controlling, aiming, and firing a handgun and the strengths and weaknesses of each alternative.

Basics of Personal Protection in the Home is not intended to replace the conventional NRA course, which includes instruction not only by NRA-certified instructors but also by qualified members of the law enforcement community or legal profession. Rather, it is an introduction to an immensely complex subject.

The video may be ordered by phone from NRA Sales at 800-336-7402 (item number ES26838). NRA Sales telephone lines are open from 8:30 AM to 11:00 PM, Eastern time, Monday through Friday, and from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. For NRA members and NRA-certified instructors the price is $9.95, plus handling charges and sales tax. For non-members, the suggested retail price is $24.95