LLLACKSON January 2010 President’s Report

  I was very pleased that UBK had a resent election for Vice President and Treasurer. I want to” Thank” all those that voted and Tammy Kloeppel and Daryl Adams for stepping forward for bowhunting. Don Bailey was elected Vice President and Joe Fehribach is the new treasurer. Both, Don and Joe have been involved in UBK for years and will do a fine job. In July it will be time to nominate someone for President and Secretary, so be thinking about if YOU are ready to preserve, protect and promote the sport of bowhunting by running for election to the UBK board. We also need a Director for the 4^th, 5^th, 6^th, 7^th and 8^th districts. Being a Director involves listening to the bowhunters in your area and bring that information to the meetings so, UBK can better inform the KDFWR about our desires. Please contact me if you are ready to help.

   2009 has been a good year for bowhunting. The UBK resolution “ To Keep A Bow Only Season” (included in magazine) was passed by the League of KY Sportsmen, proving to me that all sportsmen agree that season length should be in correlation to the proficiency of the chosen method of take. UBK will continue to cultivate our relationship with all sportsmen without compromising the integrity of our sport.

    The bowhunters were heard this year by the leaders at LBL and they did go back to just one day of no bow hunting prior to the quota hunts. If you get the opportunity, thank them for listening.

    Daryl, Butch and Nathan did a great job with the Carp-O-Ree in spite of the rain and plan for a bigger time this year.

    Rain also hindered the 3D shoot at Backwoods, but their nice club house kept us dry. Thanks to them for the hard work and support.

    We had a great hunt/meeting at Pennyrile again this year. Don Bailey harvested an 8 pt. buck Saturday morning and Mike Roberts passed on one Sunday morning. Alan Morris had a “Wallhanger” walk by just as he was getting out of his stand. A good time was had by all. I hope more of the membership will join us on this hunt next year.

    UBK continues to represent you at the commission meetings and I must say that UBK usually has the most representation there. Thanks to Don Bailey, Mike & Judy Roberts, Darnell Hatfield, Joe Fehribach, and others. I believe the relationship that UBK maintains with the KDFWR is the most important thing we can do.

    I hope everyone participated in the recent “Deer Survey” and public meetings about deer hunting that the KDFWR held. KDFWR was giving the sportsmen a chance to get involved in the future of deer hunting in KY. I understand that recommendations are going to be brought before the commission in Feb. 2010. You can be sure UBK will keep you informed on any changes that may affect bowhunting. I always like to hear from the members and what is going on in your area.

    NASP needs our HELP again at the regional and state tournaments. I have included a map and list of the tournament sites and dates. Please help where you can. Last year we provided enough help that a NASP starter kit was donated in our name to a school in eastern KY. NASP also donated a bow for the banquet auction, so it works both ways.

    I hope everyone is planning on coming to the banquet this year. M.R. James has graciously accepted our invitation to be the guest speaker. His experience and contributions to bowhunting are immeasurable. I look forward to hearing one of his stories. March 13, 2010 is the day to be at Rough River State Resort Park. The board thought you would enjoy the beautiful rural setting at Rough River. They are holding a special rate of $59.95 on the rooms until Feb. 12^th so make your reservations early. They will prepare a hot buffet that includes 2 entrees, 3 sides, 2 desserts, salad, bread and drink. We will have the consignment table for those that might have some bowhunting items they want to sell. There will be a 30% fee for each item sold and you must bring them marked with your name and price. Please limit your items to 5. I need all members to help me with donations for the auction and door prizes. If you can put some together please email or call me before the banquet so I can plan on how to use them. Buy your banquet tickets by March 6^th and you are entered into a special drawing for $100.00 cash. We will have our annual membership meeting at 4PM CST at the lodge. I look forward to seeing everyone there.

For Better Bowhunting,

Gary R. Williams

UBK President

Notice: The UBK General Membership has voted to raise membership Dues as follows:

Regular Membership $25.00

Family/Club and Affiliates $30.00

Children Under (18) $10.00

Life Membership $400.00

The dues change is affective July 1, 2009

Immediate Attention Required...

Sportsmen nationwide must immediately contact their U.S. representatives and senators.
Ask your congressman and two U.S. senators to urge the Obama Administration to stop the National Park Service from its plan to stop the use lead ammunition and fishing tackle on its lands.
The park service, which administers many lands that permit hunting and fishing, including National Preserves, National Recreation Areas and National Rivers, announced March 10 that it would ban lead ammunition and sinkers from its lands.
Acting NPS Director Dan Wenk stated that the NPS goal is to eliminate all lead in ammunition and tackle by the end of 2010.  
Over 20 million acres of NPS land is open to hunting and would be adversely impacted by this decision.
This decision is seen as a blatant anti-hunting move.  It is clearly designed to limit hunting by imposing high priced alternative products like tungsten, copper, and steel.
It will reduce available conservation dollars as sportsmen reduce purchases of hunting and angling gear.
Take Action!  Sportsmen are urged to contact their congressperson and their senators and tell them to ask the Obama Administration to oppose this measure. Tell them banning lead will destroy both part of America’s heritage and reduce conservation dollars. 
To find your Representative’s phone number use the Legislative Action Center.
For more information regarding the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alert Network, call 614-888-4868, or email Greg R. Lawson, director of communications at glawson@ussportsmen.org or Sharon Hayden, assistant director of communications data at shayden@ussportsmen.org.

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliancee
801 Kingsmill Parkway
Columbus, Ohio 4322929
614-888-4868
http://www.ussportsmen.org/
info@ussportsmen.org