May 2024, Volume 79 No. 5
Club Website- www.richlandrodandgun.org
Club Facebook- www.Facebook.com/RichlandRodandGunClub
2024 Officers
President
Richard Sharp
(509) 551-6785
Secretary
Mike Estes
(509) 551-9066
Treasurer
Richard Libby
(509) 947-0498
I GIVE MY PLEDGE AS AN AMERICAN TO SAVE AND FAITHFULLY DEFEND FROM WASTE,
THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF MY COUNTRY; ITS AIR, SOILS, AND MINERALS.
ITS FORESTS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE. I WILL HELP EDUCATE FUTURE GENERATIONS
TO BE RESPONSIBLE CARETAKERS OF THE RESOURCES OF AMERICA.
Fish Fry Fridays!
Leave it to Richard Sharp to come up with another fun way for our members to get together for some fun, food, and possibly some angler education. Our first Fish Fry Friday (FFF) event will be held on May 10 from 4:30pm to 7:00pm at Gazebo #4 at Columbia Point Marina Park in Richland. Gazebo #4 is near the cul-de-sac at the end of Columbia Point Drive past the entrance to the boat launch parking lot. Rich says he will cook whatever type of fish is provided by members for the event but that he is counting on members to provide the meat and bring a dish for the potluck meal. Table service will be provided but bring a chair because we cannot know how many picnic tables will be at the gazebo during our event. There will be another FFF on June 7 at the same location and hours. Gazebo #4 has also been reserved for our Moonlight Catfish Derby weigh in and meal on June 22 from 3:00pm to 9:00pm. Be sure to attend the May 7 meeting for more information about these events.
FISH FRY FRIDAY!
Program Included! Bank fishing for Sockeye Salmon!
Gazebo #4 Columbia Point Marina Park
May 10, 2024 • 5:00-7:00 PM
Join us and bring some fish to fry up. Can be caught or purchased! (NO TILAPIA.) This will be a potluck so anything that will go with FISH. Water provided, bring a chair, good attitude and an appetite! Club Members and Guests only!!
Wild Game Dinner Closeout Meeting
Marilyn Steele is asking for feedback about this year’s dinner to help plan for an even better Wild Game Dinner next year. A closeout meeting will be held at her son’s house at 41530 S. Morton Road in Kennewick (Finley) on May 20 at 6:00pm. Please notify Marilyn if you plan to attend because there will be food and it helps her to know approximately how many people to plan for. If you are unable to attend or have anonymous comments they may be provided by email to Marilyn at momhoops46@gmail.com Please share your thoughts, good or bad, and any suggestions you might have.
Introduction to Firearms Class
An Introduction to Firearms class will be held on Saturday May 18, 2024 starting at 9:00am in the Grigg’s Department Store classroom in Pasco and ending at the TCMSA range in the afternoon. Contact Ron Ruth at 509-737-7350 for details.
2024 Hunter Education Classes
Twenty-three people enrolled for the April Hunter Education class but some were no-shows and some withdrew. Sixteen students passed. The remaining scheduled classes this year will be evening classes on July 8-12 with range day on Saturday July 13, and September 9-13 with range day on Saturday September 14. Registration for each class will open approximately 30 days prior to the first day of the class. Register on line at Hunter education training | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. For more information contact Ron at ronruth.huntered@gmail.com The Board of Directors has approved the purchase of a new, automated clay target thrower and a full sized foam deer decoy archery target for use during Hunter Education class field days and at other RRGC events.
Salmon in the Classroom – Salmon Summit
RRGC volunteers helped students release young salmon they raised in fish tanks at their schools at the East Columbia Park boat ramp during the Salmon Summit on April 15 and 16. Paul Kison, Larry Martin, and Marilyn Steele shared lead responsibilities and were assisted by Pam Anderson, Tim Irvin, Bill Suhr, Dave Myers, Dale Schielke, and Mike Estes. The kids were very excited to get to release the salmon and even named some of the fish.
KOE 2024 Fishing Events Recap – Marilyn Steele and Dale Schielke
There was a great turnout for fishing rod assembly at Grigg’s on April 6. Thirty six volunteers participated and Master Hunter volunteer hours were awarded to several attendees. 632 rods were assembled in slightly over 3.5 hours with a break for lunch provided by Sausage Daddy and KOE. Ten people picked up 490 rods and assembled them at home for a total of 1,122 rods assembled. 1,350 trout were tagged by RRGC volunteers at the Ringold fish hatchery for prizes. RRGC, Griggs, Dairy Queen, Amazon, Ranch & Home, Texas Roadhouse, and Deadworm Fishing donated a total of 450 different prizes. Trout were delivered to the Columbia Park pond from the Ringold and Naches hatcheries for the April 19 and 20 KOE fishing events. The Friday afternoon Special Needs fishing event brought together volunteers from 9 organizations and totaled 355 volunteer hours of which 137 hours were from RRGC volunteers. About 300 special needs persons were made very happy. Most fishermen in the first session were on their way home with limits before the second group arrived at 4:00pm. Dinner was provided on Friday evening for the volunteers which included pulled pork sandwiches, cole slaw, potato salad, beans, Dale’s Schielke’s dutch oven fruit crisp, ice cream, and birthday cake for Harley Lackey’s 16th birthday. Saturday brought great weather again and volunteers from 12 organizations contributed 545 hours for the kids’ event. RRGC contributed 270 of those hours. The recovery of tagged fish this year was down somewhat with 48 tags recovered on Friday and 164 tags recovered on Saturday for a total of 212 prizes distributed. The 15.7 % recovery compares with the low of 9% in 2019 and the highs of 30% in 2017 and 2022. The remaining unclaimed prizes will be used for future events. Around 800 youth got a chance to fish and many of them were first time fishers. A big THANKS to all who helped put smiles on a lot of faces. Without a great group of volunteers this event would not be possible. Note: A Carhartt jacket and a camera in its case were found during the kids fishing event. If you are missing either of them text Marilyn Steele 509-392-2128 with description to retrieve them.
Donation Received from RDO Equipment
RDO Equipment representatives were not present at the Wild Game Dinner so it was not announced that the organization was selected to receive the RRGC Distinguished Service Award in recognition of the company’s policy that allows employees to designate non-profit corporations to receive donations from the company and in recognition of the employees who have selected RRGC as their charitable non-profit of choice. This is only the second time that the award has been given to a business. John Prater recently presented the award to the Pasco store branch manager on our behalf. And guess what? We just received another $1,000 donation from RDO in support of the club’s activities and projects. Thank you RDO Equipment!
Welcome to Our New Members
Four new memberships were approved by the Board in April. Please welcome Jim Truitt and Cody Hudson of Richland, Curtis Jahnke of Kennewick, and Bob and Alicia Kinzer of Burien. We hope that they will become regular attendees at our monthly meetings and social events.
Habitat Committee Report
Larry Martin reported at the April 16 Board of Directors meeting that four trips have been conducted since the March Board meeting to inspect and clean twenty-nine guzzlers southeast of Burbank and south of Prosser. One needed minor repairs. Larry said the guzzlers were full or nearly full of water and most were in great shape, especially considering their age. Volunteers over the four days were Jerry Bloom, Tim Irvin, Mark Kerns, Jay Thomas, Larry Martin, Larry Noggles, and Blaine Schwartz.
Vice President
Evan Kirkpatrick
(414) 534-2817
Wood Duck Nest Boxes
Nest box maintenance for this spring has been completed and the ducks are nesting now. Dale Schielke, John Merk, and others have just begun banding nesting hens, and maybe a few screech owls when they are encountered. Banding data and records of recaptures of previously banded ducks will be shared with state and federal agencies. The encoders that Dale has used in past years to live stream duckling jumps from the nest boxes to YouTube are obsolete. The Board of Directors approved up to $1,100 to purchase four new encoders.
Youth Conservation Camps
The 2024 Washington State Youth Conservation Camps at Orcas Island will be July 21-27 for boys and July 28-August 3 for girls. Campers must be ages 12 to 16 while at camp. RRGC typically sponsors several youths to camp each year. RRGC pays the registration fee but parents must arrange transportation to and from Anacortes, Washington to meet the ferry. Please contact Larry Martin at 509-521-2554 if you know an eligible youth who is interested in attending camp.
Photo of the Month
This month’s winning photo is of Marilyn Steele on the back of a golf cart helping transport Happy Fish, a symbol for World Fish Migration Day which will be held globally on May 25, 2024. The photo was taken by Mike Estes at Columbia Park on April 15, 2024 during the Salmon Summit.
Photo of the Month Contest Guidelines
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Must be taken in current license year.
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May include hunting, fishing, habitat, camping.
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Must include a critter (human or wild).
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Harvested game must include the hunter or angler.
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Winners will be selected by the Board of Directors.
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All photos become property of the Club.
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Note: The Board may use discretion in applying the guidelines when selecting the winning photo.
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Please include name of photographer and date taken.
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To submit entry, Bring photo print to board meeting, or email to admin@richlandrodandgun.org at least 6 hours before a board meeting.
May 7 General Meeting Presentation
7:00pm at the Richland Public Library
The speaker for our May 7 meeting will be Nick Barron of Deadworm Fishing discussing spring bass fishing techniques for the Mid-Columbia. Topics will include finesse and power fishing lures and equipment, with a focus on bank and kayak fishing. This will be a relaxed program with great information for beginner to intermediate anglers as well as some advanced techniques. Please plan to attend.
About
Richland Rod & Gun Club is an organized group of hunters, fishermen, and conservationists who share a common interest in the outdoors. Each year the Club members volunteer in a number of work projects that improve wildlife habitat, educate young potential hunters / fisherman, and raise funds for Club projects.
Meetings
The RICHLAND ROD & GUN CLUB meets the first non holiday Tuesday of each month except July and August at 7:00
The meetings are open to the public and consist of a short business meeting followed by a program of current interest.
Board meetings are held on the third Tuesday at 7:00 at Griggs Pasco meeting facility.
The Richland Rod and Gun Club offers opportunities to work in activities associated with wildlife, the outdoors and youth education. We would appreciate your involvement with one of our projects or programs that include, Fishing, Dog Training, Scholarship, Public Lands, Youth Activities, Migratory Waterfowl, Habitat, Game Birds, Big Game , Landowner Relations.
Content contributions, suggestions, or criticism to the RRGC website should be emailed to, admin@richlandrodandgun.org
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Richland volunteer opportunities for members (richlandrodandgun.org)
Get involved in one of our Committees:
Salmon in the Classroom: Gene Van Liew – e.van-liew@hotmail.com
Wild Game Dinner 2025: Marilyn Steele – momhoops46@gmail.com
Wood Ducks: Dale Schielke – dahlialou@gmail.com
KOE – Kids Fishing Day: Marilyn Steele – momhoops46@gmail.com
Hunter Ed: Ron Ruth – RonRuth.HunterEd@gmail.com
Guzzlers: Larry Martin - larry49martin@gmail.com
Youth Conservation Camp - larry49martin@gmail.com
Membership: Ron Moore – richlandrodandgunmembership@gmail.com
Scholarship: Mike Estes - estesm34@gmail.com
Website: Ron Moore – admin@richlandrodandgun.org
RRGC Club Upcoming Activities
Fish Fry Friday – May 10, 4:30pm to 7:00pm, Gazebo 4 at Columbia Point Marina Park
Introduction to Firearms Class – May 18, 9:00am, Grigg’s Department Store in Pasco
Wild Game Dinner Closeout – May 20, 6:00pm, 41530 S. Morton Road, Kennewick
Fish Fry Friday – June 7, 4:30pm to 7:00pm, Gazebo 4 at Columbia Point Marina Park
Moonlight Catfish Derby - June 22 from 3:00pm to 9:00pm, Gazebo 4 Columbia Point Park
Hunter Education Class – July 8 through 13, Grigg’s classroom and TCMSA range
RRGC Picnic – August 6, 5:00pm Leslie Groves Park
Hunter Education Class – September 9 through 14, Grigg’s classroom and TCMSA range
Wild Game Dinner – March 22, 2025 (tentative), Benton County Fairgrounds Building 4