Arizona Deer Association

Board of Directors Meeting

February 18, 2010

Attending:

John Koleszar, President
Amanda Moors, Director
Mark Bool, Director
Joe Allen, Director
Pete Cimellaro
Steve Cheuvront
Christian Wolff
Tracey Martin

There was no quorum established at this meeting

I.  Welcome and call to order 6:40 

II.  Minutes from last meeting

Since there was no quorum established at the January meeting, there are no official minutes. 

III.  Treasurer’s report

The board reviewed the treasurer’s report.   

IV. Guest Speakers

Steve Cheuvront presented a proposal approved by the board for trail cameras and accessories for use in 13B to document what wildlife comes into the drinkers.  He reviewed the historical requests for us to fund cattle projects in this area since it has been alleged that deer use the cattle drinkers as well.  He outlined the projects goals, which are to document for one year how the waters in the area are used, if deer do in fact share cattle waters and if so, what is the ratio.  Steve will volunteer his time, gas, etc to ensure that the cameras are in place, that they are monitored periodically, that they are moved periodically, and that the photo cards are stored and data analyzed.  He will also line up other volunteers to assist as well.  The information we get from these existing tanks will be used to make better decisions in the future when funding projects from the tag fund.  The board discussed the proposed project in greater detail.   

V.  Old Business

a.  ISE show February 26-28– we have secured a 20x20 space and negotiated a price of $1400.  AZSFWC would like to share space to sell license plates and will reimburse some of the costs of the booth.  Coueswhitetail.com would also like to share space and will fund part of the space.  We need some volunteers to staff the booth, and Scott Streich and Pete Cimellaro are devising boards to mount the heads.  Joe Allen volunteered to staff the booth on Friday and Pete will distribute a sign in sheet.  Set up is Wednesday 9:00-7:00.  

b.  G&F expo a the end of March - We have a double booth and will set up some of the heads and will also sell memberships, banquet tickets and merchandise.

c.  Request from ADBSS – ADBSS has requested us to provide one annual membership to include in the conservation group organization packet.

d.  GADR – We need to poll board members about the equipment package.  We will use one of our rifles, put a scope on it, and include a Leica rangefinder. This package will go to one person only.   Chris appears to have the one remaining hunt finalized and we hope to have full details soon. 

VI.  New Business

a.  Lions – 13a and 13b are going to be recommended by the department for a multiple bag limit.  Several board members have arranged for private funding through USDA Wildlife Services to do some predator control to assist fawn recruitment in the unit.  Floyd Green, Jim deVos and Pete Cimellaro are working with game branch to evaluate other wildlife projects and devise guidelines that would trigger when the department could take action to remove offending predators. 

b.  wolf reintroduction  – ADA has weighed into the wolf issue since it has become so convoluted.  ADBSS, ADA and AES have all tried to be more proactive in this issue.  USFWS has constantly and arbitrarily changed the rules of this reintroduction program since its inception.  It is estimated that there are 40-80 wolves in the Blue Ridge Recovery area within Arizona.  Center for Biological Diversity has filed suit against the USFWS, and USFWS has settled out of court.  Pete reviewed the situation with wolves specifically in Arizona and on Arizona native American reservations.  Mexico will also be doing a release near the Arizona border within the next 120 days and if these wolves cross into the US they will be fully protected. 

c.  new board members – John Koleszar discussed several possible additions to the board.  All board members are encouraged to each bring in one person to eventually serve as a replacement for them.  It was also suggested that we accept Keith Gaines’ resignation immediately and that we conduct a search for a new secretary.  John will find out if we can hold our monthly board meetings at Chaparral Suites on Tuesdays since Bass Pro Shops is generally booked on Tuesdays.

d.  Deer Daze – we have confirmed with Ryan Hatch that he and his crew will be there as our featured speaker and we can begin selling tickets immediately on-line.     

e.  Antelope Eaters – we have a request for a donation from Don Martin for $250 for this event.

Committee Reports

a.  banquet – we still need to nail down our live auction donations and get descriptions of each donation.  Rick Miller will not be able to attend the banquet in June, but the silent auction is 99% done.  Amanda Moors volunteered to handle the silent auction the night of the banquet.  We also need two more cashiers for the night of the event.  Rich Leightner has requested a donation of $1000 for the Buckskin Banquet and has secured for our banquet a houseboat donation.  Christian Wolff offered to work with Bass Pro Shops to secure donations for our fundraiser as well and the board felt that that would be something we should pursue.  He specifically discussed a meat processing package.  We need new banquet ticket flyer to post on the website so that we can begin selling tickets. 

b.  membership – no report.

c.  habitat projects – the HCP met with game and fish and approved funding for about 80% of the proposals.  Steve discussed some of the proposals in-depth and feels there are some issues with procurement of materials and the costs that the department is paying for materials. 

d.  Game and Fish Dept.– we have a new commissioner, John Harris, who replaces  Bob Hernbrode on the commission.

e.  newsletter – we need hunt articles and  would like to put the next one out April 1^st.  All articles go to John Koleszar. 

f.  legislative – the Commissioners bill (Appointment Recommendation Board bill) has been reviewed by the governor and she has endorsed the concept.  She directed her staff to work with AZSFW to draft language that she will sign.  Pete reviewed the draft of the legislation, the language of which has not yet been finalized.  The NRA is advancing a bill called the Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish, which will be referred to the ballot for the electorate to vote on. Pete reviewed the language of this bill as well.  License plates can be ordered on-line at MDV’s website.

g.  website – we have an announcement on the site about the new commissioner. 

The meeting adjourned at 9:37 pm

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