Spring Newsletter 2021

In this issue:

Fishing, Fishing…
Save the Date – Spring Membership Meeting
Hunt of a Lifetime Auction

And More Fishing
Club Dues are Due

Fishing, Fishing…

NEW TRIP: Maryland - Chesapeake Bay Fishing Charter 14 Aug — Saturday, Striped Bass Light Tackle Trip

A special live-lining charter aboard TRICIA ANN II, out of Chesapeake Beach, MD. We will anchor and drift live spot on spinning rods in search of striped bass, blue fish, and possibly some trolling later for Spanish mackerel presuming we limit out on stripers (2 each per angler above 19"). Cost is $90 per member, after club discount, and cash trip for the mate is $25. Contact Lew Roach at lew.roach@gmail.com or cell (202) 417-0714 to book a rod.

The following Virginia and Maryland trips have vacancies, and are accepting stand-bys.

Virginia - Chesapeake Bay Fishing Charters for 2021

21 May – Friday, striped bass (locally called rockfish)

20 Aug – Friday spanish mackerel

27 Aug – Friday, spanish mackerel

3 Dec – Friday (week after Thanksgiving), trophy striped bass

Charter will be aboard our favorite 53’ Heritage ( www.fisherbaycharter) one of the biggest boats on the Bay. All gear, bait and fish cleaning is provided, just bring your food and drinks. You do NOT need a license. Sails out of Reedville VA, possibly out of Lewisetta VA (35 miles closer than Reedville) if striped bass are running better there. Great for family fishing. For covid concerns a bucket of soapy water with bleach is provided and mask wearing is fine, boat is very open with a cabin and head.

Cost per member is aprox $106 per person after Club discount, possibly lower if participation is high. Cash tip for the mate is $25 per person collected on the boat. SIGN UP EARLY to get a guaranteed spot. After sign up, payment will be requested.

Remember: Club rules remain unchanged, if anyone drops out they must find a replacement or forfeit their payment since the boat is contracted. Committee chairman will try to identify replacements from standby lists, or by contact, but not guaranteed.

Contact for sign up or questions: Ed Fortunato 703-622-9323, ed.fort.translog@comcast.net

Maryland - Chesapeake Bay Fishing Charters for 2021

16 MAY — Sunday, trophy striped bass (Note: 1st day of the season allowing 2-fish limit)

20 NOV — Saturday, trophy striped bass (weekend before Thanksgiving)

Charters will be aboard TRICIA ANN II, a well-maintained 46’ boat out of Chesapeake Beach, MD. Identical details as with Virginia charters above, with following costs and contact info: cost per member is $90 per person after club discount, and cash tip for the mate is also $25 (presuming 7 members). Contact Lew Roach at Lew.roach@gmail.com or cell (202)417-0714 to book a rod.

Save the Date(s) – Spring Membership Meeting Tentatively Scheduled for May 23/June 6

We are requesting permission to hold our Spring event at Fairfax Rod and Gun Club on May 25 (June 6 as a backup date). Current Virginia COVID restrictions allow up to 50 persons at indoor gatherings. We plan to offer a full meal and anticipate having a speaker present on a topic of local interest. More Info to come!

And More Fishing

From Dick Vande Hei, Board Member:

“The first day of the dogwood bloom in the District of Columbia is the shad fisherman’s/fisherwoman’s sign to grab his/her fly/spinner rod and head for Fletchers’ boathouse off Canal Rd in DC. Early March until mid-May, the shad are moving up river: first the Hickory, followed by the larger American, in rafts so thick you can almost walk on them clear over to the Virginian shore. Fletchers is shad central where they rent boats, sell shad darts and other fishing must-haves and dispense advise that they are only too anxious to provide. Renting a boat is not necessary because shore fishing is quite effective. Fletchers offers a pleasant location for the entire family to picnic while you fish and barbecue. Our club has several shad meisters who are always available for advice, especially at our dinner meeting on 23 May.”

Club Dues are Due

If you want to participate in member activities, such as the membership meeting and excellent fishing trips, you must be a member. Dues for 2021 are unchanged at $40, and are payable now. Please make checks payable to DIA Rod and Gun Club, Inc, and send to our Membership Chair Sean Gallagher, 1000 Virginia Ave Alexandria, VA. 22302. If you do not plan to remain a member, please send Sean an email and let him know: diargclub@gallagher.us.com. Members who do not pay dues within 90 days will be dropped from the membership list. We will NOT be issuing any membership ID cards.

Winter Newsletter 2020

In this issue:

Club Dues are Due
Board Vacancy
March Virtual Meeting & Club Activities to continue during the Pandemic
New Members Needed: Ask a Friend to Join
Seeking Entries for the Annual Best Fish, Game and Article Awards
Member’s Hunting and Fishing Success
Equipment for Sale
Club Website and Facebook Page
Seeking Newsletter Publisher
Club Fishing Trip Announcements
Points of Contact

Club Dues are Due

It’s that time of the year again. Dues for 2021 are unchanged at $40, and are payable now. Please make checks payable to DIA Rod and Gun Club, Inc, and send to our Membership Chair Sean Gallagher, 1000 Virginia Ave Alexandria, VA. 22302. If you do not plan to remain membership, please send Sean an email and let him know: diargclub@gallagher.us.com. Members who do not pay dues within 90 days will be dropped from the membership list. We will NOT be issuing any membership ID cards.

Board Vacancy

There is vacancy on the board of directors. If anyone is interested in serving on the board please contact one of the current board members. Board POCs are listed below.

March Virtual Meeting and Club Activities during the Pandemic

In light of the current in-person meeting restrictions in place due to the pandemic, the board decided to keep the club membership engaged and informed by holding a virtual general membership meeting in March. The future of the club, in the face of dwindling membership, as well as the status of upcoming fishing trips will be the agenda items for this meeting. The chairs are still planning to conduct the normal fishing trips, but start them a little later in the spring this year. A meeting invite for the virtual meeting in March will be sent out via email and will include instructions on how to join.

The board is still planning to conduct an in-person Spring Membership meeting. This meeting is tentatively being planned for May. We are hoping by that time the gathering restrictions will have been relaxed. More information on that meeting will be sent out as the plans are confirmed.

New Members Needed: Ask a Friend to Join!

Our membership has slowly declined over the past few years. We are presently down to around 50 paid members. This waning number makes it increasingly difficult to provide quality food and door prizes for our membership meetings. As you have noticed, we no longer serve a full meal at the spring meeting. Club discounts for hunting and fishing trips may need to be reduced if our membership continues to decline. The solution to this situation is easy……either increase dues or increase membership. The board would prefer the latter so is appealing to the current members to help solicit new members. If you know friends who you feel would be a good fit for our club, please invite them to join. Likewise, if you belong to, or know other sportsman’s clubs or organizations please advertise our club and what we do to their members as well!

Seeking Fish & Game Award Nominations and Newsletter Stories

We plan to present the annual 2020 DIA fishing and hunting awards at our Spring Membership Meeting. It’s not too late to send entries for fish and game harvested in the fall 2020 hunting season or 2021 spring turkey season. Just send measurements of your fish or game in accordance with the guidance on our website http://www.diarodandgunclub.com/documents, snap a photo and get a fellow club member to certify your measurements. Send nominations to any board member. As a reminder, game harvested on any hunting trip is eligible, but only fish caught on DIA sponsored trips are eligible for awards. The list below are current nominations for 2020 Fish and Game Awards:

Lew Roach – White Marlin

Also remember you are encouraged to share any hunting, fishing or outdoor stories with the club in the form of a newsletter article. Articles don’t necessarily have to be from DIA sponsored trips. Just send a photo of your trip and a short story of the trip to share your adventure with the club.

Member Hunting and Fishing Success

Lew Roach caught this on the trip’s most recent deep-sea trip. Congrats to Lew!

See photo in the Photo Gallery

Kenney Concepcion's son with his 20lb NC citation blackfin tuna caught on a recent club trip!

See photo in the Photo Gallery

Equipment for Sale

Do you have any shooting, fishing or hunting equipment you would like to sell or give away? If so, send the announcement to any board member for inclusion in the next newsletter.

Do you know we have a Website and Facebook Page?

Our website is located at: https://www.diarodandgunclub.com/

If you are a user of Facebook, please check out our page at:

www.facebook.com/DIARodGunClub

Note: Currently our page is an open group, we are considering making this a private page due to privacy concerns.

Seeking Newsletter Publisher / Maryland Hunting Chair

In addition, we are seeking a chairperson to organize hunting trips in Maryland.

If interested in the Maryland Chairperson position or if you want to help organize a single event, please contact a board member. The contact information for the board members is included at the end of this newsletter.

CLUB TRIPS:

The club chairs are current planning the upcoming trips for 2021. As soon as they are set, we will announce via email and publish the details here.

BAY FISHING IN VIRGINIA:

To be determined!

BAY FISHING IN MARYLAND:

To be determined!

DIA Rod & Gun Club Newsletter September 2020

In this issue:

1. Save the Date: Fall Membership Meeting – 4 October

2. Board Vacancy

3. Decision Not to Renew Hunting Lease

4. New Members Needed

5. Seeking Entries for the Annual Best Fish, Game and Article Awards

6. Fairfax Rod and Gun Club Sight-in Day

7. Possible Military Base Hunting Restrictions Due to Coronavirus

8. Virginia DGIF is now known as Department of Wildlife Resources

9. Chronic Wasting Disease in Virginia

10. Member’s Hunting and Fishing Stories

11. Equipment for Sale

12. Club Website and Facebook Page

13. Seeking Newsletter Publisher / Club Fishing Trip Announcements

14. Points of Contact

1. Save the Date: Fall Membership Meeting

The fall membership meeting is tentatively scheduled for Sunday 04 October at the Fairfax Rod and Gun Club from 1300 to 19:30 (7039 Signal Hill Rd. Manassas, Va.) We will again offer skeet shooting to members, followed by the social hour, dinner and membership meeting. We will be serving food in individual serving containers and will practice social distancing during the meeting. We offer a chance for some great door prizes for the members who attend. Members can shoot up to two rounds of skeet or trap at club expense, but must provide their own shot shells. The shot size MUST be 71/2 or smaller (i.e. 8 or 9). Shells can be purchased on site. Additional rounds for members and all rounds for guests will be at the individual's expense. There is no cost for dinner to members in good standing; cost for nonmember guests is $30.00. Guests who join at the meeting will incur no additional dinner cost. Sean Gallagher will be sending out an invitation via email. Please RSVP promptly to permit the caterer sufficient lead time for food ordering and to ensure we have enough door prizes.

2. Board Vacancy

There is vacancy on the board of directors. If anyone is interested in serving on the board please contact one of the current board members.

3. Decision Not to Renew Hunting Lease

After much discussion and debate, the board has decided not to renew the club’s hunting lease for the upcoming season. Considerations which led to the decision were: the low member participation rate (11 members, with about half projected to participate next year), the low usage rate and low total number of hunt hours, the loss of the only heavy bedding cover on the property, (cover was clear-cut to provide access to the bill boards) and the low harvest rates (No harvests were recorded). While the lease is participant funded, fewer members would drive up the per person cost of the lease beyond what the board thought was reasonable for the amount of land and hunting prospects for the club at large. These considerations prompted the board to not renew the hunting lease for the 2020/2021 hunting season. Lew Roach will facilitate introductions to the land owner for any group of members from the club who would like to approach the land owner to make leasing arrangements independently of the club. The board will continue to look for a more productive hunting lease for the club. Any member who has a potential lead for a lease for the club is encouraged to contact one of the board members.

4. New Members Needed: Get out and Recruit!

Our membership has slowly declined over the past few years. We are presently down to around 50 paid members. This waning number makes it increasingly difficult to provide quality food and door prizes for our membership meetings. As you have noticed, we no longer serve a full meal at the spring meeting. Club discounts for hunting and fishing trips may need to be reduced if our membership continues to decline. The solution to this situation is easy……either increase dues or increase membership. The board would prefer the latter so is appealing to the current members to help solicit new members. If you know anyone who you feel would be a good fit for our club, please invite them to join. Likewise, if you belong to, or know other sportsman’s clubs or organizations please invite them to consider joining.

5. Final Call for 2019 Fish, Game Award Nominations

Due to the cancellation of the Spring Membership meeting, we will present the annual 2019 DIA fishing and hunting awards at our Fall Meeting. It’s not too late to send entries for fish and game harvested in the fall 2019 hunting season or 2020 spring turkey season. Just send measurements of your fish or game in accordance with the guidance on our website http://www.diarodandgunclub.com/documents, snap a photo and get a fellow club member to certify your measurements. Send nominations to Dennis McNulty, (dbigbalance@yahoo.com). As a reminder, game harvested on any hunting trip is eligible, but only fish caught on DIA sponsored trips are eligible for awards. All awards will be presented at the next membership meeting. The list below are current nominations for 2019 Fish and Game Awards:

Dennis McNulty- buck
Maston Gray – Newsletter article
Bill Brewer – Wahoo
Dave Burpee - antelope

6. Fairfax Rod and Gun Club Sight-In Day

The Fairfax Rod and Gun Club will hold its annual rifle sight-in day on 26 September from 9:00AM to 3:30PM. The cost is $10 per gun. The event will be held rain or shine since they have covered shooting positions. Fairfax Rod and Gun club is located at: 7039 Signal Hill Rd. Manassas, Va. It’s the club where we hold our membership meetings. Shooters must bring their own ear and eye protection. Those seeking more information can contact: sightindays@fxrgc.org.

7. Possible Military Bases Hunting and Fishing Restrictions

Some local military bases have restricted access for hunting and fishing on base due to concerns over Corona virus. Fort AP Hill has closed to hunting until further notice as a "force protection" initiative, but has re-opened fishing over the summer. Fort Pickett and Fort Belvoir and Quantico Marine Corps base did not restrict hunting and fishing access. However, it’s always wise to check with all base authorities for updates before purchasing fishing or hunting permits for any of the military reservations.

Ft AP Hill: https://faph.isportsman.net/News.aspx

Ft Belvoir: https://ftbelvoir.isportsman.net/

Quantico: https://quantico.isportsman.net/huntinginfo.aspx

Fort Pickett: https://ftpickett.isportsman.net/

8. Virginia DGIF is now known as Department of Wildlife Resources

FYI – The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) has been renamed the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). The new name reflects the wide range of wildlife conservation responsibilities and opportunities that the agency has, from hunting and fishing, to wildlife watching, public lands, boating, and outdoor recreation.

9. Chronic Wasting Disease in Virginia

As many of you are aware, in 2018, DWR confirmed chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a buck legally harvested in Culpeper County. The following hunting season, CWD was detected in a buck harvested in Fauquier County. Two Management Areas (DMA1 and DMA2) were created in response to these recent CWD detections. DMA1 includes Clarke, Frederick, Shenandoah, Warren Counties and DMA2 includes Culpeper, Fauquier, Loudoun, Madison, Page, Orange, and Rappahannock counties.

Loudoun County was recently added to the DMA2. Hunters must abide by special deer carcass handling and transport guidelines. These guidelines can be reviewed at the DWR website at: https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/diseases/cwd/cwdinformation-for-hunters/

10.Member Hunting and Fishing Stories

Cape Hatteras Trip:

After several rescheduling efforts of the fishing trip due to boat mechanical problems followed by small craft warnings, several of our members finally went offshore fishing in Cape Hatteras on the TUNADUCK and scored some big fish. The long fish is a large wahoo caught by Ed Fortunato, Jr. and a robust amberjack was caught by Kenney Concepcion after the fish took off with lots of line before Ken could turn it around. Club member Bill Brewer also caught a nice barracuda on the Cape Hatteras trip. There was a lot of discussion on whether they are edible or not and the answer is "it depends” as there are differing opinions on the websites.

Chesapeake Beach Maryland Trip

The Vande Hei’s enjoyed success on their July Striped Bass trip to the Chesapeake. The participants enjoyed success using live lining techniques. Makayla caught the biggest fish, but fun and action was enjoyed by the Vande Hei family on a beautiful day on the bay.

FISHING FOR SALMON

Several members made their first trip to Oswego, NY and Lake Ontario for a king (Chinook) fishing trip. It is about a 7-hour drive from DC on a pleasant and scenic drive. It was different from the Chesapeake Bay trip in that we fished by trolling lures very deep, often 150' or more using electronically controlled downriggers. We caught five king salmon (20-25 lbs.), a brown trout and a small mouth bass. This was the most advanced electronic set up I ever seen. All the downriggers had computer screens indicating water temperature, depth, line out etc. Weather was great and club members did their usual harassing each other. Covid virus handling was the same as here. We wore masks in restaurants and masks were optional on the boat. The boat was trolling so there was outdoor air movement. It is a lot cheaper than going to Alaska!

11.Equipment for Sale

Dave Burpee is offering the following items for sale:

Dave claims he is too old to hunt from a hang-on stand anymore so is selling a

couple. The ladder sections are more than 16 feet and the rails step sections are 20

feet. The hang-on is also in good shape. Not pictured is another hang-on

stand. These can be purchased separately or as a package.

20’ sticks — new at Dick’s for $70. Yours for $25
16’ ladder - you can buy in sections and its really expensive. Yours for $25
Muddy hang-on - you know what these items cost new. Again, $25
Not pictured - another hang-on for $25
Or, all together for $90

Do you have any shooting, fishing or hunting equipment you would like to sell or give away? If so, send the announcement to Dennis McNulty and he will include it in the next newsletter.

12.Do you know we have a Website and Facebook Page?

Our website is located at: https://www.diarodandgunclub.com/

If you are a user of Facebook, please check out our page at:

https://www.facebook.com/DIARodGunClub/

Note: Currently our page is an open group, we are considering making this a private page due to privacy concerns.

13.Seeking Newsletter Publisher / Maryland Hunting Chair

The club is seeking a member to publish this newsletter. The job is easier than it looks as most of the contributions come from the board or committee chairs. The newsletter publisher simply consolidates them into this document and sends to the board for review and dissemination to the club. If interested, please contact Dennis McNulty, (dbigbalance@yahoo.com). In addition, we are seeking a chairperson to organize hunting trips in Maryland.

If interested in the Maryland Chairperson position or if you want to help organize a single event, please contact a board member.

14. CLUB FISHING TRIPS:

BAY FISHING IN VIRGINIA:

30 Nov Monday - Striped bass from Reedville. Capacity for 6. Status: This trip is filled - but taking names for standby list.

All gear and fish cleaning is provided. Just bring your food/drinks. 53' boat with cabin and head (Heritage). Cost is approx. $103 after Club discount, plus $25 cash tip for the mate. It is a great family outing. Check it out on: www.Fishersbaycharter.com

If you have interest in other dates or another charter, just let me know. Call or email QUICKLY to reserve a spot, they fill up rapidly. If boat is filled, there are often cancellations so add your name to the standby list. ed.fort.translog@comcast.net 703-622-9323

BAY FISHING IN MARYLAND:

21 November, Saturday – trolling for trophy striped bass from either Chesapeake Beach or Point Lookout, MD. Capacity for 6. Status: This trip is filled – but taking names for standby list.

Two fish limit for striped bass limit just enacted for Maryland this season! All gear and fish cleaning is provided. Just bring your food/drinks. Aboard a 46’ boat with cabin and head (Tricia Ann II). Cost is $90 after club discount, plus $25 cash tip for the mate. Check it out on: www.triciaanncharterfishing.com

Contact MD Fishing Chair Lew Roach to book a rod: Lew.roach@gmail.com or cell 202-417-0714.

DIA Rod & GUn Club Newsletter July 2020

In this issue:

Board Vacancy
Decision Not to Renew Hunting Lease
New Members Needed
DIA Rod and Gun Club Email Blasts
Seeking Entries for the Annual Best Fish, Game and Article Awards
Ft AP Hill Closed to Hunting
Equipment for Sale
Club Website and Facebook Page
Member’s Hunting and Fishing Stories
Seeking Newsletter Publisher / Club Fishing Trip Announcements

Board Vacancy

There is vacancy on the board of directors. If anyone is interested in serving on the board please contact one of the current board members.

Decision Not to Renew Hunting Lease

After much discussion and debate the board has decided not to renew the club’s hunting lease for the upcoming season. Considerations which led to the decision were: the low member participation rate (11 members, with about half projected to participate next year), the low usage rate and low total number of hunt hours, the loss of the only heavy bedding cover on the property, (cover was clear-cut to provide access to the bill boards) and the low harvest rates (ZERO harvest). While the lease is supposed to be self-funded, fewer members would drive up the per person cost of the lease beyond what the board thought was reasonable for the amount of land and hunting prospects for the club at large. These considerations prompted the board to not renew the hunting lease for the 2020/2021 hunting season. Lew Roach will facilitate introductions to the land owner for any group of members from the club who would like to approach the land owner to make leasing arrangements independently of the club. The board will continue to look for a more productive hunting lease for the club.

New Members Needed: Get out and Recruit!

Our membership has slowly declined over the past few years. We are presently down to 51 paid members. This waning number makes it increasingly difficult to provide quality food and door prizes for our membership meetings. As you have noticed we no longer serve a full meal at the spring meeting. Club discounts for hunting and fishing trips may need to be reduced if our membership continues to decline. The solution to this situation is easy……either increase dues or increase membership. The board would prefer the latter so is appealing to the current members to help solicit new members. If you know anyone who you feel would be a good fit for our club, please invite them to join. Likewise, if you belong to, or know other sportsman’s clubs or organizations please invite them to consider joining. Attached is a trifold you can use help advertise our club to potential members. A membership application is also attached.

DIA Rod and Gun Club Email Blasts

In an effort to keep club members better informed, the board has decided to increase the frequency of communications in the form of a periodic email containing links to timely items of interest to the club. We are calling this the “DIA Rod and Gun Blast”. We plan to send blasts out monthly to all members, especially when items cannot wait until the next newsletter. Information should be in the form of a website link, which directs members to the actual website that contains the information of interest. We can use your help. PLEASE SEND THE WEBSITE LINK RATHER THAN CUT AND PASTE INFORMATION FROM THE WEBSITE. Simply send the link with a brief title of what it is about to Louis Cappucci and he will consolidate and blast out the list of links periodically to all members. Information must be of general interest to the club such as announcements for county or state hunting lotteries, local gun shows, new or pending hunting or fishing regulations, articles about chronic wasting disease, member’s equipment for sale, etc. etc. We will not publish generic advertising for businesses. The one item that does not have to be in the form of a website link is equipment for sale by club members. Members should submit links for consideration to Louis Cappucci at: louis.cappucci@gmail.com

Seeking Entries for the Annual Best Fish, Game & Article Awards

Due to the cancellation of the Spring Membership meeting we will present the annual DIA fishing and hunting awards at our Fall Meeting. It’s not too late to send any 2019 ( as well as spring 2020 award nominations for consideration. Just send measurements of your fish or game in accordance with the guidance on our website, snap a photo and get a fellow club member to certify your measurements. Send nominations to Dennis McNulty, (dbigbalance@yahoo.com). The award criteria and measurement guidance are posted on the club website at: http://www.diarodandgunclub.com/documents . As a reminder, game harvested on any hunting trip is eligible, but only fish caught on DIA sponsored trips are eligible for awards. All awards will be presented at the next membership meeting.

The list below are current nominations for 2019 Fish and Game Awards:

Dennis McNulty- buck

Maston Gray – Newsletter article

Bill Brewer – Wahoo

Dave Burpee - Antelope

Fort AP Hill Closed to Hunting

Fort AP Hill has closed to hunting and fishing until further notice as a "force protection" initiative. Last year, 2018, hunters took 555 deer and 53 turkeys there. Fort Pickett did not close, nor did Fort Belvoir or Quantico Marine Corps base. Its best to check with all base authorities for updates before purchasing fishing or hunting permits for any of the military reservations.

You can read more about this at: https://faph.isportsman.net/

Member Hunting and Fishing Stories

Two Good Days - Submitted by Dave Burpee

Anybody who has ever fished knows what it means to wish for “a good day.” Unfortunately, those wishes are infrequently granted by the fish Gods. So, when you and your buddies have TWO good days in the span of three weeks…, well, the Gods must have really been in good moods.

DIA members Dave Burpee, Bob Seltzer and Dan Van Gundy hired Tony Smith of Lake Anna Guide Service for two striper trips – June 4 and 25. Tony is the same guide the DIA Club uses when it contracts for striper fishing on Lake Anna.

The first trip was truly magical. A total of 2.5 hours on the water – including some time looking for fish – and we were back at the dock with a 16-fish limit that included many NICE ones. In addition, we had fun with some hookups that resulted in smaller stripers and a few catfish being released.

The second trip took a little longer (5.5 hours) but was also VERY satisfying. We boated 13 keepers and again had fun catching then releasing some stripers and catfish.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this article is expanded by two thousand words with the accompanying photos. A good time was had by all!

Striped Bass Trip Enjoys Success - (submitted by Ed Fortunato)

May 27 was the Club's first fishing trip of the season and was another rounding success. Using our favorite 53' Bay boat the "Heritage" sailing from Lewisetta VA, we caught over 20 striped bass and our limit of 10 keeper size. The biggest was a huge 31 1/2" striper caught by young Kevin Concepcion on his first fishing trip. Talk about beginner's luck. But the

day was capped off by a highly unusual catch while trolling, and that was a large 15-20 lb catfish caught by long time member Ned O'Keefe. With the movement of the boat, the size of the fish and its large head spinning all the time, Ned had a real fight to bring it in, handed the rod to the

captain, then to Kenny Concepcion, back to the captain and then back to Ned who finally got the beast in. All in all another fun trip with a lot of kidding aboard the boat. The captain/boat are careful of the virus and there are Clorox and soap buckets and lots of space to spread out.

It Was Magic – Submitted by Dave Burpee

The magic trip had finally arrived. I had always looked forward to hunting with grandchildren and that magic event happened this summer. Little did I know in advance how much magic would be involved.

My oldest grandson, Dylan – age 15, and I set out on June 14 this year for a three-day pig hunt near Coosawhatchie (try to pronounce THAT), SC. We drove with friends Bob Seltzer (fellow DIA club member) and John Eckenrode. The hunt site is about 28 miles north of the Georgia/South Carolina border and slightly to the west of I-95. The plantation has an excellent cabin and about 2,000 acres. We left at 0445 and arrived at 1500 with stops for gas and food – all COVID precautions taken.

Our rifle hunt was set for 15-17 June. In preparation, Dylan had been to a range several times with his new 6.5 Creedmoor and had demonstrated good proficiency. Still to be determined, however, was his accuracy under the pressure of an actual hunt.

The first and last days, no one saw pigs. Bummer. The second day saw all the action with Bob, John and Dylan getting animals. I sat with Dylan and did not plan to shoot.

The very early morning sky in the SC woods/swamp was clear on the second day and the bugs were quiet in our pop-up blind (thanks to Termacell, perhaps one of the greatest inventions ever.) We soon saw a HUGE raccoon come to the bait pile and this gave Dylan an opportunity to look through his scope at a real animal without pulling the trigger. The raccoon ate his fill and departed. Shortly thereafter, three pigs pranced out of the treeline, nestled close to each other, and began to feed.

Dylan took careful aim at the closest pig, striving to put a bullet in its ear so it would drop in its own shadow and thus not present us with an unpleasant, bug-filled tracking exercise. He was deliberate, not rushed, and after getting a proper sight picture he pulled the trigger. The pig dropped immediately and he was ecstatic, “Grandpa, I shot a pig, I shot a pig.”

I took a look through my binoculars and said, “No, you didn’t.” He could see the pig and of course pushed back that in fact he had killed the animal. I responded, “No, you did not kill A pig. You killed two!” He did not believe me so I informed him he was perhaps the first hunter to kill a pig that had eight legs.

We exited the pop-up and sure enough there were two pigs on the ground. His bullet had passed through the skull of the first animal and gone in the ear of the animal feeding beside it. Naturally, he now thinks that it was all skill -- no luck involved -- and that pig hunting is a piece of cake. He will probably find out different next year….

Equipment for Sale

Do you have any shooting, fishing or hunting equipment you would like to sell or give away? If so, send the announcement to Dennis McNulty and he will include it in the next newsletter.

Do you know we have a Website and Facebook Page?

Our website is located at: https://www.diarodandgunclub.com/

If you are a user of Facebook, please check out our page at:https://www.facebook.com/DIARodGunClub/

Note: Currently our page is an open group, we are considering making this a private page due to privacy concerns.

Seeking Newsletter Publisher / Maryland Hunting Chair

In addition, we are seeking a chairperson to organize hunting trips in Maryland.

CLUB FISHING TRIPS:

BAY FISHING IN VIRGINIA:

23 July, Thursday- Spanish mackerel and bluefish from Reedville – Capacity 6 – filled, taking names for standby list

21 August Friday - Spanish mackerel and bluefish from Reedville- Capacity 6 – taking names for standby list

30 Nov Monday - Striped bass from Reedville- Capacity 6, filled- taking names for list

All gear and fish cleaning is provided. Just bring your food/drinks. 53' boat with cabin and head (Heritage). Cost is approx. $$103 after Club discount, plus $25 cash tip for the mate. It is a great family outing. Check it out on www.Fishersbaycharter.com. If you have interest in other dates or another charter let me know.

Call or email QUICKLY to reserve a spot, they fill up rapidly. If boat is filled, there are often cancellations so add your name to the standby list.

ed.fort.translog@comcast.net 703-622-9323

BAY FISHING IN MARYLAND:

11 July, Saturday – live lining with light tackle for striped bass and bonus possibility for Spanish mackerel trolling from Chesapeake Beach, MD. Trip is fully booked but taking stand-bys.

21 November, Saturday – trolling for trophy striped bass from either Chesapeake Beach or Point Lookout, MD

If you have interest in a special Cobia trophy fishing trip on this boat in late summer, also please let me know.

Contact MD Fishing Chair Lew Roach to book a rod, Lew.roach@gmail.com or cell 202-417-0714

DIA Rod & Gun Club Newsletter May 2020

In this issue:

2020 Club Dues : (Please pay or you will be dropped from the roles)
New Members Needed
Spring Membership Meeting Postponed
Seeking News Articles for Club Email Blasts
Last Call for Entries for the Annual Best Fish, Game and Article Awards
Base Hunting and Fishing Closures
Equipment for Sale
Club Website and Facebook Page
Seeking Club Trip Sponsors
Club Fishing Trips for 2020
Points of Contact

2020 Club Dues

Dues for 2020 are unchanged at $40, and are payable now. The club currently has only about 48 members out of 73 who have paid their dues for this year. Please make checks payable to DIA Rod and Gun Club, Inc, and send to our new Membership Chair Sean Gallagher, 1000 Virginia Ave, Alexandria, VA. 22302. If you do not plan to remain a member, please send Sean an email and let him know: diargclub@gallagher.us.com. Members who do not pay dues by 30 May will be dropped from the membership list.

New Members Needed: Get out and Recruit!

Our membership has slowly declined over the past few years. We are presently down to 73 members. This waning number makes it increasingly difficult to provide quality food and door prizes for our membership meetings. As you have noticed, we no longer serve a full meal at the spring meeting. Club discounts for hunting and fishing trips may need to be reduced if our membership continues to decline. The solution to this situation is easy……either increase dues or increase membership. The board would prefer the latter so is appealing to the current members to help solicit new members. If you know anyone who you feel would be a good fit for our club, please invite them to join. Likewise, if you belong to, or know other sportsman’s clubs or organizations please invite their members to consider joining.

Spring Membership Meeting Postponed

The board decided to postpone the spring membership meeting that was originally planned for 3 May until 14 June due to the current social distancing orders in effect. The board will re-assess this decision as 14 June approaches. The board agreed to offer Trap and Skeet shooting on the 3 May date for those interested provided the FFR&G club range remains open. If you plan to shoot trap and skeet on 3 May please RSVP to Dave Eoff. The club will cover the range fees for two rounds of skeet or trap. Members must provide their own shot shells. (Shot size must be 7.5, 8 or 9)

Seeking News Articles for Club Email Blasts

In an effort to keep club members better informed, the board has decided to increase the frequency of communications. We will do this in the form of a periodic email containing links to timely articles of interest to the club. We are calling this the “DIA Blast”. We plan to send blasts out monthly to all members, especially when items cannot wait until the next newsletter. Information should be in the form of a website link, which directs members to the actual website that contains the information of interest. We can use your help. PLEASE SEND THE WEBSITE LINK RATHER THAN CUT AND PASTE INFORMATION FROM THE WEBSITE. Simply send the link with a brief title of what it is about to Louis Cappucci and he will consolidate and blast out the list of links periodically to all members. Information must be of general interest to the club such as announcements for county or state hunting lotteries, local gun shows, new or pending hunting or fishing regulations, articles about chronic wasting disease, member’s equipment for sale, etc. etc. We will not publish generic advertising for businesses. The one item that does not have to be in the form of a website link is equipment for sale by club members. Members should submit links for consideration to Louis Cappucci at: louis.cappucci@gmail.com

Last Call for Annual Best Fish, Game & Article Awards

Don’t forget to send nominations for club hunting and fishing awards. It’s easy to enter. Just send measurements of your fish or game in accordance with the guidance on our website, snap a photo and get a fellow club member to certify your measurements. Send nominations to Dennis McNulty, (dbigbalance@yahoo.com). The award criteria and measurement guidance are posted on the club website at: http://www.diarodandgunclub.com/documents . As a reminder, game harvested on any hunting trip is eligible, but only fish caught on DIA sponsored trips are eligible for awards. All awards will be presented at the spring membership meeting.

The list below are current nominations for 2019 Fish and Game Awards:

Dennis McNulty- buck

Maston Gray – Newsletter article

Bill Brewer – Wahoo

Dave Burpee - antelope

Base Hunting and Fishing Closures

Fort AP Hill is closed to hunting and fishing until further notice as a "force protection" initiative due to the corona virus pandemic. Fort Belvoir is closed for Spring Turkey Season, but still open for fishing. Fort Pickett is still open for hunting and fishing. Quantico Marine Corps base is also open for hunting and fishing. It would be prudent to check the base web-sites for closure updates before planning a trip to these installations.

You can read more about this at: https://faph.isportsman.net/

Equipment for Sale

Below are items for sale by one of our members:

FOR SALE:

Winchester Model 101, 12-gauge shotgun

28” barrel. Full & Modified chokes.

Good condition w/case. $675.00

Joel Lutkenhouse, 703-250-4482, lutkenhouse1@juno.com

Do you have any shooting, fishing or hunting equipment you would like to sell or give away? If so, send the announcement to Dennis McNulty and he will include it in the next newsletter.

Do you know we have a Website and Facebook Page?

Our website is located at: https://www.diarodandgunclub.com/

If you are a user of Facebook, please check out our page at:

https://www.facebook.com/DIARodGunClub/

Note: Currently our page is an open group, we are considering making this a private page due to privacy concerns.

Seeking Club Trip Sponsors

Have an idea for a hunting or fishing trip that you think other club members would enjoy? We are always seeking members who want to sponsor a trip even if they fall outside our normal fishing trips or hunting events published in the newsletters. These could range for a trip to the Shenandoah Valley in pursuit of native Brook Trout with a fly rod, or maybe a pheasant hunt at a local game preserve? If so, let one of the board members know and we can help you get the word out to the membership. If there is enough interest, the board would make it an official club sponsored trip so any costs could be defrayed using the standard club discounts.

The contact information for board members is included at the end of this newsletter.

Club Fishing Trips for 2020:

NOTE FOR ALL TRIPS: If Corona virus is still an issue when these trips occur, State and boat captain’s rules will be followed. Details will be provided to participants for each trip in advance

BAY FISHING IN VIRGINIA:

27 May, Wednesday - striped bass from Lewisetta, fully booked, taking standby names

23 July, Thursday- Spanish mackerel and bluefish from Reedville, have 2-3 remaining openings

21 August Friday - Spanish mackerel and bluefish from Reedville, have 2-3 remaining openings

30 Nov Monday (Changed from 4 Dec) - striped bass from Reedville, have 1-2 remaining openings

All gear and fish cleaning is provided. Just bring your food/drinks. 53'

boat with cabin and head (Heritage). Cost is approx. $$103 after Club discount,

plus $25 cash tip for the mate. It is a great family outing. Check it out on

www.Fishersbaycharter.com

If you have interest in other dates or another charter let me know.

Call or email QUICKLY to reserve a spot, they fill up rapidly.

ed.fort.translog@comcast.net 703-622-9323

BAY FISHING IN MARYLAND:

23 May, Saturday – trolling for striped bass from Chesapeake Beach, MD. 5 remaining openings for this trip.

11 July, Saturday – live lining with light tackle for striped bass and bonus possibility for Spanish mackerel trolling from Chesapeake Beach, MD. 3 remaining openings for this trip.

21 November, Saturday – trolling for trophy striped bass from either Chesapeake Beach or Point Lookout, MD. 5 remaining openings for this trip.

If you have interest in a special Cobia trophy fishing trip on this boat in late summer, also please let me know. Contact MD Fishing Chair Lew Roach to book a rod

Lew.roach@gmail.com or 202-417-0714.

DIA Rod & Gun Club Newsletter December 2019

In this issue:

2020 Club Dues
Board Election Results / Vacancy
New Members Needed
Coming Soon – DIA Email Blasts
Seeking Entries for the Annual Best Fish, Game and Article Awards
Ft AP Hill Closed to Hunting
Equipment for Sale
Club Website and Facebook Page
Member’s Hunting and Fishing Stories
Seeking Newsletter Publisher / Club Fishing Trip Announcements
Points of Contact

2020 Club Dues

It’s that time of the year again. Dues for 2020 are unchanged at $40, and are payable now. Please make checks payable to DIA Rod and Gun Club, Inc, and send to our new Membership Chair Sean Gallagher, 1000 Virginia Ave

Alexandria, VA. 22302. If you do not plan to remain a member, please send Sean an email and let him know: diargclub@gallagher.us.com. Members who do not pay dues within 90 days will be dropped from the membership list.

Board Election Results / Vacancies

The board conducted elections for board members in November. All presently sitting board members were re-elected. However, Dave Burpee and Bernie Gately have announced their resignation. Sean Gallagher will assume duties as the Club’s new membership chair. Ed McDaniel has been selected by the board to replace Dave Burpee. However, this leaves one open slot on the board, so if anyone is interested in serving on the board please contact one of the current board members.

New Members Needed: Get out and Recruit!

Our membership has slowly declined over the past few years. We are presently down to 73 members. This waning number makes it increasingly difficult to provide quality food and door prizes for our membership meetings. As you have noticed we no longer serve a full meal at the spring meeting. Club discounts for hunting and fishing trips may need to be reduced if our membership continues to decline. The solution to this situation is easy……either increase dues or increase membership. The board would prefer the latter so is appealing to the current members to help solicit new members. If you know anyone who you feel would be a good fit for our club, please invite them to join. Likewise, if you belong to, or know other sportsman’s clubs or organizations please invite them to consider joining. Attached is a trifold you can use help advertise our club to potential members. A membership application is also attached.

Coming soon – DIA Email Blasts

In an effort to keep club members better informed, the board has decided to increase the frequency of communications in the form of a periodic email containing links to timely items of interest to the club. We are calling this the “DIA Blast”. We plan to send blasts out monthly to all members, especially when items cannot wait until the next newsletter. Information should be in the form of a website link, which directs members to the actual website that contains the information of interest. We can use your help. PLEASE SEND THE WEBSITE LINK RATHER THAN CUT AND PASTE INFORMATION FROM THE WEBSITE. Simply send the link with a brief title of what it is about to Louis Cappucci and he will consolidate and blast out the list of links periodically to all members. Information must be of general interest to the club such as announcements for county or state hunting lotteries, local gun shows, new or pending hunting or fishing regulations, articles about chronic wasting disease, member’s equipment for sale, etc. etc. We will not publish generic advertising for businesses. The one item that does not have to be in the form of a website link is equipment for sale by club members. Members should submit links for consideration to Louis Cappucci at: louis.cappucci@gmail.com

Seeking Entries for the Annual Best Fish, Game & Article Awards

As the fishing and hunting seasons wind down, don’t forget to send nominations for club hunting and fishing awards. It’s easy to enter. Just send measurements of your fish or game in accordance with the guidance on our website, snap a photo and get a fellow club member to certify your measurements. Send nominations to Dennis McNulty, (dbigbalance@yahoo.com). The award criteria and measurement guidance are posted on the club website at: http://www.diarodandgunclub.com/documents . As a reminder, game harvested on any hunting trip is eligible, but only fish caught on DIA sponsored trips are eligible for awards. All awards will be presented at the spring membership meeting.

The list below are current nominations for 2019 Fish and Game Awards:

Dennis McNulty- buck

Maston Gray – Newsletter article

Bill Brewer – Wahoo

Dave Burpee - antelope

Fort AP Hill Closed to Hunting

Fort AP Hill has closed to hunting and fishing until further notice as a "force protection" initiative. Last year, 2018, hunters took 555 deer and 53 turkeys there. Fort Pickett did not close, nor did Fort Belvoir or Quantico Marine Corps base. Check with AP Hill authorities for updates before purchasing fishing or hunting permits

You can read more about this at: https://faph.isportsman.net/

Member Hunting and Fishing Stories

Keep Your Powder Dry by Maston Gray

The October deer hunt in Loudoun County in 2016 was warm and uneventful until I heard the sound of the fox hunt horns followed by the baying of the foxhounds in hot pursuit of, you guessed it, a Red Fox. The fox hunters were about a quarter mile away and the woods were as still as a cold night in February on a full moon. Soon I could hear and feel the vibration of hooves fast approaching and the sound of fox hunting horns were blaring so loud I could touch them. All of a sudden, the dry creek run where my climber stand set up was burst alive with running game. First the turkeys, then the bear, then a dozen does zoom by, all followed by a huge buck, so fast and large and so close I couldn’t even estimate the points, just many and large flashing by at top speed.

The next year I again caught a glimpse of the huge buck in full rut, just as the 30 minutes after sunset expired, but I could make him out, it was the fox hunting buck for sure. It wasn’t until the next year’s rut that he appeared on a game camera, as seen below.

This was a very regal and proud buck, in his prime, the king of the valley farm, looking his role as royal majesty and prince of the woods.

Next season was 2019 and I found large buck tracks in early fall after a monsoon rain near a small creek on the west side of the farm, not far from where I had seen the fox hunting game-rush two years before. The tracks were his for sure, with large dew claws following the big hoof prints. Man was I excited. Could I catch a glimpse of him this fall, before the rut? Just wishful thinking on my part. This wise and seasoned smart buck operated primarily at night, his reason for still being around.

Finally, black powder muzzle loader season was upon us for two weeks in early November, maybe this would be the time. I finally saw him again, from afar, chasing three does above the creek along the ridge, clearly him but well out of range. This was a Thursday. It was quiet and I began to hunt the area again. And there he is chasing 2 does right in front of me, 30 yds out. He gave up the chase and circles back to mark an overhead branch with his eye orbital glands and commenced to build a scrape in the dirt right in front of me. I watched in amazement at his regal behavior, a king of the woods. He pauses for a moment, then I put the iron sights on him from 30 yards, squeeze the trigger, the primer goes pop and nothing happens! He spins around on a dime, and I feverishly reload a new primer in the long gun and wait for him to come around the tree off to the side. Steady, take a breath and hold, ready, aim and fire! Another pop and no boom or cloud of smoke! My powder must be damp, so I quit the hunt in despair and head down the tree and toward home frustrated and disgruntled, going home to kick the dog or anything I meet through the doorway.

This outing was a definite bust. Once home I checked my powder pellets and they seem dry but appear a little crusty on the edges. Maybe the few weeks in the basement prepping the gun for fall allowed some moisture to get into the 50 gr pellets. Fortunately, I had spare loose powder on hand and diligently poured 100 grains into quick load tubes with ball ammunition in preparation for my venture out, Friday, the last day of muzzleloader season. Would this be the day?

It is unseasonably warm on Friday, not good for deer in rut. Went almost all day without a sign of a deer. I only saw squirrels and pileated wood peckers with their unique shrieks as they swooped amongst the white oak trees. Then about 4:30 pm the does began to move about. Two deer came out from my left to stand in front of me just across the creek. I was 30 ft up in the climber, safe and out of sight and sound from the deer. The water was gurgling softly from a small waterfall over the rocks below me. This is the perfect setting for a buck to appear in pursuit. But no bucks were in sight. It is approaching 5 pm and sunset is at 5:01. I hear footsteps to my left rear, and immediately freeze. I pin my eyeballs toward the sound, not moving my head a bit. Was it a squirrel, turkey, or fox? Neither, a large doe followed by a smaller doe meandered up the trail, away from me, across the creek and foot bridge to the site where the scrape was made the week before.

Again, I hear footsteps coming from my left rear, and notice a smaller doe coming around an arc towards me. I see a shadow behind her, followed by a large set of antlers low to the ground! My heart jumps two beats and I feel a rush of adrenaline. It’s him. This year he is a symmetrical 8-pointer. I cannot move without being seen as they are so close on my left, so when he goes behind a large red oak, I take aim and freeze. As he emerges from behind the tree, I wait until his shoulder appears, just above the leg, and squeeze the trigger. Ka-Boom goes the muzzle loader, with a huge cloud of white smoke. Did I hit the vitals? I heard thrashing and crashing and saw him running, but only for 20 yards, then he doubled up, and sighed for the last time. Buck down!

After hustling down the climber I rushed over to find him still and expired. A beautiful buck but knowing there was only 25 minutes left of daylight, time was of the essence to get him field dressed and out before the foxes and coyotes moved in. I gave him a final blessing of respect and was thankful I could hunt this fine private property year after year.

The landowner helped me load him into the Subaru Forester for the jaunt to Mark Leigh’ s butcher shop near Hamilton Virginia, just past Leesburg off Route 9.

This was an exciting and memorable hunt for sure, and a great 10 days looking for this brute that had eluded me for so long and reminded me of an old adage ………. Keep your powder dry!

Ammunition Conservation Duck Hunt by Ed Fortunato

I participated in a duck hunt at the famous Reelfoot Lake Wildlife Management Area in Tennessee. It is a renowned major flyway for ducks and geese. The lake was formed by an earthquake in 1816 when the Mississippi actually flowed in reverse for a few days and formed the 12,000-acre lake which averages only 5' in depth. It is loaded with cypress trees and brush

with protected inlets, ideal for waterfowl. The formidable blinds belong to families and if not needed revert to the State for control. Many blinds are in families for 50 years or more. Therefore, they are very well constructed.

Ours was totally dry and had a heated room with stove. The shooting platform was three steps up through a protective curtain. According to our guide the cost

to construct was $7,000. The guide and his son took us out by a small flat bottom boat in the dark, which was a thrill going 20 knots on an open lake in pitch darkness with only 1 life jacket on board for 6 of us!!! The boat

was parked at the blind under a covered area, decoys were out and some had electronically operated wings flapping and several moving about like they were swimming. This was a first-class operation.

Unfortunately, it rained heavily the prior week and the farm fields had lots of pools, where many ducks chose to sit and munch on the grain. We saw a number of bald eagles but darn few ducks. Unfortunately, despite nice

weather and a great blind with decoys, the 5 of us hunted for 2 full days without firing a single shot. It was an ammunition conservation hunt for sure!

Would I do it again? Absolutely, that's the joy of hunting and fishing, it is always an adventure.

Equipment for Sale

Below are items for sale by one of our members:

FOR SALE:

Winchester Model 101, 12-gauge shotgun

28” barrel. Full & Modified chokes.

Good condition w/case. $675.00

Joel Lutkenhouse, 703-250-4482, lutkenhouse1@juno.com

Do you have any shooting, fishing or hunting equipment you would like to sell or give away? If so, send the announcement to Dennis McNulty and he will include it in the next newsletter.

Do you know we have a Website and Facebook Page?

Our website is located at: https://www.diarodandgunclub.com/

If you are a user of Facebook, please check out our page at:

https://www.facebook.com/DIARodGunClub/

Note: Currently our page is an open group, we are considering making this a private page due to privacy concerns.

Seeking Newsletter Publisher / Maryland Hunting Chair

In addition, we are seeking a chairperson to organize hunting trips in Maryland.

CLUB FISHING TRIPS:

BAY FISHING IN VIRGINIA:

27 May, Wednesday - striped bass from Lewisetta

23 July, Thursday- Spanish mackerel and bluefish from Reedville

21 August Friday - Spanish mackerel and bluefish from Reedville

4 Dec Friday - striped bass from Reedville

All gear and fish cleaning is provided. Just bring your food/drinks. 53'

boat with cabin and head (Heritage). Cost is approx. $$103 after Club discount,

plus $25 cash tip for the mate. It is a great family outing. Check it out on

www.Fishersbaycharter.com

If you have interest in other dates or another charter let me know.

Call or email QUICKLY to reserve a spot, they fill up rapidly.

ed.fort.translog@comcast.net 703-622-9323

BAY FISHING IN MARYLAND:

23 May, Saturday – trolling for striped bass from Chesapeake Beach, MD

11 July, Saturday – live lining with light tackle for striped bass and bonus possibility for Spanish mackerel trolling from Chesapeake Beach, MD

21 November, Saturday – trolling for trophy striped bass from either Chesapeake Beach or Point Lookout, MD

If you have interest in a special Cobia trophy fishing trip on this boat in late summer, also please let me know.

Contact MD Fishing Chair Lew Roach to book a rod

Lew.roach@gmail.com or cell 202-417-0714

DIA Rod & Gun Club Newsletter December 2019

In this issue:

2020 Club Dues
Board Member Election Results / Vacancies
New Members Needed
Seeking Entries for the Annual Best Fish, Game and Article Awards
Success at Cape Hatteras Trip
Virginia Striper Success
Members’ Wyoming Antelope Hunt
Do you have equipment for sale?
Do you know we have a Facebook page?
Seeking Newsletter Publisher
Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson

2020 Club Dues

Alexandria, VA. 22302. If you do not plan to remain a member, please send Sean and email and let him know. (diargclub@gallagher.us.com). Members who do not pay dues within 90 days will be dropped from the membership list.

Board Member Election Results / Vacancies

The board conducted elections for board members in November. All presently sitting board members were re-elected. However, Dave Burpee and Bernie Gately have announced their resignation. Sean Gallagher will assume duties as the Club’s new membership chair. Ed McDaniel has been selected by the board to replace Dave Burpee. However, this leaves one open slot on the board, so if anyone is interested on serving on the board please contact one of the current board members.

New Members Needed:

Our membership has slowly declined over the past few years. We are presently down to 73 members. This waning number makes it increasingly difficult to provide quality food and door prizes for our membership meetings. As you have noticed we no longer serve a full meal at the spring meeting. Club discounts for hunting and fishing trips may need to be reduced if our membership continues to decline. The solution to this situation is easy……either increase dues or increase membership. The board would prefer the latter so is appealing to the current members to help solicit new members. If you know anyone who you feel would be a good fit for our club, please invite them to join. Likewise, if you belong to, or know other sportsman’s clubs or organizations please invite them to consider joining. We have developed a trifold which you can use help advertise our club to potential members. It is attached in the email.

Seeking Entries for the Annual Best Fish, Game & Article Awards

As the fishing and hunting seasons wind down, don’t forget to send nominations for club hunting and fishing awards. Just measure your fish or game in accordance with the guidance on our website, snap a photo and get a fellow club member to certify your measurements. Send nominations to Dennis McNulty, (dbigbance@yahoo.com). The award criteria and measurement guidance are attached posted on the club website at: http://www.diarodandgunclub.com/documents/. As a reminder, game harvested on any trip is eligible, but only fish caught on DIA sponsored trips are eligible for awards. All awards will be presented at the spring membership meeting. Also remember you are encouraged to share any hunting, fishing or outdoor stories with the club in the form of a newsletter article. Articles don’t necessarily have to be from DIA sponsored trips. Just send a photo of your trip and a short story of the trip to share your adventure with the club.

Club Fishermen Score at Cape Hatteras Again Story by Ed Fortunato

The Club's first ever fall trip to Cape Hatteras was fraught with

complications. previous attempts were cancelled by hurricanes. This year it

was scheduled for September but a storm washed out the road to Cape

Hatteras, so it was rescheduled to November. A week prior to the November

date the boat captain called to say that his boat motor was blown and out of

action. So we decided to keep the November date and change boats. Weather had us very concerned since the week prior had small craft warnings up to our

planned date, we fished as scheduled and it was rough, but highly

successful. The day after our trip had small craft warnings again. Luckily

we were sandwiched in between. Total take was 180 lbs. of fish before

cleaning, with 12 fish hooked, one tuna lost and one wahoo lost. Boated 10,

1 mahi, 2 wahoo's (a 50 lbr and a 42 lbr) and 7 blackfin tuna. We plan to do

it again this spring, watch for dates in the newsletter.

Virginia Striper Success Story by Ed Fortunato

The December 6th fall striped bass fishing trip for our Club ended well with 12

keeper size out of 24 caught. Dick Vande Hei even landed a double header and

we can't figure out how he did that, (he must have slipped the mate a few

extra bucks)!! It was a long day of trolling but the Heritage captain worked

hard for us once again. The Club members did their usual ribbing and kidding

making this yet another fun trip.

For those members who have not gone on a Club fishing charter trip you are

missing out. Family members are welcome and all fishing gear and fish

cleaning is provided.

It Was a Lucky Hunt Story by Dave Burpee

You know the old saying: “It is better to be lucky than good.” My recent antelope hunt is proof positive about the accuracy of that saying. DIA Rod and Gun Club members Bob Seltzer, Dan Van Gundy and I, along with friends Bo Slaughter and Jack Denbow, left Virginia on August 17 in two vehicles. Two-and-a-half days and about 2,000 miles later we arrived at the Werner Ranch, which is about 40 minutes due north of Douglas, Wyoming. We were joined by John Peeler who drove in from Lawton, Oklahoma. Bob set this trip up several years ago to be a bi-annual event on odd years. He has been about a dozen times. This was my fourth trip. My previous three were successful, with one animal qualifying for Pope and Young. However, each year is different and in hunting there are no guarantees. This was a five-day hunt so none of us were in a hurry to take an animal. We did not want to target yearlings or barely mature bucks, but the first fully mature buck that came into range was in danger.

We were using longbows and recurves with wooden arrows so the action needed to be up close and personal. To accomplish this, the method of hunting was focused on wooden blinds set near watering holes. Hopefully animals would come to drink and do so within range of traditional archery – which for us tops out at about 25 yards.

Antelope typically are VERY wary when coming to water. Bucks will let does and fawns water while they stand far off and observe. Bucks also slowly feed towards water while continually watching the waterhole for any sign of unusual movement or a predator. This presents challenges to the hunter because, even though the hunter is in a blind, the antelope’s eyesight is fantastic and movement within the blind can be spotted, even from a distance.

After a great breakfast, we were taken to our blinds. We had our lunches and reading material as we would not be picked up unless we got an animal or it got dark, whichever came first. I was dropped off at my blind about 7 AM and spent a few minutes getting set up. At the end of that process I sat in my chair, exhaled and looked out the window to my right. There, eight yards away and looking right at me, was a doe. Ten minutes in the blind and busted! I was sure she and her fawns would bolt, but they did not – just turned and walked away from the water feeding naturally.

I felt fortunate (“lucky”) they did not dash off and thus did not alert a HUGE antelope that I noticed feeding about 300 yards away. I watched him for almost an hour, but he was not interested in water. I figured, “OK, feed now and water later. I’ve got time.”

I had been watching that buck for some time when I decided to look out a window to my left. And, lucky me, there was another nice buck about 200 yards away just cresting the top of a hill. My luck continued to compound as this buck disobeyed all antelope rules about approaching a water hole. No feeding. No stops to observe. Just a steady walk straight to the water and immediately began to drink – 15 yards from me. I counted my blessings, nocked an arrow that was tipped with a 145-grain Eclipse broadhead, slowly drew back my Great Northern Lil’ Creep longbow – and missed! The arrow was centered on the sweet spot but unfortunately too high and over the back by an inch. Here fate (luck) intervened again. An antelope that is missed low will run like the wind 110% of the time. An antelope missed high will VERY occasionally not run as he mistakes the sound of the feathers passing as a bird or an insect. I’m not sure why mine did not run, but he didn’t. He took three quick steps to his left and froze. It also probably helped that my arrow fairly silently buried in mud. He stood there for a few minutes assessing what had just happened and finally decided that everything was OK. He turned, returned to almost his same hoof prints to continue drinking and presented me with another broadside shot. I counted my blessings, quit kicking myself for the miss and this time put an arrow in the right place. My five-day hunt was done in the first hour. Considering the circumstances, it does not get better – or luckier – than that.

The buck was nicer than I thought when viewed from the blind. It scored 5/8” short of Pope and Young and had a nice body. I spent the rest of the week hanging around the ranch, reading, and helping others with their antelope.

After very little activity at his water hole, John shot his “speed goat” on the second evening when a group of seven bucks came running in to chase off a young buck that was already watering. John's buck netted 66" and was also taken with a Great Northern Lil’ Creep longbow and a homemade wood arrow topped with a 145-grain Eclipse broadhead.

Bo also connected on the second day of the hunt. He arrowed his first ever antelope with a 7- yard quartering away shot using a Bear magnesium handle takedown bow and homemade Douglas fir arrow with 160-grain Ace Standard broadhead.

Late on day three, Dan connected on his 69 4/8 Pope and Young animal using a Great Northern Lil’ Creep longbow and handmade wooden arrow. His antelope lay down and the following morning was still in the same spot. Dan was able to put a killing shot on the antelope without having to follow him.

Bob and Jack did not get traffic at their waterholes and so did not take an antelope, proving once again that luck can be both positive and negative.

Naturally all this hunting was enhanced by friendship and stories shared over meals and while relaxing in the evening. Our hosts and owners/operators Connie and JJ Werner are the best as is their guide and helper Mark Woolard, Connie’s brother-in-law. We all had a wonderful time and are already looking forward to the 2021 hunt.

Do you have Equipment for Sale?

Do you have any shooting, fishing or hunting equipment you would like to sell or give away? If so, send the announcement to Dennis McNulty and he will include it in the next newsletter.

Do you know we have a Facebook Page?

If you are a user of Facebook, please check out our page at:

https://www.facebook.com/DIARodGunClub/

Note: Currently our page is an open group, we are considering making this a private page due to privacy concerns.

Seeking Newsletter Publisher

Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson

There are some excellent hunting opportunities to be had in Maryland. If interested in the Maryland Chairperson position or if you want to help organize a single event, please contact a board member. The contact information for the board members and other activity chairs is included at the end of this newsletter.

DIA Rod & Gun Club Newsletter September 2019

In this issue:

Upcoming Fall Membership Meeting
Last Call for Hunting Lease Participants
Club Fishing Trip Announcements
Seeking Entries for the Annual Best Fish, Game and Article Awards
Do you have equipment for sale?
Seeking Newsletter Publisher

Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Culpeper County
Report from the 31 July Lake Anna Trip
Holy Mackerel!
Conway Robinson State Forest Deer Hunt
Mentors Needed for VDGIF Novice Deer Hunts
Fairfax County Shotgun Deer Hunt
Want to become a member of the board?
Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson
Points of Contact

Upcoming Fall Membership Meeting

The board is planning for the Fall Membership meeting at the Fairfax Rod and Gun Club on Sunday, 22 September. The address is: 7039 Signal Hill Rd. Manassas, Va. 20111. The club will once again cover the range fees for two rounds of skeet or trap. Members must provide their own shot shells. (Shot size must be 7.5, 8 or 9). We will provide a BBQ dinner and door prizes. Please RSVP in a timely manner so that we can obtain an accurate head count for food. An invite will be sent out via email. (Note: the date is pending final approval by the Fairfax Rod and Gun Club. If 22 September is not approved, the alternate date will be 29 September.)

Last Call for Hunting Lease Participants

If any additional members are still interested in participating in the lease please contact Mark White ASAP at: (540) 286-0169. The cost is $200. Rabbits, coyotes and beaver were added to the game list we can hunt on the lease as long as they are in season.

Information about the lease can be found on the club website at: http://www.diarodandgunclub.com/documents/.

Club Fishing Trip Announcements

Virginia & Cape Hatteras Fishing:

Friday 6 December – From Reedville for large striped bass, cost after club discount $98 per person plus $25 cash tip for mate, fish cleaning and gear provided. Trip is full but Ed is taking stand-bys for any cancellations.

Maryland Striper Charter:

Sunday September 6th. Lew Roach is scheduling a fishing charter with Captain Wayne Schuhart out of Chesapeake Beach, MD (Rod ‘n Reel Marina) on Sunday, September 8th at 6:00 AM. This will be either live-lining small bait fish for stripers, or trolling for a combination of Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and stripers. Captain supplies rods; mate cleans the fish back at the dock. We’re seeking 7 anglers, and cost will be ONLY $90 per club member (after $10 club discount is applied). Suggested tip to the mate is $20-25. To book a rod, or for more information please contact Lew at lew.roach@gmail.com or cell (202) 417-0714. This trip is full, but Lew is planning a trophy striper trip for some time in December, so standby for details as early as our Fall Club Meeting.

Seeking Entries for the Annual Best Fish, Game & Article Awards

As the 2019 summer fishing season wanes and hunting season begins, don’t forget to send nominations for club hunting and fishing awards. Just measure your fish or game in accordance with the guidance on our website, snap a photo and get a fellow club member to certify your measurements. Send nominations to Dennis McNulty, (dbigbance@yahoo.com). The award criteria and measurement guidance are attached posted on the club website at: http://www.diarodandgunclub.com/documents/. As a reminder, game harvested on any trip is eligible, but only fish caught on a DIA sponsored trip are eligible for awards. Also remember you are encouraged to share any hunting, fishing or outdoor stories with the club in the form of a newsletter article. Articles don’t necessarily have to be from DIA sponsored trips. Just send a photo of your trip and a short story of the trip to share your adventure with the club.

Do you have Equipment for Sale?

Do you have any shooting, fishing or hunting equipment you would like to sell or give away? If so, send the announcement to Dennis McNulty and he will include it in the next newsletter.

Seeking Newsletter Publisher

Chronic Wasting Disease detected in Culpeper County

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been discovered in Culpeper County. A second Disease Management Area, designated DMA2 and including Culpeper, Madison, and Orange counties, was created to implement CWD management actions. All deer killed in Culpeper, Madison, Orange, and Shenandoah counties on November 16, 2019, must be brought to a designated check station to be tested for CWD. Mandatory CWD testing for deer harvested in Clarke, Frederick, or Warren counties will not occur in fall 2019. Transport of whole deer carcasses out of Culpeper, Madison and Orange counties is now prohibited.

Results from the 31 July Lake Anna Trip

Four club fishermen went fishing for Rockfish on Lake Anna with our guide on July 31. According to the guide, there were plenty of Rockfish caught all week before we came, even though the daytime temperatures were up in the mid-90’s. Normally in the summer (particularly earlier in the summer), live bait is used over schooling fish. But for the past week, most of the fish were caught on artificial lures (trolling). On July 31, a cool front came through, and as usual, impacted fishing. The day was absolutely delightful. Cool in the morning; comfortable throughout. But fishing was slow using live bait. We switched to artificial lures, and still had light action. We ended the day with three keeper rockfish, one large-mouth bass, and some catfish. A number of smaller fish were thrown back. The lesson here is that weather fronts do impact lake fishing. It was still a fun and beautiful day to fish.

Holy Mackerel - Story by Ed Fortunato

The Leroy Bussells Memorial charter from Reedville on Friday 16 Aug included

his daughter, husband and grandson. Weather was great and we started

catching Spanish mackerel and bluefish within half an hour and continued

non-stop until we had over 125 fish by 11:30 and called it quits. Leroy's

family really enjoyed the action and I think Leroy was smiling down on us.

On Friday 23 Aug we did it again aboard the Heritage out of Reedville

breaking our Club record of the previous week by catching 135 fish by 11:00

and called it enough. Artur Vande Hei brought his 13-year-old daughter with

us and introduced her to a great day of action and fun. She is now an

accomplished fisherwoman. If you haven't taken a trip on one of our charters

you are missing out. Great family fun.

Conway Robinson State Forest Lottery Deer Hunt

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is conducting a lottery hunt for deer at Conway State Forest. Conway Robison Forest is over 400 acres and is located along Route 29 just north of its intersection with Route 66 near Gainesville, Va. You may apply for the lottery at this link until 11:59pm on October 6th https://goo.gl/forms/OtwXI5sIiKkZhCWB2

or you may access the link on the DOF website by the end of the week at www.dof.virginia.gov. The attached flyer provides more details. The hunt manager is Kinner Ingram, who can be contacted for more information: Mobile: 540-216-6524 or Kinner.Ingram@dof.virginia.gov

Mentors Needed for 2019 Novice Deer Hunters

VA DGIF is looking for mentors and instructors and other volunteers for upcoming Novice Deer Hunts. The mentors attend class with the novice hunters and get to hunt alongside them during special managed hunts. Each hunt is limited to 10 new hunters, Banshee Reeks is archery and Widewater is shotgun. Below you will find the dates for these hunts. If interested please send Ed Herndon an email edward.herndon@dgif.virginia.gov and let him know what role you would like to play. (mentor, instructor, logistics help, providing deer for processing, etc.).

Banshee Reeks – located in Loudoun County near Leesburg, Va

Classroom (Banshee) - 10/19-20

Hunt Dates - 12/6, 12/13, 12/20

Widewater Park – located east of Stafford Virginia

Classroom (at Widewater) - 9/28-29

Hunt Dates - 12/5 and 12/12

Fairfax County Lottery Deer Hunt

Fairfax will conduct a lottery hunt in the Sully Woodlands Park near Chantilly, Virginia on Wednesday, December 11th. A mandatory Safety Briefing will be conducted on Sunday, December 8th. Application information is available at: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/wildlife/managed-deer-hunts

If interested contact Sgt Earit Powel at: Earit.Powell@fairfaxcounty.gov

Mason Neck and Occoquan Bay Lottery Hunts

The Mason Neck and Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge deer hunt lotteries are now open. Visit https://potomacriverrefugehunts.recaccess.com/# to read current hunt program information, view updated maps, and apply for the hunt of your choice. Click the "Help" icon at the top of the website for answers to frequently asked questions regarding the website, creating and accessing your account, application procedures, and payments. Please refer to the hunt brochures for any changes in this the hunt programs. Applicants have the opportunity to apply in groups of two. Amanda A. Daisey is the project lead and can be contacted at: Tel: 703-490-4979 x 2015.

Want to become a Member of the Board?

The board will hold elections this fall for its nine board members. We know that at least two new board members will be needed, so if you want to have a larger say in club activities and policies, now is your chance. The board meets four times a year to make decisions regarding the club. If interested please let one of the existing board members listed at the end of this newsletter know.

Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson

Points of Contact

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

DAVE EOFF deoff1@verizon.net H (571) 399-7094 PRESIDENT

LEW ROACH             lew.roach@gmail.com           C (202) 417-0714 VICE PRESIDENT
DENNIS MCNULTY dbigbalance@yahoo.com     C (757) 286-8969 SECRETARY
BOB ZEBELL             hzebell@verizon.net                  H (703) 764-9478 TREASURER

BERNIE GATELY      bernard.gately@verizon.net      H (703) 425-1494
DICK VANDE HEI     rvande2924@verizon.net          H (202) 966-7307
DAVE BURPEE         David.h.burpee@gmail.com      C (703) 268-1245

SEAN GALLAGHER sean1k@earthlink.net H (703) 548-5851

LOUIS CAPPUCCI louis.cappucci@gmail.com C (203) 512-9982

ACTIVITY CHAIRPERSONS:

FISHING from VA                           ED FORTUNATO            C (703) 622-9323
FISHING from MD                           LEW ROACH                   C (202) 417-0714
FLOAT FISHING/CANOEING       MASTON GRAY              C (703) 408-8020
FRESHWATER FISHING              MARTY LOCKARD         C (703) 973-1523

HUNTING in VA MARK WHITE C (540) 286-0169
HUNTING in MD VACANT

MEMBERSHIP BERNIE GATELY H (703) 425-1494

NOTE: DIA R&G Club Newsletters will normally be published every two months starting in January. Please send any noteworthy items, photos or articles for consideration to Dennis McNulty at the above email. In addition, send any nominations for DIA Fish and Game Awards to Dennis McNulty .

DIA Rod &Gun Club Newsletter, May 2019

In this Issue:

1. Annual Membership Dues are Due

2. Spring Meeting Set for May 5^th

3. Seeking Entries for the Annual Best Fish, Game and Article Awards 4. Status of Hunting Lease Renewal

5. Changes to Club Discounts for 2019

6. Club Fishing Trip Announcements

7. Leroy Bussells Estate Sale

8. Do you have equipment for sale?

9. Virginia Deer Carcass Transport Restrictions

10. Seeking Volunteer to Publish Club Newsletter

11. New REAL ID requirements to enter military bases

12. Want to become a Member of the Board?

13. Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson

14. Calendar of Upcoming Events

15. Points of Contact

1. Annual Membership Dues are Due

It’s that time of the year again. Dues for 2019 are unchanged at $40, and are payable now. Please make checks payable to DIA Rod and Gun Club, Inc, and send to our Membership Chair Bernie Gately, 9121 Lake Braddock Dr., Burke, VA 22015-2136. Please keep in mind that our annual membership dues are our only source of income and are needed to continue to host discounted fishing and hunting activities as well as host the two annual membership meetings.

2. Spring Membership Meeting set for May 5th

The Spring Membership meeting will be held at the Fairfax Rod and Gun Club: 7039 Signal Hill Rd. Manassas, Va. 20111 on 5 May. The club will once again cover the range fees for two rounds of skeet or trap. Members must provide their own shot shells. (Shot size must be 7.5, 8 or 9) We will award our annual Fishing and Hunting Awards. Please RSVP to Bernie Gately via the instructions provided in the email invitation.

3. Seeking Entries for the Annual Best Fish, Game & Article Awards

http://www.diarodandgunclub.com/documents/. The club member harvesting the biggest species of fish or game will be recognized with a certificate at our upcoming spring meeting. No story is required for fish and game awards. Just measure your fish and game in accordance with the instructions in the criteria, snap a photo and get a fellow club member to certify your measurements. Any big game animal taken on fair chase hunts are eligible, but only fish caught on a DIA sponsored trip are eligible. Send a photo, measurements and the name of the club member certifying the measurements to Dennis McNulty, (dbigbance@yahoo.com). This year FINAL AWARD ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE 30^th of APRIL. Note that DIA Recognition Awards are for fish and game taken during the 2018 calendar year. Any spring gobblers taken this spring can be submitted for consideration for next year’s awards. Also remember you are encouraged to share any hunting, fishing or outdoor stories with the club in the form of a newsletter article. Articles don’t necessarily have to be from DIA sponsored trips. Just send a photo of your trip and a short story of the trip to share your adventure with the club.

4. Status of Hunting Lease Renewal

The board recently met and agreed on the following actions before making the decision for the lease renewal.

a. We will reach out to the land owner and explain our situation and see if he is willing to reduce the cost of the lease.

b. We are reaching out to all members to remind them that it is essential for the lease renewal decision (and not too late) to send a $100 deposit. This will keep your options open to participate in the lease. This will not commit you to participating in the lease, but will give you the option once the final cost is known (see below). As of April, we have received deposit checks from 10 members.

If you are interested send $100 deposit checks to the club Treasurer, Bob Zebell at: 4305 Hollowview Ct, Fairfax VA 22032. Earnest deposit checks need to be made out to DIA Rod and Gun Club and must be clearly marked “2019/2020 DIA Lease Earnest Deposit”.

c. After the Spring Membership meeting, but not later than the end of May, the board will consider any reduction in total lease cost combined with the total number of interested members to determine what the cost per lease participant would be to break even. If each member who has sent in a deposit agrees and is willing to pay that cost, the board will renew the lease. If interested members are not willing to pay that cost, then the board will not renew the lease and all deposit checks will be refunded.

Information about the lease can be found on the club website at: http://www.diarodandgunclub.com/documents/.

And if you have any friends who are looking for a place to hunt, do not hesitate to let them know about our club and our lease. They will need to become members and pay the lease fee in order to participate.

5. Changes in Club Discounts for 2019

The board has decided to change the way discounts are applied for club sponsored trips. In the past there was a flat $15 discount per trip for up to two sponsored trips per member. These discounts checks were mailed to each member. This process was cumbersome for the Treasurer and caused him to send many checks for small amounts. In the future, each trip organizer will apply a standard $10 discount per member, per trip and charge that person accordingly when fees are collected for the trip. (i.e. the trip sponsor will include the discount at the “point of sale” when each member pays the sponsor for the trip). The sponsor would then settle with the Club treasurer for a one-time reimbursement of the total discounts applied for the trip. This change will reduce the number of small discount checks being written to multiple members, simplify the application of discounts for the treasurer, and save on postage and check costs for the club.

6. Club Fishing Trip Announcements

A. Virginia & Cape Hatteras Fishing:

ALL VIRGINA TRIPS BELOW ARE CURRENTLY FILLED ALREADY. However, Ed is taking names for the standby list. This early in the year it is likely that there will be a few openings.

Chesapeake Bay from Virginia:

Tuesday 28 May – for striped bass, cost after club discount is $98 per person plus $25 cash tip for mate. Fish cleaning and gear provided. Trip is full but taking stand-bys for any cancellations. Note: The recent announcement of the closure of the Virginia TROPHY striped bass season does not affect us. Our Virginia charter is after 15 May when the allowance is 2 fish per person between 20“- 28”.

Due to interest, an additional Virginia striped bass charter can be arranged 16 May- 15 June, call or email if interested, no obligation at this time. Based on responses, a date will be coordinated with interested parties.

Friday 16 August – Spanish mackerel and blue fish, cost $90 per person plus $25 cash tip for mate. Fish cleaning and gear provided. This trip is designated as

the “Leroy Bussells Memorial Trip” to honor the passing of Leroy. Trip is full but taking stand-bys for any cancellations.

Friday 23 August – Not a memorial trip, but same details as 16 August trip above. Trip is full but taking stand-bys for any cancellations.

Friday 6 December – large striped bass, cost after club discount $98 per person plus $25 cash tip for mate, fish cleaning and gear provided. Trip is full but taking stand-bys for any cancellations.

Cape Hatteras:

Monday 20 May – for yellowfin and blackfin tuna, mahi mahi, possible white marlin, sailfish and whatever is in the ocean! Cost is $257 per person after club discount, plus $50 cash tip for the mate. Fish cleaning extra cost. Gear provided. Trip is full but taking stand-bys for any cancellations.

For any of the above trips contact Ed Fortunato, ed.fort.translog@comcast.net or (703) 622-9323.

B. Lake Anna Rockfish:

Monday, June 17; Tuesday, July 2; and Wed, July 31. In the past, we’ve tried to fish at various times of the year, but the trips outside the warmer months yielded mixed results. This year, we are concentrating on the warmer months when the rockfish are schooling. It seems to be more productive than when they are scattered. The limit for rockfish is a generous 4 fish over 20 inches. Live bait and all equipment is provided by the guide. Four fishermen per trip. Cost is $127.50 each for member including the $10/member discount. Tip of $20 is extra. We clean our own fish. Please contact Marty Lockard at twistruff@cox.net if you want to fish this summer. Let Marty know which day you prefer. I will add you to the lists in the order I receive the responses. Follow-up email will provide all of the details.

C. Shenandoah River Float Trip:

Saturday, May 18 2019. Come to the South Fork of the Shenandoah River at Bentonville, Virginia for a day of fishing on the best small bass portion of South Fork. Bring your own lunch and beverages for the day. Arrive by 7:30 am and we’ll start fishing at 8 am at Downriver Canoe Company in Bentonville, Va which is approximately 90 minutes from the DC area Beltway via Front Roya, Va on I-66 West (go past Cabela’s in Gainesville, Va) to Linden, Va Exit 13. Follow signs to Shenandoah National Park and continue South on US 340 to Bentonville, Va and turn right after the Post Office and Canoe sign that’s on the left. Turn Right onto Indian Hollow Rd. Details and directions furnished after signup.

POC: Maston Gray, 703-408-8020 maston.gray@cox.net. The trip is approximately $40 per person kayak or canoe, paid to Down River CC on day of trip. Appropriate subsidy discount follows after trip. Bring your own lunch and beverages for the day, with hat, sunscreen, shades, bait, lures, rod, etc. There will be no rain date. A weather call will be announced 48 hrs before the trip in case of inclement weather or high water. Come fish!

7. Leroy Bussells Estate Sale.

The estate of Leroy Bussells is currently offering the items listed below:

-- Savage Model 111, left hand bolt action 30.06, with Nikon Scope 3 x 9, synthetic stock. Paid Cabela’s sale price of 499 plus tax last November and only fired on the range once. Make a fair offer

-- 30.06 ammo - excellent Hornady Superformance 150 gr and 165 gr SST; Rem Corelokt 150 and 165 gr, several other brands also available , make a fair offer

-- Caldwell Shooting bag rest retail 19.99, make a fair offer

-- Nikon Laser Range Finder, Black RangeX 4K, top quality, brand new in box, 6 power, 2 mile capable, retails for 499. make a fair offer

Call Ed Fortunato for purchase or questions: 703-622-9323

8. Do you have Equipment for Sale?

Do you have any shooting, fishing or hunting equipment you would like to sell or give away? If so, send the announcement to Dennis McNulty and he will include it in the next newsletter.

9. Virginia Deer Carcass Transport Restrictions

As Chronic Wasting Disease spreads across the nation, Virginia has imposed restrictions on what deer parts can be transported into the state. The attached website gives all the details: https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/diseases/cwd/transporting-carcasses-into-and-out-of-va/

10. Seeking Volunteer to Publish Club Newsletter

The club is seeking a member to publish this newsletter. The job is easier than it looks as most of the contributions come from the board or committee chairs. The newsletter publisher simply consolidates them into one document and sends to the board for review and dissemination to the club. If interested, please contact Dennis McNulty, (dbigbance@yahoo.com).

11. New REAL ID requirements to enter Military Bases

Beginning October 1, 2020, the federal government (to include entry onto Fort Belvoir and Marine Corps Base Quantico), will require you to present an upgraded REAL ID compliant credential or another form of approved identification in order to access secure federal facilities. This means you will need a REAL ID compliant identification to enter military posts to hunt! You can read how to upgrade your present Virginia driver’s license to REAL ID standards at: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/drivers/#real_id.asp

12. Want to become a Member of the Board?

13. Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson

14. Calendar of Upcoming Events

ASAP- send 2019 dues to Bernie Gately or lease deposit to Bob Zebell 05 May - Date for Spring Membership Meeting 18 May – Spring float trip down the Shenandoah

15. Points of Contact

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

DAVE EOFF deoff1@verizon.net H (571) 399-7094 PRESIDENT

LEW ROACH lewis.s.roach@cbp.dhs.gov C (202) 417-4185 VICE PRESIDENT

DENNIS MCNULTY dbigbalance@yahoo.com C (757) 286-8969 SECRETARY

BOB ZEBELL hzebell@verizon.net H (703) 764-9478 TREASURER

BERNIE GATELY bernard.gately@verizon.net H (703) 425-1494

DICK VANDE HEI rvande2924@verizon.net H (202) 966-7307

DAVE BURPEE David.h.burpee@gmail.com C (703) 268-1245

SEAN GALLAGHER sean1k@earthlink.net H (703) 548-5851

LOUIS CAPPUCCI louis.cappucci@gmail.com C (203) 512-9982

ACTIVITY CHAIRPERSONS:

FISHING from VA ED FORTUNATO C (703) 622-9323

FISHING from MD LEW ROACH C (202) 417-4185

FLOAT FISHING/CANOEING MASTON GRAY C (703) 408-8020

FRESHWATER FISHING MARTY LOCKARD C (703) 973-1523

HUNTING in VA MARK WHITE C (540) 286-0169

HUNTING in MD VACANT

MEMBERSHIP BERNIE GATELY H (703) 425-1494

DIA Rod &Gun Club Newsletter, March 2019

In this issue:

1. Annual Membership Dues are Due

2. 2019/2020 Hunting Lease Earnest Deposits

3. Spring Meeting Tentatively Set for April 28th

4. Seeking Entries for the Annual Best Fish, Game and Article Awards

5. Club Fishing Trip Announcements

6. Changes to Club Discounts for 2019

7. Seeking Volunteer to Publish Club Newsletter

8. Equipment for Sale

9. Want to become a Member of the Board?

10. Seeking Maryland Chairperson

11. Status of M1911 and M1 military Surplus Sales

12. When Geese Aren’t Flying - Order Pizza!

13. Old Buck Kills Nice Buck

14. Calendar of Upcoming Events

15. Points of Contact

1. Annual Membership Dues are Due

2. 2019/2020 Hunting Lease Earnest Deposits

IMPORTANT: Show us your interest now or we will not be able to renew the lease! The board needs to decide if there is enough interest to make it financially feasible to renew the hunting lease for the 2019/2020 hunting season. The lease must be a cost neutral event. What that means is that we need enough paying participants so the cost per member will remain reasonable. (We are looking for around 30 members in order to renew the lease.) Without enough paying members the club will not renew the lease. The decision must be made by the end of May. In order to get a count of genuinely interested participants, we are asking each member to send an upfront deposit of $100* if they intend to join the lease. Around the beginning of May, the board will decide if there is sufficient interest to continue the lease. If there is not enough interest, the club will refund all lease deposit payments. Information about the current lease can be found on the club

website at: http://www.diarodandgunclub.com/documents/. Earnest deposit checks need to be made out to DIA Rod and Gun Club and must be clearly marked “2019/2020 DIA Lease Earnest Deposit”. Send checks to our club Treasurer, Bob Zebell, 4305 Hollowview Ct, Fairfax VA 22032.

* $100 is just an initial earnest deposit, the actual cost of the lease, if it is renewed, could be higher or lower depending on the final number of participants.

3. Spring Membership Meeting Tentatively Set for 28th of April

Pending facility confirmation, the Spring Membership meeting will be held at the Fairfax Rod and Gun Club: 7039 Signal Hill Rd. Manassas, Va. 20111. The club will once again cover the range fees for two rounds of skeet or trap. Members must provide their own shot shells. (Shot size must be 7.5, 8 or 9) We will award our annual Fishing and Hunting Awards. More information and RSVP instructions will be provided in an upcoming email invitation.

4. Seeking Entries for the Annual Best Fish, Game & Article Awards

As the 2018 fall hunting and fishing seasons come to a close, club members are asked to submit photos of your calendar year 2018 season catch or harvest for consideration of recognition during the Spring Membership Meeting. The award criteria are attached posted on the club website at: http://www.diarodandgunclub.com/documents/. The club member harvesting the biggest species of fish or game will be recognized with a certificate at our upcoming spring meeting. No story is required for fish and game awards. Just measure your fish and game in accordance with the instructions in the criteria, snap a photo and get a fellow club member to certify your measurements. Any big game animal taken on fair chase hunts are eligible, but only fish caught on a DIA sponsored trip are eligible. Send a photo, measurements and the name of the club member certifying the measurements to Dennis McNulty, (dbigbance@yahoo.com). This year FINAL AWARD ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE 15TH of APRIL. Note that DIA Recognition Awards are for fish and game taken during the 2018 calendar year. Any spring gobblers taken this spring can be submitted for consideration for next year’s awards. Also remember you are encouraged to share any hunting, fishing or outdoor stories with the club in the form of a newsletter article. Articles don’t necessarily have to be from DIA sponsored trips. Just send a photo of your trip and a short story of the trip to share your adventure with the club.

5. Club Fishing Trip Announcements

A. Maryland Fishing: Lew Roach is scheduling a fishing charter with Captain Wayne Schuhart out of Chesapeake Beach, MD (Rod ‘n Reel Marina) on Sunday April 21st at 6:00 AM. This is opening week when the large sea-run rockfish are running—one fish per angler. Captain supplies rods; mate cleans the fish back at the dock. We’re seeking 7 anglers, and cost will be ONLY $90 per club member (after $10 club discount is applied). Suggested tip to the mate is $20-25. To book a rod, or for more information please contact Lew at lew.roach@gmail.com or cell (202) 417-4185. This trip is full but Lew is taking names for the stand-bys.

B. Virginia & Cape Hatteras Fishing:

ALL VIRGINA TRIPS BELOW ARE CURRENTLY FILLED ALREADY. However, Ed is taking names for the standby list. This early in the year it is likely that there will be a few openings.

Chesapeake Bay from Virginia:

Tuesday 28 May – for striped bass, cost after club discount is $98 per person plus 25 cash tip for mate. Fish cleaning and gear provided. Trip is full but taking stand-bys for any cancellations.

Friday 16 August – Spanish mackerel and blue fish, cost $90 per person plus 25 cash tip for mate. Fish cleaning and gear provided. This trip is designated as the “Leroy Bussells Memorial Trip” to honor the passing of Leroy. Trip is full but taking stand-bys for any cancellations.

Friday 23 August – Not a memorial trip, but same details as 16 August trip above. Trip is full but taking stand-bys for any cancellations.

Cape Hatteras:

For any of the above trips contact Ed Fortunato, ed.fort.translog@comcast.net or (703) 622-9323.

C. Lake Anna Rockfish:

Monday, June 17; Tuesday, July 2; and Wed, July 31. In the past, we’ve tried to fish at various times of the year, but the trips outside the warmer months yielded mixed results. This year, I’m concentrating on the warmer months when the rockfish are schooling. It seems to be more productive than when they are scattered. The limit for rockfish is a generous 4 fish over 20 inches. Live bait and all equipment is provided by the guide. Four fishermen per trip. Cost is $127.50 each for member including the $10 member discount. Tip of $20 is extra. We clean our own fish. Please contact Marty Lockard at twistruff@cox.net if you want to fish this summer. Let me know which day you prefer. I will add you to the lists in the order I receive the responses. Follow-up will include providing all of the details.

D. Shenandoah River Float Trip:

Saturday, May 18 2019. Come to the South Fork of the Shenandoah River at Bentonville Virginia for a day of fishing on the best small bass portion of South Fork. Bring your own lunch and beverages for the day. We’ll start fishing at 8 am at Downriver Canoe Company in Bentonville Va, off Indian Hollow Rd which is approximately 90 minutes from the DC area Beltway via Front Royal Va on I-66 West (go past Cabela’s in Gainesville Va) to Exit 13. Follow signs to Shenandoah National Park and continue South on US 340 to Bentonville Va and turn right after the Post Office and Canoe sign that’s on the left. Details and directions furnished after signup. POC: Maston Gray, 703-408-8020,maston.gray@cox.net. The trip is approximately $40 per person kayak or canoe, paid to Down River CC on day of trip. Bring your own lunch and beverages for the day, with hat, sunscreen, shades, bait, lures, rod, etc. There will be no rain date. A weather call will be announced 48 hrs before the trip in case of inclement weather or high water. Come fish!

6. Changes in Club Discounts for 2019

This change will reduce the number of small discount checks being written to multiple members, simplify the application of discounts for the treasurer, and save on postage and check costs for the club.

7. Seeking Volunteer to Publish Club Newsletter

The club is seeking a member to publish this newsletter. The job is easier than it looks as most of the contributions come from the board or committee chairs. The newsletter publisher simply consolidates them into one document and sends to the board for review and dissemination to the club. If interested, please contact Dennis McNulty, (dbigbance@yahoo.com).

8. Equipment for Sale

Do you have any shooting, fishing or hunting equipment you would like to sell or give away? If so, send the announcement to Dennis McNulty and he will include it in the next newsletter.

9. Want to become a Member of the Board?

10. Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson

11. Status of M1911 and M1 military Surplus Sales

Below is a link to an article explaining the status of surplus M1911 and M1’s. Supplies of 1911s have been exhausted, but M1s are still available. https://www.military.com/kitup/2019/02/22/how-get-historic-m1-rifle-and-other-military-surplus-weapons.html. M1 ordering information can be found on the CMP's M1 info page.

12. When Geese Aren’t Flying – Order Pizza!

Longtime members Ed Fortunato and Charlie Tamez recently enjoyed a day of Goose Hunting in Maryland. On a cold day in early February they ventured to Queenstown MD. Unfortunately, the birds and weather didn’t cooperate, and they got skunked. On earlier trips they managed to kill several ducks and geese, but this trip reminded them why it’s called hunting and not killing! Shooting was so slow in fact, that

Charlie decided to call out for pizza and had it delivered. Boy, I sure hope he tipped the delivery guy well!

13. An Old Buck Kills Nice a Buck (This story comes to us from member Andy Tirch. He is a spry 73 years old and is still out there enjoying the outdoors. Let’s hope we can all be so lucky!)

I arrived at my hunting spot on Quantico Marine Base just before day light. My friend Earl pulled up beside me in his vehicle. He was scouting for turkey and reported that he would be walking around and might push a buck to me.

I settled in my stand at first light near some pines on a ridge top. It was November 19th, and it was a very quiet morning with a cold frost on the ground. Perfect conditions to keep bucks, at the peak of rut, on their feet and moving around. I heard one shot close to me around 10am but otherwise it was a very quiet morning. Suddenly, around 12 noon a tall racked 8-point came trotting down the hill and right behind him was a larger 8-point chasing him. The thick cover and quick moving deer prevented me from getting a clear shot. I didn’t want to risk taking a shot under those conditions. About as quickly as they appeared, the larger deer disappeared over a hill and out of sight. I knew he was probably heading to a scrape on an old logging road that I had seen earlier. I was content that my decision not to shoot was the right one under those conditions.

By this time the temperature was warming up and felt good after a very cold start to the morning. I knew from past hunts that most large bucks move in the middle of the day. I have killed many of my biggest bucks around noon, so I was not discouraged. I knew bucks would be active all day.

I pulled out my doe estrus call and made a few calls. I no sooner had ended the last call when a buck come charging back up over the hill. He stopped momentarily, then continued moving directly toward me and into my shooting lanes. He stopped again behind some brush. By this time, I had my Savage 20 trained on him. He stepped forward from the brush and I squeezed the trigger. The Remington 2 ¾ ACCUTIP 260 grain sabot slug struck him in the shoulder at 70 yards. He ran head down for 70-75 yards and then stumbled over and did not move. It was a really nice feeling see him drop from the vantage of my portable tree stand. I was about 25 feet up the tree, and had a great view of the area. I gave him about 15 minutes to make sure he did not get up, and then I came down from the tree.

When I got to him I realized this was indeed the same buck that had been chasing the younger one. I took the time to reflect on what just happed and admire this beautiful animal. He was a nice heavy racked deer and seemed to be in good overall health. I always thank God for giving the opportunity to harvest such a nice buck. I took a few photos with my phone camera and sent them to my wife and good friend John.

I field dressed him and dragged him to over to my tree stand. Then I took my stand apart and carried it back to my truck. I was not far from my vehicle; maybe 15 minutes. I use a plastic snow sled to get deer out of the woods. They are inexpensive and work great to reduce the friction when there is no snow on the ground. I was getting it out of my truck when another hunter came driving down the road. He was a young Marine who worked on base and he offered to help me drag the deer out. At 73, I could use the help. He grabbed the sled rope and off he went. With his assistance it only took us about 25 minutes to get it back and in the truck. It was very much appreciated by me and thanked him very much. What great example of sportsmanship. He took the took time to help me before continuing his afternoon hunt.

When we had the deer back at my truck, there was another hunter who was sitting in his vehicle eating lunch. I raised my fingers indicating the deer was an 8-pointer. He yelled back that was “great” and gave me a thumbs up. He was eating in his truck when I killed my buck. I never leave my stand to go to lunch and always carry lunch with me. All too often other hunters going out for lunch, or coming in for the pm hunt will stir up the deer and chase them to me.

The deer was taken to the game check station on the base where it weighed in at 118 pounds (field dressed). When I got it home, I had my neighbor take a few photos of me with my buck, and then I got to skinning it in order to get it cooled down quickly. I have all the necessary stuff to cut, grind and vacuum-seal the meat. I took the next day off to butcher the deer and vacuum-seal all the meat.

I did see some other does during the remaining gun season but no other large bucks. I had made up my mind not too shoot small bucks and does this year. I was only after 8 pointers or better this season. I settled for the one nice 8 point in 2018; just enough for me and the family too enjoy. Hopefully, next season I will get a chance at the other eight point that my buck was chasing if he is still around.

I hope each of you had a great season here in Virginia and like me are waiting for another big buck to come running up to your stand.

A photo of Andy’s buck where it piled up

Andy Tirch with his fine 2018 Quantico buck

14. Calendar of Upcoming Events

ASAP- send 2019 dues to Bernie Gately & lease deposit to Bob Zebell

28 April – Tentative Date for Spring Membership

13 April - First day of VA Spring Gobbler

15 April - Last day to submit biggest fish and game and best article awards nominations

1 May – Last date to send 2019/2020 Hunting Lease Earnest Deposit

DIA Rod & Gun Club Newsletter 27 Oct 18

In this issue:

DIA ROD & GUN CLUB HUNTING LEASE
World Turned Upside Down
Annual Lake Oneida Trip
New Member Seeking Mentor/Guide
Add ‘Guest Vest’ to Your Checklist
Wild Game Buttermilk Bath
Lake Anna Rockfish
Virginia Fishing
Standby for Maryland Trophy Striper Trip
Annual DIA Club Fish, Game, & Newsletter Entries
Seeking Maryland Chairperson
Upcoming Events

1. DIA ROD & GUN CLUB HUNTING LEASE - Members interested in hunting on the lease property must first attend an on-site orientation and send their signed liability waiver and payment to Mark White. All the details are in the Lease SOP which was emailed to everyone. If you have any questions contact Mark White. (540) 286-0169, (540) 220-5669.

2. Oregon hunter falls from his tree stand and is left hanging for two days -An Oregon hunter is in critical condition after falling from his tree stand and getting tangled in his harness over 20 feet in the air, hanging upside down for two days.

The man identified as Eddie Voelker, 70, suffered critical injuries and is in a medically induced coma after being airlifted from the area near Umatilla National Forest to a hospital in Richland, Wash., KTVZ reported.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release Voelker was found by another hunter around 11:15 a.m. Tuesday north of Highway 244, northwest of the Frazier/Four Corners area in eastern Oregon. Upon discovering Voelker, the witness had to drive to the highway in order to get cell service so he could call for help.

The 70-year-old hunter was ultimately put into a medically induced coma, according to local reports. (Umatilla County Sheriff's Office)

Sheriff's deputies from Union County and nearby Umatilla County, along with U.S. Forest Service and medics from La Grande and Pendleton, were dispatched to locate Voelker.

While crew members were getting him down with a bucket truck, Voelker lost consciousness and his heart stopped beating because blood flow that had been cut off to his lower body was suddenly restored, according to KTVZ.

He was then taken by ambulance to a makeshift landing zone where he was then transported to the Life Flight helicopter that took him to Kadlec Regional Medical Center, according to the press release.

A Voelker’s family friend, Jeanette Jacoby, told the East Oregonian he was put in a drug-induced coma Wednesday after doctors performed a procedure to relieve pressure on his brain. While Voelker was breathing on his own for a while, he had to be placed back on a ventilator Thursday.

Jacoby said Voelker had been alone on the hunting trip, aside from his dogs. His family has since retrieved them along with some of his gear. She also said the family is thankful to the rescuers and everyone who helped Voelker.

Guys be extra careful out there.

3. Annual Lake Oneida Trip - Mid-May brought with it the annual trip to Lake Oneida, NY, just north of Syracuse, for some great small mouth fishing. My son Paul flew up from Sarasota for 3-4 days, and my good friend Ralph met me for 2-3 days the day Paul left. The ride up from Fairfax County isn’t too bad but takes about seven to seven and a half hours (last year took 10 due to a blown out trailer tire). You have to leave around 5AM to beat the traffic around DC. The preferred route is 270 to Fredrick to Route 15 then 81 North from Harrisburg. The Days Inn in Brewerton NY is a reasonably priced motel (with breakfast), and the Brewerton Boat Yard is a great marina where you can rent a slip and store your trailer. This sure beats launching and pulling your boat every day. This puts you right on the Oneida River which feeds westward from the lake, and is part of the Erie Canal system.

By mid-May, water temps are in the 60’s, and 95% of the small mouth have finished spawning. But State regulations prohibit any smallies being put in your live well until early summer. So it’s a strict catch and release, which any conservation minded fisherman can understand. You’ll find many beds abandoned, and the smallies moved to their post spawn habitats. But the post-spawn can provide an exciting, yet challenging time to test your fishing skills. Fish are coming off the beds hungry and aggressive. These waters and fish require a finesse fishing approach. Spinning rods with 8-10 lb. fluorocarbon are the trick. Waters are extremely clear, current is always present—something smallies love. Wacky rigged senkos, flukes, chatter baits, and shallow crank baits are great. Casting up current and letting your baits flow with the current is the modis operendi. They say tubes are a good bait, but I haven’t had much luck with them. Other fish to be caught in the river portion are lots of rock bass and occasional pickerel. Besides these you can also catch large mouth and walleye in the main lake.

We caught a lot of fish and it’s hard to beat the fight of a 4 lb. smallie. This is one I caught on a beautiful day on the water, and one of many my son caught.

Mike Semenec

4. New Member Seeking Mentor/Guide - My son, Michael, 18 years old, and I are new members in the DIA Rod &Gun Club and really enjoyed the meeting last month and speaking with the members. We are excited about getting out and hunting (deer and waterfowl and turkeys) for the first time. I have not set any date because I’m new to the sport and hope we could have a guide/mentor/apprentice out there with us. I am active duty army and work at Fort Belvoir and live in Alexandria VA. I am flexible with dates in Oct and Nov and Dec. Appreciate any help and if a fee is required I do not mid paying for services. Ed McDaniel, mcdaniel.edward@gmail.com Cell # 210-452-9495

5. Add ‘Guest Vest’ to Your Checklist By Lee Hutcherson –

Since hunting season is near arrived, I want to remind my fellow hunters about keeping extra gear, including one special item that few of us keep as a spare. Exceptional whitetail hunters know success depends on preparedness before the season starts, beginning with archery and firearm practice.

But what about after the season is underway?

Checklist Reminder: Common extras include archery releases, batteries for rangefinders, a fully charged backup flashlight, and an additional length of rope. These spares could mean the difference between success and failure.

But the item I am thinking of could mean life or death.

As someone who works in an industry where fall protection is paramount, I shouldn’t have forgotten this spare gear, but I’ve since learned it’s a common oversight among other hunters.

Safety harnesses are thought of as a one-per-hunter item, but if you’ve hunted as long as I have, you can probably think of a time you wished you had an extra harness stored in your hunting vehicle, cabin or nearby hunting club trailer.

One cold morning I made it all the way to my stand then realized I’d left my safety vest at home. I’d gotten up early and gone to all that trouble to be in my stand before dawn.

The temptation was there to go ahead and climb, but I did the smart thing. I turned around and returned home, kicking myself all the way. No deer is worth risking your life, but what a waste of precious time!

After talking to other hunters, this happens more than you’d think, especially in colder weather when dressing with harnesses beneath heavy clothes is part of the routine.

Another great reason to keep a spare safety vest on hand is if a guest arrives unexpectedly. We can usually dig up all the gear for them to hunt EXCEPT the harness. Sound familiar?

For these reasons, my hunting friends and I began to keep a couple of spare guest vests at the hunting lodge and in our ATVs.

Most treestand companies supply a safety harness in their stand package which will make a decent spare. However, again, as someone who works in an industry where fall protection is a way of life, I invested in some quality Hunter Safety System vests and Lifeline Systems for my spares.

If you have a unique or special tip you’d like to share with Buckmasters fans, please email it to huntingtips@buckmasters.com and, if chosen, we will send you a cap signed by Jackie Bushman, along with a knife!

Read Recent Tip of the Week:

• Wild Game Buttermilk Bath: Tenderize and flavorize wild game meat like a pro! This ingredient removes gaminess, and is the secret weapon of many professional chefs.

6. Wild Game Buttermilk Bath - By Rod Robert

Venison isn’t the only meat that sometimes has a gamey flavor, and that seems to be a recurring theme among people who eat wild game.

For example, where I’m from, we have sharp-tailed grouse. They are practically inedible unless you do something to help them out.

I have a simple trick that helps improve my wild game cooking, and it works for a variety of animals.

Whether you are cooking wild turkey, deer, gator tail, pheasants, rabbits, waterfowl, squirrels, wild hogs or doves, a good soak in buttermilk does wonders to tenderize, flavorize and remove gaminess.

I like to put my game steaks, birds or other meats in a sealed container or big ziplock bag, along with some buttermilk, and soak them in the refrigerator overnight. Regular milk or powdered milk will work, but buttermilk is best.

Twelve hours seems to be the right amount of time for the buttermilk to work its magic, so try to remember to get the thawing and marinade process going the day before you plan to cook.

Simply rinse and drain the meat, dry and cook.

The meat will be tenderized, and you will notice the gamey taste is nearly gone or has been completely eliminated.

– Note by Tim H. Martin

Buttermilk is a secret weapon of many restaurant chefs. They pre-soak chicken, fish and other meats overnight before cooking to give it a hint of tanginess.

The good bacteria in buttermilk also speed up the breakdown process; hence it’s perfect as a meat tenderizer.

Buttermilk is also my trick for removing the bassiness from largemouth bass fillets, and the gatoriness from gator tail.

Here are three of my favorite Country@Heart recipes using buttermilk:

Cajun Bass
Gator Tail Jambalaya
Chicken & Buttermilk Dunklins

7. Lake Anna Rockfish - On October 9, four club members tried their hand at catching rockfish at Lake Anna, southwest of Fredericksburg. It was a beautiful, calm day -- not too chilly and not too hot. The guide had plenty of large live bait. Everything looked perfect! We started out very quickly with a nice-sized keeper rockfish. For the rest of the day, the guide looked and looked and looked. He would spot some here and there and start fishing again. The larger rockfish just weren’t interested. We still caught some rockfish under 20 inches that were thrown back. We also caught a number of catfish. Just as we were reeling in the lines and calling it a day, something big hit one of the last lines in the water. The result was a 10.5 pound channel catfish (12 pounds is reportedly a citation in Virginia).

We are finished with trips to Lake Anna this year. Subject to Board approval, two trips are planned for June and one in July in 2019. Because of problematic boat traffic on weekends during the warmer months, they will be set up for the middle of the week. Some club members have expressed a desire to only fish on the weekends. Several weekend trips have been set up in the past few years, but the sign-up responses were poor and the trips were cancelled. If still interested in weekends only, please let Marty Lockard know. If he can get at least four fishermen lined up for a weekend, he has agreed to coordinate with you to set a mutually agreeable date. You can contact Marty at 571-529-6433 (H) or twistruff@cox.net.

8. Standby for Virginia Fishing – The 30 Nov striper/rockfish charter from Reedville VA.is currently filled but taking names for standby list,

Contact Ed Fortunato at: ed.fort.translog@comcast.net 703-622-9323

9. Standby for Maryland Trophy Striper Trip - Seeking standby fishermen for Maryland Trophy Striper trip DEC 2^nd, in case any of the folks who signed up might have to cancel. Any takers—cost is $100?

Contact Lew at: lew.roach@gmail.com cell (202) 417-4185.)

10. Annual DIA Club Fish, Game, & Newsletter Award Entries - As the 2018 hunting and fishing seasons get into full swing, club members are asked to submit photos of your 2018 season catch or harvest for consideration of recognition during the 2019 Spring Membership Meeting. The award criteria are attached with this newsletter for your reference. No story is required for fish and game awards. Just measure your fish and game in accordance with the instructions in the criteria, snap a photo and get a fellow club member to certify your measurements. Any big game animal taken on fair chase hunts are eligible, but only fish caught on a DIA sponsored trip are eligible. Simply send the photo and measurements and the name of the certifying club member to Dennis McNulty, (dbigbance@yahoo.com) for consideration. Note that DIA Recognition Awards are for fish and game taken during the 2018 calendar year. Also remember you are encouraged to share any hunting, fishing or outdoor stories with the club in the form of a newsletter article. Articles don’t necessarily have to be from DIA sponsored trips. Just send a photo of your trip and a few facts to share your adventure with the club.

11. Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson - There are some excellent hunting opportunities to be had in Maryland. If interested in the Maryland Chairperson position or if you want to help organize a single event, please contact a board member. The contact information for the board members and other activity chairs is included at the end of this newsletter.

12. Calendar of Upcoming Events –

30 Nov – Trophy Striped Bass – VA

2 Dec - Trophy Striped Bass - MD

DIA Rod & Gun Club Newsletter, 20 June 2018

In this issue:

1. Virginia Hunting Chair Update

2. Shenandoah River Float Fishing Trip

3. Changes to Club Discounts for 2018

4. What a Day On the Bay– Fishing Report

5. You Should Have Been Here Yesterday – Fishing Report

6. 2018 Recreational Black Sea Bass Fishery

7. Coast Guard Honors Smith Point Sea Rescue

8. Maryland Light Tackle Fishing Charter

9. Oyster Gardening Seminars Offered in VA

10. The Bear That Got Away

11. Annual DIA Club Fish, Game, & Newsletter Entries

12. Seeking Maryland Chairperson

13. Upcoming Events

1. Virginia Hunting Chair Update - Well after years of looking around, the DIA Rod and Gun Club finally has a hunting lease in Virginia. Members of the board have traveled out to the 292 acre farm southeast of Thornburg to sign the lease for the next year and to scout out the property. We have found plenty of deer sign, saw a mother turkey with about 10 pullets, and there is a 7 acre pond that we can use for duck hunting. The property has also been used for goose hunting with layout blinds in the past. The property has about 45 acres of woods and the rest is planted in corn.

The board members are working on an SOP for the lease with the idea that we want all members to participate, but that the lease should be close to paying for itself. The SOP will also have a strong focus on hunter safety. There will be a survey coming out in the next week or two to get an idea of how many of us would be interested in hunting this lease and what game. This is a good opportunity for our club and could become an asset we are able to use for years to come.

Virginia hunting trip ideas should contact Mark White (540) 286-0169, (540) 220-5669.

2. Shenandoah River Float Fishing Trip – May 5, 2018

Eight members and guests of the DIA R&G club met Saturday May 5th at the Downriver Canoe Company in Bentonville Virginia for a 7.5 mile float fishing experience from Burner’s Bottom to the Bentonville Bridge where Downriver is located.

Participants pictured above included Greg Fernandez and wife Evie, Mike (friend of Louis), Maston Gray, Louis Cappucci, Jamie (friend of Louis), Dave Eoff and son Chris. We used 3 canoes and 2 kayaks and each boat caught about 5 plus fish each, most were Small Mouth Bass, but also included some Bluegill and Carp. Total fish caught were 21 small mouth, 2 bluegill, and 2 carp. We saved the carp to bbq for dinner. Mike and Jamie had the most catch and will win a free used Minnow Bucket and Fishing Net!

Most of the action came in the relatively rocky areas (bigger rocks) using a brown 3” grub body with black speckles on a 1/8 oz jig head. I think they were holding on the back side of those rocks, out of the current. The first fish we caught hit a 4” green pumpkin Senko, wacky rigged on a 1/0 hook that had just unsnagged from the bottom, so it was probably low, too. We used very small split shot above the Senkos to get them down in the current. Other small mouths were caught in the lee of sandbars or creeks entering the river. The protected water seemed to be where they were feeding most. The largest small mouth was caught just a quarter mile up river from the pull out bridge in mid river with slower moving deep water; he no doubt was feeding deeper in the lee of a shelf or larger rock.

The weather was perfect, with cool temps and some overcast to keep the shadows to a minimum. It was preceded by several days of 90 plus temps. We caught fish starting 15 min after launch and right up until 3:30 pm before we pulled out at the Bentonville Bridge. The river was running a good clip, but was dropping as the day went along, and good clear water. Some of us used anchors from canoes to better position in the ‘sweet spots’. Kayaks tied off onto low hanging trees. A variety of bait was successful, artificial lures, spinners and mini shad. Several of us had worms from the local grocery but never really needed them as the fish took to the artificial baits quite well.

A good and safe time was had by all and the Downriver Canoe Company (www.downriver.com) is an excellent float fishing outfitter with 40 yrs of knowledge of the river by John the owner. All agreed it was a great trip and planned to return next time with more and better fish tales!

3. Changes in Club Discounts for 2018 - The board has decided to change the way discounts are applied for club sponsored trips. In the past a 15% discount was applied based on the total cost of each particular trip. The accounting for this proved to be a bit cumbersome. In an effort to simplify the administration and tracking of discounts, the club will now offer a flat $15 discount per trip for up to two sponsored trips per member. This will make the accounting easier while still encouraging members to participate in club sponsored events. Activity sponsors need to coordinate with the Treasurer to ensure the proper discounts for each member are applied. The Treasurer will keep a running list of each member’s discounts.

4. WHAT A DAY ON THE BAY - DIA Club members filled their fish buckets AGAIN. Monday May 21 charter aboard the “Heritage” saw our members catch their quota of striped bass in just 1 1⁄2 hours, a new Club record. It was a great weather day squeezed in between days of incessant rain. The captain decided to chum rather than to troll and he called it right. Fish started hitting immediately, numerous smaller ones were released and the legal size of 20” was quickly filled. Everyone was thrilled by the action and glad to return by noon with fresh fillets. Fishing is a great family event too, try it some time.

5. YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE YESTERDAY - Have you ever heard that when going fishing? Well, we 6 DIA Club members were there “yesterday” at Cape Hatteras and we caught approximately 50 fish totaling 380 lbs. It was a fantastic day of action. At one time all 6 fishermen had fish on and were moving about fighting fish and trying to avoid tangles, while the captain and mate were trying to direct the pandemonium. It was a blast. Dolphin (mahi-mahi), yellowfin tuna and black fin tuna were the catch of the day. Also a surprising king mackerel and a salt water gar (didn’t know there was such a fish). Capt. Dan Rooks was our skipper on the TUNADUCK. We have been chartering with him for 5 years and he has always come through for us. Dave Rogel who joined last year was aboard as were two Board members, Lew Roach and Leroy Bussells. Also on board was Rufus Brinn, the fishing chairman Ed Fortunato and his son Ed Jr. All in all another great DIA Club fishing experience and lots of fresh fillets to enjoy all year. Keep your eyes open and sign up early for fishing charters, they are a barrel of fun.

6. 2018 Recreational Black Sea Bass Fishery - The secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, in response to the action taken for black sea bass by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, pursuant to the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 08.02.05.21A and F, announces the season, catch limit, and minimum size for the recreational black sea bass fishery for the remainder of 2018.

Effective 12:01 a.m. May 15, 2018:

The season is open May 15, 2018 through December 31, 2018.
Anglers may keep up to 15 black sea bass per person per day.
The minimum size is 12.5 inches.

This notice supersedes previous public notices issued in 2018 for the recreational black sea bass fishery.

Mark J. Belton

Secretary of Natural Resources

7. Coast Guard Honors Smith Point Sea Rescue - Smith Point Sea Rescue (SPSR), an all-volunteer sea rescue organization based in Burgess, VA, recently received the highest civilian honor awarded by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). USCG Rear Admiral Meredith Austin presents the Distinguished Public Service award to Smith Point Sea Rescue.

SPSR, the only all-volunteer sea rescue service on the Chesapeake, responds to boaters in distress in the middle Chesapeake Bay area between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers as well as on the Potomac River from Ragged Point to the Bay. The unit offers assistance to boaters 24/7, free of charge. USCG Rear Admiral Meredith Austin and USCG Captain Rick Webster, Sector Hampton Roads Commander, presented SPSR with the Coast Guard Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest award the Coast Guard can give to a civilian organization.

Nominees for the award must have demonstrated at least one of the following: "extraordinary heroism in advancing the Coast Guard's mission; exceptional coordination and/or cooperation in matters pertaining to the Coast Guard's responsibilities; personal and direct contribution to the Coast Guard that had a direct bearing on the accomplishment of the Coast Guard's responsibilities to its citizens."

A portion of the presented award reads: "their (SPSR's) vigilant crews and well-equipped response boats have conducted over 2,500 missions, often at night and in foul weather, and have saved or assisted hundreds of mariners throughout their 44-year history."

SPSR Vice President Jim Bullard says the group, which conducts 65 to 70 rescues each year and is supported through donations and fundraisers, maintains four rescue boats, two on the lower Potomac and two in Reedville. The fleet will be there to help when the unexpected occurs, Bullard says: "we are boaters ourselves, and understand that sinking feeling when an engine won't start, a cable breaks, or a sandbar chases us down. When the inevitable happens, hail us on (VHF) Channel 16 or dial 911, we'll be on our way."

8. Maryland Light Tackle Fishing Charter - Lew Roach is scheduling a charter with Captain Wayne Schuhart out of Chesapeake Beach, MD (Rod ‘n Reel Marina) on Sunday September 9th at 6:30 AM. This will be a chumming or live-lining trip, depending on recent success. We could also switch to some trolling for Spanish mackerel, as they are usually running then, too. Captain supplies rods; mate cleans the fish back at the dock. We’re seeking 7 anglers, and cost should be approximately $100 ($15 less if you have not used up your annual discount). Suggested tip to the mate is $20-25. To book a rod, or for more information, please contact Lew at lew.roach@gmail.com or cell (202) 417-4185.

9. Oyster Gardening Seminars Offered in VA - The Chesapeake Oyster Alliance is hoping to boost the Bay’s oyster population by 10 billion by 2025, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) wants you to lend a hand-and a dock-in the effort. In June, CBF will hold oyster gardening seminars throughout Virginia in Hampton Roads, on the Eastern Shore, on the Middle Peninsula, and on the Northern Neck.

Seminars teach prospective gardeners how to care for baby oysters (spat) as they grow into adults over the course of a year. Those who attend a workshop and are ready to garden will be given baby oysters on recycled shells (called “spat-on-shell”) and two cages for a fee to offset program costs. Attendees aren’t obligated to move forward as gardeners and only pay if they want to participate in the program.

Oysters are grown in cages suspended in the water from a residential dock or marina. After a year, gardeners return the oysters to CBF. The Foundation then places the bivalves on a Virginia sanctuary reef near their “hometown,” so to speak. Returning gardeners can turn in their full-grown oysters and receive new spat during “round-ups,” which the CBF will hold on the same day as scheduled seminars.

CBF’s Virginia Oyster Restoration Outreach Coordinator Kelly Davis says that growing oysters, which filter water and provide much needed habitat for other species, is quite the experience. "You are helping restore an iconic species,” she says. “These oysters will help create protected reefs that bring back crucial habitat in local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay."

10. THE BEAR THAT GOT AWAY - In May Club members Ed Fortunato Sr and Jr went on a spring black bear hunt in the mountains of Montana. Black bears there are 60-70% color phased meaning shades of brown. Hunt was at 6600’ – 7000’. Beautiful mountains with weather changing by the hour. Saw lots of game, elk, mule deer, whitetails, wolves, coyotes, foxes etc. Ed Sr spied a large cinnamon colored bear ranged at 505 yards. “I closed the distance to 125 yards but the bear kept walking away with woods close to its left. One step left and he would be gone. Not wanting to shoot at the rear of the bear, I laid prone hoping for the bear to turn right. At 125 yards it started a very slight right turn, I fired and the bear took off, showing no signs of a hit. No blood or hair was found. Either I pulled to the right too much, or the brush deflected the bullet. The guide estimated it to be a trophy bear meaning 6’ -6’1/2” foot in size. It was a great adventure and disappointment that keeps me awake at nights. “The bear awaits anyone going that way (Stockton Outfitters) in the future.”

11. Annual DIA Club Fish, Game, & Newsletter Award Entries - As the 2018 hunting and fishing seasons get into full swing, club members are asked to submit photos of your 2018 season catch or harvest for consideration of recognition during the 2019 Spring Membership Meeting. The award criteria are attached with this newsletter for your reference. No story is required for fish and game awards. Just measure your fish and game in accordance with the instructions in the criteria, snap a photo and get a fellow club member to certify your measurements. Any big game animal taken on fair chase hunts is eligible, but only fish caught on a DIA sponsored trip are eligible. Simply send the photo and measurements and the name of the certifying club member to Dennis McNulty, (dbigbance@yahoo.com) for consideration. Note that DIA R&GC Recognition Awards are for fish and game taken during the 2018 calendar year. Also remember you are encouraged to share any hunting, fishing or outdoor stories with the club in the form of a newsletter article. Articles don’t necessarily have to be from DIA sponsored trips. Just send a photo of your trip and a few facts to share your adventure with the club.

12. Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson - There are some excellent hunting opportunities to be had in Maryland. If interested in the Maryland Chairperson position or if you want to help organize a single event, please contact a board member. The contact information for the board members and other activity chairs is included at the end of this newsletter.

13. Calendar of Upcoming Events –

27 - 28 June - Lake Anna Rockfish Trip - VA

18 Aug - Spanish Mackerel/Bluefish - VA

24 Aug - Spanish Mackerel/Bluefish - VA

9 Sep – Light Tackle Rockfish - MD

1 Dec – Trophy Striped Bass - VA

DIA Rod & Gun Club Newsletter, 22 February 2018

1. Dues are Due

It’s that time of the year again. Dues for 2018 are unchanged at $40, and are

payable now. Please make checks payable to DIA Rod and Gun Club, Inc, and send

to our Membership Chair Bernie Gately, 9121 Lake Braddock Dr., Burke, VA

220152136. Consider that club dues are the only way we can continue to host

discounted fishing and hunting activities and sponsor the two annual membership

meetings.

2. Lake Anna Rockfish Trip

The Board has approved three freshwater fishing events this year at Lake Anna,

which is a large, beautiful, and very clean fresh water lake southwest of

Fredericksburg (about 1 hr., 20 min from Springfield). The first event will occur

between mid-March and late April (exact dates TBD). The intent is to book two

consecutive days, Friday and Saturday (4 fishermen each day). Saturdays are

problematic in the late spring and summer because of heavy boat traffic. We use

a guide and a fully equipped pontoon boat. The guide provides all of the fishing

gear and live bait and/or lures. There is less schooling in March and April, and that

usually translates into trolling with up to 13 poles and locating the fish with a

sophisticated fish finder. We target freshwater rockfish that look and taste the

same as salt water rockfish. We also catch nice-sized largemouth bass and channel

catfish. Each fisherman is allowed to keep four rockfish 20 inches or longer. If you

want to commit to fish one of those two days, send me an email stating that and

I’ll put you down on the list in the order that I receive your email. The deadline for

signing up from the newsletter will be 10 days after it is sent. After that deadline,

my active list of members interested in Lake Anna fishing will receive priority. If

you would like to try it but aren’t sure about committing yet, send me an email

stating that. I’ll add you to my active list and you will receive additional emails

about available openings as they occur. You’ll also receive a recently updated

document that provides all of the details. Last year, the cost was $137.50. This

year, the Board has again authorized member subsidies ($15 per club sponsored

event for a maximum of two events). A Virginia freshwater fishing license is

required. Marty Lockard twistruff@cox.net or lock7-mar2@cox.net

571-529-6433 (H)

3. Maryland Trophy Striper Charter

Lew Roach is scheduling a fishing charter with Captain Wayne Schuhart out of

Chesapeake Beach, MD (Rod ‘n Reel Marina) on Monday April 23th at 6:00 AM.

This is opening week when the large sea-run rockfish are running—one fish per

angler. Captain supplies rods; mate cleans the fish back at the dock. We’re seeking

7 anglers, and cost will be ONLY $85 per club member (after $15 club subsidy is

applied). Suggested tip to the mate is $20-25. To book a rod, or for more

information please contact Lew at lew.roach@gmail.com or cell (202) 417-4185.)

4. Virginia Fishing Charters for 2018

Monday 21 May – Striped Bass

Saturday 18 Aug – Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish

Friday 24 Aug – Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish

Friday 30 Nov – Striped Bass

Cost for the striped bass trips is only 108 per person and the mackerel/bluefish trip

is 105, plus 25 cash tip for the mate. Non-members add 10 but members come first.

All fishing gear, bait and fish cleaning is INCLUDED in this price. Just bring your

food/drinks. Club subsidy of $15 per for up to 2 events in 2018 after the event.

Sailings will be from Northern Neck area; Lewisetta in May and Reedville for the

others. The boat is the 53’ Heritage (possibly the largest on the Bay) and has been

one of the best skippers on the Bay that we have used for years. Check it out on

www.fishersbaycharters.com . These are fist come, sign up early because the slots

go quickly. If you have dates/desires let me know and I will see if I can arrange other

dates.

I am considering adding a striped bass trip out of Reedville area the first or second

week of June since the Virginia striper season normally ends mid-June and does not

re- open until October... If anyone is interested in that time frame please let me

know. There is NO obligation now. Based on the responses I will coordinate a date

with the members before any commitment is made. However, the sooner you

respond, the sooner we have a chance of getting a date while the boat still has

openings.

Contact me to lock in a spot 703-622-9323 or ed.fort.translog@comcast.net

Send your checks for the amounts shown made out to DIA Rod and Gun Club (not

to me) and mail to: Edward Fortunato 8803 General Couchs Court Fredericksburg,

VA 22407

5. Virginia Float Fishing Trips on the South Fork of the Shenandoah

River –

May 5, Saturday Bentonville VA, Downriver Canoe Company

June 9, Saturday, Rileyville VA, Wade or Float (bring your own

kayak/canoe)

POC: Maston Gray – 703-408-8020

6. Not My Year for a Bear

Submitted by Dennis McNulty

As I walked down the tram road which bordered the clear-cut, my

anticipation started to rise. I was in charge of placing a small group of watchers in

preparation for our bear hunting group’s next drive. It was the third day of the

2017 Pennsylvania bear season and the first two drives of the day had pushed out

nothing, but our group knew this drive harbored the best cover. And when I say

“best”, I mean the gnarly thick stuff which forces you to get down and crawl on your

hands and knees to get through it at times. In other words, just the kind of cover a

bear looking to escape the pressure of hunters would love to duck into for shelter.

As I led the row of the six hunters single file down the road, I couldn’t help

but remember the success we had two years earlier on the same drive. That drive

produced a nice 300-pound sow which had decided to cut perpendicular to the row

of drivers and cross the tram road one position to my left. I recalled how I could

just barely see the bear through the bows of the hemlock tree as it came to the

edge of the clear cut, and into the sights of the hunter positioned directly across

from it. A single shot from that hunter dispatched it cleanly before it managed to

cross the tram road.

This time, I was going to be the hunter at that position and hoped that

another bear would take the same path. This year would make it an even ten years

that I had been hunting with this same group of bear hunters; known as bear gangs.

This year I just knew the odds were eventually going to go in my favor.

(Pennsylvania is traditionally known as a great Whitetail hunting state, but over the

past decade or so, as the bear population has increased so has the number of bears

harvested as well as the number of bear gangs.) Our gang consisted of 24 hunters,

the maximum you are permitted in one group. Over the years our gang has been

pretty successful. Our best year we tallied seven bears, and a few years we get

skunked, but on average 2 or 3 bears are taken each year. The engineer in me

figured that by sticking with this group, that I had about 2.5 in 24 or just over a 10%

chance of success in the long run. I figured by doing this year after year, eventually

the odds would turn in my favor. After ten years of watching others tag bears, I

was especially looking forward to those odds playing out in my favor.

When I reached the hemlock, I knew I had a few minutes before the drive

would begin. The gang leader had taken another group of hunters and posted them

at the far end of the rectangular clear cut. This was going to be a classic “L-shaped”

ambush drive. The drivers were getting aligned at the far end of the thicket and

getting ready to push the 500-yard section. My group would watch a short piece of

the right flank at the far end of the drive, while the other group of posters would

watch for any bears escaping directly in front of the drivers. As I waited for the

drive to begin, I took off my scope covers and made sure the scope was on lowest

magnification, as it was only 40 yards to the far edge of the tram road where I just

knew a bear was going to cross. It would happen fast, and I was only going to get

one shot, so I wanted to be ready.

When I heard the first faint voices of the drivers in the distance, I got ready.

My eyes strained to see a flash of black signaling the approach of a bear. The voices

grew louder and louder, and I saw a flash color, but it was blaze orange, not black.

The driver closest to me approached from the left; out about 60 yards. At this point,

I knew this drive wasn’t going to turn out the way I had hoped. The line of drivers

approached and then continued past me. Just as I started to slowly walk back the

tram road, trailing behind the drivers, a shot suddenly rang out from the far end of

the drive. Then another and another, a pause and then a final shot; four in all. I

could hear one of the drivers stop and excitedly shout out, “Yeah, it’s about time!”

As I met each of the other posters, we all had the same question, “Was it one of our

guys doing the shooting, and did they get it?” We all agreed that it sounded like it

was one of our posters on the far end that had been doing the shooting.

When all the drivers were silent, we finally got the word that indeed it

was one of our hunters and a nice 300 pounder was down. This time a father and

son pair were in the right spot at the right time. The son had taken the first shot

but missed, and the bear continued approaching and almost ran over the father,

who had to yell at it to get it to stop. Three shots later, the bear was down for good.

As we all gathered around to congratulate the hunter and admire the trophy, I saw

the smiles and pride, not only on the successful hunter, but on the entire group. At

that point, I realized why I keep coming back year after year despite the slim odds

of success and the grueling drives. It’s about the teamwork; the sense that each

bear is not an individual success, but the group’s success.

As it turned out, none of the three tags that we filled in the 2017 bear

season had my name on them. My tenth year of bear hunting in PA also turned out

NOT to be my lucky one. But I will be back because it’s about the camaraderie; a

feeling that I share a claim for each bear that we have harvested over the past ten

years.

7. A Successful Pig Hunt

Submitted by Dave Burpee

It was a dark and stormy night...... Well, not really but I have always wanted

to write a novel that opened with that line. Since that will never happen, I have

now scratched the itch with this article.

Rather than a novel, this short article centers on a three-day pig hunt to South

Carolina. As the photo attests, I was fortunate to get a 225-pound sow using my

Great Northern recurve, J&M wood arrows and a 145 grain Eclipse broadhead. I

have already sampled the meat and it is GREAT, but the important parts of the trip

centered on the friends who were on the trip and the hunt itself.

Bob Seltzer and Dan Van Gundy – both DIA Club members – made the trip to

the Hunt Wild Things camp near Estill, SC. Look the camp up on the web – fabulous

facilities and SUPER catch & release bass and crappie fishing in the large pond

beside the lodge. The outfitter only allows traditional bows so the hunt brings

together folks who are of a like mind in their pursuit of animals. We were joined

by another friend – Mark Wang – who drove from northwest Kentucky. There were

also three other hunters in the camp – two from New York and one from Kentucky.

The only way to hunt pigs in a swamp environment is over bait, so I settled

in the first morning to await my fate. A COLD morning, in the high 20s with a slight

wind. I watched a large field as the sun came up and after about an hour was

scanning the woods to my right when some motion in the center of the field caught

my eye. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the field was full of footballs (small pigs) and

five sows. They gathered on the corn and were moving around so much that I could

not get a clean shot at a sow. (I would have shot a football, but they don’t offer

much meat and I would have to be more lucky than good to hit such a small target.)

Finally, the largest sow in the group offered a shot and I released the arrow.

It looked like a good hit but might have been a little too far to the rear. These

animals are so tough that I was worried that with less than a perfect hit I would lose

her. My worries were compounded as the pig slowly wandered out of the far side

of field into the woods. Her progress had been slow, but I was concerned.

I waited until the guide showed up with the other hunters in the truck and

we started a search. We spread out and after going about 10 yards into the woods

Bob sang out with a welcome, “Here she is!” Turns out it was a solid liver shot and

she quickly bled out.

That was the only animal I got on the hunt. Mark was the only other one to

have a decent shot and he was able to get a sow and a football (he is a GOOD shot).

Besides the hunting stories, the value of the trip was meeting new friends and

spending quality time with old friends (both in terms of age and in terms of how

long we have known each other). We hope to go back and if we do the harvests

will be problematical, but the good times are assured.

8. For Sale:

Box of 950 CCI small pistol primers # 500. - $ 25.00

Ed Fortunato 703-622-9323 ed.fort.translog@comcast.net

9. 2017-2018 Fort A.P. Hill Deer Harvest Report –

The Fort A.P. Hill deer harvest report is attached for your information.

10. Kidde Fire Extinguisher Recall - November 2, 2017 –

In conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kidde

announced a recall to replace certain Kidde fire extinguishers. The replacement

program was initiated because certain fire extinguishers can become clogged or

require excessive force to activate, posing a risk of failure to discharge. In addition,

the nozzle can detach with enough force to pose an impact hazard. The product

recall involves two styles of Kidde disposable fire extinguishers: plastic handle fire

extinguishers and plastic push-button fire extinguishers.

Consumer Contact:

Kidde toll-free at 855-271-0773 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through

Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday, or online at www.kidde.com and click on

“Product Safety Recall” for more information.

11. Calendar of Upcoming Events

Mid March – April - Lake Anna Rockfish Trips

14 April - First day of VA spring Gobbler

23 April – MD Trophy Rockfish Charter

5 May – Cape Hatteras Deep Sea Fishing Charter (Full)

5 May - Virginia Float Fishing Trip Bentonville VA, Downriver Canoe Company

13 May - Last day to submit biggest fish and game and best article awards

nominations

19 May - Last day of VA spring Gobbler Season

20 May - Tentative date of Spring Membership Meeting

21 May – VA Striped Bass Charter

9 June - Virginia Float Fishing Trip Rileyville VA, Wade or Float (bring your own

kayak/canoe)

18 August – VA Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish Charter

24 August – VA Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish Charter

30 November – VA Striped Bass Charter

DIA Rod & Gun Club Newsletter, January 2018

In this issue:

1. Dues are Due

2. Changes to Club Discounts for 2018

3. Board of Directors Election

4. Seeking Final Entries for the 2017 Annual Best Fish, Game and Article Awards

5. Results of the Fort A.P. Hill Deer Hunt

6. Virginia Hunting Chair Update

7. Seeking Maryland Chairperson

8. DIA R & G Club Volunteers at Occoquan NWR Youth Deer Hunt

9. M1911 Pistol Sale

10. Club Fishing Trip Results

11. Other (Non-DIA Sponsored) Events

12. Member Article: First Salmon Catch

13. Calendar of Upcoming Events

1. Dues are Due

It’s that time of the year again. Dues for 2018 are unchanged at $40, and are payable now. Please make checks payable to DIA Rod and Gun Club, Inc, and send to our Membership Chair Bernie Gately, 9121 Lake Braddock Dr., Burke, VA 22015-2136. Consider that club dues are the only way we can continue to host discounted fishing and hunting activities and sponsor the two annual membership meetings.

2. Changes in Club Discounts for 2018

The board has decided to change the way discounts are applied for club sponsored trips. In the past a 15% discount was applied based on the total cost of each particular trip. The accounting for this proved to be a bit cumbersome. In an effort to simplify the administration and tracking of discounts, the club will now offer a flat $15 discount per trip for up to two sponsored trips per member. This will make the accounting easier while still encouraging members to participate in club sponsored events. Activity sponsors need to coordinate with the Treasurer to ensure the proper discounts for each member are applied. The Treasurer will keep a running list of each member’s discounts.

3. Results of the Board of Directors Election

Nine club members were elected or re-elected during the recent board member vote.

Eight of the nine elected board members are your currently sitting members. The

new board member is Alex Kosyak. We would like to welcome Alex to the board. The new board met on 9 January and internally elected the following officers: Dave

Eoff as our new board President, Lew Roach as the Vice-President, Dennis

McNulty as the Secretary, and Bob Zebell will continue in his role as the club Treasurer. We would like to thank our outgoing President, Dave Burpee for his hard work and dedication to the club. Dave will remain on the board. In addition, the newsletter has been turned over to Leroy Bussells. The board looks forward to continuing to seek out hunting, fishing and other outdoor camaraderie opportunities for club members. We will continue to make obtaining a hunting lease and adding hunting events for the club a top priority in order to match the excellent fishing opportunities available to club members.

4. Final Call for Annual DIA R&G Club Fish, Game, & Newsletter Award Entries

As the 2017 fall hunting and fishing seasons come to a close, club members are asked to submit photos of your 2017 season catch or harvest for consideration of recognition during the Spring Membership Meeting. The award criteria are attached with this newsletter for your reference. The club member harvesting the biggest species of fish or game will be recognized with a certificate at our upcoming 2018 spring meeting. No story is required for fish and game awards. Just measure your fish and game in accordance with the instructions in the criteria, snap a photo and get a fellow club member to certify your measurements. Any big game animal taken on fair chase hunts are eligible, but only fish caught on a DIA sponsored trip are eligible. Simply send the photo and measurements and the name of the certifying club member to Dennis McNulty, (dbigbance@yahoo.com) for consideration. FINAL AWARD ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY 13 MAY Note that DIA Recognition Awards are for fish and game taken during the 2017 calendar year. Any spring gobblers taken can be submitted for consideration for next year’s awards. Also remember you are encouraged to share any hunting, fishing or outdoor stories with the club in the form of a newsletter article. Articles don’t necessarily have to be from DIA sponsored trips. Just send a photo of your trip and a few facts to share your adventure with the club.

5. AP Hill Club Deer Hunt Results

DIA’s annual deer hunting trip to Fort A.P. Hill was conducted on 20 and 21 November. While several does were seen, no bucks were harvested. Nonetheless the participants enjoyed a few beautiful days in pursuit as well as excellent lodge accommodations and camaraderie. Please remember to thank Mark White our VA hunting chair and Dick Vande Hei for organizing this annual hunt. Recent harvest reports from A.P. Hill indicate that more and bigger bucks are consistently being taken. Any members who may be interested in attending this hunt next season will have to get qualified for hunting at A. P. Hill. To become qualified to hunt on A.P. Hill, hunters must register their firearms, watch a short training film, and undergo a background check in advance. If interested in the qualification details, contact Mark White (540) 286-0169, (540) 220-5669 phantom64@aol.com or Dick Vande Hei at 202 230-8656. Rvande2924@verizon.net.

6. Virginia Hunting Chair Update

The club made a bid on a hunting lease just south of Quantico, but the bid was not accepted. Our VA hunting coordinator Mark White will try again next year and will continue to investigate leads for a possible hunting lease for the club. Any members that have any possible Virginia leases or Virginia hunting trip ideas should contact Mark. (540) 286-0169, (540) 220-5669. In addition, the club has the possibility to conduct upland bird hunts at Shady Grove Hunting Preserve, near Remington, Virginia based on gaining enough interested hunters. Interested members should contact Mark.

7. Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson

8. Club members volunteer at Occoquan Bay NWR Youth Deer Hunt

On 2 Dec 17 our club was privileged once again to support the VDGIF annual youth deer hunting workshop at Occoquan Bay NWR. Several members volunteered to help stir up the deer to enhance the chances for the youngsters to see and ideally harvest one. Thanks to Tom Johnson, Steve Johnson, Maston Gray, Suzanne Malone, Alex Kosyak, Doug McCafferty, Mark White and Bernie Gately for their time. We were augmented by two members from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. During our three-hour effort we kicked up several deer with at least one harvested. Positive results such as these will continue to pay dividends for years to come. Join us again next year to share in this rewarding experience.

9. Opportunity to purchase M1911 Pistols

The Army is getting ready to release, for sale to the public, its old stocks of the infamous .45 caliber M1911 pistols. Members who are interested can learn more about this opportunity by reading the following article: http://taskandpurpose.com/m1911-pistols-cmp-sale-details/ This sale is being organized thru the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) and the official CMP M1911 information is posted at: http://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/1911information/

10. Club Fishing Trip Results

2 December

It was a beautiful day on the Chesapeake with calm winds as opposed to the day before. We started out slow and did not have a keeper in the boat till almost noon. Nonetheless when it got right, it was game on - landing a limit of pretty Bass up to 36 inches! Thanks to Ed for organizing these trips. You are missing a fun day and great comradeship if you don’t get in on one of these trips.

9 December:

Captain Wayne Schuhart moved his boat, Tricia Ann II, from Chesapeake Beach, MD to Ridge, MD (near Pt. Lookout) to be closer to the striper action where the Potomac River enters Chesapeake Bay. Everything was fine until we learned that the area was in the bull’s eye of a major snow storm on the day we were supposed to fish. The weather forecast was monitored closely the night before. It began snowing heavily in Southern Maryland around 3PM. The forecast called for 100% chance of snow with an accumulation of 4-8 inches in the area. Interestingly, the forecast also predicted very light winds (4 mph in the morning). After discussing the situation with the Captain, we made the decision to fish. Early in the morning, the roads were well salted and generally passable. Snow accumulation was limited to grassy areas and trees. A short time after leaving the dock, it was evident that the forecast was very wrong. It was mostly raining, the wind speed was more like 15mph, and the sea state was fairly rough. We arrived at the ‘hot’ fishing area where a number of other boats were already fishing. The lines went into the water, and we immediately began catching fish. One early hit appeared to be “Jurassic Park” as it was pulling hard and was extremely difficult to reel in. It turned out to be a double header, both nice-sized stripers. We continued to catch stripers, most of which were well above 20 inches. We limited out and returned to the marina by about 1PM. Everyone went home with a nice batch of fillets. A very successful day despite the weatherman!

11. Non-Club Sponsored Events (No Club discounts will be applied)

1 February Goose Hunting Opportunity:

Dodd’s Hunting Service may have an opening for up to 4 people. The cost is approximately $135 per person. The hunt is across the bay vicinity of Queenstown near Easton, MD and has first class pits, callers and dogs. No waders are needed. DIA club member Ed Fortunato (540) 548-2489, recently participated in one of these hunts and did very well and can give you more details. Dodd’s Hunting Service can be contacted directly at: Dodd’s Hunting Service, 410758-2534, cell 410-739-5281. 620 Tom Dodd Farm Lane, Queenstown MD 21658. about 1 ½ hr from NVA. It is by the Wye river and thousands of geese spend the nights there. Website is: www.doddshuntingservice.com

4 March Semper K9 3rd Annual Upland Bird Hunt & Sporting Clays shooting:

WHO: Semper K9 Assistance Dogs

WHAT: Semper K9's 3rd Annual Upland Bird Hunt to support Semper K9 Assistance Dogs

WHEN: Sun, March 4, 2018 (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST)

WHERE: Rappahannock Bird Dog Training Club, 668 Spindles Mill Pond Rd Hustle, VA 22476

WHY: Duck season will be over, and I need to shoot something

COST: $200 a gun

Other Notes: $100 Per Hunter is Tax Deductible. Lunch will be fried catfish, BBQ Deer, hamburgers, hotdogs and the option to eat your birds shot before the lunch hunts. Raffles available. If you have someone who wants to attend but not hunt, you can purchase a 'just lunch' ticket for them as well. Family friendly. 100% of Veteran or Event Sponsorships are Tax Deductible to the extent that the law allows. Website : http://semperk9.org/hunt/

12. First Salmon Catch

Submitted by Martin Lockard

I traveled to Portland, Oregon on 20 September to attend a 3-day Canada/U.S. Lions Club Forum. An internet search revealed that wild Chinook salmon were being caught along the coast about 1.5 hours west of Portland. I proceeded to set up a guide and boat out of Geribaldi, Oregon for 2 days after the conference ended. The coastal area itself is beautiful with its backdrop of mountains, and the weather was awesome during the two days of fishing. It only took 10 minutes to get to the fishing area from the boat dock in Geribaldi. The guide fished just outside and inside of a big inlet where Tillimook Bay enters into the Pacific Ocean. Various types of salmon migrate from the Pacific through the inlet and the bay to reach spawning areas along five rivers flowing into the bay.

During the 2 days, I caught two keeper Chinook salmon (see photos below) and lost two near the boat. Together, the keepers weighed about 40 pounds. Also boated was a 15-pound Soho salmon and an 8-pound Ling cod. Both were out-of-season and were released. The Guide cleand the two Chinoods and with about 20 pounds of filet in hand, I located a place nearby that smoked the filets and mailed them back to me. Wild Chinooks are known for being the best eating salmon, and they didn't disappoint!

Also on this trip I ventured about an hour south along the coast and was able to get fairly close to dozens of very active whales. A whale-watching boat ride was offered nearby for $25, but I decided a boat wouldn't be needed since I was closer to them from the shore. Fascinating to watch and a once-in-a-lifetime experience - even for the locals. A little farther south was a place called Seal Rock. As you can imagine, I was entertained by the resident seals. Overall it was a trip I will remember for a long time.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

DAVE EOFF - President

LEW ROACH - Vice President

DENNIS MCNULTY – Secretary

BOB ZEBELL - Treasurer

BERNIE GATELY

ALEX KOSYAK

LEROY BUSSELLS

DICK VANDE HEI

DAVE BURPEE

Activity Chairpersons:

FISHING from VA	ED FORTUNATO
FISHING from MD	LEW ROACH
FLOAT FISHING/CANOEING	MASTON GRAY
FRESHWATER FISHING	MARTY LOCKARD
HUNTING in VA	MARK WHITE
HUNTING in MD VACANT
MEMBERSHIP	BERNIE GATELY
TREASURER BOB ZEBELL

DIA Rod and Gun Club Newsletter, November 2017

In this issue:

Upcoming Board of Directors Election
Seeking Entries for the Annual Best Fish, Game and Article Awards
Fort A.P. Hill Deer Hunt
Virginia Hunting Chair Update
Outdoors Access Opportunity
Seeking Maryland Chairperson
Remaining Club Fishing Trips for 2017
Local Ducks Unlimited Events
Calendar of Upcoming Events
Points of Contact

1. Board of Directors Election

Be on the look-out for an email from Rick Mrstik, our club’s secretary, announcing the election for our club board members. We'll be offering a new slate of candidates for election to the Board of Directors. If you would like to serve the membership and influence the focus and direction of the Club, please notify Rick Mrstik that you'll stand for election. The elections will be conducted via email ballot, which will be sent out by Rick. Please vote so we have a quorum and can continue club operations without interruption. Once the nine board members are elected, they will internally elect the club officers such as President, Vice President and Secretary.

2. Seeking Entries for Annual DIA Club Fish, Game, and Newsletter Awards

As the summer fishing season comes to a close and hunting season approaches, club members are reminded to submit photos of your season’s catch or harvest. No story is required for the biggest fish and game awards. Just measure your fish and game, snap a photo and get a fellow club member to certify your measurements. Then send the photo and measurements and the name of the certifying club member to any board member for consideration and possible recognition during the next spring membership meeting. (Board emails are provided below). Also remember you are encouraged to share any hunting, fishing or outdoor stories with the club in the form of a newsletter article. They don’t necessarily have to be from DIA sponsored trips. Just send a photo of your trip and a few facts to share your adventure with the club. The “best” story will also receive recognition during our spring club meeting.

3. Fort AP Hill Deer Hunt

Our club’s annual deer hunting trip to Fort A.P. Hill is scheduled for 20 and 21 November with cabin check in on the 19th of November at the field cabin. Five spots remain. The cabin is used by VIPs so accommodations are first class. A stocked fishing lake is available so you will want to bring your fishing equipment. Total cost is $46 per hunter. Please contact Mark White (540) 286-0169, (540) 220-5669 or fhantom64@aol.com for details and to reserve a spot. To be qualified to hunt on Fort A.P. Hill, hunters must register their firearms, watch a short training film, and undergo a background check - all of which can be completed at range control. Additional training is required to access special controlled areas. Controlled area access is not required as there are other good hunting areas available. For Fort A.P. Hill general hunting and controlled area qualification procedures, contact Dick Vande Hei at (202) 230-8656. rvande2924@verizon.net. For those who attend this trip, please remember to take a few photos and submit a story for the newsletter.

4. Virginia Hunting Chair Update

Mark White, our new Virginia Hunting Chair, is off to a running start and doing great work in finding additional hunting opportunities for the club. He continues to investigate leads for a possible hunting lease for the club. Any members that have any possible Virginia leases or Virginia hunting trip ideas should contact Mark.

5. Outdoors Access Opportunity.

Another area of possible interest to the club and to individual members is a new initiative by Outdoor Access. This program teams with Virginia land owners to provide hunting access to private lands on a short term (i.e. day by day) basis. An article about this program is provided here: https://outdooraccess.com/assets/pdf/Outdoor-Life-Auguest-2017.pdf and more information about “short term” access to properties can be obtained at: https://outdooraccess.com/#/. The club is approaching this organization to see if perhaps a larger land owner may want to give our members exclusive access.

6. Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson

There are some excellent hunting opportunities to be had in Maryland. We are currently seeking activity chairpersons for the Maryland hunting activities. Our activity chairpersons play a crucial role in the service of our club by organizing trips for club members. If you are interested in becoming a chairperson, or if you have an idea for a group hunting trip or would like to plan a single hunting trip let a board member know. In the past, hunting trips have included upland bird hunting at local preserves and guided waterfowl hunting in the bay area. The club subsidizes the cost of such trips but all trips must be officially sponsored through a chairperson. Remember that the club’s success depends on our members’ willingness to share their passions for the outdoors with others. If interested in the Maryland Chairperson position or if you want to help organize a single event, just contact a board member. The contact information for the board members and other activity chairs is included at the end of this newsletter.

7. Remaining Virginia Fishing Trips for 2017

Fishing from Virginia Bay:

Friday 1 Dec - Striped Bass: Currently all slots are filled. Ed is taking names for standby list. Trolling out of Reedville for trophies, 2 fish per person.
Saturday 2 Dec - Striped Bass: Currently all slots are filled. The cost of the trip is approximately $108 and club members can deduct any remaining 15% club discount amount from this amount. Call if you would like to be on a stand-by list in case someone cancels at the last minute. The boat license covers all persons aboard, no need to buy a VA or MD fishing license. All fishing gear is provided, just bring food/drinks. Costs above do NOT include a $25 cash tip for mate. Fish cleaning is free on Bay trips.
30 September Cape Hatteras Trip: Due to hurricanes this trip was tentatively rescheduled for next spring and all slots are filled. Cost approximately $258, plus $50 mate tip, prior to club discount if you are still authorized one. Please contact Ed below if interested in being placed on a stand-by list.

Contact Ed Fortunato if interested in any of the Bay Trips or Cape Hatteras Trip. Payment will be coordinated upon filling a trip. Ed Fortunato, 703-622-9323, Ed.fort.translog@comcast.net

Lake Anna Freshwater Rockfish Trips:

No other trips for the reaming of the year are planned, but a trip in later in the Fall may be possible, depending on interest. This trip would have to be approved by the board, so if interested please contact Martin Lockard soon if interested at 571-529-6433, or twistruff@cox.net.

Maryland Striper Fishing Charters:

Lew Roach has one remaining charter with Captain Wayne Schuhart out of Chesapeake Beach, MD (Rod ‘n Reel Marina).

Saturday December 9th- trolling trip targeting large sea-run rockfish as they enter the Chesapeake- Currently all slots are filled. Call Lew if you want to be on a stand-by list. This trip has a TWO striper limit as above, but much higher chance for trophy stripers. Captain supplies rods; mate cleans the fish back at the dock. For more information please contact Lew Roach at lew.roach@gmail.com or cell (202) 417-4185.)

8. Local Ducks Unlimited Events

WHEN: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2017

REGISTRATION 09:30 AM - ALL SHOOTERS ON COURSE BY 10:30AM

Registration at open-air pavilion (far end of parking lot)

SPORTING CLAYS 50 targets; tournament scoring

LUNCH, RAFFLES, & AWARDS (at completion of shoot) (BBQ, snacks, & beverages)

WHERE: PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY TRAP & SKEET CENTER

▪ 10400 GOOD LUCK ROAD, GLENN DALE, MD 20769

(301) 577-7177 / 7178

▪ Rental guns & ammo are available at the club (Note: No reloads with rental guns)

COST: $75.00 – SPORTING CLAYS, FOOD, & BEVERAGE

▪ Online in advance or cash/check (payable to DU) at the event; Greenwing (youth/-18) $40

▪ Door prize drawing for all participants

▪ Gun raffle for DU Sponsors (sponsor levels start at $300, includes shoot & BBQ)

▪ Opportunities for corporate & individual underwriters with signage

****************************** *************************

This event is open to competitive and non-competitive shooters and open to everyone

Please pass this invitation to friends

9. Calendar of Upcoming Events

Nov 19th-21st - AP Hill Deer Hunt- sign up now!

Dec 1st & 2nd –Trophy Striper trips

Dec 9th – Maryland Striper trip

DIA Rod and Gun Club Newsletter, September 2017

In this issue:

• DIA Fall Membership Meeting

• Upcoming Board of Director Elections

• Seeking Entries for the Annual Best Fish, Game and Article Awards

• Fort A.P. Hill Deer Hunt

• Mason Neck and OB Lottery Deer Hunts

• Virginia Hunting Chair Update

• Seeking Maryland Chairperson

• Remaining Club Fishing Trips for 2017

• Local Ducks Unlimited Events

• A. P. Hill Spring Gobbler Harvest Report

• “Hole in One” Antelope Hunt

• Calendar of Upcoming Events

1. DIA Fall Dinner Meeting and Dinner

The Fall Dinner meeting is tentatively scheduled for 29 October at the Fairfax Rod and Gun Club. We will again offer skeet shooting to members, followed by the social hour, dinner and membership meeting and guest speaker. We will see a continuation of the higher value door prizes for the members who attend. Members can shoot up to two rounds of skeet or trap at Club expense, but must provide their own shot shells. The shot size MUST be 71/2 or smaller (i.e. 8 or 9) Shells can be purchased on site. Additional rounds and ammunition for members and all rounds for guests will be at the individual's expense. There is no cost for dinner to members in good standing; cost for guests is $30.00. Guests who join at the meeting will incur no additional dinner cost. Once we lock in this date, Bernie Gately will be sending out an invitation via email. When you receive the invitation, please RSVP right away to permit the caterer sufficient lead time for food ordering and to ensure we have enough door prizes. Address for the Fairfax Rod and Gun Club: 7039 Signal Hill Rd. Manassas, Va. The following is a link to the directions:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Fairfax+Rod+%26+Gun+Club/@38.746929,- 77.416309,1232m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x84748da3338b096f!8m2!3d38.74 6929!4d-77.416309?hl=en

2. Board of Director Elections

We're nearing that point in our Club's two-year cycle when we'll be offering a new slate

of candidates for election to the Board of Directors. If you would like to serve the

membership and influence the focus and direction of the Club, please immediately notify the Club Secretary, Rick Mrstik that you'll stand for election. The elections will be

conducted via email. The ballot will be sent out by Rick Mrstik. Please vote so that we

have a quorum and can continue club operations without interruption.

3. Seeking Entries for Annual DIA Club Fish, Game, and Newsletter Awards

As the summer fishing season comes to a close and hunting season approaches, club

members are reminded to submit photos of your season’s catch or harvest. No story is

required for the biggest fish and game awards. Just measure your fish and game, snap

a photo and get a fellow club member to certify your measurements. Then send the

photo and measurements to any board member for consideration and possible

recognition during the next Spring membership meeting. (Board emails are provided

below). Also remember that you are encouraged to share any hunting, fishing or

outdoor stories with the club in the form of a newsletter article. Just submit a photo of

your trip and a few facts to share your adventure with the club. The “best” story will also

receive recognition during our spring club meeting.

4. AP Hill Deer Hunt

DIA’s annual deer hunting trip to Fort A.P. Hill is scheduled for 20 and 21 November

with cabin check in on the 19th of November at the field cabin. Five spots remain. The

cabin is used by VIPs so accommodations are first class. A stocked fishing lake is

available so you will want to bring your fishing equipment. Total cost is $46 per hunter.

Please contact Mark White (540) 286-0169, (540) 220-5669 or fhantom64@aol.com for

details and to reserve a spot. To be qualified to hunt on A.P. Hill, hunters must register

their firearms, watch a short training film, and undergo a background check- all of which

can be completed at range control. Additional training is required to access special

controlled areas. Controlled area access is not required as there are other good hunting

areas available. For A.P. hill general hunting and controlled area qualification

procedures, contact Dick Vande Hei at 202 230-8656. Rvande2924@verizon.net.

5. Mason Neck and OB Lottery Deer Hunts

The deadline for applications for this year’s lottery deer hunts at the local National

Wildlife Refuges is 23 September. New this year is the requirement to do all application

and briefing activities on line and the use of slugs to hunt. Get the details and apply at:

Mason Neck Website: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Mason_Neck/Visit/deerhunt.html

Occoquan Bay Website: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Occoquan_Bay/Visit/DeerHunt.html

6. Virginia Hunting Chair Update

Mark White, our new Virginia Hunting Chair, is off to a running start and doing great

work in finding additional hunting opportunities for the club. He is active with

investigating leads for a possible hunting lease for the club. We have placed a bid on a

300-acre lease near Thornburgh, Virginia. This property is 300 acres, with 2 ponds and

50 acres of woods surrounded by bean fields. We won’t know if we have won the bid for

at least a week or so. We may be able to announce something at the Fall Dinner.

In addition, another area of possible interest to the club and to individual members is a

new initiative by Outdoor Access. This program teams with Virginia land owners to

provide hunting access to private lands on a short term (i.e. day by day) basis. An

article about this program is provided here:

https://outdooraccess.com/assets/pdf/Outdoor-Life-Auguest-2017.pdf and more

information about “short term: access to properties can be obtained at:

https://outdooraccess.com/#/.

The club is approaching this organization to see if perhaps a larger land owner may want to give our members exclusive access. Any members that have any possible Virginia leases or Virginia hunting trip ideas should contact Mark.

7. Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson

There is some excellent hunting to be had in Maryland. We are currently seeking an

activity chairperson for Maryland hunting activities. Our activity chairpersons play a

crucial role in the service of our club by organizing trips for club members. If you are

interested in becoming a chairperson, or if you have an idea for a group hunting trip or

would like to plan a single hunting trip let a board member know. In the past, hunting

trips have included upland bird hunting at local preserves and guided waterfowl hunting

in the bay area. The club subsidizes the cost of such trips but all trips must be officially

sponsored through a chairperson. Remember that the Club’s success depends on our

member’s willingness to share their passions of the outdoors with others. If interested in

the Maryland Chairperson position or if you want to help organize a single event just

contact a board member. The contact information for the board members and other

activity chairs is included at the end of this newsletter.

8. Remaining Virginia Fishing Trips for 2017

Fishing from Virginia Bay:

Friday 1 Dec - Striped Bass: Currently all slots are filled, taking names for standby list. Trolling out of Reedville for Trophies, 2 fish per person.

Saturday 2 Dec - Striped Bass: Currently all slots are filled. The cost of the trip is approximately $108 and club members can deduct any remaining 15% club subsidy amount from this amount. Call if you would like to be on a stand-by list in case someone cancels at the last minute. The boat license covers all persons aboard, no need to buy a VA or MD fishing license. All fishing gear is provided, just bring food/drinks. Costs above do NOT include a $25 cash tip for mate. Fish cleaning is free on Bay trip.

30 September Cape Hatteras Trip: Currently all slots are filled Cost approximately $258, plus $50 mate tip, prior to Club discount if you are still authorized one. Please contact Ed below if interested in being placed on a stand-by list.

Contact Ed Fortunato if interested in any of the Bay Trips or Cape Hatteras Trip. Payment will be coordinated upon filling a trip. Ed Fortunato, 703-622-9323, Ed.fort.translog@comcast.net

Lake Anna Freshwater Rockfish Trips:

No other trips for the rest of the year are planned, but a trip later in the Fall may be possible, depending on interest. This trip would have to be approved by the board, so if interested please contact Martin Lockard soon at 571-529-6433, or twistruff@cox.net.

Maryland Striper Fishing Charters:

Lew Roach is scheduling TWO fishing charters with Captain Wayne Schuhart out of Chesapeake Beach, MD (Rod ‘n Reel Marina). Saturday, September 9th at 6:00 AM for 6 to 8 anglers. Light tackle trip. Currently all slots are filled. Call Lew if you want to be on a stand-by list. This will be a chumming or live-lining trip targeting TWO stripers per angler minimum of 20 inches; just one over 28 inches. Cost will be approximately $100. Bluefish will likely be in the mix, as well. The most recent report is that fishing is RED HOT, so this ought to be a good trip.

Saturday December 9th- trolling trip targeting large sea-run rockfish as they enter the Chesapeake- Currently all slots are filled. Call Lew if you want to be on a stand-by list. This trip has the same TWO striper limit as above, but much higher chance for trophy stripers. Captain supplies rods; mate cleans the fish back at the dock. Same cost as above. To book a rod on either trip, or for more information please contact Lew Roach at lew.roach@gmail.com or cell (202) 417-4185.

9. Local Ducks Unlimited Events

The Pentagon DU Chapter will host the DU Wetlands Conservation Dinner on September

23 from 5:30 to 10:00PM at the Arlington Elks Lodge #2188. More information is available at: http://www.ducks.org/virginia/events/46012/pentagon-du-wetlandsconservation-dinner

The Alexandria DU chapter will host the seventh annual “Toast to the Ducks” event on

September 28 from 7 to 10PM at the Old Dominion Boat club. More information is

available at: http://www.ducks.org/virginia/events/46381/alexandria-du-toast-the-ducks

10. 2017 A.P. Hill Spring Gobbler Harvest Report

For those of you who hunt turkey on A.P. Hill the following is a link to the 2017 Spring

Gobbler Harvest Report. The report can be found at:

https://faph.isportsman.net/files/Hunting%2FHarvest%20Updates%2F2017%20Spring%

20Gobbler%20Harvest%20Report.pdf

11.Antelope Hole in One?

Submitted by Dave Burpee

I went on an antelope hunt and a golf game broke out. Sounds too weird to be true and

of course it isn’t, but the truth is not far removed. First, the details.

Three friends (Bob Seltzer, John Peeler and Jack Denbow) and I have fallen into the

wonderful habit of hunting antelope in Wyoming every odd year. The others have been

on several trips, this was only my fourth. I had been fortunate to harvest antelopes on

my previous three trips and looked forward to another opportunity. My earlier

encounters were all good animals with one scoring close to Pope and Young, but so far

“the big one” had eluded me.

The night before the hunt we drew blinds (all of which were situated near water holes)

out of a hat and I drew one named West Solar. Arriving at the blind just past sunup, I

discovered the blind was aptly named for the nearby solar panel that powered a well

pump. About 30 minutes after settling in the blind, the parade of antelopes began. Over

the next 2 hours six NICE bucks came to water. And, naturally, each time fate

intervened. Fate included: three antelopes in the first group sent the smallest (still NICE) to water first and he spotted me so they all ambled off, a fourth antelope watered headon, another watered quartering towards, and the sixth (the smallest of all the animals) presented a broadside shot, but I was not up to the task and missed.

I was using a Great Northern Ghost recurve with wooden arrows, but no excuses. I

must have found the panic button and mashed it because the arrow went right over the

vitals area and cleared the animal’s back. My only consolation is that it was a clean

miss…….

More than a dozen does watered in the next few hours and about 3PM I was still

bemoaning my fate and kicking my butt when I glanced out the shooting window and

saw a NICE buck about 100 yards away. By now I had determined the modes operandi

at the watering hole was for the animal to stand about 100 yards away on the high

ground and extensively survey the waterhole over an extended period of time. I had

made the mistake earlier of watching the animal move to water and then taking up a

shooting position and naturally was spotted as I moved.

This time I immediately moved to a back corner to where I could only see the water’s

edge. I knew that from this location the buck could not see me and I would be able to

see his legs when he started to drink, at which time I could take one step and come to

full draw. It took about 20 minutes – 20 VERY LONG minutes -- in that corner not

knowing if he had left but finally I spotted his legs moving to water. Unfortunately, at the

same time, a doe moved to water and was looking directly into the blind through the

other shooting hole. If I moved quickly, she was sure to spot me.

I debated whether to pass the shot but decided to take a slow step and draw. If the doe

did not alert, I was good to go. If she did alert, I would not shoot but wait for another

opportunity. Just as I completed my move and draw, I could sense her movement from

the water but the buck had not moved so I released what turned out to be an 11-yard

shot. The J&M Traditions arrow with a 145-grain eclipse broadhead flew true and

looked solid on the quartering-away buck. He ran off and I last saw him go over a small

rise about 200 yards away. I did not see him come up the far side and began to worry.

It was possible he had not been hit as hard as I thought and had turned left or right and

kept on going out of sight.

It is important to note at this point in the story that all our trips are to the same location –

the Werner Ranch about 45 minutes north of Douglas. JJ and Connie are terrific hosts,

Connie is a great cook and JJ spares no efforts to put you on antelope. He and his

brother-in-law Mark Woolard, who helps him each hunting season, are terrific guides.

I called JJ and Mark and over the next 90 minutes they scoured with binos the area

around the small rise as well as any other paths the buck may have taken. Finally, Mark

took his vehicle to very near the last spot I saw the buck and got out to walk the ground.

He had not gone far when he found my animal dead – and this is where the golf analogy comes into play. He had died on his feet at a full run and slid into a three-foot hole where he was invisible to any view except from directly above. Yes, I had done it. An antelope hole in one.

The buck scored 69 3/8 that evening so there is a good chance the final dried score will

exceed the Pope and Young minimum of 67. If not, no worries. I wanted an antelope

and the fact it was a NICE one was only icing on the cake.

I should add that the hunters also included Pierre Malko and his wife Dani (one of Bob’s

daughters). They brought their three youngest daughters along to enjoy the ranch

experience and see some historic sights going to and coming from the hunt. Pierre and

Dani had both harvested antelopes on previous hunts and this time they took turns each

day with one going to the blind and the other staying in camp to entertain/watch/corral

the enthusiastic youngsters.

The final hunt tally was hunters six, antelope zero. We packed all the antelope into two

large coolers and Dani/Pierre and the girls flew home while the four guys drove to

complete the 3,800-mile round trip.

A side benefit of this trip was that the ranch was located in the zone that included a full

eclipse of the sun. Fabulous to watch the process while sitting on the porch with a glass

of Crown Royal.

The next trip is August 2019 and I am already anticipating a great journey with friends.

12.Calendar of Upcoming Events

Sep. 9th - Maryland Striper Trip

Sep 9th - Opening of Fairfax’s Parks Archery Season (Program members only)

Sep 24th – Application Deadlines for Mason Neck and OB Deer Hunts

Sep 30th – Cape Hatteras Deep Sea trip

Oct 29(Tent.)– DIA R&G club Fall Membership dinner. Exact date TBD.

Dec 1st & 2nd –Trophy Striper trips

Dec 9th – Maryland Striper trip

DIA Rod and Gun Club Newsletter, July 2017

In this issue:

· Hunters for the Hungry Banquet

· VA Hunter Education, IBEP, and Hunter Skills Course Information

· Seeking Entries for the Annual Best Fish, Game and Article Awards

· New Virginia Hunting Chairperson / Seeking Maryland Chairperson

· Remaining Club Fishing Trips for 2017

· Successful June Lake Anna Rockfish Trips

· Calendar of Upcoming Events

· Points of Contact

1. Hunters for the Hungry Banquet

The Hunters for the Hungary 6th Annual Sportsman’s Banquet will be held on Saturday July 22, 2017 at 5:30 pm at Park West Lions Club, 8620 Sunnygate Drive, Manassas, VA 20109. Enjoy an evening of food, fun and fellowship while helping to make a difference in the lives

of many less fortunate in our community and our state. Event includes dinner, dessert, and beverages, a variety of raffles as well as live and silent auctions of donated merchandise.

DOORS OPEN AT 5:00 PM

COST: $40.00 Single $60.00 Per Couple

Children under 12 free!

Major Credit Cards Accepted!!! (Except AMEX )

Call Cole Cushman (540) 454 – 2688 or Jason McIntosh (571) 437 – 8304 for registration

and more information.

2. VA Hunter Education, IBEP, and Hunter Skills Courses

VA Hunter Education Course at Quantico

There is one remaining Hunter Education Courses at Quantico this year on Saturday 26 August. Please forward this to anyone who you think might be interested in attending. They can get information and register at https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/education/huntereducation-

course . This free Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) course provides instruction in hunter safety, principles of conservation and sportsmanship. It is required for hunters 12-15 years of age, and hunters at least 16 years of age who are hunting with their

first hunting license. Proof of completion of this course is also required for some quota hunts, such as at Caledon State Park. We often have hunters with many years of experience who take the course to ensure they are applying the best hunter safety procedures.

IBEP Course

There is also an International Bowhunter Education (IBEP) Course that will be held at the Stafford Isaak Walton League on 19 August. The course is currently full but they are accepting standby students in case vacancies occur before the course. The IBEP Course is required before getting a bowhunting license in about a dozen states and Canadian Provinces. Locally, it is required to hunt on Fort Belvoir and the Fairfax County (Parks) Archery Program. Interested individuals can get on the Wait List at https://registered.

com/programs/virginia/66-virginia-bowhunter-education-course-ibep/agency:19

Hunter Skills Weekends

Finally, the Virginia Hunter Education Association is sponsoring two Hunter Skills Weekends. These courses offer a great opportunity for the whole family to learn new hunting skills or hone the ones they have. The first is from August 11th thru the 13th at

Airfield 4-H Center, 15189 Airfield Road, Wakefield, VA 23888. Information on Registration at: http://www.airfieldconference.com/page/specialty-events/ or by calling 757-899-4901. Registration deadline is 26 July.

The second Hunter Skills Weekend is at Holiday Lake State, located near Appomattox, Va. From Sep 29 thru October 1st Information and Registration at: http://holidaylake4h.com/upcoming.php . Or by calling 434-248-5444. Registration deadline is September 15, 2017

3. Seeking Entries for Annual DIA Club Fish, Game, and Newsletter Awards

Remember to measure your fish and game, snap a photo and get a fellow club member to certify your measurements. Then send the photo and measurements to any board member for consideration. Also remember that you are encouraged to share any hunting, fishing or outdoor trips with the club in the form of a newsletter. Just submit a photo of your trip and a few facts to share your adventure with the club.

4. Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson

We are currently seeking an activity chairperson for Maryland hunting activities. Congratulations and welcome aboard to Mark White who has recently taken up the Virginia Hunting Chairperson position. Our activity chairpersons play a crucial role in the service of our club by organizing trips for club members. If you are interested in becoming a chairperson, or if you have an idea for a group hunting trip or would like to plan a single hunting trip let a board member know. In

the past, hunting trips have included upland bird hunting at local preserves, guided waterfowl hunting in the bay area, and group deer and turkey weekends at Fort A.P. Hill. The club subsidizes the cost of such trips but all trips must be officially sponsored through a chairperson.

Remember that the Club’s success depends on our member’s willingness to share their passions of the outdoors with others. If interested in the Maryland Chairperson position or if you want to help organize a single event just contact a board member.

5. Remaining Virginia Fishing Trips for 2017

Bay Fishing from Virginia:

Friday 18 Aug- Spanish Mackerel: Out of Reedville, VA. 15 mackerel per person limit, plus blue fish. Currently all slots are fiilled, taking names for standby list.
Friday 25 Aug - Spanish Mackerel: Same as above. Cost of these trips is approximately $100 per person not including any deductions for subsidies. These are high success trips. Call now to be entered on the standby list in case there are cancellations.
Friday 1 Dec - Striped Bass: Currently all slots are filled, taking names for standby list. Trolling for Trophies, 2 fish per person.
Saturday 2 Dec,- Striped Bass: 1 opening remaining– This is a NEW TRIP due to members requests. Out of Reedville. The cost of the trip is approximately $108 and club members can deduct any remaining 15% club subsidy amount from this amount. Call now to book the remaining spot. The boat license covers all persons aboard, no need to buy a VA or MD fishing license. Allfishing gear is provided, just bring food/drinks. Costs above do NOT include a $25 cash tip for mate. Fish cleaning is free on Bay trips. Cost for non-club members would be approximately $110.
Possible Cape Hatteras Trip: Several members have asked about an end of Sept or early Oct charter at Cape Hatteras, NC. Probably a Saturday, drive Friday, fish Sat and return Sunday. This is an INFO request only NO obligation, Cost approximately $258, plus $50 mate tip, prior to Club discount if you are still authorized one. Please contact Ed below if interested. The board has approved the request so all we need now is enough willingparticipants.
Contact Ed Fortunato if interested in any of the Bay Trips or Cape Hatteras Trip. Payment will be coordinated upon filling a trip. Ed Fortunato, 703-622-9323, Ed.fort.translog@comcast.net

Lake Anna Freshwater Rockfish Trips:

No other trips for the remainder of the year are planned, but a trip in later in the Fall may be possible, depending on interest. This trip would have to be approved by the board, so if interested please contact Martin Lockard soon if interested at 571-529-6433, or twistruff@cox.net.

Maryland Striper Fishing Charters:

Lew Roach is scheduling TWO fishing charter with Captain Wayne Schuhart out of Chesapeake Beach, MD (Rod ‘n Reel Marina). The first will be a light-tackle trip for Saturday, September 9th at 6:00 AM for 6 to 8 anglers. This will be a chumming or livelining

trip targeting TWO stripers per angler minimum of 20 inches; just one over 28 inches. Cost will be approximately $100 (less, if we get more than 6). Bluefish will likely be in the mix, as well.

The last trip of the year on Saturday December 9th is a trolling trip that will target the large sea-run rockfish as they enter the Chesapeake —same TWO striper limit as above, but much higher chance for trophy stripers. Captain supplies rods; mate cleans the fish back at the dock. Same cost as above, however seeking a maximum of 7 anglers. To book a rod on either trip, or for more information please contact Lew Roach at lew.roach@gmail.com or

cell (202) 417-4185.)

6. Results of the Lake Anna Trip!

On June 8 & 9, there was a 2-day striper fishing event at Lake Anna southwest of Fredericksburg. We had four club members signed up each day to go after rockfish on a pontoon boat with a guide. The first day was beautiful but quite chilly, cloudy, and windy. Plus, there were engine problems that limited us to the electric motor. The catch: Six keeper rockfish, one nice largemouth bass, and a bunch of channel catfish. The second day was much warmer and sunny, and a different boat was used. The catch: Eight keeper rockfish and some channel catfish. Everyone enjoyed the outings in this peaceful, beautiful setting. A good number of fish were caught on both days and released. Most of the released rockfish ironically measured a half inch less than the minimum. We probably fished a little too early in June as the rockfish

were not schooling as expected. See pictures of this trip in the photos section.

Contact Marty Lockard, twistruff@cox.net, if you are interested in another rockfish event at Lake Anna this summer or fall. One is not currently scheduled, and would have to be approved by the Board.

7. Calendar of Upcoming Events

Aug 18th / 25th – Spanish Mackerel Trips
Sep. – DIA R&G club Fall Membership dinner meeting. Exact date TBD.
Sep 2nd – Opening VA Urban Archery Season
Sep. 9th – Maryland Striper Trip
Sep 9th - Opening of Fairfax’s Parks Archery Program Season (Program members only)
Dec 1st & 2nd –Trophy Striper trips
Dec 9th – Maryland Striper trip

DIA Rod and Gun Club Newsletter, May 2017

DIA Rod & Gun Club Newsletter, May 2017

· Seeking Virginia/Maryland Hunting Chairpersons

· Subsidy Policy for Club Hunting/Fishing Trips

· Virginia Fishing Trips Planned for 2017

· June Lake Anna Rockfish Trip information

· New Archery Qualification Standards for Fairfax Deer Management Program

· Trophy Rockfish Trip Results

· Calendar of Upcoming Events

· Points of Contact

1. Spring Membership Meeting, May 21st

Our Spring Meeting will be held at the Fairfax Rod and Gun Club. The location is: 7039 Signal Hill Rd. Manassas, Va. 20111. The club will once again cover the range fees for two rounds of skeet or trap. Members must provide their own shot shells. (Shot

size must be 7.5, 8 or 9). More information and RSVP instructions will be provided in an upcoming email invitation. Please remember to RSVP so that we can get a firm head count. Also note that that this year heavy hors d'oeuvres will be provided instead of a full meal.

2. Shenandoah Float Fishing Trip -Saturday, May 6th 2017

There are still slots available for the Shenandoah River Float Fishing Trip. Come to the South Fork of the Shenandoah River near Rileyville VA and Jeremey’s Run for a day of fishing on the best small bass portion of the river. Bring your own lunch and beverages for the day. A hamburger dinner will be provided at 4 pm riverside. Sit on-top kayaks, sit-in kayaks and tubes will be furnished. Bring your own canoe, or arrange for one ahead

of time with Maston Gray at 703-408-8020, maston.gray@cox.net.

We’ll start fishing 9am at 262 River Road, Rileyville Va and conclude the day with a BBQ at 4 pm. Rileyville is approximately 60 minutes from the DC area Beltway via Front Royal Va on I-66 West (go past Cabela’s in Gainesville Va). It is about 5 miles south of Bentonville VA and about 20 min from Front Royal Va on US 340 South. Details and directions furnished

before signup.

POC: Maston Gray, 703-408-8020, “maston.gray@cox.net”. The trip is no cost. Space is limited so decide and respond early. There will be no rain date. A weather call will be announced 48 hours before the trip in case of inclement weather or high water. Come float and fish!

3. Comment on proposed 2018 VDGIF Rules and Regulations

The public comment period is open for new and changed Rules and Regulations. Check them out at: http://eepurl.com/cG1Sgn . The comment period is open thru May 10. Send in your comments to help VDGIF shape the next hunting bills.

4. VA DU Gun raffle/calendar for sale

Green Top Sporting goods and VA DU are teaming up to offer a unique gun raffle/calendar. Buyers have 31 chances to win the “gun of the day” in July. Calendars are $40 each and sales end June 1, 2017. Daily winners will be drawn beginning July 1,

2017 and end July 31, 2017. Maximum of 1500 calendars will be sold. Additional information is provided at: https://www.virginiaducks.org/2017/02/14/the-vadu-2017-

christmas-in-july-gun-calendar-kick-off/

5. Seeking Virginia/Maryland Chairpersons

you have an idea for a group hunting trip or would like to plan a single hunting trip let a board member know.

In the past, hunting trips have included upland bird hunting at local preserves, guided waterfowl hunting in the bay area, and group deer and turkey weekends at Fort A.P. Hill. The club subsidizes the cost of such trips but all trips must be officially sponsored through a chairperson.

Remember that the Club’s success depends on our member’s willingness to share their passions of the outdoors with

others. If interested contact a board member.

6. Subsidies for Club Fishing/Hunting Opportunities

As was done in previous years, each member participating in a club sponsored trip will receive a 15% subsidy per event from the Club with the annual total not to exceed their $40 annual membership dues. This subsidy is intended to encourage greater

participation in our club sponsored events.

7. Virginia Fishing Trips for 2017

Fishing from Virginia Bay Schedule:

Friday 19 May – Striped Bass. Out of Lottsburg, VA. Trolling, 2-fish limit. Currently filled but taking standbys in case of cancellations.
Friday 18 Aug- Spanish Mackerel. Out of Reedville, VA. 15 fish limit per person. Currently filled but taking standbys in case of cancellations.
Friday 25 Aug - Spanish Mackerel. Same as above. Two openings remain, the cost of the trip is approximately $100 and club members can deduct any remaining 15% clubsubsidy from this amount. These are high success trips. Call now to book a spot.
Friday 1 Dec - Striped Bass. Currently filled, taking names for standby list. Trolling for Trophies, One trophy sized fish per person.
Saturday 2 Dec,- Striped Bass. 2 openings – This is a NEW TRIP due to member request. Out of Reedville due to member request. The cost of the trip is approximately $108 and club members can deduct any remaining 15% club subsidy amount from this amount. Call now to book a spot. The boat license covers all persons aboard, no need to buy a VA or MD fishing license. All fishing gear is provided, just bring food/drinks. Costs above do NOT include a $25 cash tip for mate. Fish cleaning is free on Bay trips. Cost for non-club members would be approximately $125.

Cape Hatteras offshore Trip:

Saturday 29 April – currently filled. This time of year the target species are normally Mahi, Yellow fin and Black fin tuna, but White Marlin, Sailfish are always possible and have been caught in the past as well. You just never know what to expect. Approximate cost is $250 before club discount depending on your earlier subsidies. Cost does notinclude a $50 cash tip for mate nor any fish cleaning fees you elect to pay. Contact Ed Fortunato if interested in any of the Bay Trips or Cape Hatteras Trip. Payment will be coordinated upon filling a trip. Ed Fortunato, 703-622-9323, Ed.fort.translog@comcast.net

8. June Lake Anna Freshwater Rockfish Trips

The next Lake Anna Rockfish trips are scheduled for Thursday, June 8 and Friday, June 9. These trips are focused on straight down, “fast and furious” rockfish. As of April 24, all openings have been filled by club members, but there is still room to sign up as

an alternate (in case someone has to cancel).

Remember that June is the “fast and furious” period for rockfish in the lake. We normally get over schools of fish, and it is common to have hits on multiple lines at same time. So we expect lots of action and fun. A trip later in the Fall may be possible, depending on interest. The limit remains at four rockfish per day over 20 inches. We also catch some nice sized largemouth bass and channel catfish. The trip involves a guide and a pontoon boat equipped with sophisticated fish-finding equipment. The tackle and live bait are provided by the guide.

The optimum fishing arrangement is to have four fishermen go out each day. The cost per member is approximately $134 and members can deduct any remaining 15% subsidy from this amount. Cost does not include any tips. Exact cost is subject to

change. If you are interested in signing up for the June trip, please contact Martin Lockard, 571-529-6433, wistruff@cox.net.

9. New Qualification Standards for Fairfax Co Archery Deer Management 9. New Qualification Standards for Fairfax Co Archery Deer Management

20 yards and 2 out of 3 at 30 yards using your hunting equipment. Traditional archery equipment continues to be prohibited.

Qualifications are being conducted March 31 through June 4. If you do not qualify on your first attempt you must come back another day – no second chances the same day. The application period will begin after qualifications have closed. If qualified and selected, you must then complete the International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP) before the season begins or show

proof you have completed it in the past. Members should schedule an IBEP course as soon as possible as they fill quickly.

10. Another Successful Fishing Trip!

Club members enjoyed success during Maryland’s Rockfish opening weekend. Herb Cully’s 42 inch trophy Striper was one of five lunkers caught with Capt. Wayne and Mate Doug aboard the TRICIA ANN II.

11. Calendar of Upcoming Events

May 6th – Shenandoah Float Fishing Trip
May 19th – Striped Bass Trip out of Lottsburg
May 21st – DIA R&G Spring membership meeting. Fairfax R&G Club.
Jun 8th & 9th - Lake Anna “Fast and Furious” Rockfish trip.
Aug 18th / 25th – Spanish Mackerel Trips
Sep. – DIA R&G club Fall Membership dinner. Exact date TBD.
Dec 1st & 2nd –Trophy Striper trip

DIA Rod and Gun Club Newsletter, March 2017

In this issue:

· 2017 dues are due

· Seeking Virginia/Maryland Hunting Chairpersons

· Reminder: Subsidies are back for Club Hunting/Fishing Trips

· Virginia Fishing Trips Planned for 2017

· June Lake Anne Rockfish Trip information

· Occoquan Bay Youth Fishing Day Cancelled

· Virginia State DU Convention & Alexandria DU Chapter Dinner

· New Archery Qualification Standards for Fairfax Deer Management Program

· Fort A.P. Hill Deer Report

· Successful Club Rockfish Trips

1. 2017 Dues are Due

It’s that time of the year again. Dues for 2017 are unchanged at $40. Please make checks payable to DIA Rod and Gun Club, Inc, and send to Membership Chair Bernie Gately, 9121 Lake Braddock Dr., Burke, VA 22015-2136. Additionally, if you have friends or family who might

be interested in our club please don’t hesitate to invite them to join too. Remember, the person who recruits the most new members this year will be granted a free membership for 2018 (and Board Members are not eligible to win!).

2. Seeking Virginia/Maryland Chairpersons

We are currently seeking activity chairpersons for Virginia and Maryland hunting activities. Our activity chairpersons play a crucial role in the service of our club by organizing trips for club members. If you are interested in becoming a chairperson, or if you have an idea for a group hunting trip or would like to plan a single hunting trip let a board member know. In the past, hunting trips have included upland bird hunting at local preserves, guided waterfowl hunting in the bay area, and group deer and turkey

weekends at Fort A.P. Hill. The club subsidizes the cost of such trips but all trips must be officially sponsored through the chairperson. Remember, the Club’s success depends on our member’s willingness to share their passions of the outdoors with others. If interested, contact a board member.

3. Reminder: Subsidies are back for Club Fishing/Hunting Opportunities

Just another reminder: Our most important news is that 15% subsidies are back for 2017! As was done in previous years, each member participating in a club sponsored trip will receive a 15% subsidy per event from the Club with the annual total not to exceed their $40 annual membership dues. This subsidy is intended to encourage greater participation in our club sponsored events.

4. Virginia Fishing Trips for 2017

Our Virginia Fishing Chairperson has the following trips tentatively planned based on garnering enough member interest.

Fishing from Virginia Bay Schedule:

Friday 19 May – Striped Bass. Out of Lottsburg, VA. Trolling just after the

spring trophy seasons have closed. Two-fish limit will likely be in effect and size limits will depend on whether we are in VA or MD waters.

Friday 18 Aug- Spanish Mackerel. Out of Reedville, VA. Light line trolling; 15 fish limit per person.

Friday 25 Aug - Spanish Mackerel. Same as above. These are normally high action and high success trips.

Friday 1 Dec - Striped Bass. Trolling for trophies, which will have returned to the bay. One trophy sized fish per person. Size limit is usually 28-30”+ depending on VA or MD waters. Boat leaves from Lottsburg or Reedville as noted above. The boat license covers all persons aboard, so no need to buy a VA or MD fishing license. All fishing gear is also provided, so just bring food/drinks. Cost approximately $106 assuming you have not received earlier club subsidy, plus $25 cash tip for mate. Fish cleaning is free on Bay trips. Cost for non-club members is approximately $125.

Cape Hatteras offshore Trip:

Late April - May. No date until I have serious interest. We have done these

successfully for three years. This time of year the target species are normally Mahi, Yellow fin and Black fin tuna, but White Marlin and Sailfish are always possible and have been caught in the past as well. You just never know what to expect. Approximate cost is $225 after club discount depending on your earlier subsidies. Cost does not include a $50 cash tip for mate nor any fish cleaning fees you elect to pay. Since Hatteras is a six-hour drive south, a hotel room is probably the best option and can be shared/coordinated with other participants. The longer drive south is made up for by less hours driving in the boat and consequently more time spent fishing and cheaper total price since the captain burns less fuel to get to the fishing grounds. Contact Ed Fortunato if interested in any of the Bay trips or Cape Hatteras trip. No obligation for money now, only interest. Monies will be coordinated upon filling a trip. Ed Fortunato, 703-622-9323, Ed.fort.translog@comcast.net

5. June Lake Anna Freshwater Rockfish Trips

The next Lake Anna Rockfish trips are scheduled for Thursday, June 8 and Friday, June 9. These trips are focused on straight down, “fast and furious” rockfish. Slots are filling quickly so you may want to decide soon. As of the1st of March there are still a few openings remaining. One opening is still available on June 9 and two alternate positions are open on both dates. Remember that June is the “fast and furious” period for rockfish

in the lake. We normally get over schools of fish, and it is common to have hits on multiple lines at same time. So we expect lots of action and lots of fun. A trip later in the Fall may be possible, depending on interest. The limit remains at four rockfish per day over 20 inches. We also catch some nice sized largemouth bass and channel catfish. The trip involves a guide and a pontoon boat equipped with sophisticated fish-finding equipment. The tackle and live bait are provided by the guide. The optimum fishing

arrangement is to have four fishermen go out each day. The cost per member is approximately $117 including a 15% subsidy but not including any tips. Exact cost is subject to change. If you are interested in signing up for the June trip, please contact Martin Lockard, 571-529-6433, twistruff@cox.net.

6. Occoquan Bay NWR Youth Fishing Day – CANCELLED!

The Occoquan Bay NWR staff recently announced that the annual youth fishing event will not be held this year. Our club usually assisted by providing volunteers for the event. Don't let this news keep you from taking a kid fishing this spring.

7. Virginia Duck’s Unlimited Convention & Annual Alexandria DU Dinner

The 2017 Virginia State Duck’s Unlimited Convention will be March 10-11, 2017 at The Tides Inn Resort in Irvington, Virginia. This year DU will be celebrating their 80th Anniversary. Since 1937, DU has conserved more than 13 million acres of waterfowl habitat throughout North America and more than 45,000 acres here in Virginia. The attached link has all the details for the event.

http://www.ducks.org/virginia/events/44238/virginia-ducks-unlimited-state-convention

In addition, the Alexandria DU Annual Banquet & Benefit Auction will be held on April 21, 2017 at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union Street Old Town Alexandria. This event has SOLD OUT for 5 years in a row and will sell out again this year! Purchase your tickets and tables early before they are SOLD OUT. Join friends and family in support of conservation efforts impacting the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River. For more information and ticketing visit:

http://www.ducks.org/virginia/events/44442/alexandria-du-annual-banquet-&-benefitauction

8. New Qualification Standards for Fairfax Co Archery Deer Management

Club members who want to participate in the 2017-2018 Fairfax County Archery Deer management program need to be aware of important program changes for 2017. Before you can apply, you must first qualify with 3 out of 3 arrows in a 7-inch pie plate at 20 yards and 2 out of 3 at 30 yards using your hunting equipment. Traditional archery equipment continues to be prohibited. Qualifications will be conducted March 31

through June 4. If you do not qualify on your first attempt, you must come back another day – no second chances the same day and only three total chances. The application period will begin after qualifications have closed. If qualified and selected, you must then complete the International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP) before the season begins or show proof you have completed it in the past. Members should schedule an IBEP course as soon as possible as they fill quickly.

9. Fort A.P. Hill Deer Report

The DIA Rod and Gun Club has a long history of conducting deer, turkey and fishing events at Fort A.P. Hill. We recently received the 2016-17 A. P. Hill Deer Harvest Report and it is posted to this site under the Hunting tab. The report contains a wealth of information concerning the deer harvest and comparisons to seasons past. This year’s report also includes a comparison of A.P. Hill, Fort Pickett and Quantico deer harvests by Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Deer Program Biologist, Matt Knox.

10. Successful February Lake Anna Club Rockfish Trips

Club members participated in the first fishing trips of the season and had great success as evidenced by the photos in the gallery! Greg Hernandez, Tim Cary, and Ryan Cary fished on Saturday, Feb 25. The weather was beautiful in the morning (60 degrees at 6:30AM). There were no monster (“hawg”) rockfish caught, but our fishermen did come home with five nice keepers. The next day, after a huge weather front came through, Bob Seltzer, Dan Van Gundy, and Dave Burpee went on the 26 Feb trip. The weather was a little cold but is was sunny and the wind was manageable. Overall the conditions were comfortable and contributed to a beautiful day on the water and to the enjoyment of the day. Interestingly, this group also caught five nice keepers but came away with no big ones. Even though the weather front didn’t help the fishing, all seemed to enjoy a great day on the lake, and there is already talk about wanting to go out again.

DIA Rod and Gun Club Newsletter, January 2017

1. 2017 Dues are Due

It’s that time of the year again. Dues for 2017 are unchanged at $40, and due now. Please make checks payable to DIA Rod and Gun Club, Inc, and send to Membership Chair Bernie Gately, 9121 Lake Braddock Dr., Burke, VA 22015-2136. Thank you.

2. Subsidies are back for Club Fishing/Hunting Opportunities

Our most important news is that 15% subsidies are back for 2017! As was done in previous years, each member participating in a club sponsored trip will receive a 15% subsidy per event from the Club with the annual total not to exceed their $40 annual membership dues. This subsidy is intended to encourage greater participation in our club sponsored events.

Members can look forward to another year of fishing and hunting trips organized by our activity chairpersons. The Board of Directors has approved the 2017 events requested by Committee Chairmen, which includes a minimum of three trips for each of the club’s standing activity areas. Spring fishing chairmen are organizing upcoming trips -- dates and trip details will be released as soon as they become available.

We currently have chairperson vacancies in the VA and MD hunting areas. Past hunting trips included upland bird and waterfowl hunting at local preserves and waterways. Any member who is willing to fulfill these positions or even organize an individual trip are encouraged to contact any of the board members. Remember that the Club’s success depends on our member’s willingness to share their passions of the outdoors with others.

3. February Lake Anna Freshwater Rockfish Trips Planned

There are two Lake Anna events currently planned for 2017. The first event is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Feb 25 and Sunday, Feb 26, and is focused on trolling for “Hawg” or trophy-size rockfish. The second event is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Jun 8 and Friday, Jun 9, and is focused on straight down, “fast and furious” rockfish. A trip in the Fall may be possible, depending on interest. The dates were chosen after carefully checking solunar tables from four fishing applications. The limit remains at 4 rockfish per day over 20 inches. We also catch some nice sized largemouth bass and channel catfish. The trip involves a guide and a pontoon boat equipped with sophisticated fish-finding equipment. The tackle and live bait are provided by the guide. The optimum fishing arrangement is to have four fishermen go out each day. The cost per member is approximately $117 including a 15% subsidy but not including any tips. Exact cost is subject to change. If you are interested in signing up for the February or June trips, please contact Martin Lockard, 571-529-6433, twistruff@cox.net.

4. New Club Fishing and Game Awards Coming Soon

A new initiative for 2017 is the introduction of DIA Fishing and Hunting Awards. Club members who catch the largest fish of various species during club trips or harvest the best buck or spring gobbler on an individual hunt will be recognized. There will also be a category for the best newsletter article. Winners will be awarded a certificate of recognition at the subsequent spring membership meeting. The exact criteria for each award are currently being finalized and will be released soon, but in general terms members catching large fish need only to take a picture next to a ruler showing the size and get a fellow member to confirm the exact measurement. Hunters need to have a fellow member confirm the point count or beard and spur measurements of their 2017 harvest.

The bottom line: Watch for announcement of fishing trips, sign up and keep your rulers and cameras ready!

5. New Qualification Standards for Fairfax Co Archery Deer Management

Club members who want to participate in the 2017-2018 Fairfax County Archery Deer Management Program need to be aware of important program changes for 2017. Before you can apply, you must first qualify with 3 out of 3 arrows in a 7-inch pie plate at 20 yards and 2 out of 3 at 30 yards using your hunting equipment. Traditional archery equipment continues to be prohibited. Qualifications will be conducted March 31 through June 4. If you do not qualify on your first attempt you must come back another day – no second chances the same day. The application period will begin after qualifications have closed. If qualified and selected, you must then complete the International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP) before the season begins or show proof you have completed it in the past. Members should schedule an IBEP course as soon as possible as they fill quickly.

6. Belvoir Bowhunters Trip to Pennsylvania Outdoor Show

The Belvoir Bowhunters have invited our club members to join them in their club sponsored bus trip to the Pennsylvania Outdoor Show which is to be held in Harrisburg, PA on 6 February. They will be chartering a bus and departing from the Backlick North Park and Ride located at 6831 Backlick Rd., Springfield VA 22150 at 7:00 AM and returning at 7:30 PM. The cost is $55 and includes the bus, buffet breakfast enroute, and the show ticket. To reserve your ticket call or email Rich Vigue (703) 217-4988 or rich.vigue60@gmail.com. Payment with credit card or check is accepted.

7. Member’s Moose Hunt

Our own Club president, Dave Burpee, recently had success on a moose hunt in Canada this past fall. Not only did he harvest a bull moose, he did it using a traditional bow. Congratulations, Dave! Read his story below. ____

The sound was unmistakable -- a male moose had responded with a grunt to the female moose call screamed into the Canadian woods by my guide. This was scheduled to be my last moose hunt so any legal animal was in trouble. Game on!

This was my third trip to hunt about an hour and a half east of Edmonton, Alberta with the Alberta Wildlife Guide Service. I enjoyed the hunts even though the 7 days spent in the truck for the round trip of 5,236 miles was a drag. This hunt, however, had the added satisfaction of moose in the freezer.

I first heard the moose about 100 yards out in some dense woods. My guide was about 30 yards from me to my right and did not hear the first grunt so I was waving like crazy behind a tree to get his attention but he did not look my way. The second grunt was just inside the dense wood line and that definitely got the guide's attention! He scrambled to a spot about 30 yards behind me and prepared to call the moose to him and in the process draw him past my ambush. He did not get a chance to call because this moose definitely had sex on his mind as he beat a straight line through a relatively open patch of alders to a spot 19 yards from me. A quick prayer and the wooden arrow tipped with a 145-grain Eclipse broadhead was gone from my Great Northern bow, a 61" recurve with 58 pounds at 28" draw.

The animal was quartering away and I could see him jump and then run with the fletchings in the boiler room and about 8 inches of arrow showing. Later we would learn the arrow penetrated both lungs and lodged in the off-side shoulder.

We waited about 30 minutes and then tracked him about 250 yards to his final resting place. The guide estimated the bull was 2.5 to 3.5 years old and the butcher ultimately estimated the live weight at about 1,100 pounds.

We all have moments to remember and this was certainly one of mine.

8. Calendar of Events

February 6 – Fort Belvoir Bowhunter trip to PA Outdoor show
February 10,11 &12 – The Nation’s Gun Show, Dulles Expo Center. Chantilly, VA.
February 25 & 26 – tentative date for Lake Anna “Hawg” Rockfish trip
Apr. 8 – Beginning of VA spring Turkey Season
May – Youth Fishing Event at OBNWR, Woodbridge. Exact date TBD.
May – DIAR&G Spring membership meeting. Exact date and location TBD.
June 8 & 9 - tentative date for Lake Anna “Fast and Furious” Rockfish trip.
Sep. – DIAR&G club Fall Membership dinner. Exact date TBD.

DIA Rod and Gun Club Newsletter, November 2016

Rescheduled Fall Membership Meeting – December 4, 2016

The meeting will take place at the Fairfax Rod and Gun Club, Manassas, VA, on Sunday, Dec 4^th. We have reserved a skeet and trap field, and plan to follow our normal Fall format. Please plan to attend, save the date. A separate invitation with directions will follow shortly. Also, if you are a current range-qualified Fairfax Rod and Gun member, please volunteer to serve as a range officer for a couple of hours. Contact Dave Eoff at <deoff1@verizon.net> if you are available.

New Initiatives for the DIA Rod and Gun Club

Please see the attached memo that describes new initiatives that will be discussed at the fall meeting.

Possible Hunting Lease in Orange Co, Virginia

Our Club is currently negotiating a lease for a property south of Culpepper, VA. Stand by for further details.

Volunteers needed for Occoquan Bay NWR Hunts

Once again the OBNWR staff has asked for our assistance with the fall hunting program there. We need a few volunteer lines to come out on Nov 15th to help check and put up the safety lines on the tree stands. Then we need help moving the deer for the youth hunt on Dec 3^rd and the lottery hunts on Dec 8^th and 15^th. If you can help please email Bernie Gately at the above address as soon as you can clear your calendars.

Thanks and apologies

Many thanks to those who have recently sent me photos and stories for inclusion in the newsletter. Unfortunately, my computer is suffering serious Internet problems that neither I nor Hewlett-Packard seem to be able to fix. I will get these in a new newsletter as soon as I can. Thanks for your patience – Dave Eoff

DIA Rod and Gun Club Newsletter, July 2016

In this issue:

Trip Report: Halibut Fishing in Seward, Alaska
Lake Anna
Stripers in Virginia
Virginia Managed Hunts
Virginia Hunting Regulations for 2016-2017
Fairfax County Managed Firearms Hunts
Calendar of Events
Points of Contact

1. Trip Report: Halibut Fishing in Seward, Alaska

Bob Zebell, our Treasurer, sent the following about his recent trip to Alaska for Halibut.

I fished from the Seward Army Lodge’s boats; we typically had 4-6 fishermen on board, sometimes more during the high season. They have good captains that know where the fish are… at least on my trip she did!

We fished about 200 feet down with 2-pound weights due to the strong Alaska currents offshore of Resurrection Bay… used live bait.
After the weight hit bottom, we reeled the line in so the bait was just a few feet off the bottom. (The halibut lay flat on the ocean bottom and wait until their prey swims by and they swim upward to catch their meal.)
The halibut grow larger than their cousins, the flounder. Some weigh hundreds of pounds although my fish were only 35-45 inches long and weighed between 25 to 40 pounds. (The largest flounder I've caught was in Peru just south of Cabo Blanco near the Ecuador-Peru frontier and weighed 26 pounds.)
The big fish fight but aren’t “jumpers” like some game fish. They do fight by turning their bodies so they are like a sail in the water. So it’s real work hauling them in… especially from 200 feet down. I caught four big ones and I was tired after reeling ‘em in… but it was fun!!
The problem with Orcas is that they like to snatch the fish while being reeled in… When that happens you have to fish elsewhere. They know where the easy meal is so they hang around. I must confess, I enjoyed seeing ‘em even though they can be a pain-in-the-rear!!!
The other fish were called “rockfish.” (I guess every region has rockfish even though the fish we caught don’t look at all like our East Coast “rockfish” AKA “striped bass.”)
Alaska’s water is cold… colder than the Humboldt current running from Antarctica along South America’s west coast past Peru where I’ve fished… probably warmed up going along the coast towards the Equator. During my Seward visit, some people died after capsizing off the Alaska coast, from hypothermia they said.

2. Lake Anna

Marty Lockard reports: It was supposed to be an excellent fishing day, the weather was beautiful, and we expected another "fast and furious" event. But a big storm a few days earlier seemed to interfere. The action was relatively slow. Andy Tirch, Tommy

Thompson, Jed Woodill, and Marty Lockard caught four keeper rockfish, three largemouth bass, one white perch, and plenty of catfish and undersized rockfish. Andy

Tirch had the hot hand, catching the most fish and the largest rockfish. This is the last approved, club-sponsored Lake Anna trip for 2016 unless there is enough interest to request more events. Another warm weather event and a fall event are possible.

Communicate with Marty Lockard, twistruff@cox.net, 571-529-6433, if interested.

3. Stripers in Virginia

Ed Fortunato reports that Club members caught their limit of legal size striped bass and a total of 43 by 10:15 on May 27. Fishing once again on the “Heritage” in the lower

Potomac, which continues to produce for us every time we fish with him. As usual lots of camaraderie, laughs and poor jokes from Dick Van de Hei, along with continual fish biting, made for another great DIA Club event and day on the water.

4. Virginia Managed Hunts

The Mason Neck and Occoquan Bay deer hunt websites are up and running. Hunt applications are now available for the coming season. Mason Neck Hunt Website:

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Mason_Neck/Visit/deerhunt.html

Occoquan Bay Hunt Website:

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Occoquan_Bay/Visit/DeerHunt.html

5. Virginia Hunting Regulations for 2016-2017 available online

Virginia hunting and trapping regulations (The Hunting Digest) are now available online at the VADGIF website. The printed version will be available in August at all the usual places.

6. Fairfax County Managed Firearms Hunts

Sgt Earit Powell, FCPD, Animal Protection Police, reported we will not be conducting the annual firearms hunt out at Sully Woods for the next two years. As of right now we do not have any plans for firearms hunts on any other County properties. Any changes will be passed along immediately.

DIA Rod and Gun Club Newsletter, May 2016

In this issue:

Float Fishing Trip on the Shenandoah – June 12
VA Freshwater Fishing (Lake Anna)
Maryland Live-Lining Striper Fishing Charter
Fort A.P.Hill Hunting Survey
Youth Fishing Event Results
Calendar of Events
Points of Contact

1. Float Fishing Trip on the Shenandoah – June 12.

Take an early Father’s Day Treat! Save the date of Sunday, June 12th for a float fishing trip on the South Fork of the Shenandoah. We'll meet and start at 0800 at Down River Canoe Company (DRCC) in Bentonville, VA for an all-day float of the Burner's Bottom section, one of the best fishing sections on the river--it's about 7.5 miles long. Canoes will be $65 each or $32.50 per person double occupancy. Kayaks will be $44 each (single-person kayaks),

and DRCC has 10 brand pm new fishing kayaks this year. If you want to use your own canoe or kayak, DRCC will shuttle for $12. To sign up contact Maston Gray by e-mail maston.gray@cox.net or by phone 703-408-8020 NLT 5 pm on Sunday June 5. Let’s fish!

2. VA Freshwater Fishing (Lake Anna).

On April 22/23, we fished for freshwater Rockfish (stripers) on Lake Anna. We use pontoon boats, a guide, special fish-finding equipment, and live bait (herring/shad) that is abundant

in the lake. One boat fished on April 22, and the second boat fished on April 23. Rain threatened on both days, but it turned out not be an issue on either day. The water was still cool, and the

fish were not schooling. So we trolled using 11-13 fishing rods and planer boards. The first boat caught 12 keeper Rockfish over 20 inches, and the second boat caught 15 keepers. Each

boat caught about three times as many stripers. We watched many of them measuring 19 ¾ inches going back into the lake for another day. A number of channel catfish were also caught. Everyone enjoyed the fishing and the serenity of the lake. Our next trip is tentatively planned for June. June is a “fast ‘n furious” month when the Rockfish begin schooling and we fish straight down with two fishing poles each. It is necessary to set up these fishing events well in advance, but it isn’t always possible to align the scheduled (and sometimes rescheduled) dates with the

newsletter. That is why it is so important to sign up in advance saying that you are definitely

interested in fishing at Lake Anna. You will be added to a special Lake Anna group email list.

You will get detailed information and notifications about each upcoming fishing event

through that email group. Contact Marty Lockard at twistruff@cox.net or 571-529-6433 (H).

3. Maryland Live-Lining Striper Fishing Charter.

Lew Roach is scheduling a striper fishing charter with Captain Wayne Schuhart out of Chesapeake Beach, MD (Rod ‘n Reel Marina) on Sunday June 26th at 6:00 AM. FYI “live-lining” is a light tackle technique whereby we spend an hour or so bottom fishing for bait fish, then rig the little critters to catch medium-sized stripers. This year’s limit remains at two fish, however both must be at least 20 inches, with just one above 28 inches. We could also get into some blue fish.

Logistics: Captain supplies rods; mate cleans the fish back at the dock. We’re seeking 6-8 anglers, and cost should be at or below $100 per angler (depending on final head count), plus a suggested tip to the mate of at least $20. For more information please call Lew at cell (202) 417-4185 or email @ lew.roach@gmail.com. (Note: we advertised for sign-ups at the DIA Rod & Gun Spring Meeting, so get your druthers known by JUN 1st)

4. Fort A.P.Hill Hunting Survey

Board member Dick Vande Hei provided info from a hunter survey at Ft. AP Hill. There were a number of interesting topics mentioned, including: preventing hunters from checking into site, but not hunting, thus tying up those sites; access and opening more roads to recreational use; antler restrictions and either sex hunting; and coyote control. Also, about 74 percent of respondents opined that the deer herd was “too low” or slightly low.” If you want specifics from the survey, please contact Dick at rvande2924@verizon.net.

5. Youth Fishing Event Results.

We had a very successful turn-out for the kid's fishing day at Occoquan Bay NWR this year. Thanks to all the Club members who gave up a few hours to put smiles on young faces. The weather held for the event and all the youngsters caught fish. Let’s do it again next year.

6. Calendar of Events

Jun TBD - VA Freshwater Fishing (Lake Anna)

Jun 12 - Float Fishing Trip on the Shenandoah

Jun 12-14 – Ocean Fishing Charter, Cape Hatteras, NC

Jun 26 - MD Live-Lining Striper fishing charter

Aug 19 – Spanish mackerel fishing charter, Northern Neck, VA.

Sep 18 - DIAR&G Fall Membership meeting, Izaak Walton League, Centreville

Dec 2 - Trophy Striper Fishing Charter, Northern Neck, VA

DIA Rod & Gun Club Newsletter, April 2016

In this issue:

• Spring Membership Meeting, Sunday, May 1, 2016
• Volunteers needed.
• VA Saltwater Fishing Opportunities
• VA Freshwater Fishing Opportunity
• Fairfax Co. Archery Deer Management Results
• Bobwhite Nesting Season
• Calendar of Events

1. Spring Membership Meeting Sunday, May 1, 2016 – Save the Date
Rick Mrstik has once again secured the Izaak Walton League, Centreville, for the meeting. We
will once again provide free shotshells and two rounds of skeet or trap per member. Additional
information will be provided separately, but please plan to attend.

2. Youth Fishing Volunteers Needed.
Kid's fishing day at Occoquan Bay NWR this year is Saturday, May 14. We're looking for some
fishing mentors again to work with the school group that will be coming. While the event runs
from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, volunteers should arrive by 8:45 AM and stay at least until 12:30 PM,
when we expect the majority of the kids to break for "lunch" (mostly snacks). If you can help
out, please contact Rozz and their new volunteer coordinator, Kimberly at the following emails:
Rosalind_Wu@fws.gov, Kimberly_Kruszewski@fws.gov

3. VA Saltwater Fishing Opportunities
Cape Hatteras big game fishing (tuna, mahimahi, white marlin, etc.) There are 2 openings for a Cape Hatteras charter 12-14 June for a second boat; one is already filled with those members paid. Cost is $258 plus $50 tipfor mate. There is also a fish cleaning charge at Cape Hatteras.
Chesapeake Bay fishing

Already scheduled:
19 Aug - Spanish mackerel, 2 openings
2 Dec - trophy stripers, 1 opening
DIA Rod & Gun Club Newsletter, April 2016
Cost for these Bay trips is $100 per member plus a $25 tip for the mate. We have done this the
last two years and the fishing was great. We’ll schedule additional Bay trips for you if
you contact us. Suggest late May through June scheduling.
All fishing gear, bait and fish cleaning for the Bay trips is included. Just bring food/drinks and
your cooler. Women and children are welcome.
Contact Ed Fortunato, H 540-548-2489, cell 703-622-9323, email: ed.fort.translog@comcast.net

4. VA Freshwater Fishing Opportunity
Lake Anna is a beautiful lake southwest of Fredericksburg and about 1 ½ hours from Springfield.
Our trips focus on rockfish (stripers), but we also catch large-mouth bass and channel catfish on live bait. The limit on rockfish is four per day over 20 inches. Information was sent out in
January to all club members who had indicated an interest in fresh water fishing. That
information included an opportunity to get on a special email list of club members who are
interested in fishing at Lake Anna. A number of club members responded.

The first event for 2016 was scheduled for April 7/8 (one boat each day). It was cancelled due to
very unfavorable weather. The event is now rescheduled for April 21/22/23 (one boat each
day). If you would like to be added to the special email list or sign up for the late April fishing
event, contact Marty Lockard at twistruff@cox.net, (571-529-6433), and provide him with your
name, address, and home/cell numbers.

5. Fairfax Co Archery Deer Management results
Jay Avery reports that his group harvested 35 deer this year at their assigned properties near
Clifton, VA. This is three less than last year’s harvest, but inclement weather kept hunters out of
the parks at times. Overall, the program resulted in the harvest of 1052 deer from county
properties.

The application period for this year’s hunt lottery will be in June and July 2016. If you are
interested in this program, information is available on the Fairfax Co website, as it becomes
available

6. Bobwhite Nesting Season
May is the month when bobwhite quail breed and sit on nests. VDGIF asks that you disk fields
before mid-April to avoid destroying nests. Fallow land is used by a number of other species,
including deer, turkeys and rabbits, too.

7. Calendar of Events
Apr 17 – Trophy Striper Fishing Charter, Chesapeake Beach, MD
Apr 21-23 – Striper Fishing Charters, Lake Anna, VA
May 1 – DIAR&G Spring Membership meeting, Izaak Walton League, Centreville
May 1 – end of Virginia tautog season/Trophy striper season begins
May 2-14 – Spring turkey season change – hunting permitted one half hour before sunrise to
sunset. See the VDGIF website for information.
May 13-15 – Women’s Outdoor Weekend at Holiday Lake 4H center (women 10 and older)
May14 – Youth fishing Event at OBNWR, Woodbridge.
Jun 12-14 – Ocean Fishing Charter, Cape Hatteras, NC
Aug 19 – Spanish mackerel fishing charter, Northern Neck, VA.
Sep 18 - DIAR&G Fall Membership meeting, Izaak Walton League, Centreville
Dec 2 - Trophy Striper Fishing Charter, Northern Neck, VA

DIA Rod & Gun Club Newsletter, March 2016

In this issue:

Membership Renewal
Election of Officers
VA Saltwater Fishing Opportunities
VA Freshwater Fishing Opportunity
MD Saltwater Trophy Fishing Opportunity
Spring Membership Meeting Sunday, May 1, 2016
Volunteer Activities

1. Membership Renewal. It's time to renew your membership for 2016. Please send your check for $40.00, made out to DIA Rod & Gun Club, Inc. to Bernie Gately, 9121 Lake Braddock Drive, Burke, VA 22015-2136. No form is needed to renew, but please update any contact information that has changed.

2. Election of Officers. At the Board of Directors meeting in January, The Board unanimously re-elected Dave Burpee as President, Dave Eoff as Vice President and Rick Mrstik as Secretary. Bob Zebell's continuing appointment as Treasurer was reaffirmed.

3. VA Saltwater Fishing Opportunities

VA Bay fishing from Northern Neck (Lottsburg/Reedville)

Friday 27 May – striped bass(rockfish)-cost $109 + $25 cash tip for mate (yes, $109, not $100 for the May trip). This is Memorial Day weekend
Friday 19 Aug – spanish mackerel/bluefish – cost $100 + $25 cash tip
Friday 2 Dec – big striped bass (rockfish) -cost $100 + $25 cash tip.

I can easily set up another striped bass charter which I suggest May – 15 June. Weekdays are easier. Also going for bottom fishing for croakers and spot and bluefish anytime during the summer is fun. Let me know your interested dates or days of the week.

Cape Hatteras big game fishing. We have done this the last two years and it was great. Suggest late May–June. Cost approx $258 each, plus $50 tip. These have been very successful for mahi-mahi, tuna, amberjack, shark, marlin etc. Let me know if you are interested and I will set up a trip. All fishing gear, bait and fish cleaning for the Bay is included . There is a fish cleaning charge at Cape Hatteras. Just bring food/drinks and your cooler. Women and children are welcome. Contact Ed Fortunato, home- 540-548-2489, cell 703-622-9323, email: ed.fort.translog@comcast.net.

4. VA Freshwater Fishing Opportunity

Lake Anna is a beautiful lake southwest of Fredericksburg and about 1 ½ hours from Springfield. The fishing there is excellent for rockfish (stripers), large-mouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, and more. The limit on rockfish is four per day over 20 inches. Information was sent out in January to all club members who had indicated an interest in fresh water fishing. That information included an opportunity to get on a special email list of club members desiring to fish for rockfish at Lake Anna. A number of club members responded. The first trip for 2016 has already been set up for April 7/8. The next trip is tentatively scheduled for late May or early June. If you would like to be added to the special email list, contact Marty Lockard at twistruff@cox.net (571-529-6433), and provide him with your name, address, and home and

cell telephone numbers.

5. MD Saltwater Trophy Fishing Opportunity

Lew Roach is scheduling a fishing charter with Captain Wayne Schuhart out of Chesapeake Beach, MD (Rod ‘n Reel Marina) on Sunday April 17th at 6:00 AM. This is opening weekend when the large (trophy) sea-run rockfish are running—one fish per angler. Captain supplies rods; mate cleans the fish back at the dock. We’re seeking 6 anglers, and cost should be $100 per angler, plus a suggested tip to the mate of at least $20. To book a rod, or for more information please contact Lew at lew.roach@gmail.com or cell (202) 417-4185. (Deadline for checks will be March 31st.)

6. Spring Membership Meeting Sunday, May 1, 2016 – Save the Date

Rick Mrstik has once again secured the Izaak Walton League, Centreville, for the meeting. Additional information will be provided as the date approaches, but please mark your calendars now.

7. Volunteer Activities. Thank you to all the Club members who volunteered to help with deer hunts at the National Wildlife Refuge and at Fairfax County's Sully Woodlands. You made a difference for some hunters while contributing your limited time in the outdoors to assist with deer management activities. We hope to see some fresh faces next season!

DIA Rod & Gun Club Newsletter, November 2015

In this issue:

Election of Club Officers
Alex Kosyak is looking for recoil pads for Argentina Dove Hunt
Volunteering Opportunities
Virginia Bay Fishing Charter December 4, 2015
Maryland Trophy Striper Fishing Charter December 13, 2015
Virginia Eastern Shore Waterfowl Hunt January 9-10, 2016
Fairfax Co Archery Hunt Report
Submissions for the Newsletter
Points of Contact
Calendar of Events

Election of Club Officers for 2016-2017

Club members recently received a ballot for election of Club directors for the next two-year term. Please return your completed ballot by November 30, 2015 to the Club

Secretary at the address on the ballot.

Alex Kosyak is looking for recoil pads

Talk about flying south for the winter, Club Member Alex Kosyak and his son are going to Argentina over the Christmas holidays to hunt doves. Alex is looking to borrow or buy used, strap-on recoil pads for the trip. If you have one you can part with or loan,

Alex can be reached by email at penaty7@yahoo.com

Volunteers Needed.

If you can spare some of your outdoor time this deer season, we need some help with the deer hunting program at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Woodbridge. Our Club has supported this program every year since it began and we hope to continue into the future. Your three or four hours on one or more days would help us accomplish what needs to be done. We're planning an afternoon check of all the hunt stands in November to fix the simple things we identify. We'll move deer on the four hunt days (5 Dec youth hunt, 10 & 17 Dec, 11 Jan) and a fifth possible hunt date on 21 March -- all half day events. The youth hunt is an afternoon event; the remaining hunts are mornings only. If you haven’t already signed up at the fall membership meeting,

please let Bernie Gately know at 703-425-1494 or by email to

bernard.gately@verizon.net.

Virginia Bay Fishing Charter

Ed Fortunato has a December 4, 2015, Virginia Bay charter, for which he will take stand by names in case of cancellations (the trip is currently full). Cost is $100 plus $20 tip for the mate. Contact Ed at: Ed.fort.translog@comcast. net. 703-622-9323

Maryland Trophy Striper Fishing Charter

Lew Roach is scheduling a striper fishing charter on the lower Potomac River on Captain Wayne Schuhart’s TRICIA ANN II on Sunday December 13th. This is at the end of the season and we expect the large sea-run rockfish will be running—two fish per

angler (limit includes one over 28 inches, and one 20-28 inches). Captain supplies rods; mate cleans the fish back at the dock. We’re seeking 6 anglers, and cost should be $100 per angler, plus a suggested tip to the mate of at least $20. For more information please call Lew at cell (202) 417-4185 or email @ lew.roach@gmail.com.

Virginia Eastern Shore Waterfowl Hunt:

If you are ready for some waterfowl action, contact Rick Mrstik (stikmann@aol.com) right away to get in on a 2-day hunt with Capt. Pete Wallace of Chincoteague Hunting and Fishing Center (http://www.chincoteaguehunt-fish.com/). The guided hunt is

scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, 9-10 January. Chincoteague is about a four-hour drive from the Washington area, so the plan is to drive out on Friday afternoon and spend two nights at the Hampton Inn or Comfort Suites (about $90 per night) and return

late on Sunday. The Chincoteague area is the winter home to all manner of migrating waterfowl, so a great variety of birds should be present, with combined bag limits totaling around 30 birds per day. Brant, a seagoing goose, is a featured bird and will be

in season at that time. Two-day hunt cost will be $390 per hunter, and space is limited to four hunters, so contact Rick ASAP.

Fairfax Co. Archery Deer Management Hunt Report

Jay Avery heads up a group of bowhunters conducting management hunts on two county parks near Clifton, VA. As of this writing, the group has taken 16 deer, and hunting will continue until the program ends on February 20, 2016.

Submissions for the Newsletter

If you have something of interest to the membership that you would like to see posted in this newsletter, please forward it to David Eoff at deoff1@verizon.net or call him at 571-399-7094.

In this issue:
• Fall Membership Meeting and Dinner
• Elections to the Board
• Potomac River NWR Complex Deer Hunts
• Fairfax County Deer Management Hunts
• Novice Deer Hunter Workshop
• Volunteers Needed
• From My Treestand
• For Sale
• The Bottom Line
• Calendar of Events

1. Fall Membership Meeting and Dinner. Our Club’s semiannual membership meeting
and dinner is fast approaching. Doublecheck your calendar to be sure you’ve blocked out
Sunday, the 20th of September. We are confirmed for the Isaak Walton Facility in Centreville,
VA from 1:00 to 7:00 PM to enjoy skeet, trap, camaraderie, several great door prizes and our traditional barbeque dinner. More details and RSVP information will be in a separate invitation published in the next few days.

2. Elections to the Board. The military is always looking for a few good men and women
and now the DIA Rod and Gun Club is in the same situation. We have enjoyed a vibrant
membership with good leadership for the past two years but part of that equation is about to
change with the departure in December of at least two Board members. Our departing Board
members have served with distinction and we are now looking for the good men and women to
take their place. If you have enjoyed the benefits of the Club and want to do something in return,
now is your chance. The commitment is to attend four Board meetings and two semi-annual
meetings a year for the next two years. This is your chance to help the club and at the same time infuse new ideas and energy into the Board. We are volunteers led by volunteers and hope you can help. If interested or need more information, send me an email with your phone number and I will be in touch. Send to Dave Burpee at burpeed@verizon.net.

3. Potomac River NWR Complex Deer Hunts. Most members should have long since
received the hunt application message from the PRNWRC staff to hunt at Mason Neck NWR
and Occoquan Bay NWR this year. If you did not receive it, go to:
For Mason Neck Hunts: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Mason_Neck/Visit/deerhunt.html
For Occoquan Bay Hunts: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Occoquan_Bay/Visit/DeerHunt.html
Application deadline is Saturday, Sep. 19th.

4. Fairfax County Deer Management Hunts. Fairfax County has announced the details
on this year’s shotgun deer hunts. They will occur on 19 & 24 November, 14 January and 25
March at Sully Woodlands, a FCPA property of 1,821 acres. All information on applying,
qualifying and participating in the hunts has been emailed to all who were in the county data
base from previous shotgun hunts. This year’s application process will include a criminal
background check. If you are volunteering to join our team of volunteers (we hunt till 9:00 and
drive deer after that till noon or thereabouts), let Bernie Gately know of your intent. You may
also volunteer without hunting. You must have qualified on the Fairfax County Police Range to
hunt. Remember to schedule your weapons qualification for either the 4th or 11th of October.
Qualifications are good for three years and are accepted at all other northern Virginia
management hunts. All applications must be in by 01 October.

5. Novice Deer Hunter Workshop. Loudoun County and VDGIF are once again
sponsoring a deer hunter workshop for novice hunters at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve. Class size is limited to ten novice hunters, or would be hunters, who have completed the Hunter Safety Course and are seeking additional confidence building skills as deer hunters. Each hunter is paired with an experienced volunteer mentor for the duration of a two day workshop in both the classroom and the field in October, followed by up to three days of deer hunting at Banshee
Reeks in December. If you know of anyone who might benefit from this workshop, please steer
them to http://blog.wildlife.virginia.gov/outdoor-report/2015/08/registration-open-for-banshee-reeksnovice-deer-hunter-workshop-and-hunt/.

6. Volunteers Needed. We need several members to help move the deer at Occoquan Bay
NWR on 5, 10 & 17 Dec and 11 Jan. The youth hunt on the 5th is for about two hours on
Saturday afternoon. For the remaining lottery hunts, we are there from 9:00 to 3:30 (or whatever
time you can contribute). There may also be a 4th hunt on Mar 21st. If you can help out and
maybe get to hunt as well, please let Bernie Gately know at 703-425-1494, or via email at
bernard.gately@verizon.net. You can also sign up at the fall membership meeting on 20 Sep.

7. From My Treestand. I bought a new Ford F150 XLT this spring and what better way to break
it in than drive to an antelope hunt near Douglas, Wyoming. Three friends and I left August 18 and returned on the 28th having put almost 4,000 miles on the vehicle. It is broken in and my tired b--- can attest to the fact it was a LONG trip. However, the end result was worth
the effort. There were 6 of us in camp and four antelope were harvested, one with a compound
bow and the other three with traditional equipment. The outfitter had blinds set near waterholes but there had been so much rain the prior weeks the animals did not need to come to a waterhole as they had plenty to drink in the surrounding terrain. The weather warmed up near the end of the hunt and the animals were taken on the last two days, mine on the last day. The only down side to the entire event happened in the first ten miles of the return drive when a truck threw a rock into my windshield and produced a crack that extended half-way across the windshield in front of the driver. My next antelope hunt is August of 2017. Hopefully I'll score again and the truck will have good luck also. On a more local level, I spent this last weekend hanging treestands. I hope to see you in the woods! Dave

8. For Sale. Grumman 17 foot aluminum canoe, classic blue and white factory paint scheme,
paddles, seat cushions, anchors. All in excellent condition. (car top transport blocks and tie-down straps included). $850.00. Call 703-239-9349 or email rjtarcza@cox.net

9. The Bottom Line.
Here’s a selection of photos from our more recent fishing excursions. And go to
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fishers-Bay-Charters/113893425309910
for pics of the 21 Aug mackerel trip from Reedville.

10.Calendar of Events.
19 Sep – Mason Neck and OB hunt applications due
20 Sep – Fall Membership Meeting & Dinner
01 Oct – Fx Co shotgun deer hunt application due
04 Oct – Fx Co Range Qualif. #1
11 Oct - Fx Co Range Qualif. #2
01 Nov – Mason Neck scouting day
TBD – Fort AP Hill Annual Deer Hunt
19 Nov – Fx Co Hunt #1 at Sully Woodlands (FCPA)
16 Nov – Mason Neck hunt #1
20 Nov – Mason Neck hunt #2
24 Nov - Fx Co Hunt #2 at Sully Woodlands (PM hunt)
05 Dec – VDGIF Youth hunt at OBNWR
07 Dec - Mason Neck hunt #3
10 Dec – OB lottery hunt #1
17 Dec – OB lottery hunt #2
12 Dec - Mason Neck hunt #3
11 Jan – OB lottery hunt #3
14 Jan - Fx Co Hunt #3
22 Jan – Mason Neck Bonus Hunt
25 Feb - Fx Co Hunt #4
21 Mar – Possible OB Hunt #4