As the new year is upon us, it’s a good time to remind ourselves of the importance

of firearm safety. Below is taken from the NRA Website and is a good basic start

on the 3 main rules of gun safety. Site Reference: https://gunsafetyrules.nra.org

At the NRA, firearm education and safety is paramount—that’s why we offer a va-

riety of programs and services to promote the safe handling, use and storage of

firearms. Whether you’re a parent in search of information about firearm safety in

the home, a first-time gun owner, or an old pro looking to brush up on your firearm

handling skills, the NRA is here to keep you and your family safe. Explore NRA’s

fundamental rules of gun safety, as well as information how to safely store a gun

and good cleaning practices.

The 3 fundamental NRA rules for safe gun handling are:

ALWAYS Keep The Gun Pointed In A Safe Direction

This is the primary rule of gun safety. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.

ALWAYS Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until Ready To Shoot

When holding a gun, rest your finger alongside the frame and outside the trigger guard. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.

ALWAYS Keep The Gun Unloaded Until Ready To Use

If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.

Volume Seventy-two, Issue 1

Safe Gun Handling Rules Reminder

January 2019

Meeting

Notes

Membership Meeting

7 PM Monday, March 11

Board Meeting 7 PM

Monday, January 25

Winter Trap League 2

NRL 22 Rifle Match-

es Return

2

Fortress Defense

Training Returns

2

Tuesday Eve Trap

Resumes in February

2

No Dues Increase 3

Financial News &

Membership Status

3

New Applicants 3

Inside this issue:

The St . Joseph County Conservat ion & Sportsman Club, Inc.

23640 Feathers tone Rd, PO Box 339, Sturgis , MI 49091 Telephone (269) 467 -7128

Home Page: http:/ /www.conservationclub.us

NRA Home Firearm Safety Outreach Class

December 1st, the Certified NRA Instructors held an NRA Home Firearms Safety course at the Grace Point Baptist Church on US12 in Sturgis. The class lasted about four hours and was enjoyed by all who attended, even those who were re-luctant to “touch a gun”! The course is designed for persons who have firearms in their home or find a firearm but don’t know how to properly secure it. They dis-cussed the four safety rules, how different firearms function, loading, unloading , proper selection of ammunition; and for the youth that attended, what to do if your friends get too curious! This new outreach by our instructors, to have a class outside of the club’s proper-ty, was such a success that Grace Point wants to hold another class in the spring. They even want to have one open to the public, that’s a win/win for both organiza-tions! Submitted by Mark Griffin

Happy New Year!

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REMEMBER: EYE AND EAR PROTECTION IS REQUIRED ON ALL RANGES ALSO: THE FRONT GATE IS TO BE LOCKED BEHIND YOU WHEN ENTERING OR LEAVING, EXCEPT FOR ORGANIZED ACTIVITY TIMES

Winter Trap League

Winter Trap League. Starts on Sun-day, January 13 and will end March 10, 2019. This will be a 9-week League with only 8 weeks counting. An anonymous written survey was conducted of interested parties at the end of the Fall Trap League of changes to the league format. The consensus was to hold the Win-ter League as we have been running it with a variable weekly handicap portion based on your weekly sin-gles score plus 2-yards. Other options are certainly possible. This is YOUR league and we’d like to offer the activities that you are all interested in. So, drop us a line, or stop on by any Sunday morning to give us your thoughts. Remember, rates go up 25 cents per round Jan 1 due to target cost in-creases (Youth trap $3.50/round.)

The Shotgun Directors

UPCOMING EVENTS Jan 12: CPL Class Jan 13: Winter trap League Starts Jan 28: Board Meeting Feb 9: NRL 22 Rifle Range Feb 9: CPL Class Feb 24: SCTP Youth Trap Sign-up Feb 25: Board Meeting

NRL 22 Matches Return in 2019 St Joe County Club members, we are going to shooting the NRL22 matches again starting in Feb and running thru April. Got the dates approved for Feb 9th, March 9th and April 13

th. It will be a combined NRL22 and long range .22 match.

On the 100 yd side we'll run the NRL22 match and on the 200/300 yd side we'll run a long range .22 match. Please go to NRL22.org for info on the organization and to check out the rules and equipment requirements. There is also a list of previous courses of fire you can check out on their download page. The month we will be shooting is usually released the week before that month begins. Long range targets have been ordered, we'll have a KYL of 8 targets from 2" to 1/4" and various other targets ranging up to 12" going out to 300 yds. This first long range shoot will be shot prone or off the bench (for those not able to shoot prone) and will be a 50 round event like the NRL22. A couple of young gentlemen were at the range practicing with their muzzle loader today and were kind enough to help me with my testing. We had a blast shooting an 8" target all the way out to 300 yds. So the testing revealed that this is going to be a blast! We were only using 3x9 scopes and had success, I would suggest a BDC style reticle at the least to help with corrections. Shooter's meeting is at 9:30 on those days, match at 10:00. Our club does require hearing and eye protection for everyone on the range line. We'll have a heater go-ing in the covered range line so we have a place to warm up between rounds. The NRL22 match fee will be $10 and the long range match will be $5. Youth 15 and under will shoot for free. Looking like this will be a blast and hope to see you out there! Submitted by Gary Kondek Tuesday Evening

Trap Shooting-Feb Due to the lack of participation, Trap on Tuesday evenings are suspend-ed until February. If you do want to shoot trap, please contact Bill Thompson at 269-279-7737 or Larry York at 269-464-6895.

Sunday Trap and Skeet will contin-ue as normal. 5-Stand Sporting will continue on Sunday mornings as long as there is no big snow. Ma-chines will be put away if heavy snow is predicted. Contact Leslie or Larry York 269-483-6803.

Fortress Defense Returns to Club in 2019 Please see http://fortressdefense.com/training-calendar/ for details, class descrip-tion and to register. Any woman who is unsure of what to do, has not decided to pursue a CPL, or has their CPL and wants more skills short of shooting, NEEDS this class! March 23, 2019; 8:30 am to 12:30 pm; 4 Hour Women’s Self Defense: this class teaches women the basics of avoiding dangerous situations, and techniques to handle encounters if needed. This is a non shooting class. LIMITED TO 16 STU-DENTS! March 23, 2019; 1:30 pm-5:30 pm; 4 Hour Emergency Wound Treatment; this class teaches the basics of emergency wound care, the tools and techniques needed. If you own firearms, have a CPL, or just want to be prepared to help oth-ers, you NEED this class! June 1-2, 2019; Level 1 Handgun, Carry Skills with Night Shooting; Have your CPL? Haven't pursued additional training? Have some additional training like the 101-102-103 series at Club, but want more? This is the class for you! YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ADVANCE YOUR TRAINING IF YOU ARE CAR-RYING! Contact Jeff Brazo with any questions, 269-689-0200

http://fortressdefense.com/training-calendar/

Membership Status: As of December we had a total of 802 paid member households. If you have changed your ad-dress or know of someone who is not getting their newsletter, call 269-341-5930 and leave message and corrected info.

Lost and Found Have you lost or found anything on the Club Grounds? If so, contact John Brummett at 651-5197 and we will help!

Financial News: For the month of December balance on hand was $76,772.39 in checking and $16,140.56 in pre-paid dues CD, $77,399.65 in the Emergency CD Fund, $4,028.10 in the raffle fund, and the Wink CD of $50,122.48.

PAGE 3

New Memberships — November & December Tom M Fitch II Shipshewana, IN Frank J Gorkis Naperville, IL Edward Karl Habedank Sturgis, MI Roger Hoeflinger Three Rivers, MI Larry “Keith” Jines Sturgis, MI Joshua P Roberts Constantine, MI Jacob R Demink Mendon, MI Aaron P Gates Sturgis, MI Thomas Holdsworth Sturgis, MI Thomas L Kuhn Three Rivers, MI Sean M Neeley Angola, IN Trenton Reynolds Centreville, MI Andrew Salisbury White Pigeon, MI Derek Alan Wyler Sturgis, MI OFFICERS

President Jeff Brazo 651-9076 Vice President Mike Philley (574) 202-0641 Executive Secretary Kathy Crandall 341-5930 Treasurer Laura Decker 384-9191 Recording Secretary Leslie York 483-6803

BOARD OF DIRECTORS District #1 Kathy Book 659-4056 Paul Hassenger 651-8447 District #2 Mark Griffin 659-3446 Bill Thompson 279-7737 District #3 Michael Book 659-4056 Randy Crandall 808-6730 District #4 Nancy Lawrence 651-1700 Pete Davis 651-1388 Dir. At Large Tom Whitford 432-4070

COMMITTEES AND CHAIRMEN

Membership Activities Newsletter/Website Leslie York 483-6803 Advertising (Newsletter) Leslie York 483-6803 Public Relations Drew Hooley 689-8063 NRA Recruiter Leslie York 483-6803 MUCC Region 7 Allen Kasdorf 651-7086 Administrative Activities Finance Laura Decker 384-9191 Nominating Kathy Crandall 341-5930 Calendar of Events Leslie York 483-6803 Hunter Education Charles Reynolds 273-7295 CPL Instruction Jeff Brazo 651-9076 Fund Raising Activities Hunters Jubilee /Fair Allen Kasdorf 651-7086 Weekly / League Activities Trap/Skeet – Sunday Larry & Leslie York 483-6803 Trap – Tues Bill Thompson 279-7737 Skeet – Tues Ramze Idriss 503-0404 5 Stand Sporting Clays Larry & Leslie York 483-6803 Archery Larry Murray 659-6005 Cowboy Action John Brummett 651-5197 IDPA Defensive Pistol Mike Philley (574) 202-0641 Combat Carbine Jay Baker 278-9553 Lower Range Andy Rockwell (260) 668-9317 Youth SCTP Shotgun Leslie York 483-6803 Youth SASP Pistol Rifle Jeff Brazo 651-9076 Youth 4-H Nelson Schug (248) 379-8654 Executive Secretary: Kathy Crandall PO Box 339 Sturgis, MI 49091 269-341-5930

All area code 269 unless noted

Membership Meetings: Mar, Jun, Sept, Dec

Officers, Directors, E-mail Listings Jeff Brazo (President) pm2brazo@frontier.com John W Brummett (Cowboy Action) johnnsally@charter.net Kathy Crandall (Exec-Sec) kmcrandall952@gmail.com Randy Crandall (Dist 3 Director) kmc52ran@aol.com Pete Davis (Dist 4 Director) pdavis@fillmoreeq.com Michael Book (Dist #3 Director) mi001962@charter.net Mark Griffin (Dist 2 Director) ffgrif@charter.net Laura Decker (Treasurer) culligan1@charter.net Drew Hooley (Pub Relations) akhooley@gmail.com Allen Kasdorf (MUCC) allenkasdorf@gmail.com Gary Kondek (.22 Shoots) gary.kondek@yahoo.com Nancy Lawrence (Dist 4 Director) jlawrence1700@charter.net Paul Hassenger (Dist 1 Director) phassenger@yahoo.com Larry Murray (Archery) info@lostnationarchery.com Mike Philley (Vice Pres. & IDPA) mphilley60@gmail.com Andy Rockwell (Lower Range Dir) zrock4365@hotmail.com Bill Thompson (Dist #2 Director) sparkyvf96@yahoo.com Larry York (Trap, Skeet, 5 Stand) larry.york54@gmail.com Leslie York (Rec. Sec, ATA, Calen/Web) trapgeek2010@gmail.com Newsletter Editor (Leslie York) conservationclubeditor@gmail.com

Dist #1: Townships of Flowerfield, Park, Fabius & Lockpor t Dist #2: Townships of Mendon, Leonidas, Nottawa & Colon Dist #3: TWP of Constantine, Florence, Mottville & White Pigeon Dist #4: Twps of Sherman, Bur r Oak, Sturgis & Fawn River

AT LARGE: Areas outside of St Joseph County

Club Websites and Facebook Sites WEB PAGE: http://www.conservationclub.us

IDPA:www.facebook.com/stjoecoconservationclubidpa/

Trap/skeet: www.facebook.com/stjoecountytrapandskeet/

Youth Trap: www.facebook.com/stjoecountystraightshooterstrap/

Dues are Staying the Same for 2019 There is no planned increase in the dues for the 2019-20 club year. However, due to increasing costs for materials for new members and the associated orien-tation, a new member application fee of $25 will be instituted for new members effective March 1, 2019 This will be a one-time “application” fee and does not affect current active members or subsequent dues for new members after their first year.

http://www.facebook.com/stjoecoconservationclubidpa/

APPLICATION FOR NRA MEMBERSHIP

The Second Amendment

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the

security of a free state, the right of the people to

keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Membership in the NRA obtained through our club benefits us in that the NRA returns part of your fee to us, and benefits you because you pay a re-duced membership fee because of belonging to a member club. Please Renew my NRA membership: NRA member #________________ Please sign me up as a New NRA member: Name: ______________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________ City, State, Zip ____________________________________________ Phone: _____________________ E-Mail: ______________________ Club Rate: $30 per year, make check payable to NRA: $_______________ Magazine Choice: (circle) America’s 1st Freedom American Hunter American Rifleman

Mail to: Leslie J York, club NRA recruiter 17101 Tomahawk Trail White Pigeon, MI 49099

PLEASE NOTICE The St Joseph County Conservation & Sportsman Club, Inc., has a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization status. Under this rule, donations to the club are not deductible on your individual taxes as charitable contributions.

St. Joseph Co. Conservation & Sportsman Club, Inc.

PO Box 339 Sturgis, MI 49091

Non Profit US Postage

PAID STURGIS, MI PERMIT #52

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP ST JOSEPH COUNTY CONSERVATION AND SPORTSMAN CLUB, Inc.

********************************************************** I respectfully apply for membership in the St. Joseph County Conservation and Sportsman Club, Inc. I certify by signing this application that I am a person 18 years of age or older, who accepts the purposes and objectives of the Corporation and agrees to promote the same, and has complied with the requisites of membership as provided in these Bylaws. I further give my pledge, as an American, to save and faithfully to defend from waste the natural resources of my country; its air, soil, minerals, forests, waters, and its wildlife. I understand that to become eligible to join I must be recommended by a present club member in good Standing Or personally inform the Board of Directors why I wish to be a member.

(Please print application clearly) Full Name:______________________________________Birth Date:_____________________ Spouse _________________________________________Birth Date:_____________________ ____Check if Spouse desires separate Membership Card (Add $5 to membership fee.) Address: ____________________________________Phone #:___________________________ City:__________________________________State:__________Zip:_____________________ E-Mail Address: ——————————————————————————- Recommended by:________________________________________________________ New Member Application_________ Renewal Application________ Interests: Archery___, Trap___, Skeet___, Rifle___, Pistol___, Black Powder___, Cowboy____, IDPA___ Conservation ___, Hunter Education, ___, Reloading ___, Other _____________________

FEE: $75 for one year family membership. Amount Enclosed:_________ Signature:________________________________________Date:________________________ Mail Application to: St. Joe. Co. Conservation & Sportsman Club, Inc. c/o Kathy Crandall PO Box 339 Sturgis, MI 49091 ============================================================================= Membership subject to the approval of the Board of Directors at the next Board meeting. After Board Ap-proval New Member Information Packages are handed out at the mandatory New Member Orienta-tion, to be scheduled within 30-days. Club Newsletters should start within 60 days.