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BVFGFA March 2024 Newsletter

‍Greetings Visitor ‍,

‍Welcome to the March 2024‍ ‍ ‍edition of the Branch Valley Fish Gams and Forestry Association Monthly Newsletter:

We hope the information contaiined in here is useful. We welcome any suggestions and thoughts you may have on how to improve the newsletter and website.

In This Edition

Presidents Corner - March 2024
March 2024 Upcoming Events
Rants & Ranges - March
2024 BVFGFA Rifle Matches
Kitchen Committee - March
Pistol Team/Indoor Range - March
Monthly Raffle Selections - 2023/2024
Archery Committee - March
Fish Committee March
Grounds Help Needed - March
BVFGFA Wednesday Trap- March
Membership - March
Legistlative Alerts GOA March
Branch Valley Sportswear
BVFGFA Advertisers (newsletter)
March 2024 Newsletter

Presidents Corner - March 2024

Hey Ya'll!

Figured I would start off with a Southern flair into this article. That is about all the South's language I know. Oh, one other saying you gotta love is "bless his little heart". I like to throw that one out there from time to time.

In just a few short weeks it is time for the Branch Valley trout opener.

Please be aware that you may NOT use a guest pass for the first week of our season. Check the newsletter for our dates and other rules.

Staying on the fishing topic, our guest speaker this month is our local acting Waterways Conservation Officer Michael Blair. He will be informing us of the latest changes to the regulations. Oh, and he promised to give us the inside scoop of the best fishing holes to wet your line.

Getting ready.... buying new reeds, dusting off the old box calls and maybe even washing my camo for the Pa's turkey opener. The turkey hunters are already discussing the opening day tactics and listening for faint gobbles. In this area they’re faint as you are hard pressed to find a bird.

I was reading an article in the American Rifleman about "registered Democrats are buying guns like never before". Maybe some are coming on board because they see what this anti-gun culture is doing to our rights. Maybe they a seeing these laws that strip us of our rights are not keeping our families any safer?

Have a great spring and see you at the meeting.

Garry Englemann - President

March 2024 Upcoming Events

Date	Event	Time
1	4H JR Rifle	7-9pm
3	Black Powder Shoot	9:00am
4	Archery	7-9 pm
5	B.V. Monthly Meeting	7:30 pm
7	B.V. Pistol	5-7pm
8	4H JR Rifle	7-9pm
11	Archery	7-9 pm
14	B.V. Pistol	5-7pm
16	B.V. Pistol MATCH*	8am-12:30
18	Archery	7-9 pm
21	B.V. Pistol	5-7 pm
24	Standard Service & Match Rifle	9:00am
25	Archery	7-9 pm
26	B.V. Board of Dir. Meeting	7:30pm
28	B.V. Pistol	5-7pm

* Range closed for Match

Reminder NO B.V. Trap ‘Til March

Next Meeting April 2nd

Rants & Ranges - March

The March Highpower match is scheduled for Sunday, March 24th at 9 AM. This match will be a standard service and match rifle event.

To clarify the difference between service and/or match rifle: Service rifles are as issued or copies of the same with iron sights while Match rifles are either modified or custom built for competitive shooting. This can include special barrels, custom stock configurations, optic sight systems, special chambering, and more. Most if not all match rifles are pretty individualistic and reflect the wants and needs of its owner.

4H junior rifle report: As of this writing we have completed three of the five scheduled sessions. We have several new shooters along with the veterans. To date there have not been any problems concerning safety or training issues. Also thanks to the coaching staff and our professional loading block technician.

The outdoor range, especially the thirty-yard section is going to receive a major renovation to replace the much used structure and also to make the shooting lanes more usable. There will also be repairs effected on the rest of the range as needed. This project will render the outdoor range unavailable when/while work is being done. Thank you for your understanding.

Not my department, but we have a nice batch of trout ordered and a donation to alleviate the considerable fund outlay would be appreciated.

Shoot safely, or increase the liklihood of confrontation.

Bob Gular

2024 BVFGFA Rifle Matches

9AM Start Time 100 Yards
Open to Public with Experience

Registration Done @ Match

Date	Event	Time
March 24	Standard Service & Match Rifle	9am
April 28	Offhand, Any Rifle Match	9am
May 26	Standard Service & Match Rifle	9am
June 23	Offhand, Any Rifle Match	9am
July 28	Carbine Rifle Match & Service Pistol @ 50 Yards	9am
August 25	Standard Service & Match Rifle	9am
September 22	Offhand, Any Rifle Match	9am
October 27	Standard Service & Match Rifle	9am
November 10	M1 Garand Match & Service Pistol @ 50 Yards (Vets Shoot no cost)	9am
December 1	Vintage Military Bolt Rifle Match (Toys for Tots Program)	9am

Match Fees: $10.00 per shooter + $5.00 for NRA Approved Match

(Juniors, Seniors & Active Military $5.00 Discount All Matches)
EYE & EAR PROTECTION REQUIRED @ ALL MATCHES

BVFG&F Assoc. Club Rules

Direct Inquires to:

Bob Gular
Non Members MUST sign waiver

Kitchen Committee - March

March Meeting Night

Cheesesteak Sandwich

Hot dog

Pie

Ice Cream Sandwich

Coffee, Tea, Lemonade, Iced Tea

See you soon!

Larry Myers - Kitchen Committee

Pistol Team/Indoor Range - March

Special Notice:

The Pistol Team will be hosting a special match on Saturday, March 16. The indoor range will be unavailable from 8:00 until 12:30.

We are accumulating quite a supply of carboard for the target backers. If you run across backers that are “really shot up” (I trust your judgement) please put them in the dumpster. If you are offering no cost cardboard, let’s wait until the supply drops to about half of what we now have.

Please: Only shoot paper targets.
Approved calibers posted on the range.
Place finger on the trigger ONLY when ready to fire. SAFETY FIRST.
Unsafe practices damaging BVFG range or property may cost your membership.
Please take out the trash when the containers are full.
Clean up all your brass.

Rich Williams, Captain

Monthly Raffle Selections - 2023/2024

Month	Member
May 2023	Tom Moyer
June 2023	Stacy Dam
July 2023	Joe McGinley
August 2023	Larry Baker
September 2023	Bill Quigley
October 2023	Fred Szablewski
November 2023	Michael Brzezicki
December 2023	Jacob Sprague
January 2024	Adam Brannan
February 2024	Aaron Weirbach
March 2024	Mike Reiner
April 2024	Easter Eggs?

Archery Committee - March

The Archery club gets together Monday night indoors from 7 till 9 to shoot a round of 3D targets.

The indoor range has a green arrow curtain that can be pulled in front of the pistol backstop. The curtain is rated for a 50lb bow using blunt bullet tip points. We have target bails and foam blocks to be placed between the targets and the curtain. This is to prevent damage to the curtain and to your arrows in the unlikely chance you miss.

On the outdoor archery range target houses have been placed at 20, 30, 40 and 50 yards. CrossBow speed bags are installed on all of the target houses. Please put the crossbow speed bags back on top of the foam blocks to keep them out of the weather when you are finished.

Good News! Broadheads can be shot at the Styrofoam blocks in the target houses. Just be careful when removing the broad heads and pulling out large chunks of the foam.

PLEASE DO NOT SHOOT BROADHEADS AT THE “CROSSBOW SPEED BAGS” OR ANY OTHER TARGET ON THE CLUB GROUNDS.

Joe Bosch

Fish Committee March

The Trout have been ordered. They will be delivered on either April 10 or 11, based on the hatchery timing and available trucks. We will post definite timing when it is known.

Junior members are invited to fish on April 13 from 8AM until noon.

Club members are invited to the pre-opening breakfast at 6AM on April 14; the pond opens at 8AM.

As we have done in past years, We ask that the outdoor ranges are closed while the junior members are fishing on April 13. We also ask that the first week of the season be reserved for members only. Guests are invited starting on April 21.

Jack Patcella

Grounds Help Needed - March

lawnmeme Grounds Committee Needs Your Help

The Grounds Committee is looking toward Spring. We desperately need your help with grounds care this year.

Please consider stepping up to do some mowing and grounds work. A few volunteers would make the job that much easier.

For specific details and to put your name on the list please reach out to Mike Reiner or any Board Member.

BVFGFA Wednesday Trap- March

Trap Shooting Event See you in Spring!!

Watch this space for the Spring Opening

Please contact Larry @ 267-424-0295
Please reach out and thank Larry for continuing to make this event happen.

Direct All questions to Larry Varichione.

Membership - March

The 2024 membership badges are bright orange, the wearable proof of membership. Please wear them at all times while on club grounds and indoor building and of course the indoor range.

Membership at 942, with 35 juniors on record total including juniors 976.

Time has now run out for renewing, however some exceptions of physical illness or special circumstances.

Another key note that bears repeating:
Due to issues with some members violating the family membership (dependent children) policy; ages 18- 22 enrolled as Fulltime college students NOTE: BVFG has dissolved this option. This change is in effect staring with 2023 calendar year and in effect for renewing in 2023. Renewal forms for 2024 will again be requesting information on dependent in household children. 18 and over can move to an adult membership.

Still seeing some members not in sync with this. If 18 or older, kids are no longer eligible dependents under family, but can transition to adult membership fairly easily. If they miss doing at 18, 19 and older must reapply as new member.

IF MEMBERS ARE NOT GETTING EMAILED NEWSLETTER BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR EMAIL SERVICE SPAM POLICIES OR SETTINGS.

IF STILL PROBLEM CONTACT US VIA WEBSITE EMAIL. New MEMBERS, PLEASE REMEMBER TO REGISTER ON THE WEBSITE AS REQUESTED AT ORIENTATION. If you change your email address do so on the BVFG web portal by "signing in" to manage this process. If not registered, please do so if you have email. It is important to streamline the newsletter mailing process also.

Also if any news of interest please write to the club email address.
Please attend meetings.
Next general meeting is March 5th at 7:30pm.

Otherwise refer to this newsletter for current issues on John Helfrich's calendar and general information or the website.

At meeting we will have new Pocket T shirts in Large, XL and 2XL in navy blue and medium steel grey with club emblem embroidered. Cost is $20 now on T shirts. We can order various colors and sizes, Minimum of 6 order quantity does apply per the provider in special colors and odd sizes.
Please advise at Paul Schwartz or on BVFG Hotmail address.

Most apparel comes in M, L, EX and 2XL some larger frames on most items available. BVFG Crewneck sweatshirts, Light denim shirts, T Shirts, some fleece jackets. Camo and orange baseball style hat in also in blaze orange. New spreadsheet of what's now available will be posted on the indoor message board.

We have plenty of available hooded sweatshirts, full zip. for sale at the club meeting. Let me know via email link on website if preference for more colors. Also have couple of Arctic Hooded sweatshirts, super warm and high quality made in USA, for $80. We can order them, but lead time is few months, hopefully improving soon.

Stay Warm ENJOY.

Spring now less than 6 weeks away.

Regards, Paul S. PR Membership Committee/Director/Financial Secretary

NOTE: 2024 MEMBERSHIP CARDS (BRIGHT ORANGE) MUST BE DISPLAYED BY ALL MEMBERS WHILE USING THE RANGES/FACILITY AT BVFG. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Legistlative Alerts GOA March

Members and Friends,

It's up to each one of us to keep track of what our elected representatives are up to and let them know our opinion. One of the best and easiest methods is to sign up at the Gun Owners of America (GOA) web
page: https://www.gunowners.org/

There is zero cost and you don't have to join the organization. GOA will send you email alerts when any bills (pro and con, US and State) come up for votes, advise you of executive actions and more.

If you also enter your physical address, it will tailor pre-written reply letters to your specific US and PA reps and senators. You can always write your own reply text or alter the pre-written version as you see fit. You can look up voting records, voter guides, legislation info, etc.. It is a great resource to help keep track and quickly let you opinion be known.

Remember, Freedom Is Never Free!

Jim Hildenberger

Branch Valley Sportswear

We have fleeces, sweatshirts, denim shirts and new Mossy Oak hats.

Interested in something and can't make meeting, email paul at bvfg@hotmail.com

All these items are at the meeting. Special orders are taken when I made a minimum purchase.

Even have a few hooded sweatshirts as of now

*BV SPORTSWEAR: NEW SHIRTS, SWEATS, FLEECES AND HATS AVAILABLE. NEW SELECTIONS OF COLORS AVAILABLE AS WELL AS NEW BRAND ON FLEECES.