Newsletters

                                                                                     April/ May2024 

Izaak Walton League Member Pledge

To strive for the purity of water, the clarity of air, and the wise stewardship of the land and its resources; to know the beauty and understanding of nature and the value of wildlife, woodlands, and open space; to the preservation of this heritage and to man's sharing in it.   I pledge myself as a member of the Izaak Walton League of America.

LEAGUE HISTORY-DID YOU KNOW: In 1953 we received our first order for Christmas Tree boughs. This order

was for one half ton which also was an ideal conservation project. As trees grow the lower limbs are shaded but do

not drop off for years, new growth develops and surrounds the dead branches, causing a defect in the future timber.

To prevent this, we pruned the lower branches as soon as the first branch died. This served two purposes: it

maintains good trees with minimum knots in board timber and gave us a good source of income. The best time with

the least amount of needle loss was after the middle of October. The boughs were transported to the basement of

the clubhouse where they were tied into two pound and twenty-five pound bundles which were sold to wholesale

florist. In 1954 over 5,000 trees were pruned. More than seven tons of boughs netted more than $400. Information

is from the minutes of our league that George A. McClarran compiled.

ANNUAL BANQUET /GUN RAFFLE: Our annual banquet was well attended by 65 people. Thank you to all who

came. The Gun Raffle was well received; winner was Scott Maibach. We are looking into doing another gun raffle

this year.

WOOD SPLITTING: The woodshed is 3/4 full of mostly split cherry wood. Thanks very much for all the helpers this

year. Come fall we will be needing wood delivery volunteers to make deliveries.

SPIRING CLEAN UP VOLUNTEERS: Thanks very much to the 14 volunteers that cleaned up the grounds on

April 20. 

SCRAP WOOD AT FIRE PIT:

Someone is leaving scrap laminate wood and PVC molding in the woodshed at the fire pit.

We can't burn this in the fire pit so please do not leave it.

TREE STANDS ON CLUB GROUNDS: There are some stands on the grounds that do not have legible names and

phone numbers on them. If your stand does not follow guidelines, it below it may be removed. Please loosen the

tree straps so not to damage trees, retighten this fall. 

TREE STAND POLICY UPDATED 4/7/20

1. IWLA WAYNE COUNTY AND ITS’ MEMBERS ARE RELEASED FROM ALL LIABILITY FROM

INJURY OR DEATH OF PEOPLE USING TREE STANDS ON IWL PROPERTY.

2. TREE STANDS WILL BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN ERECTED FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.

3. GROUND BLINDS WILL BE REMOVED BY FEBRUARY 15.

4. ONLY ONE STAND / GROUND BLIND PER MEMBER ON EACH PROPERTY.

5. ALL STANDS ARE REQUIRED TO BE IDENTIFIED WITH MEMBER’S NAME AND TELEPHONE

NUMBER.

6. ALL TREE STANDS SHOULD BE ATTACHED TO TREES. NO FREE STANDING TREE STANDS

ALLOWED (TRIPODS).

7. NO NAIL IN STEPS ALLOWED / TREE DAMAGE

8. NO SCREW IN STEPS ALLOWED / TREE DAMAGE

9. ALL TREE STAND APPROXIMATE LOCATIONS WILL BE REPORTED TO BOB HARVEY AT

330-347-7214 WHEN ERECTED. THIS GIVES US A BETTER IDEA OF WHO AND HOW MANY

ARE HUNTING THE PROPERTY.

10. EXPECTATION IS THAT MEMBERS OTHER THAN THE TREE STAND OWNER ARE ALLOWED

TO USE THE TREE STAND WITH NOTIFICATION OF THE TREE STAND OWNER.

11. ALL STRAPS SECURING THE STAND TO THE TREE SHOULD BE LOOSENED SLIGHTLY BY

APRIL 1 TO ALLOW FOR TREE GROWTH.

12. ALL STRAPS WILL BE CHECKED AND TIGHTENED IN THE FALL TO ENSURE SAFETY. THE

TREE STAND SHOULD ALSO BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND REPAIRED FOR SAFE

OPERATION.

13. IF THERE IS NO PLAN TO HUNT FROM THE ERECTED STAND IT SHOULD BE REMOVED

AND REPORTED TO THE SECRETARY.

FREEDLANDER FISHING, MAY 4 TH NOON TO 4

The City of Wooster Fishing Derby at Freedlander Park is on Saturday, May 4, 2023 at 1:00 PM.   Workers should

show up at noon.  We need volunteers!   The work is easy: answer questions, help when needed (usually

disgorging hooks), and watch out for dangerous behavior.  Please come and help, and get some of

your volunteer hours recorded. Contact Jeff Kota at 330-466-8847.

FISHING DERBY MAY 5 TH – 1-4 PM

Fishing Derby at the Chapter property.   Great opportunity to invite guests to fish and tour the grounds and see

about joining the Chapter. Think about who you can bring to the event. This will also be an opportunity for new

members to get familiar with the property.  Hot dogs, chips, cookies provided, RSVP to Mark Colter at 330-464-

1328. Mark will also be looking for volunteers to help the kid’s fish and may need help with

serving and food prep.

FIRST GRADE FIELD TRIP – BARRY JOLLIFF

May 6 TH – 10 th Wooster City School First Grade annual Field Trip at the Chapter property.

Range will be closed from 8am – 4pm (the 10 th is a “rain day”)

Barry is looking for helpers… especially in need of volunteers to help the kids with fishing, other volunteers needed

as well. Please call Barry at 330-465-2297 if you are able to help out

MEMBERSHIP: Thanks to those who have turned in their membership renewals. If you have not returned yet,

please do so as soon as possible. Members who were not eligible for use of the range or hunting because they did

not work their required hours, will be eligible as soon as their hours are worked…. this includes new members,

contact Linda at 330 603 5617.

NEW MEMERS

Adam and Jennifer Whitney

Chris Plascak

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES ORANIZER NEEDED

If you are interested in organizing some activities for children and/or adults, please contact our president, Christina.

Examples: Nature hike, archery instruction, evening campfire, father-son campout, mother-daughter campout,

board games at the Chapter House, etc. Some of these activities could be in conjunction with our already

scheduled events.

HIKING TRAILS – are in great shape. Thanks to all who help with all the maintenance!!