Meeting called to order by President Ed Spinazzola. Board Members present: Ed Spinazzola, Marc Yenkel and Ted Novak.

• Secretary Report: Motion by T. Novak and 2ñd by Norm Engel to accept minutes as written and publish to general membership in the newsletter. Motion carried.

• Treasurer Report: Treasurer not present but Ed Spinazzola gave report of $2,000 in account with several outstanding bills. Motion by T. Novak to pay outstanding bills and accept treasurers report as stated and 2ñd by Marc Yenkel. Motion carried. There was a check mailed to the National QDMA for $1,310 which equaled 1/2 of the net proceeds of the 1997 fund raising.

• Membership Report: Mr. Frank Myers was on vacation in Arizona. Ed Spinazzola stated that 44 members had renewed their membership and there were a total of 80 members.

• Education Report: Ed Spinazzola reported that the September 12, 1998 annual QDM educational seminar is set to be held at the Gladwin High School with Dr. Harry Jacobson being the featured speaker. Dr. Jacobson is recognized in the deer world as the deer genetics GURU. Any questions you might have from, once a spike always a spike, to how important is genetics in a free ranging deer population, will be answered by Dr. Jacobson. Also on the agenda is Mr. John H. Williams, noted outdoor author, photographer and deer hunting enthusiast, along with representatives from the DNR wildlife division. Ed also mentoned that Mr. George Rice of Whitetails Unlimited has agreed to organize a joint Mid-Michigan Branch QDMA and Whitetails Unlimited banquet for September 12 to be held in the evening at the Gladwin U.F.W. Hall.

  Ed Spinazzola reported that he attended the February 11th NRC committee meeting in Lansing and informed the NRC committee of the results of a questionnaire that was passed out at the September 13, 1997 QDM seminar. The results were 92% in favor of elevated blinds for the firearm season and 100% in favor of practicing QDM.

• Deer Management Unit (DMU) 107 Committee Report: Mr. Mark Yenkel reported that the January 11th town meeting for higher buck standards in DMU 107 was exceptionally well attended. The outback room at Jay's was jammed with people outside the entrance trying to get in. Mr. Ken Logan, the manager, estimated at least 400 present. The survey results were 63% in favor. A good presentation was made by Mr. Jeff Best, Purina Mills deer nutrition specialist and Mr. Dick Shellenbarger, district 7 DNR wildlife biologist. A short discussion was held about opening the returned surveys, and it was pointed out by Mr. Shellenbarger that if a petition is made to the NRC, it should be no later than the April 6th NRC meetimg. It was also agreed that the surveys would be opened at the DNR Gladwin field office on Saturday, February 28th at 9:00am.

• New Business: A raffle ticket committee was formed consisting of Ed Spinazzola and Ted Novak. Anybody interested in joining and helping out, please contact Ed Spinazzola. The price of tickets was discussed. Mr. Ron Southwell moved and 2ñd by Marc Yenkel to leave ticket prices at $5.00 each. Motion carried. There will be five (5) quality prizes similar to last year which was well received by the buying public. One prize was a three day bow hunt that generated a lot of interest. The lucky winner, Mr. Lee Brooks enjoyed it so much that he bacame a member of QDMA. Mr. Brooks saw at least 8 different bucks but the allowed (6) points minimum buck was out of range or the other guys that were in range were less than 6 points. Lee did take a nice 4 1/2 year old doe. Anyone interested in offering a hunt on their property as a prize, please contact Ed Spinazzola. The prizes will be drawn on September 12, 5:00 pm at Gladwin High School.

  Ed Spinazzola reported that Mr. Harley Sampson, Midwest Regional Director of QDMA had a booth at the deer spectacular in Lansing, February 13, 14 and 15 and that Ed and his wife Patricia were helping out.

  Mr. Ted Novak moved to buy and distribute 10 QDMA books and 10 video's to area schools and libraries. Motion 2ñd by Ron Southwell and carried. Marc Yenkel volunteered to distribute items.

  Mr. Ray Schofield talked about an organization called the Michigan Conservation Foundation. He mentioned the goals and recent projects of this group and that there was an effort to form a chapter in the Clare area.

  Boyd Wiltse talked about his recently successful efforts in setting up a web page on QDM including our branch. He mentioned we could post our letters, upcoming events, QDM information, etc. There was a lot of approval on Mr. Wiltse's ideas. Boyd's web page address is https://www.angelfire.com/hi/deerhuntingqdm/index.html. And subsequent to our meeting, he has prepared a preliminary Mid-Michigan Branch QDMA web page subject to membership review and approval at our next meeting. The web page address is https://members.tripod.com/~mmbqdm/index.html.

A discussion was held about the need for a new secretary with the focus on Mr. Boyd Wiltse. Boyd stated that he was interested but wasn't sure he had the time. Mr. Wiltse informed Ed Spinazzola on February 28th that he thought he could help out and would be our acting secretary. Certain bucks sure make some grievous mistakes don't they!!

Meeting adjourned at 1:35pm.

Next Meeting
Saturday, April 11, 1998, 12 noon at Jay's Sporting Good's
on Old US 27, one mile north of Clare

Click here to return to summary of meeting minutes and agendas
E-mail Mid-Michigan Branch QDMA bwiltse@123.net

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Web Page Webmaster: Boyd Wiltse, Secretary Mid-Michigan Branch QDMA