A number of activities are scheduled for early-to mid-August, including the League’s Golf Outing (August 9) and our Open House (August 17). See related notices in this newsletter. Golf Outing registration is due by July 30.

See related flyer for the DCCL Golf Outing at Deer Valley in Barneveld on Friday, August 9. Entry is $50.00 per person. Linda and Keith Waier will chair this event for the fifth successful year. Spots are still available, so hurry and send in your money by Wednesday, July 30. We plan to again sell out the eighteen foursomes. Keep in mind, though: You do not have to be a foursome, as one will be made for those members who look forward to meeting other League members.

See the related flyer and let Linda know soon. As mentioned earlier, we will also find playing partners for those who cannot locate a foursome, so just go ahead and register. If you have any questions, call Linda Waier at 845-7875.

The Open House is set for Saturday, August 17. The birds should be starting to show color, and the farm should be in great shape. Your League Board of Directors and members looking to earn work hours will furnish the meal, which will include chicken breasts, burgers, brats, hot dogs, and corn on the cob.

The appetizers of smoked salmon and shrimp went fast last year, and we’ll see what we plan to have available this time. A number of members have brought desserts in the past; feel free to do so again this year. The meal will begin at 11:45, and we will continue serving until 1:00. Members and their families can come any time that day, but remember the mealtime if you are so inclined. There is no charge for this meal. A can will be available if one chooses to make a donation. Good time to enjoy some camaraderie and see your facility.

The birds are doing well, and the pheasants will begin showing color by the time of our Open House. While this editor enjoys working at the farm anytime of the year it is open, there are four times of the year I really like it. First, when the birds first arrive as day-old chicks. Second, when they are first released into the catch pens and runs. Their excited chatter and stretching of wings is a real treasure to see. Also, now is the time to see how the birds begin to change during the rest of the season. Third, when released in the fly pens. They continue to grow exponentially, and after a while their color begins to change. Last, when they are captured for members to release or to be sold to others for release. We have heard from a number of people how the quail and hens they released last year have broods this year. Birds should start to show color by the time of our Open House on August 17.

Special thanks to the Pheasant Branch of the Conservation Crew for their work on fencing pens 1 & 2 for the League earlier this year. Great job. The

pens will last for some time now due to the coated wire, which is more weather resistant and easier on the birds. Also, thanks to the membership who have been placing the net over the runs on pens 1 & 2 and the fly area net over #1. Note the separate article announcing a work day to place the net over pen #2 and to cull the prairie.

Longtime League member and emeritus director Bob Zimmerman presented a park land purchase proposal to the League’s board of directors in March. Bob has been working with a group of people that have formed the Mount Vernon Park Land Purchase Fund in order to buy a five-acre parcel of land that lies adjacent to Donald Park. Mt. Vernon Creek flows through this land. The parcel also contains springs and wetlands that are vital to the stream. The League has done extensive work on Mt. Vernon Creek since the 50s. In a unanimous decision, the board voted to contribute $1,500 towards the purchase of this coldwater jewel. Our friends from the local Trout Unlimited chapter also were major contributors.

We should all thank Bob for his tireless effort to protect and preserve the wonderful trout streams that we have within easy reach of our own backyards. He described a time he worked with his son on a League tree planting project near the park and creek and was more than happy to spearhead this project for the Fund.

The hits just keep coming on the League’s website, and they should with all the information and links available, who needs to look elsewhere? We do our best to keep it up to date, thanks to webmaster Jerry Sands. Stop by and leave a note as to what you think. If you have anything else to list or link to, let us know, too.

It’s amazing how people throw things out vehicle windows as our highway cleanup netted eighteen bags of trash. We will not mention what some of the items were, you would have to ask the members mentioned below. We also had one of the crew disappear for a few minutes. Not sure if he was jumped the fence or what. Thanks to the following members for their efforts in helping our environment.

Bird release date for all qualifying members will be September 14, beginning at 8:00 AM. Qualifying members are members who are eligible to receive fifteen pheasants for donating work time to various League sanctioned projects. This newsletter announces some upcoming activities where hours can be earned, including assisting with the golf outing.

The minimum time necessary to qualify is fifteen hours, and they must be logged before September 14. The member release date is set for September 14 in order to allow the birds to be "rounded up" as few times possible. This helps protect the condition of the birds. Hours worked will be posted at the farm by July 27 and will be updated weekly thereafter. Just so you know, once 15 work hours have been attained, your time will only show 15 hours, even though a number of our members have hundreds of hours on various League activities. Check on a Saturday morning if you are uncertain where you stand for time.

Appropriate crates are to be used. New, reasonably priced ones can be purchased on the Internet; check our website. We will also have a few to lend. Members will be entitled to fifteen birds, eight hens and seven roosters. This aids in our mission for preservation. We will sell an allotted number of birds prior to the release date for those members and nonmembers interested in purchasing birds. Roosters will be $8.00 with $7.00 for hens.

Quail are available now for $3.50 each. There is no limit on quantity.

Members will need a dog training or stocking permit. You may request this form from your local conservation warden, or a copy can be picked up at the farm before the release date. Birds for human consumption do not require a permit. Human consumption birds will all be hens.

Have you ever wondered what prairie plants makes up a prairie? As of earlier this year, Dave Wilken has identified fifty-nine, yes that is 59, plants we have in our prairie. He has done this with fifty-nine 2*2-foot boxes running along the south edge of the prairie. Each plant is identified with a laminated card. Tremendous job, Dave, and for those members who have not seen your prairie yet, now is a great time to stop by.

We will also have a workday to cull the prairie of unwanted plants on July 20. Dave will be available for any questions. See related article and for those who can make it, bring gloves and pruning shears.

The Dane County Conservation League’s kickoff membership meeting will be Sept 24, beginning at 7:30 at the VFW Hall, 133 E. Lakeside St., in Madison.

Traditionally, we have representatives from the DNR discuss any recent rule changes. The October meeting will have a specialist from the DNR talk about Chronic Wasting Disease. We will also have a raffle, and Rod Fornetti will have the video library there for those folks who want to sharpen up for this fall. We will also have available mailers for recycling printer cartridges, rather than throwing them in the trash.

FROM THE HISTORIAN: Jack M. Bell

"Early Beginnings" – Dane County Court House – Regular Meeting of the Dane County Sportmen’s League – Feb. 27, 1940.

Pres. Art Kniseley called on Mr. Frederickson, secretary of the Madison Business Men’s Association, who explained the plans for a Sports Show to be held at the University Fieldhouse on April 19, 20, 21. Mr. Toepfer of Middleton explained the winter feeding he does on his farm, and told about leaving six rows of standing corn which, besides furnishing the birds ample feed, provided good cover during the heavy snow. Harold Starkweather was asked to explain the sale of Wildlife Stamps. A motion was made and seconded that the Dane County Sportmen’s League take over the sale of Wildlife Stamps in Dane County.. motion carried. The talk of the evening was given by Mr. William Grimmer of the Conservation Department telling the progress being made in the propagation of pheasants in Dane County. Since 1932 the pheasant take/harvest in Dane County was as follows:

1932 Open Season 1,333 birds

1933 Open Season 7,617 birds

1934 (drought) Open 3,338 birds

1935 Open Season 5,311 birds

1936 Open Season 9,321 birds

1937 Open Season 12,548 birds

1938 Open Season 21,985 birds

1939 Open Season 45,000 birds

(upward)

Mr. Grimmer told of the Department’s work at Poynette, explaining their equipment would handle 163,000 eggs in a single run. He told about a species of pheasant they had been experimenting with for some time. The bird is called the Golden Pheasant which is heavier than the Ring-Necked Pheasant and much faster in flight. He explained that it held better to a dog than a Ring-Neck, goes straight up in the air when flushed; then turns into a spiral turn and shoots out in an unexpected direction. Meeting adjourned.