The stocking truck arrived to the delight of everyone present.
Free hot dogs and soft drinks were enjoyed by the enthusiastic workers and onlookers.
Many cameras were busy capturing the memorable moments.
Many thanks to Dave Levy, Jack Albenze and their helpers for making this day possible.
KEEPING THE TRADITION ALIVE
MORE
OUTSTANDING WORK
at the Alpine Hunting & Fishing Club
Bandit,
Ranger, Trina and Smokey collared their respective owners and laid out a
template for the planting of 200 Eastern white pines on the Club
property. The pattern is a saw tooth formation with
double rows of pines to be set on each side of the "two track" between
fields 1 and 2.
(To see land map of fields click here.)
These trees will enable
the hunting program to advance to another level . Four flights of
hunters will now be able to hunt simultaneously. It will further
provide wildlife with additional cover, improved habitat areas, wind
breaks and shelter from the elements to identify but a few of the
benefits. The OSC purchased the white pines and on April 8 and 9 they
were set in the planned grid. Additional trees that remained after
the first 170 trees were set along the utility right of way adjacent to
field 3 and around the lower parking lot. Great things were
accomplished. When you see these men please give them your thanks for
their hard effort. The task force included Bruce Barnhart, Bill
Coen, Don Fehl, Rob Keddie, Dave Levy, Tony Sciorilli and David Tambellini.
KUDOS TO ALL!
John Brandstatter, Hunt Manager
SPRING PLANTING
Most of the crops are already planted thanks to the hard work and
dedication or Bill Coen, Ray Kassab, Don LeGrand, Woody Lesnett Larry
Lester and David Tambellini. The big job will be completed when
Pheasants Forever arrives to plant the last few crops. All members
are reminded to stay on designated paths and never drive wheeled
vehicles over cultivated fields. Your cooperation will mean great
cover for another year of wildlife conservation at the Alpine Hunting
and Fishing Club.
Spring Cleanup Days
Scott Quinn told his son Zach that "Many
hands make for light work." and that was proven to be
true. Two dozen showed for the clean up on March 7th,
including 5 kids, who all received free dinner certificates from Jack.
The older 2 have the option of a sporting clays lesson from Tony S.
with OSC supplying the clay targets. The Quinns, including wife
Lori and adorable little Lindsay, removed stones from the garden and
around the grounds which were dumped in the muddy road between field 3
and the power lines. Kevin Kees with son Owen and fiancée Jan
Pattishall cheerfully did the "special" duty of cleaning dog doo and
cigarette butts by the bagful from around the club house.
Heather Slinger and sons Moe and Jacob really helped around the lake
shore. Special thanks to Jacob S. and Owen K. for work around
the shooting range, and kudos to Moe S. who hauled 15 tires up from
below the spillway. Working together, most of us cleaned up
the immediate grounds around the Club House, then along the edges of
the parking lot and down over the hills, starting at the
dumpster, around the main gate, out along the garden and
finally around the entire lake shore and shooting range. With Ollie
Weiss running the front loader, we stuffed the dumpster with all the
debris. Metal objects were dragged up from the woods and
separately hauled back to be stacked for a later date.
Another work party of adult members pulled even more salvageable metal
and debris from out of the woods and all around the fields, brought it
down and stacked it back at the bird pens for a later date. Jack
and Sherry provided a very nice, very tasty picnic lunch for all.
This is in addition to free lunches for the OSC events of the Parent
Child Hunt and the General Member Hunt. Remember to thank Jack,
Sherry and Drew. Also attending were John Brandstatter, Tom
Watson, Mike Hahner, Jim Wehar, Bill Coen, Ray Kassab, Mark Kenny,
Dave May, Rob Keddie, Will Scott and Randy Keefer.
The Outdoor Sports Committee and Alpine Bird Club responded to the
call for another work day at the club on Sunday, March 15th and
did another great
job. Everyone gathered early in the morning, and worked steadily
until the job was done. The club grounds around the bird pens,
the dog kennels, the 5 Stand range and even some of the field edges
were cleared, cleaned and organized. The work party and the clean up
process were so impressive that we even sparked some unwanted
attention from non-members, but all has ended well. In
attendance were Ken Baxter, John Brandstatter, Bill Coen, Eric Dean,
Don Fehl, Bill Inks, Ray Kassab, Rob Keddie, Randy Keefer with son
Greg, Mark Kenny, Donnie Le Grand, Woody Lesnett, Dave Levy, Todd
Luckasevic, Wayne Majcher, Dave May, Sonny Rohrer, Tony Sciorilli,
Gary Wobb with son Vince and chief instigator, Ollie Weiss.
Another tasty meal was served up for the work crew by Jack and Drew.
The grounds are looking even better now, and all who helped in the two
work days have reason to be proud. Thank you one and all.
GENERAL MEMBER HUNT
The Alpine Club Hunt Management Team wishes to thank all the members who participated in the scheduled hunt March 1. It was a record turnout with more than 42 individuals participating. We had 18 dogs on site, with seven members volunteering their "guide service and dogs" for those members who were without canine help.
I personally wish to thank those who showed up early to catch and set birds, crate birds for successive flights out and provide assistance for those who needed some help. Those early rising folks included Rob Keddie, Don Fehl, Dave Levy, Tony Sciorilli and son Eric and David Tambellini. Many, many others helped during the course of the day for which the Hunt Management Team is grateful for the assist.
We offer no apology for the flight of the birds, errant shots, wet powder, cold winds and general good spirits from those participating. We enjoyed the day and hope you found the day as satisfying as it was challenging to put it on. See you at the 2010 Member Hunt.
Compliments to Jack Albenze who presented his usual stellar buffet for all members who joined in the days activities.
If you have any comments or suggestions on improvements to the days
activities,
the Hunt Management Team certainly welcomes your thoughts.
Please forward to the "Team" for review.
John Brandstatter, Hunt Management Team
Parent Child Hunt
The day went
smoothly and we hope everyone enjoyed themselves. Sharing the
opportunity to hunt with others and working out our dogs is definitely
one the advantages of being a member of the Alpine Club.
Pictured is Dave Fialkovich and his 10 year old daughter Bailey who
observed her first ever hunt.
Special thanks to the "volunteered" dogs of Tony Sciorilli, Eric
Sciorilli, Dave Tambellini, Mark Kenny, and Rob Keddie, who worked the
fields for the club members and their children. Thanks to John
Brandstatter, Tony Sciorilli, Dave Tambellini, Rob Keddie, Donnie
Legrand and Ollie Weiss who worked as "bird boys" and cleaned birds.
Members Gary Wobb and Randy Keifer worked over their own dogs.
We have heard
nothing but good reports from the participants. In fact some have
indicated they will also be attending the Member hunt after this good
experience. Kudos to Jack Albenze again for the good food.
Mark Kenny, Kenn Popko and John Brandstatter
New Alpine Club Hunt Manager Appointed
At the January 14, 2009 meeting of the Outdoor Sports Committee (OSC), the title of "Hunt Master", (the official responsible for organizing and managing special events and planned hunts, seeing that the hunt is run in a manner that is fair to all, ensuring that everyone is treated in a fair and equitable way, overseeing the draw, answering questions, resolving disputes and completing event paperwork.) was changed to Hunt Manager.
John Brandstatter was asked to serve as the Alpine Hunting & Fishing Club Hunt Manager. John has asked Dave Tambellini and Tony Sciorilli to be assistant Hunt Managers. They will assist in organizing and managing OSC events, some member hunts and improving communication with members about upcoming events and activities.
The Hunt Manager will appreciate the volunteer services of other members. Members with trained gun dogs who are willing to guide hunts are encouraged to notify the Hunt Manager of their availability.
The Hunt Management Team is pleased that Donny Zarra is able to resume guiding hunts now that he is back on his feet. The Alpine Hunting & Fishing Club and the OSC thanks Donny Zarra for his past services.
The Alpine Club is a private
hunting preserve operated under a non-commercial preserve license which
permits hunting only by members and invited guests. Members are
always welcome to schedule and conduct private hunts using their own
dogs, subject to availability of unreserved times.
(Click here to view more details)
If you are in need of a dog handler or guide for a guided bird hunt at the Alpine Hunting and Fishing Club, please contact the Hunt Manager or one of his assistants in advance at 412-221-8550.
Before using the outdoor
facilities please read the
“Club Rules”
website page.
The Hunt Manager reminds EVERYONE using the target
range, fishing at the lake, or going out into the fields or the wood
lots of the Alpine Club to hunt, to exercise their dog or just to hike
to read the
Club Rules and ALWAYS:
* Be safety conscious
first, last and always:
* Wear orange on your head and torso in the fields and
wood lots, especially during the Preserve Season from September 1st
through April 30th.
The OSC has donated "loaner vests"
which are available in the Tack Room for emergency use.
* Sign in using the Log Book in the Tack Room. This
is for your safety, as well as other members and guests. The Log
Book is a vital AC safety requirement.
* Hunters and Dog Trainers must comply with the Alpine
Bird Club (ABC) program which is operated under the Outdoor Sports
Committee. Short summaries of the ABC
requirements are posted
on the walls of the Tack Room and a complete copy of the ABC program can
be obtained from the Hunt Manager or any of the assistants listed above.
* Respect reservations made in the Log Book and/or OSC notices
for use of the wood lots and fields. You may ask to share the
space, but safety and other concerns may preclude
the OSC or the
individual members who had already reserved the time and areas from
agreeing.
* Before leaving the club, be sure the Tack Room is as
clean or cleaner than when you arrived. The Tack Room is a
great convenience for all members and you are personally
responsible for
keeping it clean.
Third Place Winner in the Novice
category for a
National Upland Trial!
The dog earning this prize is "OTM’s
No Last Call LC Mae" or "LC" for short. The owner/trainer is
AC member Kevin Kees shown on the far left of the photo in a dark
hat and dark sweater.
Kevin and his fiancé Jan together have
raised and trained 3 Boykin Spaniels, the youngest having just taken
3rd Place in the BSS 2009 Upland National Trials.
Last year, she came away with a "JAM", a Judges Award of Merit,
at less than one year old. This dog is still not even 2 years old,
and she is really "lighting up" the competition. She came in third
out of 44 dogs entered in the Novice Class. The Boykin Spaniel
Society is the original registry for this breed in the United States of
America.
There are
only 3 United States Gun Dog breeds.
Can you name the other two?
Congratulations to Donny Zarra and
Duke (Duke vom Buffeltaler)
In
September of 2009 Duke vom Buffeltaler, handled by Donny Zarra, is
qualified to run in the prestigious NAVHDA INVITATIONAL. He
qualified in June of 2008 by earning a Prize 1 Utility in NAVHDA (NORTH
AMERICAN HUNTING DOG ASSOCIATION) with 196 out of 204 points.
The "Invitational" is an International Versatile Championship held by NAVHDA
each year. This year's Invitational will be held in Ohio, USA.
In 2006
Duke vom Buffeltaler handled by Donny took first place in
the International Armbruster Championship.
In March of 2007 at the Alpine HFC Chuckar Challenge 1st Place went to
John Latella and Donny Zarra with Duke vom Buffeltaler and 2nd Place was
awarded to John Matlak and Donny Zarra with Duke vom Buffeltaler.
In October of 2007 Duke vom Buffeltaler handled by Donny Zarra took Prize 1 Utility in the JGHV ("German Hunting Dogs Testing System" - the world's most demanding Versatile Hunting Dog Test). Duke earned 303 points out of 312 points in the JGHV Utility Test.
Best of Luck to Donny and Duke in September. Keep up the outstanding work.
Anyone interested in an expert dog trainer or an experienced hunting
guide can contact Donny at
donnyzarra@gmail.com or 412-606-4518 or visit his website
www.vomgrimmhaus.com