History since 2000
Chukar guzzler after fire near I-82 between Benton City and Prosser. April, 2000
Club volunteers reconstructing the chukar guzzler
Fishing Kids
Since 2001 the club has assisted in the Kids Outdoor Education fishing activity in a pond in Columbia Park. Each year the Club assembles 1400 rods with spin cast reels, sinker and hook. For a $10 charge, youth 5-15 years of age get a rod, some bait, and can fish for one hour in the pond where 5000-6000 trout have been released three days before the Saturday fishing. There are 5 one-hour flights and after 3PM, youth 5-15 can fish, no time limit. In addition, disabled people can fish on Friday evening with the assistance of Club members. The trout are provided by the WDFW.
Presidents Trophy
In 2001 Jack Pickard completed an outstanding wood carving of a largemouth bass and enclosed it a clear plastic case. He donated it to the Club. The Board of Trustees decided to establish it as Presidents Award to be passed from President the President.
This is a continuing activity.
Salmon in the Classroom was started in 2003 with 5 tanks in 5 classrooms in the Tri-Cities. At the present time there are 179 classrooms with 47 fish tanks in the Tri-Cities and surrounding community schools. With multiple classrooms in a school, the day to day operation is rotated between classrooms. Currently, there are 5370 students involved in the activity. Salmon eggs are obtained from the Yakama Nation Fisheries Hatchery and distributed by Club members to participating schools during the first week in January. By the end of April, fry have hatched from the eggs and are approximately 1 ½ to 2 1/2 inches long. The schools transfer their smolts (fry) to aerated 5 gallon pails and they're brought by bus loads of students to the boat launch at the Blue Bridge, transferred into small cups and each student releases a smolt (`s) into the Columbia River to migrate downstream to the ocean. In conjunction with the fish release is a “Salmon Summit” where a number of salmon related displays and activities are set up for the students to view and participate in.
This is a continuing activity.
FISHERMEN ACCESS BRIDGE OVER HORN RAPIDS IRRIGATION CANAL:
A foot bridge to allow access to the Yakima River for fishermen was installed over the Horn Rapids Irrigation District Canal on Friday, March 12, 2004. It is steel with a treated wood deck, about 40 feet long, and had been surplused by the City of Richland. It was transferred to the WDFW by the City of Richland and installed by Richland City personnel. Prior to installation, Richland Rod & Gun Club members and others cleared the area where the bridge was installed with chain saws, picks and shovels.
Club members who participated were Paul Kison, Bob Henke, John Pfeiffer, Bob Zinsli, Bill Siefken, Jerry Zeitler, Bill Hays, Jeff Rampon and Eddie Manthos. The City of Richland and its personnel need to be commended for transfer and installation of the bridge. Paul Hoffarth, local WDFW Fisheries Biologist, was instrumental in arranging transfer of the bridge. Michael Crowder, General Manager of the Barker Ranch, arranged and planned the installation and supplied the tools and also doughnuts.
Steps leading down the steep embankment to the footbridge and from the bridge to the river shore were installed Friday, April 9. Paul Kison, Mike Estes, Bob Zinsli, Bill Hays, Dan McGuire, Michael Crowder and Paul Hoffarth installed 45 railroad tie steps. Bob Zinsli donated five railroad ties and the Pasco ‘Ranch and Home' donated twelve. Bob Zinsli and Paul Hoffarth painted the bridge. The canal has since been replaced by a pipeline and the bridge was removed.
Disabled waterfowl hunters will now have access to the #11 disabled hunting blind at the Peninsula Habitat Management Unit this season with the addition of a sturdy 48-foot ramp. Four volunteers, all avid waterfowl hunters, repositioned the blind so it's closer to the back-water bay of the Columbia River and built the ramp, which makes the hunting blind accessible to wheelchairs. This project was led by a member of the RRGClub who proposed the idea and design to the McNary National Wildlife Refuge staff. After receiving approval, the ramp was constructed over two weekends.
RRGClub Website 2009
Richland Rod & Gun Club creates Web site
By Kevin McCullen, Herald staff writer
RICHLAND -- A new Web site created by the Richland Rod & Gun Club is a one-stop clearinghouse of information on how to prepare and enjoy a catch or kill.
If you don't know how to fillet a fish, field dress a deer or clean a duck, the website Northwest Game Recipes, www.northwestgamerecipes.com, has a link with the answer.
Visit other links on the site, and you'll learn how to safely preserve fish or game meat. Other clicks take you to recipes for fish, shellfish, upland game, waterfowl and big game.
The site even offers history lessons about the Northwest through entries about wildlife culled from the journals of Lewis and Clark during their journey in 1805-06.
Launched in early September, the Web site now has more than 110 recipes and the list keeps expanding, said Russ Wyer, who developed and manages the website.
All were contributed by club members and are specific to game and fish species found regionally, Wyer said.
"We wanted to focus on the Northwest, on the fish and animals we find here," said Wyer, of Richland.
The club may have created a unique site. Some outdoor retailers have sections on their Web sites on cleaning, preserving and preparing game and fish, but few sportsman's clubs have compiled similar information."We were looking around for a while to see how to approach it, and we weren't able to find anything like this on the web," said Angie Conant, club president.
Conant added, "I think it is a step into the future for the club. We all love to hunt and
fish, but the reality is many of our kids are stuck behind a computer, and they may not know how to clean a fish or cook venison. This is a place they can go to find out that information."
The Web site was spawned by the club's annual wild game dinner, where many of estimated 200 members contribute and prepare game meat or fish from their freezer for the feast, Wyer said.
Instead of swapping recipes, some members suggested creating a Web site to share their tried-and-true standards.
In surfing the Web, members found there was a dearth of sites with comprehensive information about what to do with a fish after catching it, or how to butcher a big-game animal and safely preserve the meat.
"We felt it was important to let people know what to do after harvesting an animal: How to handle an animal while processing it, packaging it and freezing it, and getting it ready for cooking," Wyer said. "There's also a separate section on food safety."
In the recipe link, there is a separate section for marinades, rubs, and sauces, which are essential for some recipes because wild game is much leaner than domestic meat.
Among the array of recipes are sweet and sour pheasant, moose tenderloin in peppercorn sauce, sweet Italian venison sausage, smoked salmon soup, honey-baked sturgeon, and even a pike shore lunch. The choice depends on what game, or fish, is in the freezer.
"A cook must determine the best recipes and select the right kind of game to satisfy the preference of the guests, family and friends," the Web site says in the introduction to the recipes.
* Kevin McCullen: 509-582-1535; kmccullen@tricityherald.com.
First annual Richland Rod & Gun Club Fishing Derby
There were 19 entries at the Saturday May 15 Derby. Tammy McMurtrey and Marilyn Steel provided the biscuits and gravy breakfast and drinks with numerous other goodies and then went fishing. Blast off time was at 7:20 a.m.. Richard Sharp explained the rules and area boundaries and the participants were off!
Fish totals were 30.56 lbs bass, 15.4 lbs catfish and 3.81bs trout and sunfish for a total of 49.75 1bs taken with Mity Might rod and reels.
The fish fry went as planned with Richard Sharp and Dave Myers doing the frying with numerous other dishes brought to the potluck. There was plenty of food and drinks and a good time was had by all.
Tri-City Herald
Published Thursday, Sep. 29, 2011
Groups you want to join and one you hope you don't
Wear a life vest
The Richland Rod and Gun Club wants you to wear a life jacket every time you are on the water. They have taken it upon themselves to remind you of all the reasons it's a good idea.
You will start seeing these reminders at boat launches around the Tri-Cities.
They've put their money into the project with the hope it will save your life.
Everyone knows life vests save lives -- but only if you wear them.
The Columbia River is notorious for its typically cold temperature and strong undercurrent -- both make it hard to stay on top of the water.
We appreciate the local dive and rescue team members, but really prefer not to send business their way. Sadly those calls usually turn into a recovery effort, not a rescue.
We echo the rod and gun club's sentiments -- wear a life jacket -- and offer them a pat on the back for the project.
We see a lot of projects that are launched this way -- someone recognizes a need and sets about meeting it.
It happens frequently in the Tri-Cities, and we're grateful every time it does.
Officials put down moose stranded north of Pasco
By Loretto J. Hulse, Tri-City Herald 2011
As a young bull moose stood in about four feet of water Monday afternoon, officials trained in various types of rescue operations did their best to figure out a way to save its life.
But the moment the moose jumped the barbed-wire fence and slid down the steep, concrete sides of the Esquatzel Diversion Channel six miles north of Pasco, its fate was sealed.
At sunset, state Fish and Wildlife Officer Brian Felton killed the moose with a single shotgun blast using a slug that produced instant death.
"There was really no other way to handle the situation," he said.
Tranquilizing it was impractical, he explained.
"With moose, you need to use a special drug, one that's very potent (deadly) to humans and not readily available," he said. "And with the moose standing in water, it would drown before we could get him out. The only other solution would have been to let nature take its course and leave him to drown or perhaps been fed on by coyotes," Felton said.
If the moose could make the five-plus-mile trek to the end of the canal, its only possibility of freedom would have been to survive going through a steep flume and be dumped into the Columbia River.
The gunshot wound was a pretty quick and efficient way to humanely put it down," Felton said. While waiting for Felton to drive from Toppenish, officials at the scene brainstormed various scenarios for rescuing the moose.
Cpl. Gordon Thomasson of the Franklin County Sheriff's office called veterinarians and dairies for ideas. Franklin County Sheriff Sgt. Jim Dickenson called Washington's Fish and Wildlife Service -- which in turn contacted Idaho's.
Fish and Wildlife officials told them to stay away from the animal, warning that a kick from a moose -- especially one weighing about 1,000 pounds -- could be deadly.
"They said moose are extremely aggressive animals," Dickenson said.
Lassoing and dragging it up the side of the 20- to 25-foot canal was discussed and dropped. Officials also tried to chase it down the canal toward the flume and the river. Firefighters from Franklin Fire District 3 tried to herd it with streams of water from their hoses. Others tossed small rocks, clapped, whistled and yelled to get it to go downstream.
It simply turned and returned to sit on a large clump of grass growing from the side of the canal. Every 30 minutes or so, the moose would get up and stride anxiously a couple hundred yards up and down the canal.
"We're willing to try everything we can to give him a chance. The last-
ditch effort is to shoot him," Thomasson said during the afternoon.
Even if the moose drowned, leaving it in the canal might be dangerous.
"It's a dangerous situation," said Pasco Fire Chief Bob Gear, who drove to the site out of curiosity. "The water in the canal is deep and fast. If someone were to be tempted to go in there after those antlers, they could drown."
After the moose was shot, Columbia Basin Dive Rescue workers wrapped a cable around it, and American Towing in Pasco pulled it from the canal.
"Sometimes, Mother Nature is hard," Felton said.
The meat will go to the Tri-City Union Gospel Mission in Pasco. Two Richland Rod and Gun Club members, Lyle Gilk of Richland and his son Barry of Benton City, field dressed the carcass and will deliver it to the mission.
"They pretty much have a vegetarian diet over there. They're always glad to get some meat," Lyle Gilk said.
He said moose in the Mid-Columbia is uncommon but not unheard of.
"Every once in a while, one wanders this way," he said. Gilk said he saw one last year, and two calves were hit by cars last fall in College Place.
-- Loretto J. Hulse: 509-582-1513; lhulse@tricityherald.com
Family Fishing Pond Article
Tri-cities Herald - June 7, 2012
Tri-Cities Herald - March 13, 2013
Makai Hirschman, far left, takes his turn Tuesday pressing the release on an air-powered nailer held by Dale Schielke, a member of the Richland Rod and Gun Club, during a wood duck nesting box building project at Carmichael Middle School in Richland. The hands-on activity was taking place in science teacher Jared Farley's classroom. Hirschman's seventh-grade classmates Spencer Brown, Daniel Nelson and Kelton Buechler, from left, wait their turn with the power tool.
Conservation Award
The Washington Association of Conservation Districts at their annual meeting presented Dale Schielke of the Richland Rod and Gun Club their 2014 Special Recognition award for their Wood Duck Nesting Box Program. The plaque reads “In recognition for their tireless work in building, installing and maintaining Wood Duck nesting boxes in Benton County, Washington.” The Richland Rod and Gun Club currently maintains over 400 nesting boxes in the Tri-City area in the program that was started in 1983. The education and involvement of youth has been a major focus in the program. Recent purchase and use of on-line streaming video cameras allows viewing of nesting wood ducks in selected boxes.
A History of Hunter Education in the
Richland Rod and Gun Club
Compiled by Howard Gardner with assistance by Don Board
January 2018
Based on concern over the number of hunting accidents in Washington State a law was passed in 1957 that required an individual 17 years of age and younger to pass a Firearm Safety Class to obtain a hunting license. The law became effective on July 1, 1957 and was administered by the Washington Game Department. The details of the instruction were based on a Firearm Safety training program developed by the National Rifle Association in 1949. All training materials were provided by the Washington Game Department. The class was four hours in length with complete emphasis on Firearm Safety training.
Howard Gardner was president of the Richland Rod and Gun Club in 1957 and put out a request to Club members asking for volunteers to teach a Firearm Safety class. He also publicized that his home phone number could be used for students to sign up for the class. It must be acknowledged that the burden of taking down names and phone numbers from prospective students fell to a large degree upon Howard's wife Dorothy, who was a willing partner.
Howard contacted the Richland school administration to request use of classrooms for the training at no cost to the club. The administration was very agreeable to this arrangement which lasted until 1982. When an instructor was available to teach, Howard would call the schools and arrange for a room. Each instructor would identify the number of students they wanted in a class and he would obtain training materials from the state and deliver them plus the students names, phone numbers, school location and classroom number to the instructor. For demonstration purposes the instructors used their own firearms. Live firing was not required but some instructors would take the students out on a weekend day for some live firing. The students that pass the examination and class were given a small card including their name and number and it could be used to purchase a hunting license.
In the fall of 1957, 13 instructors in combination with the Sacajawea Rifle and Pistol Club taught 596 students the Firearm Safety Course. To get certified, Club members took a written exam, sent it to Game Dept. officials and waited for the certification. This was a great start to a long term activity. Using this procedure until 1983 and not counting the 1957 (596) total, Club instructors taught an average of 13 classes per year classes a year resulting in an average of 165 trained students per year.
In Oct. 1983 and 1984 the Club co-sponsored an answering service with the Game Department's service and gives his name, age, phone number and address. Once a week, the names are collected and classes are scheduled when instructors are available.
In 1970 the number of hours required for training increased to six hours in 1970, then to eight hours in 1982 and 10 hours in 1985. In addition to Firearms Safety training, sessions were included on archery/bow hunting, muzzleloading, survival, basic first aid, wildlife conservation, sportsmanship, animal identification, hunting techniques, and know your compass. With the addition of this information, in 1978 the class name was changed from Firearm Safety to Hunter Education. Because of the large demand, the Club co-sponsored Firearm Safety/Hunter Education classes with the U.S. Army Reserve in Pasco. They taught 13 one day classes in 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985 and 1993 which resulted in 2125 trained students.
Starting in 1982, Clare Cranston, one of the Club instructors, determined that a room in the basement of Phil's Sporting-Goods in Pasco was available for use in teaching Hunter Education. In addition, Phil was willing to take names and phone numbers of prospective students. Consequently until 1992, when Phil's became the Club's center for teaching, Club instructors worked in parallel with Phil's, teaching both at Phil's and various Richland venues to provide the training as needed. Many of the classes taught at Phil's had range days with live firing including archery. Clare solicited donations of firearms usable or not for classroom use. In 1993, the Department of Wildlife established a local Hunter Education phone line for scheduling classes.
In 1995, Phil decided to expand his store and the room was no longer available. Clare found a room suitable for teaching in the Port of Pasco's Warehouse No. 5. Phil agreed to pay the rent and continue to take names of prospective students. To give the students some live firing practice Clare purchased several break action pellet rifles and set up a firing line with backstops in the warehouse. Archery Education was also taught. Classes were taught there until Dec.2001 when the warehouse operators need the space for other purposes.
Again Clare rose to the occasion and in conversations with Grigg's Department Store determined that there was excess storage space that could be dedicated for Hunter Education class use. Griggs agreed to take the student registration information by phone. Over the years many training aids for Hunter Education have been acquired increasing its suitability for training. It is also used for other wildlife related activities.
Since the room at Grigg's became operational in 1996, and through 2009 Clare and his teaching team taught an average of 7 classes a year, some times as many as 13 in a year. The classes averaged upwards of 20 students in size. Each class was six, three hour sessions, 3-9 PM over a two week period with, although not required by the state, a Range day on Saturday included live firing and a simulated pheasant hunt in field course. The Tri-Cities Metallic Silhouette Club Range was used for the live firing and field course.
Since 1982, it was apparent that an important part of the success of the Richland Rod and Gun Club in teaching Hunter education has been the dedication of Clare Cranston. He was the Chief among Chief Instructors, generally attending each class, keeping records and ordering supplies in addition to embellishing the room with training aids.
In 2002 Howard Gardner, along with nine other instructors in the state, received a 45 year Award for service as a Hunter Education Instructor.
As an incentive to students to do well in a Hunter Education class, Clare organized a pheasant hunt for live birds. The first one was at Dave Ochoa's Mesa Flats Hunting Preserve on March 30, 2002. The hunt was preceded by shooting a round of trap at the Connell Gun Club. Twenty students that scored high on the class exam attended and they harvested 13 pheasants, A great lunch was served, it was an enjoyable and successful hunt. The many instructors and volunteers that participated made the event a success. At the end is a list of the pheasant hunts to date; all were well supported and had a terrific lunch prepared by Pam Piovesan. In addition, Ringold Pheasants Forever not only provided volunteers but financial support and at times the live pheasants:
Other Donations:
2001-Ken Burgard gave $4030.00 for use of Connell Gun club trap range.
2004-Dave Praino gave $1000.00 to the Hunter Education program.
2004-Connell Oil Co. gave $500.00 for use in the youth pheasant
Paradigm (online) classes taught by Don Board on April 4, June 6, August 1, Sept. 5, Nov.7, 2009; April 3, June 5, Sept. 4, Nov. 6, 2010; April 2, June 4, Aug. 6, Sept. 3, 2011; April 7. The prospective student, 16 or older, must sign up online and complete a study course at home followed by passing a 75 question knowledge test. Then the student must attend and pass a Field Skills Evaluation Course.
Unfortunately in 2010 there was a dark period in the Club's relationship with the Hunter Education division of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. In the March class, during an exercise in firearms handling, two parents complained about the treatment their students received during this exercise. They each submitted written complaints to the Chief of Hunter Education. Instead of contacting the Chief Instructor Howard Gardner to find out what had happened, the Chief initiated an investigation in May 2010 which was never completed.
The teaching team was surprised by a letter from the Olympia office dated June 3, 2010, that listed three requirements to be completed or their Hunter Education certification would be terminated. Based upon our recollection of the classroom events referred to, the requirements were invalid. Consequently no compliance activity was started. Clare Cranston was decertified immediately. A second instructor, Howard Gardner was decertified later and then recertified by the Director of the WDFW.
In retrospect, what had happened was that Clare Cranston, who had taught Hunter Education since 1977 (33 years) without incident was decertified. During these 33 years he had brought Hunter Education teaching from a school classroom activity to a dedicated facility and put together a team of Hunter Education instructors that taught an average of 7 classes a year including live firing. His exemplary 33 year history was ignored. It was one of the most unjust and unfair situations that members of the Richland and Gun Club had ever witnessed. In fact, five of the total group of 14 certified instructors resigned in disgust.
Despite this setback, Chief Instructor Don Board assisted by instructors Don Hartshorn, Dave Myers, Gary Scrivens, Craig Lewis, Bob Margules, Buddy Davis, Steve Gaines and Howard Gardner continued teaching. One of the fallouts of the foregoing situation was a complete revision of the WDFW Hunter education policy manual. For compliance, it greatly increases the time and effort for a Chief Instructor.
In 2013, Club member Ron Ruth was elected to the Board of Trustees. He also became a Certified Hunter Education Instructor and Chief Instructor for the Club's Hunter Education classes. He is doing an outstanding job of complying with the states rules, regulations and paperwork in conducting a minimum of three classes a year for 30 students per class. Each class is 6 days a week for 3 hours and includes a Range day and field course. He is to be complimented.
In March 2017, Howard Gardner was given an award by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for 61 years of teaching Hunter Education from the inception of the program in 1957.
Regarding the success of the program, one measure is that over the years approximately 20,000 students have been taught by Club members without a single student being involved in a hunting accident or incident as they are called now. Another measure can be obtained by review of the total annual hunting accidents in Washington State. Because of the initially relatively small numbers of trained hunters compared to those untrained, it wasn't until the late1980s that the effect of Hunter Education training could be observed to reduce the total annual number of accidents. For example, in 1975-1978 the average total annual number of accidents was 50 with 4-5 fatal. Whereas, in 1987-88 the average total annual number of accidents was 25 with 2 to 6 fatal. Another factor which greatly reduced hunting accidents was implementation in 1991 of the requirement for the wearing of hunter orange in big game and upland bird hunting. In the seven years after the start of hunter orange, the average annual accident rate was a total of 14 with 1 fatal. Since 2012, the average annual accident rate was 5 with 1 fatal.
In summary, the average annual hunting accident rate has been reduced from 50 to 5, a very significant reduction. It justifies the feeling of Hunter Education instructors that from the inception, they were: "DOING THE RIGHT THING". Accordingly, over the years, it was the willingness of Club members to step forward and become instructors for the Hunter Education classes that achieved the huge reduction in firearms related hunting incidents.
The following is a listing of Club members that have been certified to instruct in classes sponsored by the Richland Rod and Gun Club over the last 61 years (at time of writing):
Bret Akers, T. K. Andrews, John Armstrong, Richard Badda, Steve Bauman, Ernie Berreth, Eric Biebesheimer, David Blacketer, Barry Blaine, Jim Blodgett, Don Board, Nick Boyd, Bill Bryson, Ben Burdett, Galen Buck, Howard Chitty, Jim Choate Sr, Jim Choate, Chuck Conrad, Donald Coonfield, Larry Couch, Ed Coyne, Clare Cranston, Red Crass, Roy Davenport, Carl David, Buddy Davis, Mark Davis, Max Dixon, Donald Edwards, Ray Eisele, Dean Engle, Mike Estes, Barney Flora, Frank Flynn, Teresa Frase, Anita Gahimer, Steve Gaines, Howard Gardner, Howard Gerards, Ken Hammill, Don Hartshorn, Leroy Harvel, Joe Haverkemp, Harold Heacock, Joe Heath, , Carl Higby, Casey Hill, Dwayne Hughes, David Hurley, Bob Irwin, Bob Jones, Max Jones, Mike June, Emil Kovacevich, Albert Kruger, Lou LaDoucer ,Harry Lee, Craig Lewis, Don Lyman, Bob Margulies, Roy McBeth, Barry McEachen, Jim Millbauer, Dave Myers, Lafe Myers, David Oakley, Jim Patten, Jim Phillips, Max Pospical, Dusty Powers, Mike Robbins, Steve Roblyer, Ron Ruth, George Salzano, Gary Scrivens, Jim Shearer, Bruce Smith, Duane Sobotka, Jim and Carl Stull, Carl Sursaw, John Templar, Walt Thomas, Jerry Thompson, Russ Thorson, Ray Vollert, Joe Walker, Mike Weeks, Carl Wheeler, Larry Wilson, and Ken Wise.
In addition, for many of the class activities, Registered Volunteers are needed and are listed in the following:
Gary Ahzinger, Mark Almquist, Tony Anca, Randy Atkins, Cozette Baker, Gaylord Baker, Phillip Bartkus, Mike Bass, Don Benson, Tina Bernsen, Bob Birney, Chuck Bolland, Mike Bucker, Ken Burgard, Ed Bush, Sean Carr, Al Casebere, Chris Cerna, Derrick Charlton, Collette Chase, Bill Cherwin, Clare Cranston, Clint Cole, Angie and Rick Conant, Tom Davis, Lee Dean, Doug Eggebraken, Mike Eisele, Bryce Ellison, Blane Elvbaken, Robert Escalero, Dan Evans, Don Evanson, Phillip Fry, Wayne Gardner, Lyle Gilk, Don Grenseman, Kirby Hammond, Larry Harbor, Kelly Hector, Jack Henderson, George Hedlick, Ben Holten, Henry Howard, Ned Hutchens, Tim J. Irvin, Barry Jackson, Bob Johnson, Craig Johnson, Mark Kimmel, Jason Kimmel, David Kirby, Paul Kisson, Bob Koch, Bob Kolowith, Bud Jameson, Curt & Doug Lacey, Dean Lee, Richard Libby, Bob Loffler, Scott Loparco, Lee Magouirk, Mike Mahaffee, Larry Martin, Richard Mason, Barry & Hugh McEachen, Robert Moon, Bill Moulds, S Dave Neff, Ted Nichols, John O'Leary, Mike O'Neill, Joe Pauly, Mike Peterson, John Pfeiffer, Jack Pickard, Dave and Pam Piovesan, Andrew Powers, Eric Powers, John Prather, Gaylord Pyle, Jose J. Ramos, Jeff Rampon, Carri Redding, Jim Reynolds, Robert & Joshua Romine, Joe Russel, Tom Thompson, Larry Salsberry, Dale Schielke, Paul Seuberlich, Elmer Schuman, Frank Scopa, Craig Seal, Dennis Spore, Marilyn Steele, Lloyd Stone, Gary Swank, Tyra Thomas, Ray Vollert, Everett Weakley, Todd & Duane Woolum, Steve Wray, Tony Umek, Gene Van Liew, Leroy Watson, Michael K Wetzler, Mike Wise, Tom & Cory Woodrich and Gerry Zeitler.
Pheasant Hunt Date:
Feb. 11, 2003-11 students, Ochoa's Mesa Flats, Connell Gun Club
March 15, 2003-11 students. Limits Game Farm, Connell Gun Club
Sept. 21, 2003-15 students, Limits Game Farm, Connell Gun Club
March 20, 2004-12 students, Limits Game Farm, Connell Gun Club
April 10, 2004-12 students, Limits Game Farm, Connell Gun Club
Sept. 18, 2004-31 students, Limits Game Farm and clay pigeons
Oct. 23, 2004-About 10 students, Limits Game Farm and clay pigeons
March 12, 2005-13 students, Limits Game Farm and clay pigeons
April 16, 2005-16 students, Limits Game Farm and clay pigeons
Sept. 17, 2005-19 students, Limits Game Farm and clay pigeons
March 18, 2006-12 students, Limits Game Farm and clay pigeons
Sept. 23, 2006-15students, Limits Game Farm and clay pigeons
Sept 22, 2007-29 students, Limits Game Farm and clay pigeons
March 15, 2008-16 students, Limits Game Farm and clay pigeons
Sept. 20, 2008-33 students, Limits Game Farm, Connell Gun Club
March 21, 2009-15 students, Limits Game Farm, Connell Gun Club
Sept.19, 2009-13 students, Limits Game Farm, Connell Gun Club
March 20, 2010-24 students, Limits Game Farm, Connell Gun Club
Oct. 2, 2010-17-students, Limits Game Farm, Connell Gun Club
Sept. 22, 2012-10 students, Limits Game Farm, Connell Gun Club
Sept. 27, 2014- 10 students, Limits Game Farm, Connell Gun Club
March 4, 2017-25 students, Limits Game Farm, Connell Gun Club
Special thanks to Russ Wyer for editing and formatting this document.
2016 Award
Dale Schielke was selected by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife as the "Volunteer of the Year" for his volunteer work that has benefitted wildlife and habitat. He is best known for the Wood Duck Nesting Boxes program that he initiated. The Nesting Boxes are also used by kestrel hawks and screech owls as well as the wood ducks. Dale has provided numerous years and countless hours of volunteer efforts and it is fitting that Dale has been recognized statewide. Dale is a great representative of the Richland Rod and Gun Club. Our congratulations to Dale and a very special thanks to his wife LuAnn for her obvious support of Dale's many hours provided to our community for which we have all benefitted.