Nebraska Gamebird & Hunting Association
2006 Annual Meeting Minutes

April 7, 2006, at 1:04 the annual meeting of the Nebraska Gamebird & Hunting Association was called to order with 26 present. Introductions were made with Jeff Hoffman, Ruth Wusk, and Laurie Hookam from the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission being present, as well as Dr. Del Wilmot, Deputy State Veterinarian.
2005 minutes were read and Dee Snow made a motion to approve as read, Mitch Race seconded. Vote; passed.

Treasurer’s report was read: $3647.98 in the checkbook, $3232.07 in CDs.7771.03 total to include dues received at meeting.

Election of officers: the only office up for election is the Sec/Treas. Dee Snow nominated Mike Cammack. Mike accepted nomination. Vote; passed.

Kim Snow discussed the tax issue. Kim has visited with an attorney, Nick Nieman, and lobbyist, Natalie Peetz. They suggest setting up a meeting with the Governor and having him contact the Nebraska Department of Revenue. Their cost would be $9500.00. It was suggested that Kim get a legal offer in writing from the attorney and lobbyist for the NGHA enclosing exactly what we get for the $9500.00.

Jeff Hoffman from the NG&P stated they are neutral on this issue. Kim talked to Tom Osborne and Govenor Heineman and they are both in favor. NAGA wants Nebraska to move forward on this issue, and then they will act on it. Motion made by Jay Longacre to continue with the tax issue, seconded by John McElroy. Vote; passed. Jay Longacre in charge of committee for legislation/statute changes.

Jeff Hoffman, NG&P, discussed the changes in CSA regs: list of birds that can be released on CSAs, we can hunt through April 1st, pigeons cannot be used for the 500 bird limit, chukars and huns are allowed on CSAs, new reporting date of April 30th, turkey hunting on CSAs is not allowed except the 6-day time span during archery season. A turkey is an upland bird. Jay Longacre asked then why do we have to purchase a special turkey permit instead of using our regular license? The question was unanswered. A paper band instead of the metal bands was proposed by NG&P for CSA bird identification. Colors can be used to designate CSA, dog training, etc. Vote; passed. Everyone thought this was a great idea! It was suggested that CSA owners shred all old CSA hunter permits to protect identity.
Captive Wildlife Permits were discussed. Jeff Hoffman stated that when someone purchases birds from a raiser and the raiser releases them on the purchaser’s property, the purchaser must have a Captive Wildlife Permit even though they never have any physical possession of the birds. Kim disagreed and asked for clarification.
Jeff Hoffman also mentioned the Sportsman’s Council ––they get groups together such as dog clubs, shooting clubs, etc. to promote hunting.
Dr. Del Wilmot, Deputy State Veterinarian, gave an Avian Bird Flu presentation. Very interesting.

Mike Roth, from the Nebraska Guide Association, volunteered to help our cause by email, contacts, wherever.

Pheasant Fest in Des Moines, Ia. January 19-21, 2007. Vote; passed; use grant money for all or part of PF costs. Mike Roth, Mike Cammack, Larry Koelling, and Ben Murray to set up committee to get booth for PF 2007.
Mike Roth spoke about the Advantage Marketing Grant through the Department of Tourism. They are due October 1st; market grants are due January 15th. These grants match dollar for dollar when used for events or shows, web sites, brochures, trade shows.
Twila Witt is the contact person for this grant. Ben Murray made a motion to pursue this and apply for the Advanced Marketing Grant, Jay Longacre seconded. Vote; passed.
Suggested ideas for fundraisers: Ben Murray, Pheasant Bonanza, volunteered their place for sporting clays. Suggestions for meeting topics: marketing is the main concern. Jay Longacre made a motion to have a summer event, Marvin Hanson seconded. Vote; passed.
Insurance: Gillingham (Denver, CO) insures dogs, birds, birds in pens. Contact is Glen Sudel or Dennis Stowers.
They were suggested as possible speakers for a meeting. Allan Wagner, NAGA, could also be a speaker.
Mike Roth, Nebraska Outfitters and Guides Ass’’n, suggested a coalition between NGHA and them, to accomplish more objectives.
Discussion on regulations on trapping raptors. LB859.

Larry Koelling made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:33, Mitch Race seconded.

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Cammack, Sec./Treas

Nebraska Gamebird and Hunting Association
2005 Annual Meeting Minutes

Meeting was called to order on April 7, 2005 at the Howard Johnson Inn, Grand Island, Nebraska. Thirty people were in attendance. The Wildlife Division Chief, Jim Douglas and assistant Wildlife Division, Jeff Hoffman were also in attendance.

Old Business:
Discussion on results of K-D Hunting Acres sales tax audit was made. Kim Snow explained their situation with the sales audit and how he can out. There are two states now that claim birds as tax exempt. Nebraska would also like to establish gamebirds as a agricultural enterprise to claim tax exempt. Right now gamebirds have consumers use tax and sales tax now.

New Business:
A motion was made by Marv Hanson to organize a Task Force with the help of an Attorney for sales tax issues. Doyle Wineland seconded the motion. Kim Snow and Larry Koelling agreed to be committee members. Suggestions to help the task force were to encourage members to write to their state senators and congressman. Letters may be sent to Jim Douglas and/or Rex Amack late this summer.
Kim Snow asked for financial support on this topic to help pay for lobbyist etc.
Discussion was held on fundraisers including sending out a mass mailing for NGHA meetings. Jim Swanson made a motion to raise membership dues $150. Marv Hansen amended the motion to raise dues to $100 instead of $150. Doyle Wineland seconded the motion. Motion passed. Kim is to write a letter to those who have already paid 2005 dues.

Review of new CSA regulations with Nebraska Game and Parks personnel were gone over. There was discussion on the length of the CSA season and on the need to make it longer. There was discussion on dog training regulations.

Jim Douglas discussed with the group some issues on land leases and release requirements for birds.

Several members attended the Pheasant Fest in Omaha, Nebraska. They shared their comments and some insight from their experience from the show. They discussed some of the benefits and contacts they made.

Discussion and comments were made on the Raptor problem.

Election of Officers was held. Johnny Hemelstrand nominated Kim Snow for president. Mike Cammack seconded. The motion passed, Kim accepted and is now our new president. Johnny Hemelstrand nominated Larry Koelling for Vice President, Jim Swanson seconded. Motion passed. Mary Hughes was nominated for secretary/treasurer by Robyn Koelling and seconded by Johnny Hemelstrand. Motion passed.

Further discussion was made on the NGHA website. Elite Web Concepts (Jenie Maloney) is the present provider. The site needs work. Another website provider is Dakota Web Concepts, (Tony Nichols) 605-360-4512. He does Prairie Sands Hunting site. KSHA (Kansas) Gamebirds Central has bird locator. Jay Longacres works with web pages and will be in contact with Kim. Discussion was also held on getting a list of CSA on web search engines.

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:58 P.M.

Mary B Hughes
Secretary/Treasurer

Nebraska Gamebird and Hunting Association
2004 Annual Meeting Minutes

President Johnny Hemelstrand called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m. on April 2, 2004.
Introductions were made. Minutes were read and approved. Treasurer’s report showed a balance of $638.03 in the checkbook and 3 CD’s totaling $3,100.45.

Old Business: Discussion was held on web page. It was explained to new members present that with their paid dues they will be added to the NebraskaGamebird.com web page. Dues will remain the same as the past years at $50 for all members.

New business.
Discussion was held on the renewal of the 3 CD at Union Bank in Taylor, NE at maturity. Motion by Johnny Hemelstrand and seconded by Mitch Race to renew CD as they mature. Motion passed.
Kim Snow read a letter he received from USDA Fish and Wildlife Service about the owl survey and results. Discussion was held on this topic. It was decided that Marv Hanson, Johnny Hemelstrand, Kim Snow and Larry Koelling will form a Task Force Commission to address this issue and find out how other organizations feel, and possibly find a common goal. The Task Force will coordinate and set up an agenda, meeting time and place.

Discussion was held on the Pheasant Fest to be held in Omaha at the Qwest Center January 14-16, 2005. Discussion was held. It was decided to have Kim Snow check on a 10’X10’ booth for the event. The price for the booth is $600. We got a 10% discount because we are a non-profit group. It was decided that those who have a paid membership with NGHA would have their names and information included on a brochure specially printed for the Pheasant Fest. Suggestions for the brochure: a map with number identification; website and business name; legal sized-paper, 4-fold, to be brochure size.

Ruth Wusk, Nebraska Game and Parks was again on hand to answer any questions from the group. This was her 5th year of joining us at our annual meeting. Some of the questions asked concerned turkeys, CSA protocol and new regulations; captive wildlife permit time frame; Dog training; custody tags and taxidermy birds. She also had supplies on hand for purchase, e.i. Bands, receipts, etc. After a Q&A session, Ruth again agreed to attend our 2005 annual meeting, if possible.

Bob Bettger, Agricultural Field Representative for Congressman Tom Osborne was again on hand to speak to the group. He talked with the group about projects Congressman Osborne is working on; Sherman Lake; Pheasant Fest at the Qwest Center in Omaha; Mentor hunts; and to promote hunting in general. We hope that both Ruth and Bob will be able to join us again next year for our meeting.

Discussion was held on hunting and tourism possibilities. Motion by Johnny Hemelstrand and second by Larry Koelling to have Kim Snow contact Suzanne Brown of the Ag Promotion Board about hunting and tourism possibilities and help with the issue of insurance liability.

Election of officers was held. President Johnny Hemelstrand and Secretary/Treasurer Mary B. Hughes agreed to keep their offices for another term. The Vice President office was up for election. Motions from the floor nominated Kim Snow for Vice President. There being no further nominations, election was held and Kim Snow was elected to the office of Vice President.

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:35 p.m.
Mary B. Hughes
Secretary/Treasurer

Nebraska Gamebird and Hunting Association
2002 Annual Meeting Minutes

President Johnny Hemelstrand called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m.

Introductions were made. Minutes were read and approved from April 2002. Treasurer’s report showed a balance of $480.90 in the checkbook and 3 CD’s totaling $3,077.54.

Old Business: Discussion was held on the newsletter. No action taken.

New business discussed Web page and web page hosting. Mary Hughes and Mitch Race visited with the owners of Elite Web Concepts in Wood River about the cost involved in updating NGHA web page. Information was presented to the group. A web page for new members with their paid dues was discussed. Motion by Kim Snow and seconded by John McElroy to hire Elite Web Concepts of Wood River to update and maintain our web page. Motion passed. They will charge approximately $30 per page.

Discussion was held on the renewal of the 3 CD at Union Bank in Taylor, NE at maturity. Motion by Johnny Hemelstrand and seconded by Mitch Race to renew CD as they mature. Motion passed.

Dee Snow drafted a letter stating NGHA’s accomplishments since their inception April 6, 1994, and their goals as an organization. This letter will be included with the web page.

Motion by Kim Snow, seconded by Johnny Hemelstrand to offer Marv Hanson a complimentary membership for 2003. Motion passed.

Motion by Kim Snow, seconded by Larry Koelling NOT to have a raffle this year. Motion passed.

Discussion was held on the Ag Promotion Board’s “Sporting Nebraska’ booklet and the idea of trying to get this booklet out at Tourism booths. Motion by Kim Snow, seconded by Betty Swanson to put Larry Koelling in charge of a cooperative effort to get this publication to the Tourism Booths. Motion passed.

Ruth Wusk, Nebraska Game and Parks was again on hand to answer any questions from the group. This was her 4th year of joining us at our annual meeting. She also had supplies on hand for purchase, e.i. Bands, receipts, etc. After a Q&A session, Ruth again agreed to attend our 2004 annual meeting, if possible.

After a short break, our speakers were bird producer Marv Hanson; Ron Fryda and Scot Rosendahl of the USDA Wildlife Services talking about the raptor problems. After some discussion, it was decided to have all those willing, participate in a survey showing the extent of damage incurred by bird producers and CSA’s. Kim and Dee Snow volunteered to write a letter to accompany a survey to better explain the purpose. Please take time to fill out the survey and return it to Mary Hughes. The final totals will be forwarded to Ron Fryda and presented to the USDA for consideration along with a letter of support for owl relocation program in hopes to increase the number each state is able to relocate and to destroy. At the present time, that number is 25.

Our last speaker was Bob Bettger, Agricultural Field Representative for Congressman Tom Osborne. He attended in hopes to gain some information for Congressman Osborne about the hunting aspect of our agricultural area.

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.

Mary B. Hughes
Secretary/Treasurer