ON-LINE NEWSLETTER

Welcome to the Hopewell Fish and Game Association's current newsletter. Thank you to all of the club contributors for supplying the content for the digital editions.

Please remember, for a full list of calendar events, please visit our calendar page by clicking here.

If you would like to join our e-mailing list, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page or send an email to: webmaster@hopewellfishandgame.com.
 

NEW 3D ARCHERY EVENT DATES for 2021!
NOW 2 events per month and ALL NEW TARGETS
Sun. Feb. 14, 7am-1pm
Sun. Feb. 28, 7am-1pm
Sun. Mar. 14, 7am-1pm
Sun. Mar. 28, 7am-1pm
Sun. Apr. 11, 7am-1pm 3D
Sun. Apr. 25, 7am-1pm 3D
Sat. May 8 - Veteran Shoot (Must pre-register. More details will be coming soon!)
Sun. May 16, 7am-1pm 3D
Sun. May 30, 7am-1pm 3D
Sat. Jun. 12, 8:30 am-12:30-pm Youth Archery
Sun. Jun. 13, 7am-1pm 3D
Sun. Jun. 27, 7am-1pm 3D
Sun. Jul. 11, 7am-1pm 3D
Sun. Jul. 18, 7am-1pm 3D
Sun. Aug. 8, 7am-1pm 3D
Sun. Aug. 29, 7am-1pm 3D
Sat. Sep. 25, 3pm-8pm 3D BOWHUNTER WEEKEND
Sun. Sep. 26, 7am-1pm 3D BOWHUNTER WEEKEND

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NEW HAPPY 2021!
Lots of site updates and event announcements happening daily here at the club. Please see the club calendar for ALL of the 2021 events planned so far!

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NEW 2021 Youth Program Dates (just announced)
April 3, 2021 – Youth Trout Fishing Area (12 and under only)
for the first 30 days of trout season.

April 24, 2021
Youth 22 Clinic and Competition – 10:30am to 1pm

May 8th, 2021
Youth Shotgun Clinic - 9am to 12pm

May 16, 2021
Youth Fishing Education Clinic - 1pm to 4pm

May 22, 2021
Youth 22 Clinic and Competition – 10:30am to 1pm

May 29, 2021
York Area Sportsmen for Youth - Youth Day
 

June 12th, 2021
Youth Archery Day – 8:30am to 12:30pm

June 19th, 2021
Aquatic Insect / Nature Class - 9am to Noon

June 26th, 2021
Insects / Nature Class - 9am to Noon
 

June 26th, 2021
Youth 22 Clinic and Competition – 10:30am to 1pm
 

July 24th, 2021
Youth 22 Clinic and Competition – 10:30am to 1pm
 

August 21, 2021
Youth 22 Clinic and Competition – 10:30am to 1pm
 

September 11, 2021
YOUTH FIELD DAY – 8am to 5pm
 

September 18, 2021
Youth 22 Clinic and Competition – 10:30am to 1pm

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President's Message 9/3/2020
A Hunters Pledge
Responsible hunting provides unique challenges and rewards. However, the future of the sport depends on each hunter's behavior and ethics. Therefore, as a hunter, we pledge to . . .
Respect the environment and wildlife.
Respect property and landowners.
Show consideration for nonhunters.
Hunt safely.
Know and obey the law.
Support wildlife and habitat conservation.
Pass on an ethical hunting tradition.
Strive to improve my outdoor skills and understanding of wildlife.
Hunt only with ethical hunters.
By following these principles of conduct each time I go afield, we will give our best to the sport, the public, the environment and ourselves. The responsibility to hunt ethically is ours; the future of hunting depends on us.

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2020 HOPEWELL YOUTH PROGRAM SERIES DATES

May 30, 2020
Youth 22 Clinic and Competition – 10:30am to 1pm
Open to Public
 

June 13th, 2020
Youth Archery Day – 8:30am to 12:30pm
Registration FULL
 

June 21, 2020
Youth Fishing Day – 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Registration Full
 

June 26th, 2020
H.A.R.P. Youth Fishing Clinic – 8:30am to 12pm
Cancelled
 

June 27th, 2020
Youth 22 Clinic and Competition – 10:30am to 1pm
Open to Public
 

July 18th, 2020
Youth 22 Clinic and Competition – 10:30am to 1pm
Open to Public
 

August 22, 2020
Youth 22 Clinic and Competition – 10:30am to 1pm
Open to Public
 

September 12, 2020
YOUTH FIELD DAY – 8am to 5pm
Registration FULL
 

September 19, 2020
Youth 22 Clinic and Competition – 10:30am to 1pm
Open to Public
 

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Backyard Foraging with Dave the Forager
May 2020
 

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Youth .22 Rifle Clinics and Competition
by Justin Hall
Hopewell Fish and Game 22 Committee

Therefore, adults can shoot early and then have the opportunity to stick around and help the younger shooters.  We feel this format will help to provide the competitive nature that may come with the adult shoot and then allow for an educational environment in the youth class.
 

The Youth Class will be open to youth ages 8 to 17.  Each youth will shoot the same targets shot in the adult class but at 25 yards as opposed to the 50-yard range shot in the adult class.  Hopewell Fish and Game has been looking for new ways to get youth interested in fishing and shooting activities and feel this is another great example.  Adult assistance is encouraged during the youth shoot as we feel this is a great opportunity for young shooters to learn the basics of shooting and safety measures from the more experienced adult shooters.  In addition, Hopewell Fish and Game will have volunteers to help with the shoots who will monitor the safety of the shooters and provide any additional assistance needed by the young shooters.  
 

22 Shoots are a great way for young shooters to practice and gain the necessary gun skills to use when hunting and shooting with friends.  The shoots at Hopewell have conveniently been scheduled from May to September ending just in time for the fall hunting seasons.  The first shoot will be on Saturday, May 30th.  The adult class sign-ins will start at 7:30am while the sign-ins for the youth class will start at 10am.  We ask that you visit the Hopewell Fish and Game website and pre-register so we can get an idea of how many shooters will be at each event.
 

Please visit www.hopewellfishandgame.com/22  for details.

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Archery anyone?
by Michael S. Males
May 2020

Is your son or daughter or grandchild ready to try archery?
(Archery  equipment should be defined as implements that are held by hand, drawn by hand and released by the motion of the hand in the presence of game or target)
 

Focus and Self Discipline
The very heart of archery is learning a step-by-step method for drawing a bow and shooting an arrow. Even the youngest archers quickly learn that by slowing down and focusing on one step at a time, they are more successful at putting arrows in the middle of the target.
 

When archers make mistakes, they are taught that the solution is to analyze their steps and focus on improving one thing at a time. This is a great recipe for success on the archery field, in the classroom, and in life.
 

Teaches Goal Setting
Archery provides a great goal-setting environment. Archers can adapt their goals as they improve by increasing distances and focusing on smaller target rings. Whether students are first-timers or Olympic-hopefuls, archery fits their growing needs.
 

Builds Confidence and Self-Awareness
Whether your “target” is improving your health, physique, sociability or focus, archery can help you hit the bull’s-eye and be a more confident you, in and out of the classroom.

Hopewell Fish and Game Association offers many  archery clinics for Youth and Adult beginners. Additionally, any person 15 years of age or younger is invited to shoot ANY of Hopewell’s 3D archery shoots absolutely FREE. This also includes ALL FIRST RESPONDERS and MILITARY VETS of ANY AGE!
 

For information, please contact Hopewell Archery Committee Chairman Jarvis Green at 717-793-1422
 

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Take a Kid Fishing - Published 3/9/2020

It teaches them the concept of catch-and-release or only taking home what you will eat to help them understand the importance of ensuring healthy fish populations for the future. It also encourages them to take time away from electronic devices and learn how to detect even subtle nuances in our ecosystems to become successful anglers. If you're looking for healthy activities for kids that encourage a love of nature, find a local stream or pond and take them fishing!
 

Don’t know how to fish? Fishing may seem complicated to first-time anglers, but that doesn’t have to be the case. With just a little bit of fishing gear, a fishing license, and some basic knot tying ability and bait selection, you’ll be able to get on the water and try your hand at catching some fish by the weekend! Before you head out, make sure you have a current fishing license for the state you’ll be fishing in. Licenses are sold on-line (www.gonefishingpa.com) or at bait and tackle shops and even at the local convenience store.
 

Don’t know where to fish? Starting April 4th, Trout Season opens here in the Southern end Pennsylvania. Local streams are stocked FULL of beautiful Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout, Brook Trout and Brown Trout. (for York County Trout Stocking schedules, please go to https://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx) Hopewell Fish and Game Association even has a Designated Exclusive Use Area for kids 15 and under ONLY just off of Route 851 East of Stewartstown restricted  to ages 15 and under. The special regulations area is stocked full of fish for the first 30 days of the season. (For more information and driving directions to this area, please go to HopewellFishandGame.com/troutcoop)
 

Fishing brings families and friends together to have fun, learn, and spend quality time outdoors together. If you take your kids fishing when they are young, those memories will stay with them forever.

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Depending on how and where each station is set up, sporting clays might fly directly in front of you from left to right, or bounce and skitter across the ground. A single round consists of 50 shots. At each station, shooters get two attempts to hit two clays released simultaneously or one right after the other — meaning you often have to hit one target in the air and then immediately turn to blast another on the ground before both disappear into the woods. Scorecards and wooden pencils are provided.

According to the National Sporting Clays Association, Sporting Clays is the fastest growing shooting sport in the United States, available at thousands of clubs, private courses and resorts nationwide. You can also find it at Hopewell Fish and Game Association in Stewartstown, Pennsylvania. Cary Walsh, Hopewell’s Committee Chairman for Sporting Clays attributes the growth of the sport in America to its family-friendly nature.
You don't need to go out and buy the top-end expensive shotguns. You can use your current hunting equipment until you get better and decide if you want to go further, and nobody will ever criticize you for that approach. This is first and foremost about fun.
Never shot before? No problem. Plenty of Hopewell Fish and Game’s guests have never shot a gun, but they're curious and they try it. The good thing about that is that they see, maybe for the first time, that guns are not necessarily about violence. The gun becomes another piece of equipment, not a weapon, and that opens their eyes. Look for the leading edge of the target and remember to follow through.

This is not something that involves a lot of brute strength. You can have four generations out shooting together, from the great-grandpa to the great-granddaughter. It's not just dads and sons either. Now you also see the wives, mothers, daughters and girlfriends. The way things are going, with hectic schedules and limited time, the only way any sport will thrive is if the whole family can do it together. Sporting Clays fills that need.

Hopewell Fish and Game has Sporting Clays every Saturday morning (with the exception of the 2nd Saturday of each month)  from 9am to 3pm. The events are open to the public and all skill sets welcome! Not ready for the 50 target walking course? Then perhaps try Trap Shooting on Thursday evenings from 6pm to 9pm.

 

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Triple Bird Shoots for 2020 Announced

Bring your semi's and pumps & Buddy Shoot, 100 Targets (three targets at once)

Cost: $28.00  (Normal 50 target course available $14 )

Sign up is from 8:30am until 1pm. Last squad at 1:30pm - Shooting from 9am to 3pm

The kitchen will be open for Breakfast and Lunch.  For more info, call Cary Walsh at 717-993-6425!

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As you would imagine, harvesting this plant that has a remarkable offense unlike the Ravens, can be somewhat problematic. There are stories about people who harvest it regularly as a source of nutrients that use nothing but their hands to harvest and are immune from the sting somehow. I can assure you that is not me. A couple years ago our good president Mr. Males allowed me to come over and harvest some new spring nettle tops at his home.  Thinking that the young tops would be too immature and tender to give me a problem, I went ahead and harvested with no gloves and only felt a couple stings here and there as I harvested. Relishing in my manliness, I Thought I was good to go....Needless to say the tips of my fingers were numb for about a week afterwards… Don’t do this. The easiest way I’ve found to harvest this delicious plant is with a paper sack, typical surgical gloves, and some scissors.  Unless you hate that pesky “having feeling” in your fingertips ability, go with rubber gloves.

Our climate is such that it freezes and thaws often during the winter months and tricks plants like the stinging nettle or wood nettle to sprout new growth over and over throughout the season during these thaws. This is the prime gathering stuff. You can certainly gather the more tender top half of the plants as they grow into maturity throughout the rest of the year, but the young shoots are the best.  If harvesting older plants, do so before they flower early to mid summer.  

Nettles are one of the very few plants that actually contain protein, kind of like clover.  Very similar to spinach or kale, it holds a wealth of other nutrients that make this wild edible a super food easily. Nettles are also attributed to the survival of many families during the Irish potato famine because of its protein content. I compare the taste of nettles to a less gritty, slightly fuzzy but more flavorful spinach.

The trick to cooking the tender stems and leaves is to boil, steam, or sauté them because the poison emitting stinging hair trichomes are rendered inoperable from high heat. Once that happens you’re left with a harmless delicious super healthy green vegetable.  You can treat nettles just as you would any heavy pot herb like spinach or kale. You can lightly sauté it up with garlic butter chilies and salt and pepper, you can boil it, or you can cut it up and add it to a casserole or similar dish. I recommend sautéing in butter, chilis, garlic, salt and pepper first so you can get the taste of the nettles themselves before hiding them in a larger dish.  Some folks will save the boiling water as a healthy tonic/tea.  The flavor is a bit delicate so over cooking or long cooking can dilute the flavor pretty quickly.

As always, do not use me as your only reference, I am simply a hobbyist that likes to discuss this with you on our wonderful club’s website. It is paramount that you do your own research before ingesting any wild edible we speak about here with numerous sources that are trusted and proven.  That being said I hope that you will give nettles a try as they are certainly worth it, delicious and very healthy and grow in great abundance in our area. Just don’t forget your gloves.

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President's Message
10/30/2019 I know no one that would starve without venison. And yet, time and again you will hear hunters say, “It was just a spike.” or “Since it was the last day I settled for the fork-horn.”

Even trophy hunters make concessions when they cannot connect with the one they want. They may use the excuse of a desire for tenderloin but you know, like they do, wild protein can be had much easier through an antlerless tag and it will taste every bit as good.
 

Many may not actually realize why they settle for a buck that may be under their expectations. It may be the true reason is too “moody” for campfire conversation. But if you’re a deer hunter and you have ever taken a buck you know. You may not understand it and likely you will not be able to explain it but you know because you have felt it. Not when he dropped at the shot or later when you saw the smile on your proud father’s face. And it didn’t happen at the check station when the old-timer by the wood stove said, “That’s a pretty good buck!”
 

It happened the first time, and it will happen every time from now on, when you first kneel down and reach your trembling hand out and touch the buck’s antler. That exact moment can never be repeated. It’s your time and it is the buck’s time. That first touch of antler, no matter how large in size or score, is when you feel his spirit. His wild. That touch, not the shot, is when you make him yours. Your buck. Your antler.
 

Nothing can duplicate it. Not touching the rack of the big eight-point your brother killed on the old home place, not holding the antler of the first buck your son takes or fondling the rack of the world record on display at some hunting exhibition.
 

There beside your buck, with the wild under your feet and all around you, with the sky blue and endless and with the air sharp cold in your nostrils, when you first touch his antler you feel it. It feels good and it doesn’t make a damn if anyone else is watching or not.
 

Hold it tight and hold it as long as you want for when you let go, the buck’s spirit and that moment are gone and a memory is as close as you will ever get. There is no use trying to explain that feeling, it will be different for everyone.
 

That feeling with all the pride, sadness, joy and pain it might bring, is yours. You are not required to share or justify it with anyone, anywhere, ever. You ended the hunt, you ended the deer and you and you alone deserve the gift the antler will give.
 

All antlers hold the same power, from a spike to heavy antlered brute. Never under any circumstance touch the antler of a deer another hunter has taken until he has experienced that moment. That moment, that touch, belongs to the hunter. He has earned it. He deserves and must live with whatever it gives him.
 

Yes we all deer hunt for different reasons. It gives us an escape from work, leaky roofs and broken washing machines. It lets us experience the campfire and the camaraderie of other hunters. We get to feel the bark of the hickory and hear the crackle of the brook and it lets us celebrate and revive the ancestral spirit that is imbedded in our DNA. But when you take a buck and touch his antler for the first time you know why you are a deer hunter. You know why antlers of all shapes and sizes are placed on walls and woodsheds. You know why you stayed on stand in the bitter cold and rain. Bust most of all, you will feel.
 

Some day, hopefully a long ways down the trail, you may be too old and too tired to hit the timber again. As the leaves turn and the winds cool you will remember and you will wish that just once more you could prowl the old pear field, climb the mountain, set the stand and hunt the buck. But more than anything else you will wish you could – just one more time – touch antler.
 

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Tips for Avoiding Accidental Button Buck Harvest
12/6/19

No Solo. Avoid taking lone antlerless deer, especially during the rut or when hunting a food plot. Adult does seldom travel alone, preferring to travel together in social groups with fawns and other does. During the rut, fawns often become separated from their mother temporarily, and veteran hunters know the first deer in the field is almost always a button buck. Judging the size and sex of a single deer is more difficult. Wait until you see several deer together so you can look for obvious size differences. Then harvest one of the larger antlerless deer.

Head or Tails? If you’re still not sure, look at physical characteristics like head and body shape and size. A fawn's forehead and nose will appear much shorter (similar to an 8-ounce soda bottle) in comparison to the adult doe's head (similar to a 16-ounce soda bottle). This distinction is much easier if you have several deer present to compare. Fawns also have short, square bodies, short necks and less muscle development. Adult does have larger, rectangular-shaped bodies, long necks and swaying backs or sagging bellies.

Heads It Is. Now go back to the head and look closely for the pedicles or antler bases. A doe's head is more rounded on top between the ears. A button buck’s will appear more flattened due to by the presence of the pedicles.

Miss Behaving. Behavior can often be a clue, at least to age. Fawns tend to be more careless or care free. They may saunter or even trot into a food source while more cautious and wary adult does stand back and check things out first.

Practice. Don’t wait until the moment of truth when you may have to make a snap judgement. Spend time looking over deer, lots of deer. Study the physical and behavioral characteristics listed above so that when you do have to make a choice you can automatically make the right one.

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2020 Youth Program Dates (just announced)

March 28th, 2020 – Youth Trout Fishing Area (12 and under only)
for the first 30 days of trout season.

April 19th, 2020 - Youth Fishing Clinic
CLICK HERE TO PRE-REGISTER (only 30 spaces total for this event)

April 26th, 2020 - Youth Nature Education Part I
"Aquatic Insects: What They Tell Us About The Health of Our Water."

May 9th, 2020 - Hopewell YOUTH DAY
(Archery, Fishing, Sporting-Clays, 22 Long Rifle, Black Powder, Trout Co-Op)
Registration opens on January 2nd, 2020

May 10th, 2020 - Youth Nature Education Part II
"Insects and Bugs: Do you know the difference?"

June 13th, 2020 - Hunter Education Course

June 13th, 2020 - Youth Archery Clinic
CLICK HERE to Pre-Register (only 30 total spaces available)

September 12th, 2020 - Hunter Education Course
 

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Dave the Forager Talks Autumn
by Dave VanArsdale
10/31/19

These mushrooms can grow to be about the size of a basketball and are usually mistaken for some sort of white man-made object like a ball or some trash. They can usually be found in grassy areas like lawns or orchards, or along the edge of wooded areas. They can also be found growing in “fairy rings”, but so can many other species, including inedible and poisonous ones. Not to worry though, nothing else is so large or pure white inside and out. They must be pure white on inside with no structures, ie a typical umbrella like mushroom outline or shape hiding inside. It should look like a marshmallow when cut in half, no gills whatsoever. If it’s starting to yellow, it’s no good.

Giant puffballs have a very short shelf life and should be eaten immediately after harvesting. These are one of the few wild mushrooms that can also be eaten raw.

Cutting sections off of the growing puffball, without uprooting it is best if possible, as there is sooo much available, it can be hard to use all at once before it becomes bitter.

As with any wild edible, do your research and consult multiple legitimate sources to positively identify before attempting to consume. These are an easy beginner mushroom, but care should still be taken. Start with a little in case of any allergy or negative effect and wait 24 hrs.

Here’s a easy way to use the huge bounty you get from 1 giant puffball, but you should always save some for a quick butter and garlic sauté. feel free to tweak the recipe to your taste. Do your research and Happy Hunting my friends!

Fake Chicken Soup:
3-4 ounces of Giant puffball cubed into 1-1.5 inch pieces.
2.5 quarts chicken broth or more
4 cloves garlic
1 tsp. Thyme
1 tsp Rosemary
1/2 stick salted butter
1 Tbs Salt or to taste.
1 Tbs Pepper
1/4 cup small diced red onion
1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup Pinot Grigio or white wine of your choice

On medium high heat, cook butter and olive oil till it begins to bubble or foam in a stock pot or dutch oven. Add garlic, bay leaf, and red onion. Cook for a minute or two until it becomes fragrant. Add mushrooms, thyme, rosemary, and salt, and stir lightly to coat. Drop heat to medium and lightly brown the mushrooms. This will take a few minutes so be patient and don’t burn em. The salt should help release the moisture and delicious mushroom juices and entire pot contents should reduce substantially. Once the mushroom juices reduce they should start to brown. When lightly browned, add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 15-20 minutes uncovered. Serve with a sprinkle of parsley, some fresh black pepper, some carrot and celery shavings if you want to be fancy, and a drizzle of quality extra virgin olive oil. Enjoy friends!!!"

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President's Message
10/6/2019
 

I mean, if you happen to get killed in a horrible auto accident, would you want the photos at your viewing to be those that the coroner took at the accident scene? No.

No one wants to see the gaping hole your arrow made through the deer, nor do they want to see it laying in the pool of blood where it expired on it's death bed. Not to mention the masses of anti hunters who want nothing more than to find other examples or excuses to use in order to brand us with the term "Bambi killer". Save those pictures for your personal texts to your friends who are into that sort of thing.

I myself personally love deer. I hate to see them dead on the road and this CWD makes me not sleep well at night. Not because I only want them to live until hunting season. I feel they are the most beautiful animal in the forest and they provide me and my family with healthy food to nourish our bodies. They are designed by the creator to outsmart me when i am hunting them in the woods. To harvest one with a bow and arrow whether it modern or traditional is no small accomplishment. I am a firm believer that every animal I have ever harvested was the animal that the creator felt I deserved and allowed it to give it's life to me. The least I can do is give thanks to the God of my understanding and to the animal and be appreciative of the fact that I have the privilege to do so. I can honor that animal by not belittling it's existence. I am advocate for all sports minded men and women everywhere and a steward to conservation and education...to those who hunt AND those who do not.

 

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Spotted Lanternfly Found in York County
by Dean Lee Evans

So what is the spotted lanternfly?

The spotted lanternfly is an insect very similar to our native plant hoppers, which are insects that feed by using piercing mouthparts to suck fluids and nutrients from plants.

While most native plant hoppers and similar insects do cause minor damage to local plants and crops, the spotted lanternfly is raising serious questions about potential damage to nearly 70 types of state crops, including stone fruits, grapes, apples, and hardwood tree species.

Not only does the typical feeding process of the spotted lanternfly damage plants, but the feeding process itself leaves a sticky residue behind, similar to what occurs with a plant infested with aphids. Unfortunately, this residue can cause secondary problems to a plant as the residue causes mold to grow further affecting the plant’s survival.

Native to China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, predators and pathogens keep the insect in check there. However, another invasive species in the U.S. has possibly allowed the insect to gain a foothold here.

The Tree of Heaven, a very hardly, quick spreading plant often seen growing along roads and highways, is the staple food source for the spotted lanternfly in its native habitat.

What does the spotted lanternfly look like?

The spotted lanternfly in adult form is rather large for a plant hopper. It is approximately one-inch long and half-inch wide when at rest (it resembles a triangle in shape).

When its wings are open, it’s actually a visually striking insect with a multitude of colors including yellow, black, red, grey and brown on varying parts of its body.

Nymphs, the pre-adult stage of the insect, are wingless and don’t share the same coloration. The nymphs are mostly spotted black and white and develop red patches as they mature.

What can we do about it?

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture lists ways to kill the insects and their egg cases. Since the growth and feeding process of this insect - from egg to nymph to adult - varies with each stage, no one pesticide can impact each and every state of development in the insect. And used in the incorrect doses, pesticides could end up impacting beneficial insects and the edibility of our own crops.

While I have yet to personally see a nymph or adult lanternfly in Lancaster County in the wild, a sugar maple in the backyard of my city home in Lancaster did have two prominent egg cases on the branches late last year. Each egg mass holds 30 to 50 eggs.

The location of one of those egg cases made it nearly impossible to spot it, let alone destroy it.

Regardless of what might be a futile effort to control the insect, the state has allocated millions of dollars in funds to study and combat the spotted lanternfly in the quarantined counties.

What’s next for York County?

The sighting of the spotted lanternfly in York County, in West Manchester Township, doesn’t mean the insect has necessarily established a foothold here.  While the spotted lantern fly has wings, they generally are slow moving as they hop from plant to plant.

Until actual sightings of egg cases are confirmed in York County, the state does not have plans as of this writing to expand the quarantine zone, which gives the state the power to regulate commodities traveling in and out of the zones as well as levy fines and penalties on companies that don’t take appropriate steps to prevent the spread of the insect.

If you see the spotted lanternfly, you are encouraged to kill it on sight as well as report sightings to the department of agriculture at https://services.agriculture.pa.gov/SLFReport/ or call a special hotline at 1-888-4BADFLY, especially if your sighting is not inside the quarantine zone.

Additional information can be found here: https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly

(Dean Lee Evans is an amateur naturalist in Lancaster, PA. An avid insect collector for nearly 45 years, his collection also includes over 40,000 specimens of rocks, fossils, plants, and taxidermy mounts.  Dean and his wife, Lisa, operate a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that educates children about the natural wonders of Pennsylvania with specially tailored hands-on seminars and classes.)

Photograph credit to Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture website
 

President's Message - March 2019
Class "A" Wild Brown Trout Stream Designations

Published March 13, 2019
 

A stream gets designated as a Class "A" Wild Brown Trout area when the numbers of wild fish who reproduce naturally in the stream reach a certain density. Anyone who has ever fished in the areas that have been recently re-classified knows first hand that they are loaded with wild brown trout. Often times, you will even be able to catch wild brook trout.

I have heard things like "i have fished that spot on opening day since I was 12" or "that used to be my favorite place to fish in trout season". Many are complaining but few see the big picture and that is that we should be celebrating. No one said you cannot fish there. You just won't be able to stand there and throw corn or powerbait at a pile of dumb fish who have spent the last nine months in a raceway at some facility eating fish food. As a deer hunter I have often said jokingly that if only we could raise 10,000 deer in a pen and then the day before the season opens, we just put them all into a field....and on the following day we could all just stand there looking at them until the clock strikes 8am....and then we just start shooting. That is basically what fishing for stocked trout is like. It takes stocked fish some time to get acclimated to living in the stream like a wild fish. They school up in groups, just like they are in the hatchery or raceway. Maybe it is because that is the only life they knew until they were put into a real stream. They are super easy to catch and will basically hit anything you throw at them on a hook. Not much skill involved, but yes, it sure is fun.

Wild trout on the other hand are also a very hungry fish. They were born in the stream. They have lived off of all the things that fish eat naturally in those waters. Worms washed out by rain storms, minnows, bugs of all shapes and sizes. A wild trout will look at a piece of power bait and basically snub it's nose. You have to present your offering to them in the form of something they know is food. It could be a wet fly, or a dry fly, or a spinner, or...my all time favorite, the gold bodied trout magnet with the gold head. They are a more beautiful fish who's colors are that what the creator intended when he/she painted them. Hatchery fish aren't as brilliant in color and their fins are rubbed off on the ends from living in a concrete aquarium by the hundreds. Stocked fish, if not caught by fishermen or women, end up either dying in the stream or become raccoon food in most cases. Rarely will they end up holding over to live an additional year in the stream they were put in. Some do, but not very many. Wild trout can be caught all year long and will be in places you wouldn't even imagine a fish to be hiding. Wild fish don't school up in a group and sit in the deepest hole in the stream...they spread out into their own holes or under a log just inside the edge of the stream basically just waiting for their next meal to come rushing down the stream. You have to work a little harder to catch them and by that I mean you might have to get off of the old 5 gallon bucket you are using for a stool and put a pair of waders on and walk up stream, casting and retrieving your offering with every step into every nook and eddy you can reach, bringing your bait back down stream in front of their eyes. When they hit, you know it and no matter how big or small that wild fish is, it will look more beautiful than any stocked fish and will give you a fight that is somehow....more....special. Special in the sense that you just caught a wild fish and tricked him with your presentation into having it think it was real food.

In closing I just want to say that when you are complaining about why we aren't throwing hundreds of invasive species into these newly designated wild trout waters, maybe take into consideration that this is an actual WIN for sports-minded men and women and kids because our streams are healthy enough in some areas now to sustain a wild-born population of fish and that YOUR OWN license fees over the years are what contributed to it.

Thank you, and good luck fishing.

Michael Males
Club President
 

WORK DAY APRIL 13th A SUCCESS!
Thank you to all who showed up for our best work day to date! We go a lot accomplished...much more than we anticipated. A special thank you to the members of the AFL (Accountability For Life) program for the extra help and muscle to get more work done. The recreational fishing pond looks better now than ever, we cleaned up Mr. McGinnis' property on Gemmill and Cooper Road, the new elevated archery stand was erected to almost completion, and many other tasks were accomplished. We could NOT have done all of this in just one day if it had not been for our members, the AFL students, and several other non-members who rose to the occasion bringing extra equipment and muscle to the table. Thank you so much
 

For directions to our Designated Exclusive Use Area, please use this link: https://goo.gl/maps/37nZQFernHU2
 

Archery Committee Report 03/22/19
by Jarvis Green
Hello members, friends and neighbors. We've had a busy winter since the end of late archery season. We launched our Shooter's Choice raffle, started a few new projects and had a productive work day. Thank you to everyone who has been helping to sell raffle tickets, to those of you who have bought tickets and to those of you who were so helpful on our work detail. I'd also like to thank everyone who has been helping with the planning of this year's upcoming events.
 

Youth Day is coming on May 11th and we will be ready! We have Xtreme Archery lined up for our bow rentals and for our giveaway bow.

The Veteran's Shoot will follow soon behind Youth Day to be held on June 22nd. We have a lot of work to do but have a lot of good things happening to ensure that this event is a success. We will begin looking for volunteers to help with that event very soon.
 

After the work day, the work didn't stop. We've been busy doing other things here and there to get ready for dryer days. Our club president, Michael Males, organized the gutting of the old french fry trailer (courtesy of some volunteers) and notified the archery committee that we could use it for much needed storage. After it was emptied, we moved the trailer down beside the shooter's shed to get it out of the way for the new addition construction on the clubhouse. Our plan is to keep the trailer beside the shed until we find a better location. The immediate benefit of this trailer is that we will be able to remove some of the targets from the shooters shed so it isn't so cramped. We also started collecting materials and fine-tuning plans for our new mobile archery range. The new range will consist of at least two towable targets roughly 12'-16' long by 8' high. These targets will be used for public events and will also be available for members to shoot.

If anyone has any questions, ideas, or just wants to get involved in the archery department, I encourage you to contact me when you can.

Thanks for a great start to 2019!
 

Sporting Clays March 25, 2019 Update
by Cary Walsh, 717-993-6425

2019 Trout Co-Up Update - (updated 2/25/2019)

Belated Happy New Year to all the volunteers and anglers out there across Hopewell Fish and Game!  Trout season is less than 60 days away so gear up and get ready to go fishing.   Our fish are doing well despite all the extra rainfall over the past 6 months.  I recently did a survey for over 100 fish and the average size was 10.5 inches and average weight was .5 pounds.  We have two months left to push them even further.

I have a number of updates and changes to announce for the upcoming 2019 Spring Trout season.  As with any change, I am sure a few of you will be happy and a few of you unhappy.  Knowing most of you, I am confident and appreciative of your continued support of our trout program.  Read on for the backstory below, but I want to put my appeal for your action right up front in this update.

Please be a respectful fisherman and leave the land and stream in better condition than you found it.  Also, be an ambassador.  Talk to the other people you encounter out there and call for their support as well.  I have been talking with landowners about opening up their property to public fishing.  All of them cite the same three issues….trash, parking, and people acting as if being allowed to fish there means they can treat the place as if they owned it.  Unless you are one of the lucky few landowners’, you are a PRIVILEGED GUEST.  Behave as such.  I also encourage all of you to knock on the door where possible as you arrive (yes even if there is a sign indicating you may fish).  Ask the landowner if okay to fish, ask if they would prefer you park in a certain location, and thank them for opening up their home to you.  I guarantee this would go a long way in keeping that area open for your enjoyment.  One bad experience is all too often the only experience these folks have.  Become one of many that gives that landowner a good experience.

First up on the change front…the state has now classified a number of our usual stocking locations as “Class A Wild Trout Waters”.  As defined by the state, this classification is the highest biomass class given to streams by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.  They are considered to contain the highest quality naturally reproducing trout populations in Pennsylvania.  While we will no longer be able to stock these areas, they are expected to continue to provide a high-quality fishing experience, albeit different than you have been accustomed to.  These streams are expected to yield some of the largest “native” brown trout you’ll find in our area.  The locations are:  South Branch of Muddy Creek from the headwaters all the way downstream to Alum Rock Run.  Lieb’s Creek from Kilgore Road downstream to the mouth where is feeds into the South Branch.  In short, the state regulations prohibit us from stocking “Kilgore/Draco”, and “The Meadow” off Grove Mill Road.

Second, the beaver dam on the tributary to Leib’s Creek that served as our longstanding “Kids Area” along 851 is no longer there.  What was a challenging location for youngsters anyway, now, is a little more challenging.  The state did not approve my application to designate a small area on Rambo Run from Rock Jim Road downstream 300 yards to where an unnamed tributary feeds in.  We will continue to use the current area along 851 and seek a new more suitable area for 2020.

As a result of the changes above, we will be enhancing our fish counts going into the remaining stocking locations we’ve stocked in the past and taking fish to a few “new” streams in our area.

We are very excited to be taking fish to the North Branch of Muddy Creek from Felton downstream to just above Brogueville.  The northern most section had stream restoration done in the past and the water looks very similar to the drop pools over on the South Branch of Codorus Creek above Glen Rock.  Parking is readily available near the baseball fields and the area is easy walking.  The lower section as you go south of Felton along Hollow Road is privately owned and for the most part open to fishing.  Rick and I talked with one of the landowner’s where posted signs were up.  He indicated he would allow fishing provided the land was respected (No camping or littering and park only where safe and not destructive).  He had a bad experience in the past, but willing to give it another try.  Also, we are planning an in-season stocking of East Branch Codorus Creek from Route 216 downstream to Graydon Road.  This a beautiful stretch of water meandering through a pasture just north of Spring Valley Park.  Lastly, we will taking fish to a newly opened section of the South Branch Muddy Creek from the Fork upstream to the first bridge on Muddy Creek Road..

The stocking locations require we adjust our normal stocking schedule.  We will be stocking the traditional locations on Thursday evenings as we have in years past.  We are expanding our Wednesday evening stocking to the further away locations on a rotation.  We really need your support getting the fish loaded and put into the streams.  Please turn out in force.  We are also adjusting our pre-season stocking.  Some years ago, we moved to the Friday before Opening day when our Opening day was a week or more behind Maryland.  That is no longer the case and will be moving our pre-season stocking back to the weekend before Opening day.  We’ll be making the Castle Finn run on Saturday and all the rest of the locations on Sunday.  Both days start at 8am at the raceway and on Sunday lunch will be provided.  In case you are wondering….the big day will be Sunday so we can use the clubhouse for lunch.  I anticipate with the renovations, space will not be sufficient to support both Sporting Clays and Pre-Season stocking on the same day.  There is a sign-up form on the website and posted inside the clubhouse on the bulletin board.  PLEASE sign up in one of the locations so I can plan the food and logistics appropriately.

To dispel any confusion…Deer Creek between Gemmill Road and Stewartstown Road will be stocked and is open to fishing.  Be warned, the property is also leased out to a private group for hunting.  The Spring turkey season is April 20th (Youth Day) and April 27-May 31st for adults. Please wear a bright hat and peacefully co-exists with the hunters.

I’ll end this update on what I hope is a very positive note.  We have over TWICE as many holdover fish to stock this season (about 100).  I sincerely hope you are lucky enough to hook up on one or more of them.  Also, I encourage you to photograph and gently return that fish so another lucky angler has a chance to enjoy that same experience.  The taxidermist can provide you a mount based on your photograph and you can fill up on the yearling fish which are perfectly sized for a meal.  Thanks again and wishing you all tight lines.

Allan Masters

The 2019 "100 Bird" Triple Shoot dates are announced!
 

Cost: $28.00  (Normal 50 target course available $14 )
- Sign up is from 8:30am until 1pm.
- Last squad at 1:30pm
- Shooting from 9am to 3pm
The kitchen will be open for Breakfast and Lunch
For more info, call Cary Walsh at 717-993-6425!
 

2019 Scheduled Events for Youth at Hopewell Fish and Game

Probably one of the most important things that we offer at Hopewell Fish and Game Association are our Youth Events. In 2019 we are expanding our Youth Program with many new events and ways to get kids off of the couch and into the outdoors.

March 31st - Veterans, Youth, and Public Archery Shoot
Kids 11 years and under shoot free. Kids 12 to 17 just $5.00
Must have their own equipment.

April 11th - Mentored Trout Stocking (Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts/Youth)
Be at the club raceway between 4:45pm and 5pm

April 25th - Mentored Trout Stocking (Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts/Youth)
Be at the club raceway between 4:45pm and 5pm

April 28th - Veterans, Youth, and Public Archery Shoot
Kids 11 years and under shoot free. Kids 12 to 17 just $5.00
Must have their own equipment.

May 11th - Hopewell YOUTH DAY (Archery, Fishing, Sporting-Clays, 22 Long Rifle, Black Powder)
Registration for this event is now closed as of 1/2/2019. 

May 19th - Veterans, Youth, and Public Archery Shoot
Kids 11 years and under shoot free. Kids 12 to 17 just $5.00
Must have their own equipment.

June 1st – York Area Sportsmen's Youth Field Day (at Izaak Walton grounds)
Click HERE for more info.

June 8th – Hunter/Trapper Education Certification Class (PGC)
Must preregister

June 23rd - Veterans, Youth, and Public Archery Shoot
Kids 11 years and under shoot free. Kids 12 to 17 just $5.00
Must have their own equipment.

July 20th - Youth Archery Education Clinic
Click HERE for details.

July 21st - Youth Fishing Clinic (Pond)
Click HERE for details.

August 18th - Veterans, Youth, and Public Archery Shoot
Kids 11 years and under shoot free. Kids 12 to 17 just $5.00
Must have their own equipment.

September 14th - Hunter/Trapper Education Certification Class (PGC)
Must preregister

September 21st and 22nd - Veterans, Youth, and Public Archery Shoot Weekend
Kids 11 years and under shoot free. Kids 12 to 17 just $5.00
Must have their own equipment.

CLUB RENOVATION PROJECT IS MOVING FORWARD
The club renovation project is well underway. Thanks to several member volunteers for putting in the time to clean and demo the kitchen area in preparation for the new construction. 
The governing body just approved the additional expansion to the original set of plans for the new kitchen. Plans will be available to view shortly.
 

HIBREWNATION - FEB 9th, 2019 at the York Fairgrounds
To volunteer at this upcoming event that Hopewell Fish and Game Co-Hosts, click HERE!
For tickets to the event, click HERE.
 

Taste of Pennsylvania Wine and Music Festival

Hopewell Fish and Game Association is partnered with the Taste of Pennsylvania Win and Music Festival! Join us Saturday and Sunday from 1pm-6pm as we bring a sampling of 200 wines from across the state together with live musical performances and fresh food. Enjoy the festival free of charge, or purchase a wine sampling pass to enjoy nearly limitless wine samples in your souvenir wine glass. Or meet the newest breweries on the block Saturday evening in Brew Kids on the Block 6-9pm.
 

2019 Archery 3D Shoots Schedule Announced...
Sunday, March 31st - 7am - 1pm / 3-D ShootSunday, April 28th - 7am - 1pm / 3-D Shoot
Sunday, May 19th - 7am - 1pm / 3-D Shoot
Saturday, June 22nd - 3pm - dark / FREE: Vet ONLY Shoot / Range Event & 3-D Shoot (Limited Space - Must Pre-register - More details coming soon!)
Sunday, June 23rd - 7am - 1pm / 3-D Shoot
Saturday, July 20th - 8am -2pm / FREE: Youth Shoot/Range Event & 3-D Shoot (Limited Space - Must Pre-register - More details coming soon!)
Saturday, July 20th - 3pm - 7pm / 3-D Shoot
Sunday, Aug 18th - 7am - 1pm / 3-D Shoot
Saturday, Sept 21st - 3pm - 7pm / 3-D Shoot
Sunday, Sept 22nd - 7am - 1pm / 3-D Shoot
 

TROUT BUTTONS and STICKERS are READY!

Range Safety and Tactics to Keep Yourself Updated and Sharp
by Charlie Corbin
Published 11/16, 2018
 

Please take advantage of this gracious offer by the Board of Directors. Just make sure you have your credentials with you and if possible, please contact the club president at 443-928-1940 prior or any other governing body member.

Law enforcement personnel know that your training keeps you in tune, applying the tactics and techniques that you have learned becomes second nature and will instinctively kick in at the appropriate time. Please don’t overlook this situation to shoot and train so you can avoid becoming a “war story” either good or bad. Use the facility to your benefit, please respect the rules of the range and grounds and enjoy.

For that homeowner/gun owner protecting his or her self and family, the same objectives apply. Go beyond being familiar with your weapons. Use them, train with them and make them a practical part of your life. Please be aware of all local and state laws as they apply to self-defense+ situations and all other applicable laws.

NEW Club Grounds Hunting Policy coming in 2019
Published 11/16, 2018
In response to the simple fact that our membership is growing and more members are hunting the club grounds, the governing body will be reviewing a NEW hunting policy for 2019. Safety is paramount and fairness to all club members in good standing, equally.

Some things on the discussion table for 2019 are: 
- Breaking the club into areas on a map designating huntable areas.
- No pets allowed on the club trails (re: hunting areas) during the 6 weeks of archery deer season and 2 weeks of firearms deer season
- Members only (no guests)
- Sing in and Sign out board (daily)

- Firearms Opening Day & First Saturday Lottery Hunts Only
- All members wishing to hunt the club grounds must have their 16 hours of volunteer service completed prior to the season opener
- Closure of the rifle range on the opening day of firearms season and first Saturday

If you wish to join the committee who will be drafting the new hunting policy, please contact our club president, Michael Males, at 443-928-1940.

Youth Day 2019 Set for May 11th, 2019!
Published 11/16, 2018

The 2019 Youth Day will be held on May 11th on the club grounds from 8am until 5pm. ALL ATTENDEES will once again need to pre-register using our on-line form on the Youth Day page since we have a 60 seat capacity for this event.
 

If you have any questions pertaining to Youth Day, please contact either Ryan Maters ( 717-487-8004 ) or Jim Coyle ( 717-586-4751 ). Please follow us on our FACEBOOK page for news and updates about Youth Day 2019!

Yorktoberfest a success!
Published 11/16, 2018

On October 13th, 2018 we raised $500 for the club's new Veterans and Youth project. Stay tuned for more events at the York Fairgrounds through our partnership with CrocodileDog Marketing.

Upcoming 2019 events:
February 9 - Hibrewnation at the York Fairgrounds, 1PM - Click Here for Details
May 18 &19 - Taste of Pennsylvania Wine and Music Festival at the York Fairgrounds - Click Here for Details
October 12 - Yorktoberfest at the York Fairgrounds - Click Here for Details

Fly Tying Classes this Winter!
With Jim Coyle
Published 11/16, 2018

Winter dates for 2019 will be: Jan 2nd, Feb 6th, March 6th and March 27th
All dates are Wednesdays from 7:30-8:30pm

Thank you all that attended the 2018 fly tying classes at the club. It was a great time and we all learned some new techniques that will be applied this year. Our 2019 dates will focus on patterns for the Spring trout season. Wooly Buggers, Stone Flies, Mop flies, Deer hair caddis, and various other nymphs. Please being your tools and materials. All classes are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, free to members, $25 a class for non members.
 

2018 Volume 2
Published June, 2018

FROM THE FIELD
"Service"
by Youth Committee Chair - Jim Coyle
June 15, 2018

I agreed and Saturday April 21st was an amazing day for all of us. When I arrived at the club that morning I met up with Allan Masters, Rick Leader, Mike Myers, Mike Males and Roy Moser. The young men from the York City football team enthusiastically jumped in the raceway, loaded the truck, filled the float box, stocked the trout and with the guidance of our members caught fish. It was a gratifying day for both the members and the young men.

In other news, the York Area Sportsman Association held their annual Youth Day at the Isaac Walton League in Dallastown on June 2nd. We had several Hopewell members help with the 22 range and fishing stations. I spent that day with Rick Leader, Mike Males and Bruce Coyle helping the kids catch and release hundreds of trout. It was another great day of service that made a difference for many.

As most of you know, Hopewell is holding our Youth Day on Saturday July 14th. We need help setting up, help at various stations and clean up after. Many hours of preparation by several members have already prepared us for a successful day, but we can never have too much help. Clear your schedule and make time to spend a few hours or even the entire day and help make Hopewell Fish and Game’s Youth Day a great event.

Life isn’t about what we get but what we give! Ronald Reagan said, “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” See you all at the Club on July 14th.

Youth Day July 14th, 2018
UPDATE

HOPEWELL ARCHERY UPGRADE 2.0
by Member Jarvis Green

For all club amenities and events there are many important jobs and each unique program has to work in sync with other programs and members to ensure success. Our goals for the rest of this year are simple. We aim to do three things:

1. Improve club involvement and public attendance for archery events
2. Improve non-event-time archery amenities (full-time archery course and range)
3. Develop documented mapping and protocols for setting up archery events and maintaining archery amenities

To achieve these goals, we will need a few more volunteers to be on the archery committee. The more we can spread the work out on a consistent basis and more folks we have to rely on, the better the program will be. Please let me know if you are interested.

So far this year, we have:

• Cleaned up around the outside of the shooters shed (needs done again)

• Reorganized the targets and paired the partner-pieces and agreed to always put them back whole, leaving the trailer loaded for the next shoot and the additional targets ready for the next load.

• Cleaned out and mapped a more complete course. The map includes target positions and an aerial image of the property for use while setting up for the shoots and for shooters participating in the shoot. We plan to enhance the use of these type of maps in general.

We look forward to enhancing the archery program and the club in general. If you would like to join us to further enjoy the sport of archery here at our awesome club, please contact me, Jarvis Green, at 717-793-1422 or at Jarvis@JarvisGreenDesign.com.

provided by Keith Safford

6/20/18
*No shoot on 7/4/18 - (Happy 242nd Birthday America)
7/18/18
8/1/18
8/15/18
9/5/18
9/19/18
10/3/18
10/17/18

TROUT CO-OP
Spring 2018 In Review
by Allan Masters
 

The fish counts were slightly different this year with more brookies and less rainbows making it out to the stream.  We experienced heavy losses of rainbows late last summer, however, the CNU gave us an additional 1,000 brook trout in October which made up for the losses.  In total, 3,000 brookies, 2,700 rainbows, 850 brown, and 22 golden yearlings were stocked.

For those of you lucky/skilled enough to land one of our holdovers, my guess is that catch was memorable for you and like all good fish stories, the fish gets bigger and the skill you demonstrated landing it, gets embellished every time you tell it.  Through your support, we did put out more big trout this year (41 holdovers).  Some of the rainbows were pushing through 24” and very close to 5lbs.  A few of the brookies early in the season were equally impressive in their own way.  A few of those were 8+ inches from the top of their backs down to the bottom of their fat red bellies.  Big fish…memorable fish.

There were a number of memorable moments for me this spring.  Three in particular come to mind as I write this.  

First, was hosting Mike Jones and the group from the York High football team.  It was VERY rewarding to have a part in giving those young men one of their first experiences in the great outdoors.  Not sure who had a better time, the kids stocking and catching their fish or all the volunteers who turned out that day.  Many thanks to each of you.

Second, was what I will call the “little stream that could”.  In May we moved over 260 holdovers from the raceway into the tank in that little itty-bitty stream we have.  The tank is stainless steel and easily weighs 500lb by itself and with water & trout pushes over 3,000 pounds.  A storm came in at the end of the day and when I was leaving all appeared fine.  About 30 minutes later, I received a “911” call to get back down to the raceway.  The storm water in the itty-bitty creek pushed the 3,000 lb holdover tank downstream about 50 yards up against the culvert pipe between the raceway and rifle range.  Matt and Mike were transferring the fish back into the raceway and I helped save a few.  So never underestimate the power of a flash flood.  Also, if you are skilled/lucky enough to catch one of the holdovers next season, you can thank Matt for caring enough to go down and check things out one more time after working all day.  Had he not done that, no fish would have survived.  BTW, you might want to try your luck in that itty-bitty stream down from the rifle range.  About 75 fish are still unaccounted for after their wild ride….

Third, was just the great level of support for our trout program by each of you.  The board and members never challenged when we called for help or investment.  The turnout for all the workdays, stocking, days, etc. was outstanding.  All of you play a part making our trout program one of the best in the state.  I thank you on behalf of all the smiling fisherman prowling our local waters.

Wishing you tight lines –

Allan Masters

PS.  A special thank you to Dick Zimmerman.  Dick was our long-time trout Chairman and recently rotated off the Board of Directors.  He guidance, leadership, and hours of service warrants recognition by every member; so next time you see him be sure and say a few words of thanks.  On a personal note, he has always answered my questions, returned my calls, was patient enough to answer stupid questions I tend to ask, and donate his truck and time every time he was called upon.  Dick, thank you many times over.


 

Volume 1 - 2018
Editor: Michael S. Males

Welcome to the Hopewell Fish and Game Association's current newsletter. Thank you to all of the club contributors for supplying the content for the 2018 Volume 2 digital edition.

Please remember, for a full list of calendar events, please visit our calendar page by clicking here.

If you would like to join our e-mailing list, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page or send an email to: webmaster@hopewellfishandgame.com.

President's Message

This club relies on the same 15 - 20% of it's membership to keep it running in the current capacity, which is ok, but we could be doing even better with more involvement from our membership. Attend a meeting. Help stock trout. Come to a 3D shoot. Bring some friends and try a night of sporting clays.

Introduce a young person to hunting or fishing or sporting in general by bringing them to our Youth Day or sign up for our Hunter's Education course. We have a lot to offer and you get out of it what you put into it.

There has been some talk about bringing the pig and oyster feeds back into our schedule. I personally would love to see that all happen however it will need the strength or our membership and volunteers to commit to helping in the clubhouse and kitchen on the days of, as well as selling tickets. If we ALL get involved, Hopewell Fish & Game can be all it can be.

I look forward to seeing some new faces at our meetings and some familiar faces that haven't been involved lately.

Finally, if you know anyone that has an interested in any or all of our amenities and becoming a member, please have them come to a member application meeting. We welcome our fellow brothers and sister sporting enthusiasts to this fine organization.

Thank you,
Daniel Allen Sr.
Club President

WORK DETAIL - March 10th, 2018
2018 Volume 1 - Club Message
The next WORK DETAIL at the club scheduled for March 10th, 2018 beginning at 8am. If you need membership hours, this is the time and place to get them!

We have many areas that we will be working in, including cutting firewood, working on the road, the shooting trails, the raceway and much much more!

Be at the club at 8am in your play clothes. LUNCH PROVIDED!

Sporting Clays Opens March 1st at Hopewell Fish and Game
2018 Volume 1 - Sporting Clays

For information, please contact Shotgun/Sporting Clays - Cary Walsh at 717-993-6425.

Hopewell Fish and Game Raceway Project 
by Mike Myers
2018 Volume 1 - Raceway
February 8, 2018