annual report 2016 - ruffed grouse · pdf filea brief history of the ruffed grouse society...

From the President & CEOOur 2016 accomplishments prove that RGS and AWS continue to be the Nation’s leaders in forest management.

The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society are proud of our accomplishments as shown

in this 2016 Annual Report, and we couldn’t have progressed without our dedicated sponsors, members,

chapters and volunteers. Our members are the backbone of everything we do – the bigger voice we have for

forest wildlife, the more we can do to preserve our sporting traditions by creating healthy forests for ruffed

grouse, American woodcock and other forest wildlife. Thank you for all you do!

We continue to work with the United States Forest Service and monitor their efforts following our

Petition for Rulemaking, the formal legal challenge filed in 2015 to force the Forest Service to maintain the

creation of young forests at the forefront of their existing forest plans. We continue to aggressively monitor

the Petition and Forest Service response and will keep members apprised of developments as they arise.

We created new funding sources through our development program and grant writing to fund habitat

and hunter recruitment programs. Our science-based programs continue to be the nationwide leader in

advocacy and habitat creation for young forests from the Drummer Fund projects, advocacy through

legislation and policy, habitat machine program and the efforts of our local chapters and volunteers.

We continue to establish innovative strategies to increase membership, and that was evident with our

2016 new member drive utilizing our digital media channels. In order to maintain our recent membership

growth, we are focusing on new hunter and member recruitment through the New Hunter Mentor

Program, the Women’s Intro to Wingshooting program initiated in 2016 and additional focused new

member drives that target certain demographics with the benefits of digital media. Our regional directors

continue to enhance member engagement and relationships through our nationwide chapters, banquets

and events.

We continue to be a top-notch communicator by informing members of our programs and educating

the public on critical issues regarding forest management and hunting. The award-winning Ruffed Grouse

Society magazine continues to be a voice for the organization to members. The Grouse Camp Tour in the

Southern Appalachian Region was a success, and we created additional videos to inspire and educate future

RGS and AWS supporters. We consistently communicate the importance of our core tagline, healthy forests

~ abundant wildlife ~ sporting traditions, through the website, magazine, video and print media channels.

This Annual Report shows this progress in 2016 from habitat programs, membership, recruitment,

development, fundraising and communications. We are gaining essential momentum in all programs, and

you can be sure that RGS and AWS will continue to be THE VOICE FOR YOUNG FORESTS in the future.

Thank you for everything you do!

John B. EichingerRGS & AWS, President & CEO

BOARD OF DIRECTORSTERRY WILSON ................................ChairDAVID MOORE..................................Vice ChairGEORGE RICH..................................TreasurerTRACY T. LARSEN ...........................SecretaryJAMES H. OLIVER ............................Immediate Past ChairJOE BYERSGAYLEN J. BYKERJOE (LEON H.) CHANDLER, M.D.SETH DIZARDJAMES HAYETTD. WAYNE JACOBSON, JR.WILLIAM KRAZINSKIDAVID KURITZKYW. STEPHEN MARITZSHANE T. MENGELJULIE SANDSTROMBRIAN SMITHROY SMITH

DIRECTORS EMERITIS. PROSSER MELLONSALLY B. SEARLE

HEADQUARTERS STAFFJOHN B. EICHINGER........................President/CEOTRACY M. GREENE..........................Director of Headquarters OperationsKIM SWISHER ...................................Manager, AccountingALISON KELLEY ...............................Banquet Communications & Graphic DesignDAVE WILHELM................................Shipping & ReceivingDIANNE WHETSELL.........................Senior Coordinator, Membership ServicesSETH HEASLEY................................Digital MarketingNICOLE PARKHURST ......................Project Services CoordinatorBRENDA DONEGAN ........................Accountant, Payables/Receivables, Property & EquipmentMATT SOBERG .................................Editor & Director of Communications

CONSERVATION POLICYDAN R. DESSECKER .......................Director, All States

BIOLOGISTSMEADOW KOUFFELD ......................MN & Western UP of MILINDA D. ORDIWAY, PH.D. ...............Mid-Atlantic & Southern AppalachiaHEATHER SHAW ..............................MI, OH & INSCOTT WALTER, PH.D. ...................WI, IA & ILANDREW P. WEIK.............................NY, New England, Eastern Canada & LATED DICK ..........................................MN, MN DNR position partially funded by RGS/AWSVALERIE JOHNSON .........................WI, RGS position supported in partnership with USDA-NRCS and WI DNR

DEVELOPMENTBRUCE WOJCIK ...............................Director, All States

MEMBER RELATIONS & OUTREACHMARK D. FOUTS...............................Director, All States

REGIONAL DIRECTORSDAVE “SWEDE” JOHNSON .............Lead RD, WI, Western UP of MI, IA & ILDAVE HANSROTH ............................Central, Southcentral & Southeast PA, MD, NC, SC, VA, TN & KYTERRY LAMB ....................................Eastern UP of MI, Lower Peninsula of MINICK LARSON ..................................MN, OR, WA, AK & LALISA M. ROSSI ..................................IN, OH, Western PA, WV & GATRIPP WAY ........................................Northeast PA & New England

RGS/AWS ~ 2016 Annual Report | 1

For updated staff listings and contact information, go to www.ruffedgrousesociety.org.

Photo by Matt Soberg

Cover photos by Tim Flanigan (grouse) and Matt Soberg (woodcock)

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY 1961The Ruffed Grouse Society of America (RGSA) was formed in Monterey, Virginia in October.

1962Membership is set at $10 annually or $100 for Life Membership – benefits included getting your name on a membership scroll.

1963The Ruffed Grouse Society of America publishes its first publication by the same name Vol. 1 – No. 1 in Monterey, Virginia in April 1963.

1969The 501(c)(3) non-profit status was granted on September 4, 1969.

1970Full-time office opened in Rochester, New York.

1971The name was changed to the Ruffed Grouse Society of North America. Gor-don Gullion was named head of board research and development committee.

1972The Society provided a grant to Gordon Gullion for studies in Minnesota in grouse and habitat.

1973The Drummer – Newsletter of the Ruffed Grouse Society of North America became the official newsletter.

1974David C. Batson, II was hired as new executive director August 1, 1974 and national headquarters moved from Rochester, New York to Kingwood, West Virginia. Mark Dilts named as interim editor of The Drummer.

1977 Board of directors define goals as: Dedicated to improving the environment for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other forest wildlife. A new executive director, Samuel R. Pursglove, Jr., PhD

was hired. The Board changes Society’s name to The Ruffed Grouse Society. National headquarters moved to Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.

1978 The first annual Greater Pittsburgh Area Sportsmen’s Banquet is held, and the Society’s sportsmen’s banquet program starts with five fundraising banquets held in Pittsburgh and Reading, Pennsylvania, Detroit and Traverse City, Michigan and Minneapo-lis/St. Paul, Minnesota. The Forest Wildlife Foundation is formed as an adjunct to RGS.

1980 The Society receives national award, the prestigious American Motors National Group Conservation Award.

1981The Society receives award from The International Wildlife Foundation. RGS assists in the formation of Ruffed Grouse Society of Canada. The first National Grouse and Woodcock Hunt, organized by RGS members in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, takes place in the northern Minnesota.

1982The Society forms education committee that reviews cooperative education pro-posals with the help from The Richard King Mellon Foundation $240,000 grant.

1983Paul Carson becomes editor of The Drummer newspaper, and the publica-tion moves from Traverse City, Michigan to Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. Carson remains as writer, editor and photogra-pher until retirement in 2008.

1985The Society receives The Wildlife Society’s Group Achievement Award. Five regional directors, the largest number ever for the Society, are at work in the ruffed grouse and woodcock range.

1986For the first time, RGS income tops $1 million. RGS creates the Management Area Program (MAP).

1987The Society signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Forest Service. Daniel R. Dessecker joins RGS staff as the Society’s first habitat biologist.

1989The newspaper The Drummer gives way to a new color magazine.

1990 Flight Plan is launched to allow the Society to significantly expand major conservation initiatives, MAP and Coverts. Flight Plan fundraising totals $1,600,000. RGS receives the first of three $100,000 contributions from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to support MAP projects.

1991There are 285,000 acres of publicly owned forest land enrolled in MAP by year’s end. Gordon Gullion, 68, of Cloquet, Minnesota, passes away on September 23, 1991. He was elected as an RGS Director Emeritus. The Society extended special recognition to supporters who go to extra lengths to ensure that the Society reaches its goals in the memory of Gullion.

1992By the close of the year, MAP involves 206 projects representing more than 335,000 acres.

1993Trustees of the Richard King Mellon Foundation approve a five-year $750,000 grant to the Society to increase cooper-ative partnerships between the Society and public lands forest managers.

For over 50 years, RGS has been creating healthy forests and preserving sporting traditions.

2 | www.ruffedgrousesociety.org

1994Flight Plan is at goal with more than $2.5 million.

1995A strategic plan, Partners in Conserva-tion, is established on the foundation of a $6 million endowment to support a corps of Society wildlife biologists work-ing throughout the country. Richard King Mellon Foundation pledges up to $3 million as a match for other contribu-tions to the endowment fund.

2001Sam Pursglove leaves as RGS executive director, and Robert Patterson, Jr. becomes executive director in 2002.

2004Years of intensive grouse studies cul-minate in a special conference on the Appalachian Cooperative Grouse Re-search Project, for which RGS provided more than $130,000. Information from the study includes data on nearly 3,000 grouse from eight Appalachian states from 1996 through 2000.

2006Michael Zagata becomes executive director and CEO of RGS.

2008Restoring Upland Forest’s Future (RUFF) capital campaign was launched to raise $5 million. Gary Zimmer and Mark Banker promoted to senior regional biologists. Two large gifts to the RUFF campaign specifically endow Zimmer’s position as the Sally B. Searle Regional Biologist in Wisconsin.

The Western Pennsylvania Conser-vancy in partnership with the Richard King Mellon Foundation purchases 2,300 acres of land in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. After the purchase, timber rights worth several million dollars are conveyed to RGS for 15 years. Proceeds from timber sales were earmarked for the RGS biologist endowment.

2010RGS creates the Drummer Fund, which is a new business plan launched to allow chapters to keep money raised at their events. The money raised is allocated to a statewide Drummer Fund for use on future habitat projects. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Ruffed

Grouse Coordinator position is created, founded in part by the Ruffed Grouse Society.

An innovative partnership with CON-SOL Energy begins with timber sales on 7,000 acres of land in southwestern Pennsylvania, with potential new opportunities to create habitat on additional future lands.

2011RGS celebrates 50 years of creating habitat and supporting hunting. A new biologist position is added for the Michigan and Ohio area.

2012John B. Eichinger is named as RGS president and CEO. Daniel Dessecker, RGS director of conservation policy, is named by USDA Agricultural Secretary to his 21-member planning rule advisory group, representing commercial or rec-reational hunting and fishing interests. RGS files an Amicus Curiae brief with the United States Supreme Court, an im-portant milestone in the history of RGS.

2013RGS develops strategic communications plan including the new tagline: Healthy Forests, Abundant Wildlife, Sporting Traditions. Following RGS’ Amicus Curia brief, the Supreme Court reversed the 9th Circuit Court decision, one that was potentially harmful to future of forest management. Gary Zimmer, RGS coordinating biologist, was appointed to the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board. RGS received Richard King Mellon Foundation grant to improve informa-tion technology. RGS increases member-ship by six percent through new member drive.

2014RGS creates the American Woodcock Society to expand forest habitat efforts and hunting opportunities to new land-scapes across the nation. Dan Dessecker, RGS director of conservation policy, was reappointed to the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule Committee (FACA) to provide guidance to the Secretary of Agriculture and Chief of the U.S. Forest Service.RGS took a lead in the planning process for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests in North Carolina. RGS partnered with the

Michigan DNR to create the GEMS pro-gram (Grouse Enhanced Management Systems). RGS and AWS participated in the new satellite woodcock migration research performed through the USGS and USFWS.

2015RGS filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Forest Service due to the consistent failure to provide young forest habitat required by ruffed grouse and American woodcock. Meadow Kouffeld was hired as regional wildlife biologist for the Western Great Lakes region. Existing staff members Mark Fouts and Bruce Wojcik took new RGS positions as di-rector of member relations and outreach and of director of development respec-tively. Through member donations, RGS supported a data recovery project of Gordon Gullion’s records.

RGS National Board of Directors ~ Presidents1961 – 1966 Bruce R. Richardson

1966 – 1969 Keith Davis

1969 – 1974 George E. Ford

1974 – 1976 Albert A. Smith

1976 – 1978 Robert J. Lytle

1978 – 1980 Leigh H. Perkins

1980 – 1982 Roy D. Chapin, Jr.

1982 – 1984 Robert James

1984 – 1986 T. Stanton Armour

1986 – 1988 David V. Uihlein

1988 – 1991 William C. Helsley

1991 – 1993 Mark L. Rutledge

1993 – 1994 Alfred S. Warren, Jr.

1994 – 1997 Robert W. Brown

1997 – 1999 Joe R. Irwin

1999 – 2003 Edwin H. Gott, Jr.

2003 – 2005 Stephen F. Quill

2005 – 2009 D. Wayne Jacobson, Jr.

2010 – 2014 Gaylen J. Byker

2014 – 2015 James H. Oliver

2015 – Current Terry Wilson


RGS RECOGNIZED AS 4-STAR CHARITY

The RGS recently earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. The 4-star rating is a result of RGS maintaining sound fiscal management practices and a commitment to account-ability and transparency in its efforts to preserve our sporting traditions by creating healthy forest habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and many other forest wildlife species.

“We are proud to report that your Ruffed Grouse Society received this 4-star Charity Navigator rating for demonstrating strong financial health

and commitment to accountability and transparency,” said RGS President and CEO John Eichinger. “This achievement is the result of a collective effort by a dedicated board of directors, committed members, passionate volunteers and a talented staff.”

Since 2002, Charity Navigator has awarded only the most fiscally responsi-ble organizations a 4-star rating. In 2011, Charity Navigator added 17 metrics, focused on governance and ethical prac-tices as well as measures of openness, to its ratings methodology. These “Ac-countability & Transparency” metrics, which account for 50 percent of a chari-ty’s overall rating, reveal which charities

2016 HIGHLIGHTSThe Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society made significant

strides in 2016 toward enhancing habitat and hunting opportunities.


have “best practices” that minimize the chance of unethical activities and whether they freely share basic informa-tion about their organization with their donors and other stakeholders.

RGS TESTIFIES IN CONGRESSRGS testified to the United States

Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry about the effect of the United States Forest Service (USFS) wildfire suppression budget on game and nongame wildlife species including ruffed grouse, white-tailed deer and other forest wildlife. RGS addressed the growing challenges posed by wildfires and the associated suppression efforts to wildlife conservation on our nation’s federal public lands, nearby state and private lands.

“The current dedication of approxi-mately 50 percent of the United States Forest Service (USFS) budget to combat these natural disasters is significantly

affecting the ability of the Agency to meet wildlife-related and other forest plan objectives and public expectations,” said RGS Director of Conservation Policy Dan Dessecker to the Committee. “We must work to increase the diversity of forest wildlife habitats on our nation-al forests across the nation. Likewise, fiscally responsible funding protocols to ease the financial burden on the USFS from wildfire suppression costs would enhance the ability of the agency to play its essential role in the conservation of forest wildlife and the protection of our nation’s hunting heritage.”

The wildfire-related demands on the USFS financial and personnel resources are limiting the ability of the Agency to implement the sustainable timber harvests and other forest habitat man-agement practices that are required to ensure that young forest habitats and the wildlife they support remain viable components of our forest landscapes.

RGS HOLDS DRIFTLESS FOREST SYMPOSIUM

The RGS held the Driftless Young Forest Symposium in La Crosse, Wiscon-sin on August 16 and 17, 2016 bringing together agency professionals from Wis-consin, Minnesota and Iowa to focus on landscape-scale goals to enhance future young forest habitat in the Driftless Re-gion. The RGS thanks partners who pro-vided additional support and resources for the Symposium including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, National Wild Turkey Federation, Wisconsin Department of Natural Re-sources and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

“The goals for the Driftless Young Forest Symposium were to provide agency professionals with a clear understanding of how recent forest trends have impacted the wildlife community to recognize the various challenges that forest managers


RGS & AWS STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETINGThe RGS and AWS staff and board members held a strate-

gic planning meeting in February 2016 near headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to discuss future plans to advance the mission of preserving our sporting traditions by creating healthy forest habitat for grouse, woodcock and other wildlife. The organizations are being proactive in preparing for the future of habitat and hunting. RGS and AWS President and CEO John Eichinger discusses this meeting and plans in his President’s Message in this magazine issue.

The task was to envision RGS and AWS in the future by de-scribing the accomplishments or significant works in progress to achieve 10 years from now. Critical issues were discussed

and planned including resistance to scientifically sound habitat management practices, declining hunter participation of the public and revenue generation. Analysis included discussing metrics that gauge success in overcoming these issues. The meeting was held with an overarching focus of what members and the organization expect from each other now and in the future.

RGS and AWS are taking action on the results of this strategic planning meeting and have already begun steps to achieve objects in the short-term. We are able to rise to future challenges because we have committed members, passionate volunteers and a talented and dedicated staff.

2016 Highlights, continued on page 6

RGS & AWS held a strategic planning meeting in Spring 2016. Pictured, front row from left to right, are David Kuritzky, Eric Ellis, Meadow Kouffeld, John Eichinger, Tracy Greene and Kim Swisher. Back row, from left to right, are Matt Soberg, Moderator John Beck, Stephen Maritz, Mark Fouts, Gaylen Byker, Bill Krazinski, Tripp Way, Nick Larson, David Moore, Dan Dessecker and Bruce Wojcik.

face in this region and to explore oppor-tunities for a landscape-scale approach to forest management in the future,” said RGS Regional Wildlife Biologist Scott Walter. “The symposium was intended to engage professionals in an ongoing dialogue so that we can develop tools to address these issues. I was extremely thrilled to see the passion, interest and ideas brought forth by the attendees, and we’ll use this excitement as we continue to build a new and meaningful approach to forest management across the Driftless in the years to come.”

The Driftless Region encompasses southwestern Wisconsin, southeast-

ern Minnesota, northeastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois and is unique for its forested landscape, deeply carved valleys and streams resulting from the region escaping historical glaciation. A major challenge for the Driftless area is that the landscape is 90 percent privately owned, and therefore, it is necessary to help private landowners understand that healthy wildlife populations result from healthy forest management.

NGWH RESULTS ANNOUNCEDThe RGS held its 35th annual National

Grouse and Woodcock Hunt (NGWH) on October 13 and 14, 2016 in and

around Grand Rapids, Minnesota with harvest results, obtained by RGS wildlife biologists, showing increases in ruffed grouse and American woodcock harvest compared to 2015. Participating hunters (104) harvested 175 ruffed grouse during the two-day hunt, which is a 17 percent increase over the 2015 harvest of 149 ruffed grouse. Each hunter harvested an average of 0.86 grouse per day in 2016, which is the fourth lowest in NGWH his-tory, compared to 0.73 in 2015, which was the second lowest. These results are not surprising as we climb from the bottom of the ruffed grouse cycle. Based upon cal-culated results, the index to reproductive


2016 Highlights, continued from page 5

Photo by Meadow KouffeldRGS/AWS PILOTS WOMEN’S WINGSHOOTING PROGRAM

The RGS and AWS initiated the new Women’s Intro to Wingshooting program in early 2016, a course coordinated by RGS/AWS Regional Wildlife Biologist Meadow Kouffeld and designed to introduce women to upland hunting. The WIW pilot year took place in Grand Rapids, Minnesota with plans to expand the program to other RGS/AWS regions beginning in 2017. Fifteen students enrolled with ranging shotgun and general outdoor experiences. For a fair number of partici-pants, the first day on the trap range was the first time they

fired a shotgun, and a focused goal of the course is for the women to build confidence and skills with firearms.

The program operates with volunteer instructors giving classroom and range education and shooting instruction. In addition, participants learn a broad range of topics associated with upland game hunting including the North American Model of Wildlife Management, shotgun safety, cleaning and use, gun dog breeds, training and use and the game birds of North America.

success for ruffed grouse was 15 percent lower than the long-term average, which means there were fewer young birds in the current population.

Participating hunters harvested 384 American woodcock, which is an 8 percent increase over the 2015 harvest of 357 American woodcock. Each hunter harvested an average of 1.9 woodcock per day in 2016 compared to 1.7 in 2015. Based upon the calculated results, the index to reproductive success for Amer-ican woodcock was on par with the long term average.

RGS CREATES DIGITAL MEDIA TO INSPIRE NEXT-GEN GROUSE HUNTERS

The RGS participated in two digital media campaigns, the 2016 Grouse Camp Tour and Project Upland, during the Fall 2016 hunting season that celebrated the grouse and woodcock hunting experience to inspire the next generation of upland hunters. During the 2016 Grouse Camp Tour, RGS staff visited the November grouse camps of members in West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia and candidly documented and updated

the Tour in real-time on social media and the RGS website. Content featured habitat projects, interviews with biol-ogists and dedicated members, grouse and woodcock hunting footage, featured gear/products, and more. For Project Upland, RGS teamed up with Dangerous Cow Publishing to capture the intense passions and emotional traditions of the grouse woods to engage viewers in a wide array of hunting culture. This project, which was filmed in the fall, was a unique bird-hunting initiative that featured powerful short films delivered in the Spring 2017.


RGS MAGAZINE WINS 2016 APEX AWARDThe RGS was privileged to receive a 2016 APEX Award for

Publication Excellence for the 2015 Fall Hunting Special Edition of the Ruffed Grouse Society magazine. The award, given in the

print magazines and journals category, marks the sixth consecutive year RGS has received an APEX award. “Effectively communicating our mission is of utmost importance for the Ruffed Grouse Society, and we work to produce quali-ty digital and print communications that voice

our mission and engage our members,” said RGS President and CEO John Eichinger. Over 1,600 participants entered the 2016 APEX Award in all categories from magazines, print media, electronic media, websites and more with the Ruffed Grouse Society magazine being in the top 15 percent of all magazine applicants.


HEALTHY FORESTS

Photos by Matt Soberg


THE RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY AND AMERICAN WOODCOCK SOCIETY BIOLOGISTS WORK WITH LANDOWNERS AND

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO CREATE HEALTHY FORESTS FOR RUFFED GROUSE, AMERICAN WOODCOCK AND OTHER FOREST

WILDLIFE UTILIZING SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.

$4,580,181 Dedicated Drummer Funds for grouse/woodcock habitat projects

806 Overall grouse/woodcock Drummer Fund projects

588,414 Habitat acres enhanced directly by RGS and AWS programs

Historical Total$4,662,674 Total habitat project funding for 2016 through all sources

$213,538 Dedicated for habitat projects from regional Drummer Funds

57 Drummer Fund projects for grouse/woodcock habitat

>59,414 Habitat acres enhanced by RGS and AWS programs

2016Photos by Matt Soberg

Healthy Forests, continued on page 10


REGIONAL HABITAT HIGHLIGHTSEASTERN GREAT LAKESRegional Wildlife Biologist Heather ShawRegional Wildlife Biologist Meadow Kouffeld

$101,730 Dedicated habitat funds from all sources

16 Drummer Fund Projects

2,540 Habitat acres enhanced by RGS and AWS programs

• RGS/AWS financial support in Michigan was substantially augmented through an MI DNR Wildlife Habitat Program grant – used primarily to work with the Huron Manistee National Forest Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District to implement young forest habitat projects. Inventories identi-fied 74 acres of non-commercial aspen cuttings which were completed. The inventory data also identified additional aspen acreage to be treated in future years.

• The MI DNR recently initiated the GEMS program (Grouse Enhanced Management Site) where public lands are man-aged to emphasize important young forest habitats and provide enhanced hunting opportunities for sportsmen and women. RGS/AWS has been a leading partner in these efforts.

• RGS/AWS worked with the MI DNR on various GEMS projects in the Lower and Upper Peninsulas. The South Marquette or Bill Rollo Memorial GEMS (near Gwinn in Marquette County) provides one example of the type of habi-tat work conducted on these sites.

• RGS/AWS continues to reach out to our elected officials, natural resource professionals and the general public to help clarify the critically important role of forest management in forest wildlife conservation.

• In Michigan, RGS/AWS has been working with legislators to help them understand legislation that would dramatically in-crease motor vehicle access to virtually all state forest lands, including GEMS. RGS/AWS has always supported a balance between walk-in and vehicle access so that the broad range of user groups can enjoy our public lands.

• In Indiana, RGS/AWS provided wildlife and forestry pro-fessionals with detailed information on why we manage our public forests and the negative effects of not doing so. We were invited to present before a joint meeting of the state chapters of The Wildlife Society and the Society of Ameri-can Foresters. We provided compelling data on the virtual extirpation of ruffed grouse in Indiana, and similar declines of many songbirds that like grouse, require young forest habitats.

• In Ohio, RGS/AWS took advantage of the opportunity to appear before an annual Amish Birding Symposium. As in Indiana, we discussed the ongoing loss of young forest habitats in Ohio and the wildlife that call these habitats home with a standing-room only crowd of over 300 attendees.

MID-ATLANTIC AND SOUTHERN APPALACHIARegional Wildlife Biologist Dr. Linda Ordiway




• The partnership in West Virginia revolving around the CAT habitat machine and including Monongahela National Forest, WV DNR and WV DOF continues to grow and gain regional support and recognition.

• RGS/AWS has been more engaged in providing educational opportunities to students within the region. These include two elementary classes, one middle school cooperative workshop and two classes, six high school classes and five college lec-tures/labs.

• Continue to be a member of the Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture Management Board focusing on bird populations and the creation of quality habitat through partnerships.

• Engaging members to continue to be active in the develop-ment of quality habitat projects within our national forests and supporting their participation on collaborative efforts and forums surrounding management - Chattahoochee, Nantahala and Pisgah, George Washington and Jefferson, and the Allegh-eny.

MINNESOTARegional Wildlife Biologist Meadow KouffeldMN DNR Forest Game Bird Coordinator Ted Dick (MN DNR position partially funded by RGS)

$4,141,400 Dedicated habitat funds from all sources (including acquisitions and $60,183 of designated RGS funds)



• 2016 was a historic year for RGS in MN: over 3.87 million dollars in funds secured for two major initiatives and many other projects to improve grouse hunting and habitat. This year marks the first time that RGS and partners received Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Funds for major acquisitions in two Minnesota Counties: Cass and Hubbard. Working with the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association and the Conserva-tion Fund, RGS will purchase timber company divestitures and donate them to willing county land departments. As a result RGS and partners will ensure that these large tracts re-main intact and in timber production. In addition, these lands become permanently accessible by the public. As a result, these

Healthy Forests, continued from page 9


Healthy Forests, continued on page 12

projects provide thousands of acres of habitat and hunting opportunities. The Cass/Hubbard grant was awarded in June 2016 ($3.6 million).

• The second major award in 2016 was a $230,000.00 Conser-vation Partner Legacy (CPL) grant for habitat enhancement work (beginning in 2017). This award will fund a number of upland habitat projects and more than doubles our previ-ous best CPL award of $115,000 (2010). Work sites will be spread across Minnesota’s grouse and woodcock range including; Rochester in the Southeast, Carlos Avery WMA in the Twin Cities, the Superior National Forest in the North-east, and Roseau WMA in the far Northwest.

• In 2016, Minnesota Drummer Funds went to work on a wide range of habitat management and infrastructure improve-ment projects. A portion of Drummer Funds directly paid for the development and maintenance of hunter walking trails on county, state, and federal ownership. Major hunt-ing access projects have been completed or are in progress in Roseau County, Pine County, Aitkin County and on the Chippewa National Forest. In addition, Drummer Funds were used as match dollars in expending and applying for CPL grants. By using CPL grants we reduce the amount of Drummer Funds spent per acre of habitat enhancement, greatly increasing RGS’ impacts on the landscape. Finally, the Society used drummer funds to support private woodland owner education workshops and to support forest wildlife activities at the state and national level.

NEW ENGLANDRegional Wildlife Biologist Andrew Weik




• Provided forest habitat management consultation on over 28,000 acres of timberland to private, land trust and univer-sity managers across New York and New England.

• Provided forest habitat management consultation on over 5,000 acres of timberland to town, county, state and federal managers across New York, New England and Louisiana.

• Planned or implemented Drummer Fund habitat improve-ment treatments on over 500 acres of state, federal, and land trust forest in New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont and Louisiana.

• Worked with North American Versatile Hunting Dog Asso-ciation (NAVHDA) Yankee Chapter in southern Maine and NAVHDA Sebasticook Chapter & 4-H Shooting Sports in western Maine to present youth mentored hunting programs.

• Presented forest landowner/manager workshops in New Hampshire and New York.

• Presented grouse and woodcock hunting workshop with New Hampshire Fish & Game.

• Signed memorandum of understanding with Massachusetts

Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to facilitate grouse and woodcock habitat management and hunter outreach projects in Massachusetts.

• Represented RGS/AWS at meetings with New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association, Northeast Association of State Foresters, Northeast Upland Game Bird Technical Committee, International Woodcock Symposium Organiz-ing Team, Northeast Young Forest Regional Conservation Partnership Program, Multi-state Grouse and Woodcock Biologists and Managers, NY Fish and Wildlife Management Board, NY NRCS Forestry Subcommittee, Great Thicket NWR Planning Team and Woodcock Task Force.

• Worked with Dangerous Cow Publishing to produce Project Upland/ RGS/AWS video “Disturbed Forest”.

• Interviewed about woodcock migration by Dan Small for Outdoors Radio with Dan Small in Wisconsin.

WESTERN GREAT LAKESRegional Wildlife Biologist Dr. Scott Walter




• Developed a partnership agreement with the Natural Re-source Conservation Service and Wisconsin DNR to staff a full-time forest wildlife specialist position, dedicated to young forest habitat development in northwestern Wisconsin.

• Coordinated the Driftless Young Forest Symposium, draw-ing together 80 foresters and biologists from 16 agencies to develop strategies to enhance young forest habitat across the Driftless Region of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.

• Collaborated with conservation partners via membership on the NRCS State Technical Committee, to enhance delivery of Federal Farm Bill conservation programs.

• Provided leadership and assistance to the Wisconsin Young Forest Partnership, a collaborative effort to enhance young forest habitats across northern Wisconsin.

• Continued to provide outreach in support of healthy forest management activities, including 13 presentations to an esti-mated total audience of over 1200 people.

• Coordinated the development of nine videos that showcase the value of young forest habitats, which will be used to pro-mote active forest management to forest owners in Wisconsin.

• Provided input and comments on five large forest manage-ment projects on state and federal lands in Wisconsin.

• Worked with USFS staff in Illinois to identify means of part-nering to promote active forest management on the Shawnee National Forest.

• Collaborated with Wisconsin DNR and other partners to initiate a broad marketing campaign, designed to educate the general public about the ecological and economic values of active timber management.


Healthy Forests, continued from page 11

MICHIGANThis past year is the eighth year for the Michigan Habitat Ma-

chine Program. The Michigan habitat machine has improved habitat on over 3,200 acres to date. The acres listed are only those directly touched by the machine. There are many more surround-ing acres affected by the work performed. Our machine is usually the only low cost option for both private and public landowners. The machine also serves as an educational and outreach tool to teach others about young forest management. In 2016, the Mich-igan machine completed 25 projects and 275 acres including 10 projects on public land totaling 218 acres and 19 on private land totaling 122 acres.

MINNESOTARGS donated a forestry machine to the MN DNR in 2011 which

continues to complete habitat work, trail maintenance, firebreak clearing, brushland mowing and wildlife openings throughout Minnesota.

PENNSYLVANIAThe CAT machine in Pennsylvania worked on six habitat proj-

ects totaling 232 acres affected in 2016.

WEST VIRGINIAThe RGS habitat machine in West Virginia was busy, working

on 29 habitat projects totaling 633 working hours and affecting 1,252 acres.

WISCONSINThough warm winter weather and soft soil conditions limited

use of the Wisconsin habitat machine in 2016, RGS/AWS volun-teer Mike Riggle was able to enhance over 108 acres of habitat for young forest wildlife on five different project sites scattered across central and northern Wisconsin.

RGS/AWS-OWNED HABITAT MACHINESCompleted habitat management activities on more than

65 projects covering over 1,867 acres of habitat in 2016.

THROUGH THE DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION POLICY DAN DESSECKER AND THE COLLECTIVE VOICE OF REGIONAL WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS, REGIONAL DIRECTORS, CHAPTERS AND MEMBERS, RGS AND AWS REMAIN LEADERS IN THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMUNITY AS LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED AFFECTING OUR NATION’S FORESTS AND FOREST WILDLIFE.


WILDFIRE SUPPRESSIONThroughout 2016, your Ruffed Grouse Society and American

Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS) continued our long struggle to remedy the ever-increasing challenge of funding the sup-pression of wildfires in the West without gutting the ability of federal land management agencies to address other pressing needs elsewhere in the nation. These needs include maintaining the young forest habitats required by ruffed grouse, American woodcock, golden-winged warblers and a host of other critters.

The current dedication of approximately 50 percent of the United States Forest Service (USFS) budget to combat these natural disasters is significantly affecting the ability of the Agency to meet wildlife-related and other forest plan objectives and public expectations. Common-sense solutions, such as targeted reforms to redundant project planning requirements are es-sential. Likewise, fiscally responsible funding proto-cols to ease the financial burden on the USFS and other federal land management agencies from wildfire suppression costs would enhance the ability of these agencies to succeed in their efforts to conserve our nation’s wildlife and secure our na-tion’s hunting heritage.

With the aid of over 200 other organizations from across the broad range of conservation/environmental interests, we got close to achieving this goal. But at the end of the day, no final vote was taken to provide federal agencies the administrative reforms and the financial resources to both suppress wildfires and to meet the myriad of other conservation priorities. We will keep trying to stem this erosion of the capacity to conserve our nation’s federal public lands.

CONSERVATION POLICY

SALE OF PUBLIC LANDSThe legislatures of many western states have passed resolu-

tions and other pronouncements demanding that the federal government turn over all or a portion of the federal lands within their boundaries to their respective state agencies. And while it’s entirely possible that state natural resource agencies could do as good a job, or better, of managing these lands than the federal government, it’s also entirely possible that these same legisla-tures would, in times of fiscal uncertainty, sell off high-value

parcels to help balance the budget.Although RGS/AWS has supported the transfer of small parcels between federal and state or local agen-

cies to consolidate ownerships and management authority and take advantage of the administrative benefits that such consolidation can impart, we do not support the large-scale transfer of federal lands

to other interests. America is unique in that hunters and others who enjoy the outdoors in effect own our

nation’s federal public lands. We don’t need to ask permission to hunt, hike or harvest mushrooms or berries on these lands. We don’t want this birthright to be taken away from our chil-dren, their children and their children. We fear that this poten-tial slippery slope could take our nation’s federal public lands over a cliff.

RGS/AWS views the Good Neighbor Authority outlined in the “2012” Farm Bill, which was finally passed in 2014, as a bet-ter option than the wholesale divestiture of our federal public lands. Through this Authority, state and local natural resource management agencies can dramatically aid in the implementa-

A COLLECTIVE VOICE

Conservation Policy, continued on page 14


tion of needed on-the-ground projects using their own person-nel. The costs associated with these efforts are offset by the rev-enues generated from the harvest of marketable forest products during project implementation – a true “win – win” situation for our nation’s natural resources and the public. Several states have embraced this Authority and are making substantive strides with their federal agency partners to better conserve these re-sources and recreational opportunities for the public.

PETITION FOR RULEMAKING

On April 30, 2015, RGS filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the USFS due to the Agency’s consistent failure to provide the young forest habitats required by the ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other game and nongame wildlife on national forests throughout the eastern United States.

Unfortunately over the past several decades, individual na-tional forests throughout the eastern United States have met, on average, only 24 percent of forest plan minimum acreage goals for these important young forest habitats. Not surprisingly, wildlife dependent upon young forest habitats are experiencing substantial population declines on many of our national forests.

The USFS and RGS/AWS met in March 2016, at the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, to dis-cuss steps that the Agency had taken to address the compelling need for additional emphasis on the conservation of wildlife of young forests since our Petition was filed. The USFS identified several recently proposed habitat management projects on na-tional forests in the eastern United States that, if fully imple-mented, will help move the ball forward. In addition, the USFS set aside a big chunk of time during its regularly scheduled meeting at the Conference with wildlife conservation organi-zations from across the nation to specifically address the status and trends of wildlife of young forests. It was gratifying to note that these organizations were unanimous in their support for additional attention to the loss of these habitats.

Subsequent to the Conference, the USFS distributed visual examples from a forward-thinking software tool that can dis-play what a landscape will look like “X” years down the road after the implementation of a proposed project. This type of tool could aid in generating public support for proposed projects, which could greatly reduce project planning costs and time.

Like the efforts to address wildfire funding addressed above, RGS/AWS worked in 2016 with other leaders in the wildlife conservation community to pass bi-partisan legislation de-signed to enhance wildlife conservation and hunting opportu-nities on federal lands (Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act). And like the wildfire funding legislation, the SHARE Act failed at the 11th hour to get an up or down vote

and died on the vine. RGS/AWS is already working with other groups and Congress to refine this legislation and, finally, move it across the finish line.

AMERICAN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PARTNERS

The American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) is a consortium of 47 organizations that represent the interests of America’s dedicated hunter conservationists, professional nat-ural resource managers, outdoor enthusiasts and conservations educators. RGS was a founding member of AWCP in 2000 and served as chair of the then fledgling partnership in 2003.

Every 4 years, AWCP provides incoming administrations with a set of concise recommendations to enhance wildlife con-servation and our hunting heritage on our nation’s public and private lands, and 2016 provided another opportunity to do so. A review of the recommendations in the 2016 version of Wildlife of the 21st Century: Volume V, shows four over-arching themes:

1. Expand on-the-ground wildlife habitat management on our federal public lands.

2. Promote hunting on federal lands by increasing access for hunters and the habitats required by game wildlife.

3. Enhance cooperation between federal and state natural resource management agencies.

4. Increase funding available to federal and state natural resource management agencies.

AWCP went beyond what we’ve done in the past and reached out to the campaigns of both major party candidates in Sep-tember 2016 to make them aware of the issues of importance to our community. We met with representatives of the Trump campaign in mid-September. We could not arrange a date to collectively meet with representatives of the Clinton campaign, but we kept the lines of communication open.

Shortly after the 2016 presidential election, RGS and other AWCP organizations worked with the transition team for then President-Elect Trump to identify individuals who might be appropriate to serve in Administration positions that have sub-stantial influence on issues of interest to hunters and other wild-life conservationists. Our input was well received and appeared to be seriously considered.

RGS/AWS will continue to work with the current Adminis-tration and Congress in Washington, and those that follow, to advocate for federal land management policies and practices that allow you and yours to continue to pursue your passions afield each fall. We hope that you will continue to provide your support and your voice to help us help the critters that can’t speak for themselves.

Conservation Policy, continued from page 13

STAFF AND MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS

The most impactful communications method for RGS and AWS is that of our staff, members and volunteers. Staff biol-ogists are well-respected and are the “go-to” voice for forest management from the national to local levels. When called upon to affect young forest legislation or policy nationwide, RGS and AWS members are an essential asset with proven results. Thank you for your efforts in preserving our sporting traditions by advocating for young forest across North America.

RGS/AWS IS THE VOICE OF FOREST WILDLIFEConsistent, frequent and targeted communications are essential to:

1. INFORM AND ENGAGE MEMBERS2. EDUCATE THE PUBLIC

Staff and members consistently communicate core values:HEALTHY FORESTS ~ ABUNDANT WILDLIFE

SPORTING TRADITIONS

COMMUNICATIONSHIGHLIGHTS

THE RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY MAGAZINE

The Ruffed Grouse Society magazine continues to be a key tool for informing, engaging and educating members on RGS and AWS habitat programs, news, events and recruitment initiatives. The magazine models the tagline by featuring classing articles promoting our sporting traditions, articles from our biologists

on scientific forest management, including news from the organization and featuring information from our chapters, members and volunteers. The publication won the prestigious 2016 APEX Award for Publica-tion Excellence. www.ruffedgrousesociety.org/magazine


Communications, continued on page 16

RGS & AWS staff are pictured outside headquarters in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.


DIGITAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN 2016 NEW MEMBER DRIVE >1,350 NEW MEMBERS

Thanks to a grant from the Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, RGS and AWS cooperated with Dangerous Cow Publishing and its Project Upland platform to create videos featuring RGS and AWS habitat programs, recruitment initiatives, and grouse/wood-cock hunting. These videos were shared on social media channels while promoting new member promotions. The 2016 new mem-ber drive featured an RGS-patched, Jay Dowd artwork long-sleeve Tshirt, a chance to win a SportDOG TEK 2.0 and regular membership benefits including four issues of the Ruffed Grouse Society magazine. This promo was distributed solely through RGS and AWS digital media channels and other strategic events and attracted more than 1,350 new members. www.ruffed.org

Photos from the 2016 Grouse Camp Tour in Southern Appalachia by A.J. DeRosa (Project Upland) and Matt Soberg.

Communications, continued from page 15

2016 GROUSE CAMP TOURThanks to Tour Sponsor SportDOG Brand, RGS &

AWS staff continued this digital media and membership initiative by traveling through the Southern Appalachian Region in November during the 2016 Grouse Camp Tour celebrating chapters, members, habitat and the grouse hunting experience. Starting in West Virginia through Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Geor-gia, staff visited chapters and members documenting travels, interviews and hunting in real-time on various digital media channels, including the RGS website, Face-book, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter. The Tour gained membership through a dedicated membership drive, in-creased analytics online and on social media and helped RGS and AWS celebrate our mission impact, members and volunteers with content for the next generation of grouse and woodcock hunters. For more, www.grouse-camp.org and www.sportdog.com.


FUNDING $15,309 Minnesota DNR Angler and Hunter Recruitment and Retention Grant

$19,410 Torstenson Fund Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

$12,123 RGS and AWS In-Kind

$2,110 Sandstrom Family Foundation

HIGHLIGHTS• The New Hunter Mentor Program held leadership

activities in Texas, West Virginia and Pennsylvania• The NHMP was recognized by the R3 (recruitment,

retention and reactivation) locally and nationally • Federal Ammunition sponsored the NHMP • RGS Leadership Academy developed with plans for

event in Michigan July 2017

This year, 2016, was the first year that the New Hunter Men-tor Program (NHMP) in full was available to the chapters of RGS and AWS. It was introduced to have an innovative outreach initiative focused on educating and influencing all new hunt-

ers. This program is performed by local RGS and AWS chapter volunteers and other professionals from the community and in-cludes and educational component taught over multiple days. The program emphasizes gun safety, marksmanship and shoot-ing; dog handling and care; field skills, habitat awareness and mapping. We had multiple states that took part in the NHMP from the Great Lakes region, East Coast and southern states. The overall feedback we received was they did not know how much habitat has an effect on the birds and how hunting was more fun than they thought. They also learned that it was not an easy sport. Some shoe leather was involved and your game bag does not always dictate if you had fun or not. The mentors that attended and participated were humbled by the reward of seeing new hunters going out and enjoying what they have experienced for a long time. Giving back your time and leadership is an im-measurable experience only you can fully understand if you are part of the program. The program was part of numerous indi-viduals that shot their first upland bird. The look on their faces were unforgettable. The ages were from 12 to 40’s. The program was also shared with some Wounded Warriors. Again unforget-table. ~ RGS & AWS Director of Member Relations & Outreach Mark Fouts

NEW HUNTER MENTOR PROGRAM

RECRUITMENT & RETENTION

Recruitment and Retention, continued on page 18


FUNDING $6,880 Minnesota DNR Angler and Hunter Recruitment and Retention Grant

$1,000 RGS and AWS Cash Support

$10,362 RGS and AWS In-Kind

$4,075 Torstenson Fund Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

$3,000 Local Support

• Sandstroms Distributing• Grand Rapids State Bank• First State Bank of Bigfork• Powell’s Excavating• CN Construction• Sawmill Inn• L&M Supply

The 2016 Women’s Intro to Wingshooting (WIW) held in Grand Rapids, Minnesota was a pilot program that provided a comfortable environment for women of similar skill level interested in developing outdoor skills or furthering existing skills. Participants learned through a combination of lecture and hands-on experiences that took place over a six month pe-riod. In general course graduates demonstrated the proficiency to hunt with others in a safe and effective manner during the course culmination hunt. The 2016 pilot course had 15 par-ticipants. Of those, 12 attended the culmination hunt. In total 12 volunteers devoted time to instruction and guiding. Four instructors attended classes on a regular basis, three of those instructors were NRA certified firearms instructors (Harlow Zeppelin, Lane Dahline, Devon Dahline) and experience trap shooters (Randy Ott). Course participants ranged from 20 years of age to approximately 70 years of age. Although unmeasur-able, course participants became friendly and familiar with each other over the six-month course. In part, retention rate in the class could be attributed to the social dynamics between the women and volunteer instructors. Plans have been made for an-other WIW course in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and to expand the program to Duluth in 2017. ~ RGS & AWS Regional Wildlife Biologist Meadow Kouffeld

WOMEN’S INTRO TO WINGSHOOTING PROGRAM

Recruitment and Retention, continued from page 17


MEMBERSHIPChapters, Banquets and Events

RGS AND AWS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED SUPPORT FOR HABITAT AND HUNTING IN 2016 THROUGH THE HARD WORK

AND OUTREACH EFFORTS OF MEMBERS AND STAFF, THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE AMERICAN WOODCOCK SOCIETY,

MEMBERSHIP DRIVES AND COMMUNICATIONS.

8%Increase in 2016

AWS MEMBERSHIP

96RGS & AWS

Banquets held in 2016

BANQUETS

>176Total RGS & AWS

Banquets and Ancillary Events held in 2016

EVENTS

MEMBERSHIPGROWTH

29%Increase since 2011

LIFE SPONSORS

4005% Increase in 2016

CENTURION MEMBERS

38835% Increase in 2016

BANQUET SPONSORS

1,63412% Increase in 2016

4%Increase in 2016

RGS MEMBERSHIP

CORPORATE SPONSOR PROGRAM


CORPORATE SPONSOR LEVELSSky Dance $30,000

Strutter $20,000

Drumming Log $10,000

Timberdoodle $5,000

Tail Fan $3,500

RGS & AWS THANK ALL CORPORATE SPONSORS WHO UNDERSTAND

THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATING HEALTHY FORESTS BY GENEROUSLY

SUPPORTING THE MISSION TO BENEFIT THE FUTURE OF

RUFFED GROUSE AND AMERICAN WOODCOCK POPULATIONS.

Drumming Log ($10,000)

StihlLoveland, Ohiowww.bryanequipment.com

Worldwide Trophy Adventures Shelby, Michiganwww.worldwidetrophyadventures

Federal PremiumAnoka, Minnesotawww.federalpremium.com

Timberdoodle ($5,000)Orvis CompanyManchester, Vermontwww.orvis.com

ClenzoilTampa, Floridawww.clenzoil.com

Sky Dance Level ($30,000)

Nestle Purina Petcare CompanySt. Louis, Missouriwww.proplan.com

SportDOG BrandKnoxville, Tennesseewww.sportdog.com

Consol EnergyPittsburgh, Pennsylvaniawww.consolenergy.com

Strutter Level ($20,000)L. L. BeanFreeport, Mainewww.llbean.com

CORPORATE SPONSORS

PROGRAMS DEVELOPED

• Cumulative Giving Life Sponsorship• Created Succession Society recognizing those naming

RGS & AWS in their planned giving arrangements• Created Memorial Program for those wanting to

remember someone• Establish new Corporate Sponsor program & criteria• Gullion Circle “Leadership/Advisory” Team

(in development)• Centurion Recruitment Drive through the end of 2016

HIGHLIGHTS & DELIVERABLES

• Developed and created Succession Society program and materials

• Developed and created Memorial Program and materials• General overview information pamphlet on all Planned

Giving/Development strategies and programs• Created Cumulative Giving Life Sponsor

information sheet• Created Centurion recruitment flyer• Strategically developed and planned Legacy, beneficiary

ads in each magazine• Developed Planned Gift ad in each magazine• Developed Honor or Memory ad in each magazine• Created Special Centurion Promotion ad for magazine• Regular“Preserve our Legacy” feature story developed

with accompanying ads in magazine• Cumulative Giving Recognition Program sidebar story

in magazine• “Preserve Your Legacy – The Right Fit” article by

Henry Page and Margurite Griffin appeared in Summer 2016 magazine

• New Corporate Sponsor program matrix developed and implemented

• Major Donor Enrollment Form created for internal use and tracking


THE RGS & AWS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM HAS GROWN TO PROVIDE STRATEGIC, INNOVATIVE AND CONSISTENT

FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF CREATING HEALTHY FOREST HABITAT ACROSS THE NATION.

DEVELOPMENTIt’s About Your Legacy


RGS and AWS held numerous banquets and other fundraising events throughout 2016 - results found below

2016 BANQUET/EVENT ACTIVITY

2016 BANQUETS BY NET REVENUECITY, STATE CHAPTER NAME NET REVENUE

1 Pittsburgh, PA Greater Pittsburgh Area $94,098

2 Grand Rapids, MN Grand Rapids MN $43,822

3 Greensburg, PA Western Allegheny $36,011

4 Duluth, MN Duluth/Superior $34,280

5 Milwaukee, WI David V. Uihlein $32,666

6 Twin Cities, MN Twin Cities MN $29,083

7 St. Cloud, MN West Central MN $28,085

8 Burlington, VT Green Mountain $26,322

9 Chicago, IL T. Stanton Armour $25,691

10 Crandon, WI Nicolet Wild River $23,761

11 New York, NY Allegheny $22,664

12 Traverse City, MI LeGrand Traverse $20,836

13 Media, PA Delaware Valley $19,302

14 Warroad, MN Lake of the Woods $19,095

15 Grand Rapids, MI Grand Rapids MI $18,962

16 Reading, PA Charles E. Bechtel $18,747

17 Prescott, WI Missi-Croix $18,666

18 Muskegon, MI W. MI Lakeshore $18,183

19 Frederick, MD Potomac Valley $18,121

20 Kingston, NY Mid-Hudson Valley $18,023

21 Virginia, MN David Salsman $17,439

22 Imlay City, MI Robert J Lytle $17,438

23 Washington, PA Covered Bridge $17,320

24 Sheboygan, WI Lake Shore $17,300

25 Ely, MN Crazy Flight $16,466

26 Atlanta, GA Georgia $15,400

27 S. Milwaukee, WI David V. Uihlein $15,346

28 Lansing, MI Andy Ammann $15,182

29 Fredericksburg, VA Rappahannock $14,571

30 St. Ignace, MI Eastern UP $14,448

31 Park Falls, WI Flambeau River $14,252

32 Marquette, MI Mid UP $14,019

33 Cambridge, MN Rum River $14,015

34 Altoona, PA Thunderbird $13,769

35 Ironwood, MI Superior $12,968

36 Staunton, VA H.C. Edwards $12,905

37 Lewisburg, WV Highland Drummer $11,893

38 Kalamazoo, MI Southwestern MI $11,381

39 Flint, MI Keith Davis - Roger Moore $11,247

40 Tomahawk, WI Lincoln County $11,054

41 Syracuse, NY Central New York $11,020

42 Oakland, MD Backbone Mountain $10,837

43 Blackduck, MN Blackduck $10,364

44 Hadley, MA Western Massachusetts $10,167

45 Richmond, VA James River $10,153

46 Hackensack, MN Deep Portage $10,045

47 Marinette, WI Marinette County $9,971

48 Stevens Point, WI Golden Sands $9,941

49 Aitkin, MN Aitkin Area $9,920

50 Carlisle, PA Central Pennsylvania $9,888

51 Saginaw, MI Saginaw Valley $9,832

52 Augusta, ME Russ & Carole Dyer $9,709

53 Green Bay, WI Northeastern WI $9,672

54 Crystal Falls, MI North Woods $9,534

55 Eau Claire, WI Chippewa Valley $9,448

56 Petoskey, MI Al Litzenburger $9,287

57 International Falls, MN Voyageur $9,019

58 Seattle, WA Washington $8,900

59 Muscoda, WI Southwest WI $8,789

60 Elmira, NY Triple Flush $8,725

61 Sussex, NJ Skylands $8,419

62 St. Clairsville, OH Upper Ohio Valley $8,246

63 Gaylord, MI Jim Foote $7,960

64 Middlefield, OH Northern Ohio $7,779

65 Cadillac, MI Highlands $7,602

66 Clarksburg, WV South Central MI $7,555

67 Marshall, MI West Central WI $7,516

68 Marshfield, WI Gilbert R. Symons $7,032

69 Asheville, NC S. Appalachian $6,698

70 State College, PA Red Brush $6,642

71 Brainerd, MN Drumming Log $6,604

72 Bristol, VA Appalachian Highlands $6,278

73 Bemidji, MN Northcentral MN $6,166

74 Dubuque, IA Iowa $5,953

75 Madison, WI John M. Keener $5,941

76 New Wilmington, PA Neshannock Creek $5,766

77 Eagle River, WI Chain O’ Lakes $5,481

78 Alpena, MI Thunder Bay $5,394

79 Wausau, WI Rib Mountain $5,321

80 Erie / Meadville, PA French Creek Valley $5,282

81 Allentown, PA Lehigh Valley $5,277

82 Indianapolis, IN Indiana $5,093

83 Franklin, PA Allegheny Northwoods $4,988

84 Worcester, MA Brian Hays $4,893

85 Dubois, PA Bonasa $4,843

86 Detroit, MI Southeast Michigan $4,170

87 Bangor, ME Central Maine $3,873

88 Athens, OH Hocking River Valley $3,649

89 Baton Rouge, LA Louisiana Woodcock $3,634

90 West Branch, MI North Cental Michigan $3,320

91 Warren, MI Lakeside $3,224

92 Kane, PA Allegheny $3,221

93 Hayward, WI Wilderness Wings $3,031

94 Malone, NY North Country $2,831

95 Ash River, MN Ash River $1,344

96 Wilkes-Barre, PA Northeastern PA $795


2016 BANQUETS BY INCREASE IN NET REVENUE (TOP 25)

CITY, STATE CHAPTER NAME INCREASE IN NET REVENUE

1 Pittsburgh, PA Greater Pittsburgh Area $22,212

2 Virginia, MN David Salsman $20,148

3 Marquette, MI Mid UP $14,069

4 S. Milwaukee, WI David V. Uihlein $12,463

5 Tomahawk, WI Lincoln County $11,054

6 Eau Claire, WI Chippewa Valley $9,448

7 Grand Rapids, MN Grand Rapids MN $8,488

8 Lansing, MI Andy Ammann $7,993

9 Greensburg, PA Western Allegheny $7,992

10 Kingston, NY Mid-Hudson Valley $7,828

11 Muskegon, MI W. MI Lakeshore $7,391

12 Milwaukee, WI David V. Uihlein $7,097

13 St. Ignace, MI Eastern UP $5,411

14 Twin Cities, MN Twin Cities MN $5,353

15 Washington, PA Covered Bridge $4,518

16 Marinette, WI Marinette County $3,751

17 Burlington, VT Green Mountain $3,591

18 Marshall, MI South Central MI $3,575

19 Sheboygan, WI Lake Shore $3,376

20 Fredericksburg, VA Rappahannock $3,357

21 Traverse City, MI LeGrand Traverse $3,268

22 Ely, MN Crazy Flight $2,852

23 Bemidji, MN Northcentral MN $2,715

24 Flint, MI Keith Davis $2,593

25 Imlay City, MI Robert J Lytle $2,568

2016 BANQUETS BY INCOME-PER-PERSON (TOP 25)CITY, STATE CHAPTER NAME NET / PERSON

1 Fredericksburg, VA Rappahannock $297

2 Grand Rapids, MN Grand Rapids MN $243

3 Pittsburgh, PA Greater Pittsburgh Area $238

4 Milwaukee, WI David V. Uihlein $218

5 Greensburg, PA Western Allegheny $211

6 St. Cloud, MN West Central MN $207

7 Washington, PA Covered Bridge $201

8 Duluth, MN Duluth/Superior $199

9 Burlington, VT Green Mountain $191

10 Virginia, MN David Salsman $159

11 Seattle, WA Washington $156

12 Chicago, IL T. Stanton Armour $156

13 S. Milwaukee, WI David V. Uihlein $153

14 Middlefield, OH Northern Ohio $153

15 Prescott, WI Missi-Croix $147

16 Erie / Meadville, PA French Creek Valley $147

17 Atlanta, GA Georgia $147

18 Cambridge, MN Rum River $144

19 Crandon, WI Nicolet Wild River $140

20 Frederick, MD Potomac Valley $139

21 Twin Cities, MN Twin Cities MN $138

22 Kingston, NY Mid-Hudson Valley $137

23 Warroad, MN Lake of the Woods $136

24 Blackduck, MN Blackduck $133

25 Reading, PA Charles E. Bechtel $129

2016 SPECIAL FUNDRAISING EVENTS BY NET REVENUE (TOP 25)CITY, STATE CHAPTER NAME NET REVENUE

1 National Hunt Grand Rapids, MN $168,526

2 New York City Dinner New York, NY $22,664

3 PA Upland Bird Hunt Kersey, PA $21,767

4 NY Grouse & Woodcock Hunt Malone, NY $13,315

5 Lancaster Shoot Lancaster, PA $9,000

6 Griskevich Memorial Shoot Mapleville, RI $7,632

7 Clarksburg Shoot Clarksburg, WV $7,555

8 Spirits for Wild Game Dinner Cincinnati, OH $7,384

9 Banff Film Festival Eau Claire, WI $4,665

10 MN Game Fair Anoka, MN $4,366

11 Addieville Shoot Mapleville, RI $3,484

12 Alpena Steak Fry Alpena, MI $3,323

13 Asheville Fun Shoot Asheville, NC $3,277

14 Wausau Hunt for Habitat Tomahawk, WI $3,187

15 Washington Shoot Washington, PA $2,737

16 Syracuse NY Shoot Syracuse, NY $2,597

17 Woods ‘n Water Booth Imlay City, MI $2,519

18 Bonefish Tournament Marsh Harbour, Bahamas $2,476

19 Carlisle Shoot Carlisle, PA $2,331

20 Cambridge Shoot Cambridge, MN $2,039

21 Woodcock Challenge Gaylord, MI $2,020

22 Dunbar Shoot Dunbar, WI $1,994

23 Franklin Shoot Franklin, PA $1,855

24 Flint Shoot Flint, MI $1,678

25 Georgia Fun Shoot Georgia, GA $1,638

2016 BANQUETS BY NET TO GROSS (%) (TOP 25)CITY, STATE CHAPTER NAME NET TO GROSS

1 Greensburg, PA Western Allegheny 75.2%

2 Grand Rapids, MN Grand Rapids MN 70.0%

3 Duluth, MN Duluth/Superior 68.9%

4 Lansing, MI Andy Ammann 68.6%

5 Pittsburgh, PA Greater Pittsburgh Area 65.1%

6 St. Clairsville, OH Upper Ohio Valley 64.6%

7 Crandon, WI Nicolet Wild River 63.1%

8 Burlington, VT Green Mountain 62.5%

9 Kalamazoo, MI Southwestern MI 61.3%

10 Erie / Meadville, PA French Creek Valley 61.0%

11 Elmira, NY Triple Flush 60.3%

12 Kingston, NY Mid-Hudson Valley 60.1%

13 Cambridge, MN Rum River 59.9%

14 Frederick, MD Potomac Valley 59.9%

15 Augusta, ME Russ & Carole Dyer 59.9%

16 New Wilmington, PA Neshannock Creek 59.8%

17 Washington, PA Covered Bridge 59.6%

18 Reading, PA Charles E. Bechtel 58.2%

19 Flint, MI Keith Davis 56.3%

20 Indianapolis, IN Indiana 56.1%

21 Sheboygan, WI Lake Shore 56.1%

22 Atlanta, GA Georgia 55.9%

23 Muskegon, MI W. MI Lakeshore 55.4%

24 St. Cloud, MN West Central MN 55.3%

25 Prescott, WI Missi-Croix 54.7%


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (000’S)

SUPPORT & REVENUEMEMBERSHIP.......................................................................................$619PROGRAM CONTRIBUTIONS ............................................................1,444BANQUETS & OTHER EVENTS..........................................................2,288PROGRAM REVENUE ............................................................................231ADVERTISING & OTHER INCOME ........................................................870

TOTAL SUPPORT & REVENUE ........................................................$5,452

OPERATIONAL EXPENSEPROGRAM SERVICES ......................................................................$4,795ADMINISTRATION ..................................................................................668FUNDRAISING ..........................................................................................50

TOTAL OPERATIONAL EXPENSES .................................................$5,513

SUPPORT & REVENUE LESS EXPENSES .........................................$-61

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (000’S)

ASSETSCURRENT ASSETS ...........................................................................$6,414LONG TERM ASSETS ..............................................................................60FIXED ASSETS ....................................................................................1,086OTHER ASSETS .......................................................................................53

TOTAL ASSETS .................................................................................$7,613

LIABILITIESCURRENT LIABILITIES .....................................................................$1,285LONG TERM LIABILITIES...........................................................................0

TOTAL LIABILITIES ..........................................................................$1,285

FUND BALANCERETAINED ..........................................................................................$6,389CURRENT ................................................................................................-61

TOTAL FUND BALANCE ..................................................................$6,328

TOTAL LIABILITIES & FUND BALANCE .........................................$7,613

The financial information provides a snapshot of the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society consolidated financials for fiscal year 2016. Please visit www.ruffedgrousesociety.org for more detailed information and our complete audited statements.

FUNDRAISING

1.0%

PROGRAM SERVICES

86.9%

ADMINISTRATION

12.1%

WHERE YOUR RGS AND AWS DOLLAR GOES

SOURCES OF SUPPORT & REVENUE

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

BANQUET & OTHER EVENTS

42%

MEMBERSHIPS

11%

PROGRAM REVENUE

4%

PROGRAM CONTRIBUTIONS

27%

ADVERTISING & OTHER INCOME

16%

Photo by Bill Marchel


The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society sincerely thank the following supporters for their generous contributions to habitat creation for ruffed grouse and American woodcock and dedication to the RGS & AWS mission.

The late Gordon W. Gullion, known as “Mr. Grouse”, was universally acknowledged as the world’s leading expert on ruffed grouse ecology. The Gullion Circle, Gold Aspen Ring, Silver Birch Ring and Bronze Maple Ring recognize those who have contrib-uted $25,000 or more to the Ruffed Grouse Society. The Gullion Circle - $250,000 or more; Gold Aspen Ring - $100,000; Silver Birch Ring - $50,000; and Bronze Maple Ring - $25,000.

GOLD ASPEN RING, SILVER BIRCH RING & BRONZE MAPLE RING

GULLION CIRCLE

THANK YOU...

GULLION CIRCLEGaylen BykerDavid V. Uihlein FoundationSuzanne DixonElizabeth, Allan & Warren Shelden FoundationEdwin Gott, Jr.Joe Irwin Denis Karnosky Gary MartinNestle Purina Petcare Co.James H. OliverPerkins Charitable TrustStephen QuillRichard King Mellon Family FoundationRichard King Mellon FoundationMrs. William L. SearleScotty SearleThe Searle Family TrustTerry Wilson, Ugly Dog Hunting GOLD ASPEN RINGJohnson Timber Corp.James L. JurriesGunnar, Louise & Rebeka KlarrThe Lynde & Harry Bradley FoundationMead Westvaco Corp.Bruce OgleJohn C. OliverDavid PerkinsGeorge S. RichDavid D. SandstromWillaim B. SordoniDavid C. Wahl SILVER BIRCH RING Hobson Brown, Jr.Larry & Cindy BrutgerLeon (Joe) Chandler, M.D.Lawrence M. ClarkJames HayettMartie & Wayne Jacobson, Jr.John & Carolynn LoackerW. Stephen Maritz

David L. MooreMorton Family FoundationJohn Mullin, IIIAlan RheinschmidtS. Kent Rockwell FoundationBetsy Searle William W. Shelden, Jr.The Sordoni Foundation, Inc.Jason R. SpaethWilliam A. YacktmanMichael D. ZagataZiegler Construction

BRONZE MAPLE RING Robert J. Bates, M.D.Robert W. & Susan T. BrownRick III & Trish BryanThomas W. Dew, IIIMarshall Field, VIDon E. FunkRichard & Judi HuempfnerD. Wayne Jacobson, Sr.Tracy T. LarsenRobert “Mac” W. Macdonald, Jr.Mars FoundationMenasha Corporation FoundationShane Thomas MengelOlin - Winchester Corp.John C. Oliver, IIIM. Richard PhillipsAdrian B. Ryan, M.D.Duane SatherHarold J. Schneider, Sr.S. Bruce Smart, Jr.Stevens Engineers and Constructors, Inc.Joseph F. Toot, Jr.The White Pine FundThomas S. Word, Jr.George J. WordinghamPaul Zelisko

Gordon W. Gullion

ALASKALeon (Joe) ChandlerTrigg DavisMike GriffinRichard HemmenSteve HyamsBryan KnightRobb MilneWilliam PeaseAdrian B. RyanSpecialty Supply, Inc.Janice StrongLen & Marty Yuknis

ARKANSASTracy Lee

CALIFORNIAJohanson Ventures, Inc.Keith A. Johnson Family FoundationShane Thomas MengelJames H. Oliver

COLORADOEdwin H. Gott, IIISteve R. HigginsJames E. KurtzmanJim E. PetersonBetsy SearleTimothy J. Travis

FLORIDAJames A. CornetetRandy HicksLawrence S. KatzCurtis MarksGary T. MartinTodd M. RyanDavid C Wahl

GEORGIAMichael E. DickensM. Richard PhillipsCurtis G. Werner

ILLINOISJean ArmourTimothy Ian BatesJoe (Jamie) ByersBuckley ByersCaterpillar, Inc.John A. ClemetsenSuzanne DixonJames W. DominikRussell & Christina FisherJames Hayett in Memory of Arthur J. HayettDavid KellerChapin LeeJohn & Suzanne LeonardBarry MacLeanDamon MaranoDavid L. MooreWilliam P O’Keefe, Jr.Olin – Winchester Corp.Greg OyerAlan RheinschmidtAndrew M. RosenfieldDamon SatherKeith SchoppJohn (Jake) S. SearleWilliam Kent SearleScotty SearleMrs. William L. SearleThe Searle Family TrustThomas SennstromTom ShaughnessyBrian SimmonsDaniel J. SopocyBrett Evan SopocyJ. Gregory & Molly SouthWilliam R. StevensFrank A. SvobodaJade VickersStanford K. WilliamsWilliam A. YacktmanThe Yacktman FoundationPaul ZeliskoRobert Ziegler

INDIANALuke FunkJim & Heidi Straka

IOWAJeff DollNestle Purina Petcare Co.

KANSASGhassan (Gus) Bader

KENTUCKYTom & Susan Burtoft

LOUISIANAThomas NoellJacques L. Wiener, Jr.

MAINEThe Brook Family FoundationLeon Gorman

MARYLANDGayle L. BykerJames F. FarmerJohn W. Greene, Jr.Ben GriswoldRobert Mac W. Macdonald, Jr.Tyler MillsWilliam MillsGeorge S. RichDavid Barrett RichGeorge Sunderland RichStursa Equipment Co. LtdKenneth M. StuzinJoel F VisserJohannes Byker VisserDavid R. Wilmerding, III

MASSACHUSETTSWilliam G. Curtis, VJonathan EnnisRobert J. HareAnthony R. Mastromarino, Jr.Stephen B. QuillStephen F. Quill

MICHIGANRichard W. BarchWilliam BolyardGaylen J. BykerSteve ChaffeeCharles ChandlerScott E. Christopher, Sr.Rob DeVilbissStephen H. FletcherFrey FoundationEric R. FritzDon E. FunkDavid GeenenRichard J. GeenenMatthew GrgurichRichard HellerHen-Mar LLCTim L. HillJames L. JurriesHunter KingGunnar & Louise KlarrRebekah Klarr

Blake KruegerFrederic W. KruerTracy T. LarsenDave M. LillieJoe MagginiDavid B. MedemaM. J. MorounJohn MyaardTodd G. OostingDavid & Mary SlikkersMike SnapperRichard R. TaylorJeff TownerMichael G. VanLokerenVenture IndustriesWessel Gun Shop, Inc.

MINNESOTAGreg AplinKevin AplinAPR Captil Investments, L.L.C.Allen R. ArvigBill Hicks & CompanyBlack Bear Log HomesArmand BrachmanLarry BrutgerMatthew BrutgerCharles BurnsCN Construction Inc.Clint CorrowCountry Inn of Grand RapidsCub FoodsKent CummingsSteve FlemingFremont Industries, Inc.Steve GilbertsonGary GoltzGrand Rapids Amateur HockeyGrand Rapids Development Corp.Grand Rapids State BankDean GroebnerJohn HaeslerRobert HamiltonSteve HansonRichard & Judi HuempfnerD. Wayne Jacobson, Jr.D. Wayne Jacobson, Sr.Martie JacobsonCharles JohnsonMark KieckerSven LindquistTerry L. LydellJake MarvinKristi MattesonMN Deer Hunters AssociationJerry MoehnkeCasey Newman

Bruce A. OgleDennis O’TooleSteven W. RiceSafari Club InternationalDavid D. SandstromDean SandstromJulie Sandstrom HitchcoxSawmill InnDennis SchererRobert L. SeibertSnet’s Welding & FabricationJason R. SpaethKurt G. SundquistDennis TollefsonTotal Control SolutionsUPM/Blandin Paper CompanyWells Fargo Bank Of Grand RapidsSteve M. WilcoxNoah WilcoxLeonard WohlmanZiegler Construction

MISSOURIAnheuser-Busch FoundationTed S. CooperStephen C. JonesW. Stephen MaritzTom Schlafly

MONTANAAndy Duffy

NEBRASKAClarence L. Werner

NEW HAMPSHIRERobert & Patricia LeipoldDavid E. Michno

NEW JERSEYStephen H. BrowneGriffin And HoweKeano David Munoz

NEW YORKEric Paul AffusoHobson Brown, Jr.Lawrence M. Clark, Jr.Marshall Field, VIThe Funnyfolk FarmThe George F. Baker TrustBenjamin H. GriswoldWilliam V. Krazinski, Jr.Kuritzky Glass Co., Inc.Brent R. NicklasBill NicklinTodd SolomonMichael D. Zagata


$10,000 LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP

RGS LIFE SPONSORS UNITED STATES AND CANADA

NORTH CAROLINAChris DavisGlenn HarveyBryan & Debbie StutzmanBob WendlingKen WrangellRobert J. Bates, M.D.Sam W. McQuade, Jr.Leslie M. Rainwater

OHIORick & Faith Bryan, IVRick & Trish Bryan, IIIByers Charitable TrustJohn F. CassidyFifth Third BankBill Goudy Memorial/Rick & Trish Bryan, IIILawrence D. Milligan, Jr.Orvis-Perkins FoundationPerkins Charitable FoundationPerkins TrustRobert J. VadasT & D ThompsonJoe F. Toot, Jr.

OKLAHOMAGregory & Linda Meyer

OREGONDavid M. FullerJohn & Carolynn Loacker

PENNSYLVANIARalph W. Arthur, Jr.Morris C. BakerArthur R. BorrellA. H. Burchfield, IIIClassic Shotshell, Inc.John B. EichingerCraig FiedlerFish Real EstateNicholas Hays GottEdwin H. Gott, Jr.Habitat For WildlifeHirtle, Callaghan & CompanyJ. Upton HudsonCharles (Mickey) M. HutchkoJoe R. IrwinRon KistlerLee Industries, Inc.Mark LindstromS. Prosser MellonSamuel & Beatrice MooreMichael K. Moss, V.M.DJohn J. Murray, Jr.James D. NyceJohn C. Oliver, III

Samuel R. Pursglove, Jr.R. K. Mellon Family FoundationRichard King Mellon FoundationRockwell FoundationMark L. RutledgeJames Sadler, Jr., M.D.Harold J. Schneider, Sr.Seneca Printing And Label, Inc.Kenneth L. SimonJim & Clara Sue SmithWilliam B. SordoniThe Sordoni Foundation, Inc.Larry & Dee SouleretWalter StoeckleinKenneth H. Taylor, Jr.Robin F. TaylorRobert WoodingsWright Automotive Group

SOUTH CAROLINAEdwin L. DevilbissChuck A. GomulkaMeadWestvaco Corp.John C. Oliver

SOUTH DAKOTALarry PillardDuane Sather

TENNESSEECraig J. BalzerWilliam B. Benton, Jr.W. Gregory Cook, M.D.Phillip CroweShannon R. Curtis, M.D.Jeff KingMartin RashThe Tucker Foundation

TEXASRandolph R. BirkmanJordan Matthew JaysonNorman E. NabhanGeorge W. PasselaDonald PattesonJerry Theodorson

VERMONTDavid PerkinsLeigh H. Perkins, Sr.Frank SimmsUgly Dog Hunting

VIRGINIAIsaac Freeman

Jacob ‘Jay’ E. Frith, IIKarl K. KindigRobin LeonardDavid D. MacDonaldMars FoundationMichael D. MilliganJohn H. Mullin, IIIMark J. OhrstromGustav OhrstromWilliam L. PannillWilliam A. Royall, Jr.S. Bruce Smart, Jr.D. Middleton Smith, IIITony MakrisWilliam W. & Virginia B. Sale FoundationThomas S. Word, Jr.David M. WordThomas S. Word, IIIMrs. Ray ‘Paco’ YoungGary G. Youngblood

WASHINGTONJames H. GrimesDaniel SatherFred Stark

WEST VIRGINIAAudubon Animal ClinicBrad Hall, M.D.

WISCONSINAmerican Garage Door Co.Geoff G. BergauerSteve BodenschatzRobert W. & Susan T. BrownMatthew ChristyDavid V. Uihlein FoundationThomas W. Dew, IIISeth DizardDoug P. BaumannColin FoutsMark FoutsChristopher Dennis GalleGreat Northern CorpJames HayettW. B. Sonny JohnsonGillian JohnsonPhillip JohnsonDerrick JohnsonJohnson Timber Corp.Denis KarnoskyEric & Gretchan KarnoskyJoe KleinGregg KuehnBradley LengelingDave Mathews

Menasha Corporation FoundationMertens Erectors, Inc.Michael F. Hupy & Assoc.Brigid O’DonoghueJohn (Jack) M. OlsonDan OngnaLynde B. UihleinRyan WoodyGeorge J. WordinghamBrittany ZebraskyRobert Zimmerman

WYOMINGRobert Model

CANADAJames AbbeyG. Wayne ConnorJames HoddinottMichael Phippen

Bruce A. Bennett, MassachusettsStephen H. Fletcher, MichiganDavid O. Higley, MichiganSawmill Inn, MinnesotaDon Matta, MinnesotaJames H. Oliver, CaliforniaGeorge S. Rich, MarylandBrian W. Smith, PennsylvaniaUgly Dog Hunting, VermontNancy Anisfield, VermontDavid Wahl, FloridaBruce Wojcik, Michigan

ALASKARichard Todd BrownConoco PhillipsThomas J. Eley, Jr.Daniel HallKevin J. KehoeSpencer K. WilsonJohn Wunsch

ARIZONARaymond J. Clodi, Sr.Myron W. GalloglyWillard L. SmithArmed Forces PacificBryan Koontz

CALIFORNIADavid B. LefevreSean & Melissa McAvoyStephen P. Renock, IV

COLORADOCharles F. GarciaThomas Moebius

CONNECTICUTJeffrey GardnerArthur Jay KoverLee W. Mather, Jr.David MeleSteven K. WilsonRichard W. Witmer, Jr.

DELAWAREWilliam K. Dupont

Centurion List continued on page 28



If any names were misprinted or omitted, please contact RGS and AWS at [email protected].


RGS CENTURION MEMBERSUNITED STATES AND CANADA

AWS LIFE SPONSORS

FLORIDAAlexander ChesterDavid R. EllisVictor S. Falk, IIIBruce Fenn, IIIGeorge E. FordMike GebhardJeffrey J. KossThomas LaituriJohn SocolJohn H. SullivanJames W. TownsendRobert UihleinDr. Philip Winslow

GEORGIAJohn R. RichardsTravis Wallick

ILLINOISRussell H. BuechsAndrew GraserJohn E. HuntGeorge D. Ihrke, Jr.Walter KastenStephen LynchJohn R. RodelliJoel Ross ScalzoLewis J. ScheerEric TorstensonRonald J. VecchieSteven Worth

INDIANALarry W. DunnChristopher MillerBrad Quinn

IOWADaniel BartlettMorris A. Knutsen

KANSASWilliam BradleyJohn GlassmanDana Towle

KENTUCKYFrank AllenRichard D. OliverDavid E. Trauth

LOUISIANAGlenn BegnaudMark & Diane LarsonHarold A. Loyacano, Jr.Edward A. Neupert

MAINEBenjamin E. Jeffries

Daniel NeinA. E. SchickleCharles TappanBradley C. VarneyArt Wheaton

MARYLANDAmir AlikhaniAspen HillSidney W. Beddow, IIMarshall H. DurstonThomas A. EdwardsJonathon FarberHarry S. GrunerStuart F. HallJack ShawRichard Lee SimisCalbraith Rodgers Wheaton

MASSACHUSETTSBruce A. BennettPaul Bruk, IIIGregory T. GarlandCharles W. HulbertFrederick Moseley, IIIStephen PossPatrick S. Wilmerding

MICHIGANMichael R. AllettRobert Bartels, Jr.Craig S. BoylesDoug Callander Brent L. CanupMartin CarpenterFrank J. CorralMartin B. CotancheWilliam A. CraneWilliam A. DemmerBrian & Dayna DrettmannRobert H. FlintHarry J. FullerRay Jaime GonzalezBrian GrangerGuns-N-GearW. Lee HammondRandall R. HansenJohn HartDavid L. HerrmannDonald E. Johnson, Jr.Jonathan KovalcikMichael J. Vandoski, Jr.Dave ListelloMichael MagnusonTony MazurekDavid McIntyreBruce OttoJohn H. PaigeMichael Schafer

James (Jake) ShinnersBruce SimonAndrew SiudaraDavid Duane SmithArchie H. Stevens, Sr.Ted SzydlowskiNorman TorreChris TracyMax TrembourTom Van De GriendLarry VerHageFrank C. WheatlakeDouglas L. WhitleyAdam WhitneyRichard G. Wimmer, Sr.

MINNESOTAWilliam AllenAndy Michalek LoggingTim BymarkTimothy CarlsonGregory Daigle, Sr.Don and Nancy DollJason DufresneCurt EngelsCraig FossTim FosterGame Research CenterMark HaslupRandy L. HavelCraig J. HeusinkveldZenas HutchesonGeorge O. JacobsonMike KettenackerTom & Jane KingstonTimothy D. LarsonDavid M. LillyRyan P. MalleryDon E. MattaAustin David MattaNorthprint InternationalPeter RaineyEarl RoedG. Richard SladeTad D. SonnemanPaul F. StollMatt TumaWilliam B. WebsterDale E. WeickJoe Witt

MISSOURIJoe SivewrightMarco SurmaEmilia SurmaMateo Surma

MONTANADr. John K. Pike, Jr.

NEW HAMPSHIREPatrick O’DonnellPaul V. Repasy, Sr.Shirley Rice

NEW JERSEYC. Austin BuckPeter R. KelloggSteven J. RenehanTyrell K. Rydgren

NEW YORKErica AffusoGeorge BarneyFrederick W. Beinecke, IIAlbert E. BrunelliWilliam V. ClarkSal DeBellaLouis GiovanniGeorge T. Driscoll, Jr.Jeff FishakRichard E. GarmanRoger GlennChristofer GuarinoHarris Hill Nursing FacilitySusan Jones GraffRoss B. KenzieDavid S. Kern, Sr.Donald A. LancasterJoseph C. LittletonWaylon LunnWalter McLallenRalph MorganChristopher Joseph NastkePaul H. OlearyJohn PartenzaMike PascarellaGeorge L. Scherrer, Jr.Frank R. Shumway, Jr.Richard T. WilliamsLawrence Zirkel

NORTH CAROLINAJeff AkinCharles C. BassettPete R. BromleyJames Fred ClodfelterCharles H. Duckett, M.D.Stephen L. FaustJoel W. KingJack PittardArnold C. SheldonDewey W. Wells

NORTH DAKOTADouglas Forgit

OHIOLynn T. AduddellClarence J. Bittner

Chad J. BowmanBob EplingJames HatfieldRay Mileski Mueller Roofing DistributorsRobert MullinsDr. Mitchell NahraJ. S. RenkertHewitt ShawRobert Thompson

OREGONJohn M. Tess

PENNSYLVANIAJeff AnkneyOtto BeckStephen P. BielloSam M. BlackTodd BurnsRussell Byers, Jr.James (Jay) D. CarmichaelBess E. CriswellJames DepoloRobert A. Digel, Jr.Bob R. GlaserNicholas R. HiltonHarry C. HineyAngelo & Cynthia HionisTom F. HoffmanThomas D. KirkwoodKodlick FarmsRichard LewisDavid MacaleerFred MartinArmour MellonGeorge MetrokaDaniel MillerJack W. MontgomeryEric NollEugene M. OakillLaren PitcairnJames B. RyanGeorge (Jane) F. SaboGregg ScottHarris D. SisleyEarl R. SlusserLloyd SmithFrank SmithRichard SneboldJohn J. SomonickBernard UtnikMatthew E. UtnikMr. & Mrs. Utnik & SonsTripp WayDonald J. WilliamsRussell C. WoodA.E. Wright, M.D.Jake Yanosky

Centurion List, continued from page 27


RHODE ISLANDWebster Goodwin, Jr.William F. White

SOUTH CAROLINAD.O. DaviesGregg KingAleksander Krazinski

SOUTH DAKOTAAlex Papp

TENNESSEEPaul R. Benny, Sr.John H. Beveridge, M.D.Sonny HitchcoxLes Nation

TEXASRobert BlakelyJay HerbertJohn Surma

UTAHHeggie R. Wilson

VERMONTJohn McCormick, Jr.John O’HaraHenry Slauson, IIIRon Wright

VIRGINIAChuck AkreJohn D. Bassett, IIIJim BlakeneyP. Steve Bollinger, IIMichael Casey CarpenterRobert HaessnerWilliam R. HubblePeter KeefeBob MartinKirk William McCullough IIJohn H. MongerArthur H. NashWilliam W. NeaseDavid L. ShackelfordMichael Wilkerson

WASHINGTONRod & Val OlsonRice Family FoundationW.P. Wilkinson

WEST VIRGINIAMichael Harmon, M.D.James Lemons

WISCONSINCharles R. AldenDavid R. BertlerJoshua M. BrettingenJim BrockmanTerrence ClarkDan & Hali DesseckerStephen Joseph EbertDustin Robert ElsburyPatrick FeeMichael Jay GildemeisterStephan D. GramsBrett GramsRonald K. HaugThe Highlands Sportsmen’s ClubThomas B. HurdGary J. KrukarJohn & Clara KubisiakWayne L. LacosseTony J. LaszewskiMalmquist Law FirmTom MohrhauserBryan H. MullettJohn TaylorLeonard H.WurmanThomas P. Zapatka

WYOMINGTimothy AlthauserMary Anna G. ClayJonathan T. DawsonRandy SmithDavid Walsh

CANADADavid KainsW. K. MacLeodThomas L. StephensCody Wollen

ILLINOISCraig PurseEric Torstenson

LOUISIANAJens Aubin Rummler

MASSACHUSETTSCharles Kane

MICHIGANCraig S. BoylesSteve ChaffeeTracy T. LarsenSteve PouliosJeff Towner

MINNESOTACN Construction Inc.Terry L. LydellBruce A. OgleDavid D. SandstromNoah WilcoxNicholas WilcoxSteve M. Wilcox

MISSOURIMateo Surma

NEW JERSEYC. Austin Buck

NEW YORKLouis DiGiovanniWilliam V. Krazinski, Jr. Kuritzky Glass Co., Inc.Linc Lyman

NORTH CAROLINAStephen L. Faust

PENNSYLVANIAJeff AnkneyJohn B. EichingerEdwin H. Gott, Jr.Joseph V. PiccoloJake Yanosky

TENNESSEEPaul R. Benny, Jr.

TEXASJohn Surma

WISCONSINMark FoutsAlex GemrichJames HayettDavid JohnsonGary J. KrukarDan OngnaBob Ross

GOLDTony Armour, IllinoisJeffrey N. Bush, IndianaJeff D. Willets, MassachusettsChris Perryman, MichiganJim S. Thorson, MinnesotaEd Hotz, NebraskaScott M. Cook, New YorkAlexander Kollmar, New YorkBarry L. Carpenter, Virginia

SILVERJames B. Cavanagh, ArizonaGeorge Skakel, ConnecticutBruce S. Nicholas, ConnecticutDarren Duzyk, KentuckyDavid A. Irving, MaineJoseph Townsend Roberts, MassachusettsLouis James Fierens, II, MichiganAlma Tire Service, MichiganRichville Conservation Club, MichiganPackaging Corp Of America, Michigan Anthony J. Krellwitz, Michigan

Timothy J. McCauley, MinnesotaScott E. Anderson, MinnesotaJeff A. Mundhenke, Minnesota Gordon Dentinger, MinnesotaDean V. Skallman, MinnesotaRichard C. Schmoker, MinnesotaBert Hollinshead, MinnesotaPhilip W. Ordway, MinnesotaJohn B. Lewis, MissouriHelen Van Dyke & Brian King, MontanaJohn D. Berquist, New HampshireNicholas Ribaudo, New YorkChris Dobony, New YorkJohn Bace, New YorkJames Savage, OhioMario Livojevic, OhioRussell W. Gray, OhioTheodore Rung, PennsylvaniaThomas R. Brougham, PennsylvaniaWilliam G. Braund, PennsylvaniaCarl L. Campbell, PennsylvaniaAppalachian Forest Consultants, PennsylvaniaRodney W. Burkert, Pennsylvania Lawrence Pyne, VermontCharles S. Yates, Virginia James W. Shortt, VirginiaJerome W. McAllister, WisconsinRichard Whiting, Wisconsin

Sustaining Member List, continued on page 30If any names were misprinted or omitted, please contact RGS and AWS at [email protected].



AWS CENTURION MEMBERS

RGS SUSTAINING MEMBERSGold $500 / Silver $250 Bronze $150

BRONZERichard W. Garner, M.D., AlaskaJohn C. Larkin, ConnecticutLandon Wyatt, District of ColumbiaEdward R. Gaw, FloridaHenry E. Page, IllinoisRoger L. Wilson, IndianaJohn Galli, MarylandJeffrey Budnitz, MarylandDavid Hayes, MassachusettsWilliam A. Ribich, MassachusettsDavid Swope, MichiganSam Martin, MichiganMichael L. Miller, MichiganSteve J. Mikulich, MichiganErick Osmon, MinnesotaMichael Haider, MinnesotaTerry A. Brandt, MinnesotaBrandon Helm, MinnesotaDavid L. Lemke, MinnesotaJim Master, MinnesotaNathan Lief, MinnesotaAnders Dybdahl, MinnesotaThe Watson Living Trust, MissouriKey Family Farm L.P., MissouriRandall Shannon, MontanaPatrick Rankin, MontanaJack Bowen, New HampshirePhilip D. Warren, New HampshireJunior D. Kerns, New Mexico

Morris Evans, New YorkMark Smith, New YorkGregg Gundersen, New YorkRichard T. Lopes, North CarolinaWilliam Satterfield, OhioFrancis M. Curran, Jr., PennsylvaniaBarney Custer, PennsylvaniaWilliam G. Marlin, PennsylvaniaGary E. Laudermilch, PennsylvaniaMichael Watson, PennsylvaniaKarl Miller, TennesseeDean Leming, VirginiaSteve Yeager, West VirginiaTerry Baker, WisconsinTed Rohloff, WisconsinDavid Maerker, Wisconsin

BRONZEW. Benjamin Johnson, AlabamaEric Kemper Goldwarg, New HampshireStephen Szuch, Pennsylvania

ALASKAMike Griffin Leon (Joe) Chandler, M.M.M.

ARKANSASTracy Lee

CALIFORNIAStephen P. Renock, IV

COLORADOEdwin H. Gott, IIISteve R. HigginsJames E. Kurtzman

CONNECTICUTO. Boyd CookeJonathan GreeneAlbert Watson

DELAWAREFriess AssociatesAlan Roth

FLORIDALarry BostickJohn HendersonOld Orchard Land Co LLCDavid C. Wahl

GEORGIAAll Metro Electrical DistributorsMike & Lisa BashawTom BruceBuckeyes PlantationKen BuckBuford Financial ServicesTrent Conner, D.M.D.Bill CunninghamAlan Densmore, Inc.Dow Argo SciencesForsyth County Pawn, Inc.

Stephen A. GlennGeorge HerspiegelHowe Construction, Inc.Rodney C. JonesJeff J. LyallClarence R. McKemie, IIIRob MorrisJohn R. RichardsRogers ElectricJames R. WaiteWilson & Strickland, Inc.Barry S. Zuckerman

HAWAIITed Bennett

ILLINOISV. Kelley ArmourBob BelterLance BuhrmanCraig A. BurmanBeth E. BurnsonJoe (Jamie) ByersJim CalawayJohn A. ClemetsenJames W. DominikDavid A. HartleyGregg KuetemeyerDamon MaranoDavid L. MooreMorton Family FoundationConor MulladyPatrick MurphyTom NelsonPaul & Beth OlinKris PedersonPhilip & Lise’ PuckoriusDamon SatherKeith SchoppJohn SchreinerThomas SennstromFrank L. SibrStone Barrett FoundationFrank A. Svoboda, Jr.Chris TabaccaPhilip TempletonTobermorry FarmsDonald WaterlanderWilliam A. YacktmanJohn H. Ziegler

INDIANALester AndersThomas J. BeauchampJohn M. Eisenmann, D.P. A.James J. FuquaDan GehringBeeb GrahamGary G. KellamJack Leonard

William McTurnanCraig RubleMichael D. Shipley

IOWABiechler ElectricBob’s Hole In The WallBouslog InsuranceTom G. ClarkFarmers State BankJon R. FarrellFieldhouse Cedar RapidsRick & Kathy FreesGuaranty Bank & TrustDavid & Barbara KalkwarfDaniel KaufmannTom & Sonja LeahyKevin LoyHarley V. PothoffJoe F. SaddlerFrank H. SaddlerBill J. SaddlerEric Van HookVan Meter, Inc

LOUISIANAHarold A. Loyacano, Jr.

MAINEBilodeau InsuranceBob & Debbie BreyBlaine CarterElla CarterJason CarterPaul DaiuteDowneast Lakes Land TrustCarole DyerRussell EstesCarl J. FreemanFryeburg Fish & Game Assoc.Steven GarwoodWyatt KnutsonMatt LorrelloPaul’s MarinaWilliam R. MartensKevin McCarthyOwen Gray & Son, IncJim PevaSportsman’s Alliance of MaineBradley C. VarneyWoodman’s Sporting Goods Store

MARYLANDAllegany Hearing & BalanceRichard J. AndersonBackbone Mt. Sport Shop

Sustaining Member List, continued from page 29


RGS BANQUET SPONSORS UNITED STATES AND CANADA

AWS SUSTAINING MEMBERSGold $500 / Silver $250 Bronze $150

Sidney W. Beddow, IIBrian BoalPeck BurmeisterErik ChickClarksburg Animal HospitalAlan CummingsEdward Jones, A.M.A.Fredlock Funeral HomeGlotfelty EnterprisesHagerstown HondaDave HansrothHelbig JewelersBarbara & Howard JanoskeRobert “Mac” Macdonald, Jr.Chuck MillsBrad MinnickLucian MitranKenneth J. O’ConnellJim O’ConnellPineview Veterinary Hospital, D.M.D.Michael J. RyanJack ShawPaul ShieldsRoy SmithSpring Creek OutfittersTeam One Chevrolet, Buick & GMCJohn ThereaultTriple S HardwoodsRobert Wolfes

MASSACHUSETTSWalter D. Allen, IIIJohn AllenMichael BeaudryBruce A. BennettBerkshire Bridge & IronPeter BonneauBrad ByersJohn Conkey, Sr.Gary ConradGeorge L. DareyJan E. DizardJeffrey M. Hayer, M.D.Philip G. Hiser, Jr.Jim Johnson, Jr.Mickey MarcusScott K. MathesonDeclan MathesonAnders L. NilssonPantermehl Land ClearingJohn PetrosStephen F. QuillRoss RackliffLuke RatcliffeDean ScudderDave SlaterTerry W. Smith

MICHIGANTroy P. AllenMichael D. AllettRandy AlmirallMark AltemannSteve ArbaughRoger ArntzMarc AusthofMichael BarnesSteve BarnhartRoger C. BauerScott BaysBay Pines Veterinary ClinicChristopher BealFrederick Bechtold, Jr.Jon BednarickEdward A. BeekmanSargent BegemanBelonga Excavating, Plumbing & HeatingBing BennettEd BerryBessemer Plywood Corp.Betsie River Camp SiteVernon R. BirdGlen R. BlackwoodMarty BlashfieldDale BolyardPatrick BolyardWilliam BolyardRob BondyBill BorstChris & Margi BoveeDavid & Sue BowersRon BrittonCarey & Jaskowski, PLLCPreston CarliJeff CarpenterCarquest GTC, Inc.CJ ChaitanyaJohn N. ClarkGeorge ClaytonChad ClaytonBill ClousPat J. ColeColeman EngineeringChuck ConnellJames CookeJim CraigMason CrandallKevin CrowleyWilliam CurrenceT. Chalmers Curtis, IIICut-Rite E.D.M., Inc.Bradley DagenKenneth DavenportAllen DavidsonEdward B. DavisonDevin Day

Robert S. DennisonBradley DePotteyRob DeVilbissDaniel & Kristin DevitoJohn DunnJim DunnDyer Auto BodyE. Gillow Wealth ManagementJohn J. EarlChristopher L. EdgarTom ElhartElk & Hound RestaurantEllens EquipmentEric J. EllisEnvironment ArchitectsFred E. FeleppaFischer Happy Hour TavernJames A. Fish, Jr.James A. Fish, Jr.Stephen H. FletcherRobert A. Foote, O.D.Christopher M. FormanDavid K. FraazaFrei ChevroletKevin FriddleEric R. FritzTom A. FrucheyDavid FugerDon E. FunkJohn R. GaleGallagher & KaiserKevin GardenierGaslight Group PropertiesCharles F. GlassJohn T. GleasonBob GaleKevin GleesingFrederick J. GoetzGogebic County Forestry Comm.Lou GostingerGrand Traverse Veterinary HospitalGlenn R. GrossTed M. GruizengaScott GrushMike GustafsonRichard HallDavid A. HammingRandall L. HansenDonald P. HansonLarry HeathmanEric HeitmanRichard HellerFritz HellerJennie HellmanBrad HenionDavid E. Henton

David O. HigleyTim L. HillScott HillMark HirvonenHobby WheelFrederick HoldorphLes HouslerWill HowardJohn B. HubardI.D.F. Clean-Up, Inc.International Flint Regional ChapterTodd IrelandJ. Tobin & Company, CPA’sMark JacksonDavid L. JarvisDavid JerovsekKeith A. JohnsonScott C. JohnsonJames N. JohnsonTom JohnsonMichael B. JolmanDennis G. JolmanTom JolmanSteve JolmanMatthew JolmanCraig JonesEdward JonesJeff & Monica JosephGaylord JowettJames L. JurriesDavid & Carol KaczmarekRussell D. KeinathScott D. KennardDaryl KeslerTim KeslerMatt KindtSkip KnappK. Peter KnudsenAlan KropiewnickiPaul KurtzmanLake Ann Brewing, CoLake Road Veterinary ClinicTracy T. LarsenLASR Property ManagementChris T. LautenbachRick A. LeowCarl M. LeowDave M. LillieJeffrey C. LittmannLou LosethBrad LuchsingerAndrew B. LytleMichele M. MacMasterHugh MacMasterJoe MagginiMakela, Pollack & Ahonen, PLLCChristopher J. Manzini

Daniel A. MarkhamMarshall BuildersEdward T. MartinJason C. MarvinJim MastersMatt MatesMcBain Auto CenterPeter J. McCutcheonJustin McGrailDavid B. MedemaJohn MeldrumThomas MellentinePaul W. Mesack, D.V.M.Dave MeyeringBob MichalskiJoe MillerWilliam R. MollisonBo MorleyBrian R. MuellerMukavitz Heating Inc.Patrick MurphyGus NewburyJim L. NewellRobert & Linda NollDennis D. NormanNorthern Eye Care AssociatesNorthern Angler Fly ShopNorthern Michigan BankNorthern EnergyJ. Michael OostmeyerJohn H. PaigeJohn PaulSteve PeckPetoskey PlasticsRobert PetrickTom PetzoldBrent D. PikePine Hill Kennels & Sportsman ClubSteve PouliosMike QuesnellRay Fisher Inc.Thomas ReimerRed P. RichardsChuck RobertsonSteve Rodock, Jr.Paul & Carol A. RoseDaniel F. RossPeter T. RothNate SailorMarty SarraultWilliam A. SchauflerRex E. Schlaybaugh, Jr.

Banquet Sponsors List, continued on page 32



Jim SchneiderChris SchneiderBrad W. SchuknechtDan SchultzKris SchulzChris M. SchumacherCharles D. ScottWilliam & Robin SeniuraJustin SharpMike J. ShepardTom SheppardJames (Jake) ShinnersJohn C. ShortJeffrey B. ShullMark E. SkerskeNathan SkibbeGene E. SmithJeff SmithSnow Country ContractingJason A. SnyderMarc SomersMark SpencerAndrew SpenceRobert SteinerRalph SteinMark F. StephensKevin J. SteveMorrison StevensKevin StewartPhil StottErik StrazzinskiFred StrichSuperior Parts & SalesThomas SwaningerEd Swisher, M.D.Jerry T. SynkelmaRon G. TankkaRobert Taylor, III, D.D.S.Bob TaylorJeff TaylorScott TeskeRichard ThompsonJeffrey A. TibbitsSteve M. TizianiTMS ToolTimothy G. TomasDouglas C. ToppinJeff TownerJohn TowsleyTraverse Ciety Products, IncKevin TravisUP Whitetails AssociationRobert M. ValaMatthew J. ValleeTom Van De GriendWayne E. VanderKolkLes W. VanDrieGino VendittiDon Vlcek

Eric VincentBruce A. VisniskiLarry VisserWagar Motor SalesFritz Wahlfield, Jr.David S. WalkerMatthew R. WardMark WarnerRod WeirauchWenzel Buick-GMCRichard WestDelbert C. WhitmanJim WichertDebbie WidrigWilliams ChevroletLori WintersLarry WolthuisSteve YorkTim ZelenkaJesse James ZimmermanJames M. Zimmerman

MINNESOTA1st State Bank Of BigforkBen AbelAdvanced Telemetry SystemsAgassiz InsuranceAIS PlanningAitkin Body ShopAitkin Motor, Co.A J’s Wine CreationsBill AldingerAlissa Anne Partee PhotographyAl’s Ornamental Iron & Welding, Inc.American Bank Of The NorthAmerican Legion Post #54Anderson Glass, Co.Brian AndersonNeil AndersonAppraisal Associates NC, Inc.Ash-Ka-Nam Resort & LodgeAspen Exteriors Inc.Automotive Electric Service, Inc.Backus Corner StoreTom J. BauschDennis BealkaBryan BeckedahlCraig BenderBenny Tree ServiceBenusa ApplianceBerd ElectricCraig Bjorklund

Robert BjornoosDavid H. Blattner, Jr.Border State BankBorder State BankChuck BrandesDouglas R. BrownMichael & Sharon BrownLarry BrutgerThomas A. BurlingameSarah BurgerBlaine J. ByramJames Call, M.D.David CameronCastaway’s ResortCenex Farmers UnionLaurence ChamberlainJeff ChatelleJohn ChejneChilson JewelersCitizens State BankClifton Larson Allen, LLPCN Construction, Inc.Coates Plaza HotelCoca-Cola Bottling, Co.Coca-ColaDonald CollinsCommunity Pride BankWilliam CookRick CorneliusenClint CorrowCountry Inn of Grand RapidsCrosslake Ready MixCub Foods, BaxterKent CummingsD & M IndustriesRichard L. DahlDale Thortsen TruckingDick Distributing CompanyClay DigginsKraig DomogallaJames & Joann DornheckerDougs Supermarket, Inc.Duffney RefrigerationDuluth Teachers Credit UnionDuluth Tire & Oil, Inc.Dave Paulson ConstructionMike DvorakEaglemaster, IncECCO WaterEchelon Wealth PartnersHugh D. Eisenmann, C.P. A.Joel A. ElftmannElich TaxidermyByron G. Ellingson Ely License BureauBob EppenLarry & Marcia EricksonCraig Erpelding

Terrence EthenTom EtienneBob & Sheryl EvansEvergreen ImplementFirst National Bank Of BemidjiFirst National Bank of WalkerPaul FischerAlan FishFletcher Lake LodgeFloors by BeckersRichard & Marianne FoldesiHarold J. ForpahlGary M. FoxFrank’s TaxidermyBarry FrielerDean W. FriesAnthony GabrioTodd GoennerGerit Hanson ContractingGlen Store & GrillGlenmore ResortGoods Hosted Hunts North CountryGorilla Computer SupportJamie GowdyMike GrabowGrand Rapids Vet Clinic, D.M.D.Grand Rapids State BankAndy M. GrossRobert L. GrussendorfJohan GumaeliusRichard GundersonJohn HaeslerTony HalekHampton Inn & SuitesHarlan FierstineHayford FordBill HeigHeisel Brothers, Inc.Roderick J. HenemanCraig J. HeusinkveldJulie Sandstrom HitchcoxJ. J. HitesHoliday InnHometown Building SupplyHoot & HollerHoover ConstructionHorner Plumbing & ExcavationRichard & Judi HuempfnerDennis HummitzschHyytinen HardwareCraig IsaacsonInsanti Custom MeatsIsanti Sportsman’s ClubItasca County Abstract

J. Roessler And CompanyCorrine JacobsonD.Wayne Jacobson, Jr.D. Wayne Jacobson, Sr.D. Wayne Jacobson, IIIGeorge O. JacobsonJ-Berd Mechanical Contractors, Inc.Lee Jess, M.D.Jeffrey A. JohnsonEarl N. JohnsonDave JohnsonJohn Davis ConstructionSam JohnsonJeffrey R. JonesJoslin & Moore Law OfficesDonald G. KaddatzHans & Kristen KaldahlKarl Manufacturing SolutionsKasella ConcreteKD Service Co. LLCKen K. Thompson JewelryKen Waschke Auto PlazaMichael KimballKQ92Kevin KrieselTed KruegerDavid KufahlPaul A. Kuiken, M.D.Wayne KuitunenCarl KurtzL & M Supply Co.Joe LahlumLake State Federal Credit UnionLake Country ChevroletTravis M. LaMarAl LambertJerry B. LamonLandmark Community BankBill LannonBrad LarsenNick & Lacey M. LarsonMark & Michele LarsonDoug & Ileen LindnerGary & Betsy LoopLumber One, Avon, Inc.Ted Nelson. LundriganGeorge A. LyallBarb LyallTerry L. LydellHarry MacheskyDan B. MahleBrandon MahleBruce MannJim & Jan MarrMarvin Home CenterRobert MarvinDon E. Matta

Banquet Sponsors List, continued from page 31


Terry MattesonJan MattsonJohnson McCannMcCollum’s Hunting PreserveMcDonald’s Of VirginiaStuart McIntoshTodd A. MatelskiMechanical BrothersMike MotorsMiller Architects & BuildersMN Wanner Co.MN Iron Range Retriever ClubJerry MoehnkeRolf Moen, D.D.S.Norm MoodyChan MoonRichard MooreJack J. MuharJohn MundyJeff NagloskyBob NaylorNelson Collie ElectricJames NessNorri Distributing Co. Inc.North Country Heating/Cooling/RefrigerationNorthwood LumberNortheast TitleNorthern LumberNorthern Automation, Inc.Dwaine (Butch) OgdenBruce A. OgleKeith & Missy OkesonLarry D. OlsonEric Scott OlsonRon OversonDarrel PalmerPaskvan Consulting, Inc.Paul Bunyan CommunicationsMark PearlThomas R. PeltierBill PeltierPerpich TV And Music, Inc.Steven L. PetersonPeterson Sheet Metal, Inc.Bill PetersonGavin PetersonWilliam C. PettitPheasants PlusPierce ConcreteWard PiersonPineridge Grouse CampPine Shadows Inc.Pine Point LodgeDoug PixleyPohaki Lumber

Polar InsulatingPotlatch Corp. Of DuluthGreg ProperMichele PutnamQuality Cutting And CoringJohn QuigleyR & R ArmsR. C. WeidnerDoug J. RalstonRandy’s Cabinets & WoodworkRange Disposal ServiceRapids Plumbing And Heating, Inc.Ray’s Sport & MarineRed Men Club, Inc.Reed RealtyAbe RegierRichard ReichleGary ReichRitter Sewer & ExcavatingRJ Sport & CycleMike RobbRocket LiquorsAlex RoosRoseau County FordRoseau LiquorMike RouseJerry RuuhelaRyan and Hoppe Inv. ManagementSafe Inc.Brett D. SalisburySand Pine PheasantsDavid D. SandstromSavanna Pallets, IncKurt SawyerSchaefer’s FoodsJim SchlotterbackJon A. SchmoeckelBill SchroederMike SchusterDan SchuttSecurity Fire SprinklerSecurity State Bank Of WarroadSecurity State Bank And AgencyRobert L. SeibertDuane SellenSeven Clans CasinoShane JaegerSjoberg’s CableRoger SkrabaSnet’s Welding & FabricationMatt SobergRobert SommerdorfKirk Sorensen

Jason R. SpaethFrank SpaethSpringsteel ResortStarkovich DistributingBill SteinAndrew J. StoskopfJeff & Angel StradtmannKurt G. SundquistSunny Hill Distributing, Inc.Super One FoodsSurgical SolutionsDale SutherlandPat SwensonTall Pines LiquorTeam IndustriesJames TehennepeThe LandingThe Wood Shop of AvonThe Outdoorsman’s HeadquartersJim S. ThorsonThrifty WhiteTimberlineTony L. Peterson ConstructionNeil A. TravisTri-Tec Of Minnesota Inc.Tri-County Abstract & TitleChuck TrosenTrustar Federal Credit UnionDean TveitU. S. Bank Of St. CloudUdovich Guide ServiceUPM/Blandin Paper CompanyMike VantVirginia Surplus StoreRandy F. WallakeWarroad Body & BalanceWarroad Estates MarinaWarroad Ready MixWaschke Family GM CenterWA FisherWeisinger ConstructionMike WheelerAndrew WheelerSteve M. WilcoxNicholas WilcoxMelissa WilcoxNoah WilcoxWild Willy Walleye Guide ServiceWild 102Steve WildsSteve WilsonWings NorthThomas WittySteve WruckYoung’s Bay Resort

Kevin Zasmeta

MISSOURIDoug HillStephen C. JonesPaul E. MartinJohn S. MeyerScot MikolsRalston Purina Co.Tom Schlafly

NEW HAMPSHIREWilliam H. CollinsJohn DuclosDavid E. Michno

NEW JERSEYJohn BoyceDoug BrownAndrew ChiripJohn CotteJohn Michael DankoJohn FunghiniJorge MatosMichael R. RiggsRalph E. ShotwellShotwell Excavating

NEW YORKEric Paul AffusoJason T. AlexanderRobert R. AndrewsJim BarbieriJoseph BaumlerWalter J. BoothScott CaseyCharles G. CoakleyIra ConklinJohn ConollyScott M. CookRuss CuattJohn Richard CunninghamHal CunninghamLouis DiGiovanniBryan EastmanBrian EndersSteve FazekasJeff FoleyCaryn FooteBrian FosterAlbert GehmLawrence GiordanoLeon T. HairieThomas HaskellJames HicksRichard P. JungWilliam P. KlausWilliam V. Krazinski, Jr.Kuritzky Glass Co., Inc.

Labor Union 17Edward M. LauryJohn LauryPeter MackPerry L. MasottiTed McEachronBrian MihansJoseph John Milone, Jr.Ralph MorganIan MorrellJohn MroczkaPeter S. Paine, Jr.Robert PapworthAnthony Michael PascaleJohn A.. PataneBill PerksPaul Phillips, M.D.Edward PuglieseJames RacquetR. Randolph RallNicholas RibaudoJohn RiccioLenny RiedlRichard RoseShane RussellJohn SabachJoseph R. ScuderiShutes Water SystemsJoe SlavinShawn Eugene SmithJoey St. MaryMarty TalcikRobert VitkusMichael WalterNorman L. Webber, III

NORTH CAROLINAAlan’s Jewelry & PawnRobert C. Bell, IIICanton SawmillCooper’s Trading, Inc.E. Shadowbrook OutdoorsNeal HanksGlenn HarveyJewel Hill RE ServicesKBK Inc.Larry Z. LaughterTom MashburnPepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Hickory, NCJack PittardRoberts Engineering and ConsultingScott ShealyArnold C. Sheldon




Edwin ShufordTennoca Construction, Co.Wings & Clays Guns

NORTH DAKOTAJeff & Susan Trnka

OHIOJohn C. AlbertCliffs Natural ResourcesColerain IGACostine Law FirmDavid R. Custis, D.V.M.Bryan DaughtryJim GalvinBuzz GubanyWilliam S. Hanning, Jr.Robert James HickleRich KolehmainenJames D. InbodyJohn KelleyLouis F. KutysPatrick J. LamantiaDennis LemondMitchell NahraRonald PrestonRandal L. Gallagher MemorialsRob & Bonny Vadas FoundationRocky BootsSt. Clairsville Eagles #2541Superior Hardwoods Of Ohio, Inc.Toothman Funeral Homes, Inc.True Sportsman’s ClubTwin Oak Forest Products

OREGONDavid M. Fuller

PENNSYLVANIA764 AuctionA. Johnson’s Sporting GoodsAca Engineering, Inc.Victor Alfieri, Jr.Allegheny Chapter Safari Club, Intl.Alpine Hunting & Fishing ClubAmerican Bridge CoJohn T. ArmourArm Group, Inc.Ralph W. Arthur, Jr.C. Thomas Baldrige

Stephen BarnesThomas A. BaumBeatty LumberBonny BeckBedford County Beverage, Co.Bob BelindaBenedum InterestsBickel’s SurplusWilliam BiddleBig Buck Sport ShopJoseph E. BlackburnBonasa, IncJim BonettiArthur R. BorrellSteve BotellaBowles Rice LLPBPU Investment ManagementMartin R. BrownScott Larry BrushMark BrzozowskiDennis BudayJohn BurchJ. Conrad Bures, M.D.Ron & Amy BurkertWilliam C. Burns, IIIButch’s Pro ShopDavid CampseyJames (Jay) D. CarmichaelErnest & Linda CastelloJohn C. CaveCED/Mosebach Electric SupplyJames P. CelebrezzeDaniel R. CervenRobert E. ChambersCharles Machine, Inc.CHL Development Corp.Jim ChussGabe CiafreRobert B. ColemanContinental Design & Management GroupRon CoombsJeff CoppesCove Creek OutfittersJohn D. CrowleyJohn J. Culkin, Jr.Marty & Dale CulpJames D’AntonioDelrose Construction Co.Mike Di IolaFrank Di IoiaJames L. DickeyNicholas DiCuccioGerald Dittmann

Dobber Auto SupplyWilliam DriscollGeordie E. EdmistonMichael F. EhrlichJohn B. EichingerDoug EllF. Tinker & SonsFalcon Wireless Group, Inc.Richard A. FallerDominick FerraraKenneth FetterHarold FickeRichard FilippiFisher TruckingBenjamin R. FiteRonald G. FiteThomas FlickBill FreasWilliam FreemanFrontiers International TravelJoseph FrydrychDavid L. GalbreathGerald Putt – Wildlife ArtistJeff GillilandEdwin H. Gott, Jr.Ronald GougherTracy & Jeff GreeneGregg ScottGrice Gun ShopEmerson GundyMichael GuyerDavid HainesJeffrey B. HammerHDR, Inc.Helsel HardwareDavid R. HenryJason S. HerringtonHess & Marino, CPAHi-Grade Shooters SupplyStan HooverJohn M. HopkinsMike HosmerJ. Upton HudsonCharles (Mickey) M. HutchkoI Diehl HuntsImler’s PoultryJoe R. IrwinJames R. Kukurin Associates, Inc.James R. JonesSteve R. JonesJuniata HotelRobert Kappe

Frederick KassJake KauffmanSteve KernClarence E. Klaus, Jr.Trygve KleppingerSteve D. KnezovichRick KnipeJohn Alan. KoskyJason KronenwetterGeorge W. KruthWalter A. KuzemchockLeese & Co. Inc.Lennon,Smith,Souleret Engineering, Inc.Steve LesserStephen B. LiebermanRussell L. LucasMahoning Valley Milling Co., Inc.Bob MajerskySandee MaleMark M. Malicki, M.D.Marc R. Gignac & Gina RookerSteve MarchandMcCagh, Roberts & Herring DermatologyIan McFarlaneDon G. MergenhagenCharles R. MinehartPaul MironeMisty Pines Filson Pro ShopSuzanne MohlerPete MolinaroDavid D. MoserMountain InnMichael L. MulvihillMummert Env ConsultingNemacolin WoodlandsThomas E. NoblePaul R. OberMike OdassoJohn C. Oliver, IIIEugene Orlando, Jr.John OrrWilliam PatsyJames PatsyNick PazzagliaPGH NetworksTimothy PiercePine Run Sportsman’s ClubPitt Industrial Diamond ProductsPittsburgh Equipment Co, Inc.

Kenneth H. PopkoKent M. QuinterR. Hazenstab Construction, Inc.Doyle RainsTom RallRange ResourcesJim RaschkeEd RazzisRalph & Judy ReadelJustin ReedAdam ReeseRussell ReinhardRiversides Kennel, LLCPaul A. Rockar, Jr.Tim D. RomigLisa & Sergio RossiS. Drake Insurance, Inc.S. MYRIAD Communications, Inc.Hans SackWalter J. ScanlonSeneca ResourcesSeneca ResourcesSergio TailoringTimothy J. SherickMichael S. Shuman, D.M.D.Richard L. ShumanGeorge L. SidneyKenneth L. SimonWilliam SimpsonWilliam L. Sipple, Jr.Brian W. SmithThomas J. SniscakBrandon SnyderGordon E. Snyder, Jr.Larry & Dee SouleretSamuel W. SpanosGeorge SpellmanDavid J. SpigelmyerState Farm InsuranceStevens Engineers and Constructors, Inc.Stonycreek Shooting CenterPeter StropeRichard L. StroupRichard StuebnerScott SunderlandSunoco LogisticsBrendan SurmaPaul Sutter, Jr.Joseph J. Switala, Jr.Regis SynanTech Sheet Metal, Inc.Tri-State Waterstoppers



Trophy MountainRobert R. TurzilloKurt UlrichBlair W. UminskiUnited RentalUnity Printing Company, Inc.David VadasAlex Vargo, Jr.Veronesi Bldg & Remodeling, Inc.Judd A. WagnerTodd WagnerSean WarringtonWarriors Mark Wingshooting LodgeRonald WeigelSteve WeigelDale C. WeisensteinTami WellsTim WentzDonald J. WilliamsDan W. WilliamsDan Wingerter, Jr.Mark A. WohlerWilbur E. Wolf, Jr.Russell C. WoodMarty WoodSteven WoodsWright Automotive GroupRobert WychePaul M. YatronAllen & Lori YergerJoseph C. Zovko

SOUTH CAROLINAEdwin L. DevilbissDavid T. Schemm

SOUTH DAKOTAScott Ohnoutka

TENNESSEEAdventure Guide ServiceRick BrantleyWilliam H. EstesClifford HallC. Grant MurrayLes NationParker R. StreetDavid E. Wilson

TEXASKeith A. FergusonJordan Matthew JaysonEarl MosesNorman E. Nabhan

VERMONTMichael BenoitJoe BourgeoisScott BowenChristina Incerpi & Randy BeanWarren ColemanJim DattilioMary & Larry DupontSteve EllisDennis FournierPatrick M. GavinJeff W. GlosserJamie GreyGeorge GrossMandy HotchkissTyrel B. KerrRon & Barb KleinStephen LefflerPaul MurphyJeff ParkerPeck ElectricRobert PelosiJay & Crystal PierceRoger PinanNoah PlaceHenry E. RackliffMatt RackliffFrank SimmsSergio TognelliUgly Dog HuntingEdward VeroskoJim & Stephanie WellsRon Wright

VIRGINIAStephen & Julia AbelJohn AckerlySteve AllenAppalachian Forestry ServicesJim BlakeneyDonald G. BlankenshipJustin BosticKenneth BowmanJohn C. CabellChris CadmanBarry L. CarpenterDavid E. ColemanConservation ServicesRonald CowlesE. Ken Lamb Tree ServiceRandy EnglishErie Insurance GroupDarrel M. FeaselKenneth FullerJohn P. Gammill

Randy GibbsMike HawksWilliam D. HeatwoleChristopher HewittJ.F.Fick, Inc.Wallace JohnsonRebecca JohnsonMiles Johnston, Jr.Vance JoynerCharles E. KentRon W. KokelKoKo Fit ClubRoy F. Lambertson, IIIRick LayserM. Null MasonryRalph E. Main, Jr.Richard Mansfield, D.D.SJim McCoyJoe McCueC. Grice McMullan, Jr.James F. MillerHarold U. NashLarry E. OderLester J. Powlen, IIIBrad RhodenizerBarney RhodenizerRobert RidingsTarn M. RosenbaumGarry PruittAnthony Sakowski, Jr.Select Leaf TobaccoJohn T. Simpson, Jr.D. Middleton Smith, IIITed SnellingsSonny Merryman, Inc.Ken StaplesEdward A. StrunkRichard SturtevantBarry SullivanKeith ThompsonWilliam E. ThornhillWaring J. Trible, Jr.Mike ValentineVirginia EagleM. Gregory WeaverJill WebbWick MoormanWillow Landing MarinaRichard Dean. WilsonWilton Companies, Inc.Thomas S. Word, III

WASHINGTONDave AnnonJohn T. BlatchfordKevin ClementsLarry Clements

Aaron ClementsDoug ForsytheGeorge M JoynerRod A. McDonaldWilliam L. NealCarl NottRobert OlsonSteve M. ParsonsJoe PaulettoDaniel SatherJohn F. SpradaLeonard Tierney

WEST VIRGINIABriar Patch FarmAaron BrownColumbia Forest ProductsTimothy DawsonBruce & Dixie EdmondMatthew J. EdwardsRobert FaranceFranks Guns Ammo PawnWilliam HagedornRichard HaldemanScott HutsonJames B. LantzJames LemonsWalt A. LesserMountaineer ExcavatingPark Center Sporting GoodsHarold L. PickensPolly Anna CoalPaul RidgelyBill SeamanJames Michael Weeks

WISCONSINA. K & D Marine LLCWilliam J. AbrahamsonAhlborn EquipmentThomas & Nicole AidichJohn AnfinsonARC Inc.Aspen Glo KennelsAssociated BankAssociated Sales & LeasingJoe AumannB & B TrailersDonald R. BachleitnerRobert J. BakerRichard T. BalgeDavid & Rachel BartzKeith BassageRobert E. Bealka

John L. BennettBill BennettJames BenningerDavid BertlerDonald R. BetthauserBlaine BiedermannJesse BiscoeTony & Judy BlattlerRobert BlerschRandy BohonMichael C. BrennenstuhlBrown County Sportsman ClubRobert BrumderThomas BueningBull’s Eye Sport ShopMax BurgertJim BurhopTimothy CallahanCamp 36David D. CarlTodd M. CarlsonCatura’s Martial ArtsCharter BankThomas ChristmanRichard ChronquistClub 13 Restaurant & LoungeScott ColletteConnor Forest ManagementConstruction Risk Mngmnt And SafetyAndrew E. Cook, IICoVantage Credit UnionCustom Heating & PlumbingDankar KennelsDan’s Feed BinDassler SalesJerry DasslerRichard & Carol DegrootDelta DentalThomas W. Dew, IIIJere E. DheinSeth DizardDouble M ChiropracticDan DrostE.O. Johnson, Co.Ed’s Concrete & MasonryRichard J. Eisenmann, C.L.UElenco Carbide Tool Corp.




Dustin Robert ElsburyMatthew D. EricksonBrian J. FairbrotherFaith TechnologiesFerguson EnterpriseFifield Seed ‘n Feed StoreTed FoleyCole FoutsColin FoutsFox Ridge Game FarmGary & Joyce FrankTerry FranklandJeff FranzmeierMark GattonBrandon GilmoreGiovanoni True ValueCharles M. GlassoGreat Northern CorpGronks Grill & BarJerry GrossJason GruszymskiPaul Hagemann, D.D.S.Dennis HaglundTrentan HakePeter J. HansenJohn HaslerJames HayettRobert W. HellyerScott HenrichRick HermansonHolden InsuranceDan & Bonnie HollHenry G.. HorneckLyle HuhnIdes GuidesBob ImmIndustrial Fluid SolutionsJ. Schaefer Enterprises, Inc.Jeff JacksonMark JacobsonJim JamesJack C. JarvisGreg JohnsonDavid JohnsonChad Johnson

Jeff A. KaiserMitch KaneLynn A. KirsteatterBrian KleinJoe KleinKoenig’s Conservation Club, Inc.Joe KorteMark Josh KraemerBob C. KrauseDave KrauseDavid D. KrommenackerWilliam J. Kunde, D.V.M.Landmark Landscapes IncDave LarsonLee Ayers JewelersChristopher J. LefflerDave LenzJackie LeonhardJoe LetkoDennis A. Liska, Jr.Dennis A. Liska, Sr.Dean LittleJon LongDave C. LukaszewskiMaple Ridge DentalRobin MarohnRandy MayesBrent K. McFarlandPat McLaughlinRobert W. Meddaugh, D.D.S.S.C.Merit Electric ServiceJames MichnaJason MillerMittens Home ApplianceRoger C. Mixter, M.D.William MoirJoshua MorbyWilliam MorrisMotor Sport MarineJoe NeerdaelsBob NelsonDamien NewlinHaskell Noyes

Northwoods Supper ClubDaniel NovitchEdward R. NowakAndy OlanderTreavor OlesonDan OngnaOpelt Sand & GravelMichael R. PalmisanoLynn F. ParsonsRobert ParsonsPaul & Michelle WilliamsPeoples Bank MidwestKenneth Petersen, Jr.William PeterPonssee NA Inc.Power Pac SportsPrairie Rapids TavernMark A. ProchazkaRC Heating & CoolingDave ReardonKasey A. ReedRonald RellatzRhinelander GMBob RossRoss’s Sport Shop & Guide ServiceBrian D. RuechelRural InsuranceMilt M. RuschDave RussellSaratoga LiquorJim SarkauskasSteve SashDave J. SchlitzRonald SchmidtJohn E. SchroederJames E. SchuettpelzSchuster-Campman Abstract Title Co.Bobby E. SchutzTony J. SchutzDavid A. SchwabeMichael SchwabeDan L. SedlockMike SennGirard Senn

Sentry InsurancePaul E. SeulMark ShipleyShort Lane Ag supply, LLCJim & Kathy ShurtsSnowgoose Inc. & Dairy QueenJim & Jeanne SoukupMichael J. SpechtJill SpenningsbySpoerl Holdings LLCSRC ServicesSteigerwaldt Land ServicesLeon D. StenzDale R. StewartStodola Accounting and Tax ServiceStan StrubSuperior Beverages LtdSuperior Animal Hospital & Boarding SuitesSuperior Shooters SupplyDave SwansonJames & Rose TealCraig L. TenniesGerald ThiedeTom Dailing DesignToy Box ChartersCharles TrainerJohn Trzesniewski, Sr.Nick A. TseffosKen & Mary Jo TuckwellW. B. Sonny JohnsonBrad A. WagnerBill WanieMichael WaugusTimothy WendtBrian K. WernerKarl H. WesenerWhitetail InnWhitetails Unlimited Of MarshfieldWilliam (Chip) Whitsitt, IIIPete WilkeMichael WilliamsJeffrey Williams

Williams Concrete Construction LLCWissota Sand & GravelWuethrich FoundationDavid C. WunrowYoung PlumbingJim ZepaltasGary & Olivia ZimmerKarl J. ZoreJohn Jeffrey ZuikerMark Zuiker

LOUISIANARicky J. GuilbeauxHarold A. Loyacano, Jr.Michael W. OlindeStephen Rene PellessierTimmy TrahanReilly C. Trahan

MICHIGANJustin McGrailJohn H. Paige

OHIOJames D. InbodyRich KolehmainenTalmer Bank & TrustRob & Bonny Vadas Foundation




AWSBANQUET SPONSORS

Habitat CreationIn 2017, RGS and AWS will continue to be the leaders in young forest habitat

management. RGS and AWS are the voice for young forests through aggressive efforts to create healthy forests for the benefit of ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other forest wildlife. This includes continuing to monitor and influence the Petition for Rulemaking with the U.S. Forest Service, being the “go to” entity in Congress for information about young forest habitat, creating innovative funding sources through the organization’s development and grant-writing program, continued enhancement of agency and landowner relationships by biologists to advance young forest habitat efforts across the nation and increased chapters and member involvement with benefitting wildlife through their hard work and dedication to the mission, among many other important efforts. Your dedication to RGS and AWS supports America’s leaders in forest conservation.

Communications and OutreachRGS and AWS must be the leaders in comprehensive communications to members

and the public that promote our mission to create healthy forests for abundant wildlife and preserve our sporting traditions for future generations. This includes inform-ing and engaging existing members while also educating the public on critical issues regarding the public perception of forest management and hunting. A clear, effective and consistent message is key. The RGS and AWS will focus attention on conveying this message through all channels including the staff communications, Ruffed Grouse Society magazine, website, the Grouse Camp Tour, emails, social media, video, educational ma-terials and other communications. If we are clear, consistent and coordinated in the way we communicate, we will be much more effective in improving the decision-making environment for creating healthy forests, abundant wildlife and preserving our sporting traditions.

Membership GrowthWithout our members, there is no RGS and AWS! Members allow RGS and AWS

to have a bigger voice to influence legislation, policy and public education that affects the future of our healthy forests, abundant wildlife and sporting traditions. RGS and AWS will strive to increase that voice through membership initiatives and technology that advocate for young forests, grouse, woodcock and hunting to the next generation of hunters and conservationists. Regional directors will continue to provide a chapter presence, membership opportunities and new supporters nationwide. Society events provide perfect venues for supporters to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow hunters and conservationists, those interested in preserving our legacy of sporting traditions for future generations. Investing in members is essential, because without our members, there is no organization.

Onward and Upward in 2017RGS AWS

451 McCormick Road / Coraopolis, PA 15108412-262-4044 / 1-888-JOIN-RGS (toll free)[email protected] / www.ruffedgrousesociety.org

Photos from the 2016 Grouse Camp Tour in the Southern Appalachian Region

annual report 2016 - ruffed grouse · pdf filea brief history of the ruffed grouse society...

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