Steve Merlo: NRA Banquet tonight kicks off busy month of outdoor fundraisers
| Thursday, May 06 2010 05:19 PM
Last Updated Thursday, May 06 2010 05:19 PM
The month of May is a busy one for fundraising banquets and here's the scoop:
1. The R.M. Pyles Boys Camp barbeque is scheduled for May 15 at the Kern River Golf Course at noon. Over 4000 people are expected to attend this important event that annually supports over 600 underpriviledged kids by sending them to camp for 10-days and awarding scholarships to deserving individuals. Kids under 12 eat for free and adults can enjoy a delicious $12 barbecue along with some seriously expensive raffle prizes. Contact Jim Roberts (661) 805-5766 for more info.
2. The NRA's annual dinner banquet will be held tonight at the Doubletree Inn, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court. The organization is the key to our continued right to keep and bear arms. Contact Arlene DeFigarelli (661) 387-9692 or Daryl Amble (661) 619-7891. Approximately 40 tickets are still available and may be picked up at the door. At least 45 shotguns, rifles and pistols will be among the long list of great raffle and auction prizes.
3. The Golden Empire Chapter of Safari Club International will offer an inaugural Hunter's Banquet on Wednesday, May 19th at the Petroleum Club. The event, titled Bill Mosesian Night will honor one of Kern County's greatest sportsmen. Contact 805-249-7430 for this important fundraising event supporting SCI in its bid to assist needy people and wildlife all over the globe. Tickets are $150 per person.
4. The 9th annual California Deer Association banquet will also be held on May 15 beginning at 5 p.m. at Hodels Restaurant, 5917 Knudsen Dr. Net funds are used only in California to strengthen the Golden State's depleted deep population through habitat renewal, management and creation of hunting opportunities. The fun event has prizes galore, including guns, great hunts, outdoor gear, wildlife art, and great food. Tickets are only $25 for juniors, $65 per adult or $95 per couple. Life Members tickets are only $35 per person. Some $325 Sponsor Packages are yet available, including dinner, sponsor print, hat, CDA Custom Game Bag, $200 in raffle tickets and a one-year CDA membership. Contact Steven Foster (661) 203-7515 for more information and tickets.
One of the problems I face as an outdoors columnist comes from wanting to donate valuable space to each and every organization associated with animal habitat construction, wildlife propagation, gun ownership, legislative announcements and Constitutional rights. My thoughts are clear on this, because somewhere along the line, each and every one of us needs to pay our outdoors bill, so to speak. These causes are indeed righteous, albeit expensive, but they must be bought and paid for so that we can continue to hunt, fish and own guns. I want to continue supporting these groups in a timely and effective manner.
Why the spring months are so popular with the varied outdoor organizations to hold their yearly fundraising banquets is beyond me. As a solidified bloc of outdoorsmen, I would think that a little round table discussion among the officers of each, then agreeing to simply spreading out the dates would be far more beneficial over the yearly span. I think it would also be easier on the pocketbooks of those attending each function, allowing them to spread more donations over a longer period in these economically strained times.
I'll continue to do my share, supporting as many as I can, but I simply cannot continue to write my hunting and fishing column when each week several organizations needing a heads-up eat up the minmal space I have allocated. I would really like to see the promotors of each get together and deal with the problem so I can continue to get the word out in a proper and deserving manner for each organization.
Let's go fishing!!!
If someone is having trouble catching fish this time of the year, then maybe fishing isn't the right relaxation sport for them. I suggest they take up golf, though I understand the little balls don't taste so good. Or perhaps one might try the art and etiquette of the flyfisherman, because, while looking good from a distance, they don't catch many fish either. (Comments welcome).
Our finned friends are swarming into the shallows right now as the spawning urge takes precidence over all other piscatorial activities. Bass, catfish, crappie and stripers are all hitting as temperatures continue to warm up in all our valley lakes. Most notably, Isabella Lake has seen some outrageous crappie, bass and catfishing with limits common and big fish caught every day -- or night, in the instance of catfish. Clams for the whiskerfish, mini-jigs for the panfish, eggs and power bait for trout and swimbaits for huge bass. Get after it!
