The River Valley Gun Dog Club (RVGDC), an affiliate of the St. Lawrence Valley Sportsmen’s Club, ranks among the North Country groups that serve as noteworthy ambassadors for the traditional outdoor sports of fishing, hunting, and trapping.

Evidence of RVGDC’s good will lies in three upcoming pheasant hunts the group is hosting. Those hunts are designated for youth, servicemen, and ladies, and the hunts are free for participants.

Youth Hunt

RVGDC is the key player in the seventh annual Youth Pheasant sponsored by the Federated Sportsmen’s Clubs of St. Lawrence County and slated for Saturday, Sept. 29 at Upper and Lower Lakes Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and Basswood Lodge and Hunting Preserve (1101 County Route 14, Rensselaer Falls). DEC, Basswood Lodge, and the Conservation Alliance of New York also support the youth hunt.

Designed for junior hunters ages 12-15, the day includes safety instruction, trapshooting, an actual pheasant hunt with trained dogs, and lunch. Pheasant hunting will take place at Upper and Lower Lakes WMA while the other activities will be at Basswood Lodge. Participating youths must pre-register by contacting Federated Sportsmen’s Clubs representative Larry Kring at 375-8980 or RVGDC president Ken Tynon at 393-5318.

When registering, youths will be asked to provide their name, address, phone number, age, and gauge of shotgun to be used. Youths ages 12-13 must bring a parent to the event while youths ages 14-15 must be accompanied by a responsible adult at least 21 years of age. DEC law requires a current 2010-11 hunting license when hunting prior to Oct. 1, and organizers are not empowered to make any exceptions to this regulation.

Soldier’s Hunt

RVGDC is sponsoring the second annual Soldier’s Pheasant Hunt at Basswood Lodge (www.basswoodhunting.com) on Sunday, Sept. 30. At this time, the gun dog club is looking for organizations or individuals to sponsor an active duty serviceman or a veteran. An $80 sponsorship fee covers a four-bird pheasant hunt with a trained dog and lunch. Sponsors may select the individual for the hunt, or they may opt to have RVGDC select a participant. To sponsor someone or for more information, contact Ken Tynon or Larry at the above phone numbers.

Ladies’ Hunt

RVGDC has slated Saturday, Oct. 13 for a Ladies’ Pheasant Hunt. Like the Youth Pheasant Hunt, the actual hunts will take place on Upper and Lower Lakes while the instruction, practice shooting, and lunch will be at Basswood Lodge. To pre-register or for more information, contact Ken Tynon or Larry Kring.

Parishville and West Potsdam Gun Shows

The Parishville Sportsmen’s Club is sponsoring its 12th annual Fall Gun Show on Sept. 15-16 at the Parishville Fire Hall. Saturday show hours run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. while the Sunday hours go from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food will be available each day beginning with breakfast from 7-10 a.m. Admission is $3, and children 12 and under are admitted free.

For more information, call 244-0519 or 265-2922.

The West Potsdam Fire Department is sponsoring its annual Gun Show on Sept. 29-30 at the department’s bingo hall on the Blanchard Road. Saturday show hours extend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m,. while Sunday’s hours run from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Food and beverages will be available on site. For more information, call John Bates at 268-0190 or the fire hall at 265-2577.

Fishing Quote

“Fishing is the chance to wash one’s soul with pure air, with the rush of the brook, or with the shimmer of the sun on blue water,” Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States.

CALENDAR

Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday: Hunter Education Course at Norfolk R&G Club (In-person Registration at Norfolk Town Hall).

Wednesday-Thursday: Hunter Education Course at Norwood BOCES (Pre-register in person at Potsdam Town Offices).

Friday-Saturday: Bowhunter Education Course at Duffany’s Paint & Body Shop (Pre-register at 788-2161).

Saturday: Early Bear Season Opens in WMUs 6C, 6F, 6H, 6J, 6K (East of Route 26), 5A, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, and 5J.

Saturday-Sunday: Parishville Sportsmen’s Club Annual Gun Show (244-0519 or 265-2922).

Sept. 19: Waterfowl ID Course at Chase Mills (Pre-register at 705-5539).

Sept. 20: Ruffed Grouse Season Opens in Northern Zone.

Sept. 21-22: Bowhunter Education Course at Fishers Landing Fire Hall (In-person Registration at Hawn Memorial Library in Clayton).

Sept. 22-23: Youth Waterfowl Hunt in Northeastern Waterfowl Hunting Zone.

Sept. 23-24: Hunter Education Course at Massena R&G Club (In-person Registration with Massena town clerk).

Sept. 25: Early Canada Goose Season Closes in Northeast Goose Hunting Area.

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