TRAINING SESSIONS AT STEWART STATE FOREST
TRAINING SESSION Chairman:
Ginnie Pastor
Westchester Retriever Club hosts weekly retriever field training sessions for WRC members and their guests at Stewart State Forest, Newburgh, NY. Dates listed below are subject to the permit being issued by the New York State DEC.
| Training Fees | Learning Sessions--NEW! Drill Diagrams from Jerry' session posted below. |
| Training Dates | Using Live Flyers |
| 2009 Release Form | Training Rotation |
| General Information | Stewart Map |
| Work Days--NEW! Aug 1 and 8 are our next work days. More info below. | |
| Improving your Group Experience OR How to be a Better Training Groupie | |
| WRC Member | Non-Member | |
| All sessions - per dog | $75 | $150 |
| Daily Fee - per dog
Remit payment with signed release to group leader |
$7 | $15 |
Send signed release forms and payment via snail mail or e-mail to:
Ginnie Pastor
115 Sanfordville Road
Warwick, NY 10990
mornstar@warwick.net
| Weekdays | All Tuesdays,
April thru September |
|
| Weekends
*Note: Many weekend dates will be shared with other dogs clubs (as well as other users) so we will have to cooperate with them in use of fields and ponds on those dates. |
April 5 and 19 | |
| May 16-17
Blind Retrieves Workshop (Frank's Field and Beaver Pond) |
||
| June 21 | ||
| July 19 and 26 | ||
| Aug 2 and 9 | ||
| September 20 | ||
| Also due to opposition from other users, DEC is now designating FREE DAYS twice a month on weekends when NO TRPs will be issued, i.e., Aug. 23. We are exploring this further. | ||
WRC *volunteers* put a good deal of time and effort into this opportunity we all enjoy. Application is made each year to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for the necessary Temporary Revocable Permits. This allows our vehicles into the gated property for access to beautiful fields and ponds within the 5000 acre Forest. WRC volunteers also obtain the necessary insurance protection and game permits, and help organize the folks who train there by providing a rotation schedule of land and water areas that is fair to everyone.
We engage in ongoing negotiations with DEC to preserve our ability to use this valuable resource, most notably through the Adopt a Natural Resource agreement headed by Mike Twardy, which outlines the scope of our use and responsibilities according to the Unit Management Plan. Under this program, we are required to do maintenance on the property, record observations,and provide documentation of all work. Be aware that we are also required to do some public relations/service as part of this plan. Our positive interaction with other users can be considered a very important element in this agreement.
We need to always keep in mind that our permit is TEMPORARY and REVOCABLE AT ANY TIME, and be sure to always be good ambassadors of our sport and responsible stewards of the Forest. There are many users who oppose our activities, and look for every opportunity to present reason for our use (and our vehicles!) to be denied, so it is imperative that all our dealings with the public on these grounds reflect positively on our club and our sport. PLEASE adhere strictly to the 15 mile per hour speed limit at all times. Each year we more and more pressure is being applied to DEC from individuals and other groups who don't want us driving in the Forest. DON'T make it easy for them to succumb to this pressure. As always, do not leave anything behind in the fields. Take special extra care to see that no birds are left behind ANYWHERE to be found by hikers, bikers, bird watchers, etc. Please remember the terms TEMPORARY and REVOCABLE!
WRC volunteers do not provide formal instruction or assemble people into training groups. We offer the opportunity for people to network and cooperate with each other for everyone's benefit. There is no reason that anyone, no matter what their experience level, can't do what they need to do for their dogs (marks and blinds) in any group they train with. Cooperation is the key. The more experienced people can help those who are less experienced, and with some instruction, the newbies can provide help with whatever the old timers need. The most successful groups have found ways to accommodate each other and it works best if everyone considers how they can *contribute* to the group, not just what they personally want and need. For tips on how to make your group training more productive, check out this article.
We generally have approximately 8 groups who have assembled themselves with varying levels of experience and expertise. We ask that you welcome new members into your groups, as you would wish to be welcomed. If you already have a group to train with, please indicate that on your release form.
For people who train occasionally, or newcomers who do not have a group, let Ginnie know to provide you with contact information for the various group leaders, so you can contact them to make arrangements to be included. Some groups train for Field trials, and most train for hunt tests-junior, senior and master levels. It is helpful if you indicate your goals and level of experience.
If you are a returning group leader, or would like to assemble a new group of your own, indicate that on your form as well. Groups will be numbered and assigned to a land water rotation schedule that allows everyone access to each area over the course of the season.
Once again, this is an opportunity provided by volunteers for the benefit of our members. If you have ideas on how this program can be improved, get involved, contact a Board Member, come to meetings and bring your constructive ideas and energy with you. It always feels good to contribute something positive to the activities we so enjoy.
If anyone wants to revive the "learning sessions", whereby more experienced members are recruited to plan and "lead" a training session for less experienced trainers, (say once a month) I can provide contact info and suggestions on how you can implement that. For a small amount of effort, you will be the beneficiary in the long run. For personal instruction, you might want to contact a local pro for help. See Favorite Links for some suggestions. Another excellent resource for information is the Canadian publication, Retrievers ONLINE. Go here to subscribe.
Copies of the permits with gate combinations will be distributed the first day of training. (They will not be mailed.) Everyone will meet at the Ridge Road Gate at 8:30 am, and Ginnie will remain at the gate until 9:00 after which time the gate will be locked. Prepaid members will be accommodated first, and if group leaders have their groups assembled with all their paperwork in order, it will speed up the entry process. It will be the group leaders' responsibility to advise me of any additional group members who join during the season , and collect any daily fees/releases to remit to me. It will be each person's responsibility to READ AND UNDERSTAND the terms and conditions of the permit, and keep a copy of the TRP in their possession at all times. Rangers will ask to see it from time to time.
One final suggestion: Remember there are MANY people who want to put an end to our activities, and they are making more and more demands on our legislators to help them. It is imperative that we stay united in our defense against the "Animal Rights" organizations, and to always act responsibly in conducting our activities. FMI about how you can be pro-active, please visit http://www.naiatrust.org/ and sign up to receive legislative alerts for your state. We can no longer afford to be complacent or take our activities for granted.
Have a great training season- and enjoy the process of getting closer to your goals with your dogs!
WORK DAYS AND STEWART GROUNDS MAINTENANCE
We are looking for volunteers to do some hand-cutting and trash picking at Stewart Saturday, August 1 and probably Saturday, August 8. With the above average rainfall we have experienced, the training/testing areas are in need of our attention. We will have 2 tractors there doing the heavy cutting but shorelines and access paths will need to be hand-cut. Anyone that can give a couple of hours should contact Dennis McConnell.
The response we got in June was amazing and even with short notice I am hoping to see club members pitching in. Bring weed whackers, branch trimmers and garbage bags!
Note, there will be no training on either Aug 1 or 8 as we do not have a TRP for these dates. But if we all pitch in it will improve our access for the dates that we do have permits.
USING LIVE FLYERS AT STEWART TRAINING
The following actions must be taken to use live flyers at Stewart:
- Each gunner must have a Field Trial License issued by NY State and must comply with all requirements of that permit - tag the birds, have a receipt of the purchase of the birds with you and use only the species listed in the License.
- Prior to shooting flyers, a map of Stewart State Forest, clearly marked showing the area(s) where the shooting will take place, the date and that LIVE AMMO WILL BE IN USE, in bold letters, must be posted at all three kiosks. The kiosks are located at Weed Road, Barron Road North and Ridge Road. This is your responsibility. Click Here for Caution Signs and Map.
- All trails must be ribboned off with Caution or Danger tape where they come within 500 feet of the area. Large signs, clearly and boldly lettered must state LIVE AMMO IN USE, must be placed on each trail that intersects the area where shooting will occur.
TRAINING GROUP ROTATION SCHEDULE
Training group rotation schedule is available in MS Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) formats.
LEARNING SESSIONS
Anyone interested in putting on a learning session for the membership, contact Ginnie. Thanks to Elaine, Kim and Jerry for this year's sessions.
Here are some diagrams of the drills that Jerry showed at his Learning Session.
For a printable (PDF) copy of this map click on the image.
For more information contact Ginnie Pastor.
e-mail us at
secretary@westchester-retriever.com
Copyright 2009 Westchester Retriever Club