On August 9, Michigan United Conservation Clubs is hosted its 2019 Michigan Out-of-Doors Youth Camp Charity Shoot at Multi-Lakes Conservation Association.
The funds raised from this event will go towards the Michigan Out-of-Doors Youth Camp in Chelsea, MI. Since 1946, the MOOD Youth Camp has instilled values of conservation and natural resources stewardship in more than 58,000 youth. The funds raised will help to introduce more children to the outdoors, buy needed camp supplies and plant MUCC’s message of uniting citizens to conserve, protect and enhance Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor heritage in the next generation of conservationists.
We have a pop up shoot coming on August 24th @ 10am. Bring your pistols/carbines. 20 target presentations per each $5 relay. You need metallic bullets to trip the targets. Restrictions are magnum rifles and shotguns.
We had a great day for the June shoot. Rain held off for a whole day and we had a new shipment of mosquitoes that arrived just in time! 5 new shooters came out with some interest in membership. High scores turned in were: Freestyle Men: Michael Robinson-257, Jason Lantis-243, Josh Conley-235 Youth (12-14): Lauren Meyer-246, Trevor-Lantis-183 Cub Ethan Bazick- 226, Landon Conley-173
Thank you to all the shooters for your support. We hope you enjoyed the course. Always nice to see the youngsters and families.
Next shoot is July 14 from 8a-2p. Later in the month, we will have an IAA shoot (July 26-28) for the third consecutive year. This will be a Regional Championship. There will be more on this this in the near future.
Weather was outstanding for the May shoot. High scores turned in for the day : Freestyle Men: Carl Connin 281 Yth 12-14: Lauren Meyer 259 Open Men: Brandon Frederick 286, Hunter Trumble 260, Michael Scholl 203 Women: Ashley Frederick 261 Traditional Chris Bazick 217, Cameron Baxter 176 Cub Ethan Bazick 208, Sam Baxter 195, Brody Frederick 179
Thank you to all the shooters who came out. Your support is greatly appreciated. We look forward to having you back on June 2 for the next shoot. Registration from 8a-2p.
Tight Lines for Troops (a federally recognized nonprofit organization) proudly announced its 10th Annual Charity Fishing Tournament for Michigan Veterans. In 2018 the fleet included over 50 Captains and their boats, and delivered another memorable experience for 300 Michigan Veterans. Those who received “boarding priority” were WWII and Korean War Vets, Purple Heart recipients, veterans disabled, POWs, and then any Veteran of any branch of service. In addition to the Big Lake boat fishing, the Pier/Shore Divisions included opportunities for Veterans to fish from land.
Though the fishing tournament and meal is limited to registered participants, the public is invited to join the “Welcome Back Celebration” as the boats return to the City Marina, traveling up the river channel. The riverwalk along the river channel is lined with patriotic and appreciative fans, waving their flags to cheer and welcome the fishermen back “home”. In expressing his gratitude for the event a previous participant said, “When I came home from duty, we were told not to wear our uniforms. The people were tired of Southeast Asia. Thank you for honoring these great men and women for their service. I was honored to be part of the day.” Another participant shared these feelings: “This is the Welcome Home I never received. After all these years, I cried because I didn’t realize how much it meant to me. I was proud to take part.” Don’t miss this amazing sight – be a part of it!
The success of this program is a result of the collective efforts of over 500 sponsors and volunteers. Veterans pay no charter fees or entry fees. It is with great pleasure and honor that we all look forward to hosting the “10th Annual Tight Lines for Troops Fishing Tournament for Michigan Veterans” on May 17th and 18th, 2019.
The success of this program is a result of the collective efforts of over 500 sponsors and volunteers. Veterans pay no charter fees or entry fees. It is with great pleasure and honor that we all look forward to hosting the “10th Annual Tight Lines for Troops Fishing Tournament for Michigan Veterans” on May 17th and 18th, 2019.
We are set up for the 3D shoot February 2 9a-1p. This shoot will be 15 targets and price includes chili, chips & drink. Chili will be provided by Smokehouse 52! Forecast is for cold temps, but it’s always good to get outside. Come on out and bring your bow, friends and family!
Stu Kenewell (left) Receiving the MUCC Special Conservation Award for 2018. Presented by Former MUCC President and CRG member Russ Reister (Right)
It was an Honor to attend this year’s MUCC Conservation Awards Banquet on June 23rd 2018, where my father Stuart Kenewell was recognized with a special Conservation award. It was a delightful surprise, but a well-deserved one! Stu Kenewell has served for 34 years as a DNR certified hunter safety instructor. Has also been certified by the NRA as a Range Safety Officer and a Home firearms safety instructor. He has also served in the distinguished line of presidents for the Chelsea Rod and Gun club and was key in the creation of the 3D Archery, and public Trap shooting events enjoyed now for many years by outdoor sporting enthusiasts in the local communities. He has also volunteered as an instructor at MUCC programs such as Outdoorama. And helped out with other affiliated organizations such as Ducks Unlimited.
Yes – I am proud indeed to be his Son and follow his example, but I’ll never be able to fill his shoes I think. He did all this while also working full-time and raising our family. How has he managed to do all of it? Passion and dedication in the education of our youth in hunting and firearm safety! I am grateful that he instilled the same passion and dedication in me. I have been a certified instructor now for 15 years and part of his team.
(Note: during the ceremony I took some photos and videos of the presentation, but unfortunately due to technical issues with my video camera, only Audio was recorded. I will revise this story with a photo if I can obtain one from the MUCC photographer.)
The official transcript of the MUCC Conservation Award presentation:
Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) is pleased to recognize Mr. Stuart “Stu” Kenewell for his outstanding service to the Chelsea Rod and Club and his decades long service to Michigan’s hunter safety program.
Through his service to our country as a Marine, Stu views the safe handling of firearms as not only the essential base for developing and mentoring future ethical hunters, but as assurance of our 2nd amendment rights. In his career as a safety instructor, he has instilled this belief in over 3,000 young people whom he has certified [while serving] as an instructor. While it is popular now to talk about hunter Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation [“R3”], Stu and all of our hunter safety instructors have been practicing R3 for decades. Stu has been responsible for the expansion of Chelsea Rod and Gun’s connection with local schools as well as by partnering with the Chelsea Area and the Stockbridge School districts to make hunter safety available to their students and the surrounding communities. He has secured the donation of firearms for use in the hunter’s safety program through a donation from Whitetails Unlimited and is the builder of much of Chelsea’s walk-thru archery course and other range facilities.
Russ Reister, a former MUCC President and longtime member of the Chelsea Rod and Gun club, who presented the award adds:
“Allow me to digress from this formal presentation to make a few personal observations about our club and Stu.
I joined the [Chelsea Rod and Gun] club in 1991 when I retired and moved to Chelsea. They did not allow the left-wing liberals from Ann Arbor to join at that time. At the beginning of each meeting we rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. At the conclusion we will hear a rousing “Hoo-rah!” from our resident Marine. No one takes a knee during our pledge.
In addition to his serious work, Stu is also the presenter of our “OFFO” awards. That is, our “Old Farts Factual [Factional] Observation” [note: “Factional” means one-part Factual and one-part Fictional] award presented at the conclusion of each meeting. I have been the butt of many of these. Stu could put some of our late night comedians to shame.
Stu’s son Phil also reflects his father’s dedication to conservation. He is our club’s webmaster and is a principle instructor in our hunter safety classes.”
In addition to mentoring thousands of youths in their hunter education, Stu has also sheparded in new generations of hunter safety instructors who have learned his same serious, but fun, approach to teaching ethics and the responsibility of being a safe hunter. Somehow in his spare time, Stu has also served as Past President of the Chelsea Rod and Gun club. Our outdoor family is made up of men and women dedicated to the perpetuation of these traditions through a commitment to youth education, and few people embody that more than Stu Kenewell. MUCC is pleased to recognize Stu with a Special Conservation Award for his service to conservation, youth education and the Chelsea Rod and Gun club.
Stu responded with a short speech starting with an example of one of his OFFO reports:
He’s flattered this old Marine far too much, but I have to correct him [Russ], it’s “Old Farts Factional Observations”; that’s “Part Fact, Part Fiction” and one of the most recent is how I learned to get along better with my wife after my retirement recently. It seems that we were – arguing a little bit and uh, I was in the doghouse a lot. So I got some really good advice from and old friend. He said “you’ll have to do what my Dad taught me. When she starts to get mad at you, take a big gulp of water and swish it around in your mouth for quite awhile, and if she’ still made, take another big gulp of water and swish it around in your mouth for quite some time.” I saw him a couple weeks later and he said “Hey, so how did that work out for you?” and I said “Wow – That really works! I don’t understand what the water is doing, but it really works good!” He says “Ya big dope! It keeps your mouth Shut!” …So That’s an Old Farts Factional Observation.
I – I am humbled by this award. I was recruited into the Chelsea Rod and Gun club many years ago. I was [recruited] by one of the more prominent members and that was George Carter, a very prominent individual from the U of M and it grew from that point; he talked me into doing lots of stuff, and one of them was the hunter safety program. Fortunately I have had a wonderful cadre of instructors that have been available to me – 12 of them [in] total – that have been available to teach these classes; we teach 4 to 5 a year and it goes very smoothly because we’re never shorthanded. We always have enough people there, and all the help I receive from them make it possible to do what I do. I have come up with some innovative ideas over the years and it’s worked out well for us – and I have to say that the Chelsea Rod and Gun Club hunter education program is one of the finest in the state. I am proud of that and I’m proud of the instructors, and I have to give a lot of credit to my bride of 50 years, as she has put up with this for a long time. It’s an entire weekend at a time; it’s all day Saturday and all day Sunday, and she even takes the time out of her busy schedule to go over to the Rod and Gun club when I am setting up for a class, and helps me setup hairs and tables; getting everything just right. And – She alone knows the order of the paperwork that is at each seat – the way is has to be – so I am grateful to her. I am grateful to the MUCC for this recognition and I have to say – Thank you very much.
Reserve Your Spot! July 7-8, 2018Are you Looking to improve your ACCURACY? GREAT! Chelsea Rod and Gun Club hopes to see you here on July 7 & 8. Rod Jenkins will be working with you one-on-one and as a group to break down the “7 steps of Excellence,” Blind bale drills, the Bridge program, and much more. Come as you are, any shooting style, any level of archer. Rod has been traveling the World to help archers better understand the shot, and to better understand themselves. This is one opportunity you do not want to miss!
Rod Jenkins is an archer that has always examined and explored the technical aspects of shooting technique. Through decades of experience and research he has acquired a wealth of knowledge to share on form as well as the mental side of the shot. Rod is not only a good shooter; he has the unique ability to transfer his knowledge to others and inspire them to work toward their goals. This is the mark of a great coach, Rod doesn’t try to force his students into a single one size fits all mold and nothing gives him greater pleasure than to see his students improve and excel.
Please note, we must fill 10 spots to hold the clinic. After reserving your spot, it is recommended you do not book any non-refundable transportation or lodging until you receive confirmation from Chelsea Rod Gun Club that the clinic is being held as scheduled. Confirmation will be sent by July 1, 2018.
Times for the clinics will be 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.on Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.on Sunday (although Rod will be available for questions after 2:00.)
See our map below as a general reference. If you would like to see an exact distance from your place to ours, click here for a link to Google Maps. Lodging is also an extra cost and below the map are suggestions of hotels in the area. Many of them offer free breakfast, room amenities such as microwave and refrigerator, and are near restaurants and shopping.
TO RESERVE YOUR SHOOTING CLINIC SPOT Call, Total cost of the clinic is $250 Call David Drenth at 269-760-06597am-9pm EST. Have a Question for Rod? Please contact David Drenth (Chelsea Rod & Gun Club) with questions on the clinic, but if you have a question only Rod can answer:
The Chelsea Rod and Gun Club is pleased to offer an education opportunity to learn about CWD in Michigan. Caitlin Ott-Conn from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will be presenting. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a contagious neurological disease affecting deer, elk and moose. It causes a characteristic spongy degeneration of the brains of infected animals resulting in emaciation, abnormal behavior, loss of bodily functions and death. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 12th at the clubhouse located on Lingane Rd in Chelsea. The presentation will be at 8:00. There is no charge and guests are welcome.
