Annual Program Report
Moncton Fish and Game Association Inc 2020
Introduction
The 2020 executive committee of the Moncton Fish and Game Association Inc (MFGA) is pleased to present this Annual Program Report. We want to share the highlights with members and partners so that they are aware of the comprehensive activities that the Association has engaged in over the year. 2020 was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic which had a profound impact on our program and our partners’ programs. This report serves to augment the Financial Report to be prepared by the Treasurer. The MFGA operates on a Jan 1stto Dec 31streporting and fiscal year for ease of managing NFA insurance and reporting to the NB Chief Firearms Officer for purposes of Authorization to Transport (ATT) requirements.
2020 was a most challenging year as the organization had to adapt to the ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic. The biggest impact was on our ability to hold monthly meetings, the cancellation of youth events, and the cancellation of our annual November fundraising dinner. On the positive side, we were able to support several community and conservation groups with our 2019 dinner revenues.
As a reminder, the MFGA was formed in 1924 and incorporated in 1981. In June of 2016, the MFGA members voted on and accepted the first-ever Constitution and By-Laws for the MFGA. No revisions have been made to date.
In a departure from previous reports, this report will be presented in a somewhat different format starting with some of our advocacy and positions on relevant topics and finishing with a month-by-month chronological summary.
Positions on Issues:
The MFGA has maintained a role of environmental advocacy by publicly stating our opposition to forestry herbicide spraying over concerns regarding alteration of deer habitat, and in promoting the voluntary use of non-toxic hunting ammunition within our Association due to impacts on non-hunted species such as eagles and raptors.
Prior to the October federal election, the MFGA conducted an online poll to define our position on firearms bans and violent crime. There was a strong consensus that:
o The MFGA opposes banning firearms;
o We want Consistent, Transparent, Evidence-based classification of firearms;
o We endorse government addressing the root causes of firearms-related violence including domestic, hate, gang and organized crime;
o We support full prosecution and increased penalties for violent firearms offences; and
o Action is needed to prevent cross-border smuggling of firearms.
Chronological Highlights
JANUARY
The year kicked off with the MFGA finalizing a new shooting range lease with DNRED. In late 2019, we initiated a project to revise the footprint of the range, re-survey, clear, blaze and post our boundary lines, something that had not been done in about 15 years. We took the opportunity to alter the footprint of the lease so as to reduce the amount of land leased and thereby reduce our annual operating costs. Due to the financial health of the association, we were able to allocate funds to pay for the needed work without undue financial hardship. The lease is valid until Dec 31, 2029.
In 2020 we revamped our website and started accepting on-line payments for memberships, and for range guest fees. This has been a major convenience for members and has been positively received especially during the pandemic. The look of our email “blast” messages has also been improved to be more visual.
As a lead-up to our call letter for Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) we invited one of our previous attendees to write a two-part blog for our website. It was also posted on Facebook and received considerable interest and sharing. https://www.monctonfishandgame.com/mfgablog
The MFGA renewed its membership in the New Brunswick Wildlife Federation for 2020. The MFGA holds a 50/50 draw at monthly meetings to support the NBWF. We donated $535 to the NBWF from the draw. Because of the pandemic and reduction in monthly meetings the 2021 donation is anticipated to be much lower. There was considerable frustration within the MFGA Executive Committee with the way the NBWF tried to conduct the 2020 AGM online with a convoluted and inefficient voting mechanism especially as related to resolutions. The MFGA held the position that resolutions should have carried to 2021 as none were “mission-critical” to the NBWF and the on-line process was not conducive to open and transparent dialogue.
FEBRUARY
On February 3rd we held our Annual General Meeting and the election of officers for 2020. Required forms were filed with NBCFO and the NB Corporate Registry after the meeting.
The MFGA has long supported the BOW program by committing to pay the registration for three ladies to attend. Some have been MFGA members and some the spouses, partners, or daughters of members. Three ladies had their names drawn to attend. They were: Rebecca, Rachel and Caroline. The pandemic cancelled all BOW activities so we opted to allow the BOW program to retain the funds so that our three spots are held for 2021 or whenever Bow resumes.
DNRED Minister Mike Holland wrote a letter to Federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair expressing concerns over the federal government's firearm legislation and lack of clarity. The MFGA was in support of Minister Holland’s position and posted a two-part blog to dispel some firearm myths. https://www.monctonfishandgame.com/mfgablog
We promoted the Parliamentary petition asking the government to not use an Order in Council to effect firearms legislation but to bring forward specific legislation to the House. It was the largest Parliamentary petition to date.
We also posted a CNN article about lead ammunition and its effects on bald eagles in the USA which generate considerable interest. In response to some comments we received, we posted a two-part blog on non-toxic ammunition. The MFGA remains a supporter of voluntary actions to reduce the use of lead in hunting. https://www.monctonfishandgame.com/mfgablog
MARCH
The 2020 MFGA Draft Operational Budget was presented and approved at the March meeting as was an accountant-reviewed 2019 financial statement. The budget provides guidance to the Executive in the operations of the Association. Little did we know that the COVID pandemic would be declared just a few weeks after our AGM.
The MFGA has ongoing concerns with the aerial application of the herbicide glyphosate to suppress hardwood and deciduous vegetation as part of large-scale mono-silviculture. While the considerable focus is placed on the impacts of glyphosate on deer and moose, we feel there is an equally important unknown. We believe the loss of vegetation has a more pronounced impact on mice, squirrels, birds, foxes and other micro-fauna that are the foundation of biodiversity and the forest food web. The potential short and long-term changes in the diversity of plants and ‘non-charismatic’ wildlife are not known or understood. As a consequence, the Moncton Fish and Game Association remains "opposed to aerial herbicide spraying due to potential short and long-term changes in the number and diversity of plants and wildlife and the habitats on which they depend.” We submitted a letter voicing our concern to an NB provincial review committee that was seeking public input.
In response to the CFO sending out direct reminders to restricted firearms owners, the MFGA had to respond with an equally direct message to members that it is their individual responsibility to keep club memberships, PALs and R-PALS up to date.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all MFGA functions were cancelled or postponed in mid-March. Only the range remained open for member use with the advisory to maintain 6’ spacing distances. An RSO course scheduled for March was postponed to the fall To minimize contact, membership forms were only processed electronically.
In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MFGA moved forward with our community donations for 2020. Many groups were hard-pressed at the moment as they could not undertake their normal public fundraising activities. We wanted to ensure these groups could plan and deliver their important work in the community. Funds raised at our 2019 annual fall dinner supported the following groups:
Camp Centennial - Youth Outdoor Programs
Atlantic Wildlife Research Institute - Wildlife Rehabilitation
Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance - Education and Habitat
Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee - Habitat
Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre - Eagle Rehabilitation
Humanity Project Moncton - Social Responsibility
We all celebrated the DNRED announcements on Fall Sunday hunting and a 2020 turkey season. Unfortunately, the Turkey season got postponed due to the pandemic, but DNRED announced planning for a 2021 season.
APRIL
The April monthly meeting was postponed as was the NBWF AGM due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Atlantic Wildlife Institute suffered a flood in one of their treatment buildings from a broken pipe, so the MFGA made a donation of $500 to assist in the repair of the facility.
The Executive of the Moncton Fish and Game took the COVID-19 pandemic seriously by taking direct action of our own to minimize any unnecessary congregating on the range. We implemented a temporary policy of members only at the range with a prohibition on guests to eliminate unnecessary gatherings. Executive members were spot-checking the range to ensure compliance with social distancing and the members-only provision.
The Executive was in contact with Minister Holland regarding angling and spring hunting seasons. This was his response:
"We are OK to move forward with the opening of resident fishing and hunting seasons with the serious caveat of social conduct (social distancing) rules being fiercely adhered to. Also, this is a very fluid situation and in the event of significant impact from COVID-19, that could change season times or cancel them all together.
It’s up to us as outdoors people to follow the rules (what we can control) and to the virus to be contained (out of our control) so certainly, different days for sure even as seasons roll out."
It was necessary for DNRED to postpone the opening of seasons by about two weeks.
MAY
The summer lock went on the range gate on May 4th, but the spring Range Clean-Up Day had to be cancelled due to pandemic regulations. Members were frequently reminded of the requirement to socially distance while on the range. We also removed one bench on each firing line to increase spacing to 9 feet from the normal 6 feet between benches. Executive members were spot-checking the range to ensure compliance with social distancing
We had our contractor smooth the backstops to be inspection-ready and put down 2 loads of tailings on the pistol range and one load of gravel on the parking lot.
JUNE
Continued support
The IWK cancelled their annual telethon due to the pandemic, but the MFGA still made a donation of $668 which was raised through a raffle held at club meetings. This is quite admirable as we lost three months of meetings. We acknowledge the former Green Diamond Outfitters for the donated item.
On June 1st we were able to hold our first face-to-face executive meeting in some months. It was with great difficulty that we decided to cancel our fall fundraising dinner. There were just too many uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, (a second wave, social distancing requirements and the uncertainty of being able to make a profit.)
The Range Manager submitted the required paperwork to the NBCFO so that a Range Inspection could be scheduled.
Our June Family Range Day was cancelled due to the COVID situation and the impossibility of socially distancing for such an event. Fortunately, our sponsors still made donations of prizes so we were in a good position for 2021.
We had the contractor come back and do some additional work by putting tailings on the pistol range floor and in front of the rifle range shooting pad. This made it easier to pick brass and reduced the trip hazard of gravel.
In June the MFGA Executive Committee voted to implement certificates of Appreciation to be awarded as needed to recognize members of the MFGA who have made outstanding contributions to the Association. The award is also accompanied by a $100 donation to the recipient’s charity of choice. The recipients this year were Gary Rouse and Robert Snider.
On June 13th, our Range Manager delivered a “Handgun 101” session for the Sackville Rod and Gun Club. Our two clubs have a history of trying to support each other.
JULY
The NBCFO contacted the MFGA and scheduled the range inspection for July 6th. As part of the inspection, it was noted that the handgun range needed some remedial work, but that the rifle range was in good condition. All of our documentation and range safety manual received favourable comments.
AUGUST
It was just over a month but the contractor came in to make repairs to the handgun range. We topped off the backstop, added to the berm and sloped everything to the required 35 degrees or greater. The NBCFO re-inspected and the range passed all parameters and was issued a 5-year operating certificate. We of course have to maintain standards each shooting season.
SEPTEMBER
For 48 consecutive years, the Moncton Fish and Game Association has held an annual fundraising dinner on the last Saturday of November, attended by in excess of 300 outdoor enthusiasts. Revenue from the dinner has directly supported several community projects. Of special mention is the support given to Camp Centennial to assist youth experience an outdoor-based day-camp. The association believes in ‘paying it forward’ with local youth. The association also supports local projects associated with habitat restoration and wildlife rehabilitation.
Because of the numerous uncertainties associated with the COVID pandemic, and public health concerns, the fish and game club had to cancel this year’s dinner, and find an alternative fundraising activity. The Moncton Fish and Game is not alone as many fish and game clubs and other service organizations across the province that use spring or fall suppers as fundraisers have had to cancel their events. As a not-for-profit volunteer-based organization the local club found another way to raise funds.
The club held a raffle with all sales being done on-line to maintain social distancing. Only 400 tickets are available on five prizes that are of interest to anglers, hunters or outdoor enthusiasts. Ticket prices were $25 each or 5 for $100 and were sold on-line at monctonfishandgame.com.
OCTOBER
certificate of appreciation
The Moncton Fish and Game was pleased to announce this fall that we were recognizing two of our past executive committee members for their outstanding service to the Association. In addition to a Certificate of Appreciation, each recipient has identified a local group to which a $100 donation will be made in their name. The MFGA has a history of supporting local projects. This month we announced Robert Snider, who served as President and is current Past-President. Robert identified the Salisbury Helping Hands Food Bank as the recipient of the donation. CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU ROBERT!!!!
NOVEMBER
certificate of appreciation
In November the MFGA was pleased to recognize Gary Rouse, our past Membership Director. Gary served the MFGA for many years in various capacities including Secretary. Gary identified Harvest House as the recipient of the donation. Pictured on the left with Gary is Chuck Rouse, President of the MFGA. THANK YOU GARY!!!
DECEMBER
● With respect to memberships in 2020, we had 449 members for which fees were submitted to the NFA for insurance. This includes regular, range, life, and 44 youth members.
● On December 21st we held the fundraising draw as we sold all 400 tickets by then. We raised just over $8,000 which will go towards our community projects. While the amount raised was about 60% of our dinner revenue, it means that our community projects will likely see a reduced level of funding for 2021.
Conclusion
Like many fish and game clubs across the province, the MFGA is facing an aging demographic of active hunters and anglers. There is no question that there is solid growth on the recreational shooting side of the association, as roughly 95% of our adult members use the range and pay an additional fee to do so. A large proportion of this cohort would be under 45 years of age which is encouraging.
There is certainly a challenge in attracting anglers to the association. There certainly appears to be considerable interest in striped bass angling along eastern NB.
While we strive to remain true to our fish and game roots and are not a gun club, the reality is that the Victoria Road Range continues to attract new members and occasional rentals to law enforcement agencies. We occupy a local niche segment for basic handguns, plinking and sighting-in. Long-distance shooters join the St. Antoine Gun Club, skeet and clay shooters join Moncton Gun Club, IPSC shooters join Petitcodiac Gun Club, and black powder enthusiasts join the Buckskinners Club. By staying in our “lane” the range can sustain itself as a volunteer-based entity.
We try to be visible in the community through the projects that we support. There are social stigmas attached to hunting and firearms ownership so it is important that our community projects are visible to show that as an association we're community-minded. We use our Facebook page to post notices about our community projects.
We have taken a strategic financial approach of using basic membership fees for the general operation of the association, range fees to maintain and operate the range to NB Public Safety standards and for range programs, and our Sportsman Dinner revenue to support our community projects and a few club activities. This approach has allowed the MFGA to both have a positive presence in the community, and to make incremental improvements to the range. In 2020, and looking towards 2021, has required that this model be adjusted somewhat so that the range fees support more of the club operations.
All of this would not be possible without the dedication of our members and volunteers, and the support of our various sponsors.
Thank you to all our members for believing in and continued support of our programs, our initiatives, and their financial support through our fundraisers. The year did not feel complete without the Sportsmans Dinner which we hope will be back in 2021 along with some of our other activities.
Furthermore, we extend great appreciation to our Sponsors and friends of the Association that provide for and enable us to raise funds for our charity and community-based projects. Without them, a large part of what we do would not be possible. Thank you.
All the best to you and yours in 2021 as we look forward to doing this (minus the pandemic) all over again working together to promote and encourage wildlife conservation and preservation as well as the sports and associated activities of hunting, fishing, and recreational sport shooting.
Respectfully,
2020 Executive MFGA
