Judith Basin Chapter of Montana Back Country Horsemen
TRAIL MIX, March 5, 2018 Newsletter/MINUTES
President, Billie Ayers, called the meeting to order. 17 were in attendance.
The minutes from the March 5th, 2018, meeting were approved (April’s meeting was a work meeting in preparation for the State Convention). Sharon Gottardi’s Treasurer’s report reported an estimated NET PROFIT of $14,000 from the State Convention. GREAT JOB EVERYONE! Sharon had a breakdown of our income and expenses for the convention and we did VERY WELL.
Sharon also reported that she has 3 brand new shirts remaining. 538-2688
Sharon proposed and Ryan Kuehn motioned that Judith Basin GIFT MT Cowboy Poetry special $70 cord in appreciation for letting us borrow their sound system. Motion passed.
In addition to a fabulous convention, we attracted several NEW MEMBERS. Brad Fogle’s brother, Jane Roybal, Vaughn Esper, Kori & Wayne Hofer. Reminder: DUES FOR 2018 ARE DUE: $30 for individuals and $40 for family memberships.
The “youth” resolution proposed at the convention did not pass as Montanans want to manage youth programs and opportunities locally at the chapter level. Strong sentiment was aired that new policies should come from the grassroots and go UP.
Travis Rixford, JB member and BLM/Sharing Trails co-chair with Jo Eggers, did a wonderful job with our education day, April 20 at the Riding Pavilion. THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED AND WORKED. Next year the date will be April 12th, 2019.
Photos and a report on the INSTALLATION OF THE GATE in the Middle Fork of the Little Belts was shared by Dick Bucsis and Henry Gottardi. Steve Reesor was the 3rd worker.
The State Director’s meeting is coming up May 19th in Gold Creek. Jo Eggers is planning to attend. Ryan and Henry may tune in via conference call.
Sat. May 19th is also a CHAPTER RIDE AND CLEAN UP at Lime Kiln (Judith Mtn. Lodge, f/k/a The Duvall Inn). Be RTR (ready-to-ride) at 1:00 at the trail head. Laura Fogle is in charge, 350-0299.
Wed. May 16 from 1-5 is a meeting of the Nature-Tourism ROC group at MSU Northern on Airport Rd. Billie will represent The Trail’s System, Henry will represent Judith Basin BCH, Bill K. will represent Lewistown Trap & Skeet, Vaughn Esper will be there as an outfitter, Chris Cooler, Travis Rixford and Karen Kuhlmann are on the committee. ANYONE INTERESTED IN PROMOTING AND UNIFYING OUR OUTDOOR RESOURCES IS WELCOME. Call Karen, 538-4575.
Judy Fossum reported on the Spring Shot Clinic at Cactus Vet with Scott Damby. Scott has all the vaccinations IN and READY TO GO. JB members can go out and pick up their shots anytime. Best to call ahead if you want Scott to administer the shots. Judith Basin gets a nice “kick-back” on this offering. Thanks, Judy….380-0075, 374-2594.
Laura Fogle is planning a “Play-Day-Picnic” for June or so…. More to come on this.
Bill & Karen Kuhlmann are organizing Judith Basin’s managing of the PRCA rodeo gates at the fair, July 25-26. Gene Couch and Dana Leininger have already volunteered for Wed., July 25th from 9-Noon. A sigh-up sheet will follow at the June meeting. Judith Basin earns $600 for providing this labor.
Our ANNUAL RIDE AND OVERNIGHT IN THE MIDDLEFORK is scheduled for June 30th.
Laura Fogle, Ryan Kuehn, Scott Welsh & Henry Gottardi will touch base with Ryan Peterson, Lewistown Police, re: Search & Rescue association. Tova Gerer, (Helen Lodman’s daughter from Denton) is also a source. We’ll see where Judith Basin can fit into the S & R picture.
Scott Welsh made us all aware of a despicable atrocity in his neighborhood….5 equines were fenced in without adequate food and starved to death this winter….3 barely survived. Scott Damby was called out by the Sheriff. Legal proceedings involving 8 felonies are following. Jo Eggers, Scott Welsh, and Karen Kuhlmann are going to explore with the Brand Inspector and Scott Damby how our chapter might help in “risk” situations endangering the lives of equines. Jo will contact “Neighbor in Need” to see if there is a fit. Good luck!
Henry Gottardi has been exploring possibilities of hosting a youth ride with horses in the future. He’s discovered that “field trip insurance” carried by the schools DOES COVER EQUINE INTERACTION. More to come.
Henry announced that the Forest Service Radio we were issued IS MISSING. Replacement is $1,500. It is gray with an antenna and the size of a book. CHECK YOUR GEAR……PLEASE!
Henry reported that Judith Basin now has 11 chain saw certified members…all with CPR and 1st Aid training. The BLM is in the midst of dis-allowing STIL saws for trail work due to a ‘cap release’ problem with hot fumes spraying out and burning workers. When doing authorized trail work, we’re currently COVERED by BLM insurance…..whether we can continue to use STIL saws is “in suspense”.
Respectfully submitted, Bill Kuhlmann, Your newsletter guy and secretary!
Deb Tresh – New contact information: , Mail P.O. Box 329, Lewistown.
To contact our MT legislators re: HOUSE BILL 2206 PLEASE CONTACT the following:
Senator John Tester, 202-224-2644, www.tester.senate.gov., 311 Hart Senate Office Bldg., Washington, D.C., 20510-2604
Senator Steve Daines, 202-224-2651, www.daines.senate.gov, 320 Hart Senate Office Bldg., Washington, D.C., 20510
Representative Greg Gianforte, www.gianforte.house.gov, 1419 Longworth, House Office Bldg., Washington D.C., 20515
Happy Mother’s Day!
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