Meetings

PF November 18, 2025 Meeting Minutes

Attendance

Ed Moss, Steve Dunsmore, Kevin Gathers, Ken Tafelski, Mike Ashley, Matt Putnam, Steve Capela, Ron Denham, Deb Denham

Financial Report

Existing Balance: $7,878.85

Current Expenses: $2,539.00

Main raffle gun: $1,264.00

Veteran’s lunch: $405.00

Veteran’s Hunt: $667.00

Banquet expense: $200.00 (Ninja cooler)

Current Balance: $5,340.00

The chapter voted to add a Caldwell Clay Copter to the premium auction at the 2026 banquet. We’re currently searching for the best price.

Per Steve Dunsmore, we have acquired (2) of the (5) purses that will be used for the Ladies Purse Raffle at the 2026 banquet.

Main Banquet Gun

The firearm chosen for next year’s banquet is a Benelli Montefeltro 20-gauge shotgun with walnut stock and 26” barrel. It was purchased at Keystone Armory.

Women in the Outdoors

Ed Moss and Kevin Gathers attended a meeting at the Gem City Outdoorsman’s Club on November 19th to meet and listen to the woman who is trying to start a program in the Erie area again. She has extensive knowledge about ladies outdoors programs and has been involved with the ‘Women in the Outdoors Program’ for approximately 30 years.

She’s looking at Gem City to host such a program next year but needs a lot of help. The set-up is similar to a ‘Youth Field Day’, but targeted specifically for women. It was voted on and Gem City decided that a committee will be formed to flesh out more details so plans can begin taking shape to make this event a reality.

Our chapter has previously expressed interest in becoming involved in a program targeting women and it’s the ideal time for us to take action. We agreed to partner with Gem City to become part of this project. Chapter discussions will begin at our January 2026 meeting.

Veteran’s Hunt

The chapter’s inaugural November 11th hunt can best be described as a major success! It took place at Chase’s Flying Frenzy located south of Meadville, PA. We received a lot of positive feedback from the participants. (8) Veterans were selected for the hunt, but due to inclement weather, only (6) actually attended. PF had (10) members on site to help make everything run smoothly.

Upon registration, each Veteran was given a token military medallion and treated to coffee, donuts and cookies. Although we had planned to set up our trap machine for pre-hunt practice, the snow and inclement weather made it a moot point. They were taken out to the field in two groups of three hunters. Each hunter was assigned a handler and dog. All told, (12) pheasants were harvested. Birds were cleaned on site and each Veteran went home with a pair of birds.

An interesting side note: Two of the veterans had never hunted before, so this was their initial foray into bird hunting and both fellas took multiple birds. Another Veteran required the assistance of a golf cart and still managed to get birds. Their smiles said it all!

After the hunt, everyone traveled several minutes away to Bee’s Restaurant where the Veteran’s and PF members were treated to a buffet lunch. Veterans were presented with a gift that included a gun case, Veteran’s hat, pheasant t-shirt and other small treasures. It also included an invite to our 2026 banquet with a guest at our expense. One of the Veterans joined our chapter just days before this hunt.

While it would be nice to increase participation next year, the chapter decided that a smaller hunt created the best experience for the Veterans. We were able to focus all of our attention on those present and plan to keep it under (10) Veterans next year. Yes, we’ve started something that we intend to make an annual event. Thanks again to our volunteers for helping make this something to be proud of.

Total hunt expenses: $1,267.00.

Total chapter expenses: $447.00.

How, you ask? The Edinboro and Wesleyville VFWs along with the Erie Elks Club made generous donations that helped us defray costs. And several chapter members donated items as well.

Next meeting: January 13, 2026.

Discussions will center around the 2026 chapter banquet and possible participation in the 2026 Outdoor Expo.

We’re also keeping an eye on a potential pollinator project at the new Pymatuning Visitor’s Center, which may be completed in 2026 rather than a planned 2027 open date.

PF August 12, 2025 Chapter Meeting

Attendees: Dennis Ford, Dave Leicht, Lee Schierer, Steve Dunsmore, Steve Capela, Ron Denham, Deb Denham, Ed Moss, Kevin Gathers, Brandon Shields

Financial Report

Dave Leicht informed us the chapter currently has $11,908.61 available. He completed audits with both PNC Bank (chapter bank) and a PF representative. All outstanding bills as of today have been paid.

Gem City Youth Field Days Event (8-23-25/Saturday)

We continue to look for chapter volunteers to help out with this event. Ed has committed for the day and Kevin can work the morning (8 a.m. - Noon). We need more volunteers to provide us with coverage (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.). Remember, this is one of the chapter’s priorities … getting and keeping kids interested in the outdoors. Let’s all do our part!

Dennis will check with Walmart to see if he can get hats for the kids.

Brandon is going to check with the Waterford HS Trap Team to see if any students are willing to man the BB Gun Range for a multi-hour shift. This will also serve as community service hours for those in need of them.

Kevin will check in with Larry Daley to see if any scouts are interested in working the BB Gun Range. Again, community service hours can apply.

If we get BB Gun Range volunteers, they will be asked to contact Ed Moss (814-528-4538) to let him know who they are and when they can donate time that day.

Sporting Clays Fun Shoot (8-24-25/Sunday)

Deb Denham has again graciously agreed to run the kitchen for us that day. As in the past, we’ll be serving hot dogs, baked beans, chips and bottled water. We’ll also need ice.

Ed, Dennis and Ron will run the registration table and sell raffle tickets for our give-a-way, a $200.00 Shooter’s Warehouse gift card. The raffle ticket will cost $2.00 each or you can purchase (3) for $5.00.

We are still in need of door prizes for this event. Can you donate?

Set-up begins at 8:00 a.m. with the event kicking off at 9:00 a.m.

Ed, Dennis and Dave Leicht will help with teardown and loading up the chapter trailer.

We also purchased a case of 12-gauge target loads for anyone in need of ammunition that day. A box will sell for $10.00.

Our regional PF Rep, Kurt Bond, is planning to join us for this event.

PF Youth Hunts (10-11-25/Saturday and 10-18-25/Saturday)

Hunt registration takes place at 7:00 a.m. with the actual hunt commencing around 8:00 a.m. A Port-a-Potty will be available on site.

As usual, volunteers are needed to man the registration table and prepare food for the event. Hot dogs, chips, cookies and bottled water will be served after the hunt.

Bird stocking will occur the night before each hunt at 6:00 p.m. That’s Friday, October 10th and Friday, October 17th. Dennis Ford, Dave Leicht and Ken Tafelski will be there with ATVs to put out the birds.

The chapter agreed to purchase one additional bird for each registered hunter from Northwest Game Farm. Steve Dunsmore will pick up and deliver those birds on the 10th and 17th. These are in addition to the two-birds-per-registered-hunter provided by the PA Game Commission.

Right now, Steve Dunsmore, Dennis Ford, Dave Leicht, Matt Putnam, Brandon Shields and Tim Lucas will have their dogs available for both youth hunts. If you’re interested in being a dog handler for the youth hunts, contact Lee Schierer (814-969-4100 or at us71na2@earthlink.net).

1st Annual PF Chapter 528 Veteran’s Hunt (11-11-25/Tuesday)

This special event is scheduled for Veteran”s Day at Chase’s Flying Frenzy, located outside of Meadville, PA.

We will take up to (8) Veterans for this inaugural hunt. Veterans will be sponsored by PF Chapter members and key on individuals who may not have hunted before and/or have some form of disability. You’ll need to obtain some background information on your sponsored Vet including which branch of the service he/she served in, when, service occupation, etc.

There is a dedicated space available for us to set up a trap machine, so any Vet who wants to get in some pre-hunt practice, can do so.

There is also a garage available for pre- and post-hunt activities. Coffee and donuts will be on site.

We’ll take two groups of four hunters at a time. Each Vet will be accompanied by a dog handler with dog.

We also need volunteers to clean and prep the birds for take-home with the Vets.

Plenty of chapter volunteers are needed to make this event a success. Please consider giving of your time for those who gave of theirs for all of us.

A catered lunch will follow the hunt at Aunt Bee’s Restaurant located a few miles from the hunt site just off the Geneva exit of I-79.

We are currently working with an estimated budget of $1500.00 - $2000.00. So far, two VFWs have stepped up and made $250.00 donations, so $500.00 is now available to help defray costs. Members are still working on additional donations.

We’ve also agreed to provide each Vet with a “Goody Bag” at the conclusion off the hunt. Ed found special hats to help commemorate the event and chapter members voted to purchase them.

2026 PF Banquet

Next year’s banquet will again take place at the Erie Shrine Club on Saturday, March 21st, 2026. Dave Leicht will write a check for $1325.00 to cover the cost of the deposit.

Members voted to purchase the PF Banquet Package for this event.

Kevin will be responsible for acquiring the main raffle gun.

Sponsorship Request

The French Creek Council is holding a Range and Target Day at the Gem City Outdoorsman’s Club on Saturday, September 20th, for scouts and youth at large. It will include (4) hours of shooting followed by lunch. The Council is seeking donations to help defray expenses.

Our chapter voted to commit to a $200.00 Bronze Sponsorship for this event. However, if scouts are willing to donate their time at our BB Gun Range on August 23rd, we’ll increase our donation to a $300.00 Silver Sponsorship. Kevin will discuss with the Council liaison, Larry Daley.