04/14/2026
SOMERSET COUNTY SPORTSMEN’S LEAGUE
MINUTES FOR MARCH 18, 2026
BEAVER DAM TROUT - 2SCULLTON ROD AND GUN CLUB - 4
BERLIN SPORTSMEN - 0JENNER ROD AND GUN CLUB - 3
MAPLE LEAF ROD & GUN - 4MT. CRY C**N HUNTERS - 0
TRENT-BAKERSVILLE-LAVANSVILLE - 4MOUNTAIN FIELD AND STREAM - 2
DISTRICT V TRAPPERS - 1NEW BALTIMORE SPORTSMEN - 4
TIRE HILL ROD AND GUN CLUB - 1NORTH BRANCH HUNTING CLUB - 0
PARADISE VALLEY SPORTSMEN - 1PHEASANTS FOREVER - 2
QUEMAHONING ROD AND GUN CLUB - 4FRIENDS OF THE N.R.A. - 3
JENNER COMMUNITY - 0JEROME SPORTMEN’S CLUB - 3
SALISBURY ELK-LICK - 7WINDBER SPORTSMEN - 1 MAPLE CITY ARCHERS - 0CASSELMEN RIVER WATERSHED - 2
WHITE HORSE MOUNTAIN LONGBEARDS - 2GARRETT SPORTSMEN - 1
SHUNK RUN HUNTING CLUB - 0WELLS CREEK ASSOCIATION – 1
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION – 3 SOMERSET COUNTY CONSERVANCY – 4 GREATER FERNDALE SPORTSMEN - 0
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY VICE - PRESIDENT LEW CARAMER AT 7:00PM. OFFICERS PRESENT WERE: VICE – PRESIDENT LEW CRAMER, SECRETARY GARY HAER, AND TREASURER WALT SMITH.
SGW JUSTIN BELTOWSKI – A migratory bird survey was sent out to some – Justin received one. Some male bears are getting up and moving around. Nothing new with HPAI, one other bird tested since, and the results were negative.
SGW ADAN WARD – Southwest region is finishing up bear den visits. Most all dens visited had 3 or 4 cubs and all are pretty healthy. Adan visited 2 of the sites himself and overall Adan not sure of total sites visited. Adan covers Somerset, Stoneycreek, Jefferson, Lincoln, Jenners, and Quemahoning Townships.
SGW CHUCK ONDER – Warden Onder covers Ogle, Paint, and Shade Townships in Somerset County as well as Cambria County which is his main area. 9 bear den sites were actually visited in Somerset County. Onder and Beltowski cover the area in which April Whetsell used to cover.
LMO TRAVIS ANDERSON – Turkey trapping has been completed in our unit and the quota had been reached. 14 jakes and 12 adults were trapped. Some really nice birds were handled. If you harvest a turkey with a band on, please report it. Somerset crew is working on the new tract of land at GL82 doing habitat work. A softer edge is being created along the road and in the back all of the birch is being cut out. This is being done so as to spur the growth of other trees that are more beneficial to the wildlife. At the GL50 crew headquarters a new building is being erected. There is a vacancy available for a habitat crew member at the Somerset crew headquarters. New signage is being placed at the game lands throughout the county. Timber work will take place on GL93. This is in an effort to salvage the oaks that have been killed off due to the canker worm. Some land reclamation on GL93 will be taking place as well along Monument Road. Going to try and improve the woodcock habitat on GL50 with some burning of grasses at some point this year. Some burning may take place on GL93 as well. If you are currently in the farm game program or someone you know that has land in the current program, it is changing to the Hunter Access Program and everything will be done on-line. Those that are currently in the program will be contacted and re-signed into the new program.
PFBC COMMISSIONER DON ANDERSON – Trout stockings are underway and some stockings were re-scheduled due to the weather conditions. Make sure and check the website if you are planning on helping with stocking to make sure nothing has changed with the schedule. Don has been pleased with the fish he has been seeing while stocking. Opening day is the first Saturday in April. Repair work is needed for Lake Somerset again due to cracking in the spillway. These repairs are to begin in April. The lake will be drawn down approximately 2 feet. This should not affect anyone wanting to utilize the lake recreationally.
VINCE PO***CK – Thanked the county league for sponsoring the RMEF event and making the event the number 1 event in Western Pennsylvania. 325 attendees were at the banquet which surpassed the 3 Rivers Chapter in Pittsburgh. Next year will be the 10th year for the event in Somerset and plans are being made for it to be bigger than this year.
LEW CRAMER – The county league done well at the RMEF banquet. Tickets will be printed within the next month for our banquet which will take place on Saturday August 22, 2026. Times may change with our banquet and may start a little bit earlier which is yet to be determined.
DAN JENKINS – The turkeys are doing very well in our area. The hunting numbers of geese were down this year. The eagle at Lake Somerset has been seen several times now on its nest. The burn area that the game commission had done last year at the conservancy is working out great. The conservancy was involved in a public education program at the Bottle Works in Johnstown. Dan was impressed with all the different entities present. The conservancy along with adjoining land owners will be spraying their properties due to the infestation of the canker worm.
BOB BARNES – Hoping to have fliers ready for next meeting to be able to show what guns and packages are available for this year’s upcoming banquet. Tickets are available for the super banquet in Belle Vernon, tickets are $100. The super banquet is June 26th.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
• Dues for 2026 are due along with the membership figures and club contacts.
• 2nd vote to donate $700 to the Quemahoning Event on May 5th & 6th made by Roger Wiltrout and a second by Frank Lee. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
• Motion made to donate $500 to the conservancy for spraying of the canker worm this year by Bob Barnes and a second by Larry. Motion carried. (2nd Vote needed).
Correspondence – None
BILLS TO PAY: MOTION TO PAY $50 TO SECRETARY HAER FOR DISTRIBUTION OF THE MINUTES MADE BY VINCE PO***CK AND SECOND MADE BY FRANK LEE. MOTION CARRIED.
VICE-PRESIDENT CRAMER THANKED MAPLE LEAF ROD & GUN CLUB FOR HOSTING THE MEETING AND DONATING THE USE OF THE BUILDING. MEETING ADJOURNED BY VICE-PRESIDENT CRAMER AT 8:00 PM. APRIL MEETING WILL BE ON THE 15th AT SCULLTON ROD & GUN CLUB. REMEMBER MEETING WILL BE STARTING AT 7:00PM.
RESPECTIVELY SUBMITTED BY,
Secretary Gary L. Haer
