PVCI Handbook
The purpose of this booklet is to furnish each member with a copy of our
aims, objectives, and bylaws, while at the same time furnishing some insight
into the history of our organization. To new members let me welcome you to the
club. In my opinion, you have become part of the finest varmint calling club in
Arizona. There is no doubt that organized groups such as ours play an important
role in establishing the policies which govern our outdoor activities. If we are
to succeed we must continue to stand together against oppressive firearm
legislation and other policies restricting the rights and privileges we now
enjoy in our outdoors.
President
Phoenix Varmint Callers, Inc.
CLUB HISTORY
The Arizona Varmint Callers Association (early name of Phoenix Varmint Callers
Inc.) first came into existence in the mid 1950s as a result of a promotional
demonstration by representatives of a predator call company based in Texas.
Several individuals at the demonstration recognized the potential for reducing
the number of predators, in particular coyotes, and consequently increasing deer
and antelope fawn survival rate, and at the same time improve marksmanship,
sharpen hunting skills, and enjoy the outdoors.
The early members of the club included such well known sportsmen as Ben Avery,
outdoors editor for the Arizona Republic; Pete Brown, writer and outdoors editor
for Field and Stream; George Bohm and Lucky Wade, both owners of prominent
valley gun stores; Jack Cain, one of the founders of Circe Calls; and Del
Western, guide and producer of Coyote Safari, one of the first promotional films
on varmint calling. Other individuals that made significant contributions
throughout the club's growing up period were: Fred Farnbach, the Arizona Game &
Fish Department first Hunter Safety Chief; John Doolin, who helped put together
the early big bore rifle matches and was a participating member on almost every
work detail; Bob Hirsch, father of the Sportsmen Against Vandalism Everywhere
(SAVE) program; and Bill Dudley, an exceptionally good caller with national fame
who gave the club tremendous exposure through calling demonstrations at sporting
goods stores and trade shows throughout the state
.
THE EARLY YEARS
The new club struggled at first trying to find an identity and attract members.
Varmint calling was virtually an unheard of sport at the time. According to
Avery, someone suggested a judged calling contest, well publicized, with an open
invitation to the public to participate or just watch. The first contest was
held in 1957 with Del Western winning first place. The event was so well
received it started the annual tradition which became known as the Arizona State
Calling Contest, a tradition still alive today. In 1960 the newly formed Circe
Calls Inc., located west of Phoenix in Goodyear, donated a revolving trophy to
be handed down each year from the previous winner.
In the early years the Phoenix club sponsored prairie dog hunts in areas where
sprawling "dog towns" were a hazard to grazing cattle prone to break a leg
trying to recover from stepping into one of the cavernous underground runways.
Another control activity was aimed at porcupines in an effort sponsored by the
U.S. Forest Service to minimize damage to young pine trees. Club members
conducted urban coyote surveys in Maricopa and Pima counties where animal
control officers were concerned about rabies outbreaks in near epidemic
proportions. Volunteer members participating in this night calling coyote count
were subjected to an experimental rabies vaccine for a program directed toward
finding a substitute for the painful “Pasteur Treatment”.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROJECTS
The annual See Canyon Trail Clearing is an event started by Hy Hancock, Jr.
during his term as club president in the early 1960s. The original "Mogollon Rim
Road” was no more than a pickup road in good weather, and a challenge to the
best of four-wheel drives in bad weather. The purpose for clearing and marking
the trail was to provide a two way path, an escape route for hunters or others
trapped on the Mogollon Rim by sudden or unexpectedly severe snow storms, and a
rescue route for search teams to access the rim with pack animals without having
to go the long way around. This mule trail, once used by bootleggers to run
moonshine from a well concealed still under the rim top rock to the cowboy camps
scattered North of Payson, provides a direct route off the rim from the
trail-head near Promontory Point Lookout station to within a short distance of
Christopher Creek Lodge. The Rim Road was paved many years ago, and weather
forecasting has improved, so now the trail mostly provides access for
individuals wanting to experience the beauty and solitude of the rugged country
under the rim.
Other successful club projects sponsored through the years include:
Strong support of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Adopt-A-Ranch
program, where members donate their time and physical labor to help with
conservation projects benefiting wildlife on private ranches. PVCI has lain over
two miles of water pipe donated by U.S. Forest Service and Arizona Game & Fish
from a spring to formerly dry water tanks on the desert floor. The water not
only helps the rancher's stock, but all wildlife in the area, and more
importantly establishes good relations between sportsmen and ranchers. The work
is scheduled during a weekend and accompanied by a pot-luck dinner, campfire,
and good times.
Donations of volunteer work and money to the Ben Avery Shooting Range and the
Jack Walters Memorial, located at the desert bighorn sheep enclosure in the
Phoenix Zoo.
Strong support of National Hunting and Fishing Day since its inception in
1972.
Volunteer work and financial aid to defeat anti-hunting and anti-firearm
legislation at the local level and strong support of the National Rifle
Association at the national level.
Sponsored the nationally acclaimed Sportsmen Against Vandalism Everywhere
(SAVE) program and produced the award winning film, Wrong Kind of Varmint.
Provided the majority of the samples for early Arizona Game & Fish Department
surveys on coyote feeding patterns.
Participation in the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s hunter safety program.
The annual barbecue, is a tradition started in the early years of the club
that still survives. At the first few events the meat was javelina harvested
from that year’s spring hunt. However, after a short while the people wanting to
try some of the feisty little pig outnumbered the available meat supply so the
barbecue pit was supplemented with elk, bear, venison, and an occasional
mountain lion. This is a family camping event that features a great meal
centering around cooked game meat with all of the trimmings, shooting contests,
and other activities geared for the family that enjoys the outdoors.
Yet another family social function is the Christmas party, featuring a potluck
dinner, and a time to share season’s greetings for adults. The Christmas party
also features a fund raising auction where we auction all sorts of donated
items. The treasures may range from used but still good camping supplies donated
by members to expensive items donated by various sporting goods stores and
manufactures. Traditionally half of the profit from the auction is donated to
the club’s chosen charity, the Rainbow Camp for terminally ill children.
Organized varmint calling flourished nation wide during the last half of the
sixties decade. It seemed clubs sprang up faster than coyote pups. California
boasted clubs in Los Angeles, San Diego, as far north as San Francisco and a
huge club in Pasadena. Clubs were also present in South Dakota, Texas, Oklahoma,
and New Mexico.
In 1965 a state wide association called the Arizona State Varmint Callers was
formed joining clubs from Tucson, Glendale, Mesa, and Superior. Collectively
these clubs represented an 800 member alliance dedicated to promoting predator
calling with a mouth blown call as a sport.
For well over a decade PVCI was recognized as the leading hunting fraternity
within the state. Some of the state association's major accomplishments were:
The organization's newsletter, which was widely distributed through sporting
goods stores and special mailings.
Sponsorship of a big game award known as the Big Nine, recognizing individuals
who successfully harvested each of Arizona's big game animals (excluding
buffalo) in fair chase without the aid of guides or dogs.
One of the major sponsors of the SAVE campaign.
Sponsorship of an annual awards banquet recognizing club members who
successfully harvested the largest each of the big game species plus bobcat and
coyote.
Recognized by Game and Fish Department and other state agencies as a major
voice of the Arizona hunting fraternity.
Organized club hunts in conjunction with the California Varmint Callers
Association. There were three of these Arizona/California hunts held with the
meeting place rotated between Blythe and Needles. Never before nor probably
since, have so many people gathered in one location all dressed in camouflage,
many with grease paint on their face and hands, and some wearing scent that
would make a hound dog howl.
PVCI, A UNIQUE ORGANIZATION
The PVCI has a rich history, and being a varmint caller means a lot too many
individuals. During the past 30 years, the membership has swelled to over 300
and shrunk to less than 15. The club seems to represent more than just a forum
were individuals with similar interests can meet. Members of the PVCI are among
the most sincere, dedicated sportsmen to be found in any organization. Many have
welded life long friendships with fellow members. Through the years the PVCI has
been the catalyst providing the enthusiasm for the outdoors and respect for
wildlife that has produced outdoor writers, animal biologists, photographers,
wildlife managers and qualified Game and Fish commission candidates. But most
important of all, through sharing skills and techniques it has allowed us to
excel in a unique sport virtually unequaled for action, excitement, and
self-satisfaction.
PHOENIX VARMINT CALLERS, INC.
PIN AWARD PROGRAM
RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. PVCI membership is required in order to participate in the pin program.
2. The entry fee is a one time fee of $10.00, as long as your membership is
current. If you are removed from the membership due to non-payment of dues, you
must pay the pin fee once again, in order to be eligible to participate in the
pin program.
3. Credit for the Pin Award Program will be determined by tails, whole pelts, or
receipts from a taxidermist, which will be subject to verification. No half
points or splitting of calling/shooting points.
4. All pins will be awarded to the caller with the exception of the handgun and
archery pins. If either the handgun or archery pin is earned, the pin will be
awarded to the shooter and the caller will receive all points.
5. The Hunt Committee will keep a record of the total animals called in and
taken for the year. It will be the individual’s responsibility to verify, at the
end of the hunt year, that these totals are correct.
6. Pins are awarded for successfully calling on, and taking, the number of
animals as described below:
Bronze Pin 5 Coyotes Limit of 1/member
1 Bobcat “ “ “
1 Badger “ “ “
Silver Pin 20 Coyotes Limit of 1/member
4 Bobcat “ “ “
Gold Pin 50 Coyotes Limit of 1/member
100 Coyotes “ “ “
200 Coyotes “ “ “
1 Archery Coyote “ “ “
5 Handgun Coyotes “ “ “
10 Bobcat “ “ “
10 Fox “ “ “
25 Fox “ “ “
50 Fox “ “ “
5 Badger “ “ “
Mountain Lion 1/animal taken
Bear 1/animal taken
Small Slam: Limit of 1/member
1 each of Badger, Ringtail Cat,
Raccoon, and Kit Fox
ANNUAL CLUB EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
January Multi-Club State Championship Hunt
February Handgun, Archery, and Muzzleloader Hunt (H.A.M.)
March Nominations for Board/Officers
Novice Hunt Part 2
April Club elections
Club 3-Gun Shoot
May Club Barbecue and Campout
June Fishing Derby
July Board Party
August Trail clearing down See Canyon Trail
September Season Kick-Off “Orientation” Hunt especially geared for novice
callers
October Beginning of field hunts
November Beginning of Fur Hunts
December Christmas Party and Auction
BYLAWS OF
PHOENIX VARMINT CALLERS, INC.
ARTICLE I - NAME
This club shall be known as the Phoenix Varmint Callers, Inc.
ARTICLE II - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The aims and objectives of this club shall be as follows:
1. To promote predator calling as a sport.
2. To conserve wildlife through the taking of predators by sportsmen with the
use of mouth blown calls and to discourage the use of electronic calling
devices, except when physical disability prohibits the use of a mouth blown
call.
3. To discourage the indiscriminate use of poison in the control of predator
populations.
4. To inform and educate the public of the importance of maintaining a continued
balance of wildlife through sport hunting, also, proper game management by the
Arizona Game & Fish Department exclusively. In furtherance of the foregoing aims
and objectives this club may, from time to time, do the following:
a) Promote and advance the cause of good sportsmanship, conservation, and
outdoor recreation through cooperation with Federal, State, and local
governmental agencies and through education of the public, promotion of the
cooperation and goodwill of ranchers, farmers, sportsmen, and public and private
land owners.
b) Actively support legislation which will further the stated aims and
objectives of this club of oppose legislation which will adversely affect the
stated aims and objectives of this club.
c) Make gifts, donations, or endowments, financial or material, to other
organizations organized and operating for the public welfare and benefit in a
public interest.
d) Cooperate with, without necessity of associating or affiliating with other
organizations
.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIPS
1. Membership in this club shall be open to all sportsmen interested in hunting,
photographing, and studying predators, and attracting wildlife through the
skills of calling.
2. To become a full member, a person shall:
a) Be 18 years of age or older
b) Express a genuine interest in the club’s membership.
c) Be recommended by one or more members.
d) A majority vote to accept by members present gives full membership and all
privileges.
e) Submit membership dues of $35.00 along with Membership Application. Annual
dues will be $35.00 for the first year and annual renewals will be $25.00.
f) These same membership rules apply to any member that has let his or her
membership lapse for three months or more, with no exception to this rule.
3. Upon payment of first year dues, each member shall receive a PVCI patch,
decal, member handbook, and call, and upon payment of first year dues or renewal
fees, each regular member shall receive a membership card, become a member of
the Phoenix Varmint Callers, and receive the club’s official publication(s).
4. All members, except holders of junior and complimentary memberships, shall
have voting rights and the voting rights of all voting members shall be equal,
with each member having one (1) vote. The property rights and interest of all
members shall be equal.
5. Each member agrees to abide and be bound by the articles of incorporation,
by-laws, rules and regulations enacted pursuant thereto, of this club, and any
member who fails to comply therewith, as determined by a majority of the Board
of Directors, shall forfeit his membership and any property rights or interests
he may have in this club or it’s property.
6. Any individual, upon initiating any type of membership in this club does
hereby relinquish all claims, existing or thereafter arising, against this club
for any injury, damage or claim of any nature whatsoever, to him or his
property.
7. A Phoenix Varmint Callers Junior Club, for youths who have not reached their
18th birthday, may be formed at such time as approved by the Phoenix Varmint
Callers membership by a majority vote. Said junior club must have an adult
advisor. Said junior club shall elect its own officers, conduct its own business
and include the adult leader and advisor in its executive committee. It shall
also adopt a set of bylaws which have been approved by PVCI Board of Directors.
Dues for the junior club shall be set by them and be payable to their treasure
for their use only. Said junior club shall also abide by the existing bylaws of
the PVCI. A full membership in the PVCI must be held by a member of the youth
family in order for him or her to join the junior club.
ARTICLE IV - FES AND DUES
1. Dues will be $35.00 for the first year and annual renewals will be $25.00.
Members delinquent in excess of three (3) months must pay the new member fee of
$35.00 to be reinstated.
2. Upon payment of first year dues, each member shall receive a PVCI batch,
decal, Member Handbook, and call, and upon payment of first year dues or renewal
dues, each regular member shall receive a membership card, become a member of
the Phoenix Varmint Callers, and receive the clubs’ official publication.
3. Dues are payable in advance at the time membership is applied for and are
thereafter payable annually on the anniversary of the date membership was first
applied for. A member who becomes delinquent in the payment of his or her dues,
shall forfeit his or her membership and all privileges, appurtenant thereto.
4. Life memberships are available to all members after the completion of one (1)
year of membership. The cost is $150.00. Past Presidents of the club shall pay a
discounted rate of $100.00.
ARTICLE V - MEETINGS
1. The regular membership meeting of the club shall be held on the first
Wednesday of each month, throughout the year, at 7:00 PM, at the place
designated by the Board of Directors.
2. The regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held on the third
Wednesday of each month throughout the year, at 7:00 PM at the place designated
by the Board of Directors.
3. The regular membership meeting in the month of March of each year has been
designated in the Articles of Incorporation as the annual meeting date of this
club. The regular membership meeting in April each year shall be the meeting at
which General Elections are held pursuant to Article X of these Bylaws.
4. Special meetings, social meetings and field and/or outdoor activities
sponsored by this club may be held at such time and place as the membership may
decide by a vote taken at a regular meeting.
5. Special Board of Directors meetings may be called by the president at a time
and place designated by him, upon at least twenty-four (24) hours notice to the
members of the Board.
6. The Executive committee shall meet at such times and places as designated by
the president.
7. A quorum shall consist of two thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors and
Executive Committee combined at any regular or special Directors meetings. No
business shall be transacted at any such meeting, unless the required quorum is
present at the time such business is transacted. No quorum shall be required to
transact business at a regular or special membership meeting.
8. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws or by law, any matter voted on
by the membership, Board of Directors, or Executive Committee, at any meetings,
in order to pass, must receive a majority vote of the members present and
entitled to vote at such meetings.
ARTICLE VI - ELECTIVE OFFICERS AND DUTIES
1. The officers of this club shall consist of a president, vice-president,
recording secretary, corresponding secretary, and treasurer. The officers shall
be elected from the membership, by the membership, at the regular membership
meeting in April of each year, and shall serve for a term of one (1) office in
this club at one time.
2. President, vice-president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, and
treasurer shall be limited to two consecutive one year terms then must stand
down for one year following before running for election again.
3. The President shall preside at all meetings of the membership, Board of
Directors and Executive Committee, shall direct the activities of this club and
serve as chief executive officer of the club. Except as otherwise provided in
these Bylaws, he shall appoint, subject to the approval of the Board, the
standing and special committee chairman to serve during his term of office and
fill vacancies in committee chairman in the same manner.
4. The Vice-President shall serve as presiding officer in the absence of the
President at all meetings of the membership, Board of Directors and Executive
Committee, and shall assist the President as necessary in the performance of his
duties.
5. The Recording Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept minutes of all
meetings of the membership, Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and
provide records of the minutes for the club files. These minutes shall contain
among other things, the type of meeting, date, place and time of meetings and
the proceedings. Minutes of the Board meetings shall also include a list of
officers and directors present, any amendments to the Articles of Incorporation
or Bylaws of this club shall be inserted in the minutes.
6. The Corresponding Secretary shall receive all of this club’s official
correspondence and process all of the official correspondence from this club. He
shall keep a complete file of this correspondence and any publication of this
club. Also present all documents prior to mailing for officer and board
approval, and submit proof of all mailings. The Correspondence Secretary will
assume the President’s position in case of emergency or the absence of both
President and Vice-President.
7. The Treasurer shall receive all dues and other funds coming to this club,
deposit them to this club’s account immediately upon receipt, keep accurate
records of receipts and disbursements and render an annual financial statement
to the membership of its first meeting after the annual meeting each year. A
copy of this annual financial statement shall be rendered to the Board of
Directors at the first Board meeting after the annual meting. A monthly
Treasurer’s report and any additional reports requested by the President,
monthly reports and any additional reports shall be entered into the minutes of
the meeting where given. The checkbook shall be in the custody of the Treasurer
and he/she will pay all bills incurred by the club when approved by the Board of
Directors. Responsible for non-profit status and records and must be in the
Treasurer’s annual report. The President, Vice-President and the Treasurer shall
be authorized to sign checks, two (2) signatures being required.
ARTICLE VII - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1. The management of this club shall be vested in the Board of Directors
consisting of the five (5) club officers, the immediate past president and the
individuals selected as directors from the club membership.
2. The number of directors shall be based on membership, with no more than two
per one hundred members.
3. Directors elected by the membership shall serve for a term of three (3)
years, with 1/3 of said directors being elected each year. A director may be
elected to serve for successive terms. To qualify to be a director, a member
must hold and maintain a current regular membership in this club.
4. Directors shall be required to attend all regular and special board of
directors meetings and may be removed from office by a majority vote of the
board, for good cause shown, after missing three (3) meetings in succession, the
number necessary for the quorum shall be reduced by one for each director so
removed until a successor has been duly elected.
ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES
1. In order to assist the officers, directors and members in planning and
carrying out the activities and objectives of this club, the President, subject
to the approval of the Board shall establish special or standing committees, as
needed, and appoint members to serve thereon, and a member to serve as chairman
thereof. Each committee so established shall be responsible for and shall
fulfill the duties and functions assigned to it by the President and Board of
Directors and shall be accountable to the President and the Board of Directors.
2. This club shall have an Executive Committee, composed of the five (5)
officers of the club with the President serving as chairman thereof. The
Executive Committee shall have the duties and functions assigned to it by the
Board of Directors and shall have the power to conduct club business of an
immediate nature, subject to the right of the Board to ratify or disapprove any
action taken. The Executive Committee may periodically audit or review the
business and financial transactions or affairs of any other committee.
3. This club shall have a standing Auditing Committee of not less than three (3)
members, who shall be appointed by the President, subject to the approval of the
Board. This committee shall annually audit or review the club books and
financial records and render a report to the Board of Directors, and fulfill
such duties and functions as assigned to it by the Board, such audit or review
to be made in conjunction with the annual treasurer’s report.
4. On or before the regular Board of Director’s meeting in December of each
year, the Board shall appoint a committee of not less than three (3) nor more
than five (5) to select the recipient of the Phoenix Varmint Callers “Member of
the Year” award.
5. Committee and chairman appointments shall be made as soon as practical after
the election of officers and directors each year.
ARTICLE XI - ELECTIONS
1. The election of club officers and directors shall take place at the regular
meeting in April of each year. The newly elected officers and directors shall
assume their duties at the first Board meeting following their election.
Vacancies in any elective position shall be filled by special election at the
regular meeting, except the Vice-President shall take over the President’s
duties for the remainder of his term in the event of the President’s resignation
or other permanent absence from his duties.
2. On or before the regular Board of Directors meeting in January of each year,
the Board shall appoint a nominating committee of not more than three (3)
members. Any club member, including present officers, directors and past
presidents, may be committee members, but the Board shall give special
consideration to members active in the club and familiar with the membership and
the club activities. The committee shall meet prior to the regular membership
meeting in February to select a chairman and conduct its business.
3. At the regular February membership meeting each year, the nominating
committee shall solicit written recommendations from the membership for
candidates for the elective offices and Board of Directors. The members so
recommended, together with and other members selected by the committee, shall be
interviewed or otherwise considered by the committee and at the regular
membership meeting in March, the committee shall present to the membership a
recommended slate of candidates for the respective offices or positions. The
slate should contain at least two (2) candidates for each office or position. At
said meeting, additional nominations of candidates may be made from the floor.
Thereafter, the names of all candidates shall be furnished to the membership in
the club’s official publication or otherwise. No candidate can be nominated for
an office or position at the regular membership meeting in April unless at that
time there are less than two (2) candidates for an office or position.
4. A candidate may run for only one (1) office or board position, not both. If
vacancies occur on the Board of Directors due to members being elected to
office, then nominations for their replacements and the elections shall be held
at the regular membership meeting in April or May.
ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS
1. Amendments to the Bylaws may be proposed by a member at any regular Board or
special meeting. Proposed amendment (s) shall be discussed by the Board of
Directors and may be approved by it for submission to the membership. The
proposed amendment (s) shall then be presented to the membership at a regular
meeting and shall be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those members voting.
2. Amendment (s) to the Bylaws may be proposed by a member at a regular meeting.
If the proposed amendment (s) receives a majority vote of the members voting, it
shall be referred to the Board of Directors for its consideration and be brought
up before the membership for voting at the next regular membership meeting. It
shall be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members voting.
3. Notice of final vote on any proposed amendment (s) to the Bylaws shall be
given to the membership prior to voting on the amendment.
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