Black Rock 2010?

[Warren B. MusselmanModerator]

It is very likely that in 2010, Oktoberfest will be on the SECOND weekend in October (10-7 thru 10-10, 4 days).

Joe and I discussed this at some length recently and there are a variety of reasons, one (though not most important) being the possibility of a conflict with BALLS. Another was the possibility of using the Columbus Day semi-holiday to extend the launch to 4 days with two research days; Friday and Monday. The main reason is the conflict with antelope season – apparently some hunters complained to USFS about us out there on the opening weekend of antelope season.

Bear in mind this isn’t decided yet, but is a strong possibility. Final schedule will be voted on at the annual meeting after discussion.

Warren

[John A. WilkeParticipant]

One other bonus of moving Oktoberfest a bit is that it won’t conflict with antelope season. We’ve never had a problem, and odds are that we never will – but that always lurks in the back of my mind. It would be very below average to get nicked by a stray bullet…

I’d love to do a BALLS/NCR project sometime. We surely have a talented enough group to do it. We are also probably one of the few clubs that could build a major project using internally-sourced components, propellants, electronics, etc. One of the main challenges of doing this is the persistent the conflict of BALLS and O’Fest dates. Even if they aren’t the same weekend, they both take so much time and effort. Even still, it is worth a discussion at the annual meeting. We could always go to Aeronaut or XPRS and fly it. Thosea are also at Black Rock, and they have EX days.

[Chad]

I wasn’t impressed with the antelope hunters taking shots from 50′ off the road. Heaven forbid they walk a few leagues across the grassland. Please tell me there are real sportsman still left out there.

I wouldn’t trust these guys to NOT shoot me.

[John A. WilkeParticipant]

There are plenty of hunters who are “real sportsmen”. FWIW, the antelope that was shot near the gate was shot by a 12 year old kid on his very first hunt. While on the surface it may have rubbed non-hunters a bit wrong, he was indeed legal… and he was probably more responsible by shooting one up close vs. trying to crawl up on one and shoot it at 250 yards with a crosswind (with a bunch of rocket guys walking around).

The antelope may also have been shot away from the road and it may have…. ahem… “expired” near the road. I didn’t ask them about those details. The point is that sometimes there is a bit more to the story than it appears.

When I talked to them they were a little concerned about hundreds of rocketeers tromping the prairie, making loud noises, parking off the road, etc. We had a good chat.

[Chad]

That’s good to know, and I appreciate you being a rocket ambassador. I am happy to yield the prairie to others, whether ATVers or hunters, for the long term use and care of the land.

I did see several hunters camped out close to the road when I was driving out that morning, mostly along the Carr road. Maybe my sample was skewed by observer bias.

Chad

[John A. WilkeParticipant]

Jeroen and I came in via the Carr road as well. There were a bunch of cars parked along the N side of the road that were for hunters who walked into a public spot up there. There is a huge chunk o’ prairie up there that is public hunting, but you do have to hoof it in quite a ways. Ironically, most landowners there will grant you permission immediately if you ask, as they consider Pronghorn to be a bit of a pest. I’ve never been told “no” when I asked to hunt Pronghorn up there.

Funny thing was we nearly ran over a gi-mongous buck that was right there where the cars were 😯 he was “hiding” in the middle of the road hehehe….

[SCOTT EVANS]

There are plenty of hunters who are “real sportsmen”. FWIW, the antelope that was shot near the gate was shot by a 12 year old kid………………

When I was a lad, you had to be 14 and supervised by an adult to hunt Big Game. I looked it up and they changed it to 12.

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