Rules

DOUBLE O HUNTING CLUB

RULES, 2023-24

President: Allen Bailey

Vice President: Eddie Delorme

In an ideal environment, everyone in a group would agree on the objectives of the group, and the means to achieve them. However, rules are necessary when everyone in the group may not have the same goals or possess the same level of knowledge or experience; or because of changes to which a group must become accustomed. The rules of our club are not intended to restrict a member from enjoying fully the joy of hunting. They are intended to assure fairness among our members, help us meet club objectives, and provide a safe environment for all members to enjoy quality hunting and the great outdoors. It is important that we avoid looking for “loopholes” in the rules to satisfy our own desires. Rules cannot cover, and we cannot anticipate, every situation that might arise. For that reason and for all of us to fully enjoy our experiences in the club, we must all adhere to the SPIRIT OF THE RULES.

1.      The club is governed by the president, Allen Bailey, with recommendations and assistance from officers and various committees appointed by him.  

2.      Membership is by invitation only. The club reserves the right to refuse membership to anyone for any reason.

3.      Membership includes the member’s spouse and children as long as they are in school and claimed as dependents on their income tax. Minors (under 18) must be under the direct supervision of one of their parents (or guardians). The parents shall be fully responsible for their acts and safety. Membership is non-transferable.

4.     Dues for the following year shall be announced no later than March 1st of the current year.

5.          Dues are payable as follows: $500 non-refundable deposit due no later than March 15th and the balance of dues due no later than May 1st.   

6.          Changes or additions to the rules will be furnished to all members in writing. It is the member’s responsibility to make his guests and family members familiar with the rules.

7.          Members are responsible for all fees or fines for their guests and for the actions of their guests.If a member has an outstanding fee or fine due the club, he must pay it before his next hunt. Ne exceptions.

8.          Guests are not allowed to hunt on the premises in the absence of the member. Guests are limited to five days per year. There will be a limit of five guest days (total) allowed for each member.

8-A.  In our club meeting in March 13, 2022, we revised our guest rule. You may bring your son, daughter, or grandchild for one free hunt and the other four days of the five-day limit they would pay $75 for each day. Of course, all other rules apply to this as far as kind of deer to harvest and fines if applicable. Any deer taken by your guests will be deducted from your allotment of three bucks and two does. Guest fees for all other guests will be $75.00 with no harvest fee but those deer will also be deducted from your allotment.

Guest fees are to be paid prior to hunting. Members are responsible for all fines that apply to a guest as well as the guest fees. Limit of 5 days applies to all guests. Guest fees are $75 per day with each member having a limit of 5 for the year.

A member may bring their grandchild as a guest (18 and under) and that grandchild will have the same privilege as the member’s immediate family.  The same rules apply to grandchildren as member rule.

8-A. (Amendment) It was decided at our March 11, 2012 meeting that all children or grandchildren (18 and under) of a member may take a buck 6 point or better (no beam restriction) as their first buck of the season. Their next buck of the season must meet our club restrictions on bucks and if the second buck does not qualify per our club requirements, the parent or grandparent must pay the fine same as any other member. This will have very little impact on our overall deer harvest and gives the youth a better chance of harvesting a buck without the fear of meeting the beam requirement.

NEW MEMBERSHIP RULE AS OF March 19, 2023: One membership per gun. This applies to all new members, not present (2023) members. If a new member has a hunter in his family, there will be a membership fee charged for that gun. This rule is to hold down the number of hunters and better control hunting pressure.

9.          All members and guests should be properly registered in the guest book and sign out book prior to hunting. The registration must clearly show the name of the member inviting the guest.

9-A No member can sign in another member or guest unless that person is on the club property.

10.      In the event of serious or repeated infractions resulting in a member’s dismissal, there shall be no refund of dues.

11.      In the event of a member’s failure to renew, any property belonging to that member shall become the property of the club if not removed from the premises prior to June 1 of that year, unless prior alternative arrangements are made with the club president. In the event of a member’s dismissal during the year, any of the member’s property remaining on the premises more than forty-five (45) days after dismissal shall become the property of the club.

12.      Alcohol and drugs are not allowed on the premises!

13.      No target shooting shall be done on other club property except at designated areas between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. during hunting season.   

14.      No one shall be on the premises away from camp unless properly signed out on the map and in the book.

15.      No person shall sign out to hunt during deer season prior to 5:30 PM of the day preceding the hunt. No person shall sign out for more than two (2) different stand locations on the same day.  Turkey hunters sign out the same as deer hunters. Stand locations are on a “first come, first served” basis. Consideration should be given to how the route one takes to a stand location may affect other standers. Standers should also recognize that stand locations taken near roads and major trails could make one subject to disturbance because of travel by others.  

16.      It was decided at our March 13, 2022 meeting that no does will be taken after December 31.  

17.      Intentional violation of any game laws shall be grounds for immediate dismissal from the club

18.      Intentionally failing to search for, bring in, or report a deer killed or wounded, to avoid any fine or other penalty, may be grounds for dismissal from the club.

19.      If a member becomes aware of a game law violation or other significant club rules infraction, the member is responsible for reporting it to a club officer or member of the rules committee.

20.      All deer harvested shall be measured and weighed in accordance with the club guidelines. The jawbones will be promptly pulled, tagged and the required information accurately and legibly entered on the tag. Required information will be entered in the club harvest logbook and on the wallboard.

All bucks harvested must have a photo taken and the rack scored. Allen Bailey, Terry Andrews, Ray Wyatt, or Beau Talley will measure all racks. There will be a fine of $200.00 for any buck that is not scored. This would be the same as if it did not meet the antler requirement criteria. The score sheet and photo will be turned in for the club use to furnish our Westervelt biologist.

21. We are attempting to manage for quality 3 ½ year old bucks or better. To do this, we have placed a minimum of 18” on the main beam and 4" bases on one antler, or a weight of 180 pounds. The deer must be weighed on the club's certified scales and hung by the leg, not the gambrel. If your buck does not meet the above criteria, the fine is $200.00.

If a member produces proof that they are having the head professionally mounted (shoulder mount), the fine will be refunded. Also, members will be reimbursed their fine if the biologists’ report shows the deer harvested was 3½ years old.  MEMBER BOW HUNTERS may take a minimum 6-point only as their first buck of the season. Main beam restrictions do not apply to this first deer.

A member’s spouse or child who has never harvested a buck (anywhere) may take a buck of their choice as their first buck. After that, they are on the same rule as the member (exception see 8-A above). This rule only applies to members, or their immediate family as mentioned above. It does not apply to guests.

22.  Shooting from one stand area to another is not permitted. This is for safety reasons as well as preventing judgment mistakes on deer harvested.             

23.    Gobbler limit, according to State Law, is four. No turkey hunting guests will be allowed with the exception of hunting with the member from the same stand. Guests are not allowed to take a stand separate from the member. No guest fee will be charged to the guest, but any turkey harvested by the guest will be charged to the four-bird limit of the member.

24.    At a meeting on March 11, 2017, it was decided that the harvest limit per membership is three bucks and two does. No harvest fee is made on guests, but guest harvest will be deducted from the limit on the member. The turkey limit per membership is four.

25.  No cameras are to be mounted on green fields during bow or gun season unless they are within 20 yards of the shooting box. If cameras are checked during hunting season, you must be marked out on the map and logged in sign-out book. That stand is one of your two for the day.

26.  There will be four workdays scheduled and each member is required to make at least two of them or pay $100 for each of the two missed.

27.  All jawbones must be turned in or pay a fine of $50.

28.  Observation cards must be completed and turned in. A $50 fine will be charged if at least 75% are not completed.

29.  SAFETY RULE: Be sure no one is left still signed out in the log book. If so, check to see if they have returned to the club and failed to sign in.

30.  It is the responsibility of the member to properly maintain club-owned cabins and trailers which includes repairs, leaks, painting, etc. This is not too much to expect due to no rent being charged for them.