Well it seems that January will be greeting us with a new Governor. That’s right Chris Christie has unseated Jon Corzine, even though Corzine outspent Christie by $12 million dollars during the election. Corzine’s horrendous approval rating and Christie’s courtship of the outdoor community played a large roll in Corzine’s loss. That’s right, Governor-Elect Christie courted the outdoor community, and was indorsed by the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance (of with the UBNJ is an advisory member). Mr. Christie was the “guest speaker” at the NJOA’s ROOR Rally that was held just before the final weeks of the election. Mr. Christie has stated that he will be a friend to the outdoor community and that he believes in wildlife management led by science and not by emotion. We will see if this is true in the coming years…We’ll see if he can get the Division of F&W to believe in management by science again…

Speaking of the DF&W…the Garden State Outdoors Show is just around the corner…I think. Haven’t heard much chatter from the DF&W about it, but as in years past, we will be there to honor some of the best deer taken in New Jersey in 2008. While the Outdoors Show has taken on the feel of a flee market in recent years, the Deer Classic is still the Deer Classic, and as always the DF&W does an outstanding job displaying and recognizing New Jersey’s outstanding whitetail deer. I have to admit, I enjoy the Deer Classic, and it is one of my favorite events to work for the UBNJ.

March 13th, 2010…is a date to mark on your calendars. That is the date for the 6th Annual New Jersey Bowhunter’s Game Dinner. We started planning this year’s dinner almost as soon as last year’s Dinner was finished. This year Monty Browning will be our guest speaker. Monty is a very accomplished bowhunter that has taken quite a variety of game with the bow. If you don’t know of Monty a quick web search will generate all the reading material you’ll need! We have a number of fishing and hunting trips that have been donated, including two African Safaris. There will be giveaways, 50-50’s, silent auctions, as well as live auctions and the usual outstanding food! Tickets are available now and can be purchased thru the UBNJ’s website or from any UBNJ Council member. Tickets are limited to 500, and they will sellout…so get your tickets early…hey, they even make pretty good stocking stuffers!!!

As I close out this last Campfire I need to do something personal, I have to say thank you to a few people…to Jack Spoto – thank you for kicking me in the butt when I needed it, you are an invaluable resource and friend to me and to the UBNJ…To Sam Yarosh – thank you for being my sounding board and personal venting station, you are a great friend Sam and I look forward to many more adventures in the field with you…to Wayne Bishop – thank you for being the work horse you are, you truly are the life’s blood of the UBNJ…to Brian Pichalski – thank you for being the work horse in training Brian; Wayne has taught you well…to the “Tall Slender man”…Phil Muller – thank you Mr. NJ Bowhunters Game Dinner, I am proud to call you my friend…to Brian Burch – thank you for the professionalism and incredible artwork that you have brought to the UBNJ Council…to the UBNJ Council as a whole – thank you for your dedication to the sport we all love…and I have saved the best for last, even though he may root for the Phillies…to Matt Bradway…thank you for calling me on all the BS…you have been my hunting partner on more trips than anyone, and you are a friend that I can always count on to tell me how it is…it is an honor to count you as my friend.

I turn the UBNJ over to President-Elect John Erndl…and as I settle in to the role of Immediate Past President, I know the UBNJ is in good and capable hands.

Semper Fidelis…

Brian Dolobacs