RANGELEY – The next meeting of the Rangeley Region Guides’ and Sportsmen’s Club will begin with a potluck meal at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at the clubhouse on Old Ski way Road in Oquossoc. The meal will be followed by a meeting and speaker. All are welcome.

Although the severe cold kept the attendance down, those who were able to attend the January meeting enjoyed a good meal, an opportunity to meet with others and a review of plans for the upcoming year.

Tim Baker, chairman of the meeting, explained 2004’s major concerns and projects including education regarding the upcoming bear hunting referendum, ways to solve the bass problem in Rapid River, upgrading the club’s archery and nature trails as well as parking facilities and various upgrades to the club’s facilities.

Tickets for this winter’s raffle, he said, will be on sale soon. The prize for the raffle is a Mel Jones hand crafter fly rod with reel with a value of $1,200 to $1,500.

The club is seeking a six or eight canoe trailer for use by Junior Guides. Contact Baker with any pertinent information.

Members viewed a Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife video, “Supplemental Feeding of Deer.” The department does not encourage this practice and cautions those who continue to supplement their natural browse to offer apples, oats, acorns or commercially prepared deer feed rather than options such as hay, kitchen scraps and cabbage which lead to starvation for the deer. Feeding stations should also be set up away from main roads. The film advises those who are feeding now to continue until the trees green up in the spring.