RULES OF THE HELVETIAN GUN CLUB

SECTION 1. GENERAL RULES

1. Except as otherwise provided by these rules, it is understood and agreed that members, their families, their guests and any other person or persons who enter the club premises shall do so at their own risk. It is further agreed that neither the club members nor the above named land owners shall be held in any way liable for property damage, personal injury or death occurring to anyone, from any cause whatsoever while on the club premises.
2. The fish and game laws, Mendocino County laws, and all the laws of the State of California are strictly enforced at all times, for the protection of human life and wildlife on this club, and in consideration of these efforts on the part of the club members to maintain this club in a manner which will be of mutual benefit, it is necessary that rules be made and strictly adhered to by every member of the club. Such rules may be changed or amended from year to year as necessary.
3. All proposed changes in the rules shall be submitted in writing to the managers for approval on or before January 1 of each year. It an amendment meets with the approval of the managers it shall be submitted to a vote of the membership at the next annual meeting.
4. The signature of a member affixed to the acceptance and release form accompanying these rules constitutes his/her acceptance of said rules and upon violation of any portion of said rules that member in violation agrees to surrender his/her membership and forfeit his/her remaining membership fee if requested to do so by the managers. Furthermore, the managers may assess a fine of not less than ten dollars ($10.00) nor more than fifty dollars ($50.00) against any member in violation of any rule of the club. A member any also be fined for any and all violations of the rules by his/her guest. All fines shall be paid immediately and any member failing to do so shall have his/her membership automatically suspended and shall cease to enjoy any privileges of membership until all his/her fines are paid in full. All such fines shall be used to purchase or propagate fish and game for release on the club premises or for the control burning program.
5. Any member observing a violation of the rules of the club shall inform the person violating the rule of the fact that he/she is in violation of a rule of the club. If the violating member fails to heed the informing member, a report shall be made to the managers detailing the facts of the incident. Reports shall be made in writing, with the date, time, location, nature of violation, parties involved, witnessed of any and all available facts pertaining to the incident. These reports shall be signed by the member or members making the report and shall be submitted to the Sergeant-At-Arms or the managers for further action or investigation.

SECTION 2. MEMBERSHIP RULES

1. Memberships are designated by the following categories:
   • GENERAL RECREATION: Includes trespass and short term camping privileges for one family (or one member and a significant other and their children) on the entire Hanes Ranch property. All recreational uses and the hunting of small game and birds as regulated by the Department of Fish and Game. Children of member are entitled to these uses until twenty-one (21) years of age.
   • GENERAL RECREATION GUEST: Includes privileges of General Recreation for one person as a guest in accompaniment of a full non-guest member.
   • HOG ONLY HUNTING: When added to a General Recreation membership, includes hunting of wild hogs on the respective club areas.
   • HOG HUNTING GUEST: Includes privileges of Hog Hunting for one guest when added to a Hog or All Recreation Membership. The bag limit of two (2) is shared between the primary hunter and guest.
   • DEER ONLY HUNTING: When added to a General Recreation membership, includes hunting of deer on respective club areas.
   • DEER HUNTING GUEST: Includes privileges of Deer Hunting membership for one person when added to a Deer Hunting or All Recreation membership. The bag limit of two (2) is shared between the primary hunter and guest.
   • COMBINED DEER AND HOG GUEST: Includes privileges of Deer Hunting and Hot Hunting Guest.
   • JUNIOR HUNTING GUEST: A person under the age of eighteen (18) years may hunt with a bona-fide member upon payment of twenty-five percent (25%) of the regular Hunting Guest Member fee.
   • INACTIVE MEMBERSHIP: Entitles an ex-member to be placed first on the waiting list to return to full membership of the status of membership previously held and to maintain position on the waiting list of other types of membership.
   • FAMILY: A family is defined as: husband, wife, or significant other, and minor children under the age of twenty-one (21) years.
2. The privilege of using club premises as a place of residence may be granted by the management and shall be revocable upon ninety (90) days notice. In the event that a club member wishes to use the club premises as a place of residence there shall be a minimum fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per month in addition to the said member’s annual dues.
3. Members are allowed the privilege of bringing guests to the club at all times but no non-member shall be allowed to hunt at any time. Non-paying guests may visit the club premises no more than two times per year and must always be accompanied by the member.
4. Any member who desires to retain his membership in the club for the coming year shall make a deposit of not less than ten percent (20%) of his/her dues on or before April 1 of each year. Further, each member shall be required to pay all dues and assessments in full on or before June 1st of each year. Any member who fails to meet the above requirements will be dropped from the membership roll and his/her membership shall be open to any eligible party as designated by the manager. Any member dropped because of non-payment may be reinstated upon payment of a one hundred dollar ($100.00) reinstatement fee if a membership opening is still available. The term of membership shall run from June 1st to May 31st of the following year. No membership card shall be issued to a member until that member reads the club rules and returns a signed original copy of the acceptance and release form to the club management. The schedule of dues may be changed by the managers annually at their discretion.
5. Members who do not wish to use the club recreation facilities may retain their place to be first on the waiting list to return to full membership status by paying one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the first year and one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) per year for each succeeding year until such time as they again become active members. An inactive membership entitles an ex-member to retain his place to be first on the waiting list to return to full membership status at the type of membership previously held. It also allows said person to maintain a position on the waiting list for other types of membership.

SECTION 3. CABINS/CAMPERS/TRAILER SITES

1. Cabins/Campers/Trailer Sites are available to members for the exclusive use and development of an approved permanent cabin/camper/trailer site. This use includes the parking of one camper or camp trailer on a continuous basis and/or constructing permanent structures or camping facilities.
2. Added privileges are as follows:
   • ADDITIONAL CAMPER/TRAILER: Permits the parking of an additional camper or camp trailer on the same approved site.
   • CABIN RENT: The exclusive use of a cabin and site. Rent varies according to size/quality of the cabin and/or site.
3. All cabins on club property are real property owned by Hanes Ranch, Inc. Members using such cabins are occupants only as long as they are members in good standing in the club. Prior to January 1, 1986, members were permitted to negotiate the sale of personal property and furnishing contained in the cabin to other club members by private treaty. The practice of selling of personal property and furnishing associated with a prior member’s cabin occupancy is discontinued as of January 1, 1986. Any member renting and occupying a cabin on club premises shall retain the right to rent and occupy that cabin until the date of termination or resignation of his/her membership.
4. Any additions or remodeling performed by a member or group of members on a cabin on club property are solely for the comfort and use of that member while occupying the cabin. All materials become the property of Hanes Ranch, Inc. at the time such materials are affixed to the cabin and the member or group of members shall relinquish any and all claims of ownership of said materials. Any member who engages in remodeling, additions or substantial repairs shall notify the club management of the extent of such remodeling, additions or substantial repairs prior to the time of making those repairs, etc.

SECTION 4. HORSE PASTURAGE

1. Any member who has a horse of his own may pasture said horse on the club property at the rate of $25.00 per week, $75.00 per month or $240.00 per year. No horse may be pastured in the Big Pasture from October 1st through May 31st. No member may pasture more than two (2) horses on the club premises at the same time without special permission from the managers provided however, should a mare have a colt while pastured on the club premises, the colt may be kept on the club premises until it is one year of age. The above named land owners will assume no liability for the injury to or loss of any such horses, or injury inflicted to anyone by said horses. No additional species of livestock such as sheep, pigs, goats, chickens, etc. shall be allowed to be brought to or maintained on the club premises by any member without prior permission from the club management.

SECTION 5. CAMP CONDUCT

1. Each member shall dispose of his empty bottles, cans, garbage, etc. by dumping them at the dumpsters provided by Hanes Ranch, Inc. Bottles shall not be used as targets and broken bottles shall not be left lying around as they are a menace to barefoot children and auto tires. Hides, guts, heads, etc. shall be buried or dumped at Lookout Rock. Any unused appliances, plumbing, lumber, etc. shall be used within three (3) months, removed from the club premises; or stored in a shed out of sight. Areas around cabins and campsites must be kept uncluttered. Members who have cabins, sheds, trailers, etc. shall be required to clear away brush, leaves and any flammable material no later than July 1st and again no later than September 1st of each year. The cleared area to be at least thirty (30) feet in all directions. If any member fails to comply with this rule, the manager may hire someone to do the work and the cost shall be added to the member’s dues for the year.
2. No member or guest shall remove from the club premises any ferns, plants, firewood, redwood burls, or any natural products of the land without the express permission of the management.
3. Firewood for the members use while on the club premises may be cut from natural windfalls or from live trees with the express permission from the management. Members desiring to remove firewood for outside use must obtain express permission from the management at a fee of $25.00 per cord or $1.20 per diameter inch per tree.
4. No dogs shall be allowed to run loose at any time, and during the open deer season all dogs shall be either tied or controlled to stay at the members camp at all times. Any dog inclined to fight shall be properly muzzled while in company of any other dog that he has fought with which belongs to any other member. All members should discourage guests from bringing pets to the club premises. Each member agrees to be liable for any and all domestic animals killed or injured by himself, his/her dogs or his/her guests. The Mendocino County leash law shall be observed at all times.

SECTION 6. HUNTING RULES

1. Property designated as the Game Refuge is a sanctuary for deer and other game. Shooting or hunting of any kind in the vicinity of the cabins and any hunting of deer in this area is strictly forbidden unless special permission is granted by the managers. Anyone who kills a deer in the Game Refuge without special permission shall be fined two hundred dollars ($200.00). Any deer killed in the Game Refuge without special permission shall count as one of the two deer allowed to the member who killed it. A second violation may result in termination of membership for the offending member at the discretion of the managers. The above rule shall not apply when a deer has been shot and wounded outside the refuge and has to be followed into the refuge. In ay such case, the member which wounds the deer shall get the mangers, the Sergeant-At-Arms, or if neither is available, another member to accompany him into the refuge as a witness.
2. The Game Refuge includes the Big Pasture around the Camp, the Middle Ridge Pasture, the Shearing Pasture at the Pound Place, except that portion of these pastures lying southwest of and above the upper road from the fence at Pack Trail Ridge to the gate above the Davy Lantz cabin site.
3. Members who have not killed a buck will be allowed to hunt in the Game Refuge the last two days of the deer season. This does not apply to those who have obtained their second buck, and does not allow any member to kill his second buck in the refuge. Archery hunting will be permitted in the refuge during archery season prior to the rifle season, but not within one quarter (1/4) mile of any house, cabin, tent, trailer or occupied campsite.
4. The use of intoxicating beverages is strictly confined to the camps. Members in the interest of safety agree not to handle firearms while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, nor to become intoxicated to such a degree as to become a public nuisance. Disorderly conduct of any kind will not be tolerated on the club premises. If a member has reason to believe that any person about to go hunting is intoxicated it shall be his/her duty to immediately notify the Sergeant-At-Arms of this fact, or if the Sergeant-At-Arms is unavailable the manager shall be notified. It shall be the duty of the Sergeant-At-Arms and/or managers to immediately investigate the complaint and to take necessary action as defined by the club rules. If the member involved claims that he/she is not intoxicated then a secret ballot shall be taken immediately. If a majority vote determines the member is intoxicated then that member shall remain in camp until he/she is sober and the complaint shall be referred to the managers for further action.
5. All members shall use guns and ammunition of sufficient caliber and velocity to assure clean kills, and the managers reserve the right to ban from use on club premises any guns that in their opinion do not meet the above requirements, or any guns that due to defective mechanism or construction are unsafe.
6. The member who makes the kills has first claim, provided no other member has inflicted a mortal wound. In the event more than one member inflicts a mortal wound in the same animal there shall be a cutting of cards with the member drawing high card gaining claim to the animal. Should two or more members shoot at the same animal and a dispute ensues as to who made the kill or inflicted a mortal wound, then all members who shot at the animal and believe they hit it shall cut the cards, high card wins.
7. A wound in which the bullet breaks or shatters a bone, pierces the body cavity, or so injures the animal as to enable a dog to hold it until someone gets there to fire the killing shot shall be considered a mortal wound. Inflicting a lesser wound than those described above shall not entitle the member who inflicted the wound any claim on the animal.
8. No one shall be allowed more than the legal limit of game under any circumstances. No member shall shoot at an illegal deer for any reason. Shooting to scare, or into brush for the purpose of flushing game is strictly forbidden. Any member who kills an illegal deer shall pay a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each offense. All such fines shall be paid to the manager and allocated for use in propagating fish and game to be released on the club premises and/or for the control burning program. Any member who kills an illegal deer and fails to notify the mangers of the facts within ten (10) days or pay the required fine within thirty (30) days shall be expelled from the club if in the opinion of the managers the member is guilty of having violated the above rule regarding killing of an illegal deer.
9. If a member or his/her guest kills an illegal deer prior to the member having obtained his/her first buck for the season, the illegal deer shall count as that member’s first buck. If, however, he has obtained his/her first buck then the illegal deer shall count for that member’s second buck. Any guest who kills an illegal deer during the current season shall not be allowed to hunt on club property for the remainder of the deer season.
10. For the purpose of keeping accurate records, reports shall be made of all shots fired at deer and pigs. These reports shall be made within forty-eight (48) hours after the shots were fired. Each year the members shall elect a Sergeant-At-Arms. It shall be his/her duty to keep a copy of rules. He/she shall allow any member to read the rules when requested to do so and in cases of controversy he/she shall render an opinion as to the proper interpretation of the rule in question. If the member involved does not wish to accept that interpretation he/she may call for a vote as in any other dispute covered by the rules.
11. Each member/family shall be allowed two bucks per season among them on one membership.
12. In no event shall a non-paying guest other than the spouse or child (under the age of twenty-one (21) years of age) of a member be allowed to take any game or carry firearms (during deer season) while on club premises. Any person who hunts on club property must have the proper license, tags, etc. and no tag shall be placed on any buck unless the party to whom the tag is issued is present. No member who has tagged two bucks for the season shall be allowed to hunt deer.
13. All pigs on Hanes Ranch, Inc. are the property of Hanes Ranch and are allowed to range free. Pig hunting is permitted from Thanksgiving Day to Memorial Day Monday. No pig that weighs less than fifty (50) pounds field dressed shall be killed at any time. Any member killing such an underweight pig shall pay a fine of fifty cents ($0.50) per pound for each pound less than the required weight, provided however, that when a small pig is killed by a dog, the owner of the dog shall be required to pay for the first ten (10) pounds underweight only. In addition to the above requirements anyone killing a pig weighing less than thirty-five (35) pounds field dressed shall deliver such a pig to the manager immediately and shall lose all claims to any part of that pig. No member/family shall be allowed to take not more than two (2) pigs during any one pig season. All pigs must be weighed before they are taken from the club property and a written report shall be made as to when, where, by whom the pig was killed, and which member/members received the meat. The report shall include the name of the person/persons weighing the pig and if there are any other members available, at least one of them shall witness the weighing and their names shall be included in the report. If in the event there are no other members present, then two non-members may be used as witnesses. The above report shall be delivered either in person or by mail to the manager within seven (7) days or placed in the message box at the Stop Sign gate.
14. The members and their spouses and minor children shall confine their hunting and fishing to the property designated to them for that purpose by the managers. Any hunting on the property designated for use by the Rancheria Gun Club, family strip, other gun clubs or neighboring ranches shall be a violation of the rules. Any member who violates this rule shall be subject to cancellation of his/her membership and/or a one hundred dollar ($100.00) fine may be levied at the discretion of the managers.
15. Due to rules and regulations of the California Department of Fish and Game there is no stream fishing allowed on the premises.

SECTION 7. RULES OF SAFETY

1. Do not shoot until you see the forks of their horns. Men and does do not have horns.
2. A gun is always a dangerous weapon. Never handle one in a careless manner or while intoxicated.
3. Never carry a loaded gun unless the safety is on.
4. Never point a gun, loaded or unloaded, at anyone or anything you do not wish to kill.
5. Never carry a loaded gun while walking with a companion.
6. Never carry a loaded gun in a motor vehicle.
7. Never carry a loaded gun in camp.
8. When unloading a gun always point the muzzle in a safe direction, never allow it to be pointed in the direction of your companions.
9. Always know the location of your hunting companions and never shoot in their direction.
10. After you shoot at a buck or a pig always look for blood and follow the track far enough to determine whether you have wounded the animal or not.
11. During the open deer season members shall refrain from shooting within one quarter mile of any occupied dwelling except when shooting at a deer or targeting in their deer rifles at the designated rifle range. At all times members shall refrain from shooting in the general direction or immediate vicinity of any occupied dwelling or campsite.
12. In the interest of safety and good sportsmanship, any member who for any reason happens to be in the immediate vicinity of another member’s stand when a buck appears shall refrain from shooting unless requested to do so by the member whose stand it is. Under the same consideration when two or more members are walking or riding together, the member who first sees the buck shall do the shooting unless he/she requests some other member to shoot instead. In any case only one member shall shoot. All other present shall remain behind the shooter and keep their rifles down and unloaded.
13. The speed limit in the vicinity of cabins and campsites shall be ten (10) miles per hour.