“BECOMING PART OF A COMMUNITY THAT ENJOYS SHOOTING AS MUCH AS I DO IS VERY REWARDING.” —MARC OULLETTE
A G R AC IOU S HO ST
For gun owners, competitive shooting sports are one of the best ways to enjoy their favorite firearms while simultaneously improving their skills. Members of organizations such as Cowboy Action Shooting, the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA), and American Trapshooting Association (ATA) utilize the Eustis Gun Club’s various ranges for events and sanctioned matches. The matches attract everyone from novices to world-class competitors. For 21 years, Leesburg resident Mark Kraemer has competed in IDPA, a handgun-centric sport based on simulated self-defense scenarios where shooters are scored on speed and accuracy. Mark currently serves as president of the Lake County IDPA. “This club offers us an outstanding venue to participate in our sport,” says Mark, who is also a member of the Eustis Gun Club. “The facility is well-kept and organized. You’re not going to find a finer shooting club in Central Florida.” Tom, the skeet shooter from Mount Dora, has competed in ATP tournaments for 12 years. Each Wednesday, he practices at Eustis Gun Club to hone his skills. “I always feel safe out here, and I appreciate that each member has been vetted,” he says. “The culture of this club is very positive.” As is the case with any sport, the question arises as to how adults will pass the love of shooting on to the next generation. Several shooting programs are held at the Eustis Gun Club to engage youth in shooting sports. One is the American Trap Association’s youth program AIM, which stands for Academics, Integrity, and Marksmanship. Another is Project Appleseed, a nationwide program that teaches marksmanship skills, as well as the heritage and history of the traditional rifle. Children and teenagers enrolled in Lake County 4-H come to the club to learn skeet shooting, clay shooting, and trap shooting. Kids are attracted to the level playing field of competition shooting, a sport where size and gender mean very little in how successful one can become. Board members of the Eustis Gun Club are ecstatic to see kids become involved in shooting sports. “Some of us are getting older,” Marc says. “One day, the younger generation will be operating the Eustis Gun Club, and we need them to maintain the passion we have for shooting firearms and also keep our membership levels where we want them.”
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