TrapShootingUSA July/August 2022

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CONTENTS JOURNAL NO. 80

PUBLISHED 6 TIMES PER YEAR SUBSCRIPTION $35.95 PER YEAR $70 IN CANADA AND REST OF WORLD ISSN 1479-2885

COVER PHOTO: CAITLIN CONNOR Won THREE Gold medals in Olympic Skeet Lonato, Italy Photo Credit: Thaddius Bedford

PUBLISHER STACEY STEPHENS stacey@trapshootingusa.com EDITOR SEAN HAWLEY editor@trapshootingusa.com

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SUBSCRIPTIONS, ADDRESS CHANGES AND ALL DEPARTMENTS: TRAPSHOOTINGUSA 3921 127TH STREET LUBBOCK, TX 79423

12 BACK TO BACK EVENTS FOR USA SHOOTING

All rights reserved. No part of this ­publication may be transmitted or ­reproduced in any form without written ­permission from the publishers.

The opinions expressed by ­correspondents are not necessarily those of the publishers.

TrapShootingUSA recommends that readers ­satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of advertisers’ claims before any purchase is made, and accepts no responsibility for any loss arising from any purchase.

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38 2022 GREAT LAKES GRAND THE 34TH ANNUAL

42 REMINGTON GUN CLUB

A LEVEL UP IN ADJUSTABILITY

A NEW CLUB OFFERING

48 2022 WESTERN GRAND THE 34TH ANNUAL

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NEW LB TRAP STOCK

20 2022 KEYSTONE OPEN

2022 WESTERN GRAND

THE 31ST ANNUAL

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52 MATTHEW MCCLISH SHOOTER PROFILE

60 THE OG OF USA PARA-TRAP BECKY NOBLE

PRINTED IN THE USA

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TEL. 210 377 1117 WEBSITE: www.trapshootingusa.com

Technical ballistics and other information provided by our journalists, contributors and correspondents is published in good faith and should not replace established safe practices. Neither the author or publisher accept responsibility for injury or equipment damage resulting from its use.

JACQUE SNELLENBERGER REPORTS

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

TRAP STOCK

THADDIUS BEDFORD JOSHUA BUCHIERE JOHN CAFFEY MATTHEW GAY LARRY GRENEVICKI, M.ED. KARLA HARRISON SEAN HAWLEY SANDRA JO JACK CHERYLL PITTERA JACQUE SNELLENBERGER

FLOATERS

JOHN CROMPTON MEMORIAL

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68 PITA NEWS

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SHOOTREPORT

8

THE JOHN CROMPTON MEMORIAL Clay target competitions can quickly become a way of life, leading shooters along a path that can stretch around the world. After years of breaking targets both in the United States and closer to home on the other side of the globe, local ATA shooters, club members and family came together at the John Crompton Memorial shoot, held at the Sydney Clay Target Club, Sydney, Australia.

In tribute to John’s love of the sport, a memorial shoot was planned but covid restrictions forced a change in those original plans, no less than five times before the first shot was fired in March 2022. The program was written to include a day of ATA shooting and another day of Australian style competition. It was decided to shoot ATA Singles, Handicap, and Doubles on Saturday, and on Sunday a standard Australian Clay Target Association Medley event included 25 Double Barrel, 25 Single Barrel, 25 Points

A TOUGH COMPETITOR

SHOOT RESULTS

Johnnie Crompton was a little Aussie who lived 12.500 kilometers from the closest ATA registered gun club, yet his ATA card included over 21,000 Single, nearly 19,000 Handicap and over 16,000 Doubles in a lifetime shooting career that ended much too soon in 2019.

John had made his presence known on two different trips at the Grand American by claiming the top High Foreign Shooter award, plus he placed in the top five in the Thomas Logue Handicap at the Grand in 2000. In all, he and his best mate, Gary Kenerson, along with various others from down under, traveled to the Grand 13 times (Vandalia, OH and Sparta, IL). Their extended stays, beginning in 1997, also included many state and zone shoots. John took home out of state Handicap honors at both the Iowa and Virginia state shoots.

Roughly 120 shooters braved less than ideal weather to honor the memory of their friend and squad-mate. In order to accommodate the crowd at a club with only six fields, the program was limited to 50 targets per ATA event.

TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

BY KARLA HARRISON

When the memorial was first discussed, many offers of support came in. ATA Delegate of Australia, Justin Smith, provided $500 and a championship belt buckle to each of the top winners in the ATA Singles, Handicap and Doubles events. Other donations plus added money totaled over $16,000, that was paid out to the shooters in addition to receiving trophies.

ATA Singles Champion was Matt Patmore, who posted a perfect score. Samantha Peck was runner-up and Frazer Roberts was third overall.

ATA Handicap Champion was Joseph Sacca (47/50) with Mark James claiming runner-up (45/50). Chloe Ahlo was third, breaking 44/50 under tough weather conditions.

ATA Doubles Champion was Glen Barton, who was also the High Over All champion on both days.

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SHOOTREPORT

10

SPECIAL AWARD Sometimes trophies aren’t just about the highest score. Winning can be measured in many ways and such was the case with Anthony Bartolo. He was presented with a money clip donated in memory of Leo Harrison III. It was a trophy that had been won in the 2012 Western Grand, held in Vernal, Utah.

The entire Bartolo family had been very involved in shooting, particularly helping with junior shooters, up until the time when Anthony’s younger brother, Samuel was tragically killed in a car accident last year. After their loss, the family squad had been absent from shooting. But out of respect for their friend and former squad-mate, they came to compete.

GARY KENNERSON, JOSEPH SACCA, ATA HANDICAP CHAMPION AND ARTHUR GEORGI, PRESIDENT OF THE SYDNEY CTC

FRIENDS ARE THE BEST TROPHIES After Johnnie and Gary’s first trip to the Grand, they realized that shooting well and claiming trophies was just a bonus. It was the friendships that were the true prizes.

Over the years, many hearts and homes were opened to the Aussie duo, including the Harrison family. Current ATA Executive Director Lynn Gipson (KCTA club manager at the time) became a friend who had the pleasure of punching John back to 27-yard line at the annual Anniversary tournament near Smithville, MO. John and Gary had tied for high in the Handicap (98s) with John winning the flip.

Older shooters may remember Robert (Bat) Thomas, of Greenville, PA who stood out at the Grand American as the chair shooter whose gun had a very long barrel. That gun now resides in the Trapshooting Hall of Fame. From 1998-2004, he was a perpetual member of the Aussie squad.

TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

GARY KENNERSON AND JOHN CROMPTON

GUY DEAVES (JOHN’S NEPHEW), GARY KENNERSON, GLEN BURTON, ATA DOUBLES CHAMPION/HOA, ARTHUR GEORGI, SYDNEY CTC PRESIDENT

At the Iowa State Shoot, Bob and Margaret Spensley spent the week shooting with the foreigners before returning to South Dakota to prepare for their trip to Vandalia,Ohio, for the Grand.

Fellow shooter, Don Brown, of Freeport, Illinois, not only enjoyed the company of the visitors from Down Under while they were in the states, he traveled to their Nationals tournament several times.

A FOND FAREWELL John Crompton was ex-Navy, having served two tours in VietNam in the late 1960s. His duty was aboard a destroyer that carried “Agent Orange”, a weapon that not only killed the jungle foliage, but also affected the lives of many service members. John was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2016 but met life head-on for two years, always believing he had enjoyed a full life. He heard last call in June 2019. He never married nor had any children but he treasured his extended

GARY KENNERSON, SAMANTHA PECK, ATA SINGLES RU/LADY HOA, ARTHUR GEORGI, SYDNEY CTC PRESIDENT

family which included his shooting mates. After all, trapshooters are family, and they proved this once again by honoring John Crompton. n

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USASHOOTING

12

BACK-TO-BACK

WORLD CUP EVENTS

FOR TEAM USA

BY MATTHEW GAY

The USA National Team has been quite busy travelling to represent the United States at World Cup matches across the globe. Their successes in Nicosia and Lima continued through to the matches in Lonato, Italy and Baku, Azerbaijan. As a nation, we are fortunate to have such representation on the national stage. The United States continues to recruit, develop and deploy the finest shooting sports athletes in the world… and the medal count proves it.

In Lonato, the US Trap contingent struggled a bit, with Derrick Mein narrowly missing the finals match in the qualification round. The story was much the same on the women’s side with Aeriel Skinner also just out of the final round. The challenges continued into the Mixed Trap event as well as the Team Trap events. Nonetheless, our phenomenal athletes persevered and represented the United States well.

In the skeet events Team USA took no prisoners. The multi-time gold medalist Vincent Hancock was in the driver’s seat from the beginning. His perfect 125/125 combined with six straight in the shoot-off against Italy’s Luigi Lodde, guaranteed his opportunity in the medal match in the top spot. In the medal round Lodde shot forty straight to claim gold two targets ahead of Hancock, who claimed silver.

TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

PHOTO COURTESY USA SHOOTING FACEBOOK

LONATO WORLD CUP

VINCENT HANCOCK WINS SILVER IN LONATO

PHOTO COURTESY USA SHOOTING FACEBOOK

Caitlin Conner represented Team USA in the women’s skeet event and shot a brilliant round to best Great Britain’s Amber Hill by a target to claim gold. Germany’s Nadine Messerschmidt claimed bronze after 26 targets in the round, outpacing Italy’s Martina Bartolomei.

VINCENT HANCOCK AND CAITLIN CONNER WON INDIVIDUAL SILVER AND GOLD, RESPECTIVELY

USASHOOTING

BAKU WORLD CUP Team USA’s Derrick Mein led the pack after the qualification round to secure a spot in the ranking

JAKE WALLACE, DERRICK MEIN, WILL HINTON - MEN'S TRAP TEAM WINS SILVER IN BAKU

The American skeet delegation continued to roll in Baku with another outstanding performance.

In the men’s individual event Vincent Hancock dominated throughout to claim the gold. In the Mixed event Hancock teamed up with Austen Smith to shoot their way to yet another gold, leading the field from the qualification round through the gold medal match. In the form of a true champion, Hancock completed a golden hattrick in the team event with his squad mates, Phillip Jungman and Colt McBee. The trio handily outpaced the Greek contingent and brought home another gold for the team.

PHOTO COURTESY USA SHOOTING FACEBOOK

match. Mein’s 22/25 in the ranking match guaranteed his spot in the medal match. Two unfortunate lost targets in the first fifteen was enough to leave Derrick in the fourth-place spot.

TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

PHOTO COURTESY USA SHOOTING FACEBOOK

WOMEN'S TRAP TEAM WINS GOLD IN BAKU

PHOTO COURTESY USA SHOOTING FACEBOOK

SKEET WOMEN'S TEAM WON GOLD IN LONATO

PHOTO COURTESY USA SHOOTING FACEBOOK

CAITLIN CONNER WON THREE GOLD MEDALS IN LONATO

Those two lost targets did not deter Mein from continuing to strive for excellence. Derrick teamed up with Will Hinton and Casey Wallace to outpace all other teams by two targets, securing their place in the gold medal match. Facing a stout resistance from the Kuwaiti team, the USA squad shot with determination and ended the match bringing home silver.

Despite Team USA not sending a shooter to the individual finals, the women’s team of Aeriel Skinner, Kayle Browning and Rachel Tozier remained focused and did not waiver. These three phenomenal shooters led the pack from the qualification round through the medal match of the women’s team trap event. Demonstrating amazing poise in the shootoff, Skinner, Browning and Tozier sealed the deal for gold over the Australian team.

PHOTO COURTESY USA SHOOTING FACEBOOK

Neither Caitlin nor Vinny were finished with the individual round. This pair of skeet powerhouses teamed up in the Mixed Skeet event to shoot their way to yet another gold, easily outlasting France’s squad of Anastassiou and Lejeune.

In the form of a true champion, Conner teamed up with two other women’s skeet juggernauts in the team event, Dania Vizzi and Amber English, to cruise to yet another gold defeating Italy’s Bacosi, Maruzzo and Spada.

At Lonato, Conner clearly had the Midas touch helping Team USA once again lead the medal count amongst all countries present.

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USASHOOTING

14

COLT MCBEE, VINNY HANCOCK, PHILLIP JUNGMAN MEN'S SKEET TEAM WINS GOLD

The ladies of Team USA performed brilliantly in the Baku skeet events. In the individual event the US sent two athletes to the medal match.

After a hard-fought match with France’s Lucie Anastassiou, Caitlin Conner earned silver ahead of her teammate and Austen Smith who added this bronze to her gold in the mixed event. From the beginning of the qualification event, it was clear that a slugfest was brewing between the German team and Team USA. These two powerhouses did not disappoint. The even match had to be decided by shoot-off, after which the US team claimed silver to bring the total medal count for the American shotgun pointers to eight.

TEAM USA This group of American athletes continues to demonstrate an impressive level of competitiveness and determination throughout this grueling schedule of high stakes events.

Keeping sharp and dealing with the plethora of challenges they encounter illustrates the caliber of athlete we have representing our country. As a country we have a long history of excellence in the shooting sports but this current team is not only building on that history but writing their names in the books as perhaps the most gifted group of shooters to wear the stars and stripes.

For more information on USA Shooting please visit usashooting.org To keep up with the team, you can view events and results at issf-sports.org n

Editor’s note: Matthew Gay is a shooting instructor from Michigan, the Head Coach of the Olivet College Clay Target Team, Vice-President of the Michigan Scholastic Clay Target Program Board of Directors, a bunker trap junkie and Master Class Sporting Clays competitor.

TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

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To further customize the firearm we incorporated the DTS (Dynamic Tuning System), which allows any shooter to tailor the gun to their individual style. The rib on both the over-andunder and unsingle barrel are adjustable for point-of-impact.

The second aspect is the DTS comb, which moves four ways allowing the shooter to adjust the comb height, drop, offset, and cast. At the heart of the DTS system is the trigger, which is designed to meet the most demanding expectations with adjustable take-up, over-travel, and length of pull. Visit our website now for more details.

PRODUCTPROFILE

16

PACIFIC SPORTING ARMS

NEW LB TRAP STOCK

BY MATTHEW GAY

Some trap shooters have employed various methodologies by which to fit the gun and improve their game. Trap ranges across the country and globe have seen products ranging from foam and neoprene sleeves to complex machined stocks that offer nearly limitless adjustability. For those who have watched some of the Olympic or World Cup events, these highly advanced stocks are commonplace among shooters in the Olympic disciplines. A new product has been introduced to the United States by Pacific Sporting Arms which offers an option for shooters who want to have maximum flexibility, adjustability, and precise fit.

We introduce a new product, the LB Trap stock.

With all the things we do to improve our game and get better, arguably the most important

TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

thing is gun fit. With that in mind, and in an effort to help competitive shooters achieve their goals, John Herkowitz of Pacific Sporting Arms has found a product he believes offers this level of precision in the LB Trap stock.

There are a few other stock options which allow nearly complete adjustability. However, with adjustability comes the potential for unwanted movement resulting from loosening mechanical components. Sturdiness and secure fixation are vital, or the concept of adjustability becomes more of a liability than a benefit.

The LB Trap Stock is built to very exacting standards with unique features that lock the settings into place. Starting at the portion of this product closest to the receiver, a shooter has ten options for cast settings determined by the

installation of one of the provided spacers. Cast settings available with the provided spacers are: 0.7, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 cast off and on. These same spacers allow pitch adjustments to be made just behind the pistol grip, based on upright or inverted installation of the spacers. Pitch adjustments available are: 0, 1.2, 2.4 and 3.6 degrees of positive or negative pitch.

The comb portion of this product is completely adjustable and offers the option of various colors in the EVA foam models. Shooters who prefer a more classic look can elect to have their combs produced in wood. The comb is completely adjustable for height and lateral placement in order to perfect eye alignment. Locking methodology for the hardware is very secure, guaranteeing exact placement is maintained

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PRODUCTPROFILE

18

hollow portion of the tube in order to balance the gun to their liking.

On a visit to Pacific Sporting Arms East, Mr. Herkowitz spent some time explaining the finer points of the LB Trap stock system. Dismantling and assembling the hardware proved the concept of ruggedness and precision design. Various moveable sections bear marks which allow a shooter to record settings and make adjustments, while also knowing the previous setting. The LB Trap stock comes in a hard case with tools, spacers, accessories and everything needed to install, adjust and maintain the system. An instruction sheet is provided to offer guidance for the installer.

As a traditionalist when it comes to scattergun stocks, this writer typically prefers traditional wood. It is important to note that this particular product is very aesthetically pleasing and looks sharp on the gun. Combined with the wood comb option, this stock offers a very handsome classic look with all the advantages of nearly infinite adjustability. The LB Trap stock is available for most major brands and offers a wide variety of customizable options for shooters who want to put a personal touch on their target gun.

For anyone who is looking for a truly adjustable stock system which maintains the classic look of the shotgun while offering maximum adjustability, I suggest reaching out to Pacific Sporting Arms to inquire about the LB Trap stock system.

You can find Pacific Sporting Arms on the web at pacificsportingarms.com n through the rigors of competition after it has been set Finally, the butt-stock of the LB Trap stock is also completely adjustable and comes in the EVA foam, customizable in various colors. Eight butt pad options are available in various curve configurations and densities. Two screws lock the buttstock in place once set. Additional pitch and cast adjustment can be made at the butt end in order to achieve 100 percent engagement in the shoulder pocket.

Significant vertical movement adds flexibility to fine tune drop at all applicable points. Again, the locking system is very secure and maintains settings through rugged use. Length of pull is also adjustable with the extension of the main tube which connects to the butt pad and inserts into the main body of the product. The shooter may also add weight to the TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

Editor’s note: Matthew Gay is a shooting instructor from Michigan, the Head Coach of the Olivet College Clay Target Team, Vice-President of the Michigan Scholastic Clay Target Program Board of Directors, a bunker trap junkie and Master Class Sporting Clays competitor.

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SHOOTREPORT

20

2022 KEYSTONE OPEN REPORT BY JOSH BUCHIERE

The 31st annual Keystone Open was hosted by the Pennsylvania State Shotgunning Association in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, from Friday, May 13, through Sunday, May 15. This tournament starts off the shooting season for the PSSA. The program for the shoot consists of 100 each Singles, Handicap and Doubles on Friday, 200 Championship Singles and 100 Doubles on Saturday, and 100 each of Doubles and Handicap Championships on Sunday. The Keystone usually has good attendance from Pennsylvania shooters who are eager to start up their registered shooting season, as well as shooters from throughout the Northeast. In all, 640 shooters from 17 states attended this year and, as a result, the shoot had a Competition Factor of 5 for All-American points.

LARRY SHADE (SENIOR VT SINGLES CHAMP) & RICHARD SHUMAN (SENIOR VET SINGLES RU) TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

FRIDAY The shoot started off at 10am Friday morning with the George Kupetz Memorial Singles. Conditions for the event were good, with partly cloudy skies and light wind. Six shooters out of the field of 465 posted perfect scores and the results after the carryover were as follows: Ian Darroch (Champion), Brandon Deal (Class AAA), Jason Holdren (Class A), Dennis Barger (Sub Veteran), and Larry Shade (Senior Veteran). Chris Cohoon and Larry Grabowski were one and two in Class AA following 99s and carryover. Joseph Breck IV, Richard Painter, and Kim Bateman led Junior, Veteran, and Lady II standings, also with 99s.

The wind began to pick up for the John Brown Memorial Handicap but some excellent scores were still posted. John Spicer from Virginia led all shooters with a 99 from 25 ½ yards and was the event Champion. This score earned Spicer a 1 ½ yard punch, putting him on the 27 yard line for the first time. Ryan Lee Ramsay was the event runner-up after turning in the only score of 97.

SHOOTREPORT

Eric Flexer was the 3rd place winner with the only non-category score of 96. Ethan Ferris and Wesley Beaver were the Sub Junior and Junior Gold Champions, also with scores of 96.

The breeze had subsided by the start of the Jerry Missimer Memorial Doubles, but the lighting by this time of the afternoon in Elysburg was difficult.

Alec Sauble turned in a perfect 100 straight and was the event Champion. The Missimer family had generously donated a Five Dollar American Gold Eagle recovered from the World Trade Center for the winner of the event. Raymond Padovani and Jonathan Hannahoe were the Sub Veteran and Class A winners with a 99 and 98, respectively.

Chris Vendel topped Class AAA with a 97, and Josh Buchiere led Class AA with a 95.

Champion and runner-up following 199s and one overtime round. Richard Milbert was the Veteran Champion outright with a 199, Mark Invidiato was the runner-up with a 198. Jacob Raymond Bonser was the Junior Gold winner in the event with a 198 and shoot-off over Nick Hughes, who was the Junior Gold runner-up. Caitline Bonser and Cathy Parson were the Lady I and Lady II Champions, each with scores of 196.

The rain had moved out of the area by the start of the Yucha Hearing Aids Doubles. Wesley Beaver and Michael Blaisdell led the event with 99s. Following a carryover the next day, Beaver was the Champion and Blaisdell the Sub Veteran winner. Richard Unruh was the Veteran Champion with the only score of 98 in the event.

ALEC SAUBLE (JERRY MISSIMER MEMORIAL DOUBLES CHAMPION)

CATHY PARSON (LADY II CHAMPION) & RANDY PARSON (SINGLES CHAMPION)

SATURDAY Overcast skies and the threat of rain were the forecast for Saturday’s Joel Etchen Guns Singles Championship. The weather for the most part cooperated during the morning hundred, but by the afternoon, some heavy downpours moved through and many shooters were soaked as a result. Randy Parson and Timothy Scott were the only shooters to post perfect scores on the day.

Following one shoot-off round, Parson was the Singles Champion and Scott fell back to take Class AA honors. Ian Darroch and Chris Vendel were called to shoot off for Class AAA following 199s, but Vendel opted to skip the shoot-off, leaving Darroch as the Class AAA winner and Vendel the AAA runner-up. Larry Shade and Richard Shuman were the Senior Veteran

RANDY PARSON IAN DARROCH TIMOTHY SCOTT BEN SNYDER MARTIN PALMER ROBERT RITTLER ETHAN FERRIS CAITLINE BONSER CATHY PARSON LUKE DUDASH JOSEPH BRECK IV JACOB BONSER JOHN FARINA RICHARD MILBERT LARRY SHADE FRANK KENESKY

Trophy winners with scores of 97 are as follows: Jonathan Hannahoe (Class A), Nicholas Wertz (Junior), Raymond Padovani (Sub Veteran runnerup), John Federici (Senior Veteran), and Bethany Breighner (Lady I).

SUNDAY Clear skies and light winds made for excellent conditions for the final day of the shoot. The day’s events started off at 9am with the Shydas Outdoors Doubles Championship. Ken Darroch, Ian Darroch, and Nicholas Wertz were high in the event with scores of 99. After one shoot-off round that afternoon, Ken Darroch was the Champion, Ian Darroch the Class AAA Champion, and

KEN DARROCH (DBLS CHAMP ) & IAN DARROCH (HAA & HOA CHAMPION)

JOEL ETCHEN GUNS SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP CH AAA AA A B C D LD1 LD2 SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET CHAIR

21

PA PA PA PA CT PA WV PA PA PA PA PA FL PA PA PA

SHYDAS OUTDOORS DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP 200 199 200 198 197 196 193 196 196 197 196 198 198 199 199 165

CH AAA AA A B C D LD1 LD2 SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

KENNETH DARROCH IAN DARROCH JOSHUA BUCHIERE MICHAEL FONTELLO CHAD LANDON CHRIS COHOON BRAYDEN COSPER BETHANY BREIGHNER KIM BATEMAN WYATT READLER NICHOLAS WERTZ ISAAC SHARP THOMAS CLARKE RICHARD UNRUH MICHAEL WASCHITZ

PA PA NY DE NY PA PA PA PA PA PA TN NJ MD NY

99 99 95 98 93 93 90 96 92 92 99 98 96 98 92

TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

SHOOTREPORT

22

Nicholas Wertz the Junior Champion. Michael Fontello was the Class A Champion with the only non-category score of 98, and Richard Unruh repeated his performance from the previous day and was the Veteran Champion with the same score. Isaac Sharp was the Junior Gold winner in the event with a 98.

For the second straight year, Wesley Beaver led the field in the All American Woodworking Handicap Championship with the lone high score of 98. Owen Colucci, Richard Milbert, and Steven Fitch were high in their respective Junior, Veteran, and Senior Veteran categories with scores of 97.

Chris Vendel was the event runner-up with the only open score of 96. Mark Ryan and Ken Darroch were one and two in the Sub Veteran category with scores of 96.

Ian Darroch’s solid performance over the three days earned him both the High All Around and High Over All titles with scores of 392x400 and 774x800. Chris Vendel was the Class AAA Champion in the HAA and HOA with scores of 390 and 763. Richard Milbert was the Veteran HAA and HOA winner with 388 and 770. Wesley Beaver led the Junior Gold category in both races with 387 and 771.

The Keystone Open is a great opportunity for many shooters in the Northeast to get back to Elysburg for the first time since the previous fall and enjoy catching up with friends not seen over the long winter. The opportunity to shoot 800 targets over the course of three days makes this a very attractive tournament for many shooters.

I look forward to this shoot every year and hope you will consider attending in 2023. n

WESLEY BEAVER (HDCP CHAMP) AND ISAAC SHARP (JUNIOR GOLD DOUBLES CHAMPION)

LUKE DUDASH ( SJ SINGLES, HANDICAP, HAA & HOA CHAMPION)

ALL AMERICAN WOODWORKING HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP CH RU 3RD 4TH 5TH 6TH 7TH LD1 LD2 SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

WESLEY BEAVER CHRIS VENDEL JASON MARSHALL RAYMOND PADOVANI JOHN DONAGHY JEREMY MISSIMER DAVID MCMASTERS NICKI SCOTT MICHELLE SHAFFER LUKE DUDASH OWEN COLUCCI RON OSTROWSKI JR MARK RYAN RICHARD MILBERT STEVEN FITCH

TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

PA PA CT NJ PA PA NY MD PA PA PA PA PA PA PA

98 96 95 95 95 95 95 93 96 93 97 94 96 97 97

JOSEPH BRECK IV (JUNIOR SINGLES CHAMPION)

HIGH ALL AROUND CH AAA AA A B C D LD1 LD2 SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

IAN DARROCH CHRIS VENDEL SHANE BISER ROBERT JARVIS RANDY KRICK RANDY LINEMAN ETHAN FERRIS BETHANY BREIGHNER SUSAN OWENS LUKE DUDASH CLARE SCHAFFER WESLEY BEAVER KENNETH DARROCH RICHARD MILBERT STEVEN FITCH

HIGH OVER ALL PA PA MD NJ PA NY WV PA PA PA PA PA PA PA PA

392 390 385 380 376 379 375 375 373 381 379 387 390 388 382

CH AAA AA A B C D LD1 LD2 SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

IAN DARROCH CHRIS VENDEL RYAN RAMSAY ALEC SAUBLE DONALD O'CONNER NICOLE HOOD ETHAN FERRIS BETHANY BREIGHNER MARCY PLUNKETT LUKE DUDASH OWEN COLUCCI WESLEY BEAVER MICHAEL BLAISDELL RICHARD MILBERT LARRY SHADE

PA PA PA VA PA PA WV PA PA PA PA PA NH PA PA

774 763 764 755 744 730 717 740 717 738 755 771 757 770 750

COMPANYPROFILE

24

GUNS UNLIMITED INC.

BY PAUL COOK

GUNS UNLIMITED GETS STARTED In 1971 a savvy young man by the name of Tom Nichols, after already having developed a level of mastery in the sport of skeet shooting few achieve, set his mind about mastering the outfitting of sport shooters. Not exclusive to clays shooting Guns Unlimited’s now 20,000 square foot store has supplies for all shooting disciplines.

You’ll find what you need there, in fact Tom says “People will travel [far] to see a lot of inventory.”

And so, Tom’s kept his business under one very large roof to facilitate that mindset.

TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

COMPANYPROFILE

BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP

IMMERSED IN THE INDUSTRY

Tom knows the clays shooting sports like few ever get to know it. Beginning his own shooting career at just eight years of age, he was offering lessons at thirteen when he won his first men’s Nebraska State Skeet Championship in 1960. His advancements in shooting and his retail business have done nothing but pick up speed from there, including induction into the Nebraska Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame in 1998. Tom sold guns initially through a wholesaler and by the time he was 20, he’d developed a substantial clientele. He had his current, although not his first, retail store built to purpose in the mid 1980s. At that time the building included an indoor pistol range that Tom described as “a little ahead of its time.” As business developed, he initially reduced the size of the pistol range by half and ultimately eliminated the indoor range to make way for additional retail floor space to accommodate the largest possible inventory. The end result is the facility as it appears today.

Tom interestingly ran a club at the Robert’s Dairy Gun Club on the Robert’s dairy farm early on where trap and skeet shooting was available. He operated a retail store there as well keeping the various necessities to maintain one’s self in the sport like “vests, gloves, shot, powder and wads and shells” but not firearms. The more he traveled to attend and keep Guns Unlimited present at events like the Grand American and the Golden West Grand, the less available he was to operate the small gun club and finally, he dropped it completely to focus on more centralized retail sales. Initially capitalizing on opportunities to purchase in bulk from industry providers, he grew his business at times when others were falling off or exiting the industry altogether. He still works hard to be present at National Events commenting that this was his 49th year at the Grand American. Beyond that, he’s also quite committed to supporting the rising interest of youth in the shooting sports and makes certain Guns Unlimited has a presence throughout the mid-West at youth events as well. Tom described the youth market as the “hottest market” and expressed the pleasure of seeing a parent or grandparent arrive back at the store after purchasing a trap gun for their youth to purchase one for themselves.

25

He said “It’s like the lightbulb went on. This is something we can do together and have fun with.

And when we sit down at the dinner table, we have something good to talk about.”

EXCLUSIVELY GUNS UNLIMITED Tom’s hard work to get great deals for shooters and help develop the youth side of the shooting sports has led to a nice option you’ll only find at Guns Unlimited Inc. in Omaha. Tom has worked with Browning to develop a group of firearms to meet the specific needs of the sport shooters that he provides for. Tom’s philosophy “you always have to be very, very competitive.” initially was manifested in those aforementioned bulk purchases that helped provide “great values to the customers”. But circumstances don’t always avail themselves in timely nor predictable ways and so Tom sought ways to provide exclusive opportunities for his customers regularly and predictably. This led ultimately to Guns Unlimited’s relationship with Browning. Fielding “a half-dozen or so” Guns Unlimited exclusive sporting arms like the Browning Trap Combo or the High-Rib Single Barrel allows Guns Unlimited to put unique opportunities in sporting firearm choices into the hands of the shooter and maintain that “great values” ideal that Tom strives to always have available at Guns Unlimited.

INSIDE GUNS UNLIMITED Where others might have let their guard down having met with the level of success that Tom has achieved, he repeatedly reminded me of his intention to remain “very competitive”. He said

TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

COMPANYPROFILE

26

that the customer should expect to find knowledgeable staff inside. “We don’t really set out to hire a salesman. We hire someone who understands the products, uses the products and then we try to blend them into [sales].” He doesn’t want people to have “remorse” over a purchase because they felt a “push” to purchase a product. While you won’t find on-site gun smithing assistance, Tom says that Guns Unlimited will “help when we can”. They’ll assist with warranty returns to manufacturers that they stock and when/where possible link the customer to a service provider. While Tom noted that access to inventory is less consistent than in the past, Guns Unlimited has been holding their own for the most part but access to inventory remains a concern.

IT’S A GOOD SPORT Tom says, “When a customer walks through the door with their hands in the air basically saying ‘Help, I want to have a good time.’ if we mess it up, it’s our fault.” He went on saying that he’s “met so many good people around the country that enjoy the sport, it’s a good sport … it’s been my life.” Knowing the proprietor of Guns Unlimited defines his own life and interconnection with sport shooting so closely, you can expect to find things well planned for you as a sport shooting enthusiast and potential customer.

From the location where you park to the tidiness of the building at Guns Unlimited be assured, Tom Nichols has put a good deal of thought and energy behind his inventory, presentation and your experience as a customer. Your best bet is to stop in

and enjoy what Guns Unlimited has to offer first-hand but you can also find their web presence at

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SHOOTREPORT

30

2022

REPORT BY JOSH BUCHIERE

EMPIRE GRAND AMERICAN

The 18th annual Empire Grand American was held at the NYSATA Home Grounds in Cicero, New York, from Wednesday, May 18, through Sunday, May 22. This tournament was the first shoot of the year for the NYSATA, and for many shooters in the Northeast, this was also their first opportunity to shoot registered targets since the previous fall. The program for this shoot consisted of 1300 total targets—100 each Singles, Handicap, and Doubles Wednesday through Friday, 200 Championship Singles on Saturday, and 100 Championship Doubles and Handicap on Sunday. A total of 306 shooters from 18 states and provinces participated in this Satellite Grand American.

WEDNESDAY The Empire Grand American kicked off Wednesday morning at 10am with the Warm-Up Singles. Three shooters, Michael Blaisdell, Raylee Bishop, and Nick Hughes, posted perfect scores in the event.

After a carryover the following day, Blaisdell was the event Champion while Bishop and Hughes fell back to take Lady I and Junior Gold honors. Lloyd Beecraft was the Veteran winner with the only score of 99 in the event. Phyllis Rought, John Cannillo, and Kenneth Covey were the Class AA, B, and C winners, all with scores of 98.

In the Warm-Up Handicap, Ronald Sank II was high over the field by a two-target margin with a 95 and was the event Champion. Matthew Monahan was the event runner-up with 93, and Larry Olechna was the Veteran winner with the same score.

Joseph Breck IV and Michael Blaisdell were high in the afternoon’s Warm-Up Doubles with TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

97s. Breck topped Blaisdell in the carryover the following day and was the Champion, Blaisdell fell back to take Sub Veteran Champion. Keith Miranda led Senior Veterans with a 95.

RAYLEE BISHOP (LADY I SINGLES, DOUBLES, HAA & HOA CHAMPION)

THURSDAY Thursday was the start of the Empire Grand’s 1000 target High Over All. Dark skies and scattered rain made for difficult visibility in the Empire Singles. Herbert Lewis was the Champion and Michael Blaisdell, the Sub Veteran Champion with the only perfect scores in the event. Todd Hosbach and Mark McCumber were the Class AA and B Champions with 99s, while Colton Phillips, Frank Pascoe, and Sheldon Hostetter were the Junior, Veteran, and Senior Veteran winners, with 99s as well.

Low light and intermittent rain continued into the Empire Handicap. Michael Blaisdell was high in the event with a 96 and took the event Champion trophy without need for a shoot-off.

Following 94s and one shoot-off round, Daniel McCumber was the runner-up, and Brian Luther, the 3rd place winner. Thomas Murphy Jr. and Steve Smith took 4th and 5th places, respectively with 93s. Douglas Carroll was the Senior Veteran Champion, also with a 93.

The rain moved out and skies cleared by the start of the Empire Doubles; however, a strong west wind picked up and made for very challenging targets. The conditions did not deter Joseph Breck IV, who turned in the lone high score of 98 in the event, leading the rest of the

SHOOTREPORT

field by an impressive five-target margin. Josh Buchiere and Brian Luther were the Class AA and A Champions with 93s, and Robert Edwards was high in the Veteran category with the same score. Raylee Bishop was the Lady I Champion, and Sheldon Hostetter, the Senior Veteran winner, each with scores of 92.

FRIDAY Clear skies and a light breeze made for good shooting conditions in Friday’s Empire Grand Class Singles. Herbert Lewis, Brian Snyder, and Travis Foose took Class AAA, AA, and A with perfect scores. Joseph Breck IV was the Junior Champion with the only 100 straight by a category shooter. David Degregorio was the Sub Veteran Champion, and Michael Waschitz, the Senior Veteran winner, both with 99s.

The breeze picked up by the start of the Caesar Guerini Preliminary Handicap. Chris Pollichemi led the field of 173 with a 96 and was the event Champion. Michael Fox Jr. and Hunter McCumber were the runner-up and Junior Gold Champions with second high scores of 95. Joseph Tagliavento and Jon Logue were the 3rd and 4th place winners with scores of 94. TJ Calvaruso, Travis Dann, and Donald Bonham were the Sub Junior, Sub Veteran, and Senior Veteran Champions, all with 94s.

Jonathan Hannahoe led all shooters in the Empire Grand Class Doubles with the lone high score of 99 and was the Class A Champion.

Raylee Bishop and Joseph Breck IV were the Lady I and Junior winners with 96s. Josh Buchiere, Salvatore Schiavo, and Mark Johnson were the

CHRIS POLLICHEMI (GUERINI PRELIMINARY HANDICAP CHAMPION)

31

Class AA, B, and C winners with scores of 95.

SATURDAY On Saturday temperatures increased from the mid-70s the previous day to the low 90s with windy conditions for the Singles Championship. Only two shooters out of the field of 228 made it through the first 100 without a miss, and LLOYD BEECRAFT AND MICHAEL BLAISDELL no one would remain straight on the day. High 198s. Michael Fox Jr. was the Class AAA runner-up scores of 199 were posted by Michael Blaisdell, with the only score of 197 in the event.

Justin Slater, and Lloyd Beecraft, and the three would be called to shoot off after the conclusion of the event. Both Blaisdell and Slater missed the first target out in the shoot-off, and Beecraft would also miss one on the first station to even things up.

Temperatures dropped back into the low 70s for Beecraft let one more slip away later in the round the final day of the shoot. Low lighting made for and would exit the shoot-off as the Veteran difficult visibility in the Doubles Championship Champion, while Blaisdell and Slater would and scores were low overall. Joseph Breck IV and continue another three rounds to decide who would Nick Hughes turned in high scores of 97 and go home with the Singles title. Slater let one go early following one shoot-off round that afternoon, in the fourth box and Blaisdell remained straight to Breck was the Empire Grand Doubles Champion. take the 2022 Empire Grand Singles Championship.

Nick Hughes fell back to take Junior Gold Slater would fall back to take the runner-up spot, Champion. Chad Landon was the event runner-up Herbert Lewis was the Class AAA Champion with a with the only open score of 96. Raylee Bishop 198. Michael Rice was the Class AA winner with a was the Lady I winner with a 96, and Frank 198, John Maragliano and Cliff Haaf were the Sub Pascoe was the Veteran Champion with the same Junior and Senior Veteran Champions, also with

SUNDAY

BROWNING SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP CH RU AAA AA A B C D LD1 LD2 SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

MICHAEL BLAISDELL JUSTIN SLATER HERBERT LEWIS MICHAEL RICE MARK MCCUMBER THOMAS LAMONICA MICHAEL MCLATCHIE DAVID LYNCH RAYLEE BISHOP TAMMY WILDENSTEIN JOHN MARAGLIANO COLTON PHILLIPS NICK HUGHES JOHN KIRKSEY LLOYD BEECRAFT CLIFF HAAF

NH NY KY NY NY NY NY FL IA NY NY TN MD MD ON NY

199 199 198 198 195 195 192 191 194 188 198 195 196 196 199 198

EMPIRE GRAND DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP CH RU AAA AA A B C D LD1 LD2 SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

JOSEPH BRECK IV CHAD LANDON MICHAEL FOX JR URBAN WOMER MICHAEL RICE DENNIS BOBBETTE FRANCESCO BONAIUTO MARK MCCUMBER RAYLEE BISHOP LORRIE BUMSTED VALOIS TJ CALVARUSO JAMESON MARTIN NICK HUGHES MICHAEL BLAISDELL FRANK PASCOE SHELDON HOSTETTER

PA NY NY NY NY NY ON NY IA FL NY NY MD NH PA PA

97 96 94 94 92 95 93 90 96 86 92 93 97 95 96 95

TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

SHOOTREPORT

32

score. Michael Blaisdell and John Kirksey were one and two in Sub Veteran ranks with 95s, and Sheldon Hostetter was the Senior Veteran winner, also with a 95.

The lighting had improved somewhat by the start of the Handicap Championship and with almost no wind, the target presentation was excellent, resulting in a number of good scores.

Jason Marshall, Herbert Lewis, Thomas Buchiere, and Caitline Bonser turned in high scores of 97 in the Championship Handicap. A heavy downpour moved in just as the four shooters took the line to shoot off, making for very difficult shoot-off conditions. Jason Marshall missed only one during the shoot-off, and that would secure him the Empire Grand American Handicap title.

Herbert Lewis was the event runner-up, while

Buchiere and Bonser fell back to take Champion in the Sub Veteran and Lady I categories. Jon Logue took 3rd place with the only open score of 96. This score earned Logue a first-time punch to the 27 yard line. Jameson Martin was the Junior Champion in the event, also with a 96. Dennis Bobbette was the 4th place winner with the only score of 95 in the event.

Herbert Lewis secured the High All Around Championship with a 387x400 and the next closest to him was Lloyd Beecraft who was the Veteran Champion with a 385. Raylee Bishop was the Lady I Champion with a 384 and Michael Fox Jr. was the AAA winner with a 383. Michael Blaisdell’s consistent shooting throughout the week earned him the High Over All title with a 953x1000, a four-target margin over Raylee

Bishop, who was the Lady I winner with a 949.

Attendance was down this year at the Empire Grand due to a number of factors but, overall, the shoot ran very smoothly. The days concluded early leaving plenty of time for going out to dinner and socialization after shooting was over for the day. I always look forward to getting to Cicero in May for this shoot. If you have never attended this tournament in the past, I would recommend giving this shoot a try next year. n

WINCHESTER HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP

EMPIRE GRAND HIGH ALL AROUND

EMPIRE GRAND HIGH OVER ALL

CH RU 3RD 4TH 5TH 6TH 7TH LD1 LD2 SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

JASON MARSHALL HERBERT LEWIS JON LOGUE DENNIS BOBBETTE TIMOTHY CORRENTE DANIEL MCCUMBER JOHN CANNILLO CAITLINE BONSER LORRIE BUMSTED VALOIS KINSEY DUZAN JAMESON MARTIN HUNTER MCCUMBER THOMAS BUCHIERE ANTHONY VALVO DOUGLAS CARROLL

CT KY NY NY NY NY NH PA FL OH NY NY NY NY NY

JASON MARSHALL (HANDICAP CHAMPION) TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

97 97 96 95 94 94 94 97 93 90 96 91 97 93 94

CH AAA AA A B C D LD1 LD2 SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

HERBERT LEWIS MICHAEL FOX JR CLIFF HAAF CAITLINE BONSER PETER EATON CHRIS POLLICHIMI DANIEL MCCUMBER RAYLEE BISHOP LORRIE BUMSTED VALOIS TJ CALVARUSO JAMESON MARTIN NICK HUGHES MICHAEL BLAISDELL LLOYD BEECRAFT SHELDON HOSTETTER

KY NY NY PA NH NY NY IA FL NY NY MD NH ON PA

387 383 378 377 373 369 365 384 366 366 382 377 382 385 382

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NICK HUGHES JR GOLD SINGLES, DOUBLES, HAA AND HOA CHAMP AND JOSEPH BRECK OPEN DOUBLES CHAMPION

CH AAA AA A B C D LD1 LD2 SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

MICHAEL BLAISDELL HERBERT LEWIS URBAN WOMER LOUIS DIPRETE JONATHAN HANNAHOE NICOLE HOOD DANIEL MCCUMBER RAYLEE BISHOP MARILYN LEHRFELD TJ CALVARUSO JOSEPH BRECK IV NICK HUGHES JAMES FLINT LLOYD BEECRAFT SHELDON HOSTETTER

THOMAS BUCHIERE (SUB VETERAN HANDICAP CHAMPION)

NH KY NY RI PA PA NY IA NY NY PA MD NY ON PA

953 947 919 893 928 894 894 949 862 902 943 930 908 933 932

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EYEHEALTH

34

VITRECTOMY

TO ELIMINATE EYE FLOATERS

BY JACQUE SNELLENBERGER

Any kind of surgery is scary, but eye surgery for a shooter can be absolutely terrifying. Around 2016 I discovered that I had a cataract in my right eye. In conversation with a specialist he’d said, “I’m pretty damn good with better than 99% success, but you have to be good with the knowledge that if something goes wrong it was worth the risk to your eyesight.” In other words, if the surgery results in night blindness or something else, would fixing the cataract be worth it? I totally felt that advice wholeheartedly and have thought back to that advice on any surgery since. It is with the knowledge that if something goes wrong, what I had previously had was unlivable or worth the risk as I couldn't lead the life I wanted.

YOU CAN’T SHOOT WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE Since I’m a one eyed shooter the cataract only affected me when shooting, not living my day to day life. So, at that time I refused surgery on the cataract and learned to shoot a “fuzzy” target.

I’ve certainly not shot my best scores with the cataract, but it was still manageable, especially on sunny days. I have learned my limitations: cloudy or overcast days, or targets disappearing into a tree line are not good for me. My dad, George Snellenberger, has always spouted, “You can’t shoot what you can’t see.” And since I’ve always known him to be correct, I managed my expectations on what I was capable of seeing in relation to the scores I posted. Meaning, I didn’t get too upset with my scores depending on what I knew my eyes could see.

Fast forward to the summer of 2021. I started having more eye issues. Eventually, I figured out I had floaters. Mine started as “clear wiggly worms,” not the typical black or gray moving TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

spots that many experience, so it took me a while to figure it out. I tried to ignore them the best I could, but they kept getting worse as the summer progressed, as did my shooting. I’d heard from many, including a doctor, to just ignore them. I did the best I could, but it was atrocious. Hearing Dad in my head, “You can’t shoot, what you can’t see.” Especially being a one eyed shooter and having trained myself to look for movement.

The movement was in my eye! Everytime I’d try to focus on the target, floaters would distract my eye causing me to look at the OTHER moving thing. Loathsome!

The bad thing about being recognizable in the shooting world is that everyone recognizes when you’re shooting is sliding and wants to know what’s wrong. Therefore it entails the retelling of your eye issues over and over again. The good news about people knowing you is that the rumor mill gets around and eventually friends come to try and help out. Tom Neal, Tom Stephens, and Michael Hathaway told me that they had similar issues and got a vitrectomy to get rid of their

floaters. Hope? Maybe there was something I could do, but I was continually asking myself. “Do you want to take the risk?”

The summer was over and I found myself contemplating what shooting was going to look like for me in the future. Was I going to go back? Dad had some health issues and wasn’t as excited about visiting shoots as he used to be. My shooting had deteriorated over the last few years as I had some other surgeries (foot, shoulder) and an autoimmune deficiency disease that affects my shooting as well as the vision. Not to mention the price of things with/ after COVID. Ending a career in which you’re used to being good isn’t an easy decision.

For many of us “old timers,” it’s where we feel appreciated, respected, and validated for all of our hard work and sacrifice. I was contemplating quitting thinking this is a sign, everything is going wrong. Maybe this is it. The end of my shooting career!

The 2021–2022 school year (I teach 5th grade) began as usual. Had a great class whom I love and appreciate, but started to notice that my floaters were getting worse. Anything involving a light background made my head hurt, because now instead of looking at some wiggly worms moving around, it appeared to be a moving snow screen. Grading papers, working on my computer, or just driving in the daylight became annoying and almost painful. Migraines were becoming a thing. Eek!

EYEHEALTH

35

SURGERY NEW VITREOUS IN MY EYE

Four various drops to numb and dilate; three times in succession. Only one of the drops stung.

They then prepped me with a blood pressure check and oxygen through the nose. Placed an IV drip to hydrate me. I wasn’t put completely under, as I was aware of some conversations while fading in and out. I didn’t feel anything until I started waking up fully as they were taping up my eye. There were no restrictions except to leave the patch over my eye and no water on the face for the next 24 hours. I was allowed to take Tylenol for swelling in the eye, but no other pain medication was needed.

VITREOUS LINING PULLED AWAY

HOURS AFTER SURGERY

TIME TO DO SOMETHING Now the floaters were affecting my everyday life.

I didn’t want to live like this so I decided it was time to see a retina specialist to discover what they had to say. Shooting friends had told me about their surgeons, but they lived in different states, so I asked around, and went to the Internet to do some searching. Based on recommendations and reviews I picked Retina Specialists of Michigan. They assigned me Dr. Liliya Shevchenko Sutherland.

As you can imagine, walking in for a first visit was very intimidating and daunting.

However, it was quickly evident that this place had it running like a well oiled machine.

Everyone did their job efficiently and effectively while allaying my worries. Informing me that vitrectomies were very common, especially for patients like me who had their life disrupted due to floaters. They explained that light passes through your eye onto your retina, which is what tells you what to see. If the liquid in your eye,

A friend, whom you must have since you can’t drive, and I went back to the hotel (It was a two hour drive home and I had to go back the next day, so I decided to book us a hotel room). I took a nap for an hour or two and then we went out to eat. The front my head felt numb. My left eye that was available for sight had a little bit of a headache. I really think that was due to the fact that I am nearsighted and I could not wear my glasses due to the bulk of the eyepatch, so my eye was straining to see. vitreous, is clear then you see like you should.

Everything is hunky dory. However, when your vitreous becomes cloudy due to old age, trauma, etc. you will see floaters. This is due to the fact that your vitreous lining has detached from your retina. And this fiber-like substance pulls away and becomes stringy. This is what causes shadows on your eye as the light tries to reflect back on your retina. Dr. Sutherland showed me the imaging pictures where my lining had detached (see the picture with the little line running through it. That is detached lining), along with agreeing that she could see LOTS of floaters in my right eye. In surgery they would use a needle to remove the old vitreous liquid and replace it with new, clean liquid. After talking to her, it seemed so easy. I made the appointment to have eye surgery, deciding it was now worth the risk.

The week leading to surgery the only thing needed was not to take any vitamins and not to eat after midnight since I was going under anesthesia.

DAY AFTER SURGERY I went back the following day for a check up.

Everything checked out fine. I had to wear an eye patch while I slept, couldn’t wear my contacts for a bit and had to put eye drops(anti infection/ swelling) in my eyes for a time. The only issue I did have was I saw double for a bit. Dr. Sutherland explained that double vision happens as your eye muscles are trying to function normally again after being put under. I could see, as time went on, the objects were getting closer and closer together so I knew it wouldn’t be long before my eyesight was back to normal. It took 10 days, but it was completely fine after that. I did use a trapshooting trick of putting tape on my right eye.

Let’s face it, I’m a one eyed shooter so in the past I’ve definitely played with the tape to see if I could get more vision as I was learning to shoot.

It didn’t work enough for me to shoot two-eyed, but it definitely worked well enough for me to TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

function in the classroom! After the first day I changed the tape to cartoon stickers. Thank goodness I only had to do that for a little more than a week and everything went back to normal.

ONE MONTH CHECKUP Everything was progressing. Since I was still using prednisone drops I hadn’t been wearing my contacts, but after the one month checkup I was told I could, as long as I put in the drops 30 minutes before the contacts.

CUTE BAG WITH AFTER SURGERY SUPPLIES

EYEHEALTH

36

TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

72 HOURS AFTER SURGERY

Dr. Sutherland informed me that I would need to have my left eye done at some point due to the fact that the vitreous lining has now detached from my retina, just like the right one. But again, it would depend on how bad it affects my life and when I wanted to do it. I headed straight to the Optometrist to see how and if my vision had changed so I could order my shooting glasses.

My right eye had doubled in needed prescription from last year. It went from -1.5 to -3, whereas the left eye, without surgery, stayed close to the same. I can’t say if that is due to the surgery or just getting older, as every year my prescriptions have changed.

I called Dr. Frank Rively who does my shooting glasses and told him what I’d done and what the new changes were. He told me that I would need new frames due to the change, but sent my new glasses right away.

I received them right before the Great Lakes Grand.

So, without having picked up a gun since last August I headed to the Great Lakes Grand with my new improved eye and glasses. I broke a pair of 97s in the Singles Championship and had some scores in the low 90s in caps.

I am completely satisfied with the surgery.

Remember, I know how to manage my expectations: I haven’t shot for 9 months, and the previous year I was messing around with all sorts of things. This means it’s going to take me a bit to get back, but those scores proved I can see, albeit I still have the cataract so cloudy days are not going to be my friend.

24 HOURS POST SURGERY

TWO MONTH AND FINAL CHECKUP

Any surgery comes with risks, but when your life is being affected, do the research, ask questions, and make your OWN decision.

Shooters, if you have floaters you can do something about it. I did! n

NEW

720 SERIES

SHOOTREPORT

38

GREAT LAKES

GRAND

2022 JACQUE SNELLENBERGER

The 34th annual Great Lakes Grand was held at the Michigan Trapshooting Association in Mason, Michigan, from May 24–29th. Weather was, as expected, ranging from cold and windy to nice and sunny. But it wasn't expected that this shoot was going to be dominated by the women!

PRELIM TUESDAY The Howard Township Conservation Club Singles started with Bryon Fennig from Wisconsin breaking the lone 100 for the champion spot. The Reed City Sportsman Club Handicap saw Carl Chadwell best the field by two with his 96 for the win. Raylee Bishop completed the day in the top spot with her 196 in the Birmingham Doubles Event.

LLOYD BEECRAFT

Veteran and leaving Beecraft victorious.

The rain continued with the Dagen Voigtman Handicap. Lloyd Beecraft and Larry Holmes III were the only two who broke 97s. It took Beecraft three rounds to beat Holmes and force him to take his Junior Gold category.

Raylee Bishop and Leland Hassler were on top with 98s in the Allen J. Brenner Doubles. In the

WEDNESDAY Light rain started Wednesday off for the day that was named after the 2021 Great Lakes Grand Champions. In the Ian Lawrence Singles there were three perfect hundreds broken—Lloyd Beecraft, Luke Johnson, and Bryon Fennig.

Johnson, a Junior shooter, missed in the next sub event dropping him to his category, while Fenig dropped one in his second enabling him to take TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

carryover Bishop took the Champion spot with a 48 to Hassler’s 46.

SHOOTREPORT

THURSDAY In the Ian Lawrence Handicap there was a light wind along with an overcast sky. Cory Irick, a 24.5 yard shooter from Ohio broke the only 97 to top the field.

The MTA Singles had nine shooters break the 100—Brook Barnett (L1), Raylee Bishop (L1), Joel Brown (AA), Mary Thompson (L2), Skylar Clark (JrG), Adam Hart (A), Sam Hawkins (AA), Donald Romine (Sub Vet), and Brian Mohler (Sub Vet). A carryover into the next Singles event determined that Raylee Bishop took the champion spot with only three sub events. Runner-up went to Adam Hart because Brown forfeited, but Brown had AA wrapped up regardless. Romine took the Sub Veteran spot over Mohler which knocked him out of a trophy spot. The rest dropped down to their category or class.

There was another Handicap, event 9, that wrapped up the day, but the rain started. Mid yardage shooters broke 98s for the high score— Kenneth Shelton and Joel Brown. It took Shelton only one perfect round in the shoot-off to force Brown into the runner-up spot.

RAYLEE BISHOP

THE CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS Friday’s Lake Huron Singles Class Championship saw rain again. Robert Zimmerman (A), John Kirksey (Sub Vet), Johnson (Jr), Hunter Mullins (Jr), Morgan Baine (JRG), William Hagerty (Senior Vet), Elizabeth Ternes (L1), Darryl Hayes (AA), and Larry Holmes III (JRG) broke the perfect score. Since it was class day AAA, the highest class was taken with a 99 by Jared Hanna. Zimmerman and Hayes won their respective classes. Sub Veteran, Senior Veteran and Lady I won their categories outright as well. However, the two Junior and Junior Golds had to carryover into the championship Singles.

Hunter and Holmes both came out on top.

In the Caesar Guerini Preliminary Handicap, 21.5 yard Junior shooter Wyatt Baine won with a 98 in the program and a 24 in the shoot-off. Even though Braeden Hirsh and Brooke Barnett broke 98s as well, their shoot-off scores weren’t as high so they fell back to take their categories and won Junior and Lady I. Event 12 was the Lake Ontario Doubles Class Championship. The top score was broken by Tuff Hutchins, but he had to take his 99 and settle for the Junior category. 98s were second highest and they were broken by category shooters as well, so they dropped to their category—Kayla Workman (L1), Charles Priddy (JRG), Dean Townend (Sub Vet). This left Darryl Hayes to take top class AA with a 97.

SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP Saturday saw gorgeous weather for the Browning Singles Championship and yet there

39

were only 8 100s—Ruben Salinas (Jr), Wyatt Baine (Jr), Larry Telfer, Kayla Workman (L1), C W Arnett, David Magnus, Thomas Fester (Veteran), and Sandra Jo Jack (L2). Salinas, Baine, Telfer and Workman, which was half the field, actually broke the deuce! In the shoot-off, Junior shooter Baine missed in the second round to take his category. Telfer made it to the fourth round before he missed one earning him the runner-up spot, and Workman missed in the sixth, forcing her to take her category while Salinas ended up Champion with a perfect 125/125 in the shootoff. Workman was on fire as she then turned around and broke the only 98 from the 27 yard line in the MTA Directors Handicap for another Champion spot.

SINGLES CH RU AAA AA A B C D LD 1 LD 2 SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

RUBEN SALINAS LARRY TELFER LUKE JOHNSON DAVID MAGNUS JARRED CARPENTER SCOTT WILEY FRANK CLARK COLIN MACKINDER KAYLA WORKMAN SANDRA JACK CONNOR CHILDRESS WYATT BAINE THOMAS WINGET JOHN KIRSEY LLOYD BEECRAFT MIKE DEHABEY

200 200 197 199 198 196 197 194 200 199 190 200 197 199 198 198

RUBEN SALINAS

TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

SHOOTREPORT

40

DOUBLES & HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIPS Another beautiful day to end the Great Lakes Grand came on Sunday. Chase Horton broke the only 100 to become the Great Lakes Doubles Champion. Next highest scores were 99s. Kayla Workman and Raylee Bishop had them so they shot off against each other with Bishop winning this one. 97 was high for runner-up with Brooke Barnett, AJ Brenner, and Frank Clark. Brenner took this spot. Barnett fell to Lady I, while Clark took Class A. Kameran Duvall, 22 yard Sub Junior from Michigan broke the only 98 In the main Handicap to win the title. Kameran’s dad had realized that the gun wasn’t fitting him the way it had

DOUBLES CH RU AAA AA A B C D LD 1 LD 2 SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

CHASE HORTON ALLEN BRENNER TUFF HUTCHINS BROOKE BARNETT FRANK CLARK KENNETH SHELTON CHANDLER COX WENDI THOMPSON RAYLEE BISHOP MARY THOMPSON KAMERAN DUVALL RUBEN SALINAS SKYLAR CLARK VERN STALTER LLOYD BEECRAFT RANDOLPH REINHARDT

100 97 95 97 97 93 94 92 99 93 93 97 98 97 95 94

HANDICAP CH RU 3RD 4TH 5TH 6TH 7TH LD 1 LD 2 SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

KAMERAN DUVALL JARED HANNA CRAIG BLANK HENRY BAHR SHAWN TAMPER DEAN TOWNSEND F HAYES KAYLA WORKMAN MICHELLE STOMBAUGH MICHAEL OHARE CHANDLER COX LARRY HOLMES III MARK GEORGE HUGO RINKE DONALD HOFFMAN

TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

98 96 96 95 95 95 95 97 93 94 97 94 97 96 97

CHASE HORTON

KAMERAN DUVALL

previously, so they adjusted things and then added the blue tape to keep everything in place.

Kameran shot it well Saturday, so they decided to not mess with success until after the shoot was over. Then they plan to give it to Rod’s Custom Stocks to have it finished. A good decision was made right there.

LADIES TAKE TOP SPOTS IN HAA AND HOA The Overall and All Around were dominated by women! Kayla Workman broke a 396x400 to best the field by one over Raylee Bishop. But then Bishop topped Kayla Workman by one bird with 976x1000 in the overall. Brooke Barnett had third place with 965, but since Workman took Lady I, she ended up with the class A trophy. Fun fact—all these women are starting, are in, or are finishing college soon. Workman is going to start this fall in veterinary school, Bishop is studying to be an engineer, and Barnett will finish up her RN degree shortly.

The Great Lakes Grand is a great shoot at a beautiful facility. The folks that run the club are knowledgeable and friendly which make for an enjoyable experience from the shooter’s point of view. The weather can be a mixed bag in the springtime, but it is an outdoor sport, so come out next year and enjoy the competition at one of Michigan’s premier clubs. n

KAYLA WORKMAN

HIGH ALL AROUND CH AAA AA A B C D LD 1 LD 2 SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

KAYLA WORKMAN CHASE HORTON ALLISON JENSEN JEFFREY STOLARUK DAVID HERMAN FRANK CLARK THOMAS CLARK RAYLEE BISHOP MARY THOMPSON KAMERAN DUVALL CHANDLER COX SKYLAR CLARK JOHN KIRKSEY LLOYD BEECRAFT MIKE DEHABEY

396 389 388 386 377 383 369 395 377 370 390 387 389 384 385

HIGH OVER ALL CH AAA AA A B C D LD 1 LD 2 SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

RAYLEE BISHOP MICHAEL GOOCH JARED HANNA BROOKE BARNETT KENNETH SHELTON COLIN HOTCHKISS ANDREW BARRETT KAYLA WORKMAN MARY THOMPSON MASON JOHNSON LUKE JOHNSON SKYLAR CLARK DEAN TOWNSEND LLOYD BEECRAFT CRAIG BLANK

976 957 958 965 955 942 918 975 934 874 958 957 963 956 932

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NEWGUNCLUB

42

REMINGTON GUN CLUB

BY JOHN CAFFEY Over the last couple of years the shotgun sports have had their share of changes and challenges.

There have been mandatory closures, tightness with target supply and less availability of shells and their components. One thing shooters didn’t see much was the opening of many new clubs.

Just when we thought all hope was lost, Remington Ammunition stepped up and has decided to do just that. Yes, Big Green has not only reopened their Trap and Skeet club but they have also expanded it to include two exceptionally nice sporting clays courses.

THE CLUB The original Remington Gun Club was opened in 1978 in the shadows of Remington’s ammunition manufacturing plant in Lonoke, Arkansas. At that time the club offered both trap and skeet and quickly became well known, in the Midwest, for their registered shoots and other events. As Remington began to experience financial problems the decision was made by the previous management to close the club in 2016. The machines were sold and the club employees were reassigned within the plant. Fast forward to 2020 when Remington was sold to Vista Outdoors and the new Remington Ammunition President, Jason TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

Vanderbrink, saw the potential of reopening the club. Being an avid outdoorsman and skilled shooter himself, Jason was very interested in pursuing the reopening of the club. Remington Ammunition was able to partner with the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation and Midway USA Foundation for a range development grant to not only revitalize the old Trap and skeet fields but also to build a new sporting clays course.

According to Joel Hodgdon, Remington‘s Director of Marketing, “This is a remarkable facility. We have a ton of exciting events and tournaments planned for Remington fans and Pros to get out there and break some clays.”

S

J

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NEWGUNCLUB

44

TRAP FIELDS There are currently seven nicely manicured trap fields. Three are Trap and Skeet combination fields which are perfect for registered events. All the machines are new Pat Trap for both trap and skeet. Whether it is registered competition or just weekend practice, the facility is ready for action.

SPORTING CLAYS There are two sporting clays courses. Since the inaugural opening of the first sporting clays course a second one began construction. The first course is a 13-station course that offers varying degrees of difficulty. It was designed to appeal to every level of shooter from the beginner to the moderately advanced shooter to come out and spend the day and have a good time. The second course which is currently under construction will have 12-stations. It is scheduled to be completed in the coming months and will be more challenging to shooters than the first course.

Since there will soon be two courses available there are plans to host some National Sporting Clays events in the future. Youth shooting is a major priority to Big Green and it is currently hosting a Sporting Clays League for younger shooters. The league currently has divisions for ages 17 and younger and for ages 18 and older.

This six-week 300 target league offers both weekly ammunition winners as well as additional cash prizes for the participants.

Both courses are open for golf carts and four wheelers. At this time the club provides Rugged Gear buggies. The course is not difficult to walk and is approximately a half mile total. Shooting at TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

the Remington Gun Club is also very affordable with a round of trap or skeet being $6.00 and sporting clays costing $20.00 for a round of 50 and $35.00 for a round of 100. If that’s not good enough for you Remington has sweetened the deal. There is no membership required to shoot there. In fact, the Remington Gun Club is the only public sporting clays course in the entire state of Arkansas. They want to make shooting affordable so as many people as possible will have the opportunity to participate.

CLUB HOUSE The enthusiasm associated with the Remington Gun Club reopening will likely bring an anticipated expansion of the current club house to accommodate the increase in shooting traffic.

Since the club is owned and operated by

Remington you won’t need to worry about shells.

There will be an abundance of Gun Club, Premier STS and Premier Nitro 27 Shells available in the Pro Shop. The Range Manager, Justin Hefner, is always available and willing to help with private events, fundraisers or corporate meetings.

The range is currently open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 11am to 5pm and Sundays noon to 5pm . To get more information visit Remington.com or call 501-676-7961. n

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SHOOTREPORT

48

THE 2022

WESTERN

GRAND

AMERICAN

BY SEAN HAWLEY The 34th annual Western Grand American was held at the Vernal Rod and Gun Club again this year from May 31st through June 5th. The tournament was down in attendance slightly, although not as much as may have been anticipated due to the outrageous fuel prices and the scarce availability of ammunition. Overall Mother Nature smiled on the shoot with mostly beautiful sunny days, warm but not oppressive temperatures and only one day of windy conditions. As has become a tradition in CANADIANS ART PEYTON. BRAD JOHNSON AND KATIE JONES

Vernal, after hours games such as Annie Oakley shooting using a combination of trap machine and ClayBot machines as well as a Cornhole tournament were good ways for the shooters to unwind and have some fun in the evenings.

Shooters from 26 States and Canadian Provinces attended this year’s shoot. The Canadian shooters returned after a two year absence (due to COVID restrictions) and they definitely made their presence felt with some incredible scores.

PRELIM TUESDAY In Event 1, The Welcoming Singles Hall of Famer Chris Vendel of Pennsylvania posted the lone 100 straight to earn AAA class honors while Ethan Prescott (CA) broke a 99 and then an additional 100 in the carryover to edge out Mitchell Pierson (NE) for the Junior prize.

Next up was the Uintah County Handicap and Garrett Schlimmer of Washington broke a 98 to lead the field and earn the 27 yard trophy. Hall of Fame shooter Ray Stafford (CO) was one target behind with 97 to earn the Senior Veteran award.

Vernal native Sharred Oaks broke 99 and then 49 in the carryover to beat Mike Grady (NM) in the Rho Rhos Rally Doubles for the AAA trophy. Caron Schlimmer (WA) had a 98 to win the AA class award.

WEDNESDAY The Dalton Van Memorial Doubles saw Jayme Anderson (UT) post the lone 100 straight for the AAA win, while Ian Lawrence (IL) had a 98 to earn the Junior Gold trophy. Kent Sakamoto (ID) and Craig Hart (UT) each shot scores of 97 to earn the Sub Veteran and Veteran awards.

Event 5, the Craig and Sharon Hart Doubles, was the beginning of the High Over All targets and there were three shooters that got pretty serious about it. Jayden Dalton (AR), Chet Orick TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

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SHOOTREPORT

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JAYDEN DALTON

(AR) and TJ Main (WA) all broke perfect scores in the event. Main was the AAA champion and Dalton outlasted Orick in the carryover to win the Junior trophy. Brad Johnson (AB), Dick Mavis (TN), Art Peyton (AB) and Ian Lawrence each broke scores of 99 to win AA class, Sub Veteran, Veteran and Junior Gold trophies.

The final event of the day was the Event 6 Friends of the VRGC Handicap and four scores of 98 were at the top of the leaderboard at the end. All American Team Captain Richard Marshall Jr.(NE) was the 27-yard winner and James Eichler (CA) took home the short yardage trophy for their 98s, while Carson Cummings (IA) and Tim Robb (AZ) broke the same scores to earn the Junior Gold and Senior Veteran prizes. The Lady I winner was Sophie Nostrom with a score of 97. That score gave her the yard she needed to punch back to the 27-yard line. Congratulations Sophie!

SHARON AND RANDY GRILZ ANNIE OAKLEY

TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

REMINGTON/FEDERAL AND BROWNING FREE ANNIES After the shooting ended the ClayBot Annie Oakleys began. Remington and Federal sponsored a no entry fee under 18 Annie and Browning sponsored a no entry fee Ladies only Annie.

Randy and Sharon Grilz sponsored two Annies for all to shoot. The proceeds of those events were donated to the Trap Kid’s tip jar. These kinds of after hours fun games are a great way to get folks to stick around and laugh, joke and even heckle a little. A street taco vendor came in to make sure everyone had some great food to eat and free beverages were available thanks to a very generous donation to the club.

THURSDAY There were nine perfect 100s shot during the Event 7 Singles Class Championship. Chris Vendel outlasted Perry Weiner (ND) in the carryover.

Vendel took AAA class and Weiner was the AAA runner-up. In the Junior category, Ethan Prescott and Mitchell Pierson knotted up with 100s.

Prescott finished as Junior champ, with Pierson ending up as the runner-up. Carson Cummings had a lone 100 in the Junior Gold division as did Scott Abo (ID) in the Sub Veteran Category. Steve Johnson (UT), Ron Miller (WY) and Glenn Zimmerman (CO) had 100s in Veteran, with

ART PEYTON

Johnson breaking 50 straight for the top prize and Miller breaking 49 to finish second.

The Krieghoff Handicap saw two Canadian shooters break near perfect scores of 99. Art Peyton and Brad Johnson, both from Alberta, were definitely on their game and let everyone know that the Canadians were ready to play.

Peyton broke 25 in the carryover to win the Champion trophy, with Johnson posting a 24 to finish as the 27-yard winner. Billy Parrack (UT) had a 95 to win the 19-21.5 yardage group, while James Eichler and Jeffery George each shot 96s to take home the 22-24.5 and the 25-26.5 yardage group prizes.

After the dust settled there were more evening Annies with Remington/Federal and Browning again sponsoring free entry Junior and Lady events. Following those, the fun continued with two more Randy and Sharon Grilz sponsored games to benefit the trap kids. Thursday evening is alway appetizer night at the Western Grand.

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Shooters are encouraged to bring their favorite finger foods up to the clubhouse patio for everyone to munch on during the games.

FRIDAY The Doubles Class Championship was the first event of the day on Friday and there were two shooters that were able to make it through unscathed. Jim Copsey (AZ) and Mitchell Pierson each carded perfectos and were the Veteran and Junior champions. Sharred Oaks and Brad Johnson each broke 99 to secure the AAA and AA class awards, while Ty Cook (UT) had a 97 to earn the A class trophy. California shooter and soon to be Marine, Jacob Ridge broke 96 to lead the way in B class, while Dana Ideen (WY) and Dave Mansell posted 92 and 93 to win the C and D class awards.

Canadians once again led the way in the Caesar Guerini Preliminary Handicap. Art Peyton had yet another near perfect 99 and he was matched by Katie Jones of Manitoba. Jones threw a 25 up in the shoot-off to take home the Champion trophy. Peyton finished as the Veteran winner. Justin Debrie (NE) had a 98 to win the open runner-up trophy, while Steve Ottesen and Ray Stafford also posted 98s for Sub Veteran and Senior Veteran trophies.

SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP The weather was beautiful for the Western Grand Singles Championship sponsored by Browning. Ethan Prescott, Richard Marshall, Jr. and Scott Obenchain (CO) all broke 200 straight in the event, yet in the shoot-off they all broke 24 on the first round. Prescott missed four on the second round and dropped down to be the Junior winner, while Marshall and Obenchain each broke 25. Marshall missed a target in the third round and Obenchain broke

SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP (231 ENTRIES) CHAMPION RU AAA AA A B C D LADY 1 LADY 2 SUB JR JUNIOR JR GOLD SUB VET VETERAN SENIOR VET CHAIR

SCOTT OBENCHAIN RICHARD MARSHALL JR GREG FERGUSON DON WILLIAMSON HAYLIE PEAY STEVEN EICHLER BRIAN DUITSMAN DESANKA DELJANIN ASHLEY TEAL PAM WRIGHT WYATT DEBRIE ETHAN PRESCOTT CARSON CUMMINGS DENNIS JOHNSON LYLE BRICE GERRY WILLIAMS GARY BURTON

CO NE CO AZ UT CO CA UT CO UT NE CA IA SD WY AZ NE

200 200 198 199 196 197 189 196 199 194 199 200 199 197 198 196 187

SCOTT OBENCHAIN SINGLES CHAMP

them all to claim the championship. Marshall settled for the runner-up trophy. Wyatt Debrie (NE), Carson Cummings and Ashley Teal (CO) all had 199s to win the Sub Junior, Junior and Lady I trophies.

DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP What is it about Sundays and trapshoots? It sure seems like the wind always picks up at the end of a shoot. Despite some challenging conditions, six shooters finished the Western Grand Doubles Championship with scores of 99 at the top of the leaderboard. Perry Weiner, Jason Varozza (CA), Ian Lawrence, Brad Johnson, Jimmy Heller (AZ), and Wyatt Debrie headed to the shoot-off fields to decide the matter. After one perfect round the Championship went to the 13 year old Sub Junior shooter from Nebraska, Wyatt Debrie. Weiner broke a 19 to finish as the runner-up and Johnson had an 18 to claim the AA class trophy. Varozza broke a 16 to finish as the AA runner-up.

Lawrence and Heller were the Junior Gold and

DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP (197 ENTRIES) CHAMPION RU AAA AA A B C D LADY 1 LADY 2 SUB JR JUNIOR JR GOLD SUB VET VETERAN SENIOR VET

WYATT DEBRIE PERRY WEINER SCOTT OBENCHAIN BRAD JOHNSON CHASE WALTER ANDREW FEIG CHARLIE T LONG VICTOR GUMZ ASHLEY TEAL TINA MAIN DAXTON COOK MITCHELL PIERSON IAN LAWRENCE BOB ROBERTSON JIMMY HELLER IRVIN EFFINGER

NE ND CO AB NE IL TX CA CO WA UT NE IL OR AZ CO

99 99 98 99 98 96 93 90 95 93 97 97 99 98 99 96

Veteran champions. Ashley Teal and Tina Main (WA) broke 95 and 93 to claim the Lady I and Lady II trophies, while Bob Robertson (OR) and Irv Effinger (CO) had scores of 98 and 96 in the Sub Veteran and Senior Veteran categories. Daxton Cook (UT) and Mitchell Pierson each had 97 to lead the Sub Junior and Junior divisions.

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SHOOTREPORT

54

Johnson (SD), Tyler Marshall (NE) and Jimmy Heller all had 96s to win Lady I, Sub Veteran, Sub Junior, and Veteran trophies.

HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP (206 ENTRIES) CHAMPION RU 3RD 4TH 5TH 6TH 7TH LADY 1 LADY 2 SUB JR JUNIOR JR GOLD SUB VET VETERAN SENIOR VET

GERRY WILLIAMS JAMES SCHOOLER TROY BLAIN BOBBY STREET RICHARD MARSHALL JR BEN HALL JUSTIN SCHOOLER LETICIA SLINKER LYNDA EICHLER TYLER MARSHALL JAYDEN DALTON CARSON CUMMINGS DENNIS JOHNSON JIMMY HELLER GARY SHERROD

AZ CA UT UT NE UT CA NV CO NE AR IA SD AZ TX

98 97 97 96 96 96 96 96 92 96 95 92 96 96 94

HIGH ALL AROUND AND HIGH OVER ALL Both the HAA and the HOA were tight races.

Richard Marshall broke 393x400 in the HAA to beat Wyatt Debrie and Jimmy Heller by one target. They ended as the Sub Junior and Veteran winners. Scott Obenchain had 391 to earn the AAA prize. In the HOA, it was even tighter with Marshall and Art Peyton each breaking 976x1000 in the program. After the shoot-off Marshall was

HIGH ALL AROUND CHAMPIONSHIP

HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP The wind continued to blow throughout the day but somebody forgot to tell Gerry Williams (AZ).

Williams posted the lone high score on the board, a 98, to win this year’s Winchester Handicap Championship. James Schooler (CA) and Troy Blain (UT) were hot on his tail with scores of 97 and after the shoot-off dust had settled it was Schooler as the event runner-up and Blain as the third place winner. Bobby Street (UT), Richard Marshall Jr, Ben Hall (UT) and Justin Schooler (CA) all had scores of 96 and finished in that order for 4th through 7th places. Leticia Slinker (NV), Dennis GERRY WILLIAMS HANDICAP CHAMPION

DEANNA AND JAMES SCHOOLER

CHAMPION AAA AA A B C D LADY 1 LADY 2 SUB JR JUNIOR JR GOLD SUB VET VETERAN SENIOR VET

RICHARD MARSHALL JR SCOTT OBENCHAIN TROY BLAIN CALEB SIMONS TYLER MARSHALL BRADLEY PEAY MIA MALCOM KATIE JONES PAM WRIGHT WYATT DEBRIE JAYDEN DALTON IAN LAWRENCE DENNIS JOHNSON JIMMY HELLER GERRY WILLIAMS

NE CO UT SD NE UT NE MB UT NE AR IL SD AZ AZ

393 391 385 383 379 381 376 382 372 392 391 387 386 392 387

HIGH OVER ALL CHAMPIONSHIP CHAMPION AAA AA A B C D LADY 1 LADY 2 SUB JR JUNIOR JR GOLD SUB VET VETERAN SENIOR VET

RICHARD MARSHALL JR BRAD JOHNSON STEVE JOHNSON CALEB SIMONS JAMES EICHLER BRADLEY PEAY MIA MALCOM KATIE JONES PAM WRIGHT WYATT DEBRIE MITCHELL PIERSON CARSON CUMMINGS BRETT DESPAIN ART PEYTON RAY STAFFORD

NE AB UT SD CA UT NE MB UT NE NE IA UT AB CO

976 973 962 958 938 941 914 953 921 955 971 962 961 976 951

the champion and Peyton fell back to the Veteran trophy. Brad Johnson and Chris Vendel were the next highest scores with 973. In the end, it was Johnson who claimed the AAA trophy.

FINISHING THOUGHTS Vernal, Utah is not somewhere you make a wrong turn and end up at. The shooters that come to the Western Grand travel a long way to get there and the club knows and appreciates that fact. As such, it has become the club’s and their supporter’s mission to provide the best targets that the weather will allow, have fun things to do in the evenings and to do whatever it takes to provide a good experience to all of the shooters that make the trek to come to the shoot. I look forward to seeing everyone again next year. n TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

RICHARD MARSHALL JR

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SHOOTERPROFILE

56

MATTHEW MCCLISH A PROFILE BY JACQUE SNELLENBERGER

Imagine raising your gun with your right arm and mounting it, all the while resting the barrel on your left forearm that is held up by a bar. Then call, swing to the target and pull the trigger, only to start all over again. After witnessing just that, I had to meet the man that was willing to go through all of that to shoot targets, AND in the rain at the Great Lakes Grand!

Matthew McClish started to tell me his story.

Determination, Strength, Courage, Admiration, Respect, and Inspiration are just a few words I’d use to describe Matt.

Matthew McClish was like any other kid from the Columbus, Ohio area until he started experiencing seizures in the second grade. By age 11, he was officially diagnosed with epilepsy and a brain tumor. Even with epilepsy and brain surgeries he continued to live his childhood/ school life participating in regular school events like baseball and golf, even earning all county honors in golf. In his freshman year, he broke his back (the L5 vertebrae) competing in baseball. It was then he started to realize how determined he was to live a normal life. As a junior in high school, having his fourth and final brain surgery, he had a stroke. It left him paralized on his left side. He had always considered himself an athlete and decided that the stroke wasn’t going to stop him. He had to learn how to do many things others take for granted, like walking. Less than a year after his stroke his mental strength pushed him to get “back to normal”. He had always loved golf, and was determined that he could still be an athlete so he learned how to golf one handed. Right? Who wouldn’t try this?

Due to Matthew McClish’s determination, his story became well known in his area and it attracted some attention. The attention that Matt receives, he says, is just one of the cool things he’s gotten to experience in his life. He feels lucky to have had the opportunities he's had and the people he’s gotten to meet in his life due to his hardships. He’s met people like Peyton Manning, had dinner with Jack Nicklaus and had golf TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

lessons from Bryson DeChambeau. DeChambeau has been Matt’s favorite celebrity, especially because he has checked in on him periodically to see how he’s doing.

When asked how he made the switch from golf to shooting, he told how he'd hunted pheasants as a kid, and some friends welcomed him to come to the local gun club last year.

Like all of us, he got hooked. His coach, Eric Cunningham, helped design an apparatus that enabled Matthew to be more productive as a shooter. He can shoot one handed, but as you can imagine how hard the swing would be, he needed some assistance. So they came up with a bipod of sorts, to help him maintain the balance.

He’s currently shooting a tripod. It comes in three pieces. A belt that attaches to the bar with a ball and socket joint, that then attaches to his arm rest with another ball and socket joint. They are currently trying to make an apparatus that is just one piece instead of three for more stability. He competes currently on the COAHC Leadslingers team in Columbus, Ohio and practices about three times a week. At the Great Lakes Grand, he broke his highest score of 76.

He’s a firm believer in “You can do anything.”

He enjoys life and jokes. His favorite is when his family thanks him for the handicap sticker, because when they are with him it gets them better parking spots. He always responds with, “No problem, I’ll take one for the fam!” and everyone laughs.

Did you know shooting trap is more frustrating than playing golf? Well, according to Matthew, it is. He said it’s because, “You know what you did wrong in golf, and can just fix it.

But it’s not that way in shooting.” I won’t be the one to tell him that not everyone can do that!

Definitely a true competitor.

Matthew said that he didn’t realize how much stuff he took for granted before the stroke and he never wants to do that again. Sayings like, ‘Live life to the fullest. You can’t let things get you down, because it will take you down.

Slowly but surely it will get better.‘ These may be platitudes to others but they are words that Matt continually lives by.

Matt doesn’t mind talking about or showing his struggles. He’d rather tell people what he’s been through than have them give him “looks”. He has a few tattoos that are visible and characterize his thoughts and feelings of his struggles. One represents that God gives

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the toughest battles to the strongest soldiers, and strength through struggle, and another one in words is FAITH. He’s currently a junior at Columbus State working on being a Genetic Counselor Assistant. Due to the amount of time Matthew’s spent in hospitals over the years they tend to be where he now feels at home.

Throughout his struggles he’s educated himself on genetics and how they play a part in illness.

He’s researched his own family and discovered he is a first generation of seizures when usually they are genetically inclined. This anomaly has helped to make his decision to become a genetic counselor so effortless. He’d like to be the one to help families talk through and make decisions based on the genetics that run through families.

Many shooters would like to complain about lighting, target presentation, or speaker malfunctions, but in the words of Matthew, “I shoot true Handicap every day, all day and I’m grateful for everything I have and have been through.” I want to be more like Matthew, how about you? n

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60

THE OG OF

USA PARA-TRAP

BY BRANDY ELROD

The OG of the USA Para-Trap team is none other than Rebecca (Becky) Noble from Rapid City, South Dakota. Becky paved the way for the rest of the team. Becky is an outdoors woman, she hunts, she fishes, she participates in shooting sports, her career is even centered around the outdoors working for Cabelas. In 1996, Becky lost the use of her legs due to a car accident thus landing her in a wheelchair. Becky was raised on a dairy farm in Minnesota and actually did not start competing in shotgun events until after she had her accident in 2009.

In 2014, Becky began to compete competitively in American trap. After competing for a few years in American trap, Becky learned about Olympic Para-trap and decided to attend a qualifying match in Kerrville, TX in February of 2018 where she met her qualifying score to make the USA team and travel to Lonato, Italy. Becky was the first person to compete for the USA in para-trap and was the only female athlete to compete at the World Championships in 2018.

In 2019 Becky received the Bronze medal at the USA Para-Nationals. Becky has also made the All-American team in American Trap in the chair shooter category from 2019-2021. Becky has numerous other American Trap wins from all over the country under her belt. Most recently Becky was the Silver medalist in the seated category at the inaugural US Para-Trap Grand Prix held in Hillsdale, Michigan in May. This earned Becky a spot for the third time on the US Team for the World Championships that will be held in Al Ain, UAE in November.

Becky is also an avid hunter, advocate for disabled hunters, and youth shooting sports coach. Becky is coaching her local 4-H trap team, as well as she also coaches women & other individuals with disabilities and helps them determine what shooting techniques, shotguns, and equipment is best for them. Becky serves on two different shotgun sports related boards. She serves on the board for the Rapid City Trap Club where she focuses on making sure that the club is offering the best services for shooting sports enthusiasts. She also serves on the board for the South Dakota Youth Hunting Adventures. South Dakota Youth Hunting Adventures’ mission is to teach and educate young people about hunting TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

safety, ethics, wildlife and conservation while providing a hunting experience that will instill a lifelong enthusiasm and respect for hunting and landowners. The youth not only learn about conservation through hunting they learn about hiking, kayaking, packing, and various other activities in order to hunt in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Becky is also an amazing supporter of individuals in wheelchairs. She was given a Track Chair which would allow her to hunt on her own through the hard terrain of the South Dakota Black Hills. Becky chose to share her chair with other individuals to give them the same opportunity she was given and she donated it to South Dakota Fish and Game. The track chair is

now allowing for numerous individuals in South Dakota to be able to hunt in areas they would not otherwise be able to reach.

Now that you know Becky is the queen of trapshooting, here is what she gets to endure in order to pursue her passion for shooting sports.

When you first pull up to a shooting range, you get out of a vehicle you do not think twice about the material of the parking lot or even the shooting stations. Becky has to think about this because her chair does not move freely on materials other than asphalt and concrete.

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Becky likes higher targets and wind pushing targets down can prove a problem. What about that skeet bag or vest you wear to store your shells, not so wheelchair friendly, is it? Your shells would be in your lap, in your way. Becky has a wooden shelf that was made to go on her wheelchair to hold her shells and anything else that she needs while shooting, it is pretty ingenious. Becky also has a custom vest for shooting on the USA team made by Castellani and sponsored by Ultimate Shooting Accessories that has a higher back so she is not sitting on her vest as well as higher pockets for her shells for easier accessibility. When walking from station to station you simply put your gun over your shoulder or walk with it at your side, right?

Well now imagine having to roll a wheelchair from station to station while balancing your shotgun and not falling off of a station or trying to roll over a rubber mat. Classic example, at the 2019 Para-Nationals in Colorado Springs, Colorado field three was built specifically for para-athletes, but the one thing they did not take into consideration was the chairs rolling forward. During the first day of shooting a board had to be added to the front of the concrete to prevent a chair shooter from rolling forward off of the station. The chair shooters also had difficulty moving about the Olympic shooting park because it is mainly gravel and they had to stay in one area.

Becky’s goal after attending a match where she was constantly starting and stopping her wheelchair because of the gravel, is to make range owners more aware and open minded to more accessible ranges for shooting sports enthusiasts from all backgrounds. Becky lives life just like she shoots trap, one target at a time. n

SHOOTREPORT

64

BUCKEYE OPEN 2022

BY JACQUE SNELLENBERGER

THE WEATHER WAS GORGEOUS ALL WEEKEND WHEN THE CARDINAL CENTER PRESENTED THEIR 16th ANNUAL BUCKEYE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP FROM JUNE 1–5.

EARLY ON Wednesday was a hundred of everything day. It started with the Suds N Sun Singles where all the 100s were shot by category shooters: Carl Chadwell (Sub Veteran), Ransom May (Sub Junior) and JD May (Junior). Because there wasn’t a champion trophy, they each took their categories.

Then it was time for the Red Bird Handicap.

Ron Gustafson from Pennsylvania broke a lone 96 from the 19 yard line. They finished the day with the Fishburn Doubles where Junior Gold Champion, James Malin, had the high score with 190x200. Robert Caplinger was second with a 189, making him the AA Winner.

THURSDAY It was a Handicap kind of day on Thursday. The Quality Inn sponsored two Handicap events; one in the morning and another one in the afternoon.

In the first event there were two shooters with 97: John Thomas and Tom Linn. Thomas won with a 23 in the shoot-off leaving Linn to fall back to TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

JAMES MALIN

the Veteran trophy.

Sandwiched in between the two Handicaps was the White Flyer Singles where 8 perfect scores were broken and they all received a trophy, as it was class day. Steve Stedman (AAA Winner), Brandon Deal (AAA runner up), Sean Plymire (AA), Adam Berrier (B), James Malin (Junior Gold), Kyle Uhler (Sub Veteran), Mike Dehabey (Senior Veteran) and Jennifer Schwartz (Lady I). The final handicap of the day was won by Senior Veteran, Roy Edmister, with 96.

FRIDAY The events on Friday were named after the 2021 champions. The Aaron Willoughby (by AJ Supplies) had two AAA shooters, and six AA shooters break the hundred. James Bush was the AA winner with no competition because the others perfect scores came from category shooters. James Malin was the only Junior Gold with the 100, as was Joel Etchen in Veteran. Tuff Hutchins (Junior), Summer Gobrecht (Lady I) and Madison Oswalt (Sub Junior). That left Clark Hamons to beat out Mark Isner in the carryover for the Sub Veteran spot.

The Rodney Crump Handicap (by White Flyer) had three people high with 98s. It was determined by Craig Denglinger’s 24 in the shootoff. He took Champion while Dan Burnett took runner-up and Ronald Geesling fell back to Senior Veteran.

The Ian Darroch Doubles (by Jaquas) had Ian Darroch himself, and Joe Charnigo breaking 97s for a tie in the AAA spot. Darroch beat out Charnigo in the carryover. 97s were not high for the day, that was Joel Etchen who broke 99, but again, as it was class day, he had to take his category as top Veteran.

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SHOOTREPORT

66

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Saturday’s attendance of 846 shooters was boosted when 406 SCTP shooters arrived to shoot the Championship Singles sponsored by Browning. You’d think there would have been a great number of 200s considering that there were 21 100s in the back half, but there were only four 100s in the first half of the Championship which greatly limited things—James Malin, Elizabeth Ternes, Joe Charnigo, and Easton Pope. Ternes put a 98 on the back half which was good enough to earn her Lady I honors. Pope fell out of everything as he backed it up with a 97, which was not good enough for Sub Junior, giving that to Kameran Duvall with 199. Malin and Charnigo did break the back half to get themselves into a shoot-off with the perfect deuce. Charnigo made Malin break another 100, and then in the fifth box Malin missed handing over the Championship to Charnigo, while he fell back to Junior Gold. Malin had not missed a Singles target in the entire program until then.

The Doubles Championship sponsored by White Flyer started at 9am with 313 shooters. AJ Brenner came in with the only 99. BJ Jackman and Summer Gobrecht were second high with 98s and Gobrecht took the Lady I title, leaving Jackman with runner-up.

In the Handicap Championship, 411 shooters participated. Cole Disser wasn’t even going to shoot the Handicap since he’d had a bad round in the Doubles, so it’s a good thing friends and family talked him into shooting it. Especially since his 99 took the win for the Championship.

In the All Around, Brandon Deal from Pennsylvania might not have won a main event championship, but he certainly came in strong with his 394x400, beating the field by four targets. Joe Charnigo easily walked away with the Overall by

SINGLES CH RU AAA AA A B C D LD 1 LD 2 SUB JR JR J GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

JOSEPH CHARNIGO HERBERT LEWIS J MICHAEL WENGERD THOMAS NATH FANNIN JOSEPH REGAN WALTER WAGNER JR. BRADYN CONNER EASTON POPE ELIZABETH TERNES PEGGY ANN WISE KAMERAN DUVALL CHANDLER COX JAMES MALIN DEAN TOWNSEND RICHARD MILBERT NICK BARE

200 199 199 198 197 195 197 197 198 198 199 197 200 199 197 197

JOE CHARNIGO SINGLES CHAMP

TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

COLE DISSER HANDICAP CHAMP

DOUBLES CH RU AAA AA A B C D LD 1 LD 2 SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

ALLEN BRENNER B J JACKMAN JOSEPH CHARNIGO PATRICK MCCARTHY BRANDON DEAL ALEXANDER CORNELL JOE CAFAGNO RUSS DEMPSEY SUMMER GOBRECHT BETTY PETERSON KOLE KUENNING ANDREW COLLINS J M PERRILL DEAN TOWNSEND JOEL ETCHEN NICK BARE

99 98 97 97 97 93 91 90 98 90 94 96 95 94 94 93

HANDICAP CH RU 3RD 4TH 5TH LD 1 LD 2 SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

COLE DISSER BRANDON DEAL J MICHAEL WENGERD JEFFREY ANDERSON BRITT HAVENAR JENNIFER SCHWARTZ PEGGY ANN WISE KEAGAN RYAN JD MAY WYATT KISTLER KEVIN DAWSON STEVE CORWIN ROGER PETERSON

99 98 97 97 97 97 96 97 97 95 96 95 94

six birds with 964x1000. n

ALL AROUND CH RU AAA AA A B C D LD 1 LD 2 SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

BRANDON DEAL IAN DARROCH JOSEPH CHARNIGO B J JACKMAN JEFFREY ANDERSON COLE NYE DUSTIN SACKSTEDER MARSHALL SUPANIK ELIZABETH TERNES PEGGY ANN WISE BRADYN CONNER ANDREW COLLINS JAMES MALIN KEVIN DAWSON STEVE CORWIN ROGER PETERSON

394 390 390 385 381 369 376 364 385 381 382 380 379 384 380 377

OVERALL CH RU AAA AA A B C D LD 1 LD 2 SUB JR JR JR GOLD SUB VET VET SR VET

JOSEPH CHARNIGO AARON WILLOUGHBY BRANDON DEAL JOHN THOMAS ELAINA MCCARTHY KOLE KUENNING TYLER SCHOCK DAVID KRETZ ELIZABETH TERNES MARY THOMPSON MADISON OSWALT CHANDLER COX JAMES MALIN CARL CHADWELL JOEL ETCHEN THOMAS RHOADS

964 958 957 952 933 928 932 893 938 926 940 937 942 942 942 928

PITA NEWS

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HAWAII STATE SHOOT

HAWAII STATE DOUBLES

February 17-20 Hosted by Big Island Trap Club

HAWAII STATE SINGLES CH HI CH A B C D LADY VET

TOBY BROOK NEIL ARAKAKI BOB MCLENDON ZACH KELLER BRANNING SUNG BRANDEN OKUBO PAM WHITMORE ART FENTON

195 192 194 192 184 187 181 193

NEVADA STATE SHOOT

NEVADA STATE SINGLES BRODEN PIRKLE RICH BULLARD MURRY DEFOREST JASON HOMER JAXON HOMER TERRY GABIOLA ALEXIS HAGGARD MITCH DAGHER JOHN ROWE II RICH ADAMS PHIL GILBREATH

TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

CLAY WHITMORE BRAYDEN OKUBO BOB MCLENDON STEVEN KAUFMAN NEIL ARAKAKI JAKE MUSSON MELISSA CRAIG ART FENTON

94 90 89 89 87 87 76 89

CH HI CH

CLAY WHITMORE NEIL ARAKAKI

370 367

HAWAII STATE HOA CH HI CH

BOB MCLENDON BRAYDEN OKUBO

729 717

HAWAII STATE HANDICAP CH HI CH LADY VET

JAKE MUSSON ELTON MIYAGAWA PAM WHITMORE CLAY WHITMORE

90 90 81 84

NEIL ARAKAKI

BRAYDEN OKUBO

NEVADA STATE DOUBLES

May 13-15 Hosted by Winnemucca Trap Club

CH AA A B C D LADY SUB JR JR VET SR

CH HI CH A B C D LADY VET

HAWAII STATE HAA

197 195 196 195 189 177 188 171 190 182 193

CH AA A B C D LADY SUB JR JR VET SR

RICH BULLARD MARK DAGHER/JASON NELSON MICHAEL SCHOTTEL COLBY WEBB JAXON HOMER DAN PROCKISH TAMMY MARILUCH BRODEN PIRKLE AUSTIN PEYERL ALAN LONDON DICK GOODWILL

BRODEN PIRKLE

96 96 92 93 88 86 84 91 76 83 88

ALEXIS HAGGARD

NEVADA STATE HAA

COLBY WEBB

RICH BULLARD

NEVADA STATE HANDICAP CH 19-21.5YD 22-25.5 YD 26-27 YD LADY SUB JR JR VET SR

COLBY WEBB JAXON HOMER MURRY DEFOREST CHET NORCUTT ALEXIS HAGGARD BRODEN PIRKLE AUSTIN PEYERL RICH ADAMS PHIL GILBREATH

97 95 95 95 94 95 88 92 88

CH AA A B C D ROOKIE

RICH BULLARD MARK DAGHER MURRY DEFOREST BRODEN PIRKLE JAXON HOMER RALPH LEDERER GEOFF GILL

385 379 380 383 372 329 335

NEVADA STATE HOA CH

RICH BULLARD

671

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PITA NEWS

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CALIFORNIA STATE SHOOT May 16-30 Hosted by Livermore-Pleasanton Rod & Gun Club

CALIFORNIA STATE SINGLES CH RU AA A B C D LADY JR VET SR ELDER

SPENCER COOPER WARREN HAMATANI (WSO) DINO MANUEL BJ MATTHEWS (WSO) ROD ISLAND RICK FREEMAN JORDAN STILWELL PATRICIA SARGENT JACK DUFFIN DANNY SUTTON BILLY MYERS LARRY DAVIS

199 196 196 195 196 187 190 193 194 195 194 193

COLORADO STATE SHOOT June 3-5 Hosted by Pawnee Sportsmen’s Center

COLORADO STATE SINGLES CH AA A B C D LADY SUB JR JR VET

DENIS BRINGELSON KEVIN DAVIS KELLY STOUT RON EGBERT JULIETT STUDNESS LIAM BRINGELSON DIANE DIBLE BRENNAN BRINGELSON TRISTAN TRAHERN TERRY FINDLEY

TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

199 198 193 194 190 180 181 186 194 191

CALIFORNIA STATE HAA

CALIFORNIA STATE DOUBLES CH RU AA A B C D LADY SUB JR JR VET SR ELDER

JEFF BERDION LOGAN DASHNER DINO MANUEL JOSEPH BANDUCCI BRET NELSON MICHAEL RAMSER JACK TERESI PATRICIA SARGENT TRAVIS MATHEWS DYLAN BAPTISTE DAVID WOMACK BILLY MYERS WELDON BIRCH

BJ MATHEWS

96 95 95 93 92 92 86 80 91 90 94 91 95

SHANE GILLESPIE RUSS ZIMA KERRY COOPER GARY FISCUS GUNNAR STOUT DIANE DIBLE BRENNAN BRINGELSON THERON ROLL JEFF WEST

95 93 93 87 65 78 87 77 82

WYATT HART

PATRICIA SARGENT

CALIFORNIA STATE HANDICAP CH RU 19-21.5 YD 22-24.5 YD 25-26.5 YD 27 YD LADY SUB JR JUNIOR VET SR ELDER

BJ MATHEWS (WSO) DAVID KELLY JEFF NATHAN (WSO) WILL WHITFORD TRAVIS MATHEWS WADE STANFILL KATHERINE EVANS WYATT HART JACK DUFFIN JIM OAKHAM DOUGLAS DRAPER DANNY LAYNE

97 97 95 95 94 95 91 95 93 94 91 91

COLORADO STATE HANDICAP CH 19-21 YD 22-24 YD 25-26 YD 27 YD LADY SUB JR VET

THERON ROLL (WSO) GARY FISCUS EARL MCCASLAND BRENNAN BRINGELSON DENIS BRINGELSON DIANE DIBLE GUNNAR STOUT JEFF WEST

95 95 93 92 91 86 94 93

CALIFORNIA STATE HAA CH

DENIS BRINGELSON

380

CALIFORNIA STATE HOA CH DENIS BRINGELSON

DIANE DIBLE

BJ MATHEWS

379

CALIFORNIA STATE HOA

JACK DUFFIN

COLORADO STATE DOUBLES CH A B C D LADY SUB JR JR VET

CH

DENIS BRINGELSON

673

CH AA A B C D LADY VET SR ELDER ROOKIE

JACK DUFFIN (WSO) WADE STANFILL TRAVIS MATHEWS MICHAEL RAMSER THOMAS SARKO JORDAN STILWELL PATRICIA SARGENT RONALD MCGARR BILLY MYERS WELDON BIRCH WYATT HART

750 747 750 732 709 746 702 725 737 711 280

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PITA NEWS

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72

ALASKA STATE SHOOT June 8 – 12 Fairbanks Trap Club

ALASKA STATE SINGLES CH RU AA A B C D LADY JR VET SR

BRIAN “STUBBY” HUGHES (WSO) 194 BRETT NIEDER 194 CODY KURKOWSKI 192 WAYNE BERTHOLL 190 BRANDON MANOUS 189 MER’CHANT THOMPSON 183 TOM RENWICK 145 JANEL TAYLOR 177 TRYGVE HERMANN 177 PETE HUDSON 191 FRED WILSON 189

TRAPSHOOTINGUSA

ALASKA STATE DOUBLES CH RU A B C D LADY JR VET SR

WALLY SMITH CODY KURKOWSKI BRIAN “STUBBY” HUGHES CLINT BROOKS FRED WILSON MARK ADAMS JANEL TAYLOR TRYGVE HERMANN PETE HUDSON CHARLES SCHERER

BRIAN “STUBBY” HUGHES

WALLY SMITH

ALASKA STATE HAA 94 93 89 88 78 83 85 91 88

CH

DENIS BRINGELSON

380

ALASKA STATE HOA PETE HUDSON

CH

JANEL TAYLOR

ALASKA STATE HANDICAP CH RU 3RD 19-21 YD 22-24 YD 25-27 YD LADY JR VET SR

PETE HUDSON BRETT NIEDER BRIAN “STUBBY” HUGHES DENNIS GEARY JERRY GODKIN CLINT BROOKS JANEL TAYLOR TRYGVE HERMANN JAMES FLEMING WAYNE BERTHOLL

93 92 91 86 87 87 82 84 81 85

DENIS BRINGELSON

673

INDEX of ADVERTISERS Allem’s Guncraft Blaser USA Inc

Value u Quality u Service

Briley Caesar Guerini

3

Dawson Enterprises

59

Decot Hy-Wyd Sports Glasses Inc

62

Graco Corporation

www.claytargetsports.com Tel. 609-921-9358 Fax. 609-921-3282 Email: info@claytargetsports.com

Cover 4

Connecticut Shotguns

Federal Premium Ammunition

Check out our website for new and preowned guns

7

74

Falconstrike

WE SERVICE WHAT WE SELL

Cover 3

Clay Target Sports, Inc

Fabarm USA

The Best Value For Your Krieghoff Purchase

33

Gray’s Shotgun Cache Gun & Trophy Guns Unlimited

Lincoln Traps

69

MEC Outdoors

17

Passionate Outlaws

61

Pat-Trap, Inc.

23

Ponsness Warren

33

Promatic Inc Recob’s Target Shop

Cover 2 55,58

Remington Ammunition

4-5

Shamrock Leathers

63

SKB Shotguns

37

SoftTouch Custom Stocks

33

Spolar Power Load

63

Sportsman’s Insurance Agency

23

Syren USA

15

Target Shotguns

71

TrapShootingUSA

73

Tristar

51

USA Shooting

55

9 19 28-29 63 57 27 45-47

International Case Company

41

Jaqua’s Fine Guns, Inc.

65

Joel Etchen Guns

43

Kick’s Chokes

41

Krieghoff

49

Wenig Custom Gunstocks

11

L&M Lenses

23

White Flyer Targets

53

Learn Trap Shooting

26

Xcel Shooting Sports

67

© 2020

”For me the F3 trigger is the best shotgun trigger in the world, proven by my 900 straight!“ Joey Charnigo, 2019 Grand American ATAWorld Clay Target Champion and „Straight 900“ Marksman (2019)