Gun Club News
Aug. 1 Aug. 8
“Dukes Claybusters” high school trapshooting: Here it is another new month, 2020 is halfway over. The school trap team was invited to do a practice shoot at the Sandpoint Gun Club, Saturday, Aug. 8. They have a screen up to catch the shot and also throw florescent green clay targets. This will be good practice and a new experience for the team.
Thank you Sandpoint Gun Club members for the invite. Remembering social distancing is a must — when shooting they are 9 feet or more, when not shooting 6 feet or more.
The high scores Aug. 1 were Kamen Nelson 23x25, Wyatt McDonald 23x25, Dillon Mcleish 23x25, and Wade Rice 23x25, Isaac Bliss 22x25. The scores of Kamen, Wade and Isaac were from the 20-yard line.
Melanie Campbell was high lady with 21x25, Cassidy Underhill 18x25, and new shooter Malia Steffen 16x25; also new, her brother Zee Steffen 15x25. Great shooting today.
The play of the day was new shooters Zee and Malia Steffen, shooting off for winner of the Annie Oakley, from 27 yards back, with 12-year-old Zee winning the shootoff. Wyatt McDonald won the other Annie. Great shooting to all.
The Sunday group had a great time with practice rounds and four Annie Oakleys. I want to thank Fred Hendrickson and Wade Rice for all their help with our pat. trap machine improvements. Remember if you don’t feel good, stay home and Social Distance is a must, please help the club stay open.
A note: We have a new raffle going, please buy a raffle ticket or two, it’s to help the “Claybusters” with shells and targets, if you can. All our school team members have them and the information. Thanks for your support.
Stay healthy, shoot safely and enjoy what’s left of summer ... remember family first.
Bonners Ferry High School Trapshooting Club: Wow! What a wonderful practice day. Thanks to the Sandpoint Trap Club. The “Dukes Claybusters” high school team was invited to the Sandpoint Club Saturday for practice and a few games with Sandpoint members furnishing the targets and a great lunch. A good experience for all, as they threw florescent green clay targets as well as orange and a great background.
The rules for trap shooting in practice or in competition are five positions at 9 feet apart, so Social Distancing is not a problem ,and in handicap events even farther apart.
The A.T.A. and P.I.T.A. Associations have youth programs. A.I.M. stands for Academic, Integrity and Marksmanship and Y.E.S. stands for Youth, Education, and Shooting. The scholarship programs are for High School and College student shooters. Last year there was $90,000 in scholarships given away.
The Sandpoint Club have dedicated members, it would be great if the Sandpoint High School or 4-H clubs had a school trap club. Last year the Claybusters competed with Libby, Troy-Deary, Idaho, and the I-Net Big Sky winter league, ran by the Thompson Falls, Mont., club. Trap shooting teaches them gun safety. ethics, concentrations and a team effort. As with all school activities passing grades are required. Trap shooting is a no-contact sport. (Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy and support all high school and college sports).
The Claybusters’ top scores for the day of practice at Sandpoint: Wade Rice 25X25, Melanie Campbell 24X25, Wyatt McDonald 24X25, Kamen Nelson 23X25, Dillion McLiesh 22X25, Seth Rice 22X25, Cassidy Underhill 21X25, Torsten Conover 21X25, Malia Steffen 20X25, Alex Stolley 18X25, Isaac Bliss 17X25, Zee Steffen 14X25. Malia and Dillon won the five shots from 40 yards back. Thanks again to the Sandpoint Gun Club, the Claybusters and their parents.
On Sunday, Aug. 9, we had 15 shooters out for our regular day of shooting. Had good practice rounds and four fun Annie Oakleys.
Shoot safe and stay healthy — Coach Lonny