Today (Sunday) was a great day to be out and about in west-central Maine! The foliage is peaked with color and hunters wearing orange are continuing to dot the woods and fields of Maine in search of prey; and some of us chose to try our luck at the annual Turkey Shoot at Arnold's Trail and Gun Club! Arnold Trail and Gun, located in Sidney, Maine is the oldest active club in the great state of Maine. Sidney is approximately a 20 minute ride north of Augusta.
The real name for this Shoot should have been "See how many turkeys you can win to donate to area food pantries' Shoot." I was made aware of this by everyone I spoke to throughout the hours I spent at Arnolds' today.
The Shoot was very well attended and everyone enjoyed him or herself as far as I could tell. Arnold offered 5-Stand, Two-Man Flurrys, Double-Skeet, and Trap.
The 5-Stand
The five-stand program was all about two-shot singles. Each shooter shot two rounds at each station for a total of ten shots. The highest score out of ten won a turkey.
Two-Man Flurry
This game was played at Skeet Field number one. Shooters were positioned on stations three and six on the Skeet field. Twenty targets were thrown for each two-man team. The team with the highest score out of twenty won, with each team member receiving a turkey.
Double Skeet
The Shooter has doubles on stations two, three, four, five and six. The high scorer won a turkey.
Trap
With the trap machine set at "full wobble" each shooter shot two targets per station for a total of ten targets. The high man or woman on the squad received a turkey.
The Arnold club members added something to their Turkey Shoot that I personally haven't seen before. In each game presentation were what they termed "poison birds" (green clay targets) intermingled with the standard orange ones. If you were lucky enough to kill one of the "poison birds" you automatically won two lobsters packed in ice, ready for your cooler! Wow.....!!! This was definitely lots of fun, and kudos to Arnold Trail and Gun Club! Your hearts and spirits are really in the right place.
I would also like to commend them for adding benches on their Skeet and Trap Fields!! I know members and guests appreciate having them available if needed.
The fee for the Turkey Shoot was $5 for each event. Lunch could be purchased for $5 and you had a choice of hamburger, or hotdog, soda and chips.
Now some photos...........
Monday, October 15, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
LL Bean's Five-Stand
I have heard of LL Bean's 5-Stand but never took the time to visit until this past Sunday. Located on Fogg Farm in Freeport, Maine is a spacious area where instructions are given for a multitude of outdoor sports. I was surprised to find not only 5-Stand, but a course to teach Sporting Clays to beginners if anyone has a need or desire. They also teach Fly Fishing techniques (including Spey Casting) and Kayaking. Though I can find no mention of it on their website, we did see an instructor in the Archery Field.
LL Beans' 5-Stand is presented as "an opportunity to hone your shooting skills. I found the targets to be very "user-shooter-friendly."
The folks at Beans want Shooters to be able to hit targets! I found the people nice; it was a friendly environment, and the targets were well-thought-out.
It is a good 'tune-up' for hunting! I had a good time, and I am looking forward to visiting next season.
Their 5-Stand Public Shoots are held in Spring, Summer, and until the end of September.
Fees are $7 per round if using your own equipment and ammo; and $20 per round if using their guns and ammo. A round is 25 targets.
They also offer a half-day Shotgun Sports Essential with an introduction to safety and shooting seven times a year. You are introduced to various types of shotguns and their functions. You are also introduced to the games of 5-Stand and Flurry. This course is offered for men and women in separate classes for a fee of $95.
There is also a One-Day Introductory Course to Wingshooting seven times a year for $245. Click on the link for more details:
http://www.llbean.com/outdoorsOnline/odp/courses/shooting/wingshooting-essentials-maine.html
For more information on the Half-Day Shotgun Sports Essential course, click on the link:
http://www.llbean.com/outdoorsOnline/odp/courses/shooting/essentials-halfday-maine.html
Blogger has been having trouble hosting slideshows created with their Picasa Online Album and on more than one occasion the slideshows have been unavailable, so I am trying out a new slideshow creator. With this one, you must manually change the photos by clicking on the arrows. Hope this solution works, although I did like the "automatic play" feature that comes with Picasa.
Now for some pictures.......
LL Beans' 5-Stand is presented as "an opportunity to hone your shooting skills. I found the targets to be very "user-shooter-friendly."
The folks at Beans want Shooters to be able to hit targets! I found the people nice; it was a friendly environment, and the targets were well-thought-out.
It is a good 'tune-up' for hunting! I had a good time, and I am looking forward to visiting next season.
Their 5-Stand Public Shoots are held in Spring, Summer, and until the end of September.
Fees are $7 per round if using your own equipment and ammo; and $20 per round if using their guns and ammo. A round is 25 targets.
They also offer a half-day Shotgun Sports Essential with an introduction to safety and shooting seven times a year. You are introduced to various types of shotguns and their functions. You are also introduced to the games of 5-Stand and Flurry. This course is offered for men and women in separate classes for a fee of $95.
There is also a One-Day Introductory Course to Wingshooting seven times a year for $245. Click on the link for more details:
http://www.llbean.com/outdoorsOnline/odp/courses/shooting/wingshooting-essentials-maine.html
For more information on the Half-Day Shotgun Sports Essential course, click on the link:
http://www.llbean.com/outdoorsOnline/odp/courses/shooting/essentials-halfday-maine.html
Blogger has been having trouble hosting slideshows created with their Picasa Online Album and on more than one occasion the slideshows have been unavailable, so I am trying out a new slideshow creator. With this one, you must manually change the photos by clicking on the arrows. Hope this solution works, although I did like the "automatic play" feature that comes with Picasa.
Now for some pictures.......
Monday, September 3, 2007
Partridge Tune Up Shoot at Scarborough Fish & Game
On Sunday, September 2nd I attended the Partridge Tune Up Shoot at Scarborough Fish and Game in Scarborough, Maine. The Club re-opened Sporting Clay Shooting in May of this year. Approximately 35 Shooters attended.
The Shoot was opened to the public with 100 targets shot over 16 Stations for $50. It was organized with a Shotgun Start, four shooters per squad with flight times at 9AM and Noon. The cost for this Shoot included the NSCA target fee and lunch.
A "Big tipping of my cap" to George Pelletier and his crew! For those who weren't there, you missed a truly well-run, organized Fun Shoot! The program had 8 stations with two shooting positions at each station (red and blue), making it a less strenuous trek for more "mature" shooters.
There was a nice ebb and flow to this Shoot. Stations 1, 2, and 3 were set on the Skeet Field with a variation of left to right crossers, followed on report by a screaming overhead standard target that appeared on your right and going away from you.
Changing positions from red to blue changed the presentation at each station.
Shooters enjoyed the physical layout of the course.
The fine points were:
This was an easy course to walk with wide paths for walking and carts;
Rest stations (benches) were available at almost all stations!
I had the pleasure of shooting with Steve Rice, Ken Baessler and Bill Wiesehahn.
If there had been a suggestion box I would have suggested that the Registration Process be more finely-tuned. Also a "Warm-up" area should be available. Another suggestion would be water made available to Shooters on the course.
I would like to give a special thank you to Earl Glidden and his son, Steve who not only competed, but helped deliver and fill traps on the course.
I look forward to more exciting targets from George Pellitier.
Scarborough has a very informative website. One of the best I have seen.
They not only have Sporting Clay Shooting available, but Archery, Pistol, 5-Stand, Rifle, Trap, Wobble Trap, Home Firearm Safety, and Hunter Safety.
The link to their website is:
http://www.scarfg.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/WebHome
Now for some photos!
George Pellitier, Associate Vice President of Scarborough Fish & Games
Slide Show.....
The Shoot was opened to the public with 100 targets shot over 16 Stations for $50. It was organized with a Shotgun Start, four shooters per squad with flight times at 9AM and Noon. The cost for this Shoot included the NSCA target fee and lunch.
A "Big tipping of my cap" to George Pelletier and his crew! For those who weren't there, you missed a truly well-run, organized Fun Shoot! The program had 8 stations with two shooting positions at each station (red and blue), making it a less strenuous trek for more "mature" shooters.
There was a nice ebb and flow to this Shoot. Stations 1, 2, and 3 were set on the Skeet Field with a variation of left to right crossers, followed on report by a screaming overhead standard target that appeared on your right and going away from you.
Changing positions from red to blue changed the presentation at each station.
Shooters enjoyed the physical layout of the course.
The fine points were:
This was an easy course to walk with wide paths for walking and carts;
Rest stations (benches) were available at almost all stations!
I had the pleasure of shooting with Steve Rice, Ken Baessler and Bill Wiesehahn.
If there had been a suggestion box I would have suggested that the Registration Process be more finely-tuned. Also a "Warm-up" area should be available. Another suggestion would be water made available to Shooters on the course.
I would like to give a special thank you to Earl Glidden and his son, Steve who not only competed, but helped deliver and fill traps on the course.
I look forward to more exciting targets from George Pellitier.
Scarborough has a very informative website. One of the best I have seen.
They not only have Sporting Clay Shooting available, but Archery, Pistol, 5-Stand, Rifle, Trap, Wobble Trap, Home Firearm Safety, and Hunter Safety.
The link to their website is:
http://www.scarfg.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/WebHome
Now for some photos!
George Pellitier, Associate Vice President of Scarborough Fish & Games
Slide Show.....
Monday, August 27, 2007
Rocky Mountain Elk Shoot At Varneys' Clay Sports
The Maine Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation held a Hunter's Tune-Up at Varney's Clay Sports in Richmond, Maine today. Varney's Clay Sports is owned and operated by Brad Varney. It was a good turnout of hunters and non-hunters.
The targets were set by the "Wizard of the Woods" himself, Brad Varney! I gave Brad this moniker today after viewing the first Station on his course. Station One was 2 following pair (midis) followed by a simo pair (midi and 90mm targets).
The thing with Brad's targets is he makes you take the shot before you really want to. If you wait too long, the targets become more difficult to locate and shoot!! That's the wizardry of Brad Varney!! He takes you out of your comfort zone!
The format for this Shoot was: 50 main targets from 9am to 12:30pm, break for lunch from 11:30 to 1:30, and shoot the second 50 targets from 1-4pm.
This was a well run organized Shoot by the Maine Elk Foundation.
Question: When was the last time you went to a Shoot where not only did you feel good about supporting our hunting heritage but felt everyone left feeling like a winner?!!
This was my first Shoot with the Rocky Mountain Foundation, but it won't be my last. The men and women of this organization were friendly and sincere in their greeting to us. The raffle tables were full of products we know and use in our outdoor adventures and were provided by LL Bean; Coles Gunsmithing, Browning, Bob Allen and others.
The champion and runner-ups in each class received shells manufactured by Rios, Estates and Fiochie. I understand some folks have already signed up for next years shoot!! Has anyone seen my pen??!!
My Squad team members were: Sarah and Jeff St. Pierre, and Mark Brannon.
Lunch was your choice of cheeseburgers, or hotdogs, bags of chips, devil dogs and twinkies, and a variety of sodas.
There was a 100 target Main Event, NSCA sanctioned and Hunter Class. The entry fee of $75 included the Main Event, lunch and raffle tickets with a $50 re-entry fee for a second round of 100 targets and raffle tickets. There was also a Duck Blind Flurry: two shooters - 20 targets for $10. At the end of the shoot, awards and raffle drawings took place and it was requirement that you must be present to receive your winnings.
My squad happened to be very lucky! Three of us won merchandise! Sarah won 4 boxes of Estate Shells and a hat. Mark won a case of Fiochi and Rio shells. I won 4 boxes of Estate shells, a hat, a zippered Camo Gun case, a book, a Benelli Catalog on CD, and a leather Trap Pouch! Whew!! Haven't been that lucky in quite a while.....
The weather was beautiful! None of the humid, soggy atmosphere like we had yesterday at Hermons'. The sun was shining strongly, but Brad's woods is full of shady trees and provided great protection from the heat.
One complaint I hear more and more lately is a lack of seating at the stations at virtually all Shooting Clubs. Club owners must begin to realize and understand that a fair percentage of their patrons are, or are approaching their senior years. Some have joint or other medical problems that makes it stressful for them to shoot the course. There are some who want to shoot, but can't because there is no place for them to sit once they reach a Station, and visiting 12-14 stations is tiring and uncomfortable. Seating at each station would be very, very much welcomed by everyone, both young and older!!
Brad Varney also gives shooting instructions. He is very accommodating and loves to make sure you 'want to come back' to his Club. Brad has a website. His telephone number is: 207.737.4993. The link to his website is: http://www.varneysclaysports.com/
Now for some pictures.......
Here is a photo of Brad and his delightful companion, Alyse (I hope I spelled her name correctly...it's too late to call them and ask; so if I made a mistake I hope I will be forgiven).
And here is a Slideshow!!
The targets were set by the "Wizard of the Woods" himself, Brad Varney! I gave Brad this moniker today after viewing the first Station on his course. Station One was 2 following pair (midis) followed by a simo pair (midi and 90mm targets).
The thing with Brad's targets is he makes you take the shot before you really want to. If you wait too long, the targets become more difficult to locate and shoot!! That's the wizardry of Brad Varney!! He takes you out of your comfort zone!
The format for this Shoot was: 50 main targets from 9am to 12:30pm, break for lunch from 11:30 to 1:30, and shoot the second 50 targets from 1-4pm.
This was a well run organized Shoot by the Maine Elk Foundation.
Question: When was the last time you went to a Shoot where not only did you feel good about supporting our hunting heritage but felt everyone left feeling like a winner?!!
This was my first Shoot with the Rocky Mountain Foundation, but it won't be my last. The men and women of this organization were friendly and sincere in their greeting to us. The raffle tables were full of products we know and use in our outdoor adventures and were provided by LL Bean; Coles Gunsmithing, Browning, Bob Allen and others.
The champion and runner-ups in each class received shells manufactured by Rios, Estates and Fiochie. I understand some folks have already signed up for next years shoot!! Has anyone seen my pen??!!
My Squad team members were: Sarah and Jeff St. Pierre, and Mark Brannon.
Lunch was your choice of cheeseburgers, or hotdogs, bags of chips, devil dogs and twinkies, and a variety of sodas.
There was a 100 target Main Event, NSCA sanctioned and Hunter Class. The entry fee of $75 included the Main Event, lunch and raffle tickets with a $50 re-entry fee for a second round of 100 targets and raffle tickets. There was also a Duck Blind Flurry: two shooters - 20 targets for $10. At the end of the shoot, awards and raffle drawings took place and it was requirement that you must be present to receive your winnings.
My squad happened to be very lucky! Three of us won merchandise! Sarah won 4 boxes of Estate Shells and a hat. Mark won a case of Fiochi and Rio shells. I won 4 boxes of Estate shells, a hat, a zippered Camo Gun case, a book, a Benelli Catalog on CD, and a leather Trap Pouch! Whew!! Haven't been that lucky in quite a while.....
The weather was beautiful! None of the humid, soggy atmosphere like we had yesterday at Hermons'. The sun was shining strongly, but Brad's woods is full of shady trees and provided great protection from the heat.
One complaint I hear more and more lately is a lack of seating at the stations at virtually all Shooting Clubs. Club owners must begin to realize and understand that a fair percentage of their patrons are, or are approaching their senior years. Some have joint or other medical problems that makes it stressful for them to shoot the course. There are some who want to shoot, but can't because there is no place for them to sit once they reach a Station, and visiting 12-14 stations is tiring and uncomfortable. Seating at each station would be very, very much welcomed by everyone, both young and older!!
Brad Varney also gives shooting instructions. He is very accommodating and loves to make sure you 'want to come back' to his Club. Brad has a website. His telephone number is: 207.737.4993. The link to his website is: http://www.varneysclaysports.com/
Now for some pictures.......
Here is a photo of Brad and his delightful companion, Alyse (I hope I spelled her name correctly...it's too late to call them and ask; so if I made a mistake I hope I will be forgiven).
And here is a Slideshow!!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Hermon Skeet & Trap Club - Hermon, Maine
Hermon Skeet and Trap Club, located in Hermon, Maine (a suburb of Bangor) gave their Annual Lobster Shoot today, Saturday, August 25, 2007.
There were 14 stations, squaded "Shotgun Start." For those who do not know, this means everyone was squaded and you can start at any station that you desire, just as long as you shoot the entire 14 stations.
A lobster or steak lunch was catered by Dave Dahl. The menu was: lobster, mussels, corn on the cob, coleslaw, rolls, blueberry pie and sodas of your choice. This year, there was an additional charge for the lobster meal because of an increase in the price of lobster. The meal was $14 extra. A bargain if eaten in a restaurant!
There was a great deal of target variations at this Shoot!! Targets thrown were: standards, midis, minis, battue, and rabbits. For those who don't know, a battue is a clay that slightly tilts while in the air.
My squad consisted of Carl Freeman (our scorer), Ray Stewart, Steve Tardy, Joan Trial, Horton Preble, and Chris Consenze.
There was a mixture of "feel-good" targets and "time-to-go-to-work" targets.
The first station of interest was Station number 4. The presentation consisted of two "report" pairs and two "simo" pair.
On calling for your targets you had a midi coming over your head on your right-hand side.
On "report" from the Trap House (approximately 30 yards in front of you) was a "standard" that was thrown from right-to-left.
The trick was to kill the midi and on "report" have your muzzle over the trap house to pick up the target going to the left.
Another interesting station was station number ten. On this station muzzle speed management had to be "spot-on!"
The presentation was a hard 30 yard right-to-left crosser on report, followed by a slower left-to-right crosser that three-quarters of its flight, became a "dropper" no more than 45 yards in front of you. You had to make a strong move for the "right-to-left" crosser, then you had to back off your speed to acquire the left-to-right crosser.
Many Shooters shot either way too far in front, or tried to measure the shot, and as a result, shot "behind" the target!
The next station I found intriguing was Station number nine. Here you had a right-to-left arcing midi, followed on report by a high, going-away standard on your right, arcing slightly to your left. This was a high bird that was thrown off their new 35 foot tower.
Approximately 67 shooters participated. The air was loaded with humidity accompanied by a heavy dew point making it a warm, very soggy day.
In summation this was a great Shoot!
A nice job done by Joan and Henry Trial and their volunteer staff! Bravo!!
The Shoot was $45 for 100 Main Event targets with a second round of 100 targets costing $30.
Now for the SlideShow!!
There were 14 stations, squaded "Shotgun Start." For those who do not know, this means everyone was squaded and you can start at any station that you desire, just as long as you shoot the entire 14 stations.
A lobster or steak lunch was catered by Dave Dahl. The menu was: lobster, mussels, corn on the cob, coleslaw, rolls, blueberry pie and sodas of your choice. This year, there was an additional charge for the lobster meal because of an increase in the price of lobster. The meal was $14 extra. A bargain if eaten in a restaurant!
There was a great deal of target variations at this Shoot!! Targets thrown were: standards, midis, minis, battue, and rabbits. For those who don't know, a battue is a clay that slightly tilts while in the air.
My squad consisted of Carl Freeman (our scorer), Ray Stewart, Steve Tardy, Joan Trial, Horton Preble, and Chris Consenze.
There was a mixture of "feel-good" targets and "time-to-go-to-work" targets.
The first station of interest was Station number 4. The presentation consisted of two "report" pairs and two "simo" pair.
On calling for your targets you had a midi coming over your head on your right-hand side.
On "report" from the Trap House (approximately 30 yards in front of you) was a "standard" that was thrown from right-to-left.
The trick was to kill the midi and on "report" have your muzzle over the trap house to pick up the target going to the left.
Another interesting station was station number ten. On this station muzzle speed management had to be "spot-on!"
The presentation was a hard 30 yard right-to-left crosser on report, followed by a slower left-to-right crosser that three-quarters of its flight, became a "dropper" no more than 45 yards in front of you. You had to make a strong move for the "right-to-left" crosser, then you had to back off your speed to acquire the left-to-right crosser.
Many Shooters shot either way too far in front, or tried to measure the shot, and as a result, shot "behind" the target!
The next station I found intriguing was Station number nine. Here you had a right-to-left arcing midi, followed on report by a high, going-away standard on your right, arcing slightly to your left. This was a high bird that was thrown off their new 35 foot tower.
Approximately 67 shooters participated. The air was loaded with humidity accompanied by a heavy dew point making it a warm, very soggy day.
In summation this was a great Shoot!
A nice job done by Joan and Henry Trial and their volunteer staff! Bravo!!
The Shoot was $45 for 100 Main Event targets with a second round of 100 targets costing $30.
Now for the SlideShow!!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
"Summer's End Sporting Clays Shoot" at Silverton Sporting Ranch
Welcome to everyone checking out my Blog! I created it because I love shooting Sporting Clays and have been involved in it one way or another for over 15 years. I have patronized quite a few clubs in the East. Some well known, and some not. Not enough information is reported about Shooting Clubs and what information is reported in various publications, is usually focused upon the larger ones leaving smaller local clubs without much exposure at all unless it is by word of mouth. I am hoping to change that with this Blog.
Smaller Clubs need to be talked about; pictures need to be seen. In today's economy, out of necessity, people are cutting back on travelling long distances like they used to for Shoots, and the local more accessible Clubs will be seeing more and more shooters.
As I shoot locally, at the smaller Clubs, or at the larger more famous ones, I will share my experiences with you in this Blog.
Now for the first Post.......
This past Saturday and Sunday; August 18-19th there was a "Summers' End Sporting Clays Shoot at Silverton Sporting Ranch in Canaan, Maine. Silverton is owned and operated by Denise Murchison. More can be read about Silverton here: http://silvertonranch.blogspot.com/ including a link to Silverton's website.
On Saturday there was a 100 Target NSCA registered shoot and a 48 Target Triples shoot.
It was a "fun shoot," but it was fun shoot that had tournament quality targets! The first four stations presented challenging, thought provoking presentations.
For example; Station number one had a "right-to-left" quartering "away" target. On "report" (approximately 50 yards) was an incoming target that fell to the left!
There was a mixture of "in-your-face" targets: a mixture of speed, distance, and close targets! This was a thinking man's and woman's course!
One of the more unique stations was Station number ten: a combination of shooting station set to the right of the Trap House, and the target presentation was a single rabbit, followed by a trap target; and on "report" a rabbit and a trap target; and finally, two "simo pair" of a rabbit and a trap target! A slow gun wasn't going to find any of these targets at all!!
The wind wreaked havoc with presentations in the open field areas. I had a good squad headed up by Mark Brannon, his friend Tom; Jeff and Sarah St. Pierre. Jeff and Sarah St Pierre run the 5-Stand at the Arnold Trail Club in Sidney, Maine. The fee for the Main Event was $45 with $20 for re-entry; and $25 for the Triples Shoot.
Sunday at Silverton was the Maine State 5-Stand Championship, the Flushing Flurry, and the Long Bird competition. It was a sunny bright day, with no winds at Silverton. The turnout was low, but the action was high, and lots of fun at this competition.
An added touch that I have never seen in other 5-Stand Competitions was the addition of comfortable wooden lawn chairs provided for the competitors' comfort while waiting their turn to shoot the 5-Stand. Denise Murchison makes you feel welcomed, and at-home while at Silverton. Silverton, in my opinion, is truly the "Addieville" of northern New England!
The presentations were challenging on this Level 3 competition; consisting of 2-shot singles, reports and simo pairs.
The Long Bird was shot from two positions. The first hoop was set as a 45 yard crosser. The second shooting position was set at a 60 yard crosser. A shoot-off was necessary and won by Micah Parker of New Hampshire.
The two-man Flurry was won by Mark from Maine, and "yours truly."
I think the most effective way to shoot a flurry is to concentrate only on the targets presented by the machine in front of you. I didn't chase targets thrown by the other machine. I let my team mate handle those.
It was a great 2 day Shoot!! A job well done by Denise; her Field Manager J.D. McLellan and her staff......!
Denise also served food for participants: burgers, hotdogs, salad, chilli with cornbread and sodas, at no additional charge! That's a wonderful and welcomed touch. The 5-Stand Championship fee was $25 (on both days fees included NSCA registration).
And now for some photos:
Here is "Yours Truly" with J.D. McLellan, Field Manager of Silverton
A better photo of J.D.
Silverton's owner, Denise Murchison speaking with JD
Here is a Slideshow Presentation........
Smaller Clubs need to be talked about; pictures need to be seen. In today's economy, out of necessity, people are cutting back on travelling long distances like they used to for Shoots, and the local more accessible Clubs will be seeing more and more shooters.
As I shoot locally, at the smaller Clubs, or at the larger more famous ones, I will share my experiences with you in this Blog.
Now for the first Post.......
This past Saturday and Sunday; August 18-19th there was a "Summers' End Sporting Clays Shoot at Silverton Sporting Ranch in Canaan, Maine. Silverton is owned and operated by Denise Murchison. More can be read about Silverton here: http://silvertonranch.blogspot.com/ including a link to Silverton's website.
On Saturday there was a 100 Target NSCA registered shoot and a 48 Target Triples shoot.
It was a "fun shoot," but it was fun shoot that had tournament quality targets! The first four stations presented challenging, thought provoking presentations.
For example; Station number one had a "right-to-left" quartering "away" target. On "report" (approximately 50 yards) was an incoming target that fell to the left!
There was a mixture of "in-your-face" targets: a mixture of speed, distance, and close targets! This was a thinking man's and woman's course!
One of the more unique stations was Station number ten: a combination of shooting station set to the right of the Trap House, and the target presentation was a single rabbit, followed by a trap target; and on "report" a rabbit and a trap target; and finally, two "simo pair" of a rabbit and a trap target! A slow gun wasn't going to find any of these targets at all!!
The wind wreaked havoc with presentations in the open field areas. I had a good squad headed up by Mark Brannon, his friend Tom; Jeff and Sarah St. Pierre. Jeff and Sarah St Pierre run the 5-Stand at the Arnold Trail Club in Sidney, Maine. The fee for the Main Event was $45 with $20 for re-entry; and $25 for the Triples Shoot.
Sunday at Silverton was the Maine State 5-Stand Championship, the Flushing Flurry, and the Long Bird competition. It was a sunny bright day, with no winds at Silverton. The turnout was low, but the action was high, and lots of fun at this competition.
An added touch that I have never seen in other 5-Stand Competitions was the addition of comfortable wooden lawn chairs provided for the competitors' comfort while waiting their turn to shoot the 5-Stand. Denise Murchison makes you feel welcomed, and at-home while at Silverton. Silverton, in my opinion, is truly the "Addieville" of northern New England!
The presentations were challenging on this Level 3 competition; consisting of 2-shot singles, reports and simo pairs.
The Long Bird was shot from two positions. The first hoop was set as a 45 yard crosser. The second shooting position was set at a 60 yard crosser. A shoot-off was necessary and won by Micah Parker of New Hampshire.
The two-man Flurry was won by Mark from Maine, and "yours truly."
I think the most effective way to shoot a flurry is to concentrate only on the targets presented by the machine in front of you. I didn't chase targets thrown by the other machine. I let my team mate handle those.
It was a great 2 day Shoot!! A job well done by Denise; her Field Manager J.D. McLellan and her staff......!
Denise also served food for participants: burgers, hotdogs, salad, chilli with cornbread and sodas, at no additional charge! That's a wonderful and welcomed touch. The 5-Stand Championship fee was $25 (on both days fees included NSCA registration).
And now for some photos:
Here is "Yours Truly" with J.D. McLellan, Field Manager of Silverton
A better photo of J.D.
Silverton's owner, Denise Murchison speaking with JD
Here is a Slideshow Presentation........
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