Shotgun Committee Notes:

Several notes regarding the Shotgun Committee are appropriate, I believe, as we approach the end of the year.

First, the use of the shotgun ranges is up considerably from last year judging by rounds purchased, so the members are using the range more and that is the whole object of the Shotgun Committee formation.  The Saturday morning shooting is really busy and seems to be enjoyed by all.  The 4-H Club shooters are buying a lot of rounds and that is encouraging for the future of the sport and the ownership of firearms in general.

Second, please exercise caution and proper procedures when opening and closing of the trap and skeet houses.  These machines can break a hand, arm or leg in a heartbeat if one is not careful.  Too many times the skeet machines are left in the cocked position because the person closing the houses fails to release the arm by pushing down on the spring loaded switch prior to unplugging the power cord.

  Then that person and the next person to open the house ends up standing in front of a cocked arm in order to replace/remove the steel closure to the window.  This is a dangerous practice.  Please release the arm with the switch, unplug the power cord and then replace the steel closure.  Also when releasing the arm, make sure no other member is in the flight path of the bird picking up hulls, etc.  In general be cautious around these machines and do not walk in front of the skeet house window or the trap house when they are in operation.

Next item is an obvious failure in the part of those who give the orientations.  It must not be emphasized enough during the Orientation that when the member is through shooting and had shut down the machine, IT MUST BE REFILLED with clay targets.  If you are in a time bind and don’t have time to refill the machine, then you don’t have time to shoot in the first place.  Please be courteous to the member that is following you and refill the machines when you have completed your rounds.  Gentlemen are conscious of the burdens they may impose on others.

Happy Holidays and we’ll see y’all at the range