DECEMBER 2000 NEWSLETTER
© Bruce Buck, editor

ESSENTIALS AT EAST MOUNTAIN, East Mountain, November 19, 2000.
By Vinny La Scalza.

It is a tradition that at this time of every year, a small group of
people get together from different walks of life, put aside their own
small daily pursuits, and bring all their energy and focus to a
single task at hand. Strength, endurance, and keen eyesight are
required, and no one will leave until the task is completed. One
might mistakenly think that I am describing the Florida Board of
Elections, when in fact, I am referring to the annual Dr. Rudy
Passero Memorial Club Championships, held at East Mountain Preserve.

You could tell it was a different kind of shoot from the very first
moment you arrived. Usually, one can hear scores of people laughing
and talking enthusiastically, but not at this shoot. Many men seemed
pre-occupied with checking their choke collection, or the bottom of
their coffee cups as they secretly noted who of their competition
showed for the event. You can bet that John D…’s car is well
recognized by everyone in Class One. Even the ladies, who can
ordinarily be seen in small clusters discussing the new guns their
husbands thought they safely smuggled into the house, were somewhat
apprehensive as the starting moment arrived.

And what did East Mountain throw for us? One hundred sly, subtle,
and hard to hit targets that were all within range. Let’s start with
station #1 directly across from the clubhouse with the serene pond at
your back and all hell breaking loose in front of you. Yes, I am
talking about the arrow and the pumpkin station. The first pair
began with a target thrown very slowly across your eyes not ten yards
away. This target was so big it seemed to blot out some of the sky.
On report, a quartering away edge on bird was thrown from the left to
the right. This was a fast, tough shot as people broke it around 30
yards away. This presentation was interesting, but also subtle. The
next two pair were simo pairs, but you now had to hit them in reverse
order. The first shot had to be at the going away bird before it
entered Connecticut, while at the same time someone seemed to be
tossing a pumpkin across your field of vision. You needed mental
discipline to ignore the close bird until you were ready to break it.
This close and far bird was the cause of one semi-auto (single
barrel) user to be seen after the shoot, wandering the dirt road with
a choke wrench in his barrel, tossing choke tubes over his shoulder
and muttering something about "missing strawberries."

Station #2 was a rabbit on amphetamines quartering away at about 30
yards and a flipping midi arcing through the air and landing 30 yards
away. The first pair was a report pair while the next two were
simos. Do you see a pattern here? When you mix report pairs with
simo pairs you are stopping the shooter from getting comfortably in a
rhythm and grooving the birds. Now, the second pair will be
different than the first pair and you have to anticipate this
difference before you yell, "Pull!" Again, this requires you to
visualize where the targets will be before you call for them.
Incidentally, rabbits and flipping birds are among the most difficult
clay targets to break. The rabbits are thick and flipping targets
lack centrifugal force to help on the break-apart process. This
station needed a mod choke to concentrate firepower and 7-1/2s for
the rabbit. With all this going against the shooter, it is a tribute
to our ability that we broke any targets here.

Station #3, the first station on the left side of the fork in the
dirt road, is a signature station for East Mountain. There are two
birds launched perhaps 45 yards away quartering at a slight angle in
and by the shooter. The closest point to the shooter is 30 yards.
What makes this station a nightmare is that everything is sloping
down at a slight angle including the shooting station. Are the birds
dropping? And by how much? These questions were difficult to answer.
Add to this the fact that the first pair again was a report pair
traveling much faster than the upcoming simo pairs and requiring
different leads, and you have as one old time Traveler said, "A real
cheek squeezer!" The people who hit birds here all say that you must
be in front and somewhat under. When I shoot here I say, "What’s for
lunch?"

Station #5 featured the same pattern of one report pair and two simo
pairs. These were birds that were very, very high, running out of
forward momentum across the sky, originating from the right
somewhere, and eventually falling 30 yards from the shooter. I saw
people attempt these birds as two falling targets but that was risky.
Even though the birds were high, they seemed to hit the ground too
quickly to comfortably allow enough time for this approach. The
common approach to these targets was to take the first bird early
streaking across the sky and the second bird just as it began to
fall. The key was to remember that although the birds seemed to be
out of forward momentum, you still had to lead them. Even the
falling target was falling and still moving slightly forward.

Let’s not forget to mention station #12, which was the simo battues
thrown from left to right quartering away. Yes, you are right they
never turned! They were edge on the entire length of their
trajectory with some "lucky" shooters getting a little more to shoot
15 feet off the ground out at the 45-yard mark. This was just plain
old tough. It was like trying to hit edge on razor blades at 30
yards away. You had to use Full choke just to get the correct
density of shot to work with. I saw one shooter get annoyed and
stomp away yelling, "Those were unfair targets!" Unfortunately,
there was a small puddle of water surrounded by mud next to this
station. It was probably the only standing water on the entire
course, and as he stomped through it, mud came up and splattered his
pants. After shooting this station and packing up my gear, I saw the
big footprints in the mud, and I burst out laughing. Is there
something wrong with me?

When you add all the sly, subtle elements of this course up, you get
some sobering results. The average for this shoot was a 52 down from
the club average of 62, but up three birds from last month’s tortuous
contest. Upon hearing this Reload!’s commander in chief said, "You
see, we are improving!" Perhaps, it is wise to end on this note.

On a more serious item, it has come to my attention that there is a
Traveler who is now using a new gun with 32 inch barrels in
competition. Stay alert at our next shoot and see if you can spot
him. Obviously this gives him quite an advantage over the rest of us
with just 30-inch barrels. Although two inches doesn’t sound like
much, you must remember that there are 100 targets in a tournament.
The simple math behind this problem produces a startling number of
200 inches of advantage. Why, this is well over 16 feet, and it
should be apparent now to all what an unfair advantage. This issue
will have to be addressed at the annual meeting, and I have complete
confidence that an appropriate handicap system for this shooter can
be worked out.


HOA John De Vito 80
I-1 Mike Horodyski 77
I-2 Peter Wicker 73
I-3 Vinny La Scalza 72
II-1 Jim Jannuzzo 73
II-2 Godfrey Sheldon 73
II-3 Mike De John 72
III-1 Niles Bennett 71
III-2 Ted Knapp 66
III-3 Tom Boyle 62
IV-1 Mike Steiner 63
IV-2 Micky Walka 63
IV-3 Dick Orenstein 63
V-1 Richard Russo 67
V-2 Danni Jesudowich 57
V-3 Terry Granger 45
VI-1 Jonathon Tessler 32
VI-2 Dan Pauletti 30
VI-3 Carol Roesslein 28
Vet-1 Ed Moritt 73
Vet-2 Joe Maresca 71
Vet-3 Bruce Buck 69
Lady-1 Pam Russo 58
Lady-2 Paula Moore 58
Lady-3 Susie Clarke 57
Jr.-1 Kieran Farslow 50
Jr-2 Luke Sproviero 44
Jr-3 George Kaiser Jr 44
Jr-4 Kristen Rockwell 25
Guest Simon Muska 56

HAROLD KOEHLER SOCIETY SHOOT East Mountain, November 26, 2000.
By Dick Orenstein.

Fifty-five shooters braved the rain and wind to shoot the Travelers’
sponsored Harold Koehler Society event. And yes, the rain did stop
during the day- just as we all were leaving the field!

This was a three-shot shoot. Ten stands offered targets in groups of
three. It was often a simo pair followed by one on the second report.
Many third targets were not attempted when people simply forgot to
load three or to look for the third bird. It’s amazing what a little
change in routine does. While there were a few pumps, this was
clearly the day for automatics.

After the shoot we got to dry off and share a delicious lunch with
the Koehler Society seniors and Ann Koehler, Harold’s widow. Also in
attendance were Matthew Villodas and his parents. Matthew is one of
this year’s Society scholarship recipients, attending SUNY New York
at Delhi in Carpentry Management. The scholarship program assists
those learning the Trades and also those studying Conservation. A
brisk raffle was held to raise additional monies and generous door
prizes closed the day.

CTSCA VIDEO LIBRARY…

Our lending library of sporting clays tapes now has 22 different
titles. There is something on every possible sporting clays technique
and some good bits on chokes and loads. There are also some dog
training and bird hunting videos.

You can rent the tapes 14 days for $6. Either pick them up at a shoot
or contact the Travelers video librarian Craig Johnson at
203-356-9991 for arrangements. Donations to the library are also most
welcome if you have an interesting tape you no longer need.


MISS MANNERS …

"Ah, the end of the year", intoned the grey haired school marm to her
pet Chihuahua, Diesel. The goggle-eyed canine looked up from the
day-old watercress sandwich he was assaulting. Like all other dogs,
when humans spoke he only heard "Blah, blah, blah- good!" or "Blah,
blah, blah- bad!" The Boss’ invocation was sort of in between so he
ignored it.

"Diesel, we need some New Year’s resolutions. I’ll resolve to limit
myself to two Martinis a night, if you will too." Diesel eagerly
wagged his scrawny tail and blinked his bulging eyes. "Suchadeal", he
thought. He always got the olive. It appealed to his Latin nature.

Miss M chattered on happily. If the truth be told, since the New Year
hadn’t started, she wasn’t yet bound by the resolution and was well
into her third gin soup. "Make hay while the shine suns", she
thought.

"The problem with New Year’s resolutions is that everyone makes them,
but no one keeps them. There ought to be a way to ensure that they
are carried out", she went on, staring at the olive, now beached high
and dry at the bottom of the empty glass. Diesel eyed it expectantly.
She glanced at the dog. "Diesel, you could be the Sheriff, sort of
an enforcer. Be tough! Show us your teeth and growl like a good
little boy." The Chihuahua laid his ears back, squinted his eyes in
his best Clint Eastwood imitation, and squeaked his little growl.
Then he held his paw out to "shake" and rolled over to get his tummy
scratched. He loved doing tricks, but sometimes they confused him.
The promised olive soared through the air in his direction and he was
happy.

Some time later, Diesel went to the back door and scratched to go
out. Miss Manners opened the door and said "Diesel, do your duty." On
the command, Diesel lifted his leg and hosed down the pachysandra. He
returned to the house and the two went to bed. There was a big shoot
tomorrow and they both needed the rest.

It was a marvelous course. The targets were Travelers Tough with just
enough dégagé insouciance to take the edge off. Everyone was having a
good time, groaning at their misses and hooting with unrestrained
glee at the hits. This was sporting clays with the emphasis on
"sporting". Until Raul Slithe slithered in.

As in the old Westerns, Slithe was one of the bad guys dressed in
black. He was particularly proud of his shiny black boots. He spent
hours making them gleam and made a point of standing apart in crowd
lest they be trodden upon. Of course, standing apart was not problem.
No one wanted to be near him.

Slithe always made sure that he was leadoff man on his squad of hand
picked toadies and sycophants. He watched the targets as the previous
squad (Miss Manners’ it so happened) shot. When they had finished he
stepped into the cage and called for a view-pair. He knew quite well
that at Travelers shoots a squad leader should only ask for a view
pair is he hasn’t had a reasonable opportunity to see the targets
being shot by the previous squad. It wasted targets and delayed the
shoot for everyone else, but he didn’t care. "Screw ‘em", he thought.
"I’m me. Those rules are just for the little people." As he waited,
he shined a boot toe by rubbing it against the rear of his other leg.

On the next pair, Raul refused to shoot. "The sun was in my eyes" he
whined. The fact that the sun had been the same for everyone didn’t
faze him. He hadn’t been ready and he wanted another chance. When the
next pair came, Raul fired at one bird, missing, and then refused to
fire at the second. "That bird was irregular! It was different from
the others. I get to shoot them both again. Isn’t that right squad?"
"Oh, yes. Yes, indeed." intoned the chorus of Slithe’s pals. Raul
rubbed another speck of dust off his gleaming boots.

None of this was lost on Miss Manners. She seethed and muttered to
Diesel. She just hated cheats and rule benders. Diesel didn’t though.
He was a dog after all and didn’t have a clue. But he was attracted
to those boots.

At the final station on the course, Miss Manners saw Raul miss two
birds. The referee called them lost too. But the referee was Raul’s
pal and didn’t write them in as lost. He wrote them in as hits. Raul
checked his scorecard and smiled, saying nothing.

Miss Manners’ gimlet grey eyes took it all in. She went up to Raul
and confronted him. "Raul, you ought to be arrested for what you just
did." "Who, me?" he said smirking. "I didn’t do nuthin," he said as
he shined another boot toe.

"Sheriff Diesel. Come here," said the enraged Miss M to the
Chihuahua. Diesel came over and goggled up at Raul. Raul guffawed at
the little dog. "What’s that mutt gonna do? Arrest me?" "Not quite",
said Miss M. "Sheriff Diesel, do your duty!"

Which Diesel did. Raul never wore the boots again.



*** 2000 CONNECTICUT TRAVELERS SHOOT SCHEDULE ***

DEC 17 MID-COUNTY- CHRISTMAS PARTY

*** 2001 CONNECTICUT TRAVELERS SHOOT SCHEDULE ***

JAN 21 EAST MOUNTAIN ­ MID-WINTER MARTYRDOM
APR 6-8 SPRING TRIP ­ MARYLAND NORTH SOUTH SKIRMISH

*** OTHER SHOOTS OF INTEREST ***
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, CALL AHEAD TO CONFIRM

None listed. Come on folks! This is fee publicity for your shoot. Let
us know. Contact Bruce Buck at <bbuck@juno.com> or tel: 203-454-1080.


CONTACTING THE TRAVELERS...

CTSCA Home Office: Email <CTSCA@email.com> (by far the best way) or
telephone 860-354-9351 if you absolutely must.

Membership, Address Changes and Shooting Class: Contact Cyndi Dalena
at 860-584-1083, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Leave message. Or Email
shotguncyndi@prodigy.net

Reload! To place an ad or post a shoot date, contact Bruce Buck at
203-454-1080 (worst way) or <bbuck@juno.com> (best way). The current
and previous issues of Reload! are posted on the internet at
<www.shotgunreport.com>.


**** THE UPCOMING TRAVELERS MONTHLY SHOOT ****

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17
CHRISTMAS PARTY SHOOT
MID-COUNTY GUN CLUB
LAGRANGEVILLE, NY

It’s Christmas Party time! Our most popular shoot of the year, this
is the time when the Travelers Club says "Thank you" to the members.
There will be gifts aplenty with prizes and lots of lucky raffles. Of
course, the gifts won’t extend to the course, which will be the usual
tough love. Well, rumor has it that even course designers get the
Christmas spirit, so there is hope.

Due to its extreme popularity, THIS IS A MEMBERS ONLY SHOOT. We don’t
exclude guests very often, but this has to be one of those times in
order to be fair to all the members who want to attend. The shoot
will cost $75. This is a bit more expensive than usual, but those of
you who have been to previous Christmas shoots understand why. There
are usually just bags and bags of loot to be handed out to good
little boy and girl Travelers. Fasting for a few days before the
shoot wouldn’t be a bad idea either. The banquets that the Mid-County
members cook for us are always memorable. We must have your shoot
reservations in our hands no later than Thursday, December 14th.
No-shows and cancellations after that date cannot be refunded and
their entry fees will be donated to our Traveler’s charity. Arrive by
9:00 AM and check your name off at the registrar’s table. Then, and
only then, can you begin your assault on those mounds of Dunkin
Donuts and gallons of Colombian dark roast high test Java.

At this time of year, we are all mindful of the blessings showered
upon us. It is right and proper to give a little something back to
say "thank you". The Travelers participate in the well-known US
Marines "Toys for Tots" program. We hope that every Traveler
attending the Christmas shoot can bring a NEW, UNWRAPPED child’s toy
to donate. Even if you can’t attend the shoot, perhaps you could give
the toy to a shooting friend to bring for you.

DIRECTIONS to Mid-County Gun Club, Lagrangeville, NY: From the
Rte 84/Taconic intersection, take Taconic North for about 10 miles to
Rte 55 East exit. Go East (right turn) on Rte 55 for about 1 mile to
Rte 55/Rte 82 intersection. Turn Left and follow Rte 82 for about 1
mile to County Road 89 on Right. Turn Right onto County Road 89 and
follow it for 3_ miles to club entrance on Right. Mid-County’s
telephone number is 904-677-5736.

REMEMBER, EYE PROTECTION IS MANDATORY AT ALL TRAVELERS SHOOTS