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NOVEMBER 2001 NEWSLETTER © Bruce Buck, editor

OKTOBERSCHUTZENFEST

Millbrook Rod & Gun Club, October 21, 2001, by Lans Christensen

Ach du lieber, war dass nicht ein schutzenfest ?? Autumn was in
full, flat-out glory and the day promised sun, warmth, gemutlichkeit,
and Lavert Cyphert’s toughest traveler targets ever. We got it all,
and then some.

One must remember that this shoot will always be unique, no matter
where it is held. It falls smack in the middle of peak foliage season
here in Traveler territory, and if it’s a sunny day, you get
Technicolor mayhem in the woodsl Throw in some mach one orange
missiles, and you’re in for a tough day of sporting clays. That said,
we all shot the same targets, and the results only confirm an earlier
caveat of mine: Don’t let that final number define your day. If you
hit some, you done good!

Lavert single handedly raised the bar, set the standards, and pushed
the envelope. Millbrook has always had a few "signature" stations: #1
used to throw that gentle true pair from the right that would settle
peacefully (and unbroken) into the pond across from the stand. This
was a classically deceptive target that gave all level of shooters a
good test. I was sorry to see the presentation changed. It was
equally tough, but not as subtle.

Likewise on #2 where crossers were now absolute rockets and angled a
little deeper into the woods. My only thoughts: Don’t let Lavert wind
your watch. The battues on station #4 were particularly vicious, and
rarely turned full face. A slight back-up meant that several of us
had the time to watch and plot. The strategy seemed to be to go at
the target early and aggressively, even though it was still on edge.
Imagine the surprise when one got in the box and discovered that the
top bar of the box stopped you from setting up to take the shot
early.

The poison bird station (#5) really had shooters at their limits:
Coming out from below you, there were two orange and one green bird
thrown simo and in random array. It took a heartbeat to find the two
orange birds and attack them, the second of which was now a fifty
yard shot by the time you got to it. Fun, but a little extreme.

From there on, the course stayed tough, but fair. For instance, the
out-going true pair from the tower was a terrific target. Without a
reference point (trees), it was hard to read distance and
forward/downward allowance, hence some guesswork. With only three
pair, that’s a luxury one can’t afford.

The only other four pair station was #12. This station combined a
fast quartering-away bird with a short window incomer. Finding the
first against the colorful backdrop was difficult. Looking back to
the trap gave you a blurred orange streak, but I found it enough to
establish a line that could be picked up as the target cleared the
trees…a small victory.

Another of Millbrook’s signature stations is the towering teal at
#13. These were thankfully left un-tweaked: They don’t need it. Great
target! We emerged from the woods for the last three stations. No
mysteries or camouflage here, just fast, far, and challenging.

#15 started with a true trap target, followed on report by a
world-class quartering away bird. This one was impressive, and still
under power and climbing when it hit the trees 65 yards out. When
they run the highlight reels, they will show the one Traveler (her
initials are Cyndi Dalena) who ran the station.

135 shaken Travelers regrouped for a great lunch. Bon Appetit!
Millbrook had three, count-em, deep fat turkey fryers bubbling away,
and provided a sensational meal. We’ve been hearing about thiscooking
method for a while, but had a certain misgivings about the concept.
No more. Fried turkey rules!

Once again Lavert and the Millbrook R&G crew provided us all a very
memorable day, and they deservedly got a big hand and some loving
jibes about the targets. Last year the shoot average was 49. This
year, friends, it was 43.2, and if Mike Horodyski had stayed home,
we’d have probably been in the 30’s. We should all just give this guy
a big hug ‘cause we know how tough this course was. Nice one, Mike.

HOA Mike Horodyski 81
I-1 Bruce Galotto 73
I-2 Gabe D’Arco 69
I-3 Todd Murphy 67
II-1 John Lawlor 66
II-2 Richard Cook 65
II-3 Doug Moore 60
III-1 Joe Ary 57
III-2 Jay Colin 55
III-3 George Parsons 53
IV-1 Dick Orenstein 55
IV-2 Frank Bareis 53
IV-3 Howard Weiss 53
V-1 Bob Ellsworth 54
V-2 John Steenbock 47
V-3 Estella Vaden 46
VI-1 Debbe Christensen 27
VI-2 Dan Pauletti 22
VI-3 Wendy Salisbury 21
Ldy-1 Paula Moore 56
Ldy-2 Cyndi Dalena 51
Ldy-3 Sue Foster 40
Mdm Fran Gallogly 51
Vet-1 Al Anglace 64
Vet-2 Ed Moritt 57
Vet-3 John Mohler 55
SVet John Levy 53
Jr-1 Luke Sproviero 34
Jr-2 Trevor Moehske 30
Guest Stephanie Staufer 64

GUIDEBOOK…

Danni Jesudowich, former Guidebook Editor, has passed the torch to
Dick Orenstein. Danni & Alex moved to Cape Cod in May of this year.
Given the logistical problems of editing and printing from afar, Dick
was kind enough to step in and take over. For those of you who have
questions, modifications, additions, etc. to your info, please
contact Dick Orenstein at <rho@usa.com> or call 203-454-4724. The
Guidebook information comes from your renewal application. A
Travelers Guidebook, listing all members’ names and addresses, is
included with your membership.

REMINDER…

Even though you check off your sub-class (Lady, Mesdames, Vet, Super
Vet and Junior) when you send in the coupon with the entry fee,
please also make sure to also write your sub-class on your scorecard
at the shoot. You don’t have to write in your normal class (I~VI). We
have that information. Also, if you are using a subgauge, pump or
SxS, make sure to write that clearly on the scorecard so that you can
take advantage of the unique Travelers SubGauge Handicap: 12=0, 16=3,
20=5, 28=10, 410=20, pump or SxS gets an additional 5. Example: a 410
SxS gets 20+5=25 bird handicap. Suchadeal!

Scoring is a hectic job. Our scorers are volunteers. If you don’t
write in your sub-class or handicap, you may not get credit. If we
make a mistake, we are sorry. Of course, if you volunteer to help
score, there would certainly be no more errors.

VIDEO TAPE LIBRARY…

The CTSCA library has grown. Thanks to gifts from Donna and Bruce
Galotto our library now contains eight videotapes of fly fishing and
angling.

Next time you are at a shoot check out these plus other hunting and
sporting clay videos or call Craig Johnson at 203-356-9991. Remember,
watching this stuff is how Al got his start.

Also, if you have any old VHS shooting tapes that you would like to
donate to the Travelers library so that others can view them, just
bring them to a shoot and leave them at the registration desk
"Attention: Craig Johnson".

KOEHLER SOCIETY FUND RAISER …

Make sure to take a look at the Koehler Society flyer in this
newsletter. It’s one of the Travelers most meaningful fundraiser
sporting clays shoots.

Set aside the date of Sunday, November 25 at East Mountain for a fun
shoot and magnifico chow by Chef D’Andrea. Shoot ‘n Eat. Two of the
things Travelers do best. And all for a good cause.

SENSELESS TECHNOIDAL FILLER…

Did you know that when you put a … No, you knew that. No point in
repeating it.

MORE USELESS TECHNOIDAL FILLER…

We all fuss about getting just the right choke for a certain shot,
but does it really matter all that much? I mean, other than making us
feel better, does is choke selection an exact science?

Lots of people think that there are only three shotgun distances:
near, normal and far. There’s also the fudge factor in how much of
the target is exposed (edge-on versus full open), but you get the
idea.

If you consider that Cylinder Bore gives about/roughly/more-or-less
the same pattern percentage at 20 yards that Full chokes gives at 40
yards, there is only so much choke division that you can do in that
intervening 20~40 yard space.

Also, how accurate are you at determining distances? Can you judge
the distance of a flying target within five yards? Ten? This is where
the near/normal/far stuff starts to make sense.

The Technoid doesn’t advocate one choke for everything (though a pair
of Mods combined with a full dose of #7-1/2s is not the worst way to
go), but he does advocate sanity. The selection of the perfect choke
might be worth one or two birds out of 100. The ability to analyze
the target and point the gun in the right place is worth the other
98. If you spend all your time screwing in chokes instead of figuring
out what the target is doing, the choke isn’t the only thing getting
screwed.

Another Technoid Truism: anyone who thinks that you don’t need a Full
choke somewhere in your kit has never been good enough to get to the
shoot-off.


*** 2001 CONNECTICUT TRAVELERS SHOOT SCHEDULE ***

NOV 18 EAST MOUNTAIN-CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
NOV 25 EAST MOUNTAIN-KOEHLER SOCIETY FUNDRAISER
DEC 16 MID-COUNTY-CHRISTMAS PARTY SHOOT


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


NOV 9~11 PEACE DALE, RI (401-789-3730) FALL FITASC CH
DEC 2 NEWGATE COON CLUB (860-738-3619) CHRISTMAS SHOOT


TENTATIVE 2002 SHOOTING CALENDAR

INFORMATION BELOW IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
CHECK RELOAD! FOR UPTO DATE INFORMATION

JAN 20 EAST MOUNTAIN, NY -WINTER MARTYDOM
FEB 17 EAST MOUNTAIN, NY-ANNUAL MEETING
MAR 17 MID HUDSON TRAP & SKEET, NY-MARCH MADNESS
APR 5~7* SPRING TRIP TO MARYLAND, MD-NORTH SOUTH SKIRMISH
APR 21 OLD NEWGATE COON CLUB, CT-TAX TIME REVOLT
MAY 5* EAST MOUNTAIN, NY-COURTING CLAYS
MAY 19 TAMARACK PRESERVE, NY-MAY MINUET
MY 31~JU2 PEACE DALE PRESERVE, RI-TRAVELERS FITASC CHAMPIONSHIPS
JUN 23 TAMARACK, NY-NAT’L WILD TURKEY FED CONCURRENT SHOOT
JUL 21 SANDANONA/ORVIS, NY-SUMMERTIME, SUMMERTIME
AUG 9~11 ADDIEVILLE EAST, RI-GREAT EASTERN LOBSTER CLASSIC
SEP 15 FAIRFIELD COUNTY F&G, CT-SMALL GAUGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
OCT 5~7* SITE PENDING-FALL TRIP
OCT 20 MILLBROOK ROD & GUN, NY- OKTOBERSCHUTZENFEST
NOV 17 EAST MOUNTAIN, NY-CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
DEC 1 EAST MOUNTAIN, NY-KOEHLER SOC. FUNDRAISER THREE SHOT
DEC 15 MID-COUNTY, NY-DICK LOSEE MEMORIAL CHRISTMAS PARTY

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 status: Contact Cyndi
Dalena at 860-584-1083 between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Leave message.
Or Email shotguncyndi@prodigy.net

Guide Book questions, contact Dick Orenstein at <rho@usa.com> or call
203-454-4724.

To place an ad or post a shoot date in Reload!, contact Bruce Buck at
tel: 203-454-1080 (worst way), fax to 707-215-0668 (pretty good way)
or <bcb23@columbia.edu> (marvelous way!). The current and previous
issues of Reload! are posted on the internet at
<www.ShotgunReport.com>. You will also find megs and megs of other
useless Technoidal stuff there. Great literature never dies. It just
sort of lurks around.


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

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2001
DR. RUDY PASSERO MEMORIAL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
EAST MOUNTAIN PRESERVE
DOVER PLAINS, NY

Dr. Rudy Passero was one of the original Travelers and was our
Treasurer from Day One until he died last year. His contribution to
the Travelers was simply beyond measure. In gratitude we have
dedicated our Club Championships to his memory. Rudy, here’s a tip of
the cap to you. Thanks for everything.

Rudy did everything with style and this is just that- The Summit
Meeting. The Travelers Club Championship is when the big dogs bark.
You have had all year to practice up for it, so don’t hold back now.
Come on out and strut your stuff. Being a Traveler’s class champion
is the peak, the pinnacle, the paradigm of plu-perfection. You don’t
want to miss this one.

It’s all the usual drill. You’ve been doing it for years. Get there
and get signed in by 9:00 AM. Then get your gear ready to go. Then
get that cup of coffee and doughnut so that you will have enough fuel
to schmooze with your buddies. If you do it all in that order, you’ll
not only be ready when the whistle blows, but you’ll be in a howling
sugar high, vibrating with caffeine and full of good advice when you
hit that first station.

As befits such a momentous occasion, nothing but the best will do.
East Mountain’s newly tweaked course is guaranteed to be Travelers
Tough, yet also caring and supportive with just the right touch of
maudlin sentiment to properly mix the yin and yang of clay target
shooting. That ought to do it for your inner shooter, you Champion
you.

The price is $55. Juniors under 18 years of age are free. So are
junior guests under 18. Adult guests are also welcome at this shoot.

Directions to East Mountain Preserve, Dover Plains, NY:

At the junction of Rte 84 and NY Rte 22, take Rte 22 North for about
27 miles to the town of Dover Plains. Turn Right on Mill Street at
the first traffic light in Dover Plains, just before the Citgo
station, and go straight for one mile directly into the East Mountain
driveway at the top of the hill. If lost, strayed or stolen call
East Mountain Preserve at 914-877-6274.


THE ABOVE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2001 SHOOT IS FOR CONNECTICUT
TRAVELERS MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS ONLY, BUT THE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER
25T, 2001 "HAROLD KOEHLER SOCIETY" SHOOT BELOW IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
THE HAROLD KOEHLER SHOOT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITEY TO SAMPLE "TRAVELERS
TOUGH" TARGETS AND AID A WORTH CAUSE AT THE SAME TIME.




THE HAROLD KOEHLER SOCIETY

"A GROUP OF SPORTSMEN DEDICATED TO PROMOTE THE WILL OF A DECEASED
FRIEND AND FELLOW SPORTSMAN"

Annually, scholarships are awarded by the society to honor the memory
of Harold F. Koehler, a very popular businessman, accomplished
wildfowl wood carver and sportsman, from New Milford, who dedicated
his life to community service. The society is made up of many local
friends and fellow sportsmen of Mr. Koehler that want to promote his
ideals for the betterment of young people that want to continue their
education beyond high school. The society selection committee, in
conjunction with the graduates’ high school and future college
personnel completed the selection process.

The society is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2001
scholarships awarded to five high school graduates who will continue
their education in the fields of ecology, foresty or in the trades.
Each will receive a $1000.00 cash scholarship:

Christopher Papsin, New Preston, Shepaug Valley High School.

Shawn Lawlor, Warren, Wamogo High School.

Kristy Averill, Washington, Shepaug Valley High School.

Justin Perreault, Wallingford, Jonathan Law High School.

Will Michael, Bethel, Immaculate High School.

Applications for financialconsideration for 2002 are available from
Jack Buczek, 49 Buckingham Road, New Milford, Ct 06776.

Ted Knapp, a Traveler, nominated Justin Perreault for this honor.
this is the second fine young person that ted has nominated who
received a $1000.00 scholarship.

The Travelers November 25th fundraiser, "The Harold Koehler"
fundraiser, is the main source of funding for this great endeavor.
Please plan to attend this year’s shoot.

SHOOT INFORMATION:

Date: Sunday, November 25, 2001

Place: East Mountain, Dover Plains, NY

Cost: $65 (tax deductible) CHECKS TO: "HAROLD KOEHLER SOCIETY"

Time: Registration 9:00 AM, Shoot Starts 10:00, nice luncheon after
shoot

Directions: see directions to East Mountain, November
Reload! (this issue)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRE-REGISTRATION FORM

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2001
HAROLD KOEHLER SOCIETY FUNDRAISER SHOOT
EAST MOUNTAIN PRESERVE, DOVER PLAINS, NY

Send your paid reservations (check for $65 made out to "The Harold Koehler Society") for the Sunday, November 25 Harold Koehler Society Fundraiser Shoot at East Mountain to:

CTSCA, attn: Harold Koehler Society, 91 Park Lane Road, New Milford, CT 06776

NAME:__________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS:_______________________________________________________________________

PHONE and EMAIL :______________________________________________________________