NOVEMBER 2002 NEWSLETTER
© Bruce Buck, editor
In an unheard of and certainly never to be repeated display of
pre-crastination, your editors here at the monolithic Reload!
complex
have included a form for the year 2003 Connecticut Travelers
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL. We are anxious for you to come play with us
next
year, so HUP-HUP-REUP!
OKTOBERSCHUTZENFEST
Millbrook Rod & Gun Club
October 20, 2002
By Lans Christensen
Sunday broke crystal clear, cloudless…and colorfully. On the drive
to
Millbrook, I recalled the beating we took a year ago at this shoot
(and those deep fried turkeys). Then we learned that the whole
thirteen-station course had been set on the wooded loop. No visual
relief on Millbrook’s several open fields. With some angst, we
headed
out to the stations.
No need to fear. The course had been re-designed. Previously invisible
targets now were thrown in ways that gave the shooter a neutral
background, and a fair window. But by no means was this now an
easy
course. “Technical” was the word. Hold point, gun insertion, foot
position, and target reading were critical. Also, on the frequent
true
pairs, choice of which target first became the challenge. The
choice
was not always clear.
Three stations represented the day in my mind: #3 was just plain
hard.
A fast R>L rabbit below the stand followed by a supersonic R>L
crosser
with a relatively short window. The follow-through from the rabbit,
and the move to the bird demanded very precise gun control. One
member
of our squad enjoyed some success by going from the rabbit to
a
specific spot and pulling the trigger.
#4 was hard because of the conditions. Not the foliage, the breeze.
The true pair was thrown from high behind the stand, but unforeseen
wind shifts played havoc with trajectories. With a two squad back-up,
I didn’t see any two pair fly alike.
Finally, #12 was hard due to subtlety. A very hittable looking
true
pair of quartering incomers drifted out of the woods from the
high
left and settled peacefully 25 yards in front of the stand. After
watching some top guns dropping one, or both, birds, self-doubt
creeps
in and takes a bite out of the confidence. We all walked off the
stand
having tried a variety of techniques…and wishing we could go back
and
try a few more.
The moans and groans of last year were replaced by oohs and ahhs
of
enjoyment and respect for tough but fair targets. Great job Lavert
and
everyone involved. Interestingly, the HOA score was the same as
last
year, but the class scores were roughly 20% better.
HOA Doug Moore 81
I-1 Vin LaScalza 79
I-2 Kevin Goodspeed 67
I-3 Ted Knapp 65
II-1 Jeff Ledgard 78
II-2 Mark Schreyer 75
II-3 Mike Steiner 74
III-1 Phil Steinkraus 77
III-2 Bill Litherland 73
III-3 Kevin Kruleski 71
IV-1 Joe Massey 67
IV-2 Lans Christensen 66
IV-3 Dave Moehrke 61
V-1 Matt Canale 59
V-2 Jerry Burke 58
V-3 Harry Bly 57
VI-1 Kristin Canale 51
VI-2 Joe Haddad 45
VI-3 Sue Mogan 35
Ldy-1 Anna Marie Collins 68
Ldy-2 Stephanie Stauffer 68
Ldy-3 Paula Moore 65
Msdm Edie Ellis
Vet-1 George Ostrander 75
Vet-2 John Mohler 74
Vet-3 Tom Gansowski 73
SVet Bob Barlow 78
Jr-1 Luke Sproviero 51
Jr-2 Kurt Yannone 49
Jr-3 Craig Yannone 48
Jr-4 Trevor Moehrke 42
Jr-5 Kendall Coon
Guest Hank Beatini 59
THE HAROLD KOEHLER SOCIETY FUNDRAISER SHOOT
“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 popular businessman, accomplished wildfowl
wood carver and sportsman. He lived in New Milford, CT and devoted
his
life to community service. The Society is made up of Harold’s
many
local friends and fellow sportsmen like yourself who want to promote
his ideals for the betterment of young people continuing their
education beyond high school. The Society selection committee,
in
conjunction with the graduate’s high school and future college
personnel, completed the selection process. The Connecticut Traveler’s
December 1, 2002 “Harold Koehler Society Fundraiser Shoot” is
the main
source of funding for this great endeavor. Please plan to attend
this
year’s shoot. It’s a great fun shoot with lots of prizes and good
food. It’s also a chance to instill proper values in our young
people.
Last year the Society awarded $1000 cash scholarships to five
high
school graduates who will continue their education in the fields
of
ecology, forestry or in the trades. This year’s recipients for
2002
are:
David Santucci, 34 Linda Lane, New Fairfield, CT 06812. Graduated
from
New Fairfield High School and will attend the University of Vermont.
His goal is to attain a Bachelors Degree in Environmental studies
and
go on to specialize in environmental law. David, an Eagle Scout,
is
the son of Karen and David Santucci.
Salvatore Renzuella, 9 Sunlit Drive, Norwalk, CT 06851. Graduated
from
Norwalk High School and will attend SUNY Maritime College, Throgs
Neck, New York. Environmental studies will include maritime habitat
and wildlife. As an avid outdoorsman, he enjoys hunting, fishing
and
is a State of Connecticut Education Firearms Safety Junior Instructor.
Salvatore is the son of Simone and Thomas Renzuella.
Justin Perreault, 1271 Durham Road, Wallingford, CT 06492. Justin
is
entering his second year of environmental studies at Unity College,
Unity, Maine. He was a 2001 winner of a Koehler Society Scholarship
and will again receive financial assistance to help him fulfill
his
dream to become a Federal Game Warden.
The Koehler Society invites all previous applicants to apply each
year
for financial assistance to help them continue their education.
Contributions at large are appreciated and can be sent to: The
Koehler
Society, 35 Park Lane Road, New Milford, CT. 06776.
SHOOT INFORMATION: THIS SHOOT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
DATE: Sunday, December 1, 2002
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 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.
PRE-REGISTRATION FORM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2002
HAROLD KOEHLER SOCIETY FUNDRAISER SHOOT
EAST MOUNTAIN PRESERVE, DOVER PLAINS, NY
Send your paid reservations (tax deductible check for $65 made
out to
“The Harold Koehler Society”) for the Sunday, December 1, 2002
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 :______________________________________________________________
THE FALL TRIP
Pennsylvania
October 5~7
by Vinny La Scalza
It is no secret that the Connecticut Travelers are an old and
prosperous club that does not like to take unnecessary chances.
So it
was no surprise when the Traveler’s decided to try a new place
for our
annual fall trip (The Gateway in Bethlehem, PA.), they did so
by
sending a small expeditionary force of Travelers and Key Stoners
from
Western Pennsylvania. Thirty rendezvoused on Friday to shoot at
Wing
Pointe 40 miles west of our motel. It was obvious from the start
with
the many outbuildings, restaurant, and old world gargoyles that
there
was plenty of capital investment present at this facility. The
course
was well manicured and easy to walk. The targets themselves were
perfect for the small gauges. If you wanted to gain self-confidence
or iron out any inconsistencies, this was the place to do it.
That evening we dined at three tables in a separate room complete
with
its own bar, bartender, and elegant private room table service.
Did
this brave group deserve anything less?
The following day was a good one made up of two sporting clay
encounters. The morning started at Lehigh Valley Sporting. We
shot
17 stations that were evenly divided over water (simply spectacular),
in the woods, and over large open fields. The variety kept you
thinking while there was no single bird that was unhitable. This
clay
course was simply a delight.
After the morning shoot, we stopped for a quick lunch at Lehigh
and
many tested the various plumbing fixtures. Everything was rated
A+,
and it was time to move on.
Our next stop was at Water and Wings, 45 minutes from Lehigh Valley,
which contained 18 challenging stations. This course was made
for the
Travelers who found the last two courses too easy. You name it
and if
it was challenging, it was here- flying rabbits, a one hundred
foot
tower, handicap trap with simo 90’s, etc.
At the conclusion of the day, every one enjoyed the salmon, chicken,
and turkey buffet held in a small bar and dining room at our hotel.
The food was delicious, and afterwards Al in his wisdom found
a way to
reward all the people in the room with expensive gifts and large
cash
prizes. It seems that Al had split us up into temporary teams
with
handicaps that of course nobody understood. But, the amazing thing
about the competition was that everyone seemed to win!
Sunday concluded a successful shooting weekend with a beautiful
morning shoot at Sky Top resort. Upon careful consideration, it
can be
said that the Fall Weekend was a wild success, and it will be
repeated
next fall with the entire Connecticut Traveler membership invited
to
attend.
One final note: Joyce Anglace, Su Nolan, Peegee Brenton, and Barbara
Duigan, our non-shooting contingent, had a great time exploring
various museums, the Moravian Book Shop, outlet centers, etc.
They
are encouraging any non-shooting Traveler participant to join
them on
our next trip. Su Nolan summed it up by saying, “The more the
merrier!”
Addendum: Although we have been flooded with recipe requests for
Jason’s Special entrée, Alla Croo, we have so far been unable
to track
it down. Sorry.
TECHNOIDAL RECOIL TRIVIA…
For those of you who are just dying to break out their old slide
rules, here’s the formula for Free Recoil:
E=MC2
Oops, that’s not it. Let’s try:
A2 + B2= C2
Darn, not it either. Well, no one’s really interested in free
recoil
much anyway. It’s the subjective or individually perceived recoil
that
we really care about.
It’s important to remember that Free Recoil doesn’t fully describe
recoil. Free recoil calculates the recoil based on the weight
of the
gun plus the speed and weight of the ejecta. It doesn’t count
in the
time duration of the kick. That’s important.
Compare a slow push to a poke. They may both have the same total
energy, but the push doesn’t feel so bad because it’s delivered
slowly. That’s the comparison between a gas gun and an O/U. If
the
guns weigh the same and use the same shell, they have the same
free
recoil. But they won’t feel the same because the gas gun spreads
it
out over a longer period of time. That’s how recoil pads work
too. In
theory, slow burning powders spread recoil out also, but powder
burn
still happens so fast that most shooters can’t notice any difference.
YEAR 2002 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
NOTE THE RENEWAL FORM ATTACHED TO THE NEWSLETTER
This is your first chance to RENEW YOUR TRAVELERS MEMBERSHIP.
All
Travelers memberships expire on December 31, 2002. Renew now.
Don’t
be a lost Traveler.
Here’s how it works, so you can’t say we didn’t tell you. The
renewal
form enclosed already contains the information we have about you
from
last year. Please change or correct the information so that we
have
the correct info to print in the Guide Book. If the information
is
correct, then just mail the coupon in with your check.
Further, we will include a second and final renewal form in the
December issue. If we don’t hear from you, Reload! stops after
the
December issue. We hope that you will get things in early. If
we have
not received your paid renewal by January 31, 2003, we will assume
that you no longer wish to be a member of the Travelers and we
will
make your place available to someone else. There is a waiting
list to
get into the club.
We certainly hope that you will see fit to stay with us and enjoy
our
monthly shoots. Avoid the heartbreak of being a lapsed Traveler.
2003
dues will be $60/individual and $70/family. If you wish to remain
a
Connecticut Traveler, please shake a leg, or at least a pen.
GUIDE BOOK…
A copy of the 2003 Connecticut Travelers Guide Book is included
in
your membership. Members, who already have the 2002 Guide Book
with
the deluxe super-fancy snap-ring binder, will receive plebeian
2003
paper inserts to update their book. New members will get the whole
eye-catching book in 2003 and thereafter will receive the
mundane-looking inserts.
PLEASE READ THIS:
We would like to place every member’s name and information in
our
guidebook, but we understand that some members may not want this.
If
you do NOT wish to be included in the Guide Book, please check
the
appropriate box on the membership renewal form. If you do not
check
the box, you WILL be in the Guide Book. We think that it is important
to the Travelers that every member has a Guide Book. It will
facilitate calling around for rides to shoots, doing business
with
Traveler-owned companies and will ease the social intercourse
that is
part and parcel of our association. The Guide Book is part of
the
glue that holds us together.
*** 2002 CONNECTICUT TRAVELERS SHOOT SCHEDULE ***
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
*** OTHER SHOOTS OF INTEREST ***
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, CALL AHEAD TO CONFIRM
NOV 3 NEWGATE COON CLUB, CT (860-738-3619) THREE SHOT CH
DEC 8 WALLINGFORD R&G, CT (203-265-1012) 50 BIRD FUN SHOOT
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 860-582-3142 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, post a shoot date in Reload! or simply heap abuse
on
the editor, contact Bruce Buck at tel: 203-454-1080 (worst way),
fax
to 707-215-0668 (adequate way) or email <bcb23@columbia.edu>
(marvelous way, you clever Traveler you!).
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 drivel there. Great literature never dies.
It just
sort of lurks around.
**** THE UPCOMING TRAVELERS MONTHLY SHOOT ****
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2002
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 in 2000. 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. Arrive
by
9:00 AM and check at the desk to see which squad you are on. Then
get
your gear ready to go. Load up on that cup of coffee and doughnut
so
that you will have enough fuel to schmooze with your buddies.
This way
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.
REMEMBER, EYE PROTECTION IS MANDATORY AT ALL TRAVELERS SHOOTS.