There’s a good reason to call this past weekend a Lost Weekend.  Nothing, but Nothing went the way it was supposed to.  Friday night’s — Saturday morning’s thunderstorms left the Pistol Range a SWAMP.  And the road leading to the Range would have been ruined with a lot of traffic driving through that mud.  So, I had to cancel the Bowling Pin Match scheduled for Saturday.
Jim Warren waited as late as he possibly could on Saturday to determine whether or not to cancel the IDPA Beginners Match for Sunday.  Regrettably, he and I both decided to not try and fight Mother Nature, thus cancelling that event.
 Upcoming this weekend, May 4 & 5:  10:00 am — SWAP MEET! (Flyer);  Also starting at 10:00 am, the 1st of 4 Membership Renewal Classes for the day;  Finally, thus far, the 5th is still Open, but the cancelled IDPA Beginners Match could be penciled in… we’ll see.
We do have fresh coats of paint on the Rifle Range shooting benches, thanks to Kathryn McDuffie and Cherri McClure.  Everyone needs to give a big Thank You to both of them for all of their hard work!

… That I’ve been postponing.  No one believed the results of the Giveaway Drawing.  We had a Member who stayed around that got the unfortunate responsibility of dipping his hand in to draw ticket stubs, not twice, but Three Times!!  Wayne R. drew Jim Warren’s name for the $200.00, 2nd Place Prize.  He then drew Jim Warren’s name AGAIN for the 1st Place Prize!  WHOA!  Wait-A-Minute…  Did I hear Rigged?  Fixed?  Crooked?
Nope.  Just blind luck…  And Jim wouldn’t have a thing to do with it.  He insisted we draw again.  Wayne did, drew Mike Garrett’s name and Jim wouldn’t even accept 1st Place, but gave that honor to Mike.  So, the final results are:  Jim Warren, 2nd Place, Mike Garrett, 1st Place ($300.00).

After some consulting with others, we’ve eliminated half of the scheduled Membership Renewal Classes.  Please refer to the Shooting Schedule for the changed times.  On Sunday, the 1:30 pm Class had exactly 1 Renewal and the 3:00 had None.  Yes, we do donate our time for these events, but this is ridiculous, folks.  The modified schedule should look like this:

Saturday, May 4: 10:00 am — 11:30 am — 1:00 pm — 2:30 pm
Sunday, May 19:   1:30 pm — 3:00 pm   (No 10:00 am Class)

This weekend:  Two Events;  Bowling Pin Match on Saturday, the 27th, starting at 10:00 am and IDPA Match (Beginners) on Sunday, the 28th, also starting at 10:00 am.  Hopefully, Mother Nature will be on our side and the Rain Gods will delay their usual weekend downpour and leave us in peace… piece… leave us alone!

Election Results:

President:  Jim Warren
Vice President:  Mike Tye
Treasurer:  James Tye
Secretary:  Kathryn McDuffie
Chief RSO:  James Massman

Troy Keeter will remain in charge of the monthly Swap Meet, now scheduled for the first Saturday of each month until winter interrupts things.
The Shooting Schedule is now up-to-date, so checking the Calendar should display all of our currently scheduled events.  Speaking of events, I’ve not received one email nor feedback whatsoever about the April 2, 1947 heading below… that’s my birthdate and no one called me on it!  HeHeHe!

We’re establishing a Committee to investigate the possibility of setting up a Trap-Skeet Range on the property.  Mike Garrett is heading up this committee and can be reached at mike@garrettchevy.com.  I’m posting his email address only if you wish to join or contribute to this committee.  We need resources, a study to find out if the interest warrants spending money on such an investment, land management assessment, etc.  Volunteers are needed, but more importantly, volunteers with trap/skeet experience are needed.

I’ve spent time creating descriptions for every event listed in the Calendar.  If you’re interested in any of the events, please click on the event to get to this description.  Briefly, you’ll find that the CMP, Bowling Pins and the IDPA Events are simple, easy to pick up shooting competitions that we present in the most casual of manners.  We do not get anal-retentive about these Matches, so that first-time shooters will feel comfortable about joining in on the fun.  And it is FUN!  But, also, with IDPA, you’re learning how to handle your firearm in situations that could actually save your life at some time.  So, it’s mixing fun with education with experience.

The annual Friends of the NRA Dinner will be held at the Muskogee Civic Center on the 25th of April at 7:00 pm.  We typically donate $200 – $300 worth of either 22lr rifle(s) or BB Guns or pellet rifles for them to raffle off to generate money for the NRA.

Anybody interested in supporting the Wounded Warriors Project have an opportunity to see them in action playing softball on May 4th at Hatbox Field.  Admission is FREE.  Game time is 1:00 pm.  Also playing that day will be at least one of our Members who plays for the VA-VAMC Team (for those of you who aren’t military-oriented, that’s Veteran’s Administration – Veteran’s Administration Medical Center: in Muskogee it’s called the Jack C. Montgomery VAMC).

About the Membership Renewal Classes:  you MUST show up early and be ready for the Class before it starts or you’ll have to wait for the next scheduled class to start.  We are NOT going to continue to allow Members to interrupt these Classes anymore, delaying the proceedings and forcing us to repeat already covered ground.  The same goes for the monthly Meeting Classes…  They start at 6:30 pm.  We’re now going to lock the door at that time so that there will no longer be further interruptions.  If you can’t be there early enough to make it on time, then plan on making the next scheduled Class!!!

'nuff... jm

… Are quite good, Thank You very much.

Although my Minolta died on me, I was able to take some stills with the DXG HD movie camera of the construction and finished work done on the 200 and 100 yard Backstop target holders.  And, instead of the cloudy day that was predicted, we managed to accomplish a great deal of mowing and brush hogging in the RAIN.

Returning shooters will notice that the huge brush, tree, trash pile at the entrance to the Sporting Clays Range is now history.  Been there so long, kinda got used to it.  Restroom users best be on the lookout, though.  Soon after we got the fire started, we flushed a skunk out who headed immediately to the back of the restroom and disappeared.  Beautiful animal…  I’d call it an albino, because it’s colors were reversed, mostly white with a black stripe.  But most definitely a skunk.

To use this Gallery, move your mouse over the Thumbnails word in the lower left hand corner and the other images will show up across the bottom as thumbnails.  If you click on Slideshow, clicking it a second time will stop the Slideshow.  The pictures are high quality (which is why they take so long to load), so you can use the Fullscreen feature to see much more detail.

Range_Day_04-13-13

[img src=http://www.muskogeegunclub.com/wp-content/flagallery/range_day_04-13-13/thumbs/thumbs_range_day_04-13-13_07.jpg]30View showing both 100 and 200 yard Backstops from about the 25 yard line.
View showing both 100 and 200 yard Backstops from about the 25 yard line. [img src=http://www.muskogeegunclub.com/wp-content/flagallery/range_day_04-13-13/thumbs/thumbs_range_day_04-13-13_01.jpg]40
Right near the beginning of construction, here's Jim digging the last of the four post holes for the 4 x 4's we buried 12" deep for stability. We constructed framework on ground, stood it up and dragged it into the holes. Man, that puppy was HEAVY... [img src=http://www.muskogeegunclub.com/wp-content/flagallery/range_day_04-13-13/thumbs/thumbs_range_day_04-13-13_02.jpg]30
Temporary bracing holding the framework upright until we can get the 2 x 4 x 4' "feet" installed with carriage bolts. More digging... of course! [img src=http://www.muskogeegunclub.com/wp-content/flagallery/range_day_04-13-13/thumbs/thumbs_range_day_04-13-13_03.jpg]30
First of the "feet" being installed. As I said, more digging... [img src=http://www.muskogeegunclub.com/wp-content/flagallery/range_day_04-13-13/thumbs/thumbs_range_day_04-13-13_04.jpg]50
Getting the final, finished bracing ready. Landscape timbers placed behind the two center vertical upright are angled at 45 degrees and anchored with rebar. [img src=http://www.muskogeegunclub.com/wp-content/flagallery/range_day_04-13-13/thumbs/thumbs_range_day_04-13-13_05.jpg]40
Our Work Crew: Cliff Steele (almost totally hidden), James Tye (left), Jim Warren (right) and Jim (the one actually doing some work!) [img src=http://www.muskogeegunclub.com/wp-content/flagallery/range_day_04-13-13/thumbs/thumbs_range_day_04-13-13_06.jpg]30
Finished 200 yard board. Blackboard is 'sandwiched' between 2 x 4's so the wind doesn't pull the panel through the flat washers, like it has done in the past. [img src=http://www.muskogeegunclub.com/wp-content/flagallery/range_day_04-13-13/thumbs/thumbs_range_day_04-13-13_08.jpg]20
Here's the Pistol Range with the Steel Plates restored back to their original positions, ready to be vandalized again. Shame I have to say it that way...

Other results from the Clean Up Day were not so good, I’m afraid.  We Really need to get the No Trespassing signs installed around the outside of the Range and we just didn’t get that done …  But, the trash cans Did get emptied, the shooting bench areas were weed-eated (is that a word?) and the Swap Meet did go on as scheduled.  I’m assuming that it was a success?  Anybody know for sure?

CMP Flyer now available online:  Download & print out, post it anywhere you feel it will draw attention… gun shops, Wal-Mart bulletin boards, pawn shops (that are friendly enough).  Remember, CMP Matches are public-friendly, just like any other match we put on at the Range.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS:  April 15th Meeting Night, after general business has been taken care of.
There are five Elected Committee Member positions: President; Vice President;
Treasurer; Secretary; Chief Range Officer.

Common qualifications for all positions are:
NRA Member
Member in Good Standing
Attends meetings
Expresses interest in Club activities/business

PRESIDENT:
Basically involved in all aspects of Club activities
Responsible for Meeting Organization
Organizes Range Clean-Up
Schedules Swap Meets
Gets quotes and hires contractors for work on Berms, mowing, etc.

VICE PRESIDENT:
Basically assumes responsibility of President when President cannot work
Assists in completing Membership forms
Assists in Safety Classes (if RSO)

TREASURER:
Maintains Clubs Financial Records
Files Federal Taxes (501(c))
Maintains Membership Rolls
Responsible for property taxes, Insurance, any other business dealings
Requires Computer skills
NRA Recruiter
Completes Membership forms
Takes care of all banking responsibilities

SECRETARY:
Responsible for maintaining Minutes of Meetings
Reserves Meeting Rooms
Responsible for Member mail-outs/notifications
Also maintains Membership Rolls
Assists in completing Membership forms

CHIEF RANGE OFFICER:
Must be NRA-Certified Range Safety Officer
Responsible for Range Safety
Responsible for Range Cleanliness/Maintenance
Must be able to visit Range 2 — 3 times per week
Responsible for enforcing Club SOP (Standard Operating Procedures)
Gives Safety Classes

TICKET DRAWING:  WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 20th AT 12:00 pm (HIGH NOON)
Winner need Not be present
Will be held at Range between Membership Renewal Classes
1st Drawing will be for $200.00 CASH
2nd Drawing will be for $300.00 CASH

RANGE CLEAN-UP DAY:  April 13th, 9:00 am
Re-Construction of Backboards on Rifle Range
Empty all Trash Barrels
Install “No Trespassing” Signs
Clean Rest Rooms
Burn Brush Piles (if possible)

SWAP MEET:  April 13th, 10:00 am
$5.00 Seller’s Fee
No Buyer’s Fee
Anything Gun-Related is acceptable

SHOOTING SCHEDULE:  Finally!
CMP  (Civilian Marksmanship Program)
05-11-2013 – Sat.
06-22-2013 – Sat.

Bowling Pin Shoot
04-27-2013 – Sat.
05-26-2013 – Sun.
06-29-2013 – Sat.

IDPA
04-28-2013 – Sun.
05-25-2013 – Sat.

3-Gun
(TBD)

Other TBD:  Just what it says…  to be determined

This Shooting Schedule is quite tentative and subject to change at any time, so bear with us folks, please.  We’re trying to work around all of the scheduled (and required) Safety Classes with a minimum of fuss.  You’ll notice that only Spring Dates have been set.  That’s because we’ve never been in a position such as this before, where we want to have some competitive shooting events, yet everyone is afraid to come out and use up their precious ammo.  Sooo, a minimum of events and only Spring Dates are scheduled right now.  We Have to see what kind of turnout we get before we do any more in-depth scheduling, only to have 2 — 3 shooters show up.

For Real!  Here’s what the entrance to the Range looks like NOW:

DIRECTIONS to the Range have just been simplified!  Just tell guests/general public when inviting them to a Match or other public event to turn off of EW-105 onto Gun Club Road!  Photos courtesy of our intrepid V.P., Jim Warren.  After viewing the pics, I’m sure that we can disregard the date stamp…

SWAP MEET INFO:  For any & all those interested in promoting the April Swap Meet, the Flyer (in PDF format & full color) is available HERE!