Newsletter

"To strive for the purity of water, the clarity of air, and the wise stewardship of the land and its resources; to know the beauty and understanding of nature and the value of wildlife, woodlands and open space; to the preservation of this heritage and to man's sharing in it.  I pledge myself as a member of the
Izaak Walton League of America."

President's Comments

     The Ikes will offer two Hunter Safety courses this year. The curriculum will be taught by an Iowa DNR certified instructor. Please take this opportunity to invite a member of the public to come see what the sport is all about, after all, educating the public is one of our goals.  DNR will provide rifles and shotguns per the instructor's requirements. Classes are scheduled for Aug. 23 and Sept. 20, but check the web site for possible changes.

     Curtis Nelson is chairing a committee to create a strategic plan for our Chapter. He needs your input regarding the changes to the range, wetlands, tree planting, expanding trap shooting and other projects. Give him a call at 515-957-8765 if would like to help out or make suggestions.

     Eagle scout Matt Kristensen has completed a bat house for us, and it will be erected somewhere along our west property line. Hopefully this will alleviate our mosquito problem.

     There have been several requests to organize high school shooting teams. If you know of anyone interested in participating and/or organizing, let me know. We are in the process of considering the use of the facility, and all the logistics, but we must also think about the membership and limit the number of range closings during each year. The Iowa DNR has staff specifically appointed to help organize this type of team, and can make contact with specific schools. If you know a high school student who would like to participate, let me know. Some schools even offer a varsity letter in shooting sports.

     When using the ranges, please snap the lock on the gate closed behind you. This insures that those who come after you know the combination, and it helps keep non-members out.  Also check the calendar on the web site, or one posted at the R/P range, for closures scheduled.  We have some regular activities on weekdays plus an occasional weekend event, so save the gas!

     Please allow 48 hours after a significant snow fall for the grounds to be cleared. Next winter snow will be removed by a volunteer who's livelihood is snow removal, so the paying customers will come first. If  the snow removal is important to you, please allow  an extra day. Thanks Jim for taking care of the snow.

     Legal Gun Stuff: -- The Iowa Permit to Carry law would be changed in several positive ways by HF 2613, by Rep. Clel Baudler. “May issue” would become “Shall issue”.  Uniform training mandated in all 99 counties and clarified issue policies throughout the state.  Roger Burdette, at 515-669-4365 has information. Or go to www.IowaCarry.org

     President's Challenge:  bring someone under the age of 18 out to the ranges as a guest to teach them how to safely handle a firearm.  Long guns have no age limits, but handguns cannot be handled by anyone under the age of 14 (an archaic Iowa law). 100% supervision is your responsibility.

                        Troy Frericks -  President Dragoon Trail Chapter.  Email  TROYF@TO.NET   515.222.4448

Trap Shooting - Leagues and practice shoots

     Please pick up all shot shell empties when using the trap fields. When using hand throwers, all targets should fall east of the trap houses to keep the debris away from the runways.   Help keep the area clean.

     Open trap shoots are held every Tuesday evening at 6:00 PM. Cost of one round of 25 targets is only $3.75 for members, and $4.75 for non-members who are always welcome to shoot with us. With the cost of targets up to their present levels, we are still about the lowest priced trap in the area.

     We have a new GMV trap machine that can quickly be switched over to throw doubles. It works great and helps keep things moving for everyone. Mark Albin was the winner of the $50 prize drawing held for the donors of $100 or more for the purchase of the new machine. Thanks to all who donated and continue to help maintain and operate the new trap!

     Spring Trap League began April 1, but we have had poor weather since so we are just getting started. We will shoot on 8 good weather nights so everyone will have a chance to finish. Cost is the same as last year, and with our new machine, things will move along better than in previous years. Not too late to sign up.

Rifle/Pistol Range

Please read and obey the Range Rules posted on the board!

     When the farmer is working the fields surrounding the grounds to the east, south and west of the chapter grounds, all ranges are closed!  A sign will be posted at the gate when he is working.  This will usually be during spring planting and fall harvest, neither of which activity takes very long.  Please respect our neighbor and tenant farmer!!

     A new shooting bench has been installed for both right and left handed shooters. Check it out!  More are on the way.

     This year we hope to improve the surface under the shelter to ease the mud and water problems. We could still use some hanging steel targets at the 100 yard holder. If anyone has some that could be used there, feel free to bring them out. It is always satisfying to hit something solid, but please don't shoot up the target holders!!

     We are planning to hold some steel plate shoots this summer.  Check the calender or the web site for more current news on these events.  As always, we could use volunteers for these events, as well as grounds maintenance and repair.

C.A.P.S. Classes

     The Central Academy of Practical Shooting (CAPS) instructors Marlo Fieck and Ray Boyer are conducting CCW (carry concealed weapon) permit qualification sessions on a monthly basis throughout the year (except January).  For information about classes look at the CAPS website  capsiowa.com      or email Marlo at  feick344@prairieinet.net.  Call 250-3536 to talk to Marlo in person.

2008 Board of Directors

The fiscal year 2008 (September 1, 2007 thru August 31, 2008) board members are:

President	Troy Frericks	1st VP & MDR	Dean Madsen
2nd V.P.	Mike Dantuono*	Treasurer	Dean Madsen
Secretary	Larry Kubik* 964-5680	Board 1	Tom Vujovich#
Board 2	Marlo Feick#	Board 3	Carl Trask#
Board 4	Glen Schaefer	Board 5	Curtis Nelson
Board 6	Roger Burdette	Past President	Tom Hildreth

* Trap committee contact person.               # Term expires 2008

2008 Board Meeting Dates

            The full board meeting the fourth Monday evening of each month except December at 7:00 PM.

 
Buy - Sell - Trade

          12 Gauge Reloading Starter Kit -  Mec Grabber 761R 12 gauge shot shell reloader. Also included are approximately 1600 primers, about 4 lbs. of 700-X powder, hundreds of hulls - paper and plastic and thousands of wads.  Asking  $250 for the lot.  (With the cost of ammunition up 40 to 50 percent and more, this is a good deal).

            Ken Andersen  249-6318

            Bushmaster Varminter AR15-type rifle, .223 Remington, with Burris Fulfield II 4.5X14X  Ballistic Plex  Adjustable Parallax scope. Comes with original 5 round magazine, plus a 20 round magazine.  Black carry case included. Some ammo and components also available.  Cost new was $1,400+ in 2006. Asking $1,100.

             Larry Kubik  964-5680

            Member Roger Santi is an FFL license holder, and will transfer firearms purchased by mail from Gunbroker.com and others. He also sells guns for a small margin over cost, so see him for these services.

            964-0187  Ankeny.

Ranges and Grounds

     We need volunteers to help with the mowing and grounds work again this year. If you can help, please contact Curtis Nelson at (515) 729-4227 or cnelson75@msn.com.

 

2008 Spring  Calendar of Events

April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29             Open & League Trap shoot 6:00 PM

April 7, 10, 17                        CAPS training sessions. R/P range closes 4:30.

April 20                                  Steel Plate shoot. R/P range closed until mid pm.

May 6, 13, 20, 27                  Open & League Trap shoot 6:00 PM

May 5, 8, 15                          CAPS training sessions. R/P range closes 4:30.

May 18                                   Steel Plate shoot. R/P range closed until mid pm.

May 17                                   Rental. Ranges close at 1:00 PM.

 

Summer 2008

 

June 3, 10, 17, 24                 Open trap shoot 6:00 PM

June  2, 5, 12                         CAPS training sessions. R/P range closes 4:30.

July 7, 10, 17                         CAPS training sessions. R/P range closes 4:30.

July 12                                   Rental. Ranges may close mid-afternoon.

July 15                                   Steel Plate shoot. R/P range closed until mid pm.

August 5, 12, 19, 26             Open trap shoot 6:00 PM.

August 17                              Steel Plate shoot. R/P range closed until mid pm.

August 23                              Hunter Safety class, session 1.

September 20                       Hunter Safety class, session 2.

To download a copy of the newsletter click HERE.


For other membership information click HERE. 

To join or for more information,  contact:

Dean Madsen
2013 E. 23rd St
Des Moines, IA 50317

515-770-7437 evenings

Or print and mail our application.  

President
Troy Frericks

1st Vice President
Doyle Witt

2nd Vice President
Mike Dantuono

Secretary
Larry Kubik

Treasurer
Dean Madsen

Board Members
Marlo Feick
Tom Vujovich
Roger Burdette
Curtis Nelson
Glen Schaefer

Past President
Tom Hildreth