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."

 When using the grounds, please snap the lock on the gate closed behind you. This insures that those who come after you are members, and it keeps unauthorized people out. (Club sponsored events/rentals being the exception.)

President's Comments
by Troy Frericks 222-4448

     Board meetings are the 4th Monday of the month (not necessarily the last Monday!). This is the place to present suggestions or have guests give presentations. Please email me to have your time allocated on the agenda.

   When using the grounds, please snap the lock on the gate closed behind you. This insures that those who come after you are members, and it keeps unauthorized people out, (club sponsored events or rentals being the exception).

    September 26, 2009 is the Fall Banquet which every member should make an effort to attend. We would like to have an RSVP, via phone or email to 1st V.P. Scott Arnburg at 515-681-5973  or Alverwin@aol.com.     Cost is $10 adults, $5 children.  A Ruger 10/22 .22 cal. rifle will be given away to some lucky member.

 
       Mark your calendar: Monday, October 12, 2009 is the Ankeny Area Chapter, Whitetails Unlimited banquet held at the Vittoria Lodge on 2nd Avenue south of Ankeny.  Tickets are $45 for a single and $20 for a spouse or child. Advance tickets only. Social hour is 5:30. The meal at 7:00 is a large prime rib dinner. A variety of auction and raffle items follow the dinner including a selection of firearms, hunting and outdoor related equipment, artwork and collectibles only available at this event.  If you are interested please contact Doyle Witt (964-4764) or Larry Kubik (964-5680 or 333-8009) for tickets.  This event is a very important fundraiser for our chapter. Come out and have a great meal, fun and fellowship and you could win a GUN !!  Check out www.whitetailsunlimited.com to see what you could win.

Trap Shooting - Leagues and practice shoots

              Please pick up all shot shell empties when using the trap fields.   Remember only trap loads, #7 1/2 or smaller shot, are allowed.  When using hand throwers, all targets should fall east of the trap houses to keep the debris away off of the runways.  Never walk from station to station with a loaded shotgun. Picnic tables stay on the porch, not on the trap fields!  Help keep the area clean and safe for all trap shooters.

 
      Open trap shoots are held, weather permitting, every Tuesday at 6:00 PM. Cost of one round  of 25 targets is only $4.00 for members, and $5.00 for non-members who are always welcome to shoot with us.  Doubles are available if enough interest is expressed. We have two traps running so you should not have to wait very long to shoot.

 
    We are looking to buy another new GMV to use in #1 trap house, and have established a fund for donations and money from our weekly shoots. We hope to be able to get it and have it up and running by next spring.  Call or email me at  larryk@dwx.com or leave a message at 965-5680 for details and to make a donation or pledge one for spring 'delivery'.

 
     Fall Trap League Fun Shoot is in progress.  There are two programs again this fall:  all 16 yard or 16 yard/handicap.  Cost is the same as before; Members - $80,  Non-members - $90, with Lewis class prize $5.00.  The Banquet/Fun Shoot will be October 27, allowing for 1 rain-out.

 
Steel Plate Shoots

     Steel Plate Shoots are in progress for the summer and fall months. See the calendar for dates and times of these shoots. They are usually held on the third Sunday of the month.  We had good participation in them last year, and are seeing more of our members and other shooters out there again this year.  This is one of the few competitive events we have, so please help to support the efforts of your chapter.

 
C.A.P.S. Training Sessions

      The Central Academy of Practical Shooting (CAPS) instructors Marlo Feick and Ray Boyer are conducting CCW (carry concealed weapon) permit qualification classes on a monthly basis throughout the year (except January).  Classes are held three days a month, plus they also will re-qualify current holders of CCW permits that must do so. For more information about classes look at the CAPS website  capsiowa.com  or email Marlo at feick344@wildblue.net , or call 250-3536.  See the calendar for dates of the sessions.

  The rifle/pistol range is closed after 4:30 to allow time for them to set up for the shooting segment of the classes.

2009/2010 Board of Directors

          President    Troy Frericks  222-4448            1st VP/MDR   Scott Arnburg

          2nd V.P.     +Curtis Nelson  957-8765          Treasurer        Dean Madsen

          Secretary   *Larry Kubik  964-5680             Board 1            #Brian Hood    

          Board 2       #Marlo Feick (see CAPS)         Board 3            #Ray Morley

          Board 4       Roger Burdette                         Board 5            +Randy Nelson

          Board 6       Dave Buchman                         Past President   Tom Hildreth

          * Trap committee contact.    # 2-yr. term expires 2010    +Grounds committee contact.

          Our fiscal year is September 1 to August 31, as are terms of board members.  Terms of executive members are one year, the regular board positions are two years with three being up for reelection each year.  Any member in good standing of the Chapter is eligible to participate on the board of directors by 'tossing his hat into the ring'.  Board meetings are held the fourth Monday of each month, except December, at the Chapter house starting at 7:00 PM, and are open to all members or interested parties.

Basic Shotgun Coaches Certification

          Basic Shotgun Coaches Certification training course is offered through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The course is designed teach techniques and team management fundamentals for leading youth trap, sporting clays and/or skeet teams.  The course is designed for experienced shooter/coaches and novices alike.  Course content includes an overview of the Scholastic Clay Target Program and Iowa High School clay target shooting, safety, range orientation and setup, eye dominance, gun-fit, coaching fundamentals, teaching the new shooter, risk management, coaching logistics and equipment.

          The DNR BSCC is a one-day, discipline-specific (i.e. trap, sporting clays or skeet) course starting at 8:00 am and finishing at 5:00 pm.  The course is 60% range and 40% classroom with all students shooting approximately 50 to 75 targets (targets, ammo and some guns provided if needed).

          The course is free to participants who are also school teachers leading a school-based or school club team. Registration fee will be $30 for all other participants.  All coach candidates must pass the practical portion (on range) and also pass a written exam with a score of 75% or more.  Applicants must be 18 or older and must pass a criminal background check conducted by the DNR. All personal information will be kept confidential.  The next training event is October 10 at the Izaak Walton chapter grounds south of Elkhart. Email Ray Morley at  cw.morley@gmail.com for questions.

Ranges and Grounds

            The archery tower has been moved to the north end of the property to distance it from the noise of the rifle range, as was suggested by several members. Plans are in progress for additional pistol bays to the south of the current range and more parking and storage. Please remember to follow the safety rules posted at the shelter.  Also pick up trash, steel cases and targets to help keep the range safe and orderly for fellow shooters.

    Don't be afraid to correct a fellow member or guest if you see them using firearms in an unsafe manner. This is very important as the range is not supervised by the club, therefore every member using it should be aware of the rules and point them out to others who may not realize their actions are unsafe.  

  The range committee is trying to provide target holders for pistol and rifle shooters, but often shooters will bring their own holders, which is OK, unless they are in the wrong place.  Pistol shooters please stay to the right half of the range with your target holders to allow rifle shooters to use the 100 yard area.  Also it makes it difficult to maintain target holders if shooters keep destroying them by deliberately shooting into them!  This increases the cost of upkeep and deprives all shooters of enjoying a place to hang their targets. No targets on the ground are allowed to avoid ricochets out of the berm, so if any member sees another shooter using them, please remind them of this rule.

 

                                                Buy, Sell, Trade

          If you would like to place an ad in this newsletter for outdoor sports-related items, email it to me at larryk@dwx.com , and I will include it in the next issue.  You may also post small ads or business cards on the bulletin board at the range shelter.

          For Sale:  Twelve 30-round magazines for AR-15. Eleven still in original package. These are MILSPEC units made by a company in Kansas and are dated 1984.  Sell as lot for $200, or $17 for each unit.   Call Roger at 515-669-4365.   Email him at  burddog7@netins.net

 

     For Sale:  Like-new Browning BT-99. Invector chokes, 34" barrel, adjustable cheek piece.  Comes with Browning fitted leather case, which costs well over $100 by itself.   Call Charles at 515-729-2077.            Johnston, Iowa

 

                                            2009 Fall Calendar of Events

          September 22, 29           Fall Trap League & open trap  6:00 PM

          September 18              Rental. R/P range open, trap shooting closed.

          September 19              Youth Safety course, morning only.

          September 20              Steel Plate shoot  9:00 AM to around 3:00 PM

          September 21              Pheasants Forever meeting chapter house.

          September 26              Fall Banquet 3:00 PM. Ranges close 5 PM.

                                                Dinner at 5:30, fun & games afterward.

 

          October 6, 13, 20, 27    Fall Trap League & open trap 6:00 PM

          October 12                  WTU banquet. 5:00 PM starts social hour.

          October 5, 8, 15          CAPS training sessions. Range closes 4:30

          October 10                  DNR coaches' cert'n. Range closed 8 to 5.

          October 18                  Steel Plate shoot 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

          October 27                     Fall League Banquet 6:00 to 6:0 PM

 

          November 3, 10, 17, 24  Open Trap shoot.  Begins 6:00 PM.

          November 2, 5, 12      CAPS training sessions. Range closes 4:30

 

    Note:  R/P range is closed for underlined events.  Also if the farmer is in the fields east & south.

   Hunters Education may also close the rifle/pistol range for a short time.  Please be courteous to those using the range at any time.

   Some rentals are for the Chapter House only and the Rifle/Pistol range is open, however the trap fields are closed to shooting as they are too close to the house.