January 31, 2010 Clays Match Report

12 Guns Entered

 

      5 Open Class guns entered  -  Class won by Jay Schoonmaker  Score 48 

              We have a tie for 2nd Open between Chuck Treat and Mathew Seagraves Score - 43

                 3rd Open Kirk Foreman Score 37

 

      7 Limited Class Guns   -  Class won by Loren DeShon  Score 47

            2nd Limited Darren Foreman  Score 22

            3rd Limited Hal Hansen Score 21

 

     Here we are again sports fans, at GHSC for our weekly Clays Match.  Today is the last day of January 2010, and the weather in Western Washington is cloudy & cool at 51 degrees.  We had the heaters all on and were reminded that it could be worse, we could be in the deep Sunny South under a foot of snow. 

     Thanks to our Match Director,  Chuck Nicodemus, for hosting our match today.  Thanks to our DJ, Doug Mclean for cooking the books and running our match.  And thanks to our Arrays Impressario, Chuck Treat, for bringing us Target Array Series "G" today.  Let's take a look at what the shooters saw while negotiating Target Array series "G".

 

Round 1

 

     A straight line of clays, alternating between Green Standards and orange micros.  Successfully break those and then it's on to the black micro in the middle.

 

Round 2

 

     Round 2 sees a Green Standard Clay surrounded on 4 sides by orange micros.  Pick 4 of the 5 clays in that cluster, and if successful at breaking those 4, it's on to the black micro in the middle.

 

     Round 3 sees 2 vertically stacked orange micros bracketing a Green Standard, which itself is guarding another orange micro.  Break those 4, then engage the black micro in the middle.

 

     Round 4 Say goodbye to any Standard sized Clays.  Henceforth through the end of this match it's all micros.  5 orange micros in formation with 2 vertically stacked  orange micros on either side of an orange micro.`  Pick 4 of the 5 orange micros,  break them, and then go after the black micro in the middle.  

 

      Round 5  We have 5 orange micros forming a V, each of the V formations bracketing the black micro in the middle.

 

     At the end of Round 5, we have some winners.  In the Open Class with a score of 48 is

Jay Schoonmaker.  Good shooting Jay.  Jay was heard commenting after the match that this was his 3rd consecutive victory in the Open Class, but that he had never had four in a row.  Well, stay tuned everyone, and we'll find out if Jay can make it to four in a row next week.  

     In 2nd place in the Open Class we have a tie.  Our Arrays Impressario, Chuck Treat and Mathew Seagraves both show a score of 43.  Good shooting guys.

     In 3rd place in the Open Class was Kirk Foreman, with a score of 37.  Kirk is a young, enthusiastic shooter and Clays Match competitor that is just now starting to step into the top ranks of Clays competitors.  Nice Shooting, Kirk.  Keep it up!!

 

     In the Limited Class, with a winning score of 47, is Loren DeShon.  Loren's score of 47 looks more like a score from the Open Class.  As you may know, Loren is an Airline Pilot for Alaskan Airlines.  Loren makes a habit of packing his .40SW handgun on the flight deck of his Airliner.  It has been suggested that he hang one of his handgun targets on the door to the flight deck for his flights, and any troublemaker on his flights would doubtless be pursuaded to take his bad attitude elsewhere after viewing the target.  Good Shooting Loren!

 

     in 2nd place in the Limited Class was Darren Foreman with a score of 22.  Good shooting Darren.

 

     Taking 3rd Limited today was this reporter, Hal Hansen.  I have been in the habit of shooting an Open Gun, usually my MK II Ruger, and shooting appreciably higher scores.

In an effort to bring my Limited Class scores up to rival my Open Class scores, I have challenged myself to enter my Kimber Polymer Custom .45ACP in All handgun competitions for the foreseeable future, or at least a comparable, legitimate Carry type gun.  When any competitor shoots scores consistently in the mid to upper 40s with a handgun equipped with optics and bull barrels with compensators, and then brings a real Carry type gun out and cuts his score in half, it is time for said shooter to get serious.  The axiom to Train like you fight comes to mind. While none of us desire or plan to have to fight, if the need arises, God Forbid, it is in his/her best interest to prevail in the encounter.  We live in uncertain times, and it does no one any harm to prepare.  Another axiom comes to mind, and applies to all of life:  Prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.

     OK folks, the gauntlet has been thrown.  For those of us who ever carry concealed weapons, let's prepare for success.  Bring your carry guns out to shoot clays.  I believe it fair to say, if one can hit a micro sized clay targets at 10yds, one can feel confident in his/her skill at 10 feet.  Any takers? 

     We'll see you right here next month.

 

Hal

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 23, 2010 Gig Harbor Sportsmans Club Clays Match Report

10 Guns Entered

         

8 Entries in Open Class     Class won by Jay Schoonmaker with a Score of 46

 

             2nd Open  Hal Hansen with a Score of 45

 

             3rd Open Chuck Treat with a score of 41

 

2 Entries Limited Class      Class won by Jeff Morton with a score of 20                                                   

             2nd Limited Carrie Morton with a Score of 16

 

              3rd Limited____- 0 -__________________Score - 0 - 

 

Weather__Cold rain & just cold_Temperature 44 degrees

 

Thanks to Match Director, Chuck Nicodemus

 

Thanks to Arrays Impressario for presenting target Array Series "F" Today

 

Thanks to DJ & ScoreKeeper Doug McLean for cooking the books and running the match for us today.

 

Match Notes:

 

     Our Array Impressario, Chuck Treat, brought us target array series "F" today, and here is what the Clays shooters saw:

 

Round 1

     Four Green Standard sized clays in a row with an orange micro above and between the first two, sort of forming a row all by itself.  Just break those 4 and keep on into the middle where the black micro in the middle lays waiting.

 

Round 2

     Round two sees 2 Green Standards bracketing two vertically stacked orange micros.  Hit those four and then engage the black micro in the middle.

 

Round 3

     Now we're down to 1 black standard, and 3 orange micros forming a triangle. Start fast, slow down for the micros, and if successful so far, go to the black micro in the middle and engage it.

 

Round 4

     Say goodbye to the standards for today.  From here on in it's all micros.  4 orange micros form an arch outside of the black micro in the middle.  Follow the arch of orange, then engage the black micro in the middle.

 

Round 5

     Round 5 sees 4 orange micros all in a row.  Just follow the orange clay road to the end, then engage the black micro in the middle.

 

At the end of regulation play we have some winners and some placers. 

 

Final Match Notes

 

     In the Open Class, continuing his winning ways, is Jay Schoonmaker. Jay shot a 46 today. Jay was heard to be complaining that, while a decent score, it wasn't up to his "standards".  Tough luck Jay, try to bear up.  There's always next week.

     In Second Place, behind by one target, was this reporter, Hal Hansen.  This reporter noted that with the level of competition in this match, a mere momentary lapse of attention can and will cost a shooter the match.  That speaks well indeed for the level of concentration Jay puts into his shooting.  Good shooting Jay. In 3rd Place today, with a score of 41, is our Arrays Impressario, Chuck Treat.

     In the Limited  Class today, we had but 2 entries.  Jeff Morton, with a score of 20, just edged out his wife, Carrie Morton, who shot a score of 16.  It should be noted that Jeff & Carrie were shooting center fire, full house defense carry guns today.  While not ideally suited for the intricacy required in our Clays match, Jeff & Carrie are using this match to gain experience with their daily Carry Guns, a very beneficial study in "Training like you fight".  Winning handgun competitions is just fine, and a lot of fun, but picture defending yourself or your loved ones with the tools and skill necessary to perform well in a Clays Match.  My money will be on Jeff & Carrie, thank you very much. 

     OK folks, next week we'll play this game again.  Now, this is just an informal thought by this reporter, but using Jeff & Carrie Morton as examples, I can think of worse ways to combine time and opportunity than for a lot of us to use our Carry Guns to shoot the Gig Harbor Sportsmans Club Clays Matches.  What do you say, Clays Shooters?  Consider the times we live in, and seriously consider bringing your Concealed Carry Gun to the Clays Matches.  Combine Fun, Challenge, and necessary training, all in one afternoons event.  THINK ABOUT IT!!  And while you are thinking about it, always remember: 

 

              SPEED IS FINE, BUT ACCURACY IS FINAL!!

 

Hal

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 17, 2010 Gig Harbor Sportsmans Club Clays Match Report

16 Guns Entered

 

   11 Entered in Open Class - Class won by  Jay  Schoonmaker-Score 47

        2nd Open - Chuck Treat with a score of 44

        Tie for 3rd Open between Hal Hansen & Chuck Nicodemus with scores of 43

    

  5 Entered in Limited Class - Class won by Loren DeShon with a score of 44

     2nd Limited - Jim Skedd with a score of 34

     3rd Limited - Mark (OJ) Kimura with a score of 21

 

Target Array Series E

 

Weather & Temp 48degrees w/light but steady cold rain at gametime.  By the end of the match the temperature in the range building, with all 3 heaters roaring was 53degrees.

 

Notes on Match**

        Thanks to our Match Director, Chuck Nicodemus, for directing and hosting our clays match today

        Thanks our scorekeeper & DJ, Doug McLean, for cooking the books and calling the action.

         Thanks to our Arrays Impressario, Chuck Treat, for bringing us target array series "D" today.  It's good to see that you can hitt'em as well as designing them, Chuck.

       

         Thanks to everyone who stepped in where needed, changing targets and being ready when called.  Let's take a look at what the shooters in our match saw today.

 

Round 1 - We see 4 Green Standards all in a row.  It seems simple enough, break 4 GIGANTIC GREEN targets, then head in and break the black micro in the middle.

 

Round 2 - Now it's 2 Standard Orange  targets bracketing 2 orange micros. The screens looked like a SUNRISE!! Don't go too fast and overshoot the micros.  Break those four in a row and then engage the black micro in the middle.

 

Round 3 - Now this is more interesting, and difficult.  A Triangle of orange micros, pointing outward, guarding an Orange standard clay.  It's still 4 targets, so break them and then punch out the black micro in the middle.  All that Orange on the screens look like a July 

morning. 

 

Round 4 - Well, say goodbye to the standard targets.  From here on in it's all orange micros.  This array has the 4 orange micros in the shape of a diamond.  Yes, all orange micros now, except of course the black micro in the middle.

 

Round 5 - Straight Lines.   small, but challenging.  4 orange micros all in a row.  Engage and break those, then you can go to the black micro in the middle, replete with it's white center dot, just challenging clays shooters to hit it.  Go ahead, make it's day!!  

 

     Postgame Notes: 

           At the end of regulation play we have some winners.  In the OPEN Class with a score of 47 is Jay Schoonmaker.  In second place in the Open Class is Chuck Treat with a score of 44.  We have a tie for 3rd Open between Hal Hansen & Chuck Nicodemus, both with scores of 43.  

     In the Limited Class, loren DeShon has shown the way, with a score of 44.  In 2nd place in the Limited Class is Jim Skedd, with a score of 34.  In 3rd place in the Limited Class was Mark (OJ) Kimura with a score of 21.

     Ok folks, that's it for today.  See you all next week and remember during the week to shoot a lot.  Having said that, always remember:

 

SHOOT FAST!!  SHOOT ACCURATELY!!  BUT MOST OF ALL, SHOOT SAFELY!!!!

 

Hal 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

January 10, 2010 Gig Harbor Sportsmans Club Clays Match Report

14 Guns Entered

     11 Open Guns - Class won by Ken Bagley Sr. with a score of 45

             We have a tie for 2nd place between Hal Hansen & Jay Schoonmaker with scores of 43

              3rd place - Chuck Treat with a score of 42

 

       3 Limited Guns - Class won by Loren DeShon with a score of 44

                         2nd place - Jeff Morton with a score of 19

                          3rd place - Carrie Morton with a score of 18

 

     Welcome back to GHSC and our weekly Sunday Clays Match.  We were greeted by heavily overcast skies and temperatures of 46degrees today.  The skies looked like trouble, but we were all firmly enscounced in the range building and the match was just getting underway before it started to...well, sprinkle lightly.  The sprinkle continued during the match, but never built to any appreciable precipitation.  With the addition of long sleeves, and all three heaters roaring, the range building was as warm as your mother's heart.

     Many thanks today go to our Match Director, Chuck Nicodemus for hosting our match.  Thanks also to our scorekeeper & DJ, Doug McLean for calling the action, and thanks as always to our Arrays Impressario, Chuck Treat for presenting target array series "D" today.  Let's take a look at what the Clays Match Competitors saw during this match.

     Round 1 saw 3 standard green clays cradeling an orange micro.  Engage those 4 targets, and if successful, proceed to the black micro in the middle. 

     Round 2 finds 2 green standards diagonally bracketing 2 orange micros, themselves on a diagonal. Having once disposed of those 4 clays, one may proceed to the black micro in the middle.

     Round 3 has only 1 green standard, and it is stationed right outside the center.  On the outside are 3 orange micros in the shape of a V.  Work your way from the outside to the inside, and having broken all 4 outside clays, engage and try to break the black micro in the middle.

     Round 4 has no standard clays remaining.  Instead we see 2 staggered rows of 2 orange micros.  One can either engage them by rows, or alternate high and low enroute to the black micro in the middle.

     Round 5 sports 5 orange micros staggered in 2 rows - 3 high and 2 low.  Pick out 4 to engage and break, find the fastest route through them, and then, if you've broken 4 of the 5 orange micros, engage the black micro in the middle and close out a good string of fire.

     At the end of regulation play we have some winners.  In the Open Class, with a score of 45, is Ken Bagley Sr.

We have a tie for 2nd place in the Open Class between Jay Schoonmaker & Hal Hansen with scores of 43.  In 3rd place in the Open Class is our Arrays Impressario, Chuck Treat with a score of 42. 

     In the Limited Class, Loren DeShon leads the way with a score of 44.  In 2nd place. with a score of 19 is Jeff Morton.  Jeff's wife Carrie, with a score of 18 takes 3rd place honors in the Limited Class. 

     That's the match for this week folks.  We'll see you right here next Sunday, Jan 17, 2010 at 4pm.  This reporter is predicting the weather to be 75degrees and clear blue skies, so the shooting conditions should be perfect.  (And if you believe that one, I'll tell you another next week in my report.)  Everyone get to the range during the week and break in your brand new Clays Match guns Santa brought.  And as you shoot, always remember:

 

      SHOOT FAST!!  SHOOT ACCURATELY!!  BUT MOST OF ALL, SHOOT SAFELY!!!

 

Hal