Dear All,

Wow, the year has flown by! The reason for my email is twofold. One is to keep everyone in the loop as to the latest team news and information regarding Mason-Dixon and second, is to announce the beginning of our SCTP registration period for the 2012 season.

Team News:

Mason-Dixon had a fantastic 2011 and we are looking forward to building on those successes in 2012. This offseason has been a very busy one. I have applied for two Friends of NRA grants. One is for practice ammunition and targets to help keep our overall expenses down, and the second would provide funding for us to attend our state competitions. These grants are very important to the success of the program so please keep them in your prayers. Don’t forget, we are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization so if you know of any business or organization that would be willing to make a donation to our program please let me know. Any help with fundraising would be greatly appreciated.

Mason-Dixon will once again offer multiple disciplines to our shooters for 2012. Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays and Olympic Trap will all be available. Participate in one discipline or shoot in them all, it’s totally up to you.

For the most part our practice and competition schedules will remain the same as last season. Trap practices will be on Wednesdays, Sporting Clays will vary, most likely Thursdays or Saturdays depending on the location, and Skeet and Olympic Trap will vary depend on interest. The season will kick off in March and conclude in June after our state championship events and for those who would like to take the next step and travel to Nationals, the season will run a little longer. I’m in the process of finalizing our 2012 schedule and I hope to have a final version to you in a few weeks. Below are a few important dates that I can share at this time, remember all of these are optional.

• April 21 & 22, 2012 – SCTP Mid-Atlantic Regional Olympic Trap Championship, Keystone Shooting Park, Dalmatia, PA
• May 5 & 6, 2012 – PA SCTP Olympic Trap Championship, Keystone Shooting Park, Dalmatia, PA
• June 9, 2012 – PA AIM Trap Championship, Pennsylvania State Sportsmen’s Association Homegrounds, Elysburg PA
• June 10, 2012 – PA SCTP Trap Championship, Pennsylvania State Sportsmen’s Association Homegrounds, Elysburg PA
• June 16, 2012 – PA SCTP Sporting Clays Championship, Central Penn Sporting Clays, Wellsville, PA
• June 23, 2012 – PA SCTP Skeet Championship, Washington Sportsmen’s Association, Washington, PA
• July 17-21, 2012 – SCTP National Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays Championships, World Shooting and Recreational Complex, Sparta IL
• August 4-7, 2012 – AIM National Trap Championship, World Shooting and Recreational Complex, Sparta IL

Early Registration:

We are going to open our registration up a little early this year. The SCTP has made their registration information available so I’m going to take advantage of that and do the same. Attached is our 2012 SCTP registration packet. If you qualify for the SCTP (Grades 6-12), and you would like to shoot with the Mason-Dixon Clay Busters in 2012 please fill out the attached forms and mail them back to me with a check for $15 payable to the “Mason-Dixon Clay Busters”. Please make sure you select all the DISCIPLINES (Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays, Olympic Trap) you would like to participate in on your application.

Registration will be limited to 30 participants in Trap, 20 in Sporting Clays, 20 in Skeet and 20 in Olympic Trap with preference given to returning shooters. Remember, how many disciplines you participate is totally up to you. If you would like to shoot trap only, that is fine. If you would like to shoot all four disciplines, that’s fine also but please make sure you mark the disciplines you intend to participle in on your application prior to sending it in.

Thanks and call me if you have any questions or need additional information.

The Mason-Dixon Clay Busters are looking into the possibility of holding a Level 1 NRA/ATA Shotgun Coach School early next year (February or March). The training would cost $175 and would be held somewhere  in York County PA at a location yet to be determined. If you have any interest in attending please get back to me ASAP. This invitation is open to everyone however Mason-Dixon will refund half the cost of the training ($87.50) to anyone who commits to coaching with our team next year.

Again, please get back to me ASAP. If we have enough interest (10-12) I will look into a facility and contact the NRA to begin the process.

Note: This training is not a SCTP/AIM/Mason-Dixon coaching requirement. If you are not interested in attending the training but would like more information on becoming a coach, please let me know and we can talk about your options.

Check out this great how to guild for new clay target trap shooters.
A rifleman’s conversion kit to shotgunning

This is a great instructional video produced by the NSSF showing how to properly carry a shotgun. This is a real pet peeve with me, so much so that would like to see this video be mandatory viewing for everyone at every range. When I travel around and visit ranges, I see so many people who just don’t understand the importance of carrying a shotgun correctly. As an instructor it is critical that I maintain a safe environment and a properly carried shotgun lets me know in an instant that the firearm is empty. Please, watch this video and commit yourself to being passionate about firearm safety.

Congratulations to all the winners of today’s 50 Target Fall Fun Shoot. We had a great turn out and it was so fun to see all those smiling faces!

Junior Division
1st – Luke Lightner
2nd – Logan Wonderly
3rd – Matt Howe

Senior Division
1st – James Dalton
2nd – Preston Whiteman
3rd – Travis Arnold

Now is a great time to review those all important safe gun handling rules!

1. Always Keep The Muzzle Pointed In A Safe Direction

This is the most basic safety rule. If everyone handled a firearm so carefully that the muzzle never pointed at something they didn’t intend to shoot, there would be virtually no firearms accidents. It’s as simple as that, and it’s up to you.

Never point your gun at anything you do not intend to shoot. This is particularly important when loading or unloading a firearm. In the event of an accidental discharge, no injury can occur as long as the muzzle is pointing in a safe direction.

A safe direction means a direction in which a bullet cannot possibly strike anyone, taking into account possible ricochets and the fact that bullets can penetrate walls and ceilings. The safe direction may be “up” on some occasions or “down” on others, but never at anyone or anything not intended as a target. Even when “dry firing” with an unloaded gun, you should never point the gun at an unsafe target.

Make it a habit to know exactly where the muzzle of your gun is pointing at all times, and be sure that you are in control of the direction in which the muzzle is pointing, even if you fall or stumble. This is your responsibility, and only you can control it.

Visit the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s website to review 2 through 10.

Great column by Andy Snyder of the York Dispatch about Mason-Dixon’s upcoming “Learn to Shoot a Shotgun for FREE” events. Andy has been a good friend of Mason-Dixon and continues his good work promoting Outdoor Sports in the area.

One of the many reasons we see fewer and fewer young hunters in the woods is because they have nobody to show them the ropes. Their parents are too busy putting food on the table or whatever it is that keeps us up at night.

But thanks to the Mason-Dixon Clay Busters, there is no excuse. The event does not cost a penny. Participants don’t need a gun or even ammunition. It’s a one-stop introduction to sport that can span generations.

via SNYDER: Shooting program for youth is good opportunity — York Dispatch

The IWLA club grounds have been badly hurt by this weeks flooding, all ranges are temporarily closed. There is much physical damage to the ranges and trout nursery, as well as a large amount of debris scattered about. If you can help please contact Chet at candgwise@verizon.net.

We went ahead and made our reservations, we hope some of you will join us. Below are the details:
Park: Gifford Pinchot State Park
Site Name: 157
Electric Site: Yes
Arrival Date: 10/21/2011
Departure Date: 10/23/2011

The map below shows our site in yellow, if you have any questions or want more information call me.

FALL FUN SHOOTS (PLEASE ADJUST YOUR CALENDARS) – The October 23rd Fall Fun Shoot at Jefferson Sportsmen’s Association has been rescheduled for October 22nd at Central Penn Sporting Clays. There will be something for all level of shooters. For the beginners we will provide everything you need to try Sporting Clays; guns, ammo, targets, coaching, etc. Beginners just need to show up with a smile and we supply the rest. For the advanced shooters we will be having a 50 target competition. Advanced shooters will be required to supply their own shotgun and ammo. There will be a minimal charge for the targets. We will supply the awards, 1st-3rd for Senior Division (Grades 9 – 12) and Intermediate Division (Grades 8 and under), according to the SCTP rules.

The November 6th Fall Fun Shoot at Jefferson Sportsmen’s Association is still on so make plans to attend that also.

Both of our Fall Fun Shoots are open to everyone (Beginners and Advanced, 6th-12th grade) so go out and invite your friends. Additional information, including registration information for the October 22nd competition at Central Penn, will be made available at a later date. Please watch your email for updates. If you need to get on our mailing list go to MasonDixonClayBusters.com to sign-up.

FAMILY CAMPING TRIP – The Beardsley’s are planning a family camping trip to Pinchot State Park (located in Lewisberry, just north of Dover) on October 21-23. We think it would be fun to begin an annual Mason-Dixon Clay Buster family camping weekend. The Fall Fun shoot at Central Penn will coincide with this camping trip and is sure to be one of the highlights. We hope that many of you will want to join us camping for the weekend but if not we hope you’ll join us for the fun shoot. If camping sounds like fun, call me (717-235-0743) and we can talk details. We will need to make our reservations soon.

This just released from the SCTP….in my opinion a very big step in the right direction. Congrats Chuck!

SCTP Announcement

-Immediate Release- August 29, 2011

The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) announced that Russ Arnold has resigned from the position of Interim Executive Director, to pursue other interests, and that Chuck Peterson has been named Interim Executive Director, effective immediately. “The SSSF Board would like to thank Russ Arnold for his dedication and leadership over the past year and wish him the very best in his new endeavor,” said Jon M. McGrath, Vice-Chairman of the SSSF Board of Trustees.

New Interim Executive Director, Chuck Peterson has been involved in the SCTP organization for the past ten years, serving as a Coach and State Advisor. In 2005, Peterson served as Chairman of the Michigan SCTP Committee that hosted the 2005 SCTP Skeet and Sporting Clays National Championships. Chuck Peterson is a Level 2 NRA-USAS-CMP coach, a member of the National Coach Development Staff, and has been involved with the National SCTP office for three years.

On August 21 and August 22, the SCTP Team, which included Interim Executive Director, Chuck Peterson, Executive Committee members Dave Cassens, Phil Murray, and Jon McGrath, along with SCTP Directors of Development, Tom Wondrash, Craig Hancock, Mike Borg, and Karen Peterson from the National SCTP office conducted their first “Strategic Planning Meeting” in Denver, Colorado to develop plans for the 2012 shooting season and next year’s National Team Championships.

* * *

Hello Everyone,
Yes, we are still in the midst of our month long coast to coast summer vacation but I thought I would send out an update regarding the SCTP National Championships that some of you recently attended.
First let me say that the SCTP Nationals were just awesome and I encourage everyone who will be shooting with Mason-Dixon next year to make plans to attend. Four days, one thousand five hundred young people and thousands of clay targets make for a wonderful time.

The reason for my delay in getting this out was I trying to wait until the championship results were finalized but unfortunately the final results are still not complete. There was a huge mess up and most of the scoring rules were changed at the last second. This mess up resulted in a lot of confusion and even lead to the Director of the SCTP resigning. Hopefully they can clean up the mess and get the SCTP back on track.

Anyway, what I can tell you is that our shooters did phenomenal and everyone who attended Nationals this year should be very proud of their accomplishments. We had shooters place near the top of every individual discipline, and once the scoring gets straighten out I’m sure our squads will do the same. If you would like more information, a subset of the results can be found at shooterspost.com, just click on the SCTP logo and select “2011 SCTP American Team Style Championship Results & Status”.

That’s all the information I have for now and I will send out more as soon as I receive it. Just a reminder for those of you who attended Nationals, I need to have an accounting of what you spent on your trip. I don’t need receipts at this time but please hang on to them just in case they ask. Expenses include: gas, transportation, hotels, food, shooting fees, shells, cart rental, and anything else related to the shoot. When we get home I will be sending out all of the expense checks for both Nationals and States.

See you all soon!

The Sporting clay practice scheduled for tomorrow (6/28/11) at Central Penn has been canceled. We will be at Glen Rock for Trap on Thursday.

If you have not already done so, please send me your State Trap Shoot hotel and gas receipts as soon as possible. Mail what you have to:

Roger Beardsley
213 Pine Street
Glen Rock, PA 17327

I have received receipts from the following families:
Bailey
Banchiere
Beardsley
Brosey
Chronister
Cook
Dugan
Everett
Filepas
Hoch
Inch
Simmons
Smith
Wetzel

Sorry I thought I had sent this out earlier. This Wednesday, June 22, 2011 @ 6pm at Jefferson Sportsman’s Association we will have our Awards and Game night. Come play some shooting game and have some fun. Bring a snack to share if you like.

I know we still have our Sporting Clays Championship this Saturday and Nationals in July, but I could not be any prouder of the team then I am right now. It took a lot of hard work and teamwork to make this past season happen. I would like to thank everyone for pitching in and helping out this year and especially this weekend.  As you all know, I was not 100% this year and it sure was a blessing to have such great people to work with!

Don’t forget we have our team awards and fun night next Wednesday, June 22 at Jefferson Sportsman’s Association at 6pm. If you would like to bring a snack or dessert to share with the group that would be great, I’ll take care of the drinks.

It’s hard to believe our regular season is ending. If you’re interested in extending your shooting season with us and going to Nationals please let me know ASAP. EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND IT WOULD BE A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR ANY LEVEL SHOOTER. As you may have heard announced on Sunday, the PASCTP has some money available to help teams, but it will not cover all your costs. As last year, the team will pay your registration fees and any money we receive from the PASCTP grant will be split between all team members evenly.

For those attending Nationals, I will be sending out a practice schedule later this week. The plan will be to practice Trap on Thursdays at Glen Rock. Everyone is welcome to shoot with us at Glen Rock, but cost will be your responsibility if you’re not attending Nationals.

Next spring will be here before you know it so make sure you keep practicing. You’ll find the Beardsley’s at IWLA on some Mondays and Glen Rock on some Thursdays. If you’re going, let us know, we would love to shoot together!

A few notes from this weekend:

• A record number of Clay Busters (28) participated in the shoots this weekend.
• We took home a total of 34 AIM and SCTP awards with 20 of our participants receiving awards.
• The Clay Busters took home more than one third of the total team awards distributed.
• According to my records, 26 of the 28 shooters shot above their 2011 MDCB average at least one of the two days, and 13 of the 28 shooters either tied or beat their personal best scores.
• The Clay Busters fielded their first Pre-Sub and Graduate squads. The Graduate category is something for all of you 12th Graders to look forward to next year.
• Mark won Sub-Junior Runner-up for the combine Saturday and Sunday Singles.
• Luke became the second Clay Buster to break 100 straight at our state championships.

Again, sorry this is late….I need everyone to be at the range no later then 8am. Our first squads will begin shooting at 9am.

Coach Roger

Sorry this is late….I need everyone to be at the range at 9am. Our first squads will begin shooting at 11am.

Coach Roger

Saturday June 11th after the AIM Shoot

ITEMS COMMITTED

1. Hot Dogs and Hamburgers ( 100 each)-  Wetzel Family
2. Hot Dogs and Hamburgers Rolls (100 each)-  Filepas Family
3. Potato Salad and Cole Slaw ( 10lb each) – Barry Family
4. Paper Plates and Cookies ( Enough for 50 people)- Shenk Family
5. Condiments and Brownies/Dessert ( Enough for 50 people)- Simmons Family
6. 2cases of water- Banchiere Family
7. Forks and knives- Beardsley Family
8. Chips and Pretzels- Brosey Family
9. Cups and Chips- Cronister Family
10. Pretzels- Everett Family
11. Dessert and Macaroni Salad- Inch Family
12. Dessert and napkins- Wise Family
13. Gatorade and Diet Soda- Dugan Family

ITEMS NEEDED

1. American cheese (5lb.)
2. Regular Soda (1 case)
3. Diet Soda (1 cases)
4. Large Coolers
5. Ice

Please feel free to improvise from the list, bring a family specialty. Items needed are a minimum of what we need. Please let me know how many in your family are coming in case we need to increase the number, attending right now we are figuring on 50 people. Please email me at bubba@bonnerhockey.com if you can help with needed items or have any questions.
Thanks Mike and Mary Ellen Barry

Don’t forget… the three remaining Sporting Clays practices (May 31, June 7 and June 14) are being held at Central Penn Sporting Clays. Practice begins at 6pm, please try to arrive on time. Also, this weeks (June 1, 2011) trap practice will be held at Glen Rock. Directions can be found on the website.

I’m in desperate need of 4 or 5 people to help the kids shoot shotgun at the Youth Field Day at IWLA next Saturday, June 4th. This will be a great opportunity for you to give back to a club who has helped the Clay Busters. If you can help on Saturday please call me ASAP. 717-235-0743

I have reserved enough space for 50 people to picnic in a pavilion at Knobles on Saturday June 11th immediately following our AIM State Shoot. I’m guessing we will be done with the shoot around mid afternoon. I thought it would be fun to go over to Knobles after the shoot, eat some food together, and then play in the park for the evening. I was thinking we could do something simple like grill some hot dogs and hamburgers. Would anyone like to help me organize the festivities?