Fall 2010 - The St. Charles Sportsmen`s Club

F all 2010
CLUBNEWSLETTER
November 29th, 2010
F EATURES
CLUB ELECTION
Info & Biographies
PAGE 6
LEADReclamation
PAGE 17
Club Shoot
Results
PAGE 18
New
Membership Pricing
From the President...
We should be
proud to be
members of the
SCSC. I don’t mean
in a boasting way,
but in a good way.
By looking at the
number of people
joining our club, you
must be doing a very good job of spreading the word.
Membership continues to grow at an incredible rate.
As new members join at the meeting I ask a few
questions about what there interests are and why
and how they found there way to our club. The only
clear consensus seems to be that they were treated
in a friendly manner, everyone wanted to help, they
wanted to learn to shoot better and it seemed like
a good place to bring there family. Now what more
could you ask for? What a resounding recommendation about our club!
Together we have created the environment that
folks talk about and want to be part of. I’ll tell you this
much, I sure am proud of our club and all our
members. Keep up the good work.
Work progresses in front of the Trap fields
reclaiming the lead shot; yes it has been only five
years since our last clean up. And yes there will be
shot for sale when finished. I cannot speak to the price
,however, it will be fair. It has been estimated that on
average we place about 1700 pounds of lead shot each
PAGE 4
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 1
CLUBNEWSLETTER
FALL 2010
SAVE THE DATE
FOR OUR ANNUAL
CLUB BANQUET!
SATURDAY
FEBRUARY 19th
6:30pm - 10:00pm
The Eagle Brook Country Club will once again be
hosting our annual club dinner. This year it will be
the weekend after Valentine’s Day.
We’re really hoping for a big turnout this year,
so if you skipped it in the past, please think about
making it this year. The food was excellent last year
as well as the entertainment. Chuck Dobra is still
making plans for the event but save the date above
and we hope to see you there!!
Shopping with NICASHOOTING.COM
From the
President... (continued)
and every month on the ground. So you can see it all
adds up very quickly.
If there is one sure thing about me it is that I hate
litter,. They have a name for me at the counter and the
whole staff knows my name as well (I cannot print it
here but maybe you can guess the name). At any rate,
I am constantly looking for litter on the club grounds,
on the road out front in and around the trash cans and
the trash dumpsters. I feel litter sends a message that
we don’t care how our club looks nothing could be
further from the truth, so please help me in my quest
to have our club be litter free. If you see it just
laying there, take the time, pick it up and place it in a
trash can. I will thank you and so will your club. We
need to be a litter free club.
Your club continues to be very busy each and every
time we are open. This trend will start to slow as we
get into the winter months; however there will still
have plenty of action , so don’t put your gun away just
because it’s getting colder. In fact this year why don’t
you plan on shooting for your club in the winter Jack
Rabbit league if you think you might want to try it?
Find out more info on the last page of this newsletter.
I hope to see all of you at the club. Please enjoy your
club as it is a great place to be. God bless all our troops
fighting for our freedom. We sure can be proud of
them.
Robert Scherf
President
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 2
CLUBNEWSLETTER
FALL 2010
OCTOBER CLUB BUSINESS
Trap - We’ve had great weather. League banquet is on October 23rd. October 21st is the last
day for makeups.
Archery - There is a new Club bow available for
use.
Skeet - Someone shot the Low House. All else
is going well. Members are asked to clean out
debris under machines.
Website - We are dabbling with a new design.
Sporting Clays - The towers are up. There will
be 15 stations by the end of the month.
New Business - no old business
Old Business - no new business
Machine Maintenance - Everything is cool.
Rifle/Pistol - April 30th and May 1st, Kay Ohye
will give shooting lessons. Sign up info will be
posted after the first of the year.
Hunter wingshooting clinic is next weekend.
SCSC had a table at National Hunting and Fishing Days. It was great weather.
Sportsmen’s Activities - There is a hunter’s safety
class on the 24th and 25th. Go to the DNR web
site to register. Wingshooters clinic coming up
which is already full.
Newsletter - In the works
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Building and Grounds - October 23rd is the next
workday.
Membership - See Membership Update page...
ATA - There was a registered shoot on September 26. October 17 is the next ATA shoot. 55-65
people are expected to attend. It will be 200
registered targets.
Wobble Trap - No report.
Lake - No report
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 3
CLUBNEWSLETTER
FALL 2010
NOVEMBER CLUB BUSINESS
Club Elections next month. Come out and
Vote!
Trap - Trap is doing very well and continues to
grow. Winter Jack Rabbit is coming up!
Skeet - You are NOT ALLOWED to change the
direction of targets on any of the machines.
Archery - Nothing new to report.
Website - working on a new site design
Old Business - None
New Business - Club Banquet. Please plan on
coming this year!
Sporting Clays - 15 stations up and running
Machine Maintenance - Everything is
operational.
Rifle/Pistol - Last event is Nov. 14th Slug Gun
Sight In. Open to both members and non-members.
Newsletter - No report.
Building and Grounds - November 20th Work
Day - 8:30am.
Sportsmen’s Activities - Had Annual Members
Only Club Shoot last month. Wrapped up AIM
program for Fall
Membership - View on Member Update page.
ATA - Had 2 shoots in October which were pretty
successful. Ran a new Calcutta event which was
very well received. Possible another shoot at the
end of November.
Wobble Trap - No report
Lake - Working on getting fish added to pond.
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
New Membership
Pricing
Effective January 1, 2011 the cost of a
Shooting Membership will be $70.00 per year. At
the same time the costs of both Trap Memberships
and Sporting Clays Memberships will be $35.00
per year.
This decision was taken by the St. Charles SC
Board of Directors at their November 8th meeting and was made in recognition of the significant
increase in the number of these memberships and
the consequent demands on the Club’s resources
and equipment.
Memberships due to renew in January, 2011 may
be renewed by December 31, 2010 at the current
price. New memberships after January 1, 2011
or those renewed after that date will be at the new
levels.
In addition to the necessity of offsetting a larger
portion of the increased costs of the large numbers
of Shooting, Trap and SC members, these new
costs more closely align our membership rates with
those of similar sports clubs in the area.
Page 4
FALL 2010
CLUBNEWSLETTER
SCSC MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
New Probationary Members
The St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club has seen quite
the influx of new membership in recent months. The
following are new probationary members added this
Fall. Join me in welcoming them to the club!!
OCTOBER
Richard Jaufmann, Jr.
Daniel C Mollsen
Michael Maroscia
John Dahlquist
William Hector
Scott Corwin
Members Voted In
OCTOBER
Norman Ballack
Matt Bergstrom
Garrett Burt
Steve Johnson
Daniel Levinthal
Allan Lewandowski
Jim Pellegrino
Matt Trask
Sean Welsh
Pete Wilkenson
Steve Wolf
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER
Will be shown in next issue
Will be shown in next issue
ROLLING OUT BADGES FOR
NEW MEMBERS
You may have recently begun seeing new membership cards around the
club. After approval from the board in November, Barry Bourdage and Andrea
Ema have been working hard to get the new system set up and cards out to
new members just joining.
The old cards were time consuming to create while the new cards, which also
double as your proximity card for the gate, include pictures taken right on the
spot. You’ll no longer need a passport photo or have to wait a long time to get
your card because they are printed instantly!
We are only rolling the cards out to “new” Full Members as well as replacing
lost or damaged cards. If you are interested in seeing these cards out to more
of the membership, please voice your opinion to a director when you see one.
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 5
CLUBNEWSLETTER
FALL 2010
UPCOMING EVENTS
Dec 4th at 11:00am - A club representative will
be available to print proximity membership cards for
new members or those who have cards that have been
lost or damaged.
Dec 18th at 12:30pm - New Member Orientation &
proximity membership card printing.
January 9th, 2011 - Start of Winter Jack Rabbit
League at McHenry SC.
ELECTIONS
The club will hold it’s annual elections during the
Membership Meeting on December 13th. The
meeting starts at 8:00pm. All member’s are advised
to come and vote so that their voices can be heard.
For the first time in a couple years we have multiple candidates and it’s important for members to
have a say in their club.
On the following pages you’ll see bios for all the
candidates that submitted one to be included
in the newsletter. Below is a list of the positions
and nominees running:
President: Bob Scherf (unopposed)
Vice President: Cle Rector (incumbent)
Andrea Ema
Treasurer: Barry Bourdage (unopposed)
Secretary: Mark Creedon (unopposed)
Board of Directors: (5 positions up for vote)
Tom Berry (incumbent)
Chuck Dobra (incumbent)
Jeff Johansen (incumbent)
Jim Kuchinsky (incumbent)
Dean Perle (incumbent)
Bill Borman
John Early
Duncan Fiedler
E-Mail: [email protected]
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 6
CLUBNEWSLETTER
FALL 2010
Cle Rector
for Vice President
 St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club Vice President for two years;
seeking a third term.
 Initiated and promoted the efforts to win the ATA’s Gun Club
of the Year Award for 2008.
 Recognized as the St. Charles SC Sportsman of the Year for
2008.
 Reorganized, revitalized and successfully managed SCSC’s ATA Registered
Trapshooting program, 2003 – 2009; including two Northern Illinois Zone
Shoots.
 Northern Zone Director and one of 12 Directors of the Illinois State
Trapshooters Association responsible for the conduct of all ATA Registered
Trapshooting in Illinois.
 Generally recognized as the representative of SCSC in council and decision
matters with other area clubs.
 Initiated SCSC’s extremely successful Shotgun Sports instructional program.
 The primary respondent for information and membership inquiries to the club
through voice messages and the website.
 More than 35 years active participation in the shotgun sports, club organization
and competitive shooting with registered target record approaching 80,000
targets.
 Year in – Year out participant in ATA Registered Shoots, Trap Leagues and
Winter Jack Rabbit Shoots.
 Continually seeks the most efficient, effective and safest means to provide all
the Club members with a positive, enjoyable, relaxing recreational experience.
Your Best Vote for the Careful,
Steady Progress of YOUR CLUB
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 7
CLUBNEWSLETTER
FALL 2010
Andrea Ema
For Vice President
I’ve been a member for over 7 years and have had the pleasure of serving you as the
Membership Director for the last 5 of those years. I’ve not only had the opportunity to see our
membership prosper, but I’ve gotten to talk with many of our members when they signed up. It is
after listening to your reasons and goals for joining that I feel I’m uniquely qualified to fill this
position.
I’ve owned my own successful business since 1981 and have been able to continually adapt my
company with the ever changing laws and rules regarding safety, employment and business practices.
I also believe it’s important to share my knowledge with the club through my various
accomplishments, such as:
•
•
•
•
•
•
2010 SCSC Sportsmen of the Year (elected by previous years winner)
DNR Hunter Safety Instructor
DNR Youth and Women’s Shooting Instructor
NRA accredited Range Safety Officer
NRA Basic Shotgun Instructor
Certified ATA AIM Coach
I enjoy participating in ALL of the amenities at the club and do not favor one discipline above all
others. After listening to our members, I will help establish a planning committee to meet and
respond to current concerns and goals including:
•
•
•
•
•
Renovation of bathroom facilities
Improving the counter to support our growing membership needs
Family memberships where your spouse also gets an access card and voting ability.
Director’s Meeting open to members
Publishing Director’s minutes where the membership can access them.
I believe it’s important for every one of our members to have a voice in our club. I would like to
increase our transparency so that members can be fully aware of how our club is doing. Our member’s
spend a lot of time & money to belong to this club, and we all have a stake in the club’s future.
Finally, I believe it’s important to be open to new possibilities. Instead of “No” being the first answer
to every possible opportunity, I believe we should be positive and evaluate them in.
My name is Andrea Ema and I’d like your vote for Vice President.
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 8
CLUBNEWSLETTER
FALL 2010
Tom Berry
For Club Director
I have been a member of the St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club for 24 years and during that time I served the
club for 22 years as Treasurer. My primary responsibilities included paying the club’s payables, preparing
payroll and related reports and presenting the club’s monthly financial statements to the Board of Directors
and membership. In 2007 I was voted a Life Member by the Board of Directors.
Following my 2009 retirement as Treasurer I was asked by President Scherf to fulfill an unexpired director’s
term. In addition, President Scherf appointed me to a three-man committee that will monitor and evaluate
the treasurer, counter activities and operation of the front gate.
During my tenure as Treasurer I became quite familiar with all aspects of club operation. As such, I believe
that I can be of benefit to the club as a director and a member of the new committee, especially in the area of
financial oversight. I look forward to serving the club for a full three-year term and would greatly appreciate
your support.
Chuck Dobra
For Club Director
Chuck Dobra has served the Club both as the Club Attorney and a Director for multiple terms. During his
tenure, Chuck has provided skilled legal assistance on wide ranging issues directly affecting the Club, both at
Director’s meetings and “behind the scenes”. These issues include, but are not limited to, the Club’s dealings
with state and federal government agencies, insurance issues, contract issues, and hold harmless/indemnity
issues. Chuck has also served as Banquet Chair for the Club’s annual banquets.
In addition, Chuck has participated as an instructor at various NRA Basic Pistol and Home Protection
seminars presented at the Club. Chuck became certified as an NRA Shotgun Coach, and for the past two years,
has participated in the “A.I.M.” program, sponsored by our Club, that is mainly directed at high school aged
youths to educate them in the Olympic sport of trap.
Chuck has recently become an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor, and looks forward to teaching NRA pistol
courses at the Club in the near future. Chuck respectfully requests your support for his re-election as Director.
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 9
CLUBNEWSLETTER
FALL 2010
Jeff Johansen
For Club Director
My name is Jeff Johansen and I am running for reelection to the Board of Directors. I have been a member
of the Sportsmen’s Club for over 12 years. It has been my
pleasure during my past terms on the Board of Directors
to serve as Chairman of the Rifle/Pistol Range.
My duties as Chairman involve organizing and planning
all the activities related to the Rifle/Pistol Range. These
activities include all the matches, competitions, safety
training, maintenance, and improvements to the range.
I have helped implement some major changes and improvements at the Rifle/Pistol Range. It has been my
pleasure to work with many members of our club who have volunteered countless hours, equipment, and
materials during these exciting times at the range.
A few of the many things I have initiated just in the past year alone are:
•
Implementation and expansion of the Range Safety Officer program.
•
Affiliation with the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP).
•
Continually organizing new and exciting shooting activities at the range.
•
Development of the Rifle/Pistol Standard Operating Procedures which include all of the Safety Rules.
Serving as the Rifle and Pistol Chairman has given me the opportunity to work with the Boy Scouts on
their marksmanship merit badge and this has been one of my most rewarding activities. I am in the process
of implementing a Boy Scout rifle program. This program will equip the Scout troops who visit our club each
year with the proper rifles to safely earn their merit badges.
I have made many lasting and rewarding friendships in my current position and would like to be reelected as a member of the Board of Directors. There are many more improvements and additional activities
I would like to implement at the range.
Please vote for Jeff Johansen for St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club Board of Directors.
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 10
CLUBNEWSLETTER
FALL 2010
Dean Perle
For Club Director
I had big shoes to fill taking over Ted Roncoli’s director’s position after he passed. So far I have
tried to provide a variety of snacks and supplies to the counter as well as my experience running a
small business when helping with decisions at the club.
I believe the club is currently at a turning point, and I would like the opportunity to continue the
changes that have begun these past few years. I believe we need to preserve this club for future generations, and provide a safe and fun place to shoot for all of the members.
As counter chair, I would like to look into adding vending machines for bottles and snacks. This
would reduce the lines at the counter, and also allow members the ability to get drinks and snacks
during non-staffed hours.
I am the owner of Perle Jewelers in downtown Naperville, My family has owned this for 3 generations. I am an avid hunter, and try to spend as much time at the club as I can, unless I am riding my
motorcycle.
I would appreciate your vote for Club director so that I can continue making positive and beneficial
changes for our membership.
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 11
CLUBNEWSLETTER
FALL 2010
Bill Borman
For Club Director
I’m Bill Borman and I would like to be elected
to the Board of Directors at St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club. I believe my experience in the
shooting sports and involvement with other clubs
will give me the knowledge to help our club improve the quality of membership for all members.
I am a lifelong resident of St. Charles, Illinois. I
got married in 1978 to Mary Ellen and in 1994 our
daughter K.C. came along. I started Fox Title Co. in 1980 and continue there today. We now have three full
service offices and four additional closing offices serving northern Illinois.
My shooting career began at SCSC when I was 16, some 40 years ago. In 1984 I began shooting registered
targets and have been fortunate to attend many of the large shoots nationwide along with most of the shoots
held at local and regional clubs. Wanting my daughter to become involved in a trapshooting program for
youngsters, we came out to the AIM open house and signed up. Bill Hardt and Dave Tibbals recruited me
to help coach and I must say working with these kids the last couple of years has been very rewarding. It is
really neat to see their smiles when the light comes on and they start smoking targets. We also had 11 of our
AIM shooters attend the Illinois State Shoot and 12 came down and shot the Grand American. I am very
proud to be a member of a club that realizes kids are the future of our sport and is so supportive of them.
During the mid 80s to early 90s I was the Illinois /Wisconsin dealer for Ljutic Industries traveling to
shoots around the area selling and custom fitting Ljutic Shotguns.
In 2000 I joined Whitegates Skeet Club and have served on the board of directors there for the last five
years.
In 2002 I joined The Aurora Sportsmen’s Club and am a life member there. Recently I was on an advisory
group to assist the board of directors with financial recommendations and solutions for the future. ASC
is under the leadership of some very capable individuals and I believe the club is now heading in the right
direction.
In 2005 I became a member of Varmint Hunters International 1000 yard club.
I am a member of the National Rifle Association, Illinois State Rifle Association, Single Action Shooting
Society, and a life member of the ATA. Fox Title Co. is also a sponsor of the National Wild Turkey Federation
I was RSO certified in January of 2010. I enjoy all facets of hunting, fishing, and the outdoors.
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 12
CLUBNEWSLETTER
FALL 2010
John Early
For Club Director
John Early, Vice President of North American Sales, with
Harley-Davidson Financial Services has extensive background of experience
in finance sales, marketing, operations and human resource management in
the financial services industry. In 1982, John graduated from the University
of Wisconsin and earned an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at
Northwestern University in 2003. In 1983, John launched his twenty-seven
year career in finance with Household Inc., holding positions within the
Household Finance Corporation and Household Retail Services, Inc. divisions in finance, customer service
operations and sales. John joined the HDFS team in June of 1998. At HDFS, he has led the development
of sales, marketing and training programs to better serve H-D dealers, implemented a sales database to
provide reporting and analysis, chaired both the Pricing Committee and the Marketing Strategy Committee.
John led a group that conceived, developed and launched the HDFS Canadian finance company. In 2006,
John led a team at Harley-Davidson Motor Company, North American Sales, including Dealer Performance
Consulting, dealer facing Customer Relationship Management, Retail Environment Group, Dealer Communications and the Dealer Management System business unit. In 2008, John returned to HDFS Executive
Leadership Team as the Vice President of North American Sales.
John is an avid shooter, outdoorsmen and Life member of National Sporting Clays Association, 10+ years
National Rifle Association, American Trap Association Member since 1989 and a full member of St. Charles
Sportsmen Club since 2004.
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St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 13
FALL 2010
CLUBNEWSLETTER
Duncan Fiedler
For Club Director
• Sportsmanship
• Safety
• Integrity
• Honesty
• Heritage
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to introduce myself.
I am Duncan Fiedler, recently nominated for a position on the Board of Directors. I am 48, married, and the
father of two sons, Ian (24) and Maxwell (12). I have lived in Geneva for 23 years. My wife Mary and I have
owned and operated our own business, located here in Geneva for nearly 13 years. For the last 15 months I
have lead the orientation meetings here at the club for new members, working closely with Andrea Ema and
our newest members. I am also certified by the IDNR as a youth/woman’s wingshooting instructor, teaching
clinics throughout the state for youth and woman. Each year, the club looses approximately 10 to 15% of all
full members*. I feel strongly in new member and youth development and involvement. Programs like AIM
(Academics, Integrity, Marksmanship) are so important to the life blood of the club. Our young members
will grow up very quickly and we need them to be involved as active members, with the knowledge and skills
to continue the traditions of this fine club. My father is Bill Fiedler, an SCSC veteran, and I am generation
# 2, and my two son’s Ian and Maxwell represent generation # 3. I look forward to seeing generation #4
become as involved as we are.
If elected I will work to maintain SCSC’s relationship with Elburn, and do my best to guide the club into
tomorrow, assuring that it is here for many years to come for all to enjoy. My ability to run a successful
business, interest in youth involvement and new membership, and dedication to this fine club make me a
candidate worthy of your vote. Remember, you need to be present to vote on the 13th!
Polish Hunter
Safety Class
The SCSC clubhouse was the site of a Polish
Hunter Safety course taught by member Mark
Garbarz on October 3rd. There were 13 people in
attendance and one young attendee was hoping
to receive his hunter safety card in time to go on a
hunt the following weekend. The hunt was a wish
that had been granted to him by the Make A Wish
Foundation. The course was taught entirely in
Polish.
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 14
CLUBNEWSLETTER
FALL 2010
ATA Year End Review
The past year has been a very prosperous season for the SCSC’s ATA program. Participation is up 10%
(sometimes 15%) at every shoot. We’ve improved the registration process, adding new equipment to get
shooters through the line as quickly as possible.
Over the past few years we’ve listened to various comments and opinions from shooters about the ATA
program here at our club. This encouraged us to make a few changes this year. We increased both the value
and quality of the trophies given out. This has helped in drawing more people to the shoots. We’ve also
purchased a radar detector to correct target speed and position which was overwhelmingly the most frequent
comment about the events in the past at the SCSC.
We also used new marketing methods to reach new shooters that would normally not participate in our
events. One of these methods was establishing a Perpetual Purse. We started with $3000 seeded by TechPro,
Sparky’s Electric as well as an anonymous donor. Currently we have a total of $5737 in the purse. This will
continue to help bring in shooters and increase in size as the years go by.
We had a great year and look forward to more successful shoots as we move into 2011. We are still always
open to your comments about our ATA shoots so that we can improve them as much as possible. Just e-mail
[email protected].
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Page 15
CLUBNEWSLETTER
FALL 2010
Say Hello to Recob Target Shop
You may have seen the big truck parked in the SCSC parking lot on occasion. If you don’t know why the
truck was there then you have never ordered from Recob’s Target Shop.
Recob’s is a small but growing family business. Billy, Karen and Jeff Recob are shooters who turned their
hobby into a business in 1985. Their store is located at 975 19th Street in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. Jeff
started out as a truck driver. Karen was looking to start a part time business and started delivering shooting
supplies to local clubs in Wisconsin. It has grown from there. The irony is that Billy and Karen hated selling
while Jeff is a born salesman. They have evolved and expanded their personalities and responsibilities over the
years.
Jeff says that dealing with Hazmat regulations and the TSA, etc. can be a hassle at times. They are only
licensed to bring ammo, powder and primers. Ammo is considered a lower grade of Hazmat material but they
still have to display the explosives sign on their trucks.
For fun the family has been going to the Grand American every year to vacation, not to vend, since 1984. It’s
their opportunity to sit and talk with their customers who have also become their friends. Jeff says that Sparta
is nice for the convenience and state of the art equipment. And he recommends a good restaurant to check out
for supper is the Pioneer Cabin Restaurant. He said that Vandalia had more of a carnival atmosphere and of
course, the tradition.
Jeff calls shooting “noisy golf”. He says he likes the changes he sees at SCSC. And he thanks SCSC for letting
them come down and play with them.
The trip from WI to SCSC takes 3 1/2 hours and they try to schedule visits three or four times a year. They
currently travel to three sportsmen’s club sites in Illinois; Northbrook, Downers Grove and SCSC.
About five years ago Jeff thought that they were going to be put out of business when Walmart came on the
scene with cheap shooting supplies followed by Gander and other sports stores. However, he was pleasantly
surprised to find that his customers are loyal friends and the competition has not had the impact he expected.
If people want to order ammo supplies they must call first to order because Recob’s has to account for all
ammo on their trucks under the Hazmat regulations. It’s a lot of paperwork that must be completed. Supplies
can be shipped also but customers are required to pay a hazardous material handling fee in addition to the
standard shipping fee. It’s definitely advantageous to order ahead and pick up when Recobs visits SCSC. For
more information or to order supplies, check out www.recobstargetshop.com or call 800-359-4571.
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 16
CLUBNEWSLETTER
FALL 2010
SCSC Lead Reclamation
Have you been wondering what those big piles of
dirt and machinery was doing out there in the field at
SCSC for several weeks? It’s all about lead reclamation.
There’s approximately 300,000 pounds of lead that
we dumped out there in the field over the last few years.
The salvage company uses a power rake followed by a
broom attached to a Bobcat to bring it to the surface. It
is then washed using water from the pond to separate
the dirt from the lead shot. They will then sell the lead to
a scrap company in bulk. The scrap company will then
infuse it with lead of a higher purity to bring up the purity level for resale. They will create 3,000 pound ingots
which would be about the size of the big blue barrels
only shorter.
As most of you are aware when you buy ammo, lead is
selling at a high price right now which makes it
profitable to mine the lead from SCSC land.
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 17
CLUBNEWSLETTER
The annual, shoot free targets all day event was held on
Sunday, October 3. We had beautiful weather and everyone had a
great time at the event. One of the goals of the event is to get members to try a shooting venue they may not have tried. It also provides all of us the opportunity to compete our age peers, and others;
and the opportunity to include our family members in the activity.
This year Frank Kubica (double defending TOP GUN) had phantom
shoulder problems which opened the door for the rest of us. The
TOP GUN this year is Stan Krasinski with a 163.5, and Wingman is
John Allen with a 150.5.
Other winners were: Youth Non-AIM Caleb Sims w/48.5; 18-29
Tom Kilinski w/134; 30-39 Brent Dempsey w/131.5; 40-49 Adam
Bliss w/114.5 as Stan Krasinski’s 163.5 takes TOP GUN; 50-59 Steve
Lauderdale w/126.5; 60-69 Tim Theimer w/129.5; 70-79 Harvey Scharlou w/104.5 as John Allen’s 150.5 takes Wingman; 80+
Leonard Scott; Women Laura Anderson’s 110 beat Rosie LoGuides’s
110 by a combine rifle/handgun time of 47/100 second—WOW!!!!;
AIM Sean Gamble w/99.5; Husband & Wife Chris and Laura
Andersen 223.5; Parent+Child Adam & Ryan Bliss w/205.5; and
Mom+Dad+son/daughter Tina, Steve, & Nick Scruggs w/180.
FALL 2010
2010
Annual
Club
Shoot
When I joined SCSC in “85, the Annual Club Shoot consisted of
Trap+Handicap+Doubles. True, we didn’t have a sporting clays
range until we kicked the on-site PF hunting program to the curb—
but we did have a rifle range. The variety of shooting venues we
now include is only possible due to the efforts of several members.
Jeff Johansen has brought the Rifle/Pistol range into what will
shortly become something we can really brag about—and his crew
of volunteers: Tim Racke, Charles Dover, Craig Merkling, Ryan
Rudecki, Rich Rudecki, and Glen Middlekauf make rifle/handgun
a fun event that runs very smoothly. Another venue that has really
stepped up to the plate is the Archery Range thanks to the Herculean efforts of Jim Kuchinski. The Sporting Clays ranges are now part
of the program thanks to the efforts of Frank Kubica and his crew.
Although I enjoy managing the annual club shoot, I am wondering if there might be a few individuals or small group who are
looking for an opportunity to become more involved and that would
like to take it over. This would allow me a few more hours that I
could devote to our AIM program and to growing the Tuesday Night
Lights—Scholastic Trap League. I would be happy to help anyone
getting started who is looking for a work hours venue—much like
the group that always hosts our booth at Silver Springs State Park
each September for the annual Hunting & Fishing Days weekend.
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 18
CLUBNEWSLETTER
FALL 2010
First Barnyard Benchrest Match
Sunday October 10th was our first Barnyard Bench Rest Match. 8 people turned out on a
beautiful day with very little wind which helps to keep the scores high. Many of us had not shot
this particular match before and found it very fun. We used .22 rifles valued below $700.00 for the
event. The target had 20 bullseyes and were shot from 50 yards away. Scopes had to be set at 6.5
power or less. Adam Porter with his new Savage Mark II rifle was the overall winner and recipient
of the coveted “Pig Pin” award.
NOVEMBER BARNYARD BENCHREST RESULTS
NAME
Bill Askwith
Wayne Belic
Dave Gay
Adam Porter
Rifle
Ammunition
Ruger 96/22,
Rem. Gold
Rem. 581
Fed. 711B
Marlin Mod. 60 Win.
Savage MKII
CCI
String 1 String 2
113-1X
93-0X
117-1X
122-2X
161-2X
160-3X
166-2X
String 3
157-5X
AGG.
363-6X
121-1X
153-1X
404-5X
479-6X
A big Thank You to Douglas Rome for setting up and running this event.
Not only is it a lot of fun you can learn a lot about shooting from the people who are there.
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 19
CLUBNEWSLETTER
FALL 2010
Northern Illinois Hunting & Fishing Days
On September 25th and 26th 2010 a handful of club members earned their work hours by introducing
the Saint Charles Sportsmen’s Club to attendees of the Northern Illinois Hunting and Fishing Days at Silver
Springs State Park in Yorkville Illinois. This event is free to the attendees and has many activities for both
children and adults including an Archery Range, B-B Gun Range, Trap Range, Hunting Dog Demonstrations,
Bowfishing, Paddle your own Canoe, Vendor Exhibits, Historic Reenactor Encampment, Climbing Wall,
Kids Casting Competition, Kids Fishing Pond, Fly Tying / Fly Casting, Fishing Simulator, Water Color, Hawg
Trough and more.
A new member, Jim Cunningham, was out to help promote our Pheasant Hunting Program in Norway Illinois. Jim did a great job describing our program and handing out the outstanding looking fliers that Bob
Butterworth and Barry Bourdage created. Jim got a taste of the enthusiasm that gun dog owners have for their
dogs. Jim exchanged phone numbers with a few of the other members that were more than willing to help him
out and work their dogs with him at our hunting property in Norway. Jim doesn’t currently own a dog.
Members Bill and Michelle Gajewski and Nick Scruggs were on hand to help promote our AIM Youth Shooting
program. Some of our members including Lew Hummell and his son were there on behalf of the Boy Scouts of
America cooking pancakes and helping to park cars.
Member Joe DeJure had an especially fun day getting his work hours in with a great group of volunteers, followed by winning the silent auction of our booth neighbor’s (Heartland Outfitting in Oswego
www.heartlandoutfitting.com) $100 gunsmith gift certificate for only $25 and then topped it off by winning
their raffle of his choice from 8 guns. Their comment to Joe was “they would go broke if they had more customers like him”.
The Saint Charles Sportsmen’s Club has donated the clay pigeons for the trap range as well as volunteer
workers for several years now. This is a great event and if you have young kids or grand-kids, it is a must see
(for more information on this event go to http://www.nihfd.org). All in all it was a great event that we help to
support and provides us a terrific opportunity to promote our club.
Thank you very much to Steve Scruggs, Andrea Ema and their team for our involvement in the event!
Right: Steve Scruggs
was interviewed on the
main stage about the
St. Charles Sportsmen’s
Club for the “From the
Outdoors to the Kitchen
Radio Show” with Chris
Bates and Mary Kay
heard on am 1220 WKRS
Saturday mornings
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 20
CLUBNEWSLETTER
FALL 2010
Slug Gun Sight In
On Sunday November 14th we held our annual Slug Gun Site in Day.
This is the only day of the year in which we allow non members and shooting members to shoot slug guns
and muzzle loaders at our rifle range.
We had 24 hunters turn out to check their scopes and practice with their guns for the upcoming deer
season.
There were lots of deer hunting stories shared among the participants and some were even true!
The Club members that were there to help with the RSO duties were:
Joel Speckman,Bill Askwith, Andy Erback, Buzz Hodges, Dave Gay, Rudy Berger, Jim Townsley, Jim
Hajduk, Allen Zagel, Tony Grano, And Eugene Doetsch.
Thank you to all the Range officers for making this a successful event
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 21
CLUBNEWSLETTER
FALL 2010
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Now that the St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club is a Members Only organization it is all the more important
that every member know and follow the Club’s rules and the procedures that keep us safe and on good
terms with our neighbors in the Elburn community. Several recent incidents at the Club underscore the
need to remind everyone about these important rules and procedures.
SHOOTING HOURS:
The Club grounds are open 24/7 to Full Members. However, our SHOOTING HOURS begin at 9:00
AM and must absolutely end by 10:00 PM. No firearms are to be fired before 9 AM or after 10 PM.
The St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club expends a great deal of effort and resources every year to support
the Elburn community. The actions of our members, both on and off the Club grounds, also contribute
to what the community thinks of our Club and how they act and react to our presence in their midst.
AMMUNITION:
All the members should know that all shotgun shells are not created equal. Just like cars and shoes
and wrenches; there are different kinds of shells for different purposes. At the St. Charles Sportsmen’s
Club we only shoot TARGET GRADE shells. The characteristics of target grade shells are clearly
printed on the shells themselves and on the boxes in which the shells are packaged. What are the
characteristics of target grade shotshell ammunition?









2 ¾ or 3 Dram Equivalent (DE) – this expresses the “power” of the shell
Target grade ammunition is 3 Dram Equivalent, MAXIMUM.
The power of the shell may also be shown as “FPS” (feet per second).
Target grade ammunition is always about 1,250 fps, MAXIMUM and often is less.
Target grade shotshells only come with shot sizes of 7 ½, 8, 8 ½, or 9.
NEVER use any shotshell with a shot size number smaller than 7 ½ on the Club grounds.
Remember, the smaller the shot size number the larger the pellet size.
The charge weight of the shot in Target Grade ammunition is always 1 1/8 ounces or less.
All plated or coated shot of any size is prohibited on the Club grounds.
Only #9 size shotshells are allowed on our Skeet field. This small shot size does not “carry” as
far as larger shot.
Shotgun shells greater than 3 DE or containing shot larger than #7 ½ carry farther and strike harder
that target grade shells. Such shells are for field and waterfowl HUNTING and should not be used on
our Elburn property. Be careful, some hunting loads also contain #7 ½ or 8 shot. These shells will
usually EXCEED the 3 DE (1,250 fps) limit and should not be used at the Club.
Most of our Club members know and follow these rules already, so if you have any questions or any
doubts about what you’re doing or the shells you are using, just ask any of the people around the Club
or one of the managers. Also, the shot size and velocity/power limits for shotshell ammunition are
posted in the Clubhouse and at the signup counter if you need a reminder.
It is in every member’s best interest, and up to each one of us, that all our safety and operating rules
are followed all of the time.
OF PIECE
St. END
Charles
Sportsmen’s Club
Page 22
CLUBNEWSLETTER
FALL 2010
The Winter “Jack Rabbit” trap league will begin its annual run again this winter on Sunday, January 9, 2011.
While the exact schedule will be announced at the Membership Meeting on December 13th, the “Jack Rabbit”
will operate just has it has for more than 30 years with weekly shoots at 10 AM each Sunday at the member
clubs. Those clubs participating are:
St. Charles SC – Elburn
Sycamore C&SC – Sycamore
Maywood SC – Elmhurst
McHenry SC – McHenry
Northbrook SC - Grayslake
Lacking the exact schedule right now, it is known that the first shoot on January 9th will be at McHenry SC,
last year’s Jack Rabbit champion club. After that each club will host two separate shoots in rotation until the
final, big prize shoot, probably at SCSC in early March.
Participation is open to all Full Members of SCSC. Everyone is welcome to come and shoot on however many
Sundays are convenient. The cost is $20 each week for one round at 16 yards and one round of handicap based
on the shooter’s 16 yard score. The entry cost each week covers the cost of targets, the weekly individual and
team Lewis prizes as well as the “carry over” jackpot paid out at the final event. Any number of club members
may shoot each week, but each club’s “team” for a given week is based on those members who shoot one of the
top five scores for all members of that club. Individual Lewis Class prizes are paid as usual as well as Team
Lewis prizes, usually the first and third place team finishers each week. It should be noted that SCSC’s almost
uncanny knack for finishing third nearly every week generally insures a steady flow of Team Lewis prize money
to our team each week.
Our SCSC Webmaster & Newsletter Editor Bob Butterworth has set up a website for the Winter Jack Rabbit
at www.winterjackrabbit.com. The full schedule for the 2011 season will be posted there shortly as well as the
operating rules and the directions to each participating club. The scores, payouts and team standings will also
be posted there after each week’s shoot.
If you’re interested in keeping your shooting sharp through the winter, representing you club or just want to
see what other clubs look like, come on out starting on January 9th and take part in the Winter Jack Rabbit. On
some winter Sundays it can be a real “character builder.”
St. Charles Sportsmen’s Club
Page 23