Fall 2014 Newsletter
Summer has come and gone. It was a short one this year for sure. Just the same, there was a lot of activity at the range this summer. The Club conducted a Hunter Safety course at the Nation Guard Armory and at the range. The 4H Shooting Sports moved from the Armory in May and were active all summer honing their skills for the State match in September. They did very good and brought back medals by the handful. Two High School trap teams, Wabasso and Echo Charter, practiced this last spring and then competed at the State Championship in Alexandria. This fast growing sport saw over 4500 athletes competing over several days. Echo Charter is also shooting the fall league. Over 10% of the school is on the shooting team. We look forward to both HS returning in the spring. Maybe Redwood HS will join in as well.
There have been several improvements to the range facilities. Numerous loads of gravel were brought in to improve the road. More than a couple of loads of dirt were brought in to build up the berm on the 50 yard range. The steel was upgraded on the pistol range falling plates and several new targets were added. There is a soda vending machine on site to quench your thirst. Last but not least, we have an archery range.
These improvement and enhancement did not happen by themselves. We want to thank Pete Weis for taking the lead on the dirt work and steel. Gene Malecha assisted with grading and other dirt work. Jim Doering and Jerry Ludwig were the planners and worker bees for the archery range with some assistance from Pete U’ren. Thanks to Pete we’ll have an elevated shooting platform. Keeping the grass under control again this year was Bob Rohlik. There is a new sign at the entrance, donated by Charlie Nelson. There were a few other projects and tasks that were accomplished behind the scenes. A big thanks to all who contributed time and effort.
In addition to the HS trap and 4H Shooting Sports we had adult activities as well. The Club conducted trap shooting on Tuesday nights. River Valley Arms and Ammunition sponsored Ladies Night at the range. This was a once a month activity that focused on different types of firearms each month. RVAA also conducted concealed carry classes and advanced pistol training. Larry W. conducted two CMP Rimfire Sporter Matches. This is a match fired at 50 yards and 25 yards in prone, sitting, and standing positions. Now that .22 ammo is becoming more available perhaps, we’ll see more competitors next year. If there is some kind of match you would like to shoot let us know.
We now have a website. https://rwfsportsmensclub.com/ and a Face Book page as well. So between the web site, Face Book, the email list, and the twice a year newsletter we are trying to get the word out to everyone.
Mention was made in our electronic media about exploding targets. The Cliff’s note version of the message is: a little bit now and then is OK but when you mix up several pounds and rattle the neighbor’s plates and pictures on the wall you’ve gone too far. Complaints were made. That is saying a lot since they live next to a gun range and usually don’t complain.
Another complaint is leaving trash and brass on the range. You took the time to bring it in, please take the time to take it out. Please leave the range in better shape that you found it.
Now that things are slowing down it is time to have meetings. The first meeting this season is the second Wednesday of the month, Nov-12. All of the others are the second Tuesday of the month Dec-9, Jan-13, Feb-10, Mar-10, are at the Redwood Falls American Legion starting at 7:00 PM. The meetings don’t last that long and there is always plenty of discussion about hunting and shooting. Sportsmen’s stuff!
Be safe! Shooting is fun!
Club Officers
President: Steve Whittet Secretary/Treasurer: Larry Weidell Board: George Mashing, Bob Rohlik, Tom Morely, Zach Anderson, B. J. Tersteeg, Pete Weis