Colorado Rifle Club

NEWSLETTER

March 2003

78th Annual Meeting

The 2003 CRC Annual Meeting was held February 15 at Capt. Bligh's Restaurant. About 95 members, family and guests enjoyed prime rib, halibut or chicken, as well as a lot of friendly socializing. The restaurant changed management since the 2002 meeting and overall it was much improved.

President Reul opened the meeting by congratulating Lowell and Alice Higgins on their 60th wedding anniversary on February 17th. He then recounted the major events of the year

Vice President Brummerstedt reported that our Wildlife and Conservation Habitat improvement projects got off to a good start, but the drought was very damaging and a lot of replanting will need to be done in April. Wild turkeys are being trapped now and after their health is checked some will be released on our land. Remember - NO HUNTING!

Secretary/Treasurer Everitt reported that we took in 76 new members and lost about as many holding the membership fairly constant, at around 600 for the third year. Our budget was in good balance even including the purchase of a new tractor, because we deferred some other items and had somewhat more income than expected. The roads are in bad shape because the drought and a disabled grader, but we will work on them in 2003. Match attendance was up by about 22%, but match income was down. The portion of our invested reserve that is in cash and bonds did well, but the portion in stocks did not do as well.

Wayne Harris reported the following nominations for the Board of Directors: Jim Brummerstedt, Jerry Davidson, Stan Dial, Larry Kelley, Steve Kingcade and Doug Maxwell. Brummerstedt and Davidson were returned and Stand Dial was elected succeeding Larry Kelley.

President Reul recognized the following members for special recognition for their work during the year: Laura Everitt for the Newsletter; Rick Blume for managing the website; Bruce Benninghoff for managing the membership database; Matt Polich for building the trap trailer and helping with sporting clays; Bastiaan Cornelissen and Jim Brummerstedt for the WHIP and CHIP projects; and Dave John for managing the south fence reconstruction.

The Match Director's Workshop was held in January with about 25 attending. Discussions included: better use of computers, improved mailing lists and proposed range improvements. Our attorney has proposed the general use of a liability release form by all members and guests entering the property. Apparently this is a more common practice than we had realized and we will continue to study the idea to try to simplify the form.

Work bond compliance by members remains a serious problem. We need to complete work responsibilities in the current year instead of permitting carry-over into the following year. Carry-over causes major record keeping problems. We also need a better tracking and reporting of compliance. Bruce Benninghoff proposed

a wallet sized card to be carried with your membership card. It will be signed by the work supervisor and returned by the member to the Sec/Treas. It will be the member's responsibility to be sure that the card is signed and mailed when he/she does their work. Cards and an explanatory note will be sent to all members having a 2003 work bond responsibility. Some members still have a 2002 work bond to fulfill and this must be done by March 31.

The "What Do You Want" survey drew about 50 replies. Space in this newsletter will not permit complete coverage now, but a few appear at the end of this newsletter.

NEW DIRCTORS BIO DATA

All BOD nominees submitted bio sketches, which were passed out before the meeting. Those of the three elected are presented here.

Although I have been a board member for several years and have seen many club improvements thanks to the members and board, I feel there is still more improvement needed to make us an ever better shooting facility.

In 2002 I worked with the Adams County Conservation District and planted 200 shrubs in the Bijou with them covering 75% of the cost for the CHIP program. With the biologist's involved this led me to the DOW, for transplanting turkeys in the Bijou and as this is being written they are in the process of setting traps. One thing led to another and with the foresight of Bastiaan Cornelissen we got involved with the WHIP program, that included a spring and fall planting of 15 acres in the Bijou plus another 150 shrubs for habitat in 2003, with 70% of cost covered by the conservation service. I would like to see these projects completed.

I was raised on a North Dakota wheat and cattle farm. I worked in the "Oil Patch" as a roustabout for a drill rig moving contractor, which involved working with bulldozers, graders and trucks. I served one hitch in the Marine Corp then drove cement and acid trucks for Halliburton Field Services. Attended the Univ. on North Dakota and graduated with a degree in Geology. I then worked for Climax Moly. Co,, Kerr-McGee, Homestake Mining Co., and a couple of smaller mining companies as a miner, shift boss, geologist, surveyor, mine engineer, photo geologist and briefly as a floatation mill foreman. I then worked as a mining safety advisor for the Federal Mine Inspectors (MSHA) from which I retired about six years ago.

I have been involved in competitive shooting since the early 1980's. I have competed with smallbore rifle, pistol, but mostly with high power rifle.

I joined CRC in the late 80's. Shortly thereafter the present range land was acquired and I became involved in the assemble and start up of the high power rifle range. Since that time (about 11 years) we have run a number of rifle tournaments. This year will be the fifth year that we have conducted a high power rifle clinic and matches for new shooters. We are slowly increasing the number of active competitors in this sport.

Two years ago I became the CMP Executive for the Colorado State Shooting Association (CSSA). I thereby became the custodian for 27 M-14 rifles, 9 M1 Garand rifles, and 3 AR-15 rifles. These rifles are issued to new shooters for a 2 year period and must be used in competition each year.

I would hope that all competitive disciplines in CRC would conduct some type of clinic followed by a new shooters match each year.

Stan grew up in Kansas followed by two years in the U.S. Navy. Then he graduated from school and served as city manager in El Dorado, Kansas. In 1962 he moved to Colorado where he served as city manager in Englewood, for a combined total of twenty years. In 1974 he went into business for himself in providing local governments with consulting services in the acquisition of property interests for various local needs such as road right-of-way, utility and drainage easements, etc. Along the way, he also obtained a Colorado real estate broker's license.

He's been a member of CRC since 1991 and feels indebted to the early members of the club who established the club's traditions and the range and its facilities for their foresight and solid foundation. He enjoys sporting clays shooting, along with casual target shooting, and has reloaded and hunted game nearly all his entire adult life.

Stan also strongly supports the competitive shooting disciplines which he "believes is the backbone of the club." He says, "If I'm elected to the CRC Board, I will try to carry out my duties effectively and responsively." With the Denver newspapers no longer taking ads for gun sales, he wonders if the club or the CSSA could include a section in their newsletters for members with shooting equipment for sale.

CRC Junior Sharpshooters

The CRC Junior program was started a few years ago by Bob Zamora, who is unable to continue with it. Mike Walton is a Cherry Creek School teacher with a lot of experience in working with young folks. His daughter Rose is a mater class high power shooter. Mike plans to lead the effort in furthering a junior program. His article outlining his plan appears on page 3.

HELP WANTED!

The Colorado Rifle Club is member driven. We accomplish only what the members will do. In order to improve the club's service to members, we need someone to do the work, because there is just more to do than the elected Directors can do without your help. We already have the Match Directors Council, who run the matches and we couldn't function without them. But there is more that can be done if someone will step forward.

WORK BOND MANAGER. This is a big job. We need someone to find out what work needs to be done and when; schedule the work and see that needed materials are ordered and provided; recruit work day supervisors and workers; and see to it that reports on who worked when get to the database manager so that workers get proper credit.

EQUIPMENT MANAGER. Keep track of the tractors and other equipment. Be sure that operators are trained on each piece, keep maintenance records and see that oil changes and routine maintenance are done on time, and that fuel, etc. is on hand.

FAMILY DAY ORGANIZER. We really should have one or two days each year devoted to family events that may or may not involve some kind of fun shooting. The objective is to get spouses and kids more interested in shooting.

MERCHANDISE MANAGER. There is some interest in club hats, T-shirts and the like, but it takes time. The manager would buy and stock a limited selection of items and visit selected matches to display and sell club gear.

NEWSLETTER ASSISTANT EDITOR. Laura needs help with the newsletter, getting information from match directors and others and writing it up in an interesting, readable way. The newsletter appears monthly in the summer and as needed in winter. This is a good chance to get acquainted with other members.

If you'd like more information about these positions, or are ready to volunteer, call Denny Reul at (303) 238-5696.

PISTOL CLINIC

Doug Maxwell and Wayne Harris will sponsor a bullseye and UIT clinic conducted by the Olympic Training Center Coach! Time and fee to be announced. This should be a great chance to learn about pistol shooting from one of the best. Call Doug at (303) 431-1420 or Wayne at (303) 431-4009.

MUZZLE LOADER CONVENTION

The Colorado Muzzle Loaders Convention will be held at Ft. Lupton High School on March 29 & 30, sponsored by the Ft. Lupton Historical Society and the Friends of the NRA. The Friends will hold a fund raising dinner and UNC in Greeley on April 3rd. Call Bill Lang at (303) 857-1812 for more information.

The Annual Meeting Adjourned at 10:50 p.m. A brief Board of Directors meeting followed which returned Reul, Brummerstedt and Everitt to the offices of President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer respectively.

WORK DAYS!

The annual spring cleanup days are set for March 29 and 30. All ranges will be closed on the 29th, and most will be closed on the 30th. This is the LAST CHANCE for members who requested an extension of their 2002 Work Bond period. You MUST finish it by March 31, or be dropped. You MUST complete your 2002 obligation before doing your 2003 work, but you can do them on consecutive days. Carpenters, electricians, welders and mechanics should bring their own tools if possible. We also need ladders 8 ft tall or higher and portable electric generators to run power tools, and of course power tools - particularly a portable grinder to sharpen mower blades as well as saws, drills and the like. Fence workers should bring wire pliers and heavy leather gloves.

JOBS TO DO: Complete south fence; clean house and basement refrigerator; move chairs to the barn; clean the stat office; finish landscaping at old house site; add soil in front of smallbore target stands; repair Schuetzen target frames; complete interior of Schuetzen shed; build HP target frames; build target stands on silhouette range (welder); install pistol target mechanism (welder); build and install 50 ft. target frames for juniors; clean toilets and put water in vaults; build new deck for hay trailer; build and wire shed for sporting clays (tentative - carpenter and electrician); cultivate and water trees; replant trees and shrubs (in April); repair HP number boards; repair roof leaks in stat office; repair threshold of stat office door; replace pulleys on HP target carriers; rebuild pit covers & rear windows on HP range pit; clean out and organize barn and fix end doors; preventive maintenance on small machines, build field archers range; rewire the farmall tractor for 12 volt instead of 6 volts (auto electrician); general cleanup and painting.

WORK BOND CARDS

All CRC member have a one day work bond responsibility which is a basic part of membership. Members are automatically excused if they fall in one of the following groups:

* Resident outside Colorado

* Age 65 or older

* Club Directors or Match Directors

Members can also ask to be excused for any of the following reasons:

* Active Military, police, firefighting or paramedic service

* Services to shooting, i.e. officer in another club, junior coach, etc.

* Permanent disability

* Serious illness or accident

* Out of work long term

* Full time student

* Other conditions or problems. We want to be liberal, but we can't help if we don't know about a problem.

Members my fulfill their responsibility by:

* One day of work on or off site; mailing newsletters, match assistance etc.

* Contribution of merchandise or materials worth $100 or more (prior approval required).

* Payment of $100.

Getting your workbond compliance reported is a difficult problem. Bruce Benninghoff has designed a wallet sized card in an attempt to simplify and improve the process. He has screened out those who are not required to do a work bond or have already fulfilled their 2003 obligation. Members who have a 2003 obligation as of February 23 have, or soon will, receive a card either with your membership card when you pay your dues, or in a separate mailing to those who have already paid their dues.

We hope you will keep this with your membership card so that it is with you at the range. When you do work, whether it is at a scheduled work party, or at some other time, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to get the card signed by your work supervisor and mail it to the address on the back side for recording. If you work off site or alone, please fill out the card and send it in as if a supervisor were present. DO NOT send the card for less than a full day of work. If you work part days, keep track of the time and when you have completed a full days worth, send in the card. The database cannot record partial days. If you choose to send payment, please include the card to be sure you are recorded accurately. Receipt of this card indicates that YOU HAVE A 2003 WORKBOND RESPONSIBILITY. IT MUST BE DONE BY DECEMBER 31! Questions? Call Dennis Reul (303) 238-5696 or Martin Everitt (303) 425-4450.

JUNIOR SMALLBORE SUMMER PROGRAM

First Steps

Plans are shaping up for a new CRC junior program to begin this summer. While other clubs in the area sponsor indoor 5-meter BB, 10-meter air rifle, and 50 foot smallbore programs, CRC will be limited to outdoor shooting, which means that our junior program will have to run in the summer months only and will start with .22 rimfire training. Current plans point toward a regularly scheduled weekly practice on a weekday morning or evening.

Martin Everitt is designing portable target stands that can be set up for junior practice on the smallbore range at a distance of 50 feet from the firing line. The program will start by preparing to use 10 positions on the line to accommodate up to 10 juniors per relay. Juniors will be trained to shoot 4-position smallbore events and will participate is the NRA's Smallbore Qualifications Program, training to earn official ratings of Pro-Marksman, Marksman, Sharpshooter and Expert. Participants will shoot on the A-17 target until they achieve Expert rating; then they will use the A-36 target.

Donations Needed

The club currently has $600 reserved for a junior program. More funds will be available for purchase of equipment, but before ordering new gear, we would like to gather as much as possible through donations from club members. The program will require at least ten .22 target rifles with slings, scopes with stands, and shooting mats, as well as shooting jackets and gloves, ammo blocks and other miscellaneous smallbore gear and tools. All donations of rifles and equipment are welcome. Members who have used smallbore equipment they can part with are encouraged to contact Mike Walton, Marty Everitt or Denny Reul about donating their gear to the junior program.

Bring on the Kids (and Adult Volunteers!)

Summer will be here in just a few months, and the junior program needs to be well organized before that first practice date arrives. Interested parents, whose children are 8 to 18 years old, are encouraged to sign up their kids as soon as possible. Parents will be strongly encouraged to attend practices and lend a hand with managing equipment, scoring, and for those with smallbore experience, even coaching. Other adult volunteers will be needed as well. To sign up kids or to volunteer as an adult assistant, contact Mike Walton by email at bigbadgerboy@yahoo.com or by phone at (303) 757-4304.

SILHOUETTE FUN SHOOTS

CRC member Don McKnight (303 732-0587) will host a series of informal fun shoots on the silhouette range for members and guests who wish to learn about silhouette shooting, just want to fire at the targets, and competitive shooters who want to practice. There will be some equipment available, but participants can bring any safe .22 caliber rifle to fire. A scope is recommended. There will be no cost to the participants. Show up at the silhouette range at 9:00 AM and Don will organize the shooters into relays. The shooting will continue until all have had their fill of fun for the day or have used up all their ammunition. All shooting will be on Saturdays. The dates set aside for these shoots are: 3/15, 3/22, 4/12, 4/26, 5/17, 5/31, 6/14, 6/28, 7/12, 7/26 8/9, 8/23, 9/13, 9/27.

ARCHERY

Bill Flynn plans to install a field archery range near the sporting clays. We don't know much about it yet, but anyone interested should call Bill at 303 470-1711 or email With a little luck we can do the construction on the March work days.

CSSA MEMBERSHIP

CRC has always advocated that our members also join NRA and CSSA. Recently CSSA has come up with a bargain membership offer for our members. It is printed below as received from them..

Join "Colorado State Shooting Association and we'll enter you in a drawing for a Smith & Wesson model 642 Airweight in .38 Special +P, a nice concealed carry gun! We're working hard to defend your rights and promote the shooting sports. Take advantage of the CRC member discount and take $5 off your dues!

Drawing 6-18-03. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20 with or without membership. Need not be present to win.

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___Adult 1 Year $30 CRC DISCOUNT $25

___Adult 2 Year $50 ___Adult 3 Year $70

___Life $275

___Painless Life $25 ($25 quarterly, $275 total) Please send me ____ additional raffle tickets.

Name ___________________________________

Address _________________________________

City _____________________________________

State _________ Zip _______________

Phone ___________________________________

E-mail ___________________________________

Credit Card # _____________________________

Exp Date_______________

Signature _____________________________________

Mail your application and dues check (or use your credit card) to: Colorado State Shooting Association: 609 W Littleton Blvd., #206; Littleton, CO 80120 720-283-1376, fax 720-283-1333,

Remember also, join or rejoin the NRA thru CRC and the club gets a commission. Call Martin Everitt 303 425-4450 for details.

Miscellaneous

We hear that member Jack Larabee is recovering from cancer surgery and the outlook is good. Bill Brendza is in the Hospital. We understand he will be at Porter Hospital, Room 4051 until April 1. Calls and cards are welcome.

Whoever brought about 50 stacking chairs to the stat. office recently - thanks. Does anyone have a couple of kitchen cabinet units? We could use about a 48 inch base (with top) and uppers. Oh - and to those who borrowed the folding table from the stat office, please return it!

Don't forget- On April 1, the gate combination changes. If you haven' paid dues and got the new combination you won't get in. Also on April 1 the $20 late payment penalty applies to your dues.

SPORTING CLAY SHOOTERS!

Good news! Practice traps are again available! They are now in a small shed near the old house site.

COMPUTER NEEDED

Do you have an old computer around that you're not using? If you've got one with Pentium capability and around 400 MB or so, and you'd like to donate it to the club, call Dennis at (303)238-5696. Bob Zamora has a plan to get the club hooked up with weather station capability, so members can get on-line and find current temperatures, wind conditions, etc on the range, before leaving home!!!

WHAT DO MEMBERS WANT?

The following is a summary of some of the responses received to the questionnaire sent out with the January Newsletter. Comments are in Italics. We don't have room for them all this month, so more of these will appear in later newsletters.

Covered firing line on silhouette This will be done eventually, but the Board of Directors (BoD) feels that there are more urgent needs at this time.

Large dumpster at the house area. In our area dumpster service is VERY expensive.

500 Yd. Firing line on HP range. Probably will do so. This will increase congestion on the HP range.

Toilet on 600 HP line and near campsites. Planned for 2003, also one on sporting clays.

300 Yd. Target line on the Schuetzen range. Moving the backstop to 300 yds. Will be very expensive. Needs a plan.

Put benches at 400 & 500 yds on HP range. Until done, benches near these distances available on silhouette range (200, 380, and 500 meters.

Build a 100 yd tunnel for testing. We hope to eventually, other priorities seen as higher.

Equipment building, meeting hall, clubhouse, indoor range. Equipment building most likely by 2005. Meeting hall, club house will be considered, along with indoor range. Winter access and heating for indoor range a consideration. Perhaps an indoor range could be located in Byers or Strasburg. A shower building and sleeping quarters at campsites have been proposed in the past as well.

Organize and repair the barn, fix the end doors to open. An alternative to equipment building. Barn may not be worth repairs. Several posts are rotted off at the ground line. We will try to keep the building as long as we can.