Colorado Rifle Club

NEWSLETTER

June 2004

Workbond update

By Dave Paananen

We are coming into the busy season for shooting. There will be a number of opportunities for you to help out at the various events you will find on the club calendar. Give the match director a call and volunteer to help out. The increase in activity will also create an additional need to take out the trash. The club has a trailer that they use as a central collection point. It is already full and the area around the trailer has a number of impromptu trash piles. We could really use a member with a truck, wired and fitted with a hitch for pulling a double axle trailer, to take the trailer to the Tower Road landfill. The club will reimburse you for the dump fee, and for a tank of gas, so this is a low cost way to get your workbond taken care of. If you have a suitable rig, call Dave Paananen (303) 673-0106 or one of the club directors for details.

THE RANGE ROVER

POTENTIAL PROPERTY ADDITION

The section of land immediately to the east of our existing properties has been listed for sale. This section stretches west from Leader Road on the east to our east fence; on the north from 112th Avenue, our old access road, south to our southern boundary by the pumping station. If we could obtain this piece of property, it would do much to protect us in future years from any development that might occur. The Club has retained a broker to negotiate in our interests so that we might attempt to obtain this property.

We located the CRC ranges in a remote, undeveloped area in the hopes of preventing future encroachment from impacting our activities. As all can see, the development is slowly heading our way. The board of directors feels that with the possible opportunity to purchase this property now, we should act on it as the opportunity to purchase it at a later date may not occur. Also, if the land should be purchased by a developer and built up, we could have neighbors up against our property lines that did not want us there. Although state law says rifle ranges are protected from the airport syndrome of people moving in and then complaining, unhappy people on our borders would cause us a lot of problems.

If we did obtain this property, it would become a buffer for our operations now and in the future. There are several ways in which we could use it. We could continue to lease to a local rancher for crops or possibly get it into the CRP program and plant it in natural grasses. There could be future range development such as a trap field on a portion of it or an indoor facility. But most importantly it would serve as a buffer, both for noise and possible bullet fallout and isolate us further from any development that might occur.

RANGE CHANGES and UPGRADES

Schuetzen Range

Recently, target frames were added to the Schuetzen at 25 yards and 50 yards. They are located on points 29 and 30 and put up to help the members who may have a new rifle to sight in but the 100 yard targets are just too far to be able to get the gun ?on paper?. We thank members Leonard Avery and son Trent for the constructing and placing these frames.

HighPower Range

A shed has been installed behind the pits on the highpower range. This will be used to store practice targets and supplies for use by the members who want to practice on the highpower range. Eventually the shed will be stocked with a selection of targets to be used for practice to hopefully assure that good targets are always available. A few targets will be left in the pits for those members who are simply looking for a frame to mount their own target. Incidentally, the shed needs to be painted and will make a good work bond project for anyone looking for an assignment. Contact Dave Paananen 303 673-0106 if interested.

Sporting Clays

Work has started on the shelter at the sporting clays range. Rich Williams is constructing a shelter similar to those on the rifle ranges along side the sporting clays storage shed. This along with the new toilets will help upgrade the area and give the members participating in sporting clays events a more pleasant experience. There is no completion date at this time, but hopefully there will be shade before the worst of the summer heat arrives.

SUMMER SMALLBORE LEAGUE

The summer league has stated with even more participation and interest than in past years. Also, the scores are higher than ever. The previous high score was a perfect 1000 fired by Laura Everitt, shot last year. Prior to that the highest score was a 999 fired in 2001 by Olympic champion, Lones Wigger of Colorado Springs. This year, Bart Bobbit of Loveland fired a perfect 1000 besting Laura's score by three x's. On that same day, Dan Wigger, Lones' son shot a 999 as did CRC member Charles Clark. Don't let the record scores keep you from participating in the league. The results are recorded on a handicap basis so all compete on an equal basis. This is a fun way to learn to shoot or hone your skills or just have a good time. You can call Dennis Reul 303 238-5696 for more information.

RANGE TIPS

Some items to consider when using the ranges: Please spin the wheels on the combination gate lock when closing the gate. Some have been resetting just the last number when closing the lock. This makes it easier and quicker to re-open the lock but also makes it easy for anyone testing the lock to find the combination and get it open.

Members using the highpower range must remove their targets from the carriers when done. If the targets are left in the carriers, any rain that might occur invariably blows under the hatch covers soaking the cardboard targets and ruins them.

Please pack your trash out when leaving. We are too far from town to get trash service at our location and when trash is stuffed into trash barrels or left around, the wind blows it into the neighboring fences leaving no doubt where it came from.

Empty brass should be removed from the firing lines. There has been an especially large amount left littering the smallbore range. Not only does it become unsightly, but the empty cases will kill the grass and clog our lawn mowers. There is a brass barrel in the target shed and we are able to sell it for recycling.

FOR SALE

A Redfield Palma Rear Sight. This is the Redfield sight that has the windage knob on the right side - where it ought to be! $150.00 Contact Nick Ferris at nick.ferris@juno.com or 303-421-8800.

SPORTING CLAYS KICKOFF MATCH
A SUCCESS 2-22-04

by John Ashcraft

Sunday morning of the first sporting clays match of the season dawned bright and clear. Moderate temperatures turned to warmer temps in the 60s by late morning - maybe the best shooting weather of the season - and it's only February.

A turn out of 28 shooters got things off to a good start. 16 of the 28 were non-members. I counted myself among the several first timers who were giving this sport a try out. If you've never shot sporting clays, I urge you to give it a try. It's a good time in great company. As is the case with all the shooting sports I've participated in, the fellow shooting enthusiasts are what make it into a truly enjoyable experience.

Showing up early to help set up I got a good opportunity to check things out and ask the obligatory newby questions: "So, how many stages are there?"

"Ten," came the patient reply to my barrage of constant questions. "You'll like the tenth stage the best though. The birds come right at you!" Hmmm, sounded kind of like self defense shooting to me.

"Is it OK to use a pump gun?" I asked.

"Sure, people use pumps, semi-autos, doubles (side by sides and over and unders), you name it. You just want to be quick on the pump though so you are ready for the other bird..."

"Other bird?" Gulp!

"Yes," came the reply. "There are two birds on every stage that are, for the most part, launched at the same time."

Now I started to get a little nervous.

As my questions rambled on I began to realize the depth of this challenging sport: What chokes to use? What loads? Which bird do you shoot first? How do you load and work the trap (not as dumb of a question as you might think at first - some of the stations use two different birds, sometimes of different sizes, sometimes with one designed to veer off to the side as it gets a certain distance from the shooter).

This is a game of skill, tactics and finesse - no wonder I did so badly. But you know what? I had a great time! Thanks to great shooting companions and fine weather my first sporting clays experience will always be a memorable one and I'll be back for more. You should think about giving it a try too. Even though I consider myself to be a smallbore and highpower shooter primarily it's fun to delve into other shooting disciplines and improve your skills in areas where your proficiency may be lacking. After shooting five or six of these tourneys this summer I think I'll be looking forward to dove season with a little less trepidation and a little more enthusiasm.

Lowell & Alice's Corner

John and Esther Gair bought the CRC property in 1944 from Ray Fulmer, son-in-law of Tom Hayes (the original home steader). The Gairs originated in France and Scotland. John's parents came to the U.S. from Scotland. John was born and raised on the Pineries Ranch about 26 miles south of Byers. Esther was also born in Elbert County. John and Esther married in 1913. They had four children, one of which was William (Bill) Gair (previous owner of CRC property). Esther passed away in 1952 and John continued to live in the old house (the one that was burned down by the Fire Department last year). John passed away in 1973 and both are buried at the Gair Cemetery located on the old ranch in the Pinery. There was also a school named the Gair School that Bill Gair attended as a child.

William (Bill) and Delpha joined Bill's parents at the CRC property in 1944. Bill was born in 1914 at the Pinerie Ranch. He worked various places. He met Delpha at North Park near Walden. Delpha was born in Missouri in 1924. Bill and Delpha married in 1941. Bill served in the Air Force during WWII. The Gairs have four children, all living in Colorado. Bill served 12 years on the local school board, over 15 years on the Bijou Tele Co-Op Board, and over 30 years on the Farm Bureau. Bill grew wheat and raised cattle but as you can well imagine, life was not that easy then. Delpha belonged to several ladies groups: the Pioneer Club, the church groups, social function groups, etc. She was a mother, homemaker and helped with ranch work.

The Ranch House (the one we use now) was bought from Mary Doss, just east of Leader Hall. Livestock had been living in the building. It consisted of the kitchen and the two bedrooms. It was cleaned up (no easy chore) and moved to its present location after a basement was built under the kitchen, back bedroom and where the present living room now is. The building was finished inside for living. In 1952 Bill built the living room and entry way, steps to the basement and finished the basement. The first room in the basement was a bedroom, the other room was the laundry room, storage etc. The bathroom was added on in the early 1970's. New kitchen cabinets were installed in the late 70's or early 80's. The crawl space access (under front bedroom and bathroom) is in the first room in the basement. Since club members Mark Hanson, Bill Hartman, myself and several other members remodeled the bathroom around 1993 or '94 they were familiar with the crawl space. The original old bathtub was removed and a shower installed, new toilet and new washstand and sink and new flooring. Denny Reul tiled the floor and Don Fabrizio installed a new window (now facing north). The original window (facing west) was taken out and filled in also by Don Fabrizio.

Alice and I maintained the house, yard and garden area since we were out there living a lot during construction and have done it ever since. However, sad to say, I can no longer keep the basement in order like I used to, due to the stroke I had in 1998 and Alice can no longer get on a step stool, ladder or get down on her hands and knees to clean properly due to back problems and old age (don't tell her I said that!) No more scrubbing, vacuuming, cleaning walls, cupboards, windows, etc. The care of the ranch house is now up to the younger group at work parties. It is to the club's advantage to keep the house nice on the inside, the outside looks so nice now, so do help keep the inside the same way.

The trailer area across the road from the house and shop was where Gair's son Ron and his family lived in a mobile home. Ron had a pig farm on 40 acres at the top of the hill from his trailer and where the old barn is. He later moved to Byers to work and bought a nice home. In 1988 he moved to Kansas to work and in 1989 Bill and Delpha bought his home in Byers and moved there in September 1989. Fortunately for the club, we were able to keep the Gairs on the ranch from December 1988 when we purchased CRC from the Gairs, until September 1989, since none of the club members were able to stay out there all the time. They were good caretakers. It was October 1989 that we started going out to the range and stayed in the house. Construction commenced on the dirt work and roads etc.

More later ~~

IN MEMORY

We regret to report the recent passing of club member Henry J. Golos of Golden. We have no other details at this time. Our sympathies to his family and friends.

Newsletter coding by James Speed Hensinger jhensinger5@comcast.net