2nd Amendment Skeet Shoot @ Barre (Vt)- June 11th!

 2nd Amendment Skeet Shoot - June 11th!

Barre Fish & Game Club

Nikon Z50 camera at the Clay Target Shoot

A Nikon Z50 was my Christmas present this past year. Mirrorless camera came with NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR & NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm F/4.5-6.3 VR lenses.

What I wanted to happen is one camera with a larger sensor would replace two.  A dedicated video camera and an older model digital camera.  

My first outing with the camera this past weekend at the Underhill sporting clays shoot.  One camera for both video and photos.

Used the 16-50mm lens.

No issues with photos:

Shot video at 120fps. 

Was easy to go from photo to video as is most cameras. For slow motion had to move a lever.  

Have to have more practical experience with setting up shooting close to far rapidly (looking for the target), as the auto focusing couldn't keep up in a few shots.  Could be as simple as changing a setting. But I suspect I also have to think through the camera shot in regard to camera placement.

A couple of times in the video I don't see one of the two targets flying.  When I eyeballed without the camera at the shoot, I almost didn't see it either. Just have to pass on such shoots or slow motion the station.

Anyway, I'm comfortable with the outcome and expect issues will disappear over time as I gain experience (what works and what doesn't). 

As I had seen in reviews the camera is a battery hog.  Used two batteries for an AM shoot.  I carry four and a charger.

Signing up to attend a registered shotgun shoot

Back in the day when signing up for a registered shoot you either emailed the club or played telephone tag.  Many times, the contact information listed on the website was outdated. At times you had to search for a shoot flyer. If they wanted a deposit, you had to mail it in.

In 2023....

I've used the sporting clays shoot registration site Score Chaser a number of times and have nothing but good to say about it.  A big plus, for me anyway is they allow shoot management to post results. Usually, up the evening of the shoot.

A well thought out site.  When offered, you can rent a cart. Even provides a map You can also keep track of your scores. 

Iclays is another sporting clays site. Both registration and posting of scores. Seems to be more of a regional site but has all the bells and whistles.  

For registered trap I've been using PreSquad.  Not all clubs use it but I'm thinking all state shoots do. Doesn't have all the options as Score Chaser, as no option for clubs to post results or track your scores among the most obvious. Easy to get around the site.  Not aware if there is another site that is setup for registered trap.

Not for shoot registration, but ATA Scores post the scores for the US Open and Grand American trap shoots. Always a big interest in the trap community.

MySkeet.com offers skeet shoot registration and results.  Didn't see any northeast clubs listed outside of one shoot in Pa.  Did see an Ontario club. Never used it, but not my game anymore. For many of the shoots listed, telephone registration.  If you see a + sign the shoot has on-line registration.

The sporting sites allow for non-registered shoots to be posted.  Charty and fun.  Shoot management should take advantage if it already hasn't.

Then there is Facebook.  Information and contact usually more up to date then the club's website.  First place a club post a flyer, fun or registered. You can message directly.

Outside of one club (in Canada) that is at the limit of my one-day drive limit all the rest have a Facebook page.

I have no idea how the international community (skeet & bunker) handle registrations.  In the past I called it a secret organization as it was like pulling teeth to get information on a yearly schedule.

If I missed a site that allows registering for a shoot post in the comments section.

Semi-Auto Shotgun and Trap Shooting

For as many years I have been shooting this topic comes up every couple of months.  Person with a semi-automatic ejected hulls are hitting the shooter to the right or the shotgun. You have Defenders who justify and the upset shooters who shotgun got dinged.

Usually, the scenario is the shooters is at the first shoot at another club and has no idea what the etiquette is. Been shooting with buddies or the home club not saying anything, happy to see new shooters but not doing the shooter any favors when he/she eventually visits another club.

What the ATA rulebook has to say.

J. SAFETY

Shoot Management may disqualify a contestant for violation of these Rules, and violations may also result in further disciplinary action.

15.All guns used by contestants must be equipped, fitted and utilized so as not to eject empty shells in a manner that substantially disturbs or interferes with other contestants.

//////

I've seen a semi-auto shooter moved to another squad who could live with it or the person with the hulls being bounced off the shotgun moved.  Usually, it's the semi-auto shooter who is moved as it's not people the shooter normally shoots with.

Might not seem like a big issue but do you really want spent hulls bouncing off your shotgun or head while you're trying to concentrate on your shooting?  If it hits a speaker could make a target go off.

My wife and I both shoot a semi.  I have a shell catcher and she doesn't.  We agreed I would always shoot to the right of her. Turns out her Beretta 300 Sporting does not eject hulls directly to the right, but outward.  No where close to the shooter/pad to the right of her. Always into the grass.

A shell catcher is the answer if your hulls are an issue. If you're lucky you can find an older one that fits your shotgun, and if not.

You may have to move the plate or bend the wire a few times before your satisfied (Birchwood Casey Save it Shell Catcher).

You can try a rubber band. Note the thickness.

Or you can try Nylon Cable Ties or a Ponytail Tie (never tried it myself):

A Remington 1100 with a Trap Barrel has a hull deflector stud weld inside the barrel chamber that deflects shells automatically.  

Off the net:

The Remington trap barrel has a little bump, smaller than a pencil eraser but bigger than a pencil lead, near the top inside of the very back part of the barrel. When the shell is being ejected, this bump or deflector, directs the shell downward instead of outward.

Take your current barrel to a gunsmith and have him drill and solder in a deflector stud for you barrel. If he isn’t sure exactly where to place it, borrow a trap barrel for him to copy. Exact placement of the deflector stud is critical.

Any gunsmith should be able to perform this work. It’s the most basic stuff possible. Just get one that is familiar with Remington autos so he knows where to locate the stud.

Vermont Clay Targets May/Jun 2023

May 6 - Cabin Fever Open Sporting Clays - Underhill

May 13 - Shooting Party SXS Fun Shoot - NEK

May 20 - DU Fun Shoot - SCFC

May 20 - Bulls Eye Sporting Clays

May 27/28 - ATA Trap - Montpelier

Jun 3 - Bulls Eye Sporting Clays

Jun 10 - John Smedley Memorial Shoot - NEK

June 11 - Fun Trap Shoot - Derby

Jun 11 - 2nd Amendment Fun Skeet Shoot - Barre

Jun 16/18 - State Trap Shoot - Montpelier

Jun 17 - 5-Stand - NCSC

COVID vaccine requirement for people crossing into the U.S. ends (May 12)

 "The United States will end its COVID-19 vaccination requirements for federal employees and contractors, and international air travelers on May 11, when the coronavirus public health emergency ends, the White House said on Monday."

The Department of Homeland Security will end a vaccine requirement for people crossing into the U.S. via its land borders (May 12).

Golden Triangle Trap & Skeet Club (Ontario) 2023 Shoots

Three field club with skeet, trap and 5-stand.  

Shoots are normally 5-stand type setups over two or three fields.  If I remember correctly the Waterfowl Warmup, has you shooting from the sitting position on one of the fields. Two-man teams. They will find you a partner if you don't have one. 

Many local hunters take part in the shoots.

Heritage Shoot - Sunday May 28th

Waterfowl Warmup - Sunday August 27th 

In the past, 75 target events.

Always a good turnout. Well run. Buffet of some type included in the price of the shoot.  A nice selection of random draw prizes.

The Golden Triangle is in Brockville, maybe 15 minutes off the 401. GPS will bring right to the club.

As I haven't seen a flyer it's advised you contact the club before travel to confirm any and all information.

Plan on attending the August shoot.  Most likely just to take video/photos.  Back surgery coming up and limited physical activity for a period of time.

MEC Smart Series Clay Target Machines

Not mechanically inclined but through the years tried getting a machine with issues up and running.  Not always successful.  Help is on the way!

MEC has developed a device that does the following:

LED indicator screen displays machine status.

Includes a lifetime target counter along with a resettable counter to track machine usage.

Displays ARMED when trap is ready to fire and SAFE when trap is cleared.

Fault codes display if the trap has a malfunction which can be viewed in the detailed manual.

Built in Battery Voltage Readout: machine will automatically turn off when voltage drops below 9V to prevent machine damage.

LINK

Smart Series is also available as a kit which can be retrofitted on preexisting MEC models and competitor's brand machines.

La Roue du Roy June Shoot Flyer

 La Roue du Roy Sporting Classic June 17/18th.

Register: marc.chicoine@gmail.com

Canada International Skeet/Bunker Update

Both Montreal dates changed.  Can't comment on the others.

NCSC April 5-Stand Results

 

Results North Country Sportsmen's Club (Vermont)

Club Sandhill de Sherbrooke Jun 10 Shoot Information

Club de tir Sandhill de Sherbrooke 
50 Chemin Warner, Cookshire, Quebec

Trap & Five Stand (fun shoot)

L’inscription au tournoi est de 60$ pour les non-membres et de 40$ pour les membres, payable sur le site ou en argent sur place!

4 rondes de pigeons minimum (100 pigeons) assurées! Deux rondes de Trap et deux rondes de Five Stand lors des qualifications.

Dîner hot-dog inclus pour les participants!

REGISTRATION

Lessons... La Roue du Roy

Member of the La Roue du Roy?  Did you know the 2022 Vermont Super Sporting Championship High Over All, Quebec shooter Tony Olivieri is available for shooting lessons?

NEK Shooting Party Flyer - May 13

 Fun Shoot!

Contact Jack Dudley at woodcockone@yahoo.com or 207-751-1233 for details.

New York / Canada Port of Entry Information

 I cross at various crossing into Canada from New York and on return. Some of the smaller crossings have winter hours and summer hours so check before you travel.  

I observed some not so friendly hours during COVID.  Travel came to a standstill and hours adjusted accordingly. Hours have been returning to normal and the U.S. recently announced they were adjusting hours to reflect Canadas.

Most of the bridges have between a $3 and $4 toll. You can pay in either currency. Paid $3 and $3.25 at the ones I've used.

Niagara Area Border Crossing

Peace Bridge

Rainbow Bridge

Whirlpool Rapids Bridge

Lewiston-Queenston Bridge

Below is a listing of New York/Canada Ports of Entry.  To the right of "/" is the name used by Canada.

Thousand Islands Bridge

Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge

Seaway Bridge

Fort Covington / Dundee

Trout River

Jamieson Line – PERMANENTLY CLOSED

Chateauguay / Herdman

Churubusco / Franklin

Cannon Corners / Covey Hill

Mooers / Hemmingford

Champlain / Lacolle

Overton Corners (276) / Lacolle 221

Rouses Point

Updated hours as announced by Quebec

Churubusco U.S. Hours of Operation – 8:00AM – 4:00PM (EST), Seven Days Week

When departing Canada, you can enter the U.S. at the Churubusco crossing. They close the gates at 3:30pm, not 4pm as listed.  I arrived one day as they were closing the gates at 3:30pm. Was told they do the days paperwork after 3:30pm. You can't enter Canada at that location (Jamieson Line) as the Canadian station is closed.

Keep an eye on Canadian holidays.  Easily add two hours to crossing time.