SUMMER ‘96

CLUB CONTACT NUMBERS:

Club Phone: (937) 257-3935

Information Hotline: (937) 257-4368 (after hours)

E-mail address: rodgun@wpafb.af.mil

Web page address: http://wp_gunclub.tripod.com

CLUB hotline

The club has an information line on 257-4368 to announce all events for the coming month. Notices of special events, registered shoots, and classes will be on the message. This feature is only turned on after normal duty hours. For normal phone calls during open hours or to leave a message please call 257-3935.

CLUB E-MAIL

The club has an e-mail address. If you would like to send us a message please use the address RODGUN@WPAFB.AF.mil.

CLUB WEB PAGE

The club has a web page you may visit at http://wp_gunclub.tripod.com. This page shows all upcoming events, including registered shoots, releases, and a calendar of events, and the club newsletter. Special notices are posted there such as base security conditions.

CLUB HOURS

The club is open on Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday from 11:00-6:00. On Monday and Tuesday the ranges are open 11:00–1:00. We are normally here from 07:30–4:30 but may be out of the office for a while. When the days get longer we will extend the range hours on Wednesday to 8:00. That will become effective on April 1, 2008.

COMING EVENTS

Registered shoots:

Skeet:

March 2

April 5/6

May 3/4

Trap:

March 9 & 30

April 20

May 10/11

Trap League: The summer trap league will start again in May. This league will shoot on Wednesday nights. The league will shoot on the first and third Wednesdays with makeup on the last Wednesday. Hours for the league are from 4:00-7:00. Stop in on the first Wednesday in May to sign up.

There has been some interested expressed about setting up a trap doubles league. It could run on the second Wednesday each month, May – September. Each week there would be fifty pairs shoot for the league with some practice mixed in. Let me know if you are interested and we will start one.

HUNTER EDUCATION

The next class at the club will be March 3-5, 2008. There may be a turkey-hunting clinic conducted on April 16 from 6:00-10:00 P.M. if there is sufficient interest. Call the club for details.

We have classes scheduled almost every month. The next class in March is already filling up. Call us at the club for reservations in the class or the clinic.

If you would like information on any class held in Ohio, you can call the office in Columbus of the ODNR at (800) WILDLIFE for dates on other locations. This class meets the State of Ohio requirement for all “first time” hunters.

RANGE HOURS

As mentioned above, the hours of operation for the skeet and trap ranges are now Saturday through Wednesday. Hours do vary so see above for open times. At all other times the ranges are closed. Please do not use the ranges at any other times.

SKEET ACTIVITIES

We will be starting the registered skeet programs with the first shoot on March 2. This one day shoot will feature two events, 12 and 20 gauges. The two-day shoots will include all four gauges. Two-day shoots will begin in April.

TRAP ACTIVITIES

The first trap shoot of the calendar year will be held on March 9, 2008. Once again, we will be featuring several nice trophy shoots and the Jackpot Shoot.

RANGE RULES

Please remember that the safety limitation of shells on all ranges is not to exceed 3 dram, number 7 ½ shot. Lately there have been some found on the ranges that exceed these limits.

Please help keep the ranges clean. If you want your hulls please put them in your pocket. If you do not want them put them in the trash.

PAYMENT METHODS

In the event you do not have enough cash or a check with you when you make a purchase, the club accepts MasterCard or Visa.

If you do use a credit card, please remember that the club pays approximately two percent processing fee on all non-Services issued cards. Last year’s fee was almost $1,000.00. It saves the club money if you avoid using these cards for your purchases.

PREFERRED PLUS

The Services program called Preferred Plus applies only to members of the Officers or Enlisted clubs. If you are a member of one of these clubs you are entitled to a $5.00 discount on annual membership fees. You must show your club card when paying to receive this discount. This discount will not apply to any other sales in the club.

PRO SHOP SALES

We try to keep a variety of the most popular items in stock but are limited to the amount of inventory we can handle. If we do not have an item you desire, we should be able to special order it for you.

HUNTING ACTIVITIES

The pheasant program will conclude with the final authorized day to hunt on March 3. If you do hunt after February 29, remember that you must have a new state hunting license.

Deer hunters, if you still have a stand out in the hunting areas, please remove it. The season closed on February 3, 2008. You were given fifteen days to remove your stands after that date. Please do not drive out into the hunting areas to remove the stand.

If you did harvest a deer on the base please be sure to report it to either Environmental Management or Security.

RANGE SHARING

Please remember that with one trap and two skeet ranges for practice we must share the club facilities. I know it would be nice for each shooter to have a private range but with over 650 members that is not possible. Besides, I would hope that the experienced shooters would like to share their expertise with the beginners. Let’s keep the sport fun and growing.

RANGE COURTESY

Please be courteous of your fellow shooters and help keep the ranges clean. If you want your empty hulls please take them with you. If you do not want them, please throw them in the trash. This is your club, please help keep it clean. When you are done shooting please fill the machines for the next shooter.

Due to the higher prices for shot we have started carrying some low priced shells and the fields are showing it. Please help keep the fields clean.

RANGE SAFETY

Range safety cannot be over emphasized. Every range has a safety sign posted on it. Please read and observe these signs. Due to increased concern about the shot fall zone please tread the new safety signs on the skeet ranges. If there is anyone in the background, i.e. joggers, bikers, or cars do not shoot; wait until the area is clear. I realize that may slow down the shooting but it may also keep the ranges open.

There are a few new shooters who come out and some of them are not familiar with proper safety policies. If you see any safety violation, please bring it to the attention of the person; they probably do not realize it. It is your club; let’s keep it safe. If you have any questions concerning any safety rules, please ask.

If you are criticized for your actions, please do not take it person. Remember that your best interest is our first. Let’s all work to keep a safe club.

Items of special concern are the requirement for eye and ear protection by all personnel on the skeet ranges. If you are not familiar with the loading requirements of the trap and skeet machines, please ask. Also, if there is someone loading the trap machine, please do not stand outside the house (the skeet shooters may be shooting in your direction).

If the machines are breaking targets, please come in and ask for service. Do not keep throwing broken targets. All that does is run up club costs and frustrate the shooter. Sometimes just a minor adjustment required.

GATE HOURS

Whenever you come to the club please use gate 16-A. This is the gate on SR 444 near the golf course. There are no guards on this gate. Enter the gate and proceed directly to the club. Please use extreme caution when entering the base.

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK CARDS

The club has customer satisfaction cards located in the club next to the cash register. Please fill one out and drop it off. That is the best way we have of your opinions on the club and its activities. If you have a suggestion to improve your club, please make it known.

If you prefer you may do it on line using the ICE system. Stop in for details on that system.

GUEST POLICY

It is the policy of the club, that members may bring guests to the club to use the facilities. If the guests are eligible for membership in the club, they are expected to join and pay the annual dues.

The sponsor should bring guests who are not eligible for base access to the club. Special orders can only be processed for club members.

BASE SECURITY

Please remember that WPAFB is a military installation. As a result the Force Protection condition may change rapidly. When you are requested to show identification at the gates, please be courteous to the guards, they are doing their job.

EMAIL LISTING

If you receive this letter by mail and have an email address, drop me a note at the above email address and I’ll add you to the club email list. Your will receive notices a lot quicker and save the club postage.

ANNUAL GAME DINNER

The annual game dinner will be held at Bass Lake Lodge on March 9, 2008. The dinner will start at 6:00 with food about 6:45. Tickets are only $3.00 per person plus a covered dish. Not all dishes are wild game. Everything from appetizers to desert is served. Come out and try some really special dishes. A good time is always had by all. This dinner is open to all club members and guests. Seating is limited so get your tickets now. This year the dinner will be held in the Kittyhawk Lodge. Anyone who does not have a base ID must be on a guest list PRIOR to 1 March or you will not get on base. Contact the club for details.

Please note: if you do not enjoy eating "game" dishes not all dishes are wild game.

MEMBERSHIP DUES

Please note the expiration date on the mailing label or membership card. If that date is before 03/01/08 (March 1, 2008), your membership has expired. If the date is on or before 12/01/07 (December 1, 2007) this will be the last letter you will receive from the club. If you would like to renew your membership please stop by the club for an application.

CANS, CANS, CANS

You can help keep the club clean and at the same time help the environment. Please recycle your beverage cans in the bins located next to the coolers.

HELP NEEDED

The club continues to need a few good workers for the registered trap and skeet shoots. This is a weekend position. Normal hours are about eight a day, a few days a month. Starting pay is at $7.00 an hour (and about to increase). You must be at least 16 years old to apply. If anyone is interested in applying for a position, please give us a call at the club.

Ed Hock

TRAP SKEET

MARCH 9 & 30	MARCH 2	12/20
APRIL 20	APRIL 5/6	4 GUN
MAY 10/11	MAY 3/4	4 GUN
JUNE 15	JUNE 6-8	BUCKEYE
JULY 20	JULY 12/13	4 GUN
AUGUST 2/3 & 24	SEPTEMBER 21	2 GUN
SEPTEMBER 14

Spring 2008