On the Becker County Sportsmen's Club's shooting grounds, the 55th season of organized trap shooting will begin, Thursday, April 26. With its five fields devoted to l6 yard trap shooting, which can be adapted to handicap or two-at-a-time doubles shooting, the BCSC boasts one of the finest layouts in Minnesota. Gone is the use of a "trap boy" in the trap house. Fully automatic machines of large capacity reliably send your clay bird skyward when you call "pull!" And your call launches the target, with no human factor involved. Voice release is here, and our gun club has it on every station on the five fields.
You are invited to bring your 12 gauge. It doesn't need to be the specialized gun, which many have invested in. Indeed, two of the best shooters, annually placing in the top five in the standings, shoot their duck hunting-field shotguns. I'm referring to John McGovern with his Remington 870 and to Alan Haugrud with a Ruger Red Label over-under. So, it certainly can be done. Come out and shoot a round or two. You may discover that trap is the summer gun game for you.
Sporting clays
This ever increasing sport is growing nationally. The game, which supposedly emulates the flight of all game birds awing, has taken a hit locally. Anderson's, southwest of Callaway, and Misty Meadows, the popular shooting preserve 15 miles east of DL, have closed their gates to sporting clays.
However, Fort Thunder at Perham, Oak Point northeast of Bluffton, and a great new place near Brandon will attract local shooters. There is a sporting field at Dalton, and there is a well stocked pro shop there, at which you can get equipped with every gadget that you need -- and some that you don't.
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Skeet
The game that began in New England sixty years ago attracts a large number of shooters. LeRoy Atkinson has successfully established in our northwestern Minnesota location, while there are few like fields in the vicinity. LeRoy has staged the state shoot on the Fort Thunder grounds on three occasions. Six modern, complete fields are his layout, with a comfortable club house. Instruction in this exacting game is available from expert skeeter, Alan Atkinson, by appointment. The grounds are open several evenings every week, and on weekends, as well.
We will be here!
In addition to our regular Becker County Sportsman column, we will again have a second piece on this Outdoor page of the Detroit Lakes Tribune. News of trap, skeet, sporting, with the scores and standings will appear weekly. We urge you to get back in stride, or let your intention to be with us. Get on an organized team and enjoy the summer. Come out and see what keeps so many men, women, and young people busy several evenings a week on the shooting fields and not on the golf courses.
