January 2003 NEWSLETTER

JANUARY 2003 NEWSLETTER

CLUB MEETING

MONDAY, January 13, 2003 - 6:15 P.M. to eat and 7:00 P.M. to meet at the Sweetwater Café 

Upcoming Events

Saturday, January 11 Dog Trials
Sunday, January 12 Mid-winter Open, Skeet - 1:00 P.M.
Monday, January 13 Club Meeting - 7:00 P.M. at Sweetwater Café
Saturday, January 18 Cowboy Action Match - 9:00 A.M.

Upcoming Events in February 2003
Saturday, February 8 BSA Troop 220 (M. English)
Sunday, February 9 Valentine Open, Skeet - 1:00 P.M.
Monday, February 10 Club Meeting - 7:00 P.M. at Sweetwater Café
Saturday, February 15 New Member Orientation - 8:00 A.M.
Saturday, February 15 Cowboy Action Match - 9:00 A.M.
Saturday, February 22 Dog Trials & BSA (inclement weather date)

FINAL DUES ALERT:

You received your annual dues notification and work day assessments with the December newsletter.  PLEASE NOTE:  If your payment has not been received by the Club (in the hands of the Club and not in the U.S. mail) by midnight January 31 your membership will be terminated and your name dropped from the rolls.  If you intend to renew your membership in Buccaneer, please have your payment in by the January 31st  deadline. IF YOUR ADDRESS HAS CHANGED - PLEASE PROVIDE THE NEW ADDRESS TO A CLUB OFFICER.

OFFICERS FOR 2003:
President: John Scott Vice President: David Morgan
Secretary: Dale Lear Treasure: Don Pelling

BUCCANEER GUN CLUB WEB SITE: www.buccaneergunclub.org
OTHER WEB SITES OF INTEREST: www:packing.org; www:nccowboys.com

START OF UNAPPROVED MINUTES for the 12/9/02 Meeting
The meeting was called to order at the Sweetwater Café by President Mark Bradler at 7:05 P.M. 

The minutes of the last meeting (November 11, 2002), as appearing in the newsletter, were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Skeet There were 12 shooters at yesterday's match - good shoot - good time.  A member shot his 1st 25.  A skeet machine broke 2 weeks ago so there is no spare right now.  NC Registered Shoots schedule is posted on the club web site.

Training There is a tentative schedule for 10 Boy Scouts of America members to take a course.  A small group will take a Basic Pistol Course after the first of the year and a Concealed Carry course will follow.  If interested call Harold or Tom.

Planning Bill Murrell advised the contractor has not yet provided any cost numbers.  

Cowboy Last match was a couple weeks ago and it was reported in the newsletter.

.22 Field Pistol 1st match will be in March and will start at 10:00 A.M.

Big Bore Someone was allegedly shooting a 30-06 at the Field Pistol Targets.  A member apparently got the plate number on the car as the man left the range.  Would the member who got the plate please provide the plate number and other information to Tom Mix at 763-0870 or any club officer.

OLD BUSINESS:

Don Sloop He and Bill Murrell went to the 4 hour seminar put on by EPA Region 2 (Boston) on November 19th.  The EPA man, who is going all over to give input to shooting clubs about lead containment, advised that: you need to keep the lead on your property; you need a written plan for lead containment; you need to implement the written plan; do not shoot over water as most lawsuits are filed under the Clean Water Act; you need to get along with your neighbors as that is where most complaints originate; you need to have a contingency fund in case of a lawsuit; and keeping a soil PH of 7 keeps lead stable and does not let it leach out.  Bill Murrell showed a National Association of Shooting Ranges video. Bill's advice is to be pro-active and have good public relations.

President Constitution and By-Laws proposals opened for discussion.  Discussion. 

David Merrill advised he had discussed his proposal with Sholar Powell.  His proposal might not be a good idea.  He would withdraw his proposal if there was no objection.  No opposition and no objection.  Proposal withdrawn.

D. Lon Downing desired to withdraw all of his proposals.  No opposition and no objection.  Proposals withdrawn.

Secretary Lear's proposals will be voted on at the January meeting. [Editor/Secretary: The Secretary's proposals are re-printed in this newsletter as required by the BGC Constitution.]

Bill Murrell Spoke to the benefits of being a member of the National Association of Shooting Ranges which is funded by the National Shooting Sports Association.  Membership is $75.00 per year and you receive their quarterly magazine.  Bill motioned, Don Sloop 2nd the motion, that the Club spend $75.00 to become a member of the NASR.  Discussion.  Motion: Passed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Bill Murrell The Executive Committee needs to set up a contingency fund of what ever the club can afford and add to it every year.  Treasurer Pelling advised there is $3,000.00 set aside for any contingency.  President Bradler advised the Executive Committee will take this matter under advisement.

President The Nominating Committee submitted the following slate of officers for 2003:

President: John Scott Vice President: David Morgan
Secretary: Dale Lear Treasure: Don Pelling
The floor was opened for nominations from the floor and there were none.  The proposed slate of officers for 2003 were accepted by acclamation

David Miller The NRA people who visited us at the last meeting liked Wilmington.  They asked David to come back and thank the club for all it's members efforts and to recommend the club for NRA Club of the Year.  Discussion.

In February the Council of Government will meet here in Wilmington and Hoggard NJROTC will provide the Color Guard.  He will address them regarding Jr. Shooting Sports which in the next ten years are expected to be the largest youth sports.  He will also speak about the club's activities in this area.  Wilmington will host the National Jr. Shoots in 2003.

He proposed a Rim Fire Sporter Match.  It would be a one day event and any .22 rime fire, except target models, would be allowed.  It would be a weekend event in June or July.  Discussion.  David will check this out further. 

He would also like to have a David Miller Deer Hunting Challenge.  Any weapon that it is legal to hunt deer with in NC would be accepted.  This would be a 5 shots, four position with a 5 minute time limit per position, match as follows: 50 yard standing; 100 yard sitting, 200 yard prone and 300 yard bench.  He will provide the targets, medals and trophies.  You can not have a dope change on your rifle.  Once a shooter starts he keeps going.  David will also provide the jambalaya.  There was interest expressed so a match will be held. [Editor: See page 5 for all information.]

Ray Campbell Members are urged to get request in for 2004 grant money which will be raised by the 2003 Friends of the NRA event.  Call Ray for grant request information at 910/520-4822.

John Scott Made comments as the incoming President of the Club.

Gehrig Austin Made favorable comments about the club from the prospective of a probationary member.

ATTENDANCE: 38 which included 2 Probationary Members and 1 Complimentary Member.
ADJOURNMENT:  Meeting was adjourned at 8:35 P.M.
END OF UNAPPROVED MINUTES for the 12/9/02 Meeting.

Dave Miller Deer Rifle Challenge

Invitations - All BGC members and guests

Date and Time - Saturday January 25th at 8:00 A.M.  (Rain day: Sun. Jan. 26th at noon)
Equipment Rules - Any rifle/Shotgun legal for deer hunting in N. Carolina.  Shooting gloves & jackets are O.K.  Intent is to bring your best/favorite "venison getter" and to see how well you can really shoot it.  No restrictions on sights, slings or bench rest material at 300 yard phase.  I will have a shooting mat available to all on the 200 yard phase.

Course of fire - 50 yards-standing-5 shots-5 minutes
100 yards-sitting-5 shots-5 minutes
200 yards-prone-5 shots-5 minutes
300 yards-bench-5 shots-5 minutes

Conduct of fire -  Shooters will begin the course at the 50 yard line.  A timekeeper will have them get set and ready.  When the shooter is prepared, the timekeeper will announce "Begin".  The shooter will have 5 minutes to shoot 5 rounds at his/her numbered target.  When the shooter has finished, he or she will move to the next position where the process will be repeated.  At no time will shooters be allowed to make changes to their respective sighting systems.  NO DOPE CHANGES ARE ALLOWED.  Firearms will be clear and safe when moving from position to position, muzzles elevated and downrange at all times.  There will be no equipment or ammunition alibi relays.  If it breaks or doesn't go "boom" the shooter loses those rounds.

Scoring the match -  Each target has 10 point scoring rings.  The targets will be scored by counting the highest 5 shots on each target.  Misses are scored as zeros.  Errant shots that  hit on another target than your own will be scored as misses.  If a target has 6 or more hits on it will be scored by counting the highest 5 shots. 

Awards - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th place in standing
    " " sitting
" " prone
" " bench
1st, 2nd, 3rd  Place overall

Entrance fee - There is a $5.00 entrance fee.  Juniors (14 and younger) and all females will shoot for free.  All funds collected will be donated to the BGC.

Award ceremony -  Lunch (Jambalaya) is on me.  We will eat and give out awards when done.

Reservations -  Reservations are required to enter.  Please call me at work  (350-2072 x 257) or at home (452-3416) to secure your spot on line.


LIST OF APPLICANTS FOR MEMBERSHIP IN 2003:

ATTENTION ALL CLUB MEMBERS/SHOOTERS:

PLEASE - DO NOT PLACE ANY TYPE TARGET ON TOP OF A BERM AND THEN SHOOT AT IT!

PLEASE - IF YOU TAKE TARGETS OUT OF THE SHED YOU SHOULD PUT THEM BACK WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED SHOOTING.

NO LOADED CONCEALED WEAPONS ARE TO BE CARRIED TO THE FIRING LINE AS WE ARE A COLD RANGE CLUB.

PLEASE - DO NOT SHOOT CENTER FIRE RIFLES AT SILHOUETTE TARGETS NOR ANY FIREARM AT THE ACTION PISTOL BARRICADES ON WHICH ARE SIGNS STATING "DO NOT SHOOT BARRICADES." 

TO PREVENT OTHERS FROM SHOOTING CENTER FIRE RIFLES AT THE SILHOUETTE TARGETS WE ARE REQUESTING YOU DROP THE SILHOUETTE TARGETS WHEN YOU ARE DONE SHOOTING.