Author: Rich

2022 Sporting Agenda

April 8, 2022

A few weeks ago a representative of the Mass Conservation Alliance (MCA) met with a number of Board Members to discuss some active legislation that is under way. MCA has hired a lobbyist on behalf of these initiatives and has 4 bills that would benefit the hunters in Massachusetts.  Information about the bills can be found here:

  1. Reimburse MassWildLife for free and reduced cost licenses. (Bill S.546)
  2. Legalize crossbow use. (Bill H.991, S.536, and H.1024)
  3. Reduce archery setbacks to 250 feet. (Bill S.552 and H.1025)
  4. Relax Sunday hunting prohibition (Bill H.914, H.984, H.1015, H.1019, and S.547)

The ask of you is to reach out to your State Rep and Senator today!  Make contact in person, by phone, fax or email.  Politely tell them the following:

  • I support reimbursement to MassWildLife for free and reduced cost licenses. (Bill S.546)
    • I support this bill because those that receive reduced fees deserve those reductions, however the remaining hunters should not have to have reduced opportunities because of reduced overall funding.
  • I support legalizing crossbow use for all hunters, not just the disabled. (Bills H.991, S.536, H.1024)
    • I support this bill because all hunters should have the opportunity to utilize a crossbow when hunting.  
  • I support reducing archery setbacks to 250 feet. (Bills S.552, H.1025)
    • I support this bill because hunting with a bow should not be subjected to the same safety restriction as a shotgun or muzzleloader.  Both those instruments have a range greater than a bow.  By having different regulations, we can open up additional hunting areas for bow hunters.
  • I support action to reduce or eliminate Sunday hunting prohibitions (Bills H.984, H.1015, H.1019, S.547)
    • I support this bill because the world has changed, there are very little Sunday restrictions on anything in the state today.  Today’s hunter should be giving the opportunity to hunt throughout an entire weekend.

If you need help finding your Rep and/or Senator, you this link here: https://malegislature.gov/search/findmylegislator.

More information about Mass Conversation Alliance can be found here: https://www.massconservationalliance.org/

Spring Ham Shoot

March 20, 2022

On Saturday, April 30th*, we’ll be hosting The TRG Spring Ham Shoot from 9am to about noon. Come down and kick off spring with a BANG! The ham raffle will held after the Adios.

This is a great time for all, if you would like to try shooting trap, this is a great no pressure fun event. The fee is $5 per round, each round is a total of 15 targets.  3 shots per station, 5 stations.  Ammo is NOT supplied.

The Rules
1.) Every entry gets one ticket in turkey raffle.
2.) Yellow targets hit earn an extra ticket in turkey raffle.
3.) targets per station (15 targets total per round).
4.) “Backup” format – two shooters mount guns, the first shooter calls for the target and if they miss the target, the “backup” shooter can shoot at the
target. If the second shooter fires, that is his/her shot for the round regardless of whether or not the target is hit.
5.) Shooting out of turn is a lost target regardless of the actual target result.

* April 30th is new date, previous date was April 9th.

Trap Clinic

March 13, 2022

Have you heard people talking about Trap Shooting at the club and wondered what all the fuss is? Does the idea of the instant gratification from watching clays smash into pieces make you smile? Why not come out and give it a try?

On Saturday April 2 from 11AM-1:30PM, we will be conducting our a beginner trap clinic, limited to 10 students. The focus of this clinic will be to introduce the challenging game of trap to newcomers. This clinic is designed for the brand-new trap shooter and will cover the basics including the rules of the game, foot placement, hold points and the techniques necessary to break targets.

No experience is necessary, and we will have shotguns and ammunition available for use. Included in the $25 fee will be use of shotguns, ammunition, classroom instruction and 2 rounds of trap along side an experienced trap shooter acting as a coach.

Eye and ear protection can be provided, but if you have your own, you are encouraged to bring it. For more information or to sign up, please contact: firearmsafety@tewksburyrodandgun.org.

PLEASE NOTE:  The original date for the Trap Clinic was March 26th, the new date is April 2nd.

SCTP Safety Training: March 12, 2022

February 26, 2022

The Smokin’ Clays youth trap team will hold its annual shotgun safety training session on Saturday morning, March 12, 2022 from 9 AM to noon.  Once again, we have decided that all new and second year team members must attend 2022 Tewksbury SCTP shotgun safety training. Any SCTP shooter who has attended the safety class two times or more will be excused from attending. These folks can voluntarily attend and be welcome, if they wish to do so.

This safety class is run by fellow member Dana Crowe and is an annual requirement for all of our newer youth team members. If you are already on our 2022 SCTP team roster or just want to learn more about shotgun safety, you are welcome to attend free of cost. Shooters must pre-register with Mike Hebert at Coach_Mike@TewksburyRodandGun.org or (978) 604-0745 to assure we have enough materials and books on hand for all.

Our program encourages all youth shooters to always consider safety first, whether you follow thru and join the TSCTP team or not.  This is a free public service of Tewksbury SCTP.

HEARSafe – December 14, 2021

December 12, 2021

We are happy to announce that on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, Mike Maal of HEARSafe, will be at our club to make custom earplugs for those who wish to purchase them. Planned start time will be 6 PM at twenty-minute intervals. Single color solid earplugs, with or without cords, will cost $70.00 a pair.
As Mike was able to obtain the last of EAR Inc’s supply of the original Insta-Mold silicones, you can choose from the following colors: Tan, Brown, Pink, or Purple; this is also why the price has not changed for us.
The price includes sales tax and first-class shipping and handling (with tracking).
If you are a pistol shooter, rifle shooter, or trap shooter – you will want to get into these amazingly effective and super comfortable plugs made to fit your ears perfectly.
Mike informs us that if you have earbuds or Bluetooth devices, making custom fitting adaptations for those is one of HearSafe’s specialties, as well. Prices on those vary depending on options but Mike suggests that if you are interested, bring them in so he can look at them to see if they lend themselves for custom molds. He further states, for customization, he likes Bose and Skullcandy.
Mike has always done an excellent job for our fellow shooters. We recommend that new or prospective SCTP junior trap shooters get a set of plugs made for the upcoming trap-shooting season.
Pre-registration is required with a $20 non-refundable deposit and will assure you of a specific time slot to get your custom earplugs made on this night. The remaining balance of $50 will be due the night of making your custom earplugs. Mike would like to limit the sign-up list to the first eight (8) individuals who sign up. If time permits, Mike may consider a walk-in or two if possible. If there are more than eight (8) individuals that would like earplugs, we will schedule a second date.
Contact Laura Veno to reserve your spot!

Ham Shoot

November 28, 2021

On Saturday, December 4th, we’ll be hosting our annual Ham Shoot from 9am to about 2pm. The ham raffle will held before the Adios.

This is a great time for all, if you would like to try shooting trap, this is a great no pressure fun event. The fee is $5 per round, each round is a total of 15 targets.  3 shots per station, 5 stations.  Ammo is NOT supplied.

The Rules
1.) Every entry gets one ticket in turkey raffle.
2.) Yellow targets hit earn an extra ticket in turkey raffle.
3.) targets per station (15 targets total per round).
4.) “Backup” format – two shooters mount guns, the first shooter calls for the target and if they miss the target, the “backup” shooter can shoot at the
target. If the second shooter fires, that is his/her shot for the round regardless of whether or not the target is hit.
5.) Shooting out of turn is a lost target regardless of the actual target result.

Children’s Christmas Party

November 21, 2021

Hello Everyone,

It is that time of year! This is a reminder that we will be hosting our Children’s Christmas Party on December 5th, 2021 starting at noon.  You will need to sign your kids up to attend this annual event. As always, the party is open to children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews of all club members. Food (chicken nuggets, fries, hot dogs) and drink will be provided for the kids, as well as ice cream sundaes! We will have face painting and they can decorate their own gingerbread cookies! The party will start at noon this year and Santa will arrive at 1 PM. Santa’s helpers will deliver packages for the kids (that’s you, the member provides). Please clearly mark your child’s name on each package so that Santa’s elves can read them.

If you are planning on attending this party, please contact Laura Veno.

Turkey Shoot

October 11, 2021

On Saturday, November 6th, we’ll be hosting our annual Turkey Shoot from 9am to about noon. The turkey raffle will be held after the Adios.

This is a great time for all, if you would like to try shooting trap, this is a great no pressure fun event. The fee is $5 per round, each round is a total of 15 targets.  3 shots per station, 5 stations.  Ammo is NOT supplied.

The Rules
1.) Every entry gets one ticket in turkey raffle.
2.) Yellow targets hit earn an extra ticket in turkey raffle.
3.) targets per station (15 targets total per round).
4.) “Backup” format – two shooters mount guns, the first shooter calls for the target and if they miss the target, the “backup” shooter can shoot at the
target. If the second shooter fires, that is his/her shot for the round regardless of whether or not the target is hit.
5.) Shooting out of turn is a lost target regardless of the actual target result.

Canceled: Pistol Marksmanship

September 16, 2021

Due to a lack of responses to the September 19th Marksmanship class, we regrettable will be cancelling it. If you are interested in taking this great class, please sign up early for our next one on October 17th.

This class is open to all club members.  Students are encouraged to bring a pistol they already own or have access to a pistol they can legally use during the class.  If a student does not currently own a firearm, we will have a limited number of Ruger Mark III .22’s available for loan, including ammunition.  Students are expected to be familiar with safe handling and operation of any pistol that is brought to class.

This class will introduce and reinforce current club members to the fundamentals that will help you become a more accurate pistol target shooter.

The following topics will be covered: Stance, Grip, Sight alignment, Breath control, Trigger squeeze and Follow through.

Instructors will also be available to discuss the pistol team and competitive shooting leagues for those who might be interested. The lead instructor will be Mark Tenant.

If you are interested in attending this clinic, please reach out to Mark Tennant at marksmanship@tewksburyrodandgun.org or call 978-277-3050.  There will be a maximum of 8 students allowed, on a first come, first serve basis.  You must be on the list prior to class in order to attend.  A walk-in list will be held, however a maximum of 8 students will be enforced.

The class will start promptly at 8:30am, downstairs at the indoor pistol range.

Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to check in.

Once all shooters have arrived, we will start by each student shooting 5 rounds at a target. From there we will discuss the fundamentals of pistol shooting.  We will then return to the range for a hands-on practice sessions. At the end of the class, each student will be able to compare their more recent targets to their first target in order to gauge improvement.

Students are encouraged to bring the following with them to the class:

  1. Pistol (must be chambered in a caliber acceptable for use in the indoor range)
  2. Ammunition for your pistol (at least 100 rounds)
  3. Eye protection
  4. Ear protection

The club will provide any and all the above items, on an availability basis.

Summary

Class starts 8:30 am
Class ends 10:00 am
Limited to 8 students (Must contact Mark Tennant)
Targets will be provided by the club
Safety is imperative, any student in violation of pistol safety best practices will be asked to leave the class