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So, I haven't shot diddly since August (or was it early September). Love my home club, but I'm bored. I don't even want to go out and practice.

I've decided I want to shoot away from here for a while. I shot in SoCal (Redlands) this summer and had a blast (despite the near heat stroke). It whetted my appetite for something new. I'm going to shoot more ATA than PITA. I have a better chance of meeting new people and seeing new clubs that way.

I'm thinking of heading southward (central & southern CA zones), but don't really know what's out there. I'm also thinking of shooting more in Nevada and maybe even trying out Oregon. I'm working on heading back to the Spring Grand in Tucson as well.

What I really need are contacts so I can get on mailing lists. The CGSTA site is great, but really doesn't provide what I'm looking for.

So -- all you Central, SoCal and other shooters, how 'bout it. Tell me about your club and who I should get in touch with. Maybe I'll see you soon!

Oh Rastoff -- my friend's daughter is getting married in January. The daughter's soon-to-be husband will be at Edward's and I have an open invitation to visit, stay and shoot there. Care to show me around?

Thanks all!

You would be very welcome at NHSC in Santa Clarita. We have selfcontained RV parking onsite and great motels 10 minutes away at the Newhall Ranch RD & I 5 offramp. We have an ATA shoot on 11/14, but you are welcome any weekend.

Rastoff visited yesterday and he'll tell you that we are a pretty friendly bunch.

682Gal,
I think you've hit on a wonderful plan! When I retire I want to do the same thing. Travel around the country and visit different ranges.

You are welcome anytime at Edwards. The range isn't as nice as Coon Creek, but we do live in the desert. The gun club is open Thursdays 9AM-6PM, Saturdays 9AM-3PM and Sundays 9AM-1PM. I usually shoot there on Thursdays after work, but I'll take the day off if you come down. The ATA guys usually shoot a Big 50 Thursday morning.

NHSC is a nice club. I had a great time. I met a bunch of guys there and we had a great time shooting and some good conversation.

Then there's the Tehachapi Sportsman Club where I mostly shoot. They don't shoot any registered targets up there, but it's also a great bunch of guys.

HI 682gal,
I to am in Northern California and am always looking for new places
to shoot. I live in Groveland which is 20 miles from the Yosemite north
gate.
Here's where I normally shoot---Stockton Trap & Skeet, Newman Swamp Rats,
and Livermore Rod & Gun. Stockton has both ATA and PITA shoots. Newman
throws only ATA targets. Livermore is ATA and PITA. I have contact info for all
three, but not in front of me.
Also shoot at Kingsburg but have to Motel it. A little to much driving time to
go down there, shoot, and drive back. Now that I'm retired, I can go to more
shoots, but three hours down and three back is to much.
Have also been emailing with Cliff May whose home club is Coon Creek. Will go up
there this spring to shoot. For me that's 157 miles and 3 hours driving time.
Newman has a two day Winter Chain on Nov 14th and 15th. I'll get you Ester's email
so you can get notified. They always serve lunch and sometimes breakfast.
So if this is the kind of info you're after, email me and I'll get you contact info.
Mike Cunningham
Groveland, CA
ATA Vet Life Member
cunninmp@hotmail.com

Thanks Jim - NHSC sounds like a great club -- maybe this spring. Holidays are around the corner and I'm not sure a trip to SoCal now would work. On the other hand, we may come down to SoCal (Disneyland) around Christmas -- any shoots going on there or Redlands maybe? Would have to do some "arm-twisting" to tote the shotguns with us and detour to a trapclub!

D- when we come down, it will be on the weekend (or a long weekend). This too won't happen until after the wedding (January), but I will get it touch with you when we're ready to come down. I understand "permission" to enter is involved.

Mike -- My home club is Coon Creek and I love it. I've shot at Livermore, but haven't shot Stockton or Newman. My friends are shooting the Winter Chain on the 15th and are trying to get me to come down for it. Definitely on the books to think about. I've shot Kingsburg and that is one place that's on my list to return. I'm also looking forward to shooting at Tulare and Bakersfield. Hopefully I'll crawl my way down to SoCal via trap clubs!

I would love Esther's email address (I'll send you an email), thank you. Maybe I'll see you at Newman in a couple of weeks. I'll let you know so we can say hello.

I'm open to anything at this point. I have a good car, new tires and I want to make new shooting friends. I have stepped away from the PITA this year and unfortunately, we're rather limited on ATA shoots up here.

Thanks again to all of you...

Yeah, you will need to be 'sponsored' onto Edwards. This is not an issue. Let me know when you want to go shoot. I'll call the gate and give them your name. When you get there you just give your name and they should let you in. I know you have all this stuff already, but, be sure to have your registration, drivers license and proof of insurance ready. They may ask for it and they may not. If they ask for it and you don't have it, you'll be walking. If you have a rental, the rental agreement is good.

Also know that just entering the base is giving permission to search your car. It doesn't happen often, but they do random searches at the gate some times.

None of that is an issue if you're prepared.

Former military here -- know the routine, well! Besides, all the shooting gear in my trunk, I have nothing to worry about. I'll give you plenty of notice when I come down. Looking forward to seeing where you shoot. It will be a hoot!

To locate ATA shoots, try the "Shoots Near Me" feature on The ATA web site. Just plug in your zip code and hit "find". It defaults to registered shoots within 25 miles, but if you are like me and the closest club throwing registered targets is 45 miles, you can tweek the distance setting.

http://www.shootata.com/content/ata_zon ... ar_me.aspx

Hi 682GAL,
The Winter Chain program was just posted on the CGSTA web site. I can either send you a .pdf
file of the program or go to the CGSTA web site and go to "calendar".
Registration at 8:00am and shooting at 9:00am. An hour earlier then normal.
And guess what??? They are awarding buckles this time! Oh, and it's Saturday the 14th,
and Sunday the 15th.
If you Google 1204 Hills Ferry Road, Newman,CA; you'll see it's right off I-5.
Mike Cunningham
cunninmp@hotmail.com

Mike - thanks for letting me know about the program. I printed it out and I'm curious. For the Handicap events (#2 & 5) - it specifies "one group only." Does this mean there are no yardage groups? I'm not sure I've seen that notation before, so I really don't know what that means. Thanks for any help.

So I had to look at the program again myself. Never have seen that notation.
But on the other hand it also say's if you don't have 500 caps in 2009
and 2010 target year, you have to shoot penalty! Men 24 and Women/Jrs at
22 yards. So I don't think it will affect our normal yardage. I'll email Ester
Puckett and find out. Might mean yardage groups.
I've got in 550 caps so just made it. I'm at 20 yards and 24 would kill me.
Had to shoot at 22 yards at State Shoot in Kingsburg this year because
I didn't have any registered targets since 1997. Didn't even come close to anything,
but it sure was fun.
Mike C.
Groveland

Mike - I saw the penalty yardage statement as well. I think that's for Sunday though (CGSTA buckle). I am confused about the penalty yardage and the "one group" statement. Which is it! If you find out, please let me know. If I shoot Sunday, I believe I'll be stuck in penalty. No worries, I like the 22 - doesn't mean it likes me back though.

Appreciate any clarification you can find out.