The Missouri Shooter - Online Edition - October 2000

Psssst... hey, buddy... yeah, you...  VOTE NOVEMBER 7!!!

Pagemaster's Notes: This Online Edition of The Missouri Shooter is NOT identical to the printed edition, but will vary in both content and appearance. It is the policy of this WWWebsite to edit out all personal telephone numbers and street addresses (to reserve privacy), to keep email addresses, P.O. boxes and company street addresses when published (to preserve utility), and to replace (where possible) lists of printed information with links to websites which contain the same information (to conserve bandwidth). The print edition is ONLY mailed to MSSA Members and Affiliates; Join today!

October 2000 VOLUME 00 ISSUE 4

The Guenther Deer Camp---1999

Told to Mitchell Peters By Jim Guenther

Hunters of the Guenther Deer Camp 1999, pose with their rifles and trophies. 1) Jim Guenther, 2) Steve Luetkemeier, 3) Glenn Anderson, and 4) Steve Lucas. All the bucks shown were taken opening day in the 1999 season.

Whitetail deer hunting in Missouri is a great experience. It can be especially gratifying, with success as evidenced by the smiles on the faces of these skillful and lucky hunters. Without a doubt certain areas of MO offer the hunter as good an opportunity to harvest a deer as anywhere in the country. An old country boy in his eighties once told me there was only one real secret to hunting; he said, "It�s better to have a great spot to hunt than to be a great hunter". This is the short story of one of those great MO spots.

The Guenther Deer Camp is located in Southern Warren county off of Toque (pronounced-twook) Creek, near Marthasville. The 450 acres of ground was purchased from Ed Rau by the Guenther family about 35-years ago. Ed was a demolition contractor and stored dynamite in the building in the background, which is now used for a clubhouse. Before and after hunting the old dynamite locker is the hub of all activity. In between sleep the hunters cook, drink adult beverages, play cards, and tell stories, which are mostly tall tales and outright lies. There is no indoor toilet at the camp or running water. There is a wood stove that could heat hell and several cozy bunks.

The land is mostly hilly woods characterized by ridges and draws that open into agricultural fields at the tops and bottoms. Most of the hunting is done from tree stands. Occasionally they also conduct drives, but these are difficult to control due to the terrain. It is also tough to walk up and down all those hills. At this camp they are well equipped with the indispensable hunting accessory known as the four-wheeler.

All four hunters shot their deer opening day. Jim Guenther shot his six-point, 130 lbs. (field dressed) buck with a 30.06, Ruger M77, with a Redfield 3X9 scope. Steve Luetkemeier shot his six-point, 120 lbs. (field dressed) buck with a .270, Winchester Mod. 70-Featherweight, with a Leupold 3X9 scope. Glenn Anderson shot his six-point, 130 lbs. (field dressed) buck with a. 7 mm-08 Remington Mod. 700, with a Leupold 3X9 scope. Steve Lucas shot his nine-point, 160 lbs. (field dressed) buck with a 7 mm Rem. Mag. Remington Mod. 700, with a Leupold 3X9 scope.

Later that season, Jim�s son Clinton shot a 120 lbs. doe with his single-shot H & R 1871 carbine in .223 Remington. Finally for the honors, Jim�s brother John shot an eleven-point, 165 lbs. (field dressed) buck with a 7 mm Rem. Mag. Ruger Mod. 77, with a Redfield 3X9 scope. Jim said they have harvested 5-7 deer per year for at least the last ten years during the season. The Guenthers eat a lot of venison! They make steaks and chops from the choice cuts and the rest becomes "deer burger". This is definitely some of MO's best whitetail hunting.

The President's Message

By Steve McGhee

First, if there's a single message I want to be sure you get this quarter, it's this one: VOTE NOVEMBER 7!!! No excuses. Just do it.

FYI, at the September 9 Board of Directors meeting, MSSA voted to officially endorse several candidates,  including: U.S. President - George W. Bush (R), MO Governor - Jim Talent, U.S. Senate - John Ashcroft, MO District 3 - Bill Federer, and MO District 6 - Steve Danner. The MSSA Board also voted to donate $500 to the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (ILA), and $250 each to the Second Amendment Coalition of Missouri (SACMO) and the Western Missouri Shooters Alliance (WMSA).

Please, find out which of YOUR local candidates are on YOUR side of the issues, and support them any way you can! I urge Kansas City area MSSA members to work with WMSA, St. Louis folks with SACMO, and everyone statewide to contact the campaign offices of gun-friendly candidates wherever you find them and ask how you can most effectively help them out in their bid for office this fall. You can also contact your local NRA Election Volunteer Coordinator (EVC), or call NRA Grassroots at 800-392-VOTE. (See the EVC list at the end of my column). And as the election draws closer, watch for a pre-election special issue of THE MISSOURI SHOOTER in your mailbox soon, which we'll devote to the vote!

Second, go sight in your deer rifle, and then practice with it. Again, no excuses. Just do it. Yes, you do TOO need the practice! I�ve seen some of you shoot. I'm looking forward to that venison summer sausage you're going to offer me next time I come over; don't blow it!

Third, MSSA is now able to conduct NRA Training Counselor Workshops! If your MSSA-Affiliated Club has a few experienced NRA Certified Instructors who'd like to become TC�s and are willing to help make your Club-hosted Workshop a success, give me a call (573-886-1129 or 573-696-2218), and we'll start the planning process. Also, MSSA Members who are experienced TC�s and are willing to help CONDUCT such Workshops, under my supervision, may be considered for the next level NRA appointment: Training Counselor Trainer (TCT) authorized by NRA to conduct TC Workshops yourself! Contact me for information on that opportunity as well.

Fourth and finally, an important reminder: The next meeting of the MSSA Board of Directors (also the Annual Members Meeting) is Saturday December 2 at 3:00 p.m. at the MO Department of Conservation Headquarters Auditorium, 2901 West Truman Blvd. in Jefferson City. This is where we elect Board Members and Officers for the coming year... feel like throwing your hat in the ring? We need fresh meat every so often! The meetings will be followed by the MSSA Annual Awards Banquet at 6:30 p.m. at Veit's Diamond Restaurant, 2001 Missouri Blvd. (that's at Dix Rd.), also in Jefferson City. See you there!

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NRA Election Volunteer Coordinators (EVC�s) for Missouri by U.S. District:

1st District Gene Dultz (Florissant) 314-830-0408 [email protected]

2nd District Gil Pyles (Florissant) 314-831-2860 [email protected]

3rd District Hubert Burford (St. Louis) 314-631-2236

4th District Steve Hall (Conway) 417-589-6409

5th District OPEN - NO EVC, call 1-800-392-VOTE

6th District Lou Collobert (Kansas City) 816-454-3725 [email protected]

7th District Mark Rundel (Crane) 417-723-5455 [email protected]

8th District James Hovis (Hiram) 573-495-2447

9th District James Primm (Paris) 660-327-5576

Letter from the Editor

By the time you receive this October TMS, the 2000 competitive shooting season is closing and the hunting season is in full swing. I published all the match results we received, however I�m sorry to say there wasn�t much. I did solicit and receive a number of good articles about hunting. Therefore, I felt it appropriate to have a hunting theme, in this issue.

There are a number of really good articles from both new and past contributors. I think the quality of the articles are as good as anything you may read in Outdoor Life, Field and Stream or the American Hunter. I hope some of you "quiet" members may be inspired, to try your hand at writing. I have also incorporated more illustrations and photographs. One area we would like to improve is the print quality of the photographs. I do not think that this will happen until we can double or triple our membership. The TMS currently costs about $1.50 per issue per member to print and mail. Offset printing costs at least twice that but can be economical when printing a high volume.

Membership and the financial status of MSSA are better than it has been in a number of years. The regular membership is over 800 and continuing to grow. However, it persists to be an uphill battle to recruit and retain members. Please do your part to expose shooters and hunters to the MSSA. At $20.00, membership in MSSA would be a bargain, however at only $15.00 it�s a steal. I wanted to see 2000 MSSA members in the millennial year. This goal may have been unrealistic, nonetheless 1000 members could be achieved if everyone would do their part. Here�s an idea: Give someone a membership for a Holiday gift. They will think about you at least four times a year when they receive the TMS, and it�s better than a lame tie or another travel mug. The main source of income for the organization is membership dues. Among the other sources of income, commercial advertising, (which started in the April issue) is starting to subsidize the cost of the newsletter. If you know a friendly business suggest to them that they consider placing an ad in the newsletter.

The positive financial status of MSSA, enabled us to make political contributions to pro-gun candidates and organizations this year. All the experts are predicting that this Novembers election will be the most important yet concerning the Second Amendment and our gun rights. You must be registered to vote, informed, and cast your VOTE! EVERY VOTE COUNTS!

Four years of Al Gore and his pals will insure more restrictive laws, and limit your ability to buy, sell, or own a gun. How would you like to report every gun you own and pay a $50.00 dollar tax for each, on your federal income tax. This type of legislation and other equally bad, is currently pending---to be resolved after the coming election. If you want to stop concealed carry for the next four years vote for Bob Holden. His humble, farm boy image covers an anti-gun agenda. You must be registered to vote, informed, and cast your VOTE! EVERY VOTE COUNTS!

My Secret Deer Hunting Lure

Back in the early 80�s some friends and I would get drawn for the Peck Ranch primitive weapons deer hunts on a regular basis. On one of those memorable hunts we discovered the ultimate, super secret, deer-hunting tip.

My friend Bud and I left St. Louis early on Friday morning and rolled into Van Buren, just in time for lunch at the Plantation Restaurant. The Plantation is well known for its roast beef dinners and homemade pies. After over eating, we filled the truck with gas and headed for Peck Ranch. We quickly set-up camp and went out to scout for the perfect stand for the morning hunt. We drove past the airfield and made a right turn on to Road 18. We took this road almost to the top of the hill and pulled into a small parking spot.

Bud and I took off in different directions to look for that perfect hunting spot. I found a place that was about 150 yards from a small pond and about 35 yards above a well-used run. I used some temporary markers so that I could find this spot in the dark and headed back to the truck.

When I got back to the truck Bud proceeded to tell me about this great spot that he found. It was about 150 yards from a small pond and about 35 yards above a well-used run. "Wait a minute", I said, "That�s my spot!" We went back and located "his" spot and found it was about 50 yards from my spot, but hidden from view by a large rock outcrop. Well, we flipped a coin to see who would keep the spot and I WON! It was starting to get dark so Bud decided he would hunt some place across the road in the morning.

The next morning we set off, eager to get that big buck. I went down to my "perfect spot". It was certified perfect by not just one, but two expert deer hunters. Bud went across the road, and walked into the woods and sat down on his 5-gallon, ex-drywall mud, bucket.

About 10 am I heard a shot from Buds direction, but soon forgot about it. Sitting in the "perfect spot", I saw three small does but not a single buck. At noon, I headed back to the truck and found Bud sitting on the truck tailgate. The biggest ten-point buck I ever saw was lying by the side of the truck.

"OK", I said," lets hear the story." Bud said at about ten o�clock he pried open his bucket, he was sitting on, to get out his thermos and a Twinkie. (Yes, I said a Twinkie.) He poured a cup of warm coffee form his thermos and ripped open the Twinkie wrapper. He crumbled up the wrapper and stuck it in his pocket. He then looked up to see this big antlered buck looking back at him about thirty yards away. He slowly set the deer lures (Twinkie and warm coffee) down and picked up his Thompson Center muzzleloader. BANG! He shot the deer. The whitetail buck ran past him and died about fifteen yards from the truck!

Well there you have it. Needless to say 5-gallon, ex-drywall mud buckets stuffed with warm coffee and Twinkies have been our secret deer hunting lures ever since then.

Plan Your Next Hunt In Africa

I realize that as I type these words, many of you have already had the privilege of frequenting your favorite tree stand or secret spot. Perhaps, even some have started to fill the freezer with venison from a skillfully placed arrow. I also realize that by now guns have come out of their cases and have been sighted in. Clothes with distinct camouflage pattern and hunter orange vests and hats are making their ways out of closets and trunks. Hopefully you have strategically planned (begged the wife or boss) for few choice weekends on the calendar. Licenses are up to date, ammo and gear checked and rechecked, and once again you spent way too much of the paycheck on the latest gadget guaranteeing your next buck or bull to be the trophy of a lifetime.

However, while your hunting dreams are becoming realities, mine are just coming to an end. As you begin to focus on doves, ducks, whitetails, and big toms, I have just finished my hunting season that included kudu, impala, cape buffalo and guinea fowl. Why the strange game? It�s because I live in a little country in southeast Africa called Malawi. And although I still get the shakes every spring as I hear glorified gobblers answering my perfect yelps in my head, African game and hunting can offer some very exciting experiences. In fact, hunting in Africa offers many similarities and contrasts to some of our hunting in North America. The purpose of this article is to inform you of some of these differences as you dream or actually plan to visit this mysterious continent.

I have set aside five aspects of hunting in Africa that offer both similarities and corresponding differences to hunting in North America. While the similarities may be obvious to most hunters, I want to spend most of my time discussing the contrasts in order to provide information and insight to planning a hunting trip to Africa. Before I begin, let me add a personal disclaimer: I am not a professional hunter and have not hunted all over Africa. I would consider myself an avid hunter with a reasonable knowledge of the outdoors, hunting and gun experience and a fledging bow enthusiast. My hunting in Africa has been limited to the last ten years and has concentrated on most plains game and a few dangerous types of animals, mainly in the countries of Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

The first similarity and contrast centers on knowing the hunting area. When I�m home in St. Louis it is very easy to spend an afternoon scouting local areas for deer and turkey. I am also familiar with the time of year, weather, city and town boundaries, season dates, local laws and ordinances. I can be in some of my favorite spots within a couple of hours from home. However, you just can�t jump into your SUV and scout out Africa. To travel from Creve Coeur to my home in Malawi takes two days by jumbo jet. In fact, it�s the tremendous distance that discourages most people from ever hunting in Africa. Also, what most people don�t understand is that our hot and humid months of summer in the States are actually the winter months of the southern hemisphere. I learned the hard way and about froze to death on my first hunt in the Karoo desert of South Africa. It�s not uncommon to wake up to below freezing temperatures and even the occasional snow. I hunted an area in the northern province of South Africa in June of this year and was wishing I had a few hand warmers on the landie (land rover) ride out into the veld (bush). In most cases, getting to know the area of Africa in which you desire to hunt can be accomplished through a local contact, hunting magazines (I recommend Magnum), jumping on the web or more importantly, first hand information through a local professional hunter or outfitter, of which I will mention later.

The second aspect of hunting in Africa focuses on terrain. I liken the terrain of hunting in most of South Africa and Zimbabwe to southwest Texas or the plains of South Dakota and Wyoming. Open territory with minimal coverage provide rifle hunters opportunities to show off their long range accuracy, not to mention the extra challenges of stealth for the bow zealot. Most hunting is done by walk and stalk methods, similar to our hunting elk or mule deer out west. This doesn�t make for optimal bow hunting, although there are a few outfitters and farms that provide stands and hides. I recently hunted kudu with a bow using the walk and stalk. And while this makes for some extremely exciting hunting it doesn�t compare to the fellow I met on the plane who arrowed a cape buffalo at 35 yards on a walk and stalk. Of course his guide backed him up with a .458 loaded with 500-grain solids! Concerning clothes, the traditional khaki and green is still the norm, although camouflage is becoming increasingly popular in South Africa. Also, I would certainly recommend a good pair of boots for walking and combating those slithering critters that abound here. On the above mentioned kudu hunt this year I almost stepped on a puff adder, and on several occasions have come into close contact with mambas. The Africans call the mambas the two-step snake (not the Texas two-step, but the kind where you have about two steps before you die).

The first two aspects of African hunting, knowing the area and the terrain, can be accomplished by getting to know the right people. I think it�s rather obvious by now that planning a trip to Africa involves a bit more than stopping off at Wal-Mart for a license and Schnucks for some beans and wienies before heading out to Uncle Bob�s farm in Washington County. While you�re always welcome at Uncle Bob�s farm, hunting in Africa is a once in a lifetime experience for most people. Choosing a qualified, reputable and honest outfitter or professional hunter is the key to a successful and memorable hunt in Africa. If I can offer any advice at this juncture it would be to, first, shop around. Hunting in Southern Africa has become big business and therefore quite competitive in pricing and accommodations. Do some homework, check around for the best packages and most of all make sure the outfitter knows your complete wishes. Second, seek out referrals. Many hunting outfitters are connected to hunting outfits in the States. Talk to someone who has visited this place and find out the good and the bad so you know what to expect. Third, request everything in writing, most specifically the animals you wish to hunt. In some cases the farm you wish to hunt may not have the specific animal you desire. However, they can arrange for you to visit another area or farm. In addition, make sure you are aware of all the costs and details of your hunt. This includes taxes (14% in South Africa), daily fees, rifle hire, airport transfers, trackers and skinners, taxidermy, shipping and gratuities. When traveling in Africa where things seem to change from day to day, it�s always best to know ahead of time all the costs and details, and an outfitter can assist you with all of these.

Let me make one more observation concerning the outfitter, farm owner or professional hunter (PH). While some American hunters may view this as restrictive, a professional hunter or guide can ensure the success of your hunt, at the same time promoting the ethics of hunting and supporting the future of the game. Many South African farms and outfitters are operated by families and support ethical hunting and game management. While most outfitters will pamper you with the finest service, accommodations and food, they will not tolerate unethical hunters. In fact, on a recent trip to South Africa I hunted with a marvelous outfitter, Mopipi Game Farm, located close to the border of South Africa and Botswana. Everything was first class, the accommodations, facilities, food, hospitality and service. However, before they let us into the "veld", we had to demonstrate our knowledge and ability to shoot a rifle. In fact, we spent a few hours on the range getting comfortable with their firearms and also having to shoot three rounds in the black at 150 yards. To be honest, I had a few anxious moments and visions of spending my hunting trip ridding in the back seat of the "landie" entered my head once or twice, but these are the types of folks I can respect and would not hesitate recommending them to hunting friends.

Other obvious differences are the type and variety of animals being hunted. While most hunters traveling to Africa already have an idea of what animal they would like to hang above the fireplace (or basement depending on the disposition of your spouse), most are not aware of the immense variety of animals available. This has both good and ill effects on the hunter, depending on how you look at it. It�s good for those hunters who can enjoy seeing these wonderful animals and yet control their trigger fingers in order to stay within their budget; bad for those who cannot and must take a second mortgage on their home when they return to the mainland. In addition, knowing the difference in the type of animal is important too. Knowing the difference between a buck and a doe whitetail is (usually) a no-brainer! Knowing the difference between a trophy elk and a meat for the freezer elk becomes a little more difficult especially when you calculate sweaty palms, the shakes, and that big lump in your throat. Judging a trophy kudu, let alone the sex of a gemsbok or zebra can be down right difficult, let alone expensive. Hunting in the Karoo for gemsbok one year I was looking for a nice animal for "biltong" (jerky). The owner of the farm guided me as we stalked a small herd of gemsbok (oryx). Now as all gemsbok have horns (the kind that stick straight up), the guide was telling me which one to shoot. Finally as we came into close enough range (300 + yards), he said to me, "shoot the one, third from the left." Bang! Beautiful shot! No problem, except I shot the one standing fourth from the left, which turned out to be the trophy of the group.

Let me add one more comment to the variety of hunting in South Africa and it has to do with the actual atmosphere of the hunt. Because most hunting is done on private farms or game reserves, hunting has become quite commercialized. Gone are the days of Ernest Hemingway's, The Green Hills of Africa. This can also mean that some of your hunting will be done in specific areas separated by fences, which may include four strands of barbed wire or 10 feet of chain link. This may take some time getting used to, especially if you�re accustomed to hunting the San Juan�s out of Durango for elk. However, most farms are large enough that fencing is not even noticed and at the same time does ensure that you will see more animals. I highlight the word "see" and not kill because the stalk and shot are entirely up to you. Nothing is guaranteed.

Finally, I want to mention something about the likeness and distinctions of equipment, specifically rifles and bows. Similar to hunting in North America, we too here in Africa use various calibers and ammunition for different types of game. When shooting springbok in the Karoo, a hunt similar to our pronghorn, I use a flat-shooting .270. When hunting kudu in thick bush, I use a 30.06 with 180-grain bullets for knock down power. When hunting Malawian buffalo in the thick grass or sugar cane, I use a .458 and pray a lot! The purpose of mentioning these various calibers is not to set off the ever tiring debate of which gun is the best to use, but rather to address the following concerns. The first concerns availability, the second, risk. First of all, not many hunters that I know own the bigger caliber guns. Why? Because we don�t use them and we�re not willing to go out and spend a wad of cash on something we might only use one time in our lives. Second of all, even if you do have the money to spend, there is an element of risk taking these weapons on a plane to Africa, through customs, and hopefully obtaining the correct permits. There are many places in Africa that would not be very excited if you showed up with a gun case and a suitcase full of ammo. Fortunately, South Africa is one of those places you can travel to with a weapon. In fact, on a flight two months ago from Atlanta to Johannesburg, I watched those "not too gentle" baggage folks load over 30 gun cases onto our plane. There is an obvious alternative to bringing a rifle to Africa and that includes prearranging with your outfitter certain calibers you would like to use on your trip. Every place I have hunted in South Africa and Zimbabwe had various rifles for use or hire, including ammunition. And most of the time it has worked out fantastically. I say most because on one of my trips to South Africa I really wanted to shoot a nice warthog. The PH told me he had a proper rifle for my usage. Well, to him proper meant a .375. I did shoot a nice tusker, but never could salvage any meat (which is extremely tasty) because there wasn�t any left after I blew a fist size hole in his side. If you do hire a rifle, I suggest you take some time on the range before going out into the veld. Becoming familiar with someone else�s rifle leads to confidence. And confidence is what you will need when you place those crosshairs on that trophy bull kudu.

Let me also add another note, this time concerning bows. Bow hunting is becoming an increasingly popular sport in South Africa. However, as I mentioned before, not all farms or outfitters will be set up for bow hunters. Therefore, if you want to hunt with your bow (and I completely recommend it!) make sure you tell the outfitter of your intentions. In addition, bring all the necessary gear and extra gear with you. If you forget your broadheads, or arrows, you can�t simply run down to the nearest Sport�s Authority and I�m pretty sure that Denny Dennis doesn�t make house calls overseas.

Hunting in Africa offers many exciting similarities and marvelous contrasts to our hunting in North America. It is certainly an experience that will provide life long memories and stories. It is a journey of new cultures, peoples, animals, experiences and more importantly the thrills of sport hunting itself. If you would like to find out more information about hunting Africa, please feel free to contact me.

In the meantime, shoot straight!

Dr. Stephen Spencer

Duck Hunting IS Special?

Ah... duck "huntin". �Tis a special sort of thing. You haven't lived till you have had the experience. First, I get up at 0300 and eat half a cold sandwich on the 60-mile drive to the general area of the hunt. There I saddle up about 200 lbs. of decoys and ammo and gun and other crap and traipse about a mile in my hip boots. Now I begin to sweat profusely. I chip the ice off a little pram and paddle a mile or so to a blind. Then I slog around in thigh deep water that sloshes 2 quarts of icy water over the top of my left boot as I set the decoys. I plant my damp, sweaty, frozen posterior on an ice covered board to wait for first light.

Now it's foggy as soup and I can�t see anything flying. In the unlikely event that it isn't foggy, it�s coming down freezing rain, and nothing is flying. If, against all odds, the weather is no worse than cold with a low overcast, it is guaranteed that I will be looking east when a couple braces of mallards come overhead, 20 meters from the west. I�ll notice them after they have passed over. In my haste to get the gun up I�ll drop the thermos and spill every drop of the only thing warm I�ll see for the next 6 hours. I won�t get the shot off, as the ducks humiliate me. They quack laughingly as they wheel around at a distance of 100 meters and mock my stupid sounding duck calls. As the morning wears on, rigor mortise sets in until I can't move.

Finally another brace of canvasbacks zip in unnoticed from behind me and land at my back. They swim around the blind about 5 meters out. Of course being a true sportsman, I refuse to bust them unless they are under wing. And daffy and the gang won't fly. They paddle around aimlessly taunting me.

A while later some geese come by and I try to change shells to heavy shot. My numb frozen fingers drop the no.5's in the water, while fumbling for the no. 2's. When I finally get heavy loads into the shotgun, the geese are gone and the canvasback ducks have taken wing and are about 150 meters beyond maximum range.

Eventually a suicidal coot comes over and out of frustration I drop the hammer and down it goes. I slog out to get it, sloshing about 3 quarts of water in the right leg of my hip boots. At least my legs and feet are now evenly matched, and equally frozen. As time goes by, I shoot a brace of some unheard of and rare variety of duck, called something like, a silver eyed, blue legged, shoveling merganser. I�m sure that it is certainly protected. Now I�m probably a felon subject to a penalty of 20 years in the electric chair or something equally damning.

After 3 more hours during which nothing is flying at all, I decide to pack it all up and begin to gather the decoys. Suddenly about 50 or so fat mallards slow fly over at 20 meters. My gun is in the blind. I curse in frustration, wading back to the blind, and get another 3 quarts of ice water in each leg of the hip boots. My legs now weigh an extra 70 pounds each. I throw all the gear back in the pram and paddle back to the boat ramp. There I sit on an block of ice to pour out my boots. I also realize I need to pee really bad by now. When I finally find the frozen little thing there isn't enough to stick out through all the clothing, and I pee about half a cup down one pant leg. It's warm.

Eventually I get saddled up and traipse the mile back to the car. The windows are thickly iced up and sometime during my absence a tractor the size of Rhode Island parked, blocking any forward vehicular movement. Eventually I get the car scraped off and manage to zigzag back out and drive home.

I put all the wet gear away by throwing it in a pile in the middle of the garage. I spray the poor abused Remington 870 with WD-40 and head for the shower. After 5 minutes in the shower, the hot water is all gone because my wife just finished her 3-hour bath/shower/shave/make up, self care regimen. She's walking around all fluffed and buffed, smelling like a scratch and sniff ad from a Victoria's Secret catalog, wearing something slinky, looking at me from under fluttering lashes and smiling softly for the first time in 3 months. I just finished my cold shower and I�m still frozen to the marrow It's 4 in the afternoon, and I realize I�m running on 3 hours sleep and haven't had a thing to eat in 20 hours, except that 1/2 of a cold, flat meat sandwich. Then there�s those foul fowl to pluck and gut. I decide to make some insensitive comment about absolutely nothing that I can remember. She gets real irritated and throws on some clothes and stomps out to go buy something... anything, at the mall. It�s just to show me who�s really the boss. [Mission accomplished.]

I clean the ducks, and drop them in the deep freeze. I get a half tumbler of Jack Daniels, sit in front of the tube and watch Green Bay duke it out with New York. I have had another great day of duck hunting. "It just don't get no better than this". Too bad I have to work tomorrow or I�d do it again. Now for those of you who have been there, done that, is this an accurate description of duck hunting or what?

Shooting Quail at Barren Fork Game Bird Farm

Indeed I was very fortunate. I was invited to shoot quail with two business associates who are also avid hunters. We met in Union, and proceeded to Barren Fork Game Bird Farm, located between Owensville and Gerald. We pulled in and parked on a ridge overlooking the entire farm. An older but well kept mobile home served on like an old soldier, as the clubhouse. I immediately noticed a lean-to at one side. It consisted of a metal clad countertop, sink with cold water, buckets, shears, and a few odd feathers. To me it was like a flashing neon sign that said, "You all are going to shoot some birds today." The inside of the trailer was Spartan but clean. We met a tall man in a camo cap, Carhartts, and a cheek of chewing tobacco. The man and the atmosphere were fun yet no nonsense, in short it was perfect.

The tall man was the owner Jeff Doerr. He appeared laid back, but it was a busy day with several parties already hunting and several more preparing to go afield. We sat down at the table to sign our releases, while the staff went to place the three dozen quail we were going to hunt. Jeff raises all his own birds. Quail cost $4.75, chukar are $8.50, pheasants are $12.00 and mallards are also $12.00 (when available).

I asked Jeff how he had arrived at this point in his life. He related he was born and raised in the area, and had previously been a farmer. He had also raised hogs. But with a grin he recounted how eight years ago, a friend had talked him into a bird hunt in Iowa. He enjoyed the hunting experience, but not the drive. When he complained to his friend about the long drive, the friend jokingly remarked, "if you started your own preserve, you wouldn�t have to drive so far". Jeff took the idea to heart, and two weeks later Barren Fork became a reality.

In the first year of operation, a modest, 5300 birds were released. Today that number is about five times higher. The hunting grounds are on two farms of 245 acres and 550 acres. They can handle up to 13 hunting parties a day. When busy, Jeff employs up to a six-person crew. They encourage you to bring your own dogs but they can also provide a guide with dogs for an extra charge. Additionally they offer 3D archery, sporting clays, and bird dog training and boarding. Bird hunting is available from October 1^st to April 1^st. Jeff does not believe in conventional advertising. He relies on word of mouth and repeat business. His simple philosophy is that if he provides you with a quality hunt, and that if you are a pretty good guy (read safe and courteous hunter), then you will tell and bring your friends (also safe and courteous hunters) to Barren Fork Game Bird Farm.

My hunting companions were Tony Prince, Jon Smith and Tony�s two year-old yellow lab-Casey. Both Tony and Jon are long time NRA members but until very recently had never heard of the MSSA. Both are now newer MSSA members. Yes sir, you are correct sir, if you guessed that I recruited them. Tony prefers to hunt upland birds with a 12 gauge, 32 inch barreled Browning over and under. Jon likes to hunt everything, but prefers his trusty 12 gauge Browning BPS pump for shotgunning. I on the other hand prefer my 12 gauge, Bennelli super black eagle autoloader for all shotgunning except deer and turkey. There we were with an over and under, a pump, and an autoloader. While all of us are respectable shots, none of us are proficient enough to tout a 20 gauge.

We arrived via the Suburban at our forty acres of heaven. The field was a gentle hillside of ankle high grass and stubble food plots, At the top we were bordered by a wooded fence line and at the bottom was a large pond. There were several small patches of cedars and woodsy draws. It was classic upland habitat. The weather was cool and overcast with a slight breeze. Earlier the sky flirted with about a thirty- second sprits of rain, but it had blown by in a blink without even leaving much on the windshield.

We worked the higher ground first. The young dog was too excited and Tony had to work hard too keep her close. We spooked several quail at maximum range but still managed to bag about half of them. What Casey lacked in her pointing skills she more than made up for, in her ability to retrieve. Several of the forty to fifty yard, well hit birds, glided another fifty or more yards into the woods or just out of sight. More times than not Casey returned with a dead quail in her mouth. Tony flushed and shot a chukar. It sailed into a wooded draw, but he took off after it and finished it fluttering among the treetops. Tony rightfully figured that we had a good chance of picking up some bonus birds after a long weekend. Jeff had told us "If it flies it dies, because somebody had already paid for it."

We worked our way back to the truck and paused for a can of pop. We had managed to bag eight quail and one chukar. Next we worked through a wooded draw and across the field. About half way between the fence and pond we flushed several birds at twenty or so yards. We flushed four birds at once from a small patch of cedar and all of us managed to bag one. Mine took off to a wooded draw where I had to shoot it from a treetop. Casey retrieved it from some thick multi-flora brush that would have been a very thorny encounter. The shot of the day was a quail Tony almost stepped on. He shot but missed, and the bird flew behind him and me towards the pond. I thought I led the fast flying bird by six feet, but my fist shot was well behind it. At that point the bird was pretty far out but flying straight away from me. With no lead to calculate my second shot was only a matter of time until the pellets caught up to it. Solidly hit the quail sailed into the pond. Casey was in her element enjoying the water retrieval almost as much, as it was fun for us to watch. A significant aspect of upland hunting is watching a good dog work.

I started the day with 1oz 8�s and finished with 1oz 7 ��s which was probably backwards. Most of the day�s early shots were at forty to fifty yards. Later the birds were flushing at less than twenty yards. I am a proponent of less but bigger shot. However a very well hit quail at under twenty yards with 7 ��s is messy. The quail is a bulbous, fragile looking bird yet manages to take to the air with the speed of a fourth of July rocket, and head for the nearest cover at up to a blazing 50 mph. When they are not hit well they will often evade even good dogs by hiding in cedars or running a long way through thick cover. Like most wild animals if they have an ounce of life left they will try to get away. This is why I favor larger shot.

As we headed back to clean the eighteen quail and one chukar we talked about the great day we had just had. Jon and Tony were old pros at cleaning quail I was inexperienced to say the least. The adequate cleaning table and assembly line system facilitated us finishing the dirty work in about thirty minutes. While a fifty-percent success rate does not at first appear special, consider that I have hunted many times with much less success. On previous trips Tony said he had harvested upwards of eighty percent of the birds. Next the conclusion to a perfect day was a stop at a tavern by the lumberyard in Union. We relived the day and told tales of past adventures over rib-eye sandwiches and cold beer.

This was my first time to a hunting preserve. For the poor working guy that may only get to hunt a dozen or so days a year, this offers a high quality experience at a reasonable expense of time, effort and money. Most of the birds flew fast, strong, and unpredictable routes. It was far from shooting fish in a barrel. It compared well to a "wild hunt" but with a much better chance to have a "great day". I can�t tell you how many times I have heard a fishing or hunting guide say, "you should have been here last week." At a good game preserve, you will probably have that elusive "great day", if you do your job with gun and dog.

Provided you are a well mannered, safe and courteous hunter, and would like more information about Barren Fork Game Bird Farm contact: Jeff Doerr, 2406 Lone Grove School Rd., Owensville, MO 65066, Phone-573-237-2829.

Quail Unlimited, SW Missouri Chapter 80 hosts competition

It was a cool morning on March 4, 2000 in the Ozarks, and a great day to get together with members, their families and friends. Southwest Missouri Chapter 80 of Quail Unlimited hosted a competition and a fun hunt. Forty-four entries, included twelve teenagers and five women. All participants showed up with great anticipation and the determination to have fun, hunting with some of the best dogs in the country. There was a lot of laughing, joking, cooking, bragging and picture taking to accompany the hunt. We also had the privilege of meeting and signing up 17 new members.

National Bird Dog Challenge Association (NBDCA) rules were in effect, even though it was a non-sanctioned hunt. The dogs and the hunters all performed well, creating close scores. The competition was tough. First place winners were Francie Buche and his pointer "Buche�s Echew Snake Rail" from Frontenac, Kansas and Dwain Rhoems. Their prize was $200 in cash, a dog box donated by SUNDOWNER EQUIPMENT, INC., in Goodman, Missouri, and a nice 1^st place trophy donated by NEOSHO BEAUTY COLLEGE. Second place went to Brian Yost and his pointer "Buster" from Carthage, Missouri, who took home $75 in cash, a knife, and a 2^nd place trophy. Third place went to Rocky Tash, Senior and his tri-colored English Setter "Tomokas Max", from Goodman, Missouri, and Marty Schenk, leaving for home with $25 cash, a knife, and a 3^rd place trophy.

Chapter 80 would like to thank the following people: the judges - Lance Nichols, Dale Ogehuy, Ken Greene, Audie Tash, Jerry Hill; bird planters - Katlin Rhuems And Buck McClintock. We also would like to thank Audie Tash, who donated a German Shorthair pup for the raffle, Neosho Gun & Pawn which donated clay pigeons, Anthony Yuest And Calvin Bernard who provided the use of their land, and the many other hard-working members who helped to make the event possible.

Future events scheduled include: ANNUAL FUNDRAISER / BANQUET - OCTOBER 7^TH in Joplin, Missouri, COMPETITION HUNT on October 28^th in Seneca, Missouri, and bar-b-ques and get togethers between the holidays and hunting seasons-details to be announced later.

For more information, Please contact:

ROCKY TASH - 417-850-3645

ROBERT LUPINI - 417-451-7419

SCOTT HILL - 417-451-7216

Spanish Goat Killed by Arrow in Maui

Honey, How would you like to go to Hawaii for vacation? Great! There is just one little catch. I�m taking my bow...

Keith Gunn with Spanish goat shot in Maui, HI. Keith took the "billy" with a 65 lb. PSE Polaris bow, and 120-grain Bear broadhead on a, 32" Aluminum Gamegetter arrow. The 150-lb. goat had a 360-degree curl with a 27-inch spread. The black goat with a tan neck yielded about 60 lbs. of meat. Keith said it ate real good, and it was the best bow hunt he ever had. Hawaiian goat hunting with a bow favors the spot, stalk and shoot method. Keith and his guide spent 11 hours crawling across the volcanic rock and tropical underbrush, to get within 35 yards for the shot. Goats have phenomenal eyesight and a keen sense of smell but their hearing isn�t that great. While Mr. Gunn hunted hard from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mrs. Gunn worked on her tan at the beach, drank icy Pin� Coladas, and watched the whales.

Blizzard Moose Times Five

BLIZZARD MOOSE

(Long Version)

Son "Rich 2" and I always looked forward to our annual elk hunt in Wyoming. We always hunted with Pinky Bonner up around Bailey Creek and Brown�s Meadow. A 100-year-old trapper�s 10� x 10� log cabin gave the place its name. I was plain lucky, I drew a Shirras moose tag the first time I ever applied! An elk and a moose the same trip-----double pleasure.

Wyoming was having waves of blizzards that year. We told ourselves, "Good tracking, force the animals down lower, etc". When we finally drove into Jackson to meet Pinky, we began to have doubts as to this "fun" part. Pinky gave us the bad news: Due to severe weather in the mountains, the governor canceled the elk season. Moose was still on. Rich 2 flew back home and I went up to camp with guide Charlie. I was determined NOT to lose a rare moose tag!

We started hunting the next morning. Charlie riding [a horse named] Maynard, me on old faithful Abe. About two miles from camp, we had to cross a now-frozen creek. Maynard balked. Charlie has a thing about horses, "either you control the horse, or he controls you". Charlie and Maynard went across. My turn. Abe wouldn�t go. Charlie said I WAS going to cross on Abe. I could swear Abe was tiptoeing on the ice! Then I heard a series of sharp cracking sounds. RICHARD, YOU IS IN D-E-E-P TROUBLE! I had just gotten my feet out of the stirrups, when Abe and I broke through the ice. Abe finally got his head out of water. Spouting like a whale, with me hanging on, Abe made it to the far bank.

We were in -14 degrees below zero and camp was too far away. Charlie made the world�s fastest two fires while I stripped jay bird naked (and just as blue). I stood on a saddle blanket between the fires drying off and rubbing down. Got a spare sweater and extra socks from Charlie�s saddle bags and we waited for my clothes to dry. Meanwhile, I disassembled and dried my Sako .375 H & H, over a fire. After a time of standing between two fires, I dressed, re-assembled and loaded my rifle, and away we went looking for a moose. (I sure hated to leave those warm fires!).

It was so cold and the snow was so deep, that every vertical 30-40 feet we would

stop to breathe the horses. This wasn�t working. We decided to return to camp through some sparse timber. Just before breaking out into a clearing we saw "my" moose. The wind and snow was on my side, muffling our sound. I forgot all about the cold, sore bones, etc. I steadied the rifle on a tree and touched one off. He just stood there!

What in the #*^%* is wrong? One stuck in the bore? Could I have missed that big thing at this range? I worked the bolt as quietly as I could. Quick check of the bore, and I raised my rifle for another shot. Charlie is giving me hell, "You dumb /^*%$@,---don�t shoot again! He�s dead and can�t fall over because of the heavy snow!" As I watch, the blood starts coming out of Mr. Moose�s nose and his head drops slightly. By golly! He IS standing dead! A quick photo, leave moose, go back to camp and bring "Marlborough", who looks like a cross between a Clydesdale and an elephant. Marlborough drags moose down to base camp. We quickly pack and get the heck outa' there! A good hunt.

2. BLIZZARD MOOSE

(Short Version)

I drew a tag for Shirras moose my first try! ("Because I�m worth it"). Season approached and I headed to Jackson Hole. Met guide, all was ready and we pack-trained up 6,000 feet to camp. Everything was perfect: except waves of blizzards had dumped 41" of snow and sleet mix in our area and daytime temperatures were -14 degrees below zero. Yes, everything was "perfect".

First morning of hunting, the fun began. Crossing a frozen-over creek, my horse and I broke through the ice. A good guide and my own Alaskan survival experiences brought me through. Resumed hunting! Snows made hills too difficult, we were killing the horses. Decided to go back to camp for the rest of the day. Going through some sparse timber, we saw "my" moose. Stalk, shoot and drop my jaw! That moose just stood there! Guide insisted moose was dead but couldn�t fall over because of the heavy snow ("I wouldn�t believe such a story, either). But he was right. Took a lousy picture in frozen climate with a frozen camera operated by frozen guide. I made it home alive. It was a good hunt.

3. BLIZZARD MOOSE

(Shorter Version)

Drew a tag for Wyoming Shirras moose my first application. Also had an elk tag. Headed up to range north of Jackson. Waves of blizzards were hitting Wyoming that year. Governor canceled elk season, but moose was still open. Did you say, snow and cold? Try -14 below zero and 41 inches of snow. Horse and me break through the ice on creek, but survive. I was fortunate and got my moose. Snow was so deep and heavy, the moose couldn�t fall over after being shot. Took a picture or two, dragged moose to lower elevation, and got the heck out of Wyoming! I "think" I had a good time.

4. BLIZZARD MOOSE

(Almost Shortest Version)

Hunted Shirras moose in Wyoming. Temperature -14 below zero, and 41" of snow mixed with sleet. I nearly died. Got my moose, who did die standing up in heavy snow. Came home. Good hunting.

5. BLIZZARD MOOSE (Micro Version, Telegraph Word-Counting Style)

Hunted moose in Wyoming-stop. Cold and miserable-stop. Shot moose dead-stop. Good trip-end.

Remember to Pass it On

I ran my fingers over the smooth, well polished stock, gently touched the poly choke at the end of the twenty eight inch barrel, played around with the slide, and remembered: I hadn�t fired a shotgun in at least thirty years. This particular gun was an old J.C. Higgins twelve gauge, not too many years younger than I was then at about age fifty.

As one who still proudly calls himself "a Tennessee country boy", despite over twenty five years living in St. Louis, it startled me to realize just how far away from my childhood days of tramping the woods and fields with a rifle or shotgun I�d come. Further, it was disconcerting: As I stroked the gun lovingly, I also broke out in a nervous sweat, and my nerves hammered at me that I was a crazy, middle aged old fool who should know better than to mess around with a shotgun after so long an absence.

But then I remembered what had prompted me to purchase the gun originally was all the news about gun restrictions and the general horror expressed by some sleaze bag politicians, ignorant editorial writers, and others about gun ownership in general. At least I hadn�t completely forgotten my roots. So there I was, all alone with my NRA patch and that lovely, uncomfortable old shotgun. What surprised me most was my fear�yes that�s the word, "fear". For a brief moment I realized that I was responding just as the average nonshooting adult or child must feel when they pick up a firearm today. We are all so conditioned by the onslaught of negative news coverage about guns in general. After all, guns are for killing, aren�t they? Well, of course, yes they are, but they are for a lot more than that, and it isn�t all bad.

But first, I had to deal with myself. So there I was, my intellect on one side and my emotional system on the other, and it was time to go to the shooting range to see if I could hit clay pigeons at trap. It wasn�t so much that I knew the answer to that one in advance�zero hits out of the first box. The most important insight was the sudden realization that ignorance and conditioning had such a profound effect on me, an ex-Tennessee farm kid who considered gun ownership a genuine right of passage to adulthood. No wonder the anti-gun zealots find so many willing victims, good folks who really don�t know better.

It was then and there that I decided that never again was I going to show intolerance to the so called "soccer mom", "city boy", or other innocent who is just plain afraid of firearms. It behooved me, I realized, to go out of my way to look for folks in my immediate circle, who might unwittingly be conditioned by these same bad feelings. I might not be able to do much, but I COULD try to teach them respect for firearms instead of a supernatural fear.

The lesson I learned was a reminder of an idea far more important than that simple insight. The greater lesson is that we are all creatures of habit and conditioning. As we are taught, so we come to believe, and thus to feel. Un-conditioning is a slow process to reverse; and, as any teacher can testify, correcting erroneous habits of thought (and thus emotions) requires all the patience one can muster. However, as I began to talk to my daughters, my wife, and other folks in my life who at least give me a hearing, I felt better and more confident.

Well, that revelation was a few years back, and now I am the proud owner of a gun safe chock full of assorted armaments. But my proudest possession is the knowledge that; my wife and daughters, though not shooters themselves, are nevertheless NRA supporters and champion my right to shoot as well. They don't see gun ownership necessarily as the good thing I do, but that�s okay. They accept the principle that gun ownership is not only a fine thing in itself, but can be richly rewarding to responsible users. I�m proud that they completely understand that principle, and I don�t care if they ever pick up a gun themselves.

Also, along the way, in my profession as public accountant, I�ve managed to recruit a few other folks to our side. I used to be nervous just talking about my NRA membership, not to mention my love of guns. And, yes, I�ve taken my share of abuse, but I never have forgotten that simple lesson. I just keep on talking to anyone who will listen. The trick, you see, is to coax the weak and timid along with you. Remember that there is no feeling so sweet as that of helping others see, really SEE.

Since I reintroduced myself to my shotgun, I have managed to bag a turkey or two, a couple of ducks, and a few hundred clay targets. That wonderful old gun is like a comfortable old friend. I still ain�t much good as a shooter, but I surely am better as a human being and I surely feel better about myself. Furthermore, I can actually laugh at my lousy shooting. That, incidentally, is helpful too�Take the subject seriously, but realize that humor works better than anger every single time. Remember that infamous quote, "Laugh and the whole world laughs with you. Cry and you cry alone." Substitute the word "cuss" for "cry", relate it to the average gun debate and you have the same result.

In short, I wish you these same feelings I�ve come to experience. But what I wish most is that you, like myself, remember to "pass it along". Perhaps you do so already, and if so you have my heartfelt thanks. With all the debate about gun ownership and the future of the Second Amendment, it helps to remember what the Quakers used to say: "It�s better to spread light than heat." It�s good to be back home.

MSSA QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES

Meeting called to order by Steve McGhee at MDCHQ, Jefferson City, MO at 10:25 a.m., September 9, 2000. Present were Directors: Skip Barban, Marvin Behnke, Lee Koester, Roscoe Morris, Mitch Peters.

McGhee: Announced next meeting (the annual meeting) at the same location at 3:00 p.m. on December 2, 2000, with the annual awards banquet to follow.

McGhee: Reported with great concern that Bob Baumer�s wife had passed away. Bob has been a dedicated MSSA member, director, and steadfast NRA volunteer. The MSSA Board expressed their sincerest condolences to Bob and the Baumer family.

Koester: Presented Treasurer�s report. Koester reported all major bills for the year paid. Balances as of 9-2-00 were $4,532.05 in a CD and $6,861.96 in operating funds.

Koester: Presented Secretary�s report for Harold Miederhoff. 141 Life, Benefactor, Honorary members and 727 annual members on current membership rolls. The total membership is up about 20 members since the last meeting. Fifty-five (55) memberships have expired in July and August. (PLEASE SEND IN YOUR RENEWAL DUES IMMEDIATELY, IF YOUR MEMBERSHIP HAS EXPIRED. You will only be given one quarter as a grace period. To check your status, see the instructions on page 2 or 3, titled "Membership Renewal"...); renewal notices have not yet been sent. About half of the M1 Garand Rifle Raffle tickets have been sold.

Peters: Reported on the status of THE MISSOURI SHOOTER. Format and layout is more or less standard. Each affiliated club and organization will be listed in every issue as well as any news, events or schedules submitted. The October/2000 issue (this issue) will have an election/hunting theme. Paid advertising is starting to takeoff, but Peters requested that directors try to sell ads to friendly businesses. The recruitment flyer (approved June meeting) was developed, 4000 were printed, and about 3200 distributed. Peters advised the board that he had been approached to possibly trade ad space for a new color printer or other computer equipment. McGhee suggested a motion that the TMS Editor be allowed to use his discretion to barter for goods or services that benefit MSSA, in trade for ad space in TMS. Said motion proposed by Morris, seconded by Barban and Behnke. Peters offered an amendment to the motion: That all such transactions become the property of MSSA and will be reported at the quarterly meetings. Seconded by Barban, motion passed.

Koester suggested all quarterly meetings be posted in the TMS. Peters acknowledged he would print the schedule beginning with the Oct. issue.

Behnke and Peters both commented on the recent "Friends of the NRA" event in St. Louis. Both commented on the need for more MSSA representation at those events. McGhee stated there were about 16 such events statewide and it would take careful consideration as to which event(s) MSSA should attend.

Directors present, expressed the desire for more representation of MSSA by the NRA as their state affiliate.

McGhee reviewed the financial position of MSSA and stated that the goals of MSSA were to advance and promote the shooting sports and the 2^nd Amendment, not to accumulate large monetary balances. The importance of the upcoming election and gun legislation could not be overstated and we consider contributions to candidates that have shown a commitment to the Second Amendment. McGhee suggested a motion to send contributions from MSSA operating funds, of $500 each to the political campaigns of Talent, and Ashcroft, and $250 each to the organizations of Sacmo, WMSA, and the NRA-ILA. Said motion proposed by Behnke, seconded by Koester. Amendment proposed by Peters to also include Bill Federer, seconded by Barban-passed. Amendment proposed by Morris to also include Steve Danner, seconded by Peters-passed. Original motion passed, McGhee to write a cover letter to accompany each contribution. (President's Post Script: Candidate Committees are precluded by federal law from accepting funds from treasuries or general funds of corporations, so we were unable to make these campaign contributions as approved by the Board.)

McGhee suggested MSSA endorsement of Talent, Ashcroft, Federer and Danner for their commitment to the Second Amendment and as most likely to support and advance pro gun legislation. Said motion proposed by by Morris, seconded by Barban. Amendment proposed by Peters to also endorse Bush-Cheney, seconded by Barban, passed. Original motion passed.

McGhee reported on the success of the Training Counselors workshop a joint venture between MSSA and Green Valley Rifle and Pistol Club. Due to travel and accommodations of NRA staff, the event will lose about $450. However there are now seven newly qualified NRA Training Counselors in the state, and future events will likely make money. McGhee proposed that MSSA absorb the total cost of less than $500, in consideration of the contribution of facilities and technical assistance provided by Green Valley. Said motion proposed by Morris, seconded by Behnke, motion passed.

McGhee reported that Kevin Kistler, NRA Training Counselor Program Coordinator commented that it was one of the best programs he has ever seen. Furthermore, Steve McGhee was invited to become the seventh NRA Training Counselor Training Trainer (TCTT) in the world.

Peters proposed a motion to nominate Steve McGhee for the MSSA Hall of Fame award, for turning the MSSA around financially and increasing the membership. For his tireless efforts with MPS and the Capital Gun Rights Rally and for planning and leading the Training Counselor workshop---and being appointed the seventh NRA-TCTT. Behnke offered an amendment to also nominate F.E. "Bud" Eyeman posthumously. Among his many accomplishments He was a past president of the MSSA, The first statewide Coordinator of Hunter Education for the MO Department of Conservation, NRA Director and Chairman of NRA committees on ranges, and hunting conservation. Amendment accepted, motion seconded by Barban, motion passed. (President's Post Script: Bud Eyeman had previously been recognized by induction into the MSSA Hall of Fame.)

Koester reminded all directors to tell everyone "Don�t Listen to the media and their polls, Get out and vote for pro gun candidates. Every vote counts. You have to get out and vote if you want our pro gun candidates to win".

McGhee made the comment that he had not received any feedback yet about jointly purchasing smallbore competition rifles, as proposed in the July TMS. (see the article titled "An Idea...")

McGhee commented due to his real job he has been unable to work on or develop the MSSA website. He sugested we search for a knowledgeable volunteer that could handle the technicalities and responsibilities. Barban suggested that he might know someone and he would contact that person.

Peters suggested that MSSA Board of Directors consider raising the cost of annual dues to $20 for adults and $10 for juniors, sometime next year. (Originally proposed by Jones at the last board meeting)

Peters suggested that the MSSA Board of Directors consider conducting several raffles for firearms per year as fundraisers. (Originally proposed by Baumer at the last board meeting)

McGhee motioned for adjournment at 1:34 p.m.

MSSA ANNUAL MEMBERS MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT!

The 2000 MSSA Annual Meeting will be held on December 2, 2000 at the Missouri Department of Conservation Headquarters auditorium in Jefferson City. The starting time is set for 3:00 p.m. There will be elections for board members and officers of the association. Anyone interested in serving MSSA as a board member is invited to attend as there are about 8 positions on the board to be filled. The board meeting follows the annual meeting for the purpose of electing officers to serve for the following year. If you want to work to enhance MSSA and its mission, attend the meeting and get your name placed on the slate for the board positions.

The Annual Awards Dinner will be held the same day, on December 2, 2000, at Veit's Diamond Restaurant beginning at 6:30 p.m. Veit's is located at the corner of Missouri Blvd and Dix road in Jefferson City. The bar is open earlier for those of that persuasion. The cost of the family style fried chicken and country ham will be $15.00. Advance reservations are required. Make your request and payment to MSSA, P.O. 10170, Columbia, MO 65205. Inquiries can be made to the secretary, Harold Miederhoff at (573) 442-7235 or e-mail: [email protected]. The evening will be highlighted by the presentation of championship awards and MSSA special awards.

SPECIAL AWARDS NOMINATIONS

There is still plenty of time to nominate a person or club for Missouri Sport Shooting Association special recognition awards at the annual meeting/awards dinner. See the July TMS issue for details. Forward your nominations to Missouri Sport Shooting Association, Attention: Harold Miederhoff, P.O. Box 10170, Columbia, MO, 65205.

M1 Garand Rifle Raffle

How about a chance to win the standard United States service rifle of World War II? A decisive arm known for its firepower and robust reliability, General George S. Patton proclaimed the semi-automatic M1 Garand rifle, "The greatest battle implement ever devised". The CMP rifles are in very good to excellent condition, both collectable and shootable.

MSSA will conduct the M-1 rifle raffle again this year. The drawing will be held at the annual meeting dinner Dec 2, 2000. Winner need not be present to claim their prize. The rifle is provided to MSSA by the CMP, and the proceeds are to be used for enhancing junior shooting programs. Tickets can be purchased by sending $5.00 for each ticket desired along with your name address and phone number. The available tickets will be limited to 250. Address your purchase to MSSA, Attention: M1 Rifle Raffle, P.O. Box 10170, Columbia, MO 65205.

HURRY UP, SOLDIERS! As of 9-9-00 about half the tickets were already sold!

SB PRONE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

The weather forecast for the weekend of September 9-10 was for highs in the mid-80s. Was that ever wrong. The temperatures on both days reached into the mid-90s with high humidity accompanied by some very difficult breezes. However former International Shooting Team member, Boyd Goldsby from Arkansas, didn't seem to have any problems with the weather conditions. He started off with a tie of the range record in the 50 yard iron sight match on his way to dropping only 3 points on the first day. He shot the same 3 down on the second day to leave everyone in his wake, for the overall win. Among the residents, Bob Sedlacek from Fenton, finished the iron sights with a one point lead and then cruised through the any sights to take the State Championship. He has now won SB State Championships as a resident in three different states Iowa, South Dakota, and Missouri. Congratulations to Bob for a fine year of shooting. For resident juniors, Dan Rebhan from St. Louis, demonstrated that his "Expert" class card that went into effect 3 days after the match was no fluke as he shot solid Expert scores both days using iron sights.