Hi everyone. I want to introduce you to the Illinois 20,000 target members from the past target year. They are: Mike Dennis, Leland Hassler, David Peace, Jesse Tedrick, David Giacomi, Lawrence Gillum and Jaxson Wilson. When you think about the time, energy and resources that go into this, it is quite remarkable we have this many volume shooters. Congratulations to all of you. I've said this before, if any of you would like to adopt me, I promise to be a great shooting buddy.
I am pleased to announce that the ISTA Board of Directors and the Mohr family have reached an agreement to continue to have the Illinois State Shoot at Brittany Shooting Park. It is a 2-year deal which means we can continue to have great shoots there. If you have never been to the Illinois State Shoot, come on down, we have the best background in the midwest, and I promise you you'll shoot some great scores.
If you carefully look at all the results of the Grand in Trap and Field magazine, you will notice a page where they list all the non-Delegates and ATA officials who volunteered to help run the shoot offs each night. An Illinois shooter, Frank Payne, gave up 8 of his evenings to help run the shoot. When I asked him why he did this he said, "I just wanted to help." I have written before about what a great shooter and person he is. This just shows, yet again, what I have been saying. The ATA did not say thanks, so I will, Frank you did a wonderful thing, and I am so proud to be a friend of yours. I wish we had a whole heck of a lot more like you.
Hang in there. Spring is almost here. Shoot well and support your local clubs.
Bill Duncan, ATA Delegate
Hi everyone. I want to introduce you to the Illinois members of the 2025 All-American team.
OPEN 2nd Team - Garrett Helms
LADY 2 1st Team - Janice Rigler
JUNIOR GOLD 1st Team - Ian Lawrence(Captian), Wyatt Williams, Steve Marcherio, Landon Sievers
JUNIOR 1st Team - Mason Bartlow
SUB JUNIOR 2nd Team - Carson Sievers
SENIOR VETERAN 1st Team - Mike Westjohn(cap), Frank Payne
VETERAN 1st Team - Mike Dennis, Brian Hezel, Mike Hathaway
VETERAN 2nd Team - Frank Haynes, Dan Staker
CHAIR SHOOTER- Larry Norton
Congratulations to all of you.
A few weeks ago, I took a drive over to east, central Illinois to certify two new clubs to throw registered birds. They are the Windsor and Sullivan Gun Clubs. Windsor is a 2-trap club located 6 miles east of Shelbyville, Illinois, next to Lake Shelbyville. Sullivan Gun Club is a 1-trap club located a couple of miles southeast of Sullivan, Illinois. Both are nice places, eager to have shooters come and enjoy their hospitality. As I walked around both clubs, it struck me again how nice small clubs are to go and shoot at. There is an intimacy and friendliness you will never find at a big club. If you are around this part of Illinois, check these two clubs out. I know you will enjoy yourself.
I want to correct a mistake I made on the 2024 All-State team. In the Open category, the ninth shooter should be Tad Horton with a 91.07 average. The tenth shooter is now Bill Christensen. I apologize to all concerned for this mistake.
I was very sad when I heard that Dean Kerhulas had passed away. Dean shot for years all over the Midwest. He was never a great shot, but he enjoyed himself wherever he went. Later in his life he shot a lot less, instead, he started volunteering at the Downers Grove Sportsman's Club. Whatever needed to be done he was willing to do it. People like Dean are the backbone of our sport. He will never be in the Hall of Fame, but he is certainly deserving of a Man of the Year award. I wish we have more like him.
Finally, I have some milestones to report. Larry Brown has shot 25,000 Handicap targets. Tom Fester and Gary Crowe have shot 50,000 targets - Tom in Singles and Gary in Handicap.
Shoot well and support your local club.
Bill Duncan, ATA Delegate
OPEN
1) Chris Deterding 93.31
2) Brad Bomkamp 92.78
3) Ron Wolf 92.64
4) Randy Miller 92.44
5) Kent Kruse 92.28
6) Doug Valerio 91.7
7) Justin Dewitt 91.49
8) Mike Reubhausen 91.2
9) Bill Christensen 90.72
10) Tim Lewis 90.5
SENIOR VETERAN
1) Mike Westjohn 93.91
2) Frank Payne 92.66
3) Tim Marucco 91.92
4) Joe Nehrt 91.04
5) Ken Rigler 90.4
2) Frank Haynes 92.92
3) Mike Dennis 92.58
4) Dan Staker 91.99
1) Brian Cox 93.43
2) Mark Fielder 92.67
3) Ken Mitchell 90.82
4) Matt Nicol 90.29
5) Bill Leasher 90.18
LADY 2
1) Janice Rigler 89.88
2) Joan Maiden 87.99
3) Denise Dressler 81.35
4) Brenda Dennis 79.75
5) Connie Martin 79.72
LADY 1
1) Lauren Dunn 92.91
2) Sophia Fite 91.07
3) Madison Franklin 87.43
4) Sierra Sparenburg 85.68
JUNIOR GOLD
1) Landon Sievers 95.06
2) Steve Margherio 95.05
3) Jacob Fournie 93.57
4) Ryan Lewis 92.6
5) Kolton Tedrick 89.5
JUNIOR
1) Mason Bartlow 94.08
2)Payton Wottowa 92.54
3) Alex Paul 90.94
4) Jaxson Wilson 90.22
5) Carter White 89.25
SUB JUNIOR
1)Carson Sievers 93.71
2) Drake Lawler 89.45
3) Adelynn Wottowa 87.42
4)Drew Beisiegel 87.31
5)Austin Kuenstler 86.92
CHAIR SHOOTER
1) Larry Norton 89.17
Hi everyone. I want to begin with a wonderful day that happened on September 8 at the Menard County Sportsman Club. I was contacted by my good friend, Jim Lyons, and asked to come and be a part of him reaching his 100,000 Singles milestone. How could I say no? I drove up there and found out that his grandson would be shooting his first 100 Singles targets on the same squad. Talk about the circle of life! I am happy to report that Jim shot at and broke his 100,000 target, which was followed by an ovation from everybody who was at the club. To be honest, Jim was happier that his grandson shot with him than reaching the milestone. Days like this make trapshooting so special.
On September 14 and 15 the Northern Zone trap shoot was held at Downers Grove Gun Club in Morris, Illinois. The weather, people and scores were great. The winners are as follows, the Singles were won by Rodney Johnson In-Zone and by Kevin Wunder Out-of-Zone. Doubles were won by Chase Horton In-Zone and Mike Ruebhausen Out-of-Zone. Handicap was won by Danny Fite In-Zone and Rylan Porter Out-of-Zone. Finally, HOA was won by Kent Kruse In-Zone and Mike Ruebhausen Out-of-Zone.
I want to tell you about a new club that will be throwing registered targets. I recently certified the Alton-Wood River Sportsman Club. It is a full-service facility. It has a nice club house, a great banquet hall and 4 nice trap fields. The man running the show is Andy Hruby and he can be reached at 618-409-1844. Andy's plan is to start out with Big 50's and gradually work up to full 100 bird events. If you find yourself around Godfrey, Illinois, check the place out. I think you will like it.
Finally, I have several milestones that Illinois shooters have reached. At 25,000 targets, Jeremiah Schultz, Judson Mann and Roger Procter have reached it in Singles. Dan Gauwitz and Tim Lewis have reached it in Handicap. Randy Condray has shot 50,000 Doubles and Donald Gillmore has shot 100,000 Combined targets. Well done everyone.
Shoot well and support your local clubs.
Bill Duncan, ATA Delegate
Hi everyone. I want to begin with some milestones that Illinois shooters have reached. At the 25,000 plateau, Kevin Morrison reached it in Handicap; Chris Deterding in Doubles and Tim Lewis in Singles. At the 50,000 plateau, Mark Johnson reached it in Handicap; Dan Staker and David Campbell reached it in Doubles. Finally, Jim Lyons reached the 100,000 Singles milestone.
The Grand was grand as it always is, plenty of things to buy, great people to meet and visit with and lots of great shooting. There were no big wins from Illinois shooters, but all sorts of place winners in the classes, yardage groups and categories. See Trap and Field's coverage of the events for full details. We did have an Illinois shooter make a notable accomplishment in his shooting career. Wyatt Williams completed his Grand Slam at the Grand after breaking 100 straight from the 27-yard line. Wyatt is a quiet, likable young man who goes about his business of breaking great scores. He was embarrassed when we were all congratulating him after he was done shooting. Well done, Wyatt. You have earned some praise and recognition.
While I am on the subject of Grand Slams, I want to let everyone know that this is the 26th Grand Slam shot in Illinois history. This number accounts for 5% of all the slams ever shot. This number might not seem all that impressive until you think about all the states, provinces and foreign countries that make up the ATA membership. I have said all along that shooting in Illinois is second to none. This is just another example of that fact.
In a couple of weeks, I will be figuring the All-State team. I always enjoy doing this. You get to see the old reliables show their prowess again. Every year you also see new faces bubble up to take their place with the big boys.
Shoot well and support your local clubs.
Bill Duncan, ATA Delegate