Hi everyone. I have to begin with some sad news. Don Herdes passed away around Christmas time. Don ran his own construction business and had many other hobbies besides trapshooting. The cumulative effect on him made it very hard for him to shoot in the last years of his life. When Don was in his prime, however, there was no one any better than him at trapshooting in Illinois. The highlight of his career was him winning the 2012 Grand American Handicap Championship. Don was a funny, thoughtful person who always had good ideas on how to improve trapshooting. The thing I liked best about Don was that he was an honest man, and I always knew where I stood with him. Rest well my friend. We are all going to miss you.

I was looking at the schedule of shoots, on the ISTA website, and saw an exciting trend. A lot more small clubs are hosting Big 50 shoots this target year. I have listened to shooters say they are not going to drive just to shoot 50 targets. I admit I was one of those guys that were against Big 50 shoots when they were first created. I like to think I am older and wiser now. Big 50's are a great way to shoot targets. It is a lot less tiring and only costs half as much. If you are near a club throwing these targets, go shoot them. I know you will have a great time.

I received a phone call last night with some terrible news. Adam Fabisiak was in a very serious car accident down in Florida over the Christmas holidays. Adam is a Northern Zone shooter, an all stater and a super nice guy. He has been in the hospital since the accident and is hoping to get home to Illinois soon. I'm sure Adam would appreciate a phone call, text or e-mail from his many friends as he is recuperating. Get well soon, Adam. We need you.
    
By the time you read this shooting will be starting up. Shoot well, enjoy your friends and support your local club.
                                               
Bill Duncan, ATA Delegate

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