Hi everyone. I want to start today with a milestone. Last month I told you that Tom Fester had shot 25,000 Doubles. This month he has shot 100,000 combined targets. Tom has quietly and efficiently become one of the best Veteran shooters in this state. It's amazing what a release trigger can do for a guy. Well done!
I have been talking about the plight of small clubs across the country. I am going to throw out some ideas over the next few months that might help them attract shooters. Last fall I was at a small club and was talking to the manager of the club. As we talked about big clubs vs. small clubs he said to me, "why don't we give points at small clubs too?" The more I thought about it, the more I thought he had a point. There would be no competition factor because they are small. We don't need to reinvent the wheel here; use the table we already have for earned yardage in the rule book. For example, if 15 to 39 shooters show up, 1 point would be awarded for an event win; 40 to 69 shooters would be 2 points and so on up the yardage table. I know many of you are thinking that a point or two doesn't mean anything. I would say to you, now a small club is at equal footing with a large club. Also, don't think a point or two doesn't make a difference. I have a good friend that missed being an All-American by 1 point a few years ago. Just think about it.
At the Southern Grand, Illinois is well represented. No big wins but many competitive scores are being shot by our shooters. A late update, Andrew Feig won the Southern Handicap with a score of 95. Nice shooting Andrew!
By the time you read this, shooting will be in full swing across the country. Have fun, shoot well and support your local, small clubs.
Bill Duncan, ATA Delegate
Hi everyone. First off, I want to congratulate two Illinois shooters that have reached milestones. Tom Fester has shot 25,000 Doubles and John Nord has broken 100,000 combined targets. Well done gentlemen!
The Illinois Board of Directors met in early February and made a couple of changes that you need to be aware of: 1) they changed the target minimums for three categories for the All-State Team. Open and Sub-Vet will need to shoot 2000 Singles, 1500 Handicap and 1000 Doubles targets. The Sub-Juniors need to shoot 1500 Singles, 1500 Handicap and 1000 Doubles targets. These changes were made to make the minimums more equitable for everyone. 2) If you want to rent a golf cart for the state shoot, you will need to directly contact Midwest Golf Cart & Equipment Company at either 618-797-2278 or
I told you a few months ago that Dave Dressler and Jim Lyons are being inducted into the Illinois Hall of Fame. An anonymous friend of these two gentlemen would like to have a reception before the induction ceremony. It will begin at 4:30 with adult beverages and a meat and cheese tray. The cake and ice cream will still be after the induction. I hope you can come and honor these two guys.
I am planning to go to small clubs in Illinois this year so I can write about them in my column. If you would like me to visit and write about your club, either call me at 217-854-2280 or e-mail me at
By the time you read this, trapshooting will be going full speed across the country. Remember, set goals, have fun and support your local clubs.
Bill Duncan, ATA Delegate
Hi everyone. I need to correct a mistake I made when figuring out the Illinois all-state team. The program I was using did not sort the shooters properly in the Sub-Veteran category and I did not catch it. The corrected list is. John Upcraft 93.36, Ron Fearheiley 92.95, Brian Cox 92.75, Mark Fielder 92.19, and Ken Mitchell 92.07. My apologies to anyone affected by my mistake.
I was very saddened by the news of John McFadden passing. I first got to know John when he would stop by the classification window at the Illinois state shoot and chat with me. John was an interesting and friendly person who always made me smile and think. I always appreciate anyone who can do that for me. My condolences to all John's family and friends.
Illinois has three shooters who are at the top of the high average lists in their respective categories. Chase Horton is fourth in the Open category. Steve Margherio is second in the Junior category and Ian Lawrence is second in the Junior Gold category. Nice job guys.
I was reading my January issue of Trap and Field magazine and on pages 70 and 71, I saw the AIM All-Star Team. If you read the criteria to make the team, you realize these kids are excellent, dedicated, and competitive shooters. There are 80 shooters listed from across the country. As I looked at them, I noticed a lot of them are from Illinois. I started to count and found 34 out of 80 are from Illinois. That means 42.5% of these kids are from Illinois. WOW!!!! I knew I was having more and more of a problem competing. I chalked it up to old age. I had no idea there was this much talent nipping at my heels. Congratulations to all of you. Please take pity on an old, bald man.
I'm excited to tell you we have a new club that is starting to throw registered birds. Winchester Trap and Skeet Facility located in Alton, IL., plans on having Big 50 events this year. If things go well, they will also have some 300 bird days. Steve Dinkleman is a registered shooter and the new manager of the club. He wants to expand the operation and not only have leagues. Steve wants me to tell you about a corporate policy at the club. When you sign up to shoot you must buy and use Winchester ammo. They only sell premium AA ammo for you to use. They sell the ammo at a discount, so it is no more expensive than if you went to a store to buy shells. It's a good club and I hope you will go there and support them. Steve's contact info is 618-340-6860, or
Avery Curry has reached the 100,000 Singles plateau. I've known Avery for a long time, and you will never meet a nicer guy. I am really happy and proud of him.
Spring is just around the corner. Get out and support your local clubs.
Bill Duncan, ATA Delegate
Hi everyone. I have all sorts of recognition to give to Illinois shooters, so I want to get to it.
Duane Parker has shot 25,000 Singles targets and Mark Johnson has shot 25,000 Doubles targets. Way to go guys!
I want to give a special shout out to Mike Dennis for joining the 250,000 combined targets club. Mike is a great, dedicated shooter that this milestone illustrates big time. He is also a good man. Congratulations, Mike, I am so proud of you!
Justin Dewitt, Braxton Dent, Wyatt Williams, and Brady Cox are now AA-27-AA shooters. It just shows how much great, young talent we have in Illinois. I am in awe guys!
Michael Hathway, Lawrence Gillum, Mike Dennis, Leland Hassler, Dave Dressler, and Tom Fester are Mega Target members for the previous shooting season. I know I am a broken record, but we have great shooters in Illinois. I'll say again, any of you that would like to adopt me and take me shooting, just give me a call.
Dave Dressler and Jim Lyons have been elected to the ISTA Hall of Fame. Both gentlemen are very deserving of this honor, and I couldn't be happier for them.
Sadly, we have lost two Northen Zone shooters. Russell Weeks and Matt Woods have both passed recently. Both men shot in the Northen Illinois and Southern Wisconsin area. Both were loved by the many friends they had in this area. Our sport can ill afford to lose people like this. Rest in peace Russell and Matt. We already miss you terribly.
We are breaking ground on the new Hall of Fame building this spring. The Board of Directors have decided we need a HOF logo to go with the new building. It will be used on a sign, stationery, etc. They think we should have a contest to create this logo and open it up to our most creative people, the youth shooters of Illinois. Entries will run to June 1st. A committee of Directors will judge them and the top three (3) will receive a life membership in the ISTA. On Friday of the State Shoot, when we have the annual meeting, the membership will vote on the top three (3) and the winner will shoot the Championship targets over the weekend for free. Check the ISTA website for the rules of the contest. If you contact them, the Directors will also have copies of the rules available for any youth shooter who wants one. Good luck to everyone entering the contest! I am looking forward to seeing what our kids come up with.
When you are reading this, shooting will be starting up across the southern part of our country. Good luck to everyone down there. I'll be rooting for you. Support your local clubs.
Bill Duncan, ATA Delegate