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July 2012, ATA Delegate Report
Jim Matteson, ATA Delegate

A while back I wrote about some of the older shooters (Vets and Sr Vets) who have supported ATA shooting for a long time. I believe I referred to those folks as "tough old birds." I include myself in this group. With most of us, our skills erode as we age. Yet we continue to attend shoots much as we did in our prime. I tell my friends and family that at this stage in my career, it is a social event rather than a competition. I enjoy shooting now just as much, if not more than I ever did.

I received an email from one of these tough old birds. Ron Stadt wrote to advise me that he would be shooting his 100,000 doubles target at this year's state shoot. I have known Ron for a long time. You may recall, as I do, seeing him at the old Mather's Gun Club, peddling the book he authored, “Winchester Shotguns and Shot Shells".

I called Ron to get some more information on his shooting career. What a fascinating man to visit with! Ron started shooting in 1964 while serving an internship at Edmonton, Alberta. He got to watch Susan Nattress as she began her Hall of Fame career. He can tell some interesting stories about this young lady.

Along with his 100,000 doubles, Ron has shot 194,000 singles and 126,000 handicap targets. He said that doubles has always been the most fun. He began his doubles shooting with a 32 in. Broadway and singles with an 1100. With this over & under he won HOA at the Woods Gun Club near Anna, IL. Besting, among others, Richard Winn and Jimmy Williams, both of whom were on several All State teams and have been inducted into the ISTA Hall of Fame.

Ron wasn't an All American or an All State team member, but he won his share of trophies. He wrote that his favorite trophy is a pewter pitcher for "B" Class Doubles at the 1990 Illinois State Shoot. He said that after a 95 in the event, Jim Matteson officiated as he put away one other shooter in one shoot off round. That's 22 years ago. I didn't remember this, but it makes me feel good that he did and I'm glad that I was a small part of his success.

I hope to present Ron with his milestone pin at the state meeting this year. I look forward to shaking his hand in front of the membership and congratulating him on his accomplishment. If you get a chance to visit with this fine gentleman, take advantage of the opportunity. This tough old bird has some great stories about trapshooting. Again, I congratulate Ron on his shooting career and look forward to seeing him on the line for many years to come.

As always, I can be reached at:
627 B Main Street, Mazon, IL 60444
Home 815-448-5129: Cell 815-735-2974
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Jim Matteson Illinois Delegate

As you read this our State Shoot is just around the corner. We just had our final ISTA meeting prior to the state shoot. The only major change to this year's program is the addition of the new category trophies. When the new rule was implemented there was a great deal of discussion as to how to handle our trophy purchases. Your Board voted to provide trophies for the new categories in all events. As you know, we are proud of our trophy presentation and in order to maintain quality trophies throughout the shoot involved a great deal of expense. I commend the Board of Directors on this decision and I hope the shooters appreciate their efforts. Our annual meeting will be Friday night, June 16th after the shootoffs. We will honor the 2011 State Team at this meeting. Also at the Friday night meeting Jerry Graham and Bob Wahlbrink will be inducted into the Illinois Hall of Fame. Try to attend. This is your only opportunity to discuss any issues you may have with the entire Board.

The Delegates meet at the Grand each year. It is the one opportunity we have to discuss and vote on any changes that would benefit the ATA. I encourage you to provide me with any ideas you may have. Your opinion on issues is important to me. When I vote at this meeting, I want my vote to reflect the thinking of our membership. Please don't hesitate to contact me. I need to know how you feel. I always enjoy a face to face discussion. I will be available at the US Open, the State Shoot and the preliminary days of the Grand American leading up to this meeting. Let's talk.

You can contact me at:
627 B Main Street, Mazon, IL 60444
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
815-448-5120 home
815-735-2974 cell

Jim Matteson
Illinois Delegate

May 2012, ATA Delegate Report
Jim Matteson, ATA Delegate

It appears the resurrection of the Rend Lake Gun Club is complete. I received an email from Ron Stadt telling me what a great season opening shoot they had. I checked with Larry Chinski to see what all had been done since my last visit. Larry and John Upcraft took over the Rend Lake facility in an official capacity in late 2011. Since that time, there has been a flurry of activity to get the program reinstated and in a big way. Their intention is to bring Rend Lake back to the true world class shooting facility that it was intended to be. It appears they have succeeded.

The first thing they worked on was water removal from the trap lines. John is a certified geologist and drilled a new drainage pit to remove water from in front of the trap houses. This also includes water removal from the sidewalks and pavilion locations. So far, this has been working wonderfully.

Every one of the Pat traps were removed and sent to one of our members where they were stripped down to the frame and rebuilt. They are expanding the trap line to the west, have purchased a new Pat trap and fully expect to be running a total of nine fields before the Grand. They have added wireless CVR voice systems and purchased a token system to allow members to pre-purchase rounds of trap and then shoot any time they wish. Larry had told me that a host of volunteers have stepped up and helped with everything from cleaning the club house and assisting running their ATA shoots to working on the grounds. Information on shoots, hours and scheduled events can be found at www.rendlakesc.com

I would encourage you to attend shoots at Rend Lake. Let's show these folks how much we appreciate their hard work and keep this club alive.

I'd like to recognize two of our younger shooters who performed well at the Southern Grand. Sub Junior, Dale Gerlich and Junior, Drew Strohecker each won several trophies and I want to congratulate them on their fine shooting and I look forward to more great accomplishments from these two fine young men in the future.

As always, I look to you for any newsworthy items of interest or information; any questions or concerns. I can be reached at
627 B Main Street, Mazon, IL 60444
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
815-448-5120
815-735-2974

Jim Matteson
Illinois Delegate

April 2012, ATA Delegate Report
Jim Matteson, ATA Delegate

The most exciting thing I have to report on is the performance of our Illinois shooters in Florida and Arizona. The two most successful are juniors. The accomplishments of Anthony Fortino and Andrew Narvick have been fun to watch. Both are in their first year in the junior category. Anthony was Captain of the All American Sub Junior team last year, 3rd straight time as an AA. Andrew was on the All American Sub Junior team for the 2nd time.

Anthony traveled to the Silver Dollar for the Dixie Grand where he dominated the junior category. He broke the first 300 singles targets and went on to win 11 junior champion trophies and 3 Runner up trophies. Included in this dominate performance is the HAA Junior champ with 376 and HOA Junior champ with 948. A pretty good start on the new target year.

While on the subject of the Dixie Grand, it was really nice to see Barb Hermes shoot so well. She broke a 98 and then went on to beat AA Mitch Lovelace in a shoot off to win the Event 10 Handicap. Dale Gerlich, Illinois Sub Junior All American won the Handicap championship outright with a 98. He won Sub Junior HAA with a 383.Drew Strohecker, Illinois Sub Junior All American won Sub Junior Handicap champion and finished Runner up to Tony Fortino for HAA with 375. Tony, Barb, Dale and Drew are to be congratulated for their fine shooting.

Andrew Narvick traveled to Tucson for the Preliminary week of the Spring Grand. He broke his first ever 100 straight in the Event 5 singles. Andrew went on to win 7 junior trophies. He tied for an 8th with a 98 in singles. He won Junior HAA with a 379 and Junior HOA with 1231. He had a pair of 97's in doubles. He was able to shoot the first Spring Grand handicap on Monday before returning home. He broke another 96 which earned him another half yard. Nice job, Andrew. A week's shooting to be proud of.

I've said it before, but I cannot emphasize enough how much fun it is to see these young men do so well. It bodes well for the future of trapshooting in Illinois.

As always contact me with any newsworthy items of interest or any concerns or questions. I can be reached at:

627 B Main Street, Mazon, IL

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
815-448-5120
815-735-2974

Jim Matteson
Illinois Delegate