Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Shooting sports mainstay of Games
Mark Taylor
Mark Taylor's Outdoors column and notebook appears regularly in The Roanoke Times.
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As usual, the Coventry Commonwealth Games of Virginia will feature a load of shooting sports, with the bulk of the action set for this weekend.
Among the events are matches for air gunners, pistol shooters, archers and even those who like the idea of combining marksmanship with running.
That shooting is such a big part of the games is reflective of the enthusiasm of local gun and archery clubs, and their members.
In general, they hold regular public matches. Affiliating those matches with the Commonwealth Games can help reach potential participants, including novice shooters who may have little or no experience with competition.
This weekend will feature five air gun shoots at PSS Indoor Range in Roanoke.
Saturday is the junior BB rifle, junior air pistol and air pistol shoot. Air rifle matches for precision and sporting classes will be held Sunday.
Shooting in the junior BB rifle match isn't just showing up with a Daisy Red Ryder. The youth shooters use precision, single-shot Daisy guns (that actually look much like a Red Ryder).
Event coordinator Doug Leffel, who is involved in the Roanoke County 4-H Air Gun program, said newcomers are welcome.
"We'll furnish equipment if someone doesn't have it," Leffel said. "They can also come down Thursday evening to shoot with us before they decide whether or not to enter."
Leffel's number is 890-8168.
Roanoke Rifle and Revolver Club will host two events Saturday.
The high-power rifle match is an 80-round event at a range of 200 yards. The point of contact is Michael Torre (576-1953).
The club will also host muzzleloader target, silhouette and pistol matches. More information is available by calling Harvey Bulaski at 343-0940 after 6 p.m.
On Sunday, the Commonwealth Games sporting clays tournament will be held at the Shenandale Gun Club near Staunton. The 100-bird event features a European start no later than 10:30 p.m. For more information, contact Bill Ledbetter at 540-885-6273.
For archers, action begins Friday with target archery at Green Hill Park. The event, coordinated by Queen Ann Archers and Sherwood Archers, includes a 900 round Friday, a Genesis Round on Saturday, and STAR FITA shooting on both Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, contact Lani Young at (703) 742-8142 or e-mail laniy2@cs.com.
Sherwood will host a 3-D archery tournament Saturday and Sunday at the club's range off Timberview Road near Hanging Rock Golf Club. The tournament will feature 35 targets.
More information is available by calling coordinator Wesley Goff at 366-3701.
Finally, there's the biathlon, set for July 25 at the Roanoke Rifle and Revolver Club.
The event is modeled after the winter biathlon, an Olympic sport that combines Nordic (or cross country) skiing and shooting.
Participants start out with a 1-mile run, then get five shots from a prone position with a .22 rifle at a 2 12-inch diameter knock-down target at a range of 25 meters. Next comes another mile run, five more shots -- this time from a standing position -- and a final mile run.
In a regular biathlon, missed shots cause a time penalty. In this race, the penalty is more painful. Each missed target requires an extra 100 yards of running.
Sound like fun? Call 343-0987 for more information.
Additional information on the Commonwealth Games, including entry fees and directions to venues, can be found at commonwealthgames.org.
Fly-fishing fest on South Holston River
An eastern Tennessee group that provides outdoor adventure programs for kids is holding an intriguing fly-fishing festival this weekend to raise money for the group's mission.
The festival will be held on a 40-acre tract along the South Holston River near Bluff City. Attractions include fishing and fly-tying workshops, casting instruction, entomology instruction, ladies-only programs, photography workshops, and food and live music.
Speakers on the agenda include Harry Steeves discussing terrestrial flies, Blane Chocklett talking about his Gummy Minnow, Steve Hiner talking on entomology and Bruce Wankel conducting a streamside workshop on terrestrial fishing tactics.
Attendees are asked for a minimum donation of $5. Primitive camping is available on site for $15.
Visit southholstonflyfishingfest.com for more information.
