Test your deer rifle shooting skills under peer pressure
The area’s oldest and most prestigious rifle shoot is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 6. By my figures, Carmichaels Sportsmen’s Club will host its17th annual Tri-County Sporting Deer Rifle Shoot on that day.
Actually, it is probably 27th annual shoot for it began in 1978 as the Greene County Deer Rifle Shoot, but the name and scope of the shoot were changed in an effort to attract shooters from surrounding counties.
Sign-up for the annual event starts at 11 a.m., and competition will take place from noon until 5 p.m.
Entry fee is $10.
What makes the shoot unique for this area is that each shooter fires a box of ammunition (20 rounds) through the course of the afternoon – more if he/she is involved in a shootoff.
Four five-shot relays are held with shooters assuming a different position for each relay. The positions are prone; seated with a hay bale for support; kneeling and standing (offhand).
Shooters are not permitted to turn scopes above nine power, and slings cannot be used as shooting aids.
Any deer hunting rifle can be used as long as it is at least .243 caliber or larger. Heavy barrel and varmint rifles are not permitted.
The shoot is as much about fellowship as shooting.
Most participants go just to have fun and renew old friendships.
The overall meet winner receives the championship trophy. The second best shooter is declared the Master Class champion and the third best Master Class runner-up.
The scores are then totaled and averaged, and a Sportsman Class trophy is awarded. In addition, trophies are awarded to the top junior shooters, and a trophy is given to the top female shooter.
For the three down positions, 100-yard, standard NRA bullseye targets are used. A full-size deer silhouette target is used for the offhand shooting with various vital areas scoring accordingly.
This type of shooting is not as easy as it may appear.
Over the years, the record has gradually crept toward that perfect 200, but to my knowledge, nobody has reached that plateau.
Some of the highest scores I could find came in 1996 and 1997.
After some intense rivalries by perpetual top guns, Larry Staggers of Amity broke out with a 190 in 1996, before Lloyd Blaker bested him by three points with a 193 just a year later.
Those were the personal bests I could find, but someone may have scored even higher in recent years.
Want to sharpen your skills under a little pressure? Stop over and join the fun.
Ear protection is mandatory. Eye protection is optional but it is recommended.
Door prizes are awarded at the end of the shoot, and just about everybody wins something.
Food and refreshments are available all day.
FAYETTE FISHING REPORT: The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s weekly fishing update says that anglers are reporting nice catches of smallmouth bass in the Youghiogheny River from Connellsville to Layton. The leaves are just starting to change in this area of the rivers. This stretch will be fantastic float trip over the next couple weeks with the fall colors and the smallmouth biting. Live minnows in the 2-inch range have been producing the most fish. Plastic crawfish and minnows are running a close second for number of fish caught.
LAKE ERIE FISHING REPORT: Last week’s Erie Report, which is posted on the Fish and Boat Commission website, said that there is not a lot of new information to report. The lack of precipitation has the tributary streams down to a trickle in many areas and has caused fish to back up in the lower stretches of the streams. Angler pressure in these areas has been intense, but not impossible. Fuel costs, low water levels, and less then usual numbers of fish have helped to keep the crowds in check. A good number of fish are being taken off the wall at Walnut Creek at night and at dawn. Mid-day fishing has been difficult at best in all areas. There are fish up stream but they are scattered. Ultra light presentations are a must. Anglers have been having success along the lakeshore at dawn and dusk, although lake conditions have often been rough. Perch are still biting when the lake is calm enough straight out of Walnut Creek and off the point on Presque Isle in 52 to 62 feet of water. The average Lake Erie Water temperature as of this writing is 58 off Toledo, 64 off Cleveland, and 61 degrees off Erie. Current Lake Erie tributary conditions as of this writing are very low and very clear with very little flow.
Rod Schoener is the Herald-Standard outdoors editor.