Another year is upon us and hopefully a year with improvement in everything related to the COVID virus.  We have been in a holding pattern much too long.

A reminder that January is the time to renew your membership, if you haven't already done so.  Shareholders also need to update their information and sign a new "Range Use Agreement" form.  We have added many new members this year and overall the year has been a success and the club remains financially secure.  The success of Old Skagit has always been driven by the commitment of the members and shareholders to see that the club survives and thrives.  Uncounted hours of volunteer labor and monetary donations go into keeping the club functioning and in good condition.  This past year, thanks to the generosity of shooters, members, and shareholders, we were able to replace our old, worn out voice call speakers with new BRB wirelesss voice calls for all four fields.  We don't say it often enough but THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR MAKING THIS CLUB A SUCCESS!!

This month the Winter Handicap Series continues.  It is a tight race to see who will get top honors for the total score for the series.  (See the standings on our WHS webpage.)  This series continues through March.  We should also be starting the International League this month, however it has been cancelled (for now) due to the border crossing restrictions.  There is a slight possibility that something might be scheduled for later this year should the situation change.  

Our next PITA shoot is scheduled for March and PITA Multiplex shoots continue to be held monthly.  The Multiplex is a good opportunity for new shooters to get started in PITA competition or to pick up some registered targets for continuing PITA shooters.  The Washington State Shoot and PITA Grand are on the schedule for July and both will be held at Evergreen Sportsmen's Club here in Washington.  (Think positive that these events won't need to be cancelled again this year!)

Understandably our PITA shoot numbers were down this year, partly because it was necessary to cancel our regular December shoot.  This shoot was traditionally a time for us to recognize all of the friends of the club that we had lost during the previous year.  Unfortunately, this year there were several and their presence is greatly missed.  Recognition of their passing will occur sometime later this year.  

​Stay safe and keep shooting!

If you are planning on attending the PITA State Shoot or PITA Grand and staying in your RV at Evergreen, it is now possible to make reservations on line.  See the PITA website for more information.

Unfortunately, due to the current situation in the state, the December PITA Shoot at Old Skagit has been cancelled.  This was a last minute decision and we are sorry for any inconvenience that this cancellation may cause.  Hopefully things will improve and we will see you at the regularly scheduled PITA shoot in March.

​

"What a fabulous success is all I can say about our Annual Toys for Tots Turkey shoot on Saturday November 14 . The weather man forecast wind and rain, we had virtually no publicity and more threats of COVID shut downs; in addition, electricity at the club was nonexistent. None of these are a big problem for our club, generators powered the traps and a coffee pot. The volunteer kitchen staff just packed up there goodies and went down to the Moose lodge and cooked the turkey dinner and brought it back right on time. Great meal, great accomplishment, bless you Mt. Vernon Moose lodge.
Our very own Jack Kennedy and Don Reimers, a Granite Falls refugee, took the honor of being the last team standing in our famous Pig 🐖 Shoot, Congratulations!
Fortunately the weather didn’t read the forecast and it stayed dry and calm throughout our event . There is no way that we can begin to appropriately acknowledge all the people that contributed or in some way volunteered to make this all happen so smoothly when confronted by the adversities we encountered.
Our check to Toys for Tots 🧸🎁 will be north of $6000.00 an all time high while the load of toys is clearly more than ever before with out a doubt. Bless all of you who participated to make this a successful protest."

​Contributed by Chuck Manning, Moose Old Skagit Gun Club President

Fall is passing by quickly and Thanksgiving will be here before we are ready.  Last Saturday was the second Winter Handicap Shoot as well as the MultiPlex and next Saturday will be the Toys for Tots Turkey Shoot.  The Turkey Shoot is always fun and raises money and toys to make the holidays a happier occasion for many children.  If you can't make the shoot, donations are always welcome at the front desk.  If you do attend, be sure to observe Covid safety protocols.

October is here and the Winter Handicap Series has started.  Usually we would also be well into the FFA Trap Shooting Team Competition by now; however, this event had to be cancelled by the schools due to the Covid-19 restrictions.  The WH Series will continue on the first Saturday of the Month through March when the "Champion of Champions" shootoff will be held.  Monthly, on the same day, the PITA Multiplex will also be held but will start an hour earlier.  It is possible to shoot both events with a little bit of coordination in squadding.  
October 17th was the PITA Doubles Marathon.  Our event was also the last for the year in the Washington State PITA Doubles League.  Other than the monthly Multiplex, the next PITA event at Old Skagit will be in December.
​___________________________________________________________

"Old Skagit Gun Club Doubles Marathon was held today.  Great day to shoot doubles, calm to mild winds with consistent grey over cast . No breakdowns or holdups which allowed a good even pace for the whole event . Snow geese milling around overhead on this opening day of hunting season provided beautiful sights for entertainment. Our ladies in the kitchen made a great lasagna soup which was oh so tasty on this fall day . We can’t thank those people who scored nearly as much as they warrant, what a generous contribution ."
      Contributed by Chuck Manning, President of Moose Old Skagit Gun Club

Last Saturday was the PITA Shooter Appreciation Shoot.  This special shoot is held annually and recognizes all of our PITA shooters and workers with a complimentary salmon and oyster BBQ.  Two handicap events are shot and the winners receive trophy buckles.  There are also buckles for overall high total scores.  (See the "Pita Events--PITA Shoot Results" webpage for pictures and full results.)  This shoot could not be held without the work of many volunteers.  Clarence and Angela Marcoff, neighbors of our club president Chuck Manning, pitched in with the kitchen work and preparation of the salmon and oysters.  Don and Mary McMoran worked with the food preparation as well.  Don McMoran, Don Alvis, Caron Grasso, Bill Harmon and Creige Scribner pitched in as scorekeepers.  I am sure there were many others that I haven't mentioned who helped out as well.  As has been said many times over, this club would not exist except by the efforts of the many members and friends who graciously provide uncountable hours of volunteer labor!!

The shooting continued on Sunday with the Buddy Backer.  This fun shoot is for a team of two shooters that work together to "kill" clay targets.  After 120 targets Jim Cleave and Gary Cooper had missed only 3 birds and won for a second consecutive year.  Dustin Rindal and Jason Kennedy battled it out with them and were only one target short of forcing a shootoff.

This about winds up September but October 3 will be the start of the Winter Handicap Series.  Be sure to check this out if you are interested in some fun competition.  It is shot on the first Saturday of the month from October through March starting at 10 a.m. There are two 50-bird handicap events on each of the Saturdays.  It is not necessary to shoot both events nor is it required to shoot every month.  See the "Winter Handicap Series" webpage for more information.

September arrived as the Handicap Doubles League finished up.  Congratulations to all those adventurous doubles shooters who tried something that was probably new to them--shooting doubles from handicap yardage.  Jack Kennedy took top honors as HOA with his score of 170/200.  

The Fall PITA Multiplex season will be starting on Thursday September 10 at 5 p.m.  For those of you who have not shot PITA Registered Targets before, this is a good opportunity to start.  The events are just 50 birds--and you can shoot singles, handicap, and/or doubles.  There is also a sub-gauge event.  Results are compiled across all clubs that participate and winners are determined by "Lewis Class".  The Fall series goes through December.  NOTE:  Starting in October the Multiplex will move to the first Saturday of the month at 9 a.m.   It will be held on the same day as the Winter Handicap Series.

Jumping ahead--the Winter Handicap Series will start in October on the Third, shooting will start at 10 a.m.  More information will be posted shortly.

Back to September--September 19 will be the PITA Shooter Appreciation Shoot.  There will be two 100-bird handicap events.  This is usually our biggest shoot of the year and a nice end to the summer.  On Sunday September 20 will be the Annual Buddy Backer Shoot.  This shoot is open to everybody so find a buddy to shoot with or check at the desk for more information.

If you were planning on shooting in September at the Boy Scout Fundraiser be aware that the date has changed to November.

​Shoot well and stay safe.

Our SPC Report for 2019 has now been posted on our "About" webpage.  See what has been happening and is planned for the rest of this year.

Update--There will be an abbreviated Washington State Shoot the second weekend in September.  The link to the program may be found on our "Home" page.

This summer seems to be flying by in spite or maybe because of everything that has been happening in our world.

The June PITA shoot was held, although attendance was down considerably.  And the PITA MultiPlex has resumed on a monthly basis.  See our "Calendar" as the dates have been a little different this year.  (The MultiPlex will be held once a month on a Thursday through September.  Starting in October, the MultiPlex will move to the first Saturday and be held on the same day as the Winter Handicap.)

In July the PITA Doubles Marathon was held but only drew a few shooters.  This shoot is usually  a good opportunity for doubles shooters to pick up extra targets prior to the state shoot and Grand.  However, with both events cancelled this year....  This shoot as well as our doubles marathon in October, however, are still part of the Washington State Doubles League .

The .410 Championship finished up in July.  Be sure to congratulate those adventurous shooters who participated.  And congratulations to Gary Cooper for finishing up with the high total score.  (See the "Fun Shoot" page for the complete results.)

And a new Doubles League has started.  This will be shot from handicap yardage to level the playing field and create some extra interest for our more experienced doubles shooters.  The first night had 17 participants to enjoy the fun.  Rules and results are posted on the "Fun Shoots" page.

​Stay Safe!!

The Annual Shareholders' Meeting was held this month after being rescheduled from April. This is a closed meeting for shareholders only however much of the information shared at this meeting will be posted on the "About" webpage in the Social Purpose Report for 2019.  Watch for it to be posted in the next few days.