National Shooting Sports Month in August is the perfect opportunity for experienced target shooters and newcomers alike to head to a shooting range and experience what millions of Americans have long appreciated — that a day at the range is a day of fun! This 31-day celebration of the shooting sports, developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®) in 2017, reminds people that everyone can enjoy these safe, fun and social activities. It’s also the perfect time for an experienced shooter to mentor a newcomer in a sport that can provide a lifetime of enjoyment at every skill … [Read more...]
A Changing of the Guard at Kolar
After 27 years establishing the brand and directing the sales, financial, and administrative aspects of Kolar Arms, John P. Ramagli is stepping away from the daily management of the Racine, Wisconsin firearms manufacturer. Ramagli, widely recognized as “Rags,” will continue in the role of a consultant and remain active in various aspects of Kolar’s continued business development. Ramagli, 73, cited recent open-heart surgery as a major contributing factor in his decision. Jeff Mainland is now Chief Executive Officer and President of both Kolar and U.S. Competition Arms, the manufacturer of … [Read more...]
Final Shots: James “Jim” Swanzy III
James (Jim) Swanzy III of Clute, Texas, long-time president of Capital City Skeet & Trap, passed away on February 21. Jim and his wife Marian were married for over 40 years and lived in Austin. After retirement, Jim enjoyed shooting and riding and traveling on his BMW motorcycles. He played an integral part in making Austin's Capital City Clays a welcoming and fun location for shooting skeet, trap, and sporting clays. Following the death of Marian in 2016, Jim married Margaret Kana in 2017 and moved to Clute. In September 2018, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Jim fought the … [Read more...]
New NSCA Charter Calls for New NSCA Elections
The NSCA Advisory Council has developed and the NSSA Executive Committee has approved a new charter for the National Sporting Clays Association, which is a division of the National Skeet Shooting Association. The charter defines a new governance structure and calls for elections to be held this year. The new governing structure eliminates the Advisory Council and Regional Delegate positions and creates a 15-member Executive Council, with three members from each region, elected from the National Delegate body. Five officers will be elected from the Executive Council. The new governing bodies … [Read more...]
Former NSSA-NSCA Executive Director Don Snyder Passes
We are very saddened to report that Don Snyder, former NSSA-NSCA Executive Director, passed away Wednesday, May 30. Don was a World Champion skeet shooter, many-time All-American, and a member of the Armed Forces Skeet Association Hall of Fame. After retiring from the Air Force, Don began working for NSSA and the National Shooting Complex, filling numerous roles over the years. He served as NSSA Chief Instructor, managed the NSCA 5-stand truck and trailer program, and was the personnel director for the National Shooting Complex. He later became the NSSA Director prior to becoming the … [Read more...]
Order Eye/Ear Safety Signs for Ranges
Help keep shooters at your range safer by posting these safety signs on the property, reminding everyone that eye and ear protection are needed at all times. The signs are being sold by NSSA-NSCA for $5.00 each, plus shipping. Printed on durable PVC plastic, the 12x8-inch signs will withstand weather conditions and last for years. Thanks to Laporte Traps who donated the safety signs to NSSA-NSCA. To order, contact Lori Bauchman (NSCA), at lbauchman@nssa-nsca.com, 210-688-3371 ext. 961, or Stephanie Haga (NSSA), shaga@nssa-nsca.com, 210-688-3371 ext. 962. … [Read more...]
Open Letter to Our Membership
Below is an open letter to NSSA-NSCA members and governing bodies: February 23, 2018 Further to our letter published to NSSA-NSCA membership in January regarding the 2018 winter executive meetings (see “Target Talk” dated January 24, 2018), we feel it is important to keep all members up to date on the latest association business. Subsequent to the NSCA Advisory Council session in San Antonio, January 19-20, 2018, progress has been made by the Advisory Council members who have signed their Conflict of Interest (COI) form and who have agreed to continue to serve in their duly-elected Advisory … [Read more...]
Kids & Clays Events Get Support from Winchester Ammunition
When Indiana McDonald's restaurant owners Glenn and Kathy Lubeznik decided to chair a sporting clays tournament in 1999 to raise money for the Chicago Ronald McDonald House, little did they realize at the time how big the fundraising movement would become. They hosted 137 participants and raised $16,000. People had a lot of fun, too. That one event became the impetus for the creation of the Kids & Clays organization, which this year will host more than 20 fundraising clays tournaments. Since 1999, it has raised more than $14 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities. And since that … [Read more...]
The Challenges and Opportunities of Member Communications
You probably can't name a sport with memberships more diverse than skeet and sporting clays. Because they can be pursued successfully and with enjoyment by people of virtually any age or gender, we have the good fortune of memberships from young to old, male and female, novice to world championship levels. Members span wide-ranging income levels, vocations, and locations. Some participate in sporting clays or skeet exclusively, while others shoot both sports through dual memberships or the Crossfire program. Our members span all levels of technological expertise. Our diversity presents us not … [Read more...]
