Sportsmans Breakfast/Shooting Range?

[Hunter333]

Steve and others.............. I was wondering if it would be possible to organize a Michigan Sportsman "get together"? Maybe have it in conjunction with a outdoor show. Maybe there is a member that has access to a shotting range that we could "reserve" and get together for some shooting, both guns and bows. I was wondering if this would be possible and if others would look forward to something like that. Thanks for your responses.

[Sarge]

I agree with 333 in fact I brought it up in conjunction with a Nuge, talk in the thread about his series. I think a get together would be super. Whether I could attend would depend on other commitments but hopefully I could be there. I'b bring my hunting budds with of course.

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Sarge

[birddog]

Sounds good here I would try to make it.

[Curdog]

Absolutely! I have access to the clubhouse at my sportsmen's club. I would be glad to host a get together.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I think that hunter 333 has a great idea here. Logistically, I think it might be more practical to have everyone get together based on area (for example, U.P., Southeastern MI, Central part of state, ect), that way, some folks would be able to get to more than one and meet more people. Shelby Oaks River Bends park (a former Bloomer state park) is near my house; they have a trap range, archery range, and picnic areas with a few grills. It is BYOE (bring your own everything....shells, pigeons, throwers, ect), but it is clean and reasonable ($5 allows you to shoot all day if you so desire). I don't know if they "rent out" to groups, though. I will see what I can find out if anyone is interested.

[Mr. Ed]

I would be interested too. Let me know.

[Ross]

I would like to do something like that too.

[Hunter333]

Not too many responses. How many of us are here anyway? A few, a lot, it doesnt matter to me, I would just like to have a get together. It may take a while but I think that it is possible. Curdog, what area or city are you in or near? Keep the faith :)

I'd sure try to make it!

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Joel

[Dumroese]

I'm in

[Bob S]

It would depend on when and where it is.

[David G Duncan]

Excellent idea!

If at all possible our team (hunter & huntress) will be there with our archery equipment and some targets.

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Trapper Dave

[capt. sharpstick]

I've got a 20 foot barbecue trailer on wheels that I can take just about anywhere in the state. How about a wild boar roast???

[Steve]

In a perfect world, I'd have 40 acres for everyone to come to.

[Sarge]

Stalker and I go to church where there is 20 acres of space, and a woods and fishing stream. (The Looking Glass River) Lots of Panfish some pretty spooky big bass and a few monster pike. Loads of big rock bass and a bottom full of carp. We wouldn't be able to allow alcohol on site and also no firearms, but fishing and archery would certainly be do-able. I don't think the church would mind, since I take care of the grounds anyway and its all right in my back yard. If anything there might be a token fee. We'd naturally have to leave it like we found it, just like the rest of our natural recources. A good 10 to maybe 14 acres are available for a gathering. This is not exactly a formal offer, since I'd need to clear it with our pastor, but I think it could be done.

This is right on US 27 in DeWitt, just north of Lansing.

If it rained there could be a little overcrowding in our fellowship hall.

Hey 333 have you taken any kind of a head count??

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Sarge

[Joe Archer]

I havent been posting here very long, but count me in. The park in Shelby gets my vote. Oh yeah....volleyball anyone? <----<<<

[Allen Glore]

Hey guys and gals, we all know how busy the webmaster is, or we wouldn't be here chatting with each other. Is there somebody else who could take the bull by the horns and get this thing going. Over on anothr site I go to, we have different people that set up Postal Matches for those of us who are regular posters. We really had a good shooting match this past winter, and it was all done by mail. So i think hat if there is somebody that can set this get together set up, all the regulars here and the webmaster would appreciate it very much. Just my .02 cents.

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AlleninAlaska

[Curdog]

My club is in Durand, Michigan. Between Flint and Lansing. It has a 200 meter rifle and pistol range, a 4 or 5 acre pond, sporting clays, trap, and skeet. No formal archery range yet, but it is in the future.

The clubhouse has a kitchen and dining area, plus ther is a picnic pavilion above the rifle range. If this works out, I would need about 2 weeks notice to set it up.

[ag2053]

I'd love to join in. I'll help out if I can but I have too many other commitments to head the whole gathering!!! Just let me know!

[Sarge]

The Durand Club that Curdog posted looks real good.

I tell you what! I do my email and internet stuff late at night, and therefore can give it my full attention. I also have a separate email address that I'm trying out. If everyone who wants to participate will send me email at. nixonra@mi.freei.net, I will see if the coordination of such an event is feasible.

Send the following info.
1. Name (both post name and real name)
2. Where you live (name of Town is sufficient)
3. Which exact saturdays, (all of them) that you could make it.
4. Preferred location. (More Central is better, and sport club is better than my back yard, but my back yard is available as stated in an earlier post.)
5. Preferred available activities.
6. Vote fee/non fee.
7. If fee, vote Prizes/non prizes.
8. If prizes, vote lots of small prizes/one bigger prize. (prizes done by random drawing)

I don't guarantee that I can come up with something that will please everyone, but I can come up with something. I suggest an attendance fee, payable in advance, to use for door prizes etc. as well as any food provided by the whole group. Pot luck also works for me.

Please recommend reasonable fee, and possible prizes.

All further correspondence for this event should be handled through email or snail mail. My address is:

Al Nixon
11735 US 27
DeWitt, Mi 48820

ATTN: MI Sportsman.

C ya

PS. I also recommend bringing guests and also spouses. If we use a fee system, the fee is per head, not per party/group. Make sure to send any/all recommendations.

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Sarge

[This message has been edited by Sarge (edited 05-17-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Sarge (edited 05-17-2000).]

[Sarge]

Here is a possible scenario for the Sportsman’s breakfast.

9:00 gather at the place and drink coffee and tell tales.
9:30 eat breakfast. (please recommend a menu and volunteer to cook)
10:30 roll each other outside for activities. Break into interest groups.
1. bowlhunters
2. gunhunters
3. fishermen
4. cameramen
5. etc.
develop a competition for best in class. (this will only work at a range or club)
11:00 compete, cheer the winners but tell them they were just lucky. Pick on the losers mercilessly and make sure they don’t get away with any of their excuses.
12:30 pass out prizes for winners, and tell tales. Have drawing for door prize
13:30 General camaraderie and glad-handing. Trickle away at one’s leisure,


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Sarge

[Hunter333]

OK, seems that the ball is rolling pretty good here, thanks Sarge!!! Sharpstick, a wild boar roast would be incredible!!!! I cant provide the pig but I bet someone could get one. Lets hope the ball stays rolling!! I believe I could have about 10 people with me given enough heads up time. I would like to see a gathering where all shooting could take place: bow, gun, and photo :) I dont care about alcohol, it would probably be a good idea to start without it anyway, seeing as we are all respectful and safe. Lets make this happen!!

[Hunter333]

As it seems that Sarge is taking the lead so this may actually happen. I am curious if anyone knows how many registered people visit this site? If you know someone that is interested, have them check out the post and reply to Sarge. Thanks everyone.

[Stalker]

This sounds like a great time. Provided the most popular date does not conflict with a previous commitment I'll be there.

Just for a vote of confidence, Sarge is good at organizing.

Durand would be a good location for me.

My vote would be NO alcohol. It just does not mix with firearms.

Stalker

[outfishin]

I am game for an outdoor get together. That
sounds like a real good time. If we are able
to pull this off, Keep the group informed.

thanks Ben aka (outfishin}

[Curdog]

My wife and I could do some of the cooking. Also, I vote no alcohol. Maybe for an evening event I would feel differently.

[Hunter333]

Just trying to keep this at the top so that newcomers and not so often visitors will see it.

[Ross]

I'm glad to see that everyone is pulling together to get this going, good job sarge it seems thats all it took was someone to step forward and take the ball. Right now I am planning this hole summer as it comes, my wife is pregnant with our second. So I can say I would really like to be there.
I also vote NO alcohol. Lets see if we can get some dates together.

[Sarge]

Please email me.

nixonra@mi.freei.net

all suggestions, voluteerings and moral support will be happily accepted. Is is possible to copy posts to another topic? I'd like my other 2 since I took on the job and this one on the new topic so there's a little less search time. If one of the administrators would even do that for me that would be great.

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Sarge

[Stalker]

could we start with chosing a month. July or August

I vote July

[Steve]

Sarge there's no way to merge threads together. Sorry.

[Hunter333]

How about July 17th? My wifes b-day is the 25th and I want to make a weekend of this. She isnt a hunter so that wouldnt be the ultimate b-day for her :)b

[Stalker]

333 Do you mean Sat. the 15th? The 17th would be ok. I would just take the day off work. This would be acceptable since the 17th is my birthday

[This message has been edited by Stalker (edited 05-19-2000).]

[Hunter333]

Yes, I meant the 15th. I was looking at last years school calendar. I think a Saturday would be the best choice.

[Hunter333]

Just some ideas that I shared with Sarge. What does everyone think?
I would love to have a pig roast!! Capt. Sharpstick told me that he has a pig roaster and would be willing to bring it if needed. I love to cook so I would be willing to do that, pig or whatever.
As for events, I suggest: 3D for archery, clay shooting, distance shooting, and maybe a casting competition. Set up target in the lawn to cast towards. Points for closeness using the same type of target as in the distance shooting. 10 casts total I have a #D target that I can bring and I am sure that others do as well. Scoring for clay could be 1 point per pigeon with a total of 10 pigeons being tossed. Archery points could be based on closeness to vital area. Distance shooting could be used with a target with rings having different point values, allowing 10 shots total for each person.
Other than that, I am not sure. I think some type of dinner would be a good way to cap it all off. That way if people want to leave, they
can and the others can stay and gab.
Menu ideas: pig or some meat(someone HAS to know a rancher), corn on the cob, salad, rolls, juice, taters, and something for dessert (maybe ask people to bring something). People should bring their own table setting as well as lawn chairs or whatever.
Hope this helps a little. Thanks again for taking the bull by the horns
:)
-k-

[Stalker]

Wow! The bull is going down. Sounds like this is turning into a All day event. That is a good idea since there will be some who will have to travel a ways.

[Hunter333]

I was thinking the same thing. If I am going to drive 3 hours, I want to spend the day. I am hoping to make it a weekend camping trip so all day sounds great! Who knows, we could be there all night telling stories :)

[Sarge]

July is very full for me. I can still organize it for then, but might not be able to attend. August is best for me.

I think a plan to allow for an all day event is appropriate, but I prefer to start it early, like for breakfast. Then all of the pre-planned stuff can be done by early afternoon. This way, those who worked hard during setup and prep, can feel free to trickle out when they are ready. Others may stay as long as the club and their compadres allow.

Once more, lets do this by email to nixonra@mi.freei.net. I could miss a really good idea, having to search this thread for clues.

I don't mean not to post here, I just mean to tell me the same things in email so I don't lose good info.
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Sarge

[This message has been edited by Sarge (edited 05-19-2000).]

[Hunter333]

I wouldnt mind August either. Summer school will be done by then so I could make more of a vacation out of it. Breakfast sounds good too!!

[Sarge]

Please move to the NEW outing topic. I have been updating that one.

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Sarge

[Stalker]

Curdog have you made contact with Sarge on the availability of your club? His e-mail is one post up. Please let him know so we can start looking for another spot if yours doesn't work out.

[Curdog]

I am to speak to the President on Thursday, and will let y'all know what is going on that evening.

[Hunter333]

Maybe you could make it to the campfire and let us know that way. I am hoping to be there but I am not sure about Sarge.

[Sarge]

I will do my best to be in the Thursday Campfire, and I have also sent a formal letter to the club. Hopefully between Curdog's personal conversation and my letter and follow up phone call, we will have the info we need for sharing at the campfire.

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Sarge

[Sarge]

Curdog, I will be picking up my new (used) 5th wheel on thursday. Just in case I forget all about the campfire, please post what you find out concerning the club for Aug. 5th. If we pin that down, we can post things like nearby campgrounds etc. Maybe if several of us end up in the same campground Friday Night we can have a live campfire chat. I have tentative reservations at the Walnut Hills Camping and Canoe rental so far. I know there is another campground but I don't know the name. there is also one at moon lake near Laingsburg just a few miles farther toward Lansing.

Since I don't know for sure about the date etc. and I don't know if others are thinking about camping, I only reserved for myself.

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Sarge

[This message has been edited by Sarge (edited 05-23-2000).]

[Hunter333]

I do not know the area at all so I would appreciate the phone numbers and locations of campgrounds in the area. I would like to call and make reservations ASAP so a decided upon date would help that as well as the phonenumbers. Thanks to all that are willing to make this happen!! A LIVE campfire sounds like a GREAT idea!!

[Sarge]

I went to the Durand Sportsman’s Association, on Thursday. I talked with 2 board members and came away with these thoughts.
1. They are not very interested in modifying their Saturday routines, so 10:00 – 2:00 is their normal shooting times and they will remain so.
2. In order to get permission for our event, the issue will need to come before the board and that can be done at the next normal meeting, which is the 25th of June.
3. The President can be contacted and he can request a special board meeting at any time. He has a health problem in the family, and is not very active right now and it looks (to the 2 members I spoke with) like he won’t want to remain president for another year. I only include that to indicate that he might not be excited about calling a special meeting under these circumstances.

My personal conclusions are:

1. We can have the event anyway, but the opportunity for shooting type competitions and exhibitions are not going to be easy.
2. We can have the event in the campground there by Durand. My wife and I camped there this weekend, (wed – Sat) and enjoyed it very much. There are 2 pavilions, one of which hold over 100. No cooking facilities, but good cooks can do anything with some propane stoves and a grill or 2. There a ponds for fishing and a very small lake with a nice beach for swimming and paddle boating. There a numerous horseshoe pits and a ball field. 2 playgrounds, and the Shiawasee River. No place is farther than 150 yards from a pit toilet, and there are flush toilets and a shower house centrally on the grounds. They do have group rates (nothing special) and the pavilion is free if the group is all staying at the camp ground and costs a fee if outside guests are joining. There can still be competitions of sort without the shooting and archery events ( I know) and we can always all pack up and go to the club for the 10:00 – 2:00 shooting that they have anyway.

Bottom line, this is not as easy as it looks, but if we want to get together for a meet and some eats, we sure can. If it was only for the shooting events, well that’s going to be out or even further delayed by all appearances.

I vote to have the get together, commit to it as a group, reserve our campsites together in one part of the campground. Have a ball game, some horseshoe tournaments, and a Friday and Saturday night live campfire. Breakfast in the pavilion Saturday morning, and a fireside feast of some kind either Friday night or Saturday night leading up to that nights campfire chat. I am posting this in both of the outing topics in the outing forum as well as emailing it to all of those who have emailed me about this so far.

Please respond promptly if you still want to do something this summer, it is possible to start planning now, if you want to wait until next summer and find a more perfect location.

I wrote all of this in my word processor before I got in and read what curdog had said. most of it still stands. If we plan on doing it at the campground, and the club works out ok, everything will be just peachy. If the club doesn't work out, it ok too. The campground is 5 miles away and is probably the best place to bivouac anyway.

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