President’s Message
(September 2026)
As previously reported, the club has experienced target price increases over the last three shipments and the club has absorbed the costs. As a result, the rounds fee increased from $6.00 to $7.00 on September 1, 2026.
We are planning on doing some landscaping around the 5-stand shelter on Saturday September 5 to till and plant grass seed. We are looking for volunteers to come out and help with this project. Starting time is 8 am until about 10 am.
There will be a compact pistol shoot September 12. Pistol with 4-inch barrels or shorter allowed. This shoot will be for those that carry a concealed handgun. Course of fire:
- At 7 yards shooter will fire 5 rounds and reload with 5 rounds, time is 20 seconds.
- At 15 yards same as above.
- At 25 yards shooter will fire 5 rounds from left side barricade and then after a reload shoot 5 rounds from right side barricade. 10 seconds from each side of barricade.
- Last stage will be 5 rounds standing from 25 yards in 10 seconds.
- A speed loader, speed strip or spare magazine will be needed. If you don’t have one just reload your pistol with single rounds.
- 35 rounds of ammo are needed. This shoot is separate from the pistol league so scores will not be counted towards high league shooter. A fun shoot with your tiny pistols.
The club will be hosting a high school trap Harley Shepherd Invitational on Sunday, November 1. Several high school teams from around with area will be attending. As a result, we need volunteers to help with this event. If you are interested, please contact Ben Ratze at edleaderben@gmail.com.
Since our chief safety office and skeet machine mechanic, Brad Yocum, has moved to Minnesota, we are in need of a new chief safety office and skeet machine mechanic. If you are interested in one or both of these positions, please contact me at sam.valenza@att.net.
We have received a new shipment of orange targets which will replace the black rimmed targets. There still may be some black rimmed targets in the machines and the houses but once they are used up, only orange targets will be thrown.
2026 Projects
- Replace camera system – in process
- Seal parking lot blacktop – Spring 2027
- 5-Stand shooting shelter – completed
2026 Events
- Fun days – cancelled due to
- Landfill lunch – 9/25/26 weather
- High school trap invitational – 11/1/26
- Tutorials
- Skeet – completed
- Trap – cancelled
- 5-stand – completed
If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact
George Ketter at 815-631-9366, Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483 or Greg Baylander at
815-494-7321. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee (cash or check).
Remember gun safety is our number 1 priority.
Rockford Skeet Club Mission Statement
The Rockford Skeet Club’s mission is to promote clay target shooting and complementary shooting sports. The objectives are to promote those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team-play, and self-reliance which are the essentials of good sportsmanship. It is the duty of all members to contribute to the wellbeing, to protect, to grow, and to enhance the club and its membership.
Best Regards,
Sam Valenza
President, Rockford Skeet Club