President’s Message
(April 2022)
The price of a semi-truck load of targets that we have purchased has increase from $16,957 in 10/2019 to $17,146 in 9/2020 to $18,808 in 7/2021. There was also a price increase in December of 2021 which we have not realized yet because we have not ordered targets since July of 2021. We won’t be ordering targets until sometime in early summer of this year and there is a reasonable chance that the price will increase again due to the price of oil. The club cannot absorb this increase and is forced to raise the price of rounds from $4.00 to $5.00 effective on May 1, 2022. Based on the facts, this was an easy decision for the board. Communicating the increase to the membership is never easy.
The Northern Illinois Rifle & Pistol Club will be hosting a fun shoot and open house for the members of Rockford Skeet Club at their Harrison Road range. Please feel free to bring your .22 LR rifles, pistols, ammunition, and eye and ear protection (we are limiting the event to .22 only to keep the noise for those outside the shoot house). Fun targets will be set up on the rifle range at distances ranging from 40 to 100 yards. The bowling pin shoot will be held on the pistol side. Don’t have a .22 rifle or pistol? No worries, we will have rifles and pistols on hand for you to use. To sign up for this event or if you have questions, please contact Roger at 815-243-0148 or Rneedham@forrestonmutual.com. It is import that you sign up in advance so that the Rifle Club knowns how many to count on for lunch. Northern Illinois Rifle & Pistol Club is located at 3660 Harrison Road, Rockford, IL. The Fun Shoot & Open House is on April 30th from10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Lunch will be served. Bring Lawn Chairs. This will be an excellent time to discuss membership if you are interested in joining the Rifle Club at a discounted first year rate which waves the $50.00 initiation fee. Please wear your club badge.
Rockford Skeet Club will host an open house for members of the Northern Illinois Rifle and Pistol Club during our club fun day on June 4, 2022. I will provide more details as plans are defined. Our club will also waive the $50.00 initiation fee for any member of the rifle club that wants to join our club.
The Winter skeet league concluded with a hotly contested race between
The BABAS consisting of:
Sam V
Al P
Bill S
Brad
With 711/750 narrowly edged out Rich’s Roques consisting of:
Rich T
Viktor B
Leo H
Harry M
With a score 710/750 Congratulations to the above Teams and thanks to all participants. I want to thanks Chuck Jones for coordinating and running the league.
The first pistol shoot of the year will be April 16. This will not be a scored event. Instead, it will focus on shooting techniques and the use of cover. You need to bring 42 rounds of ammunition of any caliber. Times are 9, 10 and 11. Let George Ketter know what time you want by mailing him at geosueket@msn.com.
New to the club? New to skeet or trap or five stand? Nearly every Saturday at 10 am you can find a board member ready to introduce you to a shooting sport you want to try, but just haven’t taken the next step. This is your opportunity to have a safe and low-key experience. Remember, Saturdays at 10 am at the clubhouse.
A membership committee has been formed and is in the process of organizing. The expected outcome of the committee is to plan and define future membership objectives. I will provide more information as the committee evolves.
If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact Milt Schwanke at
815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-456-2871, Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483, or Dan Gengo at 815-572-1423. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee.
2022 Projects
- Rebuild trap houses
- Remove clay targets on skeet fields
- Pistol range heaters
2022 Events
- Club cleanup day – 5/14/22
- Club fun day – 6/4/22
- Landfill lunch – 9/16/22
- Club fun day – 9/24/22
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