I would like to take a moment to thank all of you who have participated in the WTA blog over the years. Within the next couple of weeks (hopefully) we will be launching a redesigned version of our website, which will include a discussion forum. This new forum will be open to all WTA members and will take the place of the WTA blog.
Our plan is to launch the new design of the site by Feb. 1, barring any technological glitches. You may register on our new site to join the forum and within 72 hours of making your registration, you should receive an email with your login and a temporary password. We recommend that once you receive this email you log in to your account and update your password.
If you have any questions, regarding the end of the blog or the new forum, please direct them to our webmaster at webmaster@witrapshooters.com or to John Atkielski, our forum moderator, at jka-trap@wi.rr.com.
Again, thank you for your participation and continued involvement in the WTA. We look forward to continuing our discussion at www.witrapshooters.com.
Have a great weekend!
-WTA Webmaster
Friday, January 22, 2016
Monday, September 21, 2015
Jim Westover
I have just received notice that Wisconsin trapshooters hall of fame member Jim Westover passed away during the night.
Jim was one hell of a doubles shooter. I know he held the record for high doubles average ever in Wisconsin. I had the pleasure of shooting with Jim many times. He was a lot of fun to shoot with. He always spoke his mind but he would always listen to the other side of the story also. I don't think I ever saw Jim when he didn't have a joke to tell. He was passionate about shooting in Wisconsin and the homegrounds.
He will be missed by a lot of shooters around the country and especially here in Wisconsin me being one of them.
I will get the obituary posted when it is available. We do have a section on this web site for completed carriers
Our deepest condolences to his family.
Don
Jim was one hell of a doubles shooter. I know he held the record for high doubles average ever in Wisconsin. I had the pleasure of shooting with Jim many times. He was a lot of fun to shoot with. He always spoke his mind but he would always listen to the other side of the story also. I don't think I ever saw Jim when he didn't have a joke to tell. He was passionate about shooting in Wisconsin and the homegrounds.
He will be missed by a lot of shooters around the country and especially here in Wisconsin me being one of them.
I will get the obituary posted when it is available. We do have a section on this web site for completed carriers
Our deepest condolences to his family.
Don
Friday, September 18, 2015
Ray Moser
It is with great sadness that I pass along the news of Rays passing this morning at approximately 3AM.
According to his wishes there will be no services. At this point I have been told there will be a celebration of life at the Chandelier Ball Room in Hartford on March 13th 2016. If I recieve any more information I will post it here.
I do believe that the WTA will be doing something in the future. When any plans are made I will pass them along.
Our deepest condolences to the Family. Ray was a wonderful, generous man. His up beat attitude will be missed greatly.
Keep on dancing Ray.
Don
According to his wishes there will be no services. At this point I have been told there will be a celebration of life at the Chandelier Ball Room in Hartford on March 13th 2016. If I recieve any more information I will post it here.
I do believe that the WTA will be doing something in the future. When any plans are made I will pass them along.
Our deepest condolences to the Family. Ray was a wonderful, generous man. His up beat attitude will be missed greatly.
Keep on dancing Ray.
Don
Monday, August 24, 2015
The Wisconsin night at the 2015 Grand
Here is the picture of some of the smiling faces that attended the 2015 Wisconsin night at the Grand. A light meal was served and a donation was taken to pay for the food. After the donation the remaining cost was generously covered by Jeff Mainland. He is back left looking somewhere other than everyone else. I think he was looking at the crowd and thinking "who doesn't have a Kolar."
Thank you Jeff. Remember we will try to have this gathering again next year. See you then.
Don
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
WTA Board meeting this Saturday
There will be a Board of Directors meeting this Saturday in Rome at 9:00AM. It will be held at the Sherwood lodge. It is right behind the Shermolot Motel right on Hwy 13.
These meetings are open to the membership.
These meetings are open to the membership.
Wisconsin night at the Grand
Last week Wednesday at the Grand some of the shooters from Wisconsin got together for the second year. The wonderful people at Shamrock leather let us use their tent for the gathering.
The weather was spectacular.
Fritz Thistle ordered some food which was nice. A collection was taken to cover the cost of the food. We ended up quite a bit short. Jeff Mailand picked up the remainder of the cost for the food. A big thanks to Jeff. Jeff and the Kolar people have been extremely generous to the shooters of Wis again this year. Thanks again Jeff.
I believe the water was provided again by the Keeley's. Thanks Steve and Carol.
I don't have a picture to post this year. If someone has one and would scan it and send it to me I will try to post it here.
Don
The weather was spectacular.
Fritz Thistle ordered some food which was nice. A collection was taken to cover the cost of the food. We ended up quite a bit short. Jeff Mailand picked up the remainder of the cost for the food. A big thanks to Jeff. Jeff and the Kolar people have been extremely generous to the shooters of Wis again this year. Thanks again Jeff.
I believe the water was provided again by the Keeley's. Thanks Steve and Carol.
I don't have a picture to post this year. If someone has one and would scan it and send it to me I will try to post it here.
Don
Friday, August 7, 2015
2015 Wisconsin State shoot. MY thoughts.
Well it looks like no one from the WTA Board wanted to write anything so I will again. As most of you all know I did not run for reelection this year and am stepping back a bit from the BOD. I'm old and need the rest.
Ok. Anyways. For the most part I would give the complete shoot either a A- or B+. I see things that a lot of shooters don't and some shooters see things I don't .
Here are some of the things that I saw as a problem.
We, and when I say we I mean the shooters of Wisconsin, are in need of a couple of things. First we need a sound system to reach more people on the grounds. This year I rented a big sound system to make the morning announcements and play the National anthem. It worked fairly well but we need something better. I think a system like the one at the Grand with speakers mounted on the shade shelters would be wonderful.
Golf carts are still a problem. The dust wasn't a issue but there needs to be some kind of cart path installed. There was discussion about one from wood chips. I really think that would help. Then there is the issue of to many people on the sidewalk. Most were people that could be there but. I personally don't understand why people have to just drive up and down the side walk. They all carry radio's. Why not just sit and wait until there is a problem. Most of the time if you are just joy riding you will be on one end and the problem is on the other side. So with three line supervisors why not split the fields in thirds and wait for a problem to arise. Don't just drive around to look important.
Dust in the parking lot. It wasn't real bad I didn't think. Someone arranged for a water truck mid week and that helped out. And the rain helped with that too.
Water in water jugs. Had a few complaints about no water the first day or two. My thoughts. First it wasn't that hot that anyone dropped over. Second we had tried something new this year. We had some nice young ladies driving up and down the main sidewalk with bottled water and other soft drinks. Priced fairly and they split the profits with the WTA 50/50. They also doubled as score sheet runners so the WTA saved some more due to not needing to hire someone to pick up the score sheets.
Some people complained that we started the next events to soon. That is a lose, lose situation. If we don't start as soon as most traps are ready or clear then people complain we wasted to much time in between events. If when we call people to their traps then would go to their traps that would help a lot. But it normally take shooters 15 - 20 minutes to arrive after they are called. So we tried to be somewhere in the middle. Some traps weren't quite ready but most were when we called the next events. Another part of the problem is when people presquad on the last squads of the first event and first squad of the next event. Not smart.
There are a few other things that need to be taken care of differently next year but I won't go into all of them.
Now for the positives.
WOW did the new building work out great. I really came in handy when the tents blew down for the second time in 5 days. We put them up on Sunday, They blew down on Sunday night. Put them back up on Monday and they blew down again on Friday night. Mother nature was testing us. Thanks to John Madson and the guys for the tents and for helping put them up again this year. The new building held up perfectly. It was used during the day to meet and eat. It was used Thursday night for the meet and greet, Friday morning for the annual meeting, Friday night for the fish fry and fund raiser, Sat night for the special event, Sunday for the gathering of the youth shooters and families. Thank you Recob's.
And yes the Friday Perch fry and fund raiser put together really quickly by Paul Becker. Fantastic job Paul. The number I heard was they raised somewhere around, now get this, $25,000. Thanks to all that donated. I am not going to put the names out there because I will miss some and I don't want to do that, but Kolar Arms donated a Kolar single, Mark Zauhar (even though he is from Mn and a Vikqueens fan) for a pistol, Bill Simonar for a pistol, all the people and clubs that donated over 70 flats of shells, the Oconto Falls High school group (I think it was the FFA) they had raffles going all week and we selling food and drinks. They were splitting the profits 50/50 with the WTA. And Paul who put this whole thing together. He came to the WTA with the idea about three weeks before the shoot. Unbelievable. He said he will do it again next year. So anyone that wants to help please contact Paul. Also if you have something you would like to donate contact him also. I heard from a little bird that Melinda Mittag has another one of a kind quilt in the works. In the past she has raised over $6000 for the WTA with her quilts. And to all the people that did all the bidding. It was amazing to watch. ( I have no money to bid) Especially, Sam, Rick, Jeff Mainland and Recob, Mark and a lot of others that were so generous. THANK YOU.
Then there was the Kolar Raffle. Not sure exactly how much was raised but I know it was a lot. Thanks Kolar. I heard something is in the works for next year already. Watch for more information coming up.
Well this may very well be my last blog post unless we can't get a volunteer to take over. As I said I am not a WTA Director anymore. But in closing I just want to add something that isn't said offen enough. Thank you to all the volunteers that make this event happen. And yes the vast majority of things that make YOUR state shoot happen are done by people that put in hundreds of hours, before, during and after the shoot. Think about it. People are there several days before the shoot to get it ready. During the shoot the average Director puts in 8-10 hours a day and then tries to shoot to. After the shoot is over you shooters just go home. Well some of us are there to take things down. Return things. Clean things like the campgrounds. Empty a couple hundred trash cans. And the list goes on. So I will say it. Thanks Bruce Stiteley, Bill Simonar, Glenn Hamerly, Adam LePine, Dave Wehmeier, Dewey Farnsworth, Kevin Doerring, Dwight Paulin, Gary Fechter, Theresa Howland Jim Kroeplien and Fritz Thistle for all your hours of dedication. I know I have probably forgotten a few people that have volunteered and donated their time, money and efforts again this year.
Ok. Anyways. For the most part I would give the complete shoot either a A- or B+. I see things that a lot of shooters don't and some shooters see things I don't .
Here are some of the things that I saw as a problem.
We, and when I say we I mean the shooters of Wisconsin, are in need of a couple of things. First we need a sound system to reach more people on the grounds. This year I rented a big sound system to make the morning announcements and play the National anthem. It worked fairly well but we need something better. I think a system like the one at the Grand with speakers mounted on the shade shelters would be wonderful.
Golf carts are still a problem. The dust wasn't a issue but there needs to be some kind of cart path installed. There was discussion about one from wood chips. I really think that would help. Then there is the issue of to many people on the sidewalk. Most were people that could be there but. I personally don't understand why people have to just drive up and down the side walk. They all carry radio's. Why not just sit and wait until there is a problem. Most of the time if you are just joy riding you will be on one end and the problem is on the other side. So with three line supervisors why not split the fields in thirds and wait for a problem to arise. Don't just drive around to look important.
Dust in the parking lot. It wasn't real bad I didn't think. Someone arranged for a water truck mid week and that helped out. And the rain helped with that too.
Water in water jugs. Had a few complaints about no water the first day or two. My thoughts. First it wasn't that hot that anyone dropped over. Second we had tried something new this year. We had some nice young ladies driving up and down the main sidewalk with bottled water and other soft drinks. Priced fairly and they split the profits with the WTA 50/50. They also doubled as score sheet runners so the WTA saved some more due to not needing to hire someone to pick up the score sheets.
Some people complained that we started the next events to soon. That is a lose, lose situation. If we don't start as soon as most traps are ready or clear then people complain we wasted to much time in between events. If when we call people to their traps then would go to their traps that would help a lot. But it normally take shooters 15 - 20 minutes to arrive after they are called. So we tried to be somewhere in the middle. Some traps weren't quite ready but most were when we called the next events. Another part of the problem is when people presquad on the last squads of the first event and first squad of the next event. Not smart.
There are a few other things that need to be taken care of differently next year but I won't go into all of them.
Now for the positives.
WOW did the new building work out great. I really came in handy when the tents blew down for the second time in 5 days. We put them up on Sunday, They blew down on Sunday night. Put them back up on Monday and they blew down again on Friday night. Mother nature was testing us. Thanks to John Madson and the guys for the tents and for helping put them up again this year. The new building held up perfectly. It was used during the day to meet and eat. It was used Thursday night for the meet and greet, Friday morning for the annual meeting, Friday night for the fish fry and fund raiser, Sat night for the special event, Sunday for the gathering of the youth shooters and families. Thank you Recob's.
And yes the Friday Perch fry and fund raiser put together really quickly by Paul Becker. Fantastic job Paul. The number I heard was they raised somewhere around, now get this, $25,000. Thanks to all that donated. I am not going to put the names out there because I will miss some and I don't want to do that, but Kolar Arms donated a Kolar single, Mark Zauhar (even though he is from Mn and a Vikqueens fan) for a pistol, Bill Simonar for a pistol, all the people and clubs that donated over 70 flats of shells, the Oconto Falls High school group (I think it was the FFA) they had raffles going all week and we selling food and drinks. They were splitting the profits 50/50 with the WTA. And Paul who put this whole thing together. He came to the WTA with the idea about three weeks before the shoot. Unbelievable. He said he will do it again next year. So anyone that wants to help please contact Paul. Also if you have something you would like to donate contact him also. I heard from a little bird that Melinda Mittag has another one of a kind quilt in the works. In the past she has raised over $6000 for the WTA with her quilts. And to all the people that did all the bidding. It was amazing to watch. ( I have no money to bid) Especially, Sam, Rick, Jeff Mainland and Recob, Mark and a lot of others that were so generous. THANK YOU.
Then there was the Kolar Raffle. Not sure exactly how much was raised but I know it was a lot. Thanks Kolar. I heard something is in the works for next year already. Watch for more information coming up.
Well this may very well be my last blog post unless we can't get a volunteer to take over. As I said I am not a WTA Director anymore. But in closing I just want to add something that isn't said offen enough. Thank you to all the volunteers that make this event happen. And yes the vast majority of things that make YOUR state shoot happen are done by people that put in hundreds of hours, before, during and after the shoot. Think about it. People are there several days before the shoot to get it ready. During the shoot the average Director puts in 8-10 hours a day and then tries to shoot to. After the shoot is over you shooters just go home. Well some of us are there to take things down. Return things. Clean things like the campgrounds. Empty a couple hundred trash cans. And the list goes on. So I will say it. Thanks Bruce Stiteley, Bill Simonar, Glenn Hamerly, Adam LePine, Dave Wehmeier, Dewey Farnsworth, Kevin Doerring, Dwight Paulin, Gary Fechter, Theresa Howland Jim Kroeplien and Fritz Thistle for all your hours of dedication. I know I have probably forgotten a few people that have volunteered and donated their time, money and efforts again this year.
Wisconsin Night at the Grand
Remember that Wednesday evening is Wisconsin night at the Grand and we hope to see you there. Not the day. It was originally said it would be Thursday. It will be under the tent near the target shed on the west end of the vendor row on the lower level. The tent is donated by Shamrock leather so please thank them and stop in at there spot on vendor row. There will be food but you will need to bring your own libations. I heard the Keeley's will again be supplying water.
We will again be asking for donations to cover the food. Last year the Recob's picked up the remainder of the tab. And we do not want them to do that again. They have been way past generous this year again at the Homegrounds. We thought we had a sponsor but that didn't come together this year. So if you know of someone or you would like to help out that would be wonderful. The way it works is we deduct the donations recieved at dinner from the bill and if there is a amount remaining that is the amount that a wonderful sponsor would be responsible for. The estimate is around $500 to $600. So if you are will to help out please contact Fritz Thistle. Or contact me through the WTA comments on the web site.
See you there.
Going to the Grand? DETOUR
If you are going to the Grand and take I-55 I was told that the Hwy 4 exit is closed. Just go to the next exit which I believe is Hwy 140. Turn left and in just a few miles you will be back on Hwy 4. They are working on the bridge on Hwy 4 over the freeway.
Don
Don
Monday, July 6, 2015
We need a couple of things for the State Shoot
On Sunday we need some volunteers to help set up a couple of large tents. These are the tents that one of wonderful gun clubs donate each year but we need help with setting them up so please come out and help us out Sunday Morning I would guess around ten or so.
Also we are in need of a water truck to water the parking lots and driveways. If you know of one or someone that you think would let us use one for the week please let us know. Contact either Bruce, Bill myself or Dennis.
Bruce 715 612 5271
Bill 920 655 4759
Don 262 470 2708
Denny 715 310 0380
Thanks and see you at the Wisconsin State Shoot.
Also we are in need of a water truck to water the parking lots and driveways. If you know of one or someone that you think would let us use one for the week please let us know. Contact either Bruce, Bill myself or Dennis.
Bruce 715 612 5271
Bill 920 655 4759
Don 262 470 2708
Denny 715 310 0380
Thanks and see you at the Wisconsin State Shoot.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Thursday, June 25, 2015
New Zone Directors
The NEW zone director for the SW Zone is Dan Horkan.
For the NE zone the new director is Pat Schutte.
If the information that I have gotten is not correct please forgive me. If the spelling is incorrect also forgive me and give me a call and I will correct it.
Thanks for volunteering your time and efforts. The shooters of Wisconsin really do appreciate it.
Don
For the NE zone the new director is Pat Schutte.
If the information that I have gotten is not correct please forgive me. If the spelling is incorrect also forgive me and give me a call and I will correct it.
Thanks for volunteering your time and efforts. The shooters of Wisconsin really do appreciate it.
Don
Raffle tickets
I you have not already turned you raffle ticket stubs and money in to Jim would you please send them in before Saturday June 27th. If you can't get them in the mail by then please bring them to the State shoot and give them either to Jim Kroeplien or to Theresa Howland in the cashiers office.
Thank you for helping raise funds for the WTA.
Don
Thank you for helping raise funds for the WTA.
Don
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Sound System
As you may have noticed in the past we had a sound system to make the morning announcements and play the National Anthem. We will not be able to get that system this year. So we are in need of another one. If anyone has access to one and would be able to loan it to the WTA for a week we would be very appreciative? Contact me at 262 470 2708.
We have one for use at the events in the new structure like the annual meeting and the Perch fry and such. This one needs to be loud for announcements. Thanks
We have one for use at the events in the new structure like the annual meeting and the Perch fry and such. This one needs to be loud for announcements. Thanks
Monday, June 22, 2015
Now HEAR this
The Homegrounds is in the need of a sound system. Does anyone know a shooter or close personal friend that works with sound? If so give any director a call. We would like to keep this within the organization if possible.
Don Mittag
262 470 2708
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Pink at Weston Trap club this weekend.
Weston Hit and Miss trap club will be throwing Pink targets at their Registered shoot this weekend so bring your shooting glasses for pink targets. I for one don't know what color that would be but if you know and have a set bring them along. See you all there.
Don
Don
Monday, June 15, 2015
Oh What a Night It is going to be.
Wisconsin
State Trap Shoot 2015
Temporary Event Center
July 17, 2015 Friday Night Fish Fry Fund Raiser
Well we have all heard the
stories that our home grounds is doomed and broke. However there is a group of
us who have ran companies and say there are good and bad times.
We are here to make good
times happen! Through the kindness of several friends of the Home Grounds we
now have a 45 x80 building on a concrete pad.
Friday night I will be the
chef for a good old fashion perch lunch. Seeing we will all be gathered for a
good time and camaraderie we are holding a fund raiser.
We are having an Oral auction
(Guest auctioneer Dave Dressler)
Items so far. Credit cards accepted for fund raiser!
Kimber 45 donated by Mark
Zauhar
Easy Pull voice release
system donated by Bob Schultz
Lake Michigan ½ day charter
for 4 donated by Paul Becker
Remington 700 VTR 308
Winchester with bi pod
by Bill, Ann, Jeff, &
Karen Recob
We will also have a silent
auction, 50/50 raffle. Possible more??!!
Any donations would be
appreciated. We also need people to come and spend for this great cause!
So let us all set aside our
differences, and get all the arrows going the same direction and get this
building paid for!!!
The above letter was as of
6/12/15.
This event taking on a life
of its own and shows the nay sayers there are a lot of people who care.
At our NorthEast zone shoot I
spoke to people.
We had 5 flats of ammo and 5
guns donated by Chops
Framed matted prints, gift
baskets and more.
Mr Jeff Mainland of Kolar has
gifted us a Kolar Trap single.
Let us make Our Wisconsin
State Shoot something to be proud of.
More to follow.
Any Questions?? To help,
donate, questions please call or email Paul Becker.
Day’s 800-678-4511 X118 cell
920-323-2836 pbecker@riversidefoods.com
Monday, June 8, 2015
SE Zone shoot at Beaver Dam
I would like to thank the Beaver Dam Conservationist for hosting the SE Zone shoot this past week end. I thought things went quite well dispite a couple of minor machine glitches. They also said that next year they will have the Pat traps for all the houses. They were supposed to have them this year but the shipment was delayed. Other wise they had some good help and plenty of it. They had some good food and drink. Thanks and see you next year.
Don
Don
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