The Northeast Ohio Airgunners (N.O.A.) will be holding their first field target match of the 2019 season this Sunday, May 5, 2019, at Twin Oaks Air Rifle Range in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Sight-in starts at 8:00am and match starts at 10:30am. The current weather forecast for now calls for mostly sunny skies and a high of 65F. There looks to be some rain throughout the week so if the forecast changes please pay attention to your email if we decide to cancel the match.
We had decided to hold this first match on the field course since the woods course trail is still wet and muddy in areas.
We will have the bathroom in the club house available for use as electricity has been restored.
Please be aware that this is private property and we are graciously being offered the use of the land by the property owner so be respectful and considerate. We will be providing various signs throughout the property as well as on Bell Street to help direct you to the range and parking areas.
The day’s agenda will be:
1. Sight-in range opens at 8 am.
2. Registration from 8 till 9:30 am.
3. Shooters meeting at 10 am.
4. Match starts at 10:30 am
5. N.O.A. provided lunch and awards ceremony at the conclusion of the match.
We will include our Novice and Junior classes. The idea of these classes is to provide an airgun shooting opportunity for inexperienced shooters. Some of you, probably all of you, have family members or friends that might like to join you on the course, but they are not really up to the full blown FT challenge. Well, here’s the answer, they can join you and shoot the course in the Novice or Junior class.
All shooters under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If the parent or guardian is not going to shoot the match, they still need to supervise the minor at each lane on the field target course for the entire match. One parent or legal guardian may accompany up to two minors.
Here is a link to Under Age Shooters
Come and join us, bring a friend, and please send us an email through our website or to me at the email address shown below to let us know you’re coming. You can visit our website for directions to the range and other information:
Please note that Google Maps or Siri will take you to the wrong destination if you use the actual physical address of 9911 Shadow Wood Circle, Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023 for directions. Access is off of Lucky Bell Lane NOT Wake Robbin Drive. Please visit our website for written directions and look for our N.O.A. sign on Bell Street on match day.
Regards,
Jeff Paddock
(Match Report by Tyler Partner)
The Field Target season is finally underway here in Northeast Ohio, and we have a great turnout at our first match of the year. Initially scheduled for April and rescheduled due to the unpredictable weather, we ended up having some stellar weather for the match. Temps were in the low/mid 60s, and the sun came out in full force a few lanes into the match.
With 26 shooters in attendance, we had our normal match briefing from Tyler (wearing a sombrero to celebrate Cinco de Mayo) and everyone set out for the field course. The course was set on the long side, with an average target distance of 37 yards, but thankfully, most targets were sporting full size kill zones. This was a relief to most, considering there were some very tricky and sometimes strong winds blowing through the lanes. The course difficulty was a 29.8T before wind was factored in, and a 33T after wind. It was a great test for the first match of the year, and very humbling to say the least.
With many of the vines dying that kept some lanes well protected from wind last year, the wind took its toll on everyone. It seemed to be constantly shifting from left to right, and it became clear early on that the wind on target was different than the wind on the firing line. Early on in the match, the sun came out and sent the dandelions in the open field sections of the course into full bloom. Yellow targets became almost impossible to pick out in the sea of yellow weeds. It was quite a site to see.
Tallying the scores, we had a few shoot-offs to decide the fates of two classes. In Hunter PCP, Bill Rabbitt and Jeff Little tied with scores of 51/60. In Hunter Piston, Ed Loaskie and Dan Putz tied at 43/60. We set two targets, one 3/4" KZ at around 40 yards and another 1.25" KZ at around 50 yards. One shot per target, if you hit the first target, you moved onto the second, simple. Dan went first, hitting the first target and missing the second in some very tricky wind. Ed was able to hold his nerve and match Dan on the first target, and then was able to outfox the wind on the second target to take the win for the day. Congrats Ed, great shooting! In Hunter PCP, Jeff went first, taking down both targets with his new to him Steyr in quick fashion. Bill stepped up but could not match Jeff on the first target as the wind kicked up, giving Jeff the win. Very well done to both of you.
With our Hunter classes decided, the other class winners were Keith Walters in Open PCP. Keith shot his new Thomas very well, putting up a 51/60 (matching Bill and Jeff's scores in Hunter). And in WFTF PCP, Tyler Patner scored a 52/60 for the match high score. Also, a big shout out to Maddex Belmont shooting a 40/60 in the junior division. Juniors take 4 shots at the close target on each lane, which was no easy task on this course considering some of the "close" shots were in the 40 yard range. Maddex shot well enough to take out his Dad, Mark, by a few shots. Nicely done!
Thanks to everyone who was able to make it out, we really enjoyed the day and it was a great way to kick off the 2019 season. Our next match is just two weeks away, on May 19th. We look forward to seeing everyone there.
Click Here for Link to All Match Pics
Click Here for Link to PDF Match Report
Click Here for Link to N.O.A. Match Report News Post
Jeff P
Ditto on the great match report! I see the names of quite a few of great competitors in the winners circle as well as some new names. Pleased to see the competition is getting stronger in most of our classes. Looking forward to another challenging FT season. Great shooting everyone.
WOW, congratulations NOA on a terrific season opening match. Great weather, great venue, great shooters, great report all one could ask for in a FT match. Glad to see FT thriving in my home state of Ohio, you are setting a wonderful example for all clubs to strive for. I had the opportunity to shoot a match at the Twin Oaks range last year and all I can say is the pictures do not do the property justice. If you have the chance to shoot a match there I would recommend you do so. Nice "little" clubhouse as well ? ?
I see my hunter class compadres did not let grass grow under their feet over the winter. That was some great shooting by a bunch of you. I see my friend Keith has moved on to Open Class without missing a beat. Now if we could get Bill, Dennis and Tom to do the same all of us old hunter shooters would really be smiling ?
And of course there was Tyler, that's all I'm going to say!
Great job everyone
Jim in Sacramento
… I see my hunter class compadres did not let grass grow under their feet over the winter. That was some great shooting by a bunch of you. I see my friend Keith has moved on to Open Class without missing a beat. Now if we could get Bill, Dennis and Tom to do the same all of us old hunter shooters would really be smiling ?
And of course there was Tyler, that's all I'm going to say!
Great job everyone
Jim in Sacramento
I can only speak for myself, but moving to Open PCP is never going to happen. So I suggest continuing to practice as I do nearly every day. ?
Great shoot NOA! Really enjoyed it.
Tom
