Why we never say the "W Word" in recreational shooting sports.

If you have ever participated in a shooting education class hosted by Scouts, 4-H, the NRA or similar orgaizations, you might have heard someone getting scolded for using "the W-Word" or Weapon (oops, I said it!).  Sorry.  I've heard the wrath of an instructor several times, because I'm in that line of work, I've been chewed out myself in the early days and I've had to call a few others out in my own classes.  This is why...

The word weapon defined is any instrument or device for use in attack or defense in combat, fighting, or war, as a sword, rifle, or cannon; or anything used against an opponent, adversary, or victim.

Is that why we are teaching youth and youth volunteers shooting sports?  I think not.  We are teaching kids and the community safe, recreational shooting to build marksmanship skills, discipline and responsibility in the use of a firearm.  We leave weapon training to law enforcement and our military service members - where that word is appropriate.  It also has perfectly reasonable context in conversations about home and self protection.

The next time you're in a training situation, either as the coach or the student, I encourage each of us to call the firearm just that, a firearm or even better call it by its name.  Use the specific terms for them such as rifle, pistol, handgun, shotgun, etc.  That's more appropriate, and it won't leave images in the mind of your students of taking someone's life.

Florida 4-H State Muzzle Loading Rifle Tournament, 2011

February is a beautiful month in central Florida, and on this particular day, (Feb.5) the conditions were perfect, about 70 degrees, for a day at the range shooting "black powder guns".  I quote those words because I believe all of the shooters were using synthetic black powder that day.  This was an important day for six shooters and their coaches because it was the Florida 4-H State Muzzle Loading Tournament.  Other than just testing the shooters skill for pride and bragging rights, this particular match determines which senior 4-H'ers will be selected to go to the National Invitational this year in San Antonio, Texas.

The participants included two shooters from Brevard County, two from Indian River County, and two from Okeechobee County.  They all did very very well at each of the 5 events which were 50 yard bulls-eye, off-hand and bench rest, 50 yard silhouette, two 25 yard novelty targets and the knowledge test "Skill-A-Thon".  There was a total possible score of 50 points per target and 130 points for the academic portion.  If you've never participated in a Muzzle Loading Skill-A-Thon, you've missed a challenging and fun opportunity.  Laid out on the table are at least one firearm, and the contents of a Possibles Bag such as ball starter, capping tool and spare flint.  On our table were about 30 different items and the youth were under a three minute time limit to properly label all of the components.

After the shooting we went straight to the awards ceremony, which was a good one!  Not only did we have ribbons for each shooter and a few plaques, but the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association gave copies of their Muzzle Blast magazine and a pin for all, the black powder shooters at the Titusville Rifle and Pistol Club (TRPC) gave shooting gifts to each of the kids and the Brevard County 4-H, Mosquito Lagoon 4-H Muzzleloaders, an NMLRA chartered club, gave old fashioned fixed grain finger chargers to each shooter from Track of The Wolf.

Many thanks to all the parents and coaches who helped prepare and put on this event such as Sylvain Roberge, Lars Lutton and Don Richards for running the line.  Lori Menendez for administrative help.  TRPC for hosting us.  The NMLRA for the gifts and Chris Hodgdon of Hodgdon Powder Company for their donations of powder for the shooters.

County Extension Teaches Hunter Safety

The University of FL / IFAS / Brevard County Extension in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will be teaching local Hunter Safety Classes, monthly, at the Titusville Rifle and Pistol Club in Mims, FL.

Extension has a rich history teaching and consulting in agriculture, family and consumer science, horticulture, and natural resource management for the home owner and industry. The Brevard 4-H program has had youth shooting sports since the early 1990’s, so reaching out to the community with Hunter Safety education is a natural progression.

The Hunter Safety curriculum being used is written by FWC. The primarily taught Internet-based Hunter Safety Course allows the student to learn a majority of the knowledge portion of the course via distance learning. The remainder of the course is covered in a 4-hour classroom setting, written test and a 3-hour range test. Extension’s involvement with Hunter Safety Education allows students to learn of similar programs currently taught by Extension, and provides additional opportunities for families to participate in 4-H shooting sports and to hone their skills as safe outdoors men and women, while promoting home firearm safety. For more information and dates and times, please call Gus Koerner at 321-633-1702 x229.

Fishing Knots...Part 3 of 6, The Albright Knot

The Albright knot is used in situations where you need to join two lines of greatly unequal diameter or of different material. Mostly used in saltwater situations, I prefer this knot for joining of fly line to backing material.

Step 1. Loop the heavier line (wider diameter) and place it between your thumb and index finger of your left hand. Pass the lighter line through the formed loop leaving yourself about 8 inches. Pinch the lighter line in with the line already in your left hand.

Step 2. Make approximately 10 wraps with the lighter line wrapping away from you and working from left to right. With each wrap, work your thumb and index finger along holding these wraps in place, trying not to let up any pressure on your left hand. On the 10th wrap, come around and then through the remaining loop. Taking the standing line in your right hand, and pull gently as you push the wraps with your left hand towards the closed loop.  Alternate between the end of the lighter line, and on the standing part until the wraps are against the tag end. Make sure the wraps do not go over each other and that you don't push them to far. Pull the tag tight then pull on the standing part of both lines until the knot is secure.

Step 3. Finally, clip the two short pieces close to the knot.

Springtime Is A Perfect Time to Scope Out Summer Activities in 4-H

The 4-H Extension Agents in Brevard County, which include Vanessa Spero-Swingle and Gus Koerner are planning a bunch of fun learning opportunities for kids this summer! Some of the activities are open primarily to those enrolled in 4-H, but there are also a bunch open to anyone in the community. One of the 4-H mottos is Learn By Doing, and we are firm believers, that kids and young adults, learn the most and have the greatest amount of enjoyment by jumping in and getting their hands dirty! (Photo caption: Planting today for something beautiful tomorrow at the Budding Gardener’s Camp 2009)

The best place to learn about these camps is on the County Extension web page. Another great place is the semiannual Extension insert in the Florida Today, which is published in March – watch for it! Did you know we’re also on Facebook?? Search for Brevard County 4-H!

Some of the fun activities include: in April – The Brevard County Fair in Melbourne, in May – Youth Fly Fishing Clinic in Cocoa, in June – Outdoor Adventure Camp and Budding Gardner’s Camp in Palm Bay, 4-H Legislature in Tallahassee in July – 4-H Congress in Gainesville, 4-H Shooting Sports Camp in Lake Placid, and in August – 4-H Summer Camp at Ocala in Altoona.

From customer feedback we know the kids and volunteers leaders have fun at these events, and learn so much! Another common comment from the parents and kids who attend these activities is that they are some of the most reasonably priced in all of central Florida. So check some of them out, and come join us in the fun! For more information with dates and times, please call Ms. Vanessa or Mr. Gus Koerner at 321-633-1702.

Share The Sport

Mr. Gus teaching Josh how to tie an Improved Clinch Knot.

This is a topic that I write and speak frequently about, sharing the sports and crafts we love with the younger generation.  Be it fishing, shooting, sewing or what ever, many of these skills are being lost as the years go on.  My daughter is a kindergarten teacher and she did an classroom poll of how many of them knew how to tie their shoes.  I think the number was about 5 out of 25 or 20 percent of the students.  Looking down at their feet, you could see a host of slip on or hook and loop type fasteners.

A rewarding moment came to me today during our first fly fishing clinic.  We had already learned the fundamentals of fly casting and tying a fly, and now it was time to attach the fly to the leader and get some fish!  Near the lake front I was helping Josh get things going, and asked him if he knew how to tie a knot, and he said no.  "What about your shoes?", I asked.  Another no.  At the time, he was wearing Velcro (Registered Trademark) fasteners, and he said he didn't have any other kind of shoes, nor had he ever.  Well he successfully learned how to tie his fly to the leader and was able to go wet his hook.  He went away with a little more knowledge, and I left with a great sense of satisfaction knowing I had taught a kid to tie his first knot - of many more I hope!