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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1992-09-09, Page 14Page 14 Times -Advocate, September 9, 1992 SPOJiTS Founded in 1.976 Claybird Gun Club is still going strong By Ray Lewis T -A Staff EXETER - For those who enjoy the thrill and precision of skeet or trap shooting, the Claybird Gun Club is a well -kept secret; maybe too well kept. "We've been here for 15 years," smiles Jody Mosurinjohn, one of the club's two remaining founding members. "We've always had a good membership, but there are a lot of people who don't know we're here." The Claybird Gun Club was formed in 1976 and was first locat- ed on a farm beside the Exeter Ce- metery. After only a year there however, the club officially made its move to where it stands today, neatly tucked away on a piece of woodland owned by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority. It operates on a parcel of 15 acres on Concession 4-5 of Hay Town- ship, just north of the Exeter Land- fill Site. "We lease about 15 acres from the Authority," said Mosurinjohn. "But we really only use about three." According to Mosurinjohn, the remaining 12 acres are for reforest- ation. The club has tried to make the area into more of a park setting, and Mosurinjohn said the relation- ship with the ABCA is terrific. Members have taken to planting several trees donated by the ABCA, and two years ago added a new clubhouse. Formerly, the group had been using the old Cen- tralia Public Library which they had moved to the site. "We've gone over the whole club the last four or five years. Give it a few more and those trees will look fantastic." Mosurinjohn estimates Claybird has spent around $30,000 on equip- ment alone over the past five years, but said it's something you've got to do if you want to host competi- tions. They recently purchased a new auto -loading trap machine at a cost of about $8,000, with the help of a Wintario grant_ Originally, the club offered only skect shooting, with all clay targets released from a high and low house. The club has since graduat- ed and now has two low houses for trap shooting, as well as handgun and ntic ranges. The latter spans 100 yards to the targets, and gets used mostly in the fall when moose and deer hunters are zeroing in their rifles. Along, the way however, Clay - bird was without skeet shooting, when vandals broke in and stole the thrower' for the range. Because of its expense, it took quite a while for the club to be able to replace it. "Actually we were very fortunate i tuel of choice - the beauttul CiVCI (.3 DID YOU KNOW "Consumer Energy Council of America 2ldvises that for 98 out of 100 homes in- vesting in efficient oil heating equipment is more economical than converting to another fuel." For any of your heating needs please call. Dave Moore Fuels Ltd. sit MGM liths /Meth ItwoMe, On ado NOM /N TM.Ohon.: (11/) 33-0003 1400Nauol 'Th. Bon S.nkv Kron You NNd M Abe I this year because the Fullarton (Jun Club shut down," said Mosurin- john. "We were abie to purchase their throwers." According to Mosurinjohn, the Fullarton Club had been in opera- tion for 35 years, but was shut down when Toronto investors pur- chased the property adjacent to the club, and decided they didn't like having the club as its neighbour. Mosurinjohn said many of Clay - bird's members missed the skeet shoots after the theft, but for a va- riety of reasons many didn't make the switch to "But I enjoyed it so 1 moved right over," he said. With the return of skeet shooting, the club now sees a regular turnout of 18-20 members every Sunday, and over the years has boasted a consistent membership of about 42. While some are game to shoot any level, many prefer strictly trap, skeet or handgun. "But any serious competition we have ever had has always been in trap," offered Mosurinjohn. "We have a lot of members who are great with handguns, but they like to shoot here and don't seem to travel to any other shoots." Claybird's season begins around May and continues until members can no longer get near the site. The access road isn't ploughed during winter, so snow is a factor. The club goes through about six skids of targets per season, and with 60 cases per skid that's a lot of targets. Members participate in seasonal shoots and end with a barbecue and awards presentation. In addition, the club holds a couple of larger shoots that attract between 30-40 shooters. Mosurinjohn himself travels all over northern states and Ontario to slot trap, and has been for the past five years. This weekend, he was off for a two-day shoot 'in St. Thomas. "It's really great because after- wards everyone sits around the campsites and has dinner," said Mosurinjohn. "There's a real cama- raderie." Even 10 -year-old son Danny is into the act, shooting handgun and skeet. Any non-profit group is invited to use the club, so long as they call and confirm a date in advance. For those interested in a membership, the cost is around $100 for a single and $110 for a family. "We're always building or re- building out here," acknowledged Mosurinjohn. "It's taken a lot of work, and a lot of volunteer hours from club members." PREFORMQ ARTY OF CANADA I t,nun tilt),, 1 41411r,t1 HISTORIC CHALLENGE CANDIDATE NOMINATION THURSDAY SEPT. 10 7:30 P.M. Clinton High School PUBLIC WELCOME HEAR - PRESTON MANNING Tuesday Sep' '5 Sarna Thursday Sep; r �ondo For ticket inforr1 .on sale 527-0557 or 524-5363 "But,_D!NG A NEVA CANADA You're invited to... the First South West Ontario SNO SHOW September 12 & 13, 1992 Saturday: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday: Noon • 5 p.m. at Seaforth Community Centre Snowmobiles, ATV's, Trailers, Clothing, Vacation Packages & Tours, Skiing Equipment & much more Sponsored by brussels.walton TRAILBLAZERS For more Information contact: Jim Bauer at 345-2248 or 345-2526 or fax 522-0131 DEALERS 1992 ONTARIO HO 5iALERS A'� Taking arm with a pistol on the range at Claybird Gun Club. Exeter and Area Minor Hockey 192 Practice Schedule for Huron Park Arena Monday, Sept. 14 7 - 8 p.m. Novice 8 - 9 p.m. Atom 9 10 p.m. Midget Tuesday, Sept. 15 7 - 8 p.m. Novice 8 - 9 p.m. Peewee 9 - 10 p.m. Bantam 7 - 8 p.m. Atom 8 9 p.m. Midget 7 - 8 p.m. Novice 8 - 9 p.m. Peewee 9 - 10 p.m_ Bantam 7 - 8 p.m. Peewee 8 - 9 p.m. Bantam 9 - 10 p.m. Midget 8 - 9 a.m. Bantam 9:30 - 11 a.m. Atom 11 - 12 noon Peewee 12 - 1 p.m. Novice 6 - 7 p.m. Midget 7 - 8 p.m. Novice l 8 - 9 p.m. Atom l 9 - 10 p.m. Midget 1 7 - 8 p.m. Peewee 1 8 - 9 p.m. Bantam l 9 10 p.m. Midget Tier II & Juvenile 7 - 8 p.m Novice Tier 11 7 - 8 p.m. Atom Tier ll 8 - 9 p.m. Peewee Tier II 9 - 10 p.m. Bantam Tier II 7 - 8 p.m. Novice I 8 - 9 p.m. Bantaml 9 10 p.m Midget l 8 - 9 a.m Peewee 1 9-10 a.m. Atom1 10 - 11 a.m. Novice Tier II 11 - 12 noon Atom Tier II 12 - 1 p.m. Peewee Tier II 6 - 7 p.m. Bantam Tier 1I 7 - 8 p.m. Midget Tier II 8 Juvenile Novice I Atom I Midget 1 Peewee 1 Bantam 1 Midget Tier II & Juvenile Novice Tier II Atom Tier II Peewee Tier II Bantam Tier II Novice I MBaidgentamt I 1 Peewee I Peewee Tier II Atom I Atom Tier II Novice Tier II Bantam Tier II Midget Tier II & Juvenile All players are invited to come out to practiceand get in shape. All players must be registered with E.M.H.A. before practice. Tyke and Pre -Tyke practice wig begin Friday, Octo- ber 2 at 5 p.m. at the South Huron Rec Centre. For more information call E.M.H.A. ice convener Frank Kints at 229.8851. Registration forms are available at the South Huron Rec Centre, and from any E.M.H.A. executive mem- ber. Wednesday, Sept 16 Thursday, Sept. 17 Friday, Sept. 18 Saturday, Sept. 19 Monday Sept. 21 Tuesday, Sept. 22 Wednesday, Sept. 23 Thursday, Sept. 24 Friday, Sept. 25 Saturday, Sept. 26 Monday, Sept. 28 Tuesday, Sept. 29 Wednesday, Sept. 30 Thursday, Oct. 1 Friday, Oct. 2 Saturday, Oct. 3 7-8p.m . 8-9 p.m. 9- 10 p.m 7 - 8 p.m. 8 - 9 p.m. 9- 10 p.m 7-8p.m. 7-8p.m. 8-9p.m. 9- 10 p.m 6-7p.m . 7-8p.m. 8-9p.m . 8 - 9 a.m. 9 - 10 a.m. 10 - 11 a.m. 11 - 12 noon 12 - 1 p.m. 6-7p.m. 7-8p.m . A Accord LX Sedan Automatic EVERY 1992 HONDA 1S REDUCED! n.1 1 rnl.unr I Iunda 'kaki .have mads an nt,lnn w• ixn rh,uc lit the helanec nt .111 1942 IunJ,l , 1111 hrlan,. 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