COUNTY'S ONLY SHOTGUN CLUB GOOD PLACE TO HONE SKILLS

JACKSON -- With a 30-year history behind it, the Cape County Gun Club is undertaking the mission of turning more shotgun enthusiasts on to skeet and trap shooting.

Founded in the early 1960s with seven charter members, the Cape County Gun Club now consists of approximately 50 members and is searching for more.

"We are trying to expand and gain members," said club president Doug Snider.

Tim Crosno, a 10-year member, said that the group as suffered from a lack of exposure, but is working to change that by recruiting members at gun shows and other events geared towards outdoor enthusiasts.

"We're trying to be a lot more visible," Crosno said.

Over the years the club has based its shooting activities at several locations. Its skeet and trap shooting facilities have for the past five years been situated on a patch of leased property off Highway 72 just west of the Jackson city limits.

In the future the group plans to purchase a permanent site for its activities.

"We will buy land sometime in the future, where I don't know yet," Snider said.

Weather permitting, club members gather to shoot on weekends and Wednesdays. Individual club members shoot at the site at their leisure.

When a club member is present, the general public is allowed to shoot on the skeet and trap ranges for a cost of $3 per round of 25 clay pigeons. Club members pay $2 per round of 25 birds.

"Anytime a club member is here the public is welcome," Snider said.

In skeet the shooter, positioned at one of eight stations, tracks targets launched from two sources -- the high house, which is a about a 15-foot tower, and the low house, a building at ground level.

Trap is different in that a single launcher which fires clay targets directly in front of the shooter is used. In trap shooting the targets move faster and go a greater distance than in skeet.

While some members are in the club simply for the enjoyment of target shooting, others use the range to hone their skills for bird hunting season.

"It's the best practice you can get for all wing shooting," Snider said.

While the membership is predominantly male, many women are involved. Also, the wives and children of members frequently shoot at the club's facilities.

The club also helps companies hold tournaments at its range and provides instruction for novice shooters.

"We will work with companies around here that would like to have a weekend tournament or longer tournament," Snider said.

The club plans to launch its own eight-month league for both trap and skeet beginning in March open to both members and non-members.

The league will consist of two-man teams and will run through October with each team shooting one day per month. Cost is $5 per person for 50 bird matches.

To join the Cape County Gun Club, prospective applicants gun be endorsed by two members. Application information can obtained at club meetings which are held the first Tuesday of every month at Riverside Regional Library in Jackson.

In addition to fees for clay targets, members pay $50 in annual dues which go towards leasing the property, upkeep and equipment costs.

Also, as an National Rifle Association affiliated organization, all club members are required to join the NRA.