On August 5, nearly 220 recreational shooters, both beginner and experienced, joined the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) for the annual “August Recess Shoot-Out” competition at Prince George’s County Trap and Skeet Center in Glenn Dale, Maryland.
The August Recess Shoot-Out brings congressional staff together with the recreational shooting community to enjoy a fun and educational day out of the office with hands on opportunities to shoot skeet, trap and sporting clays. This year’s event was the most well attended as many new faces joined CSF for a great day of shooting.
CSF President Jeff Crane thanked the attendees for joining the competition. “For every time one of those rounds went off today, part of that money goes to conservation. It’s called the Pittman-Robertson Act, a unique American System of Conservation Funding. So every time you pull that trigger, you’re helping the financial backbone for wildlife conservation in America,” said Crane.
CSF Board Member Jeanne Mitchell of ExxonMobil Corporation also briefly addressed the crowd. “From 25 attendees in the early years, to 220 today, I want to thank you all for coming out today and being part of something as great at the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus.”
The beginner level shooters took part in lessons in firearm safety and shooting skills from Remington’s skilled shooting team. The more experienced shooters competed in a series of skeet, trap and sporting clays to determine the best shot. At one of the shooting stations, the American Suppressor Association held a shotgun suppressor demonstration.
After the competition, 11 individuals were awarded for top scores in various categories:
• Top Gun: Ryan Bronson (ATK) with a score of 63
• Top Gun Female: Megan Mitchell (Office of Rep. Steven Palazzo) with a score of 46
• Top Gun Republican: John Mautz (Office of Rep. Howard Coble) with a score of 51
• Top Gun Democrat: Major Charles Throckmorton (Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs) with a score of 57
• Top Skeet: Graham Hill (IceMiller Strategies, LLC) with a score of 22
• Top Trap: Jim Baker (National Rifle Association and CSF Honorary Board Member) with a score of 23
• Top Sporting Clays: Andrew Bordon (Bass Pro Shops) with a score of 18
• Top Beginners: Piper Crowell (Office of Rep. Jared Huffman), Lavor Kirkpatrick (Office of Sen. Mark Begich), Taylor Kloustin (Office of Rep. Howard Coble), and Lauren Vandiver (Office of Rep. Mo Brooks)
CSF would like to thank the Title Sponsors of the 2014 August Recess Shoot-Out: ATK, BP America, Inc., ExxonMobil Corporation, ITC Holdings Corporation, Natural Resource Results and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
The event was Hosted by the American Suppressor Association, Anheuser Busch Companies, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, IceMiller Strategies, LLC, the National Rifle Association, Oracle, Remington, Richard Childress Racing, Safari Club International, Shimano American Corporation and Winchester Ammunition.
The Shoot-Out was Co-Hosted by the Air Line Pilots Association, Intl., Amgen, CropLife America, Crossroads Strategies, LLC, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., Hearing Industries Association, Honeywell International Inc., and National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
