Match Report for FTRPA 9/16/12

The Field Target deities certainly smiled on us this past Sunday at the Falls Township Rifle and Pistol Associations Field Target match.
We were favored with near perfect weather (the high temp was in the mid-seventies with sunny skies and very little if any wind) and a great turnout of FT shooters. Most of the regular stalwarts were present but we also had first time participants, second and third time returnees who seem to have taken to the game and even the return of a prodigal after nearly a ten year absence from the field target scene.
The course which was laid out on the Archers 3D archery range was ready as Jim, Rich and I had done the preliminary layout and placement of the target base and tree stands the previous Tuesday and Rich and Jim had placed the selected targets and strings onto the stands and bases on Friday. Rich had even gone into his personal inventory of targets to find some oldies but goodies to bring some new wrinkles to the course. The origin of one of his selections (the 1 ½ KZ rabbit on lane 3 @ 22 yards) was a bit of a mystery even to Rich. Ultimately, Dale Benson identified it as being made by a company called L & K Vision from Wyoming, circa 1990.
Sunday morning I had gotten to the club as the sun was coming up and began setting up the sight in range on the Archers practice range with paper targets on frames s at 5 yard intervals from 10 to 55 yards plus a scattering of swingers at random distances. Rich arrived when I was about half way done and went out onto the course to stretch out the strings and place the lane signage. Art Deuel from Williamsport, PA was the first of the competitors to arrive and he jumped in to help me finish the setup so all was in readiness by 8:00 am when the sight in range went hot.
The next 60-90 minutes brought car after car into the parking lot adjacent to the Archers clubhouse to the point that I jokingly commented to Jim that we may have to consider valet parking, as we were running out of space. The number of participants we see coming to these FT matches never ceases to amaze and we are thankful for their support.
After everyone had signed up and had a chance to sight in and practice, Rich called for the shooters meeting to stress on course safety and give out the lane assignments. He also asked the participants to offer input on the idea of moving up the start time for the matches for next season in order to accommodate a separate pistol match after the completion of the rifle match. At present, we shoot pistol at the same time as rifle (just shooting the near and mid distance targets in each lane) but we believe we might get more entrants for the pistol competition if shooters could avoid doubling up. If and when changes are made, we will pass them along. With the meeting complete the shooters dispersed to their respective starting lanes to begin the match.
Please see the list below for the course layout and target details:


Lane target kill zone target type distance

1 rabbit 1 ½ KO 23
skunk 1 1/2 Kirk 31
frog 1 1/2 Kirk 51

2 squirrel 3/4 RJ 13 tree
dove 1 ½ gamo 28 tree
gopher 1 1/4 RJ 32

3 rabbit 1 1/2 L & K Vision 22
squirrel 1 1/2 Stoutenburg 32
crow 1 3/4 Stoutenburg 50

4 dove 3/4 gamo 16
squirrel 1 1/2 gamo 25
pig 1 1/2 gamo 34

5 dove 3/4 gamo 10 tree standing
squirrel 1 ¼ RJ 24
dove 1 ¾ KD 29 tree standing

6 squirrel 1 ½ gamo 15
dove 1 ½ gamo 19
armadillo 1 AH 32

7 mosquito 3/4 RJ 13
boar 3/4 AH 17
boar 1 ½ AH 20

8 squirrel 7/8 AH 16
vulture 1 AH 28
rook 1 1/4 AH 47

9 turkey 1 ½ gamo 17 tree
turkey 1 ½ gamo 24
turkey 1 ¼ RJ 33

10 squirrel 1 ½ gamo 21
turkey 1 ½ gamo 24 tree
ram 1 ½ gamo 42


average target distance= 26.26 yards

Overall it was a very competitive match with a number of close scores, especially in the rapidly growing hunter class. Tom Holland edged out Al Otter in the AAFTA PCP class by just 2 points and only 1 point separated John Tyler from Jerry LaRocca (who I believe was making his first trip to FTRPA) in the Hunter Class. The margins of victory in the Standing and Pistol classes were somewhat wider but still exciting. Please see the full list of results below:

AAFTA PCP CLASS

Shooter Rifle Scope Pellet Score

Tom Holland TM 1000 Nikko 10-50X JSB 7.33 55
Al Otter USFT March X Premier Heavy 53
Stan Lapinski X2 Daystate Hawk 6-24X JSB 8.4 49
Rick Bassett Pro Target Leupold 40X Premier Heavy 47

HUNTER CLASS

John Tyler Marauder Centerpoint 8-32X AA 8.4 57
Jerry LaRocca Marauder Leapers 4-16X CPH 56
Albert Rogers Marauder BSA 8X JSB 8.4 52
Chris Helm AA 400 FT Hawke 4-12X AA 8.44 52
Joe Guinti Steyr LG 100 Hawkw 3-12X JSB heavy 50
Greg Shirhall Marauder Centerpoint 4-16X AA 10.34 50
Joel Gupta Crosman Centerpiont 3-16X JSB 14.3 47
Hans Apelles Marauder Hybrid Centerpoint 4-16X Premier Heavy 44
Jim Wilcox Steyr LG100 Hawke 3-12X JSB heavy 44
Tom Wade Discovery Bushnell 6-24X AA 10.3 gr. 41
Art Deuel HW98 Centerpoint 4-16X Premier light 32
Phil DeCamp R 7 BSA 3-12X FTS 11

STANDING CLASS

Ray Apelles Marauder custom Leupold 35X CPL 45
Larry Bowne AA Pro Sport B&L 4200 6-24X JSB 8.4 39
Andy Sinkleris TX 200 Swift CPL 30
Dale Benson Gamo hunter Gamo 3-9X Premier Light 14

PISTOL CLASS

Fred Mannis Crosman 1720T Hawke 3-12X FT trophy 31
Larry Bowne IZH 46M Bush 6-18X JSB 8.4 26



Once again thanks to all that came out especially from great distances at significant expense. We truly appreciate you making the effort to participate. Thanks to the gracious FTRPA archers for the use of their facilities and extra thanks to all who helped with the teardown after the match especially Chris, Albert and Joel. Our last FT match of the season is scheduled for Sunday, November 18, 2012. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Best Regards,

Larry Bowne for
The Field Target Committee at FTRPA