Troop 57 - Garland Texas - Shooting Campout 2001

Once again Troop 57 has embarked on its annual shooting campout. After spending several weeks teaching the scouts about safety rules and range procedures, we left FUMC Friday evening and arrived at the campsite in Oklahoma late Friday night. We set up camp, got a good nights sleep, then awoke the next morning to find the entire campsite enshrouded in a heavy fog. After a big breakfast we went about the business of setting up three shooting ranges, one for .22 rifle, one for shotgun and one for black powder muzzle loaders.

Campsite - Saturday Morning Saturday morning we awoke to find everything covered in a heavy fog. All the tents were damp, as well as the grass and everything else. It made for a slightly wet breakfast but by the time the sun was up, breakfast was over and the shooting stations were set up, the sky was bright, clear, and everthing was dry enough to start shooting.
	The adults managed to find their way through the fog to the kitchen area.
	One of the patrols setting up a dining fly before starting breakfast.
	Lets see, tab "A" goes into slot "B" right?
	Adults getting a little breakfast.

Shotgun Shooting Station We set up two shotgun stations. Each station had an adult to load the gun and hand it to the shooter. Each station also had a clay target slinger with someone to "sling" the birds when the shooter called "PULL".
	Shooter drawing a bead on the clay target as it flys through the air.
	Ready .... Aim ....
	Shooter lining up, just about about to yell "Pull".
	The next group of shooters waiting their turn.
	PULL !!!!!
	A HIT !!!!!
	A couple of .mpeg movies of the boys shooting at the shotgun station. {They're each 120 KB}

22 Rifle Shooting Station The rifle station was set up at the opposite end of the campground. We had both standard paper targets, and for a little bit of a challenge, spinning targets as well. We set up the range, reviewed safety rules and range procedures one more time, and then the range master opened the range for shooting.
	Mr. Mach and Mr. Myers setting up the range and inspecting the rifles.
	Setting up the targets.
	Firearm safety rules and range procedures were taught and reviewed at troop meetings. Still, each groop of shooters were reviewed again over safety rules and procedures before being allowed on the range.
	Gentlemen, pick your station then pick your target.
	Ready ... Aim ... FIRE !!!
	Look !!! I hit it Right ... Here !!!
	One of the plastic jugs after being "pummelled" all day with .22 fire.
	.22 round recovered from one of the plastic jugs that were being used for targets.
	Here are a couple of mpeg movies of the rifle range in action !!!
Fruit Salad, The Hard Way The boys were each allowed to bring something from home to use as a target. Some brought cans, some brought T-shirts, others brought plastic jugs, but one enterprising young man brought a slightly over-ripe cantaloupe. The cantaloupe was placed on top of a jug and then targeted. The reason he brought it was to demonstrate that a .22 was not a toy. That it can and does cause serious damage when not used properly.
	Here are 3 mpegs movies of the cantaloupe being "splattered". The first one is of the first bullet hitting the cantaloupe. The next movie is of the unfortunate produce taking several hits. The third one shows the cantaloupe being finished off. {these are each about 475KB}
	The cantaloupe after being hit with several rounds was nothing but a hollow skin.

The Fish A few of our boys decided to bring their fishing poles with them and try their luck at the stock tanks next to our campsite. It paid off for them, they not only finished the Fishing Merit Badge but they had fresh fish for lunch!
	Here they stand proudly displaying their catch. I'm not sure if they used a rod and reel, or just waded in and grabbed them. (If you look closely at the picture you can see they're all three soaked from the shoulders down!)
	OK guys you know the rule .... You Caught It !!! You Clean It !!!
	Nothing like a little fresh smoked fish for lunch on a campout.
	Hey guys, this stuff's not half bad !!!

Black Powder Rifle Shooting Station Next to the .22 rifle range Mr. Anderson and Mr. Davis set up a range for the boys to try their hands at shooting black powder muzzle loaders.
	A scout learning the correct and safe way to load a black powder rifle. First measuring and pouring in the powder, then adding the ball and wadding, then ramming the ball in.
	BOOM !!! {475 KB mpeg}
	Mr. Mach loading up one of the black powder rifles.
	KABOOM !!! --- Way to go Mr. Mach !!!
	A scout takes a turn at shooting Black Powder ... KABLOOEY !!!
	Not Too Shabby !!!
	Mr. Mach and a Scout each firing black powder rifles. {120 KB mpegs}

Shooting Campout

Troop 57s Annual Shotgun/Rifle Shooting Campout In Oklahoma

September 21-23, 2001

The Three Rules of Firearm Safety