Back in May 2024, I ws invited to a "new to me" Club, about 2 hrs drive from my "local neck of the woods"
A BIG surprise awaited me. A relatively short drive on the highway and, from there, smaller, winding road across true Amish Country, horse-buggies and covered bridges:
A BIG surprise awaited me. A relatively short drive on the highway and, from there, smaller, winding road across true Amish Country, horse-buggies and covered bridges:
I simply fell in love with the place!
The tranquility of the flowing creek, the approach to the Club, the layout of the sighting in range, and then . . . the lanes!
What lanes! Variety and challenge made for a VERY interesting course.
Since then we've been to a few matches, somewhat intermittent, through no fault of anyone, simply life events that get in the way.
The tranquility of the flowing creek, the approach to the Club, the layout of the sighting in range, and then . . . the lanes!
What lanes! Variety and challenge made for a VERY interesting course.
Since then we've been to a few matches, somewhat intermittent, through no fault of anyone, simply life events that get in the way.
Towards the end of last year and with the participation of more members, the Club's FT activities have really taken off.
New lanes have needed to be cut because some forestry operations will take place, and to really care for a forest, you need to steward it. So some heavy machinery will have to come and take out those trees that are too old/non-productive and allow space and light for new trees to really spread out.
Of course there are plans to later use that "road" as part of the FT area ;-)
AND, to clarify, IMHO:
This is the difference between stewardship and outright conservation.
Conservation to the extreme is perfect, when you have thousands of acres and unmolested nature.
When you have a "smaller" (still hundreds of acres) area, where the wildlife has changed, humans are nearby, and it is not precisely and wholy "wild", there's a need for stewardship.
So, Kudos! to Atglen S. A. that is taking the steps to protect the long term health of their forests by careful and precise forestry measures.
And this brings us to the current shoot, held at Atglen on April of 2026
It all started at the sighting in range:
New lanes have needed to be cut because some forestry operations will take place, and to really care for a forest, you need to steward it. So some heavy machinery will have to come and take out those trees that are too old/non-productive and allow space and light for new trees to really spread out.
Of course there are plans to later use that "road" as part of the FT area ;-)
AND, to clarify, IMHO:
This is the difference between stewardship and outright conservation.
Conservation to the extreme is perfect, when you have thousands of acres and unmolested nature.
When you have a "smaller" (still hundreds of acres) area, where the wildlife has changed, humans are nearby, and it is not precisely and wholy "wild", there's a need for stewardship.
So, Kudos! to Atglen S. A. that is taking the steps to protect the long term health of their forests by careful and precise forestry measures.
And this brings us to the current shoot, held at Atglen on April of 2026
It all started at the sighting in range:
I don't think anyone of us was shooting broadheads, LOL!
Actually we, the airgunners, share the archery range (as is the case in MANY clubs) for sighting in.
You can see, at the top right hand of the picture, where the new lanes have been cut.
And I have to say that there was a "Theme" to the shoot. Let's call it "Through the two Trees", LOL! (not my idea, my idea was a bit rougher around the edges). But we'll come to that.
I had the pleasure and the privilege to shoot with my good friend Mike Harris
Actually we, the airgunners, share the archery range (as is the case in MANY clubs) for sighting in.
You can see, at the top right hand of the picture, where the new lanes have been cut.
And I have to say that there was a "Theme" to the shoot. Let's call it "Through the two Trees", LOL! (not my idea, my idea was a bit rougher around the edges). But we'll come to that.
I had the pleasure and the privilege to shoot with my good friend Mike Harris
Mike is one of the Pillars of FT in the Northeast, Mike used to run the two ranges at Delaware County Field and Stream until health issues prevented him from continuing to do so. Now on the mend, he still finds the energy and the time to shoot.
Congrats and thanks, Mike for all that you did AND do, for FT!
AND, BTW, the man in charge now is Mark King, who is also doing a fantastic job at keeping the shoots alive. But, . . . that deserves its own story.
Back to the shoot, it was well attended (12 shooters) considering the weather forecast (nothing too enticing, but still, we were there!).
Congrats and thanks, Mike for all that you did AND do, for FT!
AND, BTW, the man in charge now is Mark King, who is also doing a fantastic job at keeping the shoots alive. But, . . . that deserves its own story.
Back to the shoot, it was well attended (12 shooters) considering the weather forecast (nothing too enticing, but still, we were there!).
The way Trevor designed and executed the course was interesting.
WE were out in the open; for the particular day, it was not a challenge, even with semi-good scopes (I was shooting a MAUSER K-98s with an old AEON scope). The overcast day afforded us a mildly lit area to shoot from into the woods.
Let's wait a few months and we will see how challenging that course becomes in summer, when we are shooting from a brightly lit / sunshined area into the densely packed forest with a full canopy of leaves.
Start preparing to shoot with lower magnifications, LOL!
Here are some typical lanes:
WE were out in the open; for the particular day, it was not a challenge, even with semi-good scopes (I was shooting a MAUSER K-98s with an old AEON scope). The overcast day afforded us a mildly lit area to shoot from into the woods.
Let's wait a few months and we will see how challenging that course becomes in summer, when we are shooting from a brightly lit / sunshined area into the densely packed forest with a full canopy of leaves.
Start preparing to shoot with lower magnifications, LOL!
Here are some typical lanes:
Picture taken at 20X, it transmits the message: Follow your strings, or you will be shooting the wrong target.
;-)
But how does a typical lane look from the shooting gate?
Like this:
;-)
But how does a typical lane look from the shooting gate?
Like this:
Remember "The Theme"?
Can you see the targets?
¿no?
Follow the strings!
Can you see the targets?
¿no?
Follow the strings!
First string from the left goes around the tree and gets to the first target, right "between . . . the TWO TREES!"
For those that like "lifelike" targets, I am sure you are almost salivating over this one.
Thanks to Laura S and Rich B for the paint/decoration.
I have to admit that they are attractive, even if it pains a little to shoot at them. ;-)
Want to see another target?
Here is one for you:
For those that like "lifelike" targets, I am sure you are almost salivating over this one.
Thanks to Laura S and Rich B for the paint/decoration.
I have to admit that they are attractive, even if it pains a little to shoot at them. ;-)
Want to see another target?
Here is one for you:
Yes, it is between . . . . TWO TREES!
And another?
And another?
Yes, there were also a bunch of targets more "open to view", LOL!
One thing that is peculiar to Atglen is this:
One thing that is peculiar to Atglen is this:
Yup!
There is a Prone lane, designated by the MD as a "forced position" lane.
As per the rules, you can shoot this lane in any other approved "forced position" so, you can shoot it, in order of difficulty: Kneeling, or Standing.
HOWEVER, you CANNOT shoot it sitting.
Why? because sitting is the FT 'Free Position'.
:-)
It was fun and I enjoyed it immensely.
Missed my sling, that Mauser is one heavy gun. Still it was fun!
Now, just to clarify: Do take a good look at my position:
The hand that supports the rifle is NOT supported by the ground, if I had been wearing a glove, it would be the same. The ONLY object that can support the forward hand in a forced position is THE SLING.
Two point sling for Hunters, One pont sling allowable for Open and WFTF.
This is per AAFTA rules (2026 Handbook, page 6, section "Shooting", paragraph B) and I quote:
" Other than using aids permitted by specific AAFTA Division Rules (slings, bipods, etc.), the gun must be supported solely by the shooter's hands and body. The gun may not contact the ground. Any part of the body directly supporting the gun may not rest on the ground. The body may not lean on or be supported by any features other than the ground or the shooting seat".
Didn't do too well, I am "new to the Hunter Class" and still troubled by some shortcomings of the system, mainly the scope. The optics range beautifully, but the mechanics are not consistent enough.
And putting another scope is out of the question because the gun is so heavy in and of itself.
It shoots real well, the Mauser is incredibly stable at longer ranges. The whole architecture, allows for an extremely rigid barrel/action interfase. But it weighs a bit much.
We'll see.
BIG thanks to the Atglen Sportsman's Association, to Trevor D, Ed P, and all others that helped and attended.
After the shoot, we all adjourned to the "Brass Eagle" and shared a great dinner.
There is a Prone lane, designated by the MD as a "forced position" lane.
As per the rules, you can shoot this lane in any other approved "forced position" so, you can shoot it, in order of difficulty: Kneeling, or Standing.
HOWEVER, you CANNOT shoot it sitting.
Why? because sitting is the FT 'Free Position'.
:-)
It was fun and I enjoyed it immensely.
Missed my sling, that Mauser is one heavy gun. Still it was fun!
Now, just to clarify: Do take a good look at my position:
The hand that supports the rifle is NOT supported by the ground, if I had been wearing a glove, it would be the same. The ONLY object that can support the forward hand in a forced position is THE SLING.
Two point sling for Hunters, One pont sling allowable for Open and WFTF.
This is per AAFTA rules (2026 Handbook, page 6, section "Shooting", paragraph B) and I quote:
" Other than using aids permitted by specific AAFTA Division Rules (slings, bipods, etc.), the gun must be supported solely by the shooter's hands and body. The gun may not contact the ground. Any part of the body directly supporting the gun may not rest on the ground. The body may not lean on or be supported by any features other than the ground or the shooting seat".
Didn't do too well, I am "new to the Hunter Class" and still troubled by some shortcomings of the system, mainly the scope. The optics range beautifully, but the mechanics are not consistent enough.
And putting another scope is out of the question because the gun is so heavy in and of itself.
It shoots real well, the Mauser is incredibly stable at longer ranges. The whole architecture, allows for an extremely rigid barrel/action interfase. But it weighs a bit much.
We'll see.
BIG thanks to the Atglen Sportsman's Association, to Trevor D, Ed P, and all others that helped and attended.
After the shoot, we all adjourned to the "Brass Eagle" and shared a great dinner.
If you have the chance, make it a point to go to one of Atglen's shoots.
You will not regret the trip.
Keep well and shoot straight!
HM
You will not regret the trip.
Keep well and shoot straight!
HM
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