VISALIA SPORTSMEN’S ASSOCIATION JULY 2018 · Depending on the current workload of our volunteer membership committee, it may take a while for member-ship cards to be processed and

VISALIA SPORTSMEN’S ASSOCIATION JULY

PO BOX 105 VISALIA, CA 93279 2018 Established 1893 (www.vsma.us) Visalia Sportsmen’s Association is a non-profit organization which is governed by the regulations set forth in the Internal Revenue Code of

1986. The section of the code which we fall under states that we are to be exclusively a social club, organized and operated for the pleasure

and recreation of our members. The specific purposes of the club are: 1) to unite in the effort of solving local, county and statewide

problems pertaining to the protection and propagation of fish and game and other natural resources in our area; 2) the conservation of our

natural resources through the promotion and fostering of good public sentiment for better fish, game and forest management; 3) The

encouragement of organized shooting activities among adult and junior members and the general public, so as to provide a better

knowledge of safe handling and the proper use and care of firearms; and, 4) to take lawful steps to bring into effect those measures deemed

to be in the interest of member sportsmen.

The next GENERAL MEETING will be THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018, at 7:00 PM. Meetings are held

on the second Thursday of the month and are open to all club members. New members are encouraged to attend

the meetings to become more informed and more active in the club activities. Members are invited to bring a

guest to introduce to the Visalia Sportsmen’s Association. The club is located just north of downtown Visalia at

536 W. Roosevelt Avenue, one block south of Houston Ave., just east off of Sante Fe.

The next BOARD MEETING will be TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2018, at 6:00 PM. If you want to present an

item for discussion at a board meeting, please contact a board member to be on the agenda. Board meetings are

held on the Tuesday following the general club meeting.

Please contact any of the officers or board members for any issues or concerns you may have regarding your

Visalia Sportsmen’s Association.

Club House Phone # (answering machine): 559-635-7175 Jim Mayfield – Chairman of the Board: 559-802-7967

Dennis Thornbury – President: 559-732-4401 Jeremy Chavez – Board Member (e): 559-302-8718

Russ Beechinor – Vice President: 559-280-4061 Frank Tebeau – Board Member (e): 559-731-0090

Treasurer: xxx-xxx-xxxx Bob Gaalswyk – Board Member (e17): 559-625-5855

Chris Norman – Secretary: 661-805-0164 Ernie Kumpe – Board Member (a17): 559-802-8446

Dirk Steelman – Exec. VP (FFL operations): 559-732-7726 Sean Vedenoff – Board Member (e17): 559-786-6184

Royce Nalls – Board Member (a17): 559-730-8485 Bob Maxwell – Board Member (a): 559-733-5501

Loren Metzler – Board Member (a): 559-280-8287 Ed Thomas – Sergeant at Arms

At the JUNE meeting: Dennis was pleased to open the meeting with the following news:

Frank Tebeau was recognized as the educator of the year by the Tulare County Farm Bureau at their 101st

Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner on May 1st, 2018. Frank currently teaches Agriculture Mechanics and

Industrial Welding in the Industrial Technology division at College of the Sequoias. The following information is

from www.californiaagnet.com: Frank Tebeau is an outstanding educator in every respect. Frank started as an

agriculture instructor in 1976 at Washington Union High School and a few years later accepted a position at Mt

Whitney High School, where he had the opportunity to teach alongside his former ag teachers. In 1997, Frank

moved to College of the Sequoias where he has served as an agricultural faculty member teaching animal science,

welding, and mechanics courses. He currently serves on 11 advisory committees, and has developed more than

100 courses for COS in agriculture and industrial technologies. He believes that Career Technical Education is

critical to helping young people reach their potential and be both college and career ready and has served as a

mentor and coach to thousands of young people throughout Tulare County over his distinguished career in

agricultural teaching. (California Ag Network is the online hub for agricultural news in the Golden State.)

The Visalia Sportsmen’s Association is fortunate to have Frank Tebeau serving as a board member. He is

instrumental in keeping members abreast of legislative actions as well as applying his skills to our 100 Gun

Dinners and donating his time to our range and club house. Congratulations Frank Tebeau!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dennis announced that the county has signed off on our range improvements!! The pistol range is now open.

We will soon be able to utilize the full 300 yards of the range. (As of June 19th, the range is fully open!)

Russ asked that RSOs check the range calendar and sign up for duty, four RSOs will be needed for each public

shoot day.

PAGE 2 JULY 2018 PAGE 2 JULY 2018 Club Phone: 559-635-7172 AUGUST 2018 Range Phone: 559-651-1415

1 Sun Public Shoot ???/???/???/???

4 Wed Public Shoot Jim Johnson/J Threadgill/???

7 Sat Public Shoot B Zentner/???/???/???

8 Sun High Power/Junior Rifle/4-H

11 Wed Public Shoot Ken Rahn/???/???/????

14 Sat Public Shoot Ernie Gomez/Ben Zentner???/????

15 Sun Public Shoot ?????????????????????????

18 Wed Public Shoot ?????????????????????????

19 Thur CBRSA – FREE Clinic (see below for info)

20 Fri CBRSA Benchrest – All Day

21 Sat CBRSA Benchrest Shoot – all day

22 Sun CBRSA Benchrest Shoot – all day

25 Wed Public Shoot Brett Allen/?????????????

28 Sat Public Shoot J Dearborn/ L Cote/G Brummer

29 Sun Black Powder/Junior Rifle/Hi Power Practice

1 Wed Public Shoot Jim Johnson/???/???/???

4 Sat Public Shoot Ben Zentner/???/???/???

5 Sun Public Shoot ???/???/???/???

8 Wed Public Shoot ???/???/???/???

11 Sat Public Shoot ???/???/???/???

12 Sun High Power/Junior Rifle/4H

15 Wed Public Shoot ???/???/???/???

18 Sat Public Shoot Ernie Gomez/Ben Zentner/???/???

19 Sun Public Shoot ???/???/???/???

22 Wed Public Shoot ???/???/???/???

25 Sat Public Shoot Dearborn/Cote/Brummer/Rahn

26 Sun Black Powder/Junior Rifle/High Power

29 Wed Public Shoot ???/???/???/???

31 Fri CBRSA Benchrest – all day

Please contact the following for more info on the programs that are offered at the range: Black Powder – Mike Benyo 559-731-4666;

High Power/Jr. Rifle Club – Steve Quinn 559-686-1945, [email protected]. CBRSA (Benchrest) – Dennis Thornbury 559-732-4401.

More from the JUNE meeting:

In spite all of the hard work of everyone coordinating and helping at the June Yard Sale, it was a very slow

day. Bargains were had by the buyers that attended…we just needed more of them. Participants were wondering

if it was vacation season combined with a stronger economy and less political urgency to “shop”. Thank you to

all of the coordinators and volunteers for a smooth operation.

Ernie Kumpe stated that the range improvements are almost done. A few more lights need to be installed, the

PA system will have a few upgrades, then it’s time to go and enjoy all of what the range has to offer.

Loren Metzler said that there are only two more Hunter Ed classes. The next classes will be July 7th, and

August 11th. Loren stated that attendees will need to register online (only) at the Dept. of Fish and Game website,

then go to Smokin’ Barrel Firearms on north Demaree to pick up your booklet and registration papers.

Zackery McClain, Justin George, and Kevin George will be going to the renowned Camp Perry matches this

summer. In addition, they will also be traveling to Ohio for the NRA Long Range Championships. The shooting

skills of these youngsters has also earned them an invitation to the Canadian National Long Range

Championships! These boys quickly absorbed their instruction through the VSA Junior Rifle club as the Tulare

County 4-H Shooting program!! They will be representing the California Grizzly Team – Service Rifle – at

Camp Perry. Zackery McClain earned the 4-H Master level with his shooting skills locally and at the state level.

Oh, yeah, to add to their resume, Justin and Kevin George have been invited to compete in New Zealand at next

year’s Long Range World Championship competition.

Royce provided a quick report on the 100 Gun Dinner. The event cleared $80,000. Royce, then introduced

Roy Griffin, legislative liaison with CRPA and presented Mr. Griffin a check from VSA for $8,000! CRPA is

your state association that supports the hunting and shooting sports and fights for 2nd Amendment rights at the

state capital and in the courts. Mr. Griffin stated that CRPA has some excellent webinars covering a wide range

of topics. Join the CRPA. Sign up for legislative alerts, write those letters and make those phone calls for the

future of the shooting sports in California!

FREE – BENCHREST SHOOTING CLINIC Thursday, July 19, 2018 at the VSA Dale Wimp Rifle Range.

Address for the range is 7398 Avenue 328. Expert rifleman, Joe Stanovich, will explain and demonstrate the

sport of accurate shooting. Learn the basics of BENCHREST SHOOTING and shoot one of the incredibly

accurate rifles. The clinic is an “open” format from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon. Visitors can choose their time to

arrive at the range and it does not require the full four-hour time. If interested in attending and to “hold” your

time, please call or text Joe at 714-478-3473, or contact Rick Shaw at 559-740-8026.

Ed Thomas, what’s up with taking a few days off? We wish you the best during this recovery time!

PAGE 3 JULY 2018 PAGE 3

Ladies Night at the Range – WEDNESDAY, JULY 11th - Ladies are welcome to head to the range to spend

some dedicated trigger time with their rifles and pistols. The first Wednesday of each month (or holiday schedule

date change), RSOs will be on duty from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm (or until dusk) for women and girls to shoot and

share hints and tips with each other. Some things to remember: there is NO charge to shoot and you do NOT

need to be a member, so please tell your female friends, family and co-workers. Bring your own guns and ammo

along with eye and ear protection (some loaner eye and ear protection may be available). You can bring your own

targets, or buy some at the range. Ladies Night at the Range 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, July 11th.

CCW CLASS: Wade Roberts will hold the CCW class at the club the first Monday of each month. The class

will start at 5:00pm. As a benefit of your club membership, the CCW class is FREE! Non-members can attend

the class for a $40.00 fee. You do NOT need to call first, and you do not need to bring anything (except your

membership card), just head to the club. If you have any questions, feel free to call or text Wade at (559) 303-

2848, (call or text).

The JULY CCW class will be Monday, July 9th. It’s perfectly fine if you just show up at the club on the first

Monday of the month (holiday Monday schedule may change the dates). This CCW class is for first time and

renewal CCWs. Club members need to show proof of current membership which is your membership card, your

yellow copy of the 2-part member application, a photo or copy of your payment. Mr. Roberts does not accept

membership applications, renewals, or membership payments.

Depending on the current workload of our volunteer membership committee, it may take a while for member-

ship cards to be processed and mailed. Please plan ahead for your proof of membership for the CCW class.

Wade Roberts is announcing the following two classes:

There is an NRA CRSO class on July 21st from 9:00am to 6:00pm at the clubhouse. VSA members

receive a discount for the class ($75 instead of $100). You must be a NRA RSO and attend NRA Basic

Instructor Training before the class. You can register for the class

at https://www.nrainstructors.org/CourseDetails.aspx?Courseid=486340&seats=10&State=y&SearchState

=CA&id=29&bsa=&youth=&women=

Also, if anyone is interested in taking NRA Basic Pistol Instructor please call Wade Roberts at (559) 303-2848.

PAGE 4 JULY 2018 PAGE 4

FOR SALE: Remington 870 Wingmaster, pump action. Like new, very few rounds fired in this shotgun.

Asking $600. Please contact James at 559-901-5990. email: [email protected].

Thank you: Bob Gipson has been busy out at the range…THANK YOU for fixing the new sliding gates as well

as building three target storage racks and three racks for target stands, plus all the target stands to go in the racks.

Getting things done runs in the Gipson family! Esther and her son, Bob, are the best when it comes to seeing that

things get done when they see a need.

THIS JUST IN: Now that the pistol range is open, one of the new procedures for shooting pistols will be the

requirement to keep pistols in cases until you are at the pistol shooting lane stall. When a pistol lane is open for

you to use, do not remove the handguns from the case(s) at the benches. After shooting at your pistol lane,

confirm your handgun is clear of ammunition and place the handgun in the case. No change in the rifle handling

from the benches to the table. A cease fire means to never approach a bench, Do Not cross the red line to

approach the bench or shooting lane stall during a cease fire. Any questions, please ask one of the RSOs.

Shooting Training – CCW Classes and more: Col. Jeff Cooper stated that there are three things you must

have to be a competent “martial citizen”: Mindset, Gun Handling, and Marksmanship.

Jeff Sanders of Legacy Defense offers these three things. 1) Mindset: You will acquire this from his CCW permit classes that

are generally held on the third Wednesday of each month for Tulare, Kings and Fresno County, and Utah (which adds the

following states not covered by CA permits: NV,WA, WY, ND, LA, WV, GA, DE, (subject to change)). Jeff will hold the

class at your location – home or business, or the VSA clubhouse – for as few as four attendees! 2) Gun Handling: This can

be accomplished IN YOUR HOME using laser equipment and inert firearms, or at the range, or by combining both training

regimens. 3) Marksmanship: This too can be accomplished IN YOUR HOME using laser equipment and inert firearms, or at

the range with live ammo, or by combining both training regimens. Bring all three measures together in YOUR home or

business environment with a customized training session that will prepare you to win a violent confrontation.

Check with Legacy Defense. Jeff Sanders: 559-901-8360. www.facebook.com/legacydefense

My friend Bob, verified to be a club member of long standing sent this to me. I have not independently verified

the claims. For entertainment purposes only. A SHOT OF WHISKEY - In the old west a .45 cartridge for a six-gun cost 12 cents, so did a glass of whiskey. If

a cowhand was low on cash he would often give the bartender a cartridge in exchange for a drink. This became

known as a "shot" of whiskey.

BUYING THE FARM - This is synonymous with dying. During WW1 soldiers were given life insurance policies

worth $5,000. This was about the price of an average farm so if you died you "bought the farm" for your survivors.

IRON CLAD CONTRACT - This came about from the ironclad ships of the Civil War. It meant something so

strong it could not be broken.

RIFF RAFF - The Mississippi River was the main way of traveling from north to south. Riverboats carried

passengers and freight but they were expensive so most people used rafts. Everything had the right of way over

rafts which were considered cheap. The steering oar on the rafts was called a "riff" and this transposed into riff-

raff, meaning low class.

COBWEB - The Old English word for “spider" was "cob".

SHIP STATE ROOMS - Traveling by steamboat was considered the height of comfort. Passenger cabins on the

boats were not numbered. Instead they were named after states. To this day cabins on ships are called staterooms. SLEEP TIGHT- Early beds were made with a wooden frame. Ropes were tied across the frame in a criss-cross

pattern. A straw mattress was then put on top of the ropes. Over time the ropes stretched, causing the bed to sag.

The owner would then tighten the ropes to get a better night’s sleep.

SHOWBOAT - These were floating theaters built on a barge that was pushed by a steamboat. These played small

towns along the Mississippi River. Unlike the boat shown in the movie "Showboat" these did not have an engine.

They were gaudy and attention grabbing which is why we say someone who is being the life of the party is

“showboating". OVER A BARREL - In the days before CPR a drowning victim would be placed face down over a barrel and the

barrel would be rolled back and forth in an effort to empty the lungs of water. It was rarely effective. If you are

over a barrel you are in deep trouble.

PAGE 5 JULY 2018 PAGE 5

Club Website: http://vsma.us. For more info about the club, programs, activities, newsletters (current and past), visit the

website, or call Jim Mayfield at 559-802-7967. Jim is our master club coordinator as well as the best source for any tickets

for club events or drawings.

For any of your newsletter concerns, “wanted” or “for sale” items, please feel free to contact me, Chris Norman, editor, at:

[email protected], or by phone/text: 661-805-0164.