By Chuck Nottingham
Shooting and hunting activities for summer and beyond promise to add action and excitement to 1999 for Havre-area outdoor buffs.
This weekend, Bullhook Bottoms Black Powder Club hosts its Rendezvous at Fort Assiniboine.
Then monthly smoke-pole shoots continue at Hill County Shooting Sport Recreation Area 6:00 pm Wednesdays on June 9, July 14, August 18, and September 8. October 10 features a Sunday match at 1:00 pm, and December 12 is a turkey shoot Sunday at 1:00 pm. President Chuck Gehringer has more information at 265-2483.
Tuesday, June 1, is the last day to enter drawings for antelope and special deer and elk permits.
Havre Trap Clubs five trap houses are slinging clays on Wednesday evenings a half- mile east of Havre Slow-pitch Complex. Contact Les Blair at 265-5922 for great scatter-gun fun starting 6:00 pm and continuing till you run out of shells under the floodlights. Its excellent practice for upland game bird season and turkey time, part deux, opening September 1. Ringneck season follows October 9.
Firearms hunter education isnt just for kids or hunters. Its free outdoor safety experience for anyone. Call Michelle Bibeau at Havre Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 265-6177, to register for one of two courses remaining in 99: June 21-26 and July 26-31 at Assembly of God Church, with field trials on graduating Saturdays at the FWP Rookery and Hill County Shooting Sports Recreation Area on River Road.
NRA instructors present and Home Firearm Safety and Personal Protection courses July 16-17-18. Carly Nottingham has particulars at 265-8173.
Havre VFWs Bear Paw junior NRA marksmanship program starts up again in September for shooters 10 through 18. For details, contact Cal Burr at 265-4903 or Randy Martin at 265-1655.
Havre Rifle and Pistol Club conducts free Sight-In Days Saturday and Sunday, September 18 and 19 in anticipation of antelope seasons opening October 10, followed by general deer and elk seasons October 24.
Except for a few hours reserved for organized instruction and practice and some range maintenance, Hill County Shooting Sports Recreation Area is open dawn to dusk to one shooter or a carload showing a $10 Range Maintenance Fee permit in the window.
Range permits are on sale at Griggs Printing, Alan Dees Gunsmith, Strombergs Sinclair E-Fish-Hunt Sports, Bing n Bobs Sport Shop, and Tonys Gun Corral in the Atrium Mall.
Havre Rifle and pistol Club members continue action-handgun shooting Thursday evenings year-round. Call President Bing Coe at 265-4087 or Vice-president Erv Hamblock at 265-4918 to join in.
Besides making a fair target, you might pin this calendar of events to your dart board for reference.
Got questions or comments? E-mail mtcnx4@mcn.net.
