Mike Krei, Director of the NRA's Competitive Shooting Division, continues to report from the 50th Anniversary International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Championships in Munich, Germany:

My first trip to the City Center (Marienplaz) of Munich was by way of U-Bahn – the underground subway system. As I climbed the stairs, the first thing taht came into view was the New Town Hall. Spires, gargoyles, turrets, sculptures and the famous Glockenspiel was a sight to behold.

Luckily, English is spoken in most areas and the people are helpful and courteous. I soon learned a visitor should do his best to stay off the bike path or you could get run over – or at least yelled at. Bicycles are a major means of transportation in Munich and officials have made a great effort to accommodate them.

I have yet to sit down to a bad meal even though the food is far from the usual American menu fare. My favorite so far has been the wiener schnitzel and fried potatoes from at a little restaurant known as Zum Durnbrau.

The Olympic Shooting Range in Munich is a tribute to Germany for having the vision to keep these ranges for the world shooters after the 1972 Olympic Games. Each and every venue is busy from dawn to dark. Shots from the Trap & Skeet Fields are heard throughout the facilities – what a great sound. Top shooters from more than 90 countries make their way through the Running Game Hall, Commercial Row, and restaurants that fill the complex.

One of those shooters was 24-year old Joshua Richmond from Team USA who the World Double Trap title with a 196 that included a perfect 50 for 50 in the cold and rain of the final frame.

I'll be sure to send more updates soon, but Auf wiedersehen until then.

Over the past 25 years, one thing about the YHEC program has remained the same - the fun that participants have during the Shotgun Event. Here at the Mill Cove Environmental Area outside Mansfield, Pennsylvania, many of the competitors have their own reason for favoring this type of shooting. 

"It's so fun, I love shooting things in the air!" exclaimed 11-year-old Chace Lagle from Davie County, North Carolina.

His teammate, 14-year-old Garrett Matthews, considers the Shotgun Event to be his best game and likes to have another chance to compete against fellow hunters from North Carolina.

"I like what I'm best at - shotgun! There's a lot of competition with other North Carolina teams because we've already shot against each other at the state and district level," explained Matthews.

North Carolina has historically been a leader in the Shotgun event, with teams from the state placing first in 2009 in both the Junior and Senior age groups. Two youths from the state also won the event for their age groups individually in 2009.

Matthews took first in his district and state YHEC Shotgun Events this year as a Junior, and he's hoping that he can win this week as well.

"Will a [score of] 210 be enough?" said Matthews with a shrug. "We'll have to wait and see I guess."  

Thanks to Steve Hoback with NRA’s Training Department for the following report and photos from Team NRA’s recent win at a sporting clays shoot to benefit the Patriot’s Path Foundation, which supports our nation's veterans:

On, May 29th 2010, Prospect Hall Shooting Club in Kearneysville, West Virginia, hosted the Inaugural Memorial Day Sporting Clays Shoot to support The Patriots Path Foundation. The NRA team of Bill Poole (Director of Education and Training), Kristin Stoner (Office of Advancement Events Manager), Samantha Olsen (National Assistant Coach Trainer) and Andy Lander (Instructor Program Coordinator) took 1st place in the team competition, followed by Team Remington: Paul Miller, Josh Miller, Steve Good and Steve Good Jr.

Sponsors included “Medal of Honor” Sponsor, the National Rifle Association of America, Remington Firearms, who donated caps that were custom embroidered and given to each of the 42 participants, Valley Guns of Inwood, West Virginia, and Shep’s Sporting Goods located in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

The individual winners were:

• High Male: Britton Condon- Score of 99
• High Female: Vicki Smith- Score of 91
• High Youth (18 and under): Teal Hinga- Score of 70

Colt’s Manufacturing Company CEO Lieutenant General (RET) William M. Keyes was gracious enough to donate a Colt Gold Cup Trophy pistol to raffle off to support the Patriot’s Path Foundation. The winner of the raffle drawing was Raymond Alt, of Inwood, West Virginia. The 2nd Place raffle winner of the Starkey Magnum Ear Protection was Eric Peterson and 3rd place raffle winner Josh Miller won the $50 gift certificate to Valley Guns.

Thanks, Steve, and congratulations to Team NRA!

Memorial Day is all about remembering the men and women who gave their lives during military service, and Patriot’s Path Foundation has the perfect way to honor our nation’s heroes while supporting a good cause and busting some clays. (Our own Steve Hoback is a volunteer with this group, and he was kind enough to send this info our way.)

Patriot’s Path Foundation will host the inaugural Memorial Day Sporting Clay Shoot at the Prospect Hall Gun Club in Kearneysville, West Virginia on Saturday, May 29. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. All proceeds from the event will help support military veterans.

Entry fees are $75 for individuals, $65 for active duty military, and $40 for youth ages 12-18. 100 clays and lunch are included in the entry fee and lunches for non-competitors can be purchased for $10.

Sponsorship opportunities are available, and special events including raffles, a book signing, and a 50/50 drawing will be held in addition to the competition.

Registration is available online and for more information, contact David Hill at 304-283-7199. Join Patriot’s Path Foundation this Memorial Day weekend and give back to those who have bravely served our country.

The ACUI Clay Target Championships has experienced a steady growth in participation over the years. This year's leap included the addition of ten new teams, one of whom is Bethel University.

Fielding a team of 16, I thought Bethel had been competing for years and was surprised to learn that this was their first time at ACUI.

"This is our first year as a team," Head Shooting Coach Lance Rider said, when I asked why they never came out before.

After only one year, Bethel looks like they're on their way to becoming a top-notch program with a Silver finish in International Trap and several shooters finding a place towards the top in other events – very impressive.

Rider and Assistant Shooting Coach Bub Edwards (on the left and right respectively) were able to draw from their experience in shooting sports when it came to building the school's rifle team from scratch.

"We're both high school coaches so we went out and recruited from our pools," Rider said. "A few of our shooters had already committed to other colleges when we approached them. These are guys we'd known for years who started out at 14 or 15 in [the Scholastic Clay Target Program]."

"We only had four weeks of practice due to the weather," Edwards told me. "We practiced a little in the fall but mostly these past four weeks." 

Bethel is located in McKenzie, TN. Like much of the country, they experienced tremendous snowfall this winter which can wreck havoc on outdoor sports; especially ones that can't be done indoors.

On going up against big teams who have a lot of experience at ACUI like Lindenwood, Missouri and Texas A&M, Edwards said "You have to just go out there and do it – you've got to start somewhere."

The other schools making their first appearance this year are Baylor University, Eastern Wyoming College, Metro State College of Denver, Missouri State University, Murray State, Pikes Peak Community College, Pratt Community College, Texas State University-San Marcos and the University of Kentucky.

This year's championships feature over 300 competitors from 43 schools. Just about all of them are shooting, either in practice or a match, an eight hour day - for four days. That's a lot of of ammunition. Where does it all come from?

I sat down with John (pictured at right), who operates the Ammo Barn at the National Shooting Complex, to get the scoop on how they're able to accommodate so many people.

"Winchester," John told me. "Winchester donated all the ammo. They sent us nine pallets and each pallet had about 100 flats." All told, that comes out to 225,000 shells.

To make for as even a playing field as possible, everyone is required to shoot the same shell. In every event except skeet, Winchester 12 Ga. 2.75" 1 oz #7.5 is used; skeet is set to #8. And that's just for the matches. Shooters are allowed to use whatever they want when practicing, but they need to pay for it. In addition to Winchester, the Ammo Barn also stocks shells from Remington, Federal and Rio. These other brands are more popular for practice and are almost identical to the shells used in competition.

When I commented on the number of people here for the competition, John told me "We're sitting right under 800 acres with 50 skeet fields, 45 trap fields, six sporting clays fields and two for Five-Stand. In October we have Nationals for skeet and sporting clays and the skeet championships can bring up to 1,200 people." After walking around the past few days I knew the complex was big, but learning it can comfortably suit four times the number of people here this weekend put it in perspective.

Today was American Skeet and tomorrow, the last day, will be American Trap. After the final event, the NRA will be handing out its All American awards.

Yesterday was the International Trap championship at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, TX. The weather was much better and everyone took to the fields on equally short rest after Thursday's rainy International Skeet championship went late into the night.

The matches were held at the upper field this time, located right in front of Vendor Row where a slew of stores can be found for any shotgun or accessory needs.

NRABlog overheard a humorous exchange where one shooter told another that his phone went off in the middle of a round and cost him a hit.

The finals went off without a hitch and Megan Orle of Lindenwood University took home the gold for women while Travis Mears, also from Lindenwood, won the men's division. Lindenwood continued to remind everyone of its large presence after being represented by 7 of the 14 finalists. The University of Missouri shot better as a unit though, and claimed the team gold for their school.

Travis Mears has been on an absolute tear so far. He now has the gold in both International Skeet and Trap and is tied for first in Five-Stand and Sporting Clays. "International isn't even his strong event," exclaimed Russ Arnold from USA Shooting "American is what he's best known for." In other words, look for another strong showing from Mears in the upcoming American events.

Final scores for International Trap below the jump. More...

Last night's finals for International Skeet were hard fought and went into the night. Lindenwood took four of six in Men's and three of six in Women's in what looks like a taste of things to come. Here are the final standings and some pictures from the event:

More...

All scores are in for International Skeet which means it's time for the finals. The top six men and women will shoot in reverse order and in a short amount of time we'll have new champions.

For men: Jesse Molstre, LU; Cody Reid, LU; Travis Mears, LU; Frank Thompson, UC-CS; Logan Gaskins, TAMU; Rob Auerbach, LU.

For women: Jenny Romanin, CSU; Kim Peters Lauderdale, SIC; Jenna Mclean, LU; Sarah Hughes, LU; Alexander Chiang, LU; Caitlin Connor, PPCC.

In the meantime, have a look at some pictures from today's competition. 

This year's ACUI Clay Target Championships started with International Skeet and a hefty side of bad weather. A windy, overcast and misty morning turned into a rainy afternoon as shooters battled the elements in addition to each other. 

Under trees and tents or inside their cars, competitors and spectators alike took shelter when and where they could. The poor weather also created a delay for International Skeet which interfered with shooters who were planning to participate in Five Stand and Sporting Clays as well.

"Unfortunately you can't do anything about the weather," said ACUI's Michelle Smith. "It's always nice to shoot on a sunny day, but rain and wind are aspects of the sport that you must learn to deal with in order to compete at this level."

Though still inconvenient, Five Stand and Sporting Clays are being held throughout the championships and adjustments were able to accommodate those who were displaced.

Tomorrow is supposed to clear up, but Saturday has the chance of thunderstorms which could bring competition to a halt if they get too bad. Sunday will see clear weather again, so hopefully the shooters can take advantage of the good weather when able. 

Check below the jump for the results so far. Keep in mind that these are not the final tallys; score sheets will roll in for a while longer. As you'll see, the effects of the weather are definitely reflected in the scores. More...

NRABlog will be reporting from the 2010 ACUI Clay Target Championships for the next couple days. Held April 21-25 at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, Texas, yesterday saw the various teams showing up throughout the day and making sure all their paperwork was in order before getting a couple practice rounds in.

The real competition doesn't start until today, beginning with International Skeet. Also featured are American Trap, American Skeet, Five-Stand, International Skeet and new this year is Sporting Clays.

If you're not quite sure how to tell American and International Skeet apart, our very own Danielle Sturgis attended the ACUI Championships last year and did a nice write-up of the differences. 

This year, the 42nd holding of the event, 43 colleges have come to test their mettle against one another.

Last year's champion, Lindenwood University, is the favorite again. The university attracts many skilled shooters allowing them to field a huge team, of 56 to be exact, that competes well both together and individually. Of course, anything can happen in these four days and who knows which team will be standing at the top of the pedestal.

We'll be bringing pictures, interviews and score updates as the championships unfold. Hopefully the weather stays good and we get to see some exciting shooting.

Steve Hoback submitted the following:

On February 6, 2010, the NFL Alumni hosted the 11th Annual NFL Alumni Sporting Clays Team Challenge presented by NRA Sports. The event, held annually in conjunction with Super Bowl Weekend in the host city, took place at Markham Park’s sporting clays facility in Sunrise, FL. It included many NFL alumni as well as a few current NFL players. In total there were 120 shooters making 24 sponsor squads with each team captained by an NFL celebrity. The NFL Alumni Sporting Clays Team Challenge serves as a major funding vehicle for the youth-oriented programs of the NFL Alumni, Inc., a non-profit charitable organization with a motto and mission of Caring for Kids.

Extreme sport shooter Patrick Flanigan kicked off the festivities with a great show of marksmanship and showmanship. Patrick’s show rocked the landscape with bangs and booms and stunned the crowd with his display of accuracy and skill. The exhibition reached its peak with members of the local youth trap league hurling eggs as far as they could while Patrick blew them out of the sky!

Team NRA SPORTS-2, who removed themselves for prize consideration, won the event by seven shots posting a score of 191 out of 250. The team was made up of two former players, Jack Youngblood, a Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee and Dave Butz, a member of the Washington Redskins Super Bowl Championship team; Taurus International President & CEO Bob Morrison, Skeet Champion Todd Bender; and Doug Koenig, one of the top action pistol shooters in the world.

Presenting sponsor NRA Sports helped the NFL Alumni advance its mission of Caring for Kids by underwriting costs. Other valued sponsors were American Airlines, Cabela’s, Great HealthWorks, Otis Technology, R&R Pheasant Hunting, White Flyer Targets, Winchester Ammunition, Tiffany & Co. and many more.

The results of the 250-target team competition and the 50-target individual competition were as follows:

First – TEAM LEUPOLD – (184 out of 250)
Larry Ball – NFL Alumni (35 out of 50)
Manny Fernandez – NFL Alumni (30 out of 50)
Avery Ball (36 out of 50)
James Harrod (46 out of 50)
Guy Roper (37 out of 50) More...

Things are always changing here at NRA Headquarters. There are new people, new events, and new competitions to help expand our work in the firearms community. In the Competitive Shooting Division, one change arrived in the form of a plaque.

Positioned in the center of the hall for all to see, the new plaque is a reminder to all as to the purpose of the Competitive Shooting Department. It reads:

OUR VISION

To be the leading provider of the highest quality competitive shooting programs and services
to America's gun owners.

OUR MISSION

NRA's Competitive Shooting Division will use all available assets to grow the shooting sports
by increasing participation in new and existing programs and to develop and promote competition knowledge,
skills, and abilities.

"We talk about the vision and mission of the of competitive shooting at our meetings," said Disabled Shooting Services Manager Vanessa Warner. "This plaque helps to reminds us that even though we work towards differnt goals, we need to accomplish them in the same vision."

"Everyone. That's how we do things here."

Thanks to Phil Schreier for the following exclusive report from Maryland:

The Order of Edwardian Gunners, aka “The Vintagers,” held the World Side by Side championships at Pintail Point on Maryland's Eastern shore this weekend. Founded in 1994, the Vintagers has held 13 annual events where those who love double barreled shotguns and rifles come together and meet once a year, many in Edwardian attire, and shoot their prized side-by-sides. The NRA is proud to be a consecutive sponsor of the Vintage Cup.

Ray Poudrier, President of the Order of Edwardian Gunners, describes the event as low-key, low-pressure, and something that everyone can enjoy. He said, in keeping with the relaxed atmosphere of the event, "Those that shoot to win often lose. Those who shoot for fun always win." This is the fifth year that the Vintage Cup has been held at Pintail Point; the previous eight championships were held at Orvis Sandanona, in Millbrook, New York. Maryland's Eastern shore is a perfect setting for the shotgun enthusiast as it is the site of some of the finest waterfowl hunting in the whole country.

More...

Charlie Fox, the Pennsylvania State YHEC coordinator, tipped us off about this news:

Jason LeVan, Garrett Rathbum, Cody Wolfe, and Dan Weber recently took first place in the 5th Annual Celebrity Classic Sporting Clays Shoot on Friday, August 28, 2009 at the Blue Ridge Sportsmen’s Club in Linglestown, Pennsylvania. The event helped raise funds for the Ned Smith Center for Art and Nature. The young men from Troy, Pennsylvania may have won, but competition is nothing new for this group.

In June of this year, the four were part of the Troy Junior Sportsmen Sureshots, and competed in the 2009 Pennsylvania State Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC). The team took first place in the Senior age category and set their sights on the International YHEC in Raton, New Mexico.

Just a month later, the group of young men made their way to the NRA Whittington Center to compete against teams from across the country during the International YHEC. Along with teammate Zachary Bixby and Coach Jeff Castle, these four took third place in the Senior Team category. LeVan also placed second in the Senior Individual Overall Winners category.

For these four young men, the summer has held its fair share of competition, along with some victories. Thanks for the report, Charlie!