Today was the day — the Seventh Annual Moriarty Rotary Youth Pheasant Hunt took place at Shiver Farm north of Moriarty. Conditions were perfect, too: wam, clear, just a touch of breeze in the morning.
The day began with NRA safety training followed by shooting clays. For the clays there were three shooting stations, with youth participants lined up safely behind the shooting line waiting their turn.
Three shooting stations at the Moriarty Rotary Youth Pheasant Hunt,
with a single shooter & instructors at each station.
Each participant had three opportunities to shoot a string of five clays. While some beginning shooters needed several attempts before breaking their first clay, an impressive number of the youth shooters were busting every clay thrown out for them.
MMGC youth member Heather Warren takes aim at a clay.
Heather broke 14 of the 15 clays thrown for her.
As one of the primary purposes of our club is to promote youth firearms training and shooting opportunities, the Manzano Mountain Gun Club is pleased to again provide funding for a shotgun raffle prize for the Moriarty Rotary Youth Pheasant Hunt.
MMGC Secretary Kathleen Clute presents certificate
to raffle winner Lauren Wilder.
MMGC’s shotgun prize was won by Albuquerque resident Lauren Wilder, who will be able to redeem her certificate at Charlie’s Sporting Goods. Lauren, the daughter of Dennis Wilder, rides horses and has raised lambs for 4-H. She first held a gun as a 10-year-old. Now 15, Lauren is a member of ROTC, where she participates in the .22 caliber marksmanship program. Although she doesn’t hunt (yet!), she will soon be the proud owner of a quality shotgun.
Lauren Wilder and MMGC member Heather Warren both exemplify the youth who will be the future of the shooting sports: clear & grounded young women who are learning proficiency in the use of their shotguns while practicing safe handling skills. We are proud to be able to support them!