As we work to improve the Sportscaster, member input is encouraged to make future issues of the Sportscaster better for all. Let us know what you think!
Contact: Sportscaster@TonSportsClub.com
The Board is proposing several changes to the Club bylaws, to be voted on by the membership at a general meeting on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 7 PM. Additional information will be e-mailed and posted on the Club’s website http://www.TonSportsClub.com
The Club is looking for an individual or group to take over the upkeep and general maintenance of the Rifle Range and/or the Indoor Range. E-Mail Bill Gersitz if you are interested or need additional information: Williamfgersitz@gmail.com
TSC Trivia Did You Know?
Trivia Question from the July Sportscaster
On what date did The Tonawandas Sportsmen’s Club become officially incorporated in the State of New York as a not-for-profit corporation?
July’s Answer: June 23, 1947
Did you get it right? Give this month’s TSC Trivia question a try! Answer will be in the September Sportscaster!
August TSC Trivia Question:
The 1947 incorporation of The Tonawandas Sportsmen’s Club is attributed to four men; can you name them all (first name, middle initial, & last name)?
On August 1, 1779 Star-Spangled Banner author Francis Scott Key was born in Frederick County, Maryland.
On August 2, 1923 President Warren G. Harding died suddenly in a hotel in San Francisco. He was succeeded the next day by Calvin Coolidge.
On August 18, 1920 the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution is ratified, granting women the right to vote.
Source: US National Archives
Annual Membership Dues
If your 2024-2025 membership dues are not received by August 15th your membership at TSC will end! ** Don’t let your membership lapse! **
Payments were due by July 1, 2024 to avoid a late fee.
Dues payments received between August 1 and August 15:
General Members: $355.00 Young Adult Members: (age of 18 – 25): $155.00 Section 5C Life Members: $140.00
If you are unable to pay your dues on time for specific reasons, such as loss of job, medical, military deployment, etc., please submit a written explanation to the Board for their consideration. E-mail: Membership@TonSportsClub.com
Renewal form is included at the end of this newsletter, or renew and pay online at: TonSportsClub.Online
The Tonawandas Sportsmen’s Club is required to charge $2.50 per transaction for New York's National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
Trappers Needed Part-Time - $15 per hour
Must be 16 years of age or older, and available to work: Wednesdays 5 PM – 9 PM Saturdays 10 AM – 4 PM Sundays 10 AM – 4 PM See Jake in the Shoot Room for more info ** Shoot Room will be CLOSED on Saturday, September 14, 2024 for the Gun Raffle **
Trap & Skeet
Join the fun!
Wednesday
5:30 PM to 9 PM (last call 8:30 PM)
Saturday
10 AM to 3 PM (last call 2:30 PM)
Sunday
10 AM to 3 PM (last call 2:30 PM)
TSC Members: $6.00
Non-Members: $9.00
Kitchen & Bar also open
Learn what trap is all about and how to shoot trap at a Trap Training Clinic
Mark your calendar: Friday, September 13, 2024 6 PM to 8 PM (bring your shotgun, ammo, eye & ear protection)
Free hot dogs and potato salad Cash bar
* Trap & Skeet will be CLOSED on Saturday, September 14 for TSC’s Fall Gun Raffle. Gun Raffle tickets available at: TonSportsClub.Online
Sporting Clays
Looking for something to do on the weekend?
Saturday
10 AM to 3 PM (last call 2:30 PM)
Sunday
10 AM to 3 PM (last call 2:30 PM)
TSC Members: $17.00
Non-Members: $22.00
What is Sporting Clays?
Sporting clays is a dynamic and versatile form of clay target shooting that simulates various hunting scenarios. Participants move through a course, set in a natural outdoor environment, where clay targets are launched in a variety of trajectories, speeds, and angles to mimic the flight patterns of game birds and the paths of ground rabbits. The benefits of sporting clays are numerous.
Firstly, it offers a highly realistic and challenging shooting experience, allowing participants to practice their shooting skills in scenarios that closely resemble actual hunting situations. This makes it an excellent training tool for hunters looking to improve their accuracy and effectiveness in the field.
Secondly, sporting clays fosters mental acuity, as shooters must quickly adapt to changing target presentations, enhancing their cognitive skills.
Lastly, the sport encourages outdoor activity and provides an opportunity for individuals to connect with nature while enjoying a recreational pursuit.
Overall, sporting clays is not only a fantastic way to refine shooting abilities but also a rewarding outdoor pastime that promotes physical and mental wellbeing.
Women’s Shooting Event
“351” Pheasant Hunting Program
On Saturday August 17th at 2 PM there will be a meeting to discuss the 2024 – 2025 Pheasant Season. We will meet in the TSC dining room (opposite the bar).
Attendance is optional. If you cannot attend the meeting and want further information, contact Dave Notaro at DFNGJN411@gmail.com (information will be e-mailed to you).
We will review costs & rules and you can pay for the 2024 –2025 Season if desired. Full payment is required by the 1st day you hunt (latest).
Season starts (Weather permitting):
Quail: Saturday, September 14th
Pheasants: Saturday, October 19th
If you are new to “351” and wish to order Quail for this year, contact Dave Notaro at DFNGJN411@gmail.com ASAP for further information.
Once Birds are ordered (mid-July), no further sales will be possible.
League Updates
Western New York Practical Postol League (WNYPPL) International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA)
Practice is every Thursday from 4 PM to 7 PM. Currently at the outdoor range until October.
Visit https://practiscore.com and signup for scheduled matches.
Contact Joe Kopec for more information on WNYPPL, IPSC, or USPSA: Joe.Kopec@TonSportsClub.com
TSC Suburban Pistol League
TSC is part of the Suburban Traveling Pistol League which runs from October until February.
Matches are typically on Monday night (Sign-Up: 7 PM. Match: 7:30 PM to 9 PM)
The match is a .22 bullseye format.
Contact Chris Metro if you're interested or have any questions about bullseye pistol shooting: CMetro@GMail.com
Steel Challenge
Steel Challenge is a thrilling shooting sport that combines speed and accuracy. Participants engage in a series of steel targets, aiming to hit them as quickly and precisely as possible. It’s a dynamic and competitive sport that attracts shooters of all levels, testing their skills in a fast-paced environment.
Contact Dave Wilde for more information: Dave.Wilde@TonSportsClub.com
League Updates
TSC 900 League
Outdoor League
Outdoor 900 League runs from May until August.
Matches are Wednesday evenings (Sign-Up: 6 PM Match starts at 7 PM)
Matches alternate weekly between .22 only and centerfire or .22.
Indoor .22 League
Indoor .22 Pistol League runs from October until March.
Matches are on Saturday morning (Sign-Up: 9 AM Match runs from 10 AM to noon)
Contact Bob Metro for more information, and for practice and match schedule: BMetro3@GMail.com
Shotgun Leagues
Contact Jim Trottman for more information: JTrot63894@Hotmail.com
WIN 2-Year PAID Membership
with The Tonawandas Sportsmen’s Club
$5 per entry
Only 400 tickets available! Winner will be pulled at the Gun Raffle on Saturday, September 14, 2024.
Not a current member? For only $5 per entry, here’s your chance to win a full 2-year paid membership with The Tonawandas Sportsmen’s Club. (Membership subject to application approval by the Board of Directors and applicant’s initiation fee paid in full.)
Current member? Enter now, and for only $5 per entry here’s your chance to win a 2-year paid membership! Two membership years will be added to your current paid-in-full membership.
Current LIFE, LIFE ELITE and 5C LIFE MEMBERS: Thank you for your years of service and dedication to The Tonawandas Sportsmen’s Club. Winner has the option of taking a $500 cash prize.
• All Shooting must take place from the bench under the shelter at fixed distances with no portable stands.
• Shoot only at targets in your lane. Cross-lane shooting prohibited.
• (10) Rifle Stations: Only long guns and Carbines can be shot at these stations. Shotguns with deer slugs only.
• (2) Pistol Stations: Only Pistol Calibers and Rimfire can be used at these stations.
Outdoor Range (OUT)
• Shooters using the target frames must be on the same line.
• Bring 24” x 18” to 24” cardboard with you, down to the frames to staple or tape your target onto and place into the target frame.
• If you wish to have a table to set equipment on, bring your own.
• Only Pistol Calibers and Rimfire can be used on this Range.
• Please see the complete list of rules posted inside the Club near the Shoot Room.
Indoor Range (IN)
• Access to range is granted only after attending the indoor range safety course.
• All rules of the indoor range will be covered in the safety course; all attendees are required to fire and hit a 12” target 5 out of 5 times at 20’.
Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays
• Field/Sporting shotguns only with 7 ½ to 9 shot size.
For complete range rule books, go to: https://tonsportsclub.com/club-procedures-range-rules-safety-notices
Mandatory Range Safety Classes
Prior to using any of the Club’s ranges, you must take the MANDATORY Safety Course for that range.
A separate MANDATORY Safety Course is offered for each of the three ranges:
• Rifle Range (RR)
• Outdoor Range (OUT)
• Indoor Range (IN)
Upon completion of the Rifle Range (RR) course, you will be issued a BLUE lanyard.
Upon completion of the Outdoor Range (OUT) course, you will be issued a YELLOW lanyard.
Upon completion of the Indoor Range (IN) course, you will be issued a key FOB for range access.
An e-mail will be sent each week with class dates & times for the following week. After receiving this e-mail and deciding on a training date:
1. Go to TonSportsClub.com > “Information Center” > “Club Procedures, Range Rules & Safety Notices”
2. Pull down and read through the rules for each course you will be attending.
3. E-mail Ranges@TonSportsClub.com with your name and the date you will attend the class.
4. Take the class, sign the paperwork & receive your lanyard or key fob.
Questions? E-Mail: Ranges@TonSportsClub.com
Safety at TSC
It is each members responsibility for shooting safely. If you see something, say something. If you’re hunting, merely asking “safety on?” after someone shoots is good common sense.
Correcting a newcomer at any range will create safer surroundings for all. Be nice; we all were new to shooting sports at one time. Helping another shooter practice safe firearm procedures is win-win.
This is OUR Club; therefore, ALL members need to be aware of their surroundings; whether eating, shooting, or walking to your vehicle. If you’re new to firearms, please ask for assistance, someone is always happy to help.
Remember, there is no “ego” in safety. A smart shooter is always learning.
A “know it all” is usually the one to do something stupid, with a lame excuse that can never undo an unsafe act.
We are all human and we will make mistakes; but if we watch out for each other, we can prevent mistakes from happening.
Safety never sleeps.
Range Hours for TSC Members
Indoor Range (IN)
8 AM – 9:45 PM daily
Outdoor Range & Rifle Range (OUT & RR)
Mon – Fri: 9 AM – 8:59 PM or dark (whichever is first)
Sat & Sun: 10 AM – 8:59 PM or dark (whichever is first)
Range Rental Information
Range Rentals are a part of TSC’s income and subsidize a portion of our expenses.
We try to schedule all rentals on the Outdoor Range (OUT) first.
The Rifle Range (RR) is used as overflow. This allows Club members who want to shoot pistol or rifle to have an open outdoor range.
Range Rental Contact: Range.Rental@TonSportsClub.com
August 2024 Range Rentals
August 2024 Club Events
Please complete if your mailing address, e-mail address or phone number has changed or needs updating:
