I usually write about firearms and the politics that surround firearm ownership but today I want to sound a warning to all the fishermen out there.  Anti-fishing groups are on the rise and mounting new attacks on your sport.  Fishermen have mostly been asleep at the tiller but it is time to wake up.  We are seeing more and more activity from Animal Rights groups.  Animal rights groups, anti-gun groups and environmental wacko groups all offer safe harbors for leftists.  They also offer a way for leftists to make a living; they are well-financed and will stop at nothing.  Just letting you know.

The first hunting season has already started and will soon be followed by dove season, waterfowl, deer, turkey and upland game.  Now is the time for all those who need to take a Hunter Safety Course to get signed up for one.  I have already been seeing gun shops and outdoor stores filling their shelves with clothing, equipment, and ammunition.  There are usually good sales around the first of September so be ready to take advantage of bargains on whatever you need.

It is important to buy plenty of ammunition and spend some time practicing before the season starts. It is a bad time to learn that you bought the wrong stuff when you are out in the field or in your tree stand.

On October 6^th, the ISRA Range in Bonfield (just west of Kankakee) will hold its annual Sighting-In-Day, from 9:30am-3:30pm.   We will have people there to help you with your shotguns, slug guns, handguns, muzzle loaders and rifles.  Be sure to bring plenty of ammunition (actually, bring more than you think you need).  We do not sell ammunition.  We supply the targets, the ranges and instruction.  We have been doing this for a number of years so please trust me: we haven’t seen everything, but we have seen a lot.  We will have a light lunch and snacks available.

FOID card renewals are coming up.  The ISRA provides help for those members who need it.  If you are a member and don’t have access to a computer or are a little on the clumsy side around a computer, we are happy to help.  We schedule appointments for this service.  Perhaps you have seen some of the TV shows that have the admonition, don’t try this at home.  Applying for or renewing your FOID card falls into that category.  Making a mistake when applying causes a HUGE mess that takes forever to straighten out.  If you are unsure, we can help you.  Call our office at 815.635.3198 and Mary will schedule an appointment for you.  She will give specific instructions on what you need.  Don’t try to be creative, it doesn’t help. 

Our High Power shooters and teams are rolling along at a blistering pace.  The winner of the Nathan Hale Trophy is John Holliger.  The Nathan Hale Trophy goes to the high civilian in the National Trophy Individual Match.  John came out on top of 817 other competitors.  The NTI is an amazingly large match.  That does not include the military competitors.  Forty ISRA shooters were in this match, with 4 ISRA shooters in the top 10! 

Yesterday (August 1^st), the ISRA Gold Team won the Civilian Division of the National Trophy Team Match.  The team members are John Holliger (Coach), Konrad Powers (Captain), Mark Aussieker, Tim Klauer, Liam McKenna and James Vaughn.  The ISRA Gold Team also won the Soldier of Marathon Trophy which is the oldest trophy given at the National Matches. 

The National Smallbore Championships have wrapped up and the ISRA has done fantastically well.  If you shoot every match in the Smallbore Championships the total is 1200 shots.  It is known as the Iron Man competition.  Not every competitor enters the Iron Man because they don’t want to shoot every match. 

This year the Iron Man was won by a woman (I find this hysterically funny).  The great news is it was won by our own Elizabeth Gratz who is now on the University of West Virginia shooting team.  In the top 15 Iron Man competitors, 6 were from Illinois.

Congratulations to all the shooters who represented the ISRA so well!

Great shooters and great teams don’t just happen.  It is a lot of work, planning, dedication and commitment that makes all that happen.  Thanks to the coaches, competitors and their families that help with all of that.  The Illinois State Rifle Association is committed to excellence in Marksmanship. There is still time to join our shooting leagues or shooting leagues near you.

The State Championships are coming up in September. We would love to have you compete whether you are from Illinois or other states.

There are only 96 days until the 2018 Midterm Elections.  
Please donate to the ISRA-Political Victory Fund.

REMINDER: September, 22 & 23, 2018 – There are a few openings available for John Farnam’s DTI Urban Rifle Course!  For more information, contact http://defense-training.com/

Thanks for being a member.

Upcoming Events: ISRA Calendar
For more information, visit www.isra.org
Saturday, August 4, 2018
Range Work Day
Illinois Concealed Carry License Class

Sunday, August 5, 2018
Illinois Concealed Carry License Class
Black Powder League
IDPA Local Club Match
Combat Pistol/3 Gun League

Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Tuesday Night Irregular Rifle League

Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Bench Rest League
Wednesday Night F-Class League

Thursday, August 9, 2018
ISRA Smallbore Rifle League
ISRA Smallbore F-Class League

Saturday, August 11, 2018
Homeland Security Active Shooter Course
Project Appleseed

Illinois Gun & Trade Shows

New Berlin Gun Show
New Berlin, IL – Sangamon County Fairgrounds
Dates: August 18 & 19, 2018
Hours: Saturday: 9:00am-4:00pm
            Sunday: 9:00am-3:00pm
Admission: $4.00

Belleville Gun & Knife Show
Belleville, IL – Belle-Clair Expo Center
Dates: August 25 & 26, 2018
Hours: Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm
            Sunday: 9:00am-3:00pm
Admission: $6.00

Lake County Gun & Sportsman Show
Antioch, IL – Antioch VFW
Date: August 26, 2018
Hours: Saturday: 8:00am-2:00pm
Admission: $7.00

Check out ISRA's website at www.isra.org! Tell us what you think!