Student and first time Sporting Clays shooter Suzanne doing the shooting while newly graduated NSCA Level I Instructor and COO of Moonlight Basin, Russ McElyea, coaches over her shoulder. They are literally snatching victory from the air. That is a broken clay in the upper left of the photo. Notice the yellow, ejected shotgun shell hull, mid-air, in the right hand side just above and to the right of Russ's head? (click the pics to enlarge)What do an engineer and Vice President of the Hi-Viz Shooting Systems Company, a Realtor with Scott Western Realty of Billings, MT, the Chief Operating Officer of Moonlight Basin - a 5,500 acre ski resort near Big Sky, Montana, the owner of a bird hunting hydration vest and dog training collar company in Billings, MT, a world famous outdoor photographer and writer based in Bozeman, MT, the principal of a land planning and design company from Billings, MT, the fish and wildlife manager / outfitter of an operation in Encampment, WY and the Director of Shooting Sports at Rock Creek Cattle Company of Deer Lodge, MT all have in common?
Instructor Candidates, students and NSCA Level III Instructor Rick Moore (far right) prepping for direction at the high incomer station of Blue Creek Sport Shooting Complex and Game Preserve, Billings, MT.They are all members of the National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) and they all met up at the Blue Creek Sport Shooting Complex and Game Preserve outside of Billings, MT recently to participate in the NSCA Level I Instructor Course. One, as the instructor of instructors to be, and the other seven as instructor candidates. It was a grand experience.
I want to start by saying that the Blue Creek facility is a great one in no small part due to the efforts of Range Master Mel Armstrong and his crew. They went completely out of their way to make sure our experience there was top notch. Thanks Mel.
I am going to take this opportunity to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the class. Rick Moore, NSCA Level III - Beginning to Master Wing and Clay Instructor did a terrific job of communicating to all of us the skills needed to become Certified, NSCA Level I, Shooting Instructors. It was an excellent class.
Rick stuck to the lesson plan and schedule while at the same time, giving us valuable side notes and tips along the way from his many years of experience. I believe all of us came away from the class not only better shooters, but well qualified Level I Instructors as well. Thank you, Rick and the NSCA for making this program available.
Before I post the photos and captions: I do want to mention to all of our members that our Grand Opening Event of the Stinson - Hagerty Sporting Clays Range on Linehan Lane happens this coming Memorial Day weekend. Please see the Members Only section of the Rock Creek Cattle Company website for details. Sign up now online through that web page or give us a call at (406) 846-3474 to register. We have some great prizes to be won along with fantastic food and fun to be had. If you have any problem logging into the Members Only page, please send an email to me at rsnow@rockcreekcattlecompany.com , or call the lodge for assistance.
In The Stand At Blue Creek-- Student and NSCA Level III Instructor - Beginning to Master - Wing & Clay Shotgun Shooting Instructor, Rick Moore. Rick was our instructor / coach for this class.
He is also the VP of Engineering and Manufacturing at
HI - VIZ SHOOTING SYSTEMS
NSCA Level I Instructor and Principal of Foley Group Land Planning & Design, Jim Foley and student demonstrating incoming target breaking point.
NSCA Level I Instructor and owner of the Quilomene Company, Steve Owen and student discussing safe firearms handling at Blue Creek.
In the stand here is a student and NSCA Level I Instructor, Dave Sturm. Dave is the Fish and Wildlife Manager of Spur Outfitters, LLC, Encampment, WY.
Student and NSCA Instructor Level I, Russ McElyea. Russ is also the Chief Operating Officer ofMoonlight Basin, a 5,500 acre ski resort near Big Sky, MT.
NSCA Level I Instructor and professional outdoor photographer / writer, Dale Spartas and student reviewing sporting clays safety procedures prior to loading the shotgun and breaking clays. See Dale's work at his website, WWW.SPARTASPHOTO.COM
Last One - - A photo of my diploma. It was an intense course. I'm thankful that I got to attend. Our instructor, Rick Moore, did his best to condense and communicate his lifetime of experience into a long 3 days so that we might all help to introduce others into the shotgunning sports as well as helping them to become safe, competent shooters. Thanks, Rick.If you are interested in learning more about Sporting Clays, please check out the National Sporting Clays Association website, and of course, you can always call me at the lodge if you have any questions.
One more thing. Thanks to all of my classmates for making this an exceptional experience. If you ever get over around Deer Lodge, MT, please be sure and look me up. We can spend a day on the river or range together. It was a true pleasure.
My old signature line was "Sharp Hooks and Tight Lines". I may have to add something about loving the smell of gun smoke in the morning.
See Ya on the Range,
Ron
