New Year 2012

Happy New Year to all members of the McHenry County Sportsmen's Association (MCSA)

The New Year has begun and the holidays are behind us. It is my hope that 2012 will be a great year for our organization in terms growth and achieving our goal of bringing more safety education programs and fun events. We have a lot of work to do this year and we will be gearing up quickly so here are review of some past accomplishments and quick updates of what’s to come.

Past Accomplishments

1. MSCA is now an NRA Affiliated Club

Club Members, Friends and Prospective Members please help grow the association - By joining or renewing your NRA membership through the NRA link on the MCSA website for discounted rates. MCSA does get some reimbursement from the NRA to help support costs with running events and the association. Please make sure you use the NRA link on our site for your discounted membership and renewals.

2. MCSA Donated Care Package to VFW Post 5040 to Sends Troops Overseas.

VFW Post 5040 members gathered names of soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan from their local area. The Mchenry County Sportmen's Association back in August donated over $300 in value of items like chapstick, shampoo, shaving cream, razors, sunblock lotion and other miscellaneous items. MCSA encourages all members to donate or assist the VFW in efforts to support the troops.

3. Beginner Events:

This past year we had three great well-attended beginners’ events.

First is the two Women’s Introduction to Handguns event. We had great turnouts and all the women reported they all enjoyed the lessons and the fun time they spent in learning how to, properly and safely, handle a handgun. Some of the Women have now joined MSCA as new members. We are getting requests for more so stay tuned for more to come.

Second, we had a Beginner’s Introduction to Trap Shooting. This was a hit as well. One of our members’ son did so well at the event, his performance earned him a Boy Scouts merit badge. Once the weather improves, we will be setting up more Beginner’s Introduction to Trap Shooting events.

4. MCSA F-Class Past July Shoot

We have great feedback on the MCSA High Power F-Class shoot we had this past July at Racine County Line Rifle Club. We will be planning another long range shoot for this coming August.

5. On the road again for IGOLD!

Once again, we are going to plan for a bus to the Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day in Springfield (IGOLD). We have gone for two straight years and this year will likely be very important to the outcome in Springfield and our right to carry. We will be choosing an IGOLD chairperson to help plan the event. This has been a fun event and we have shared the bus with our good friends in the McHenry County Right to Carry Association. IGOLD will take place on Wednesday March 7, 2012. Mark down that day on your calendar! If you are taking the bus, we need to begin the process ASAP! Let us make this year the turning point in getting our right to carry.

New for 2012

6. New Youth Shoots:

We will be focusing this year on Youth Shoots. We looking to setup at least two to three Youth Shoots to teach safety and responsibility. We will be having .22 cal rifle lessons and possibly Air Rifles. These are two great platforms for youth to learn how to shoot safely and help achieve the skills need for attending Youth Sport Shooting Competitions like the NRA or 4-H events. These competitions provide young winners with scholarships for college. We will soon be announcing dates soon.

7. Members Shoots:

We will be planning more Members Only Shoots, We will be having monthly shoots at HP Shooting Center for pistols shooter, some events at Racine and McMiller’s for rifle shooter plus Trap Shooting for the shotgun enthusiasts. Check our website regularly for updates.

8. Wanted: Archers and Bow Hunters:

We are looking for more Archers or Bow Hunters this year. We have members who are archers or bow hunters looking for Archery events and members who looking to learn archery or bow hunting as well.

All the Best,

Anthony Lopez