Youngsters 8 to 19 can learn shooting sports through the Howard County Junior 4-H Gun Club - known as the "Bulls-Eyes."
Scott Bosse of Sykesville started the club about four years ago. He has been involved in shooting sports for 21 years, teaching the sport at a Western Maryland 4-H camp. Bosse met his wife, Diane, at the camp. When their son, Danny, 12, was old enough to participate, Bosse inquired about starting a 4-H shooting sports club.
Bosse is one of the seven certified instructors who work with the club. To become certified, an adult must be 21 years old and attend an intensive three-day workshop. Ken Klipple is another certified instructor with the Bulls-Eyes. His son, Sean, 18, is a junior certified instructor.
"We mostly do firearms safety and marksmanship," Bosse said.
Patty Post of Columbia is the organizational leader of the group; she takes care of the paperwork. Her four children - Alex, 18; Ben, 16; Angela, 10; and Gloria, 8 - all participate in the Bulls-Eyes.
The club consists of Howard County and Carroll County children. Some of the children in the club are hunting enthusiasts, but that is not necessary for membership. "We have people in the club that will not eat meat and won't kill anything," Post said.
The club focuses more on safety than hunting. "If they have guns in their house, they should learn how to safely handle them," Post said.
According to the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service, nearly 66 percent of American homes have firearms. The extension service promotes teaching gun safety and responsible gun handling to prevent accidents.
Bosse says many colleges have shooting sports teams that offer scholarships to promising athletes. "They tend to be rural colleges," Bosse said, such as West Virginia University in Morgantown.
"Shooting sports is not exactly politically correct," Bosse said. "A lot of scholarship money remains unused."
The Bulls-Eyes will participate in the Maryland State 4-H Smallbore Rifle Match at 9 a.m. Sept. 8 at the Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore (Marriottsville Range) on Marriottsville Road.
The contest includes divisions for juniors, intermediates and seniors. Children shoot in three positions: prone, kneeling and standing. Shots are fired at a target 50 yards away. Three-member teams and individuals may compete. Contestants must be members of a 4-H shooting sports group that is taught by certified instructors.
Conrad Arnold of the extension service is in charge of the state match. He said that 60 4-H youth from eight counties participated in the State 4-H Smallbore Rifle Match in September 2000.
The Bulls-Eyes had two winning teams, he said. In the Senior Division, Ben Post, Alex Post and Sean Klipple won second place. In the Junior Prone Division, Angela Post, John Apicella and Justin Hewett won third place.
The Bulls-Eyes meet monthly at the Howard County Fairgrounds, where they work on projects related to shooting. Post said club projects have included making a mat for prone shooting, a leg roll to kneel on and a block to put shells in. Club members also learn an aspect of the sport at the meetings and "we always go over the safety rules," Post said.
Information: Scott Bosse, 410-795-3932 or Ken Klipple, 410-884-1313 (evenings); or Patty Post, 410-715-9664 (days.)
Eagle Scout
On July 13, Scott Christopher Cannon became Boy Scout Troop 737's 94th Eagle Scout.
Jeff Cannon, Scott's uncle, offered a blessing before the potluck dinner. After dinner, the Court of Honor was opened by Life Scout Chris Black and Cub Scout Robert McMullen, Scott's cousin. Troop 737 Eagle Scouts who participated in the ceremony were David Scordato, Todd Travis and Erik Cannon, Scott's older brother. Erik and Jon Kraeuter served as Eagle escorts. Scoutmaster Pat Winters and Advancement Chairwoman Renee Brown also participated in the ceremony.
Congratulatory letters were read by Assistant Scoutmasters Lenny Black and Alan Plumley.
For his Eagle project, Scott organized and supervised the construction of a nature path from River Hill High School to the school's pond area. He and his volunteers installed birdhouses and erosion-prevention measures. A sign and tree labels were also placed in the area to make it an educational site. The project required 180 hours of work to complete.
Scott graduated this year from River Hill High School, where he lettered in varsity wrestling and varsity football. He was a member of the National Honor Society and received a Maryland State Certificate of Merit. He will attend the University of Maryland, College Park in the fall.
Boosters' golf tourney
The Glenelg High School Booster Club will hold its third annual golf tournament Sept. 18 at The Links at Gettysburg.
Greens fees will be $100 per golfer; $380 for a group of four. A steak dinner is included. Door prizes and raffles are planned and a car will be awarded to whoever gets a hole in one on the 12th hole. Sport Chevrolet in Silver Spring is donating the car.
The boosters are looking for hole sponsors. For $100, your business can have an advertisement at one of the holes.
The deadline to enter the tournament is Sept. 4. Information or registration: Diane Barnoski, 410-442-1097.
