Our COVID-19 mitigation strategies are intended as a living document. flexibly changing according to what works and what we see as not working.

One thing we've noticed is that it can be unsafe to wear a mask while manipulating or using a firearm or bow. The main issue being fogging and being unable to see - a potential major safety hazard. There may also be safety issues with the bow string catching a mask on release.

As such, we have modified our approach to be: masks must be worn at all times except when you are at the firing line.

Please refer to the SPFGA COVID-19 Mitigation guidance document for more details and remember, the most important things you can do are:

By now, you may have noticed the new SPFGA logo!

One of the threads of feedback we received from you in last fall's Member Engagement Survey was that while you appreciate what the SPFGA stands for, you would like to bring things up to date as we move forward.

As we didn't have a vector graphic of our traditional logo for use online or in publications, we had a refreshed one created. We asked that two new alternate designs also be created at this same time. These three options were presented to the membership in a poll in the January 27 edition of Bullet Points .

The new logo was chosen by a majority vote of the membership in that poll and was approved by the Board at the March meeting.

Rimfire Silhouette is starting back up on Monday May 25 @ 5:30pm and will be held every Monday until October 5.

Rimfire silhouette is a great way to inexpensively practice the fundamentals of marksmanship and involves shooting from the standing unsupported position at metal silhouettes.

All that’s required is a .22 rimfire rifle, 40 rounds of .22 rimfire ammo, and hearing & eye protection. Any optics are permitted, so scope or open sights are fine.

Contact Tom Opgenorth, Rifle Director at [email protected] with any questions.

I, for one, am excited to see general holster use return to the our facility. As the Handgun Director, I think that the safest place for your handgun, aside from your safe, is in a holster.

With the return of the use of holsters is some important wording changes to the Facility Rules:

Knowledge and Skill

Members must ensure they have the knowledge and skill necessary to conduct themselves in a safe manner for all activities being undertaken on SPFGA property.

This simple sentence, in my opinion, carries a great deal of meaning, as it places the onus of responsibility on each member’s shoulders to ensure that they have sufficient knowledge and skill to safely undertake any activity they conduct on the property. This goes well beyond holster use and includes, as one example, the firing of your own handloaded ammunition.

In regard to holster use, how you have obtained this knowledge or skill can be wide and varied. Some will have taken a Black Badge course, some have law enforcement or military experience, or been competing for years.

Just as no one asks to see your PAL when at the range shooting your shotgun, no one is going to ask to see proof that you are trained in holster use unless problems arise.

Have fun, be safe and I hope to see you out there!

-Mark Lowry

SPFGA Handgun Director

[email protected]

( Our thanks go to Sophia Hutchings for being our photo model for this piece. )

Given the substantial changes over the last couple of months, our slate of archery events will need some changes.

Where possible, these will be rescheduled. Pat Emerson, our Archery Director, is considering how best to make those scheduling changes. When they're ready we'll get the word out to you.

Please contact Pat with any questions - [email protected].

Rain over the last couple of days hasn't been helpful for the conditions of our roads.

Beaver County's temporary repair to the culvert on Range Road 203 (the road to the gate) has begun to collapse again and has spread further into the road. Please exercise caution passing through this area.

Roads and parking areas on the property, particularly the front gate and near the range sheds are extremely soft and muddy. Please take care. We're really looking forward to them drying a bit so we can address them.

( Our thanks go to Adam Pittman for use of his photos.)

We will be sending out refunds for Awards Banquet tickets. This event was originally planned for April 18, but had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Please contact Al Keeler at [email protected] with questions.

What's Your Thought? is a regularly-running poll where you're able to share your thoughts with us.