ORANCO BOWMEN ARCHERY CLUB |
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Club President
Hi everyone, Happy New Year,
Hope this newsletter reaches you all well, few updates now that the holidays are behind us. I hope you all had a blessed few weeks with your families and friends.
Last month I gave you all a few updates on our range and I just want to give you our updates. Well, we now have all of our locks done and in good working shape please keep in mind that the combo locks on the freeway gates have been removed and replaced with new key locks so if you have arrows on the other side you can reach out to a board member and they will open the gate for you.
Our front gate lock will remain the same as we don’t have any other way to make it work for everyone. That lock will need to be changed from time to time and we know that and have a lock on standby. So if you have a problem in the future please just give us a call and we will get it fixed. We have repaired our side-by-side Kaboda with a new muffler and its full service and will be servicing all of our equipment in the next few weeks.
This will include full-service oil, filters, hydrostatic drive, and inspections. Please keep in mind our equipment costs us a lot to maintain so when using it please try to be careful about how you use it and report any problems you may have so we can keep them running.
We are holding our second first aid class this coming Sunday and have some key people doing our class. Please keep in mind if there is ever a problem on the range please always dial 911 before you try to help someone. We do have some first aid boxes on our range and they are there for everyone to use. If you ever have to use any of our first aid supplies or defibrillator please let a board member know so that we can keep our supplies updated.
Other news Jim Teel is leading the building of our countertops for our tree stand cook area and has finished the framing part. Bard and Steve Baker cleaned the tree stand last week and power washed it boy does it look great nice job to all of you guys for getting it done.
We hope to have our new card reader installed and functional in a few weeks. It’s our goal to make it easier for our guessed shooters and members to pay to use our range and pay for their membership. This card reader should make and bring our range up to a new level of efficiency
There are more projects in the works and will keep you all updated as we get to them!
As always, thanks for taking the time to read our newsletter.
Any questions you can reach me by phone, email, or text
Thanks
Al Wiscovitch
(909) 322-3869
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Club Vice President
Nothing to report.
Pete Whitworth
(909) 223-5822
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Club Secretary
Nothing to report.
Amanda Duchardt
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Treasurer
Nothing to report.
Louie Lopez
(714) 538-7202
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Range Captain
More Than Just a Bird
To most, hunting birds just doesn’t fill the gaps. To some, the sport of upland hunting can be a way of life.
Born in Northern/Central California, I was raised by my father – a farmer and a hunter. Not knowing much about big game, he satisfied his thirst for the hunt by hunting birds. Not having much to live on, we leaned on my father to put food on the table. Dove, quail, rabbits, pheasants and even waterfowl were the most common dishes in our household. Not long after I was old enough to understand and hold a shotgun, I took to the fields and orchards to hunt along side my dad. We may not have many pictures of those days but the memories made, well, you just can’t compare.
After moving down to Southern California in my early teens, my father stopped hunting for physical reasons. Because of this, I lost the thirst and thrill to hunt upland game. About 2 years ago, I picked up old faithful to clean her, a 12 gauge Mossberg 500A pump which I am now the third generation with. My neighbor, originally from Arizona had a German Shorthaired Pointer and decided to invite me out on a hunt. I had never in my life hunted over a dog and boy oh boy, that was life changing. It completely opened my eyes and brought back the fond memories of hunting with my dad that I hold deep inside. I promised myself that I would do whatever it was necessary to start upland hunting once again.
Last year I had an opportunity that in my opinion, comes around once in a lifetime… if that. A great friend of mine, Matt Tippins from Clovis, CA, was in search for a new home for his good buddy Scout. Scout is a liver roan-German Shorthaired Pointer and at that time was only 18 months old with legs as long and as strong as a horse! After talking to Matt, we decided that he would be a great addition to our home. Little did Mett know, he not only gave me a dog, he gave me my best friend and a new member of our family. Since then, Scout and I have been training hard to retrieve, point and track birds and I must say, he’s blown me a way by his progress and the growth in our friendship together. Ever since the passing of Ruben, a dear friend and member or Oranco, my goal has been to harvest a chukar in his honor. My new goal was to now do it with Scout by my side.
Two weeks ago, Jose Cardenas and I took to the high desert mountains in search of these illusive red devils, arguably the hardest game bird on earth to hunt. We hiked and we hiked with Scout’s nose in the air and on the ground. Once we thought we were done and had walked enough, the illusive calls echoed through the canyons, high up from above. We gave chase to the winds and the sounds of what was soon to be, the most memorable bird of my life.
We climbed to the top of the steep cliff-faced mountains and started working our way down towards the rockiest areas we could find. Scout takes the lead after catching wind of a bird. He stands on the edge of a cliff, hard on point after looking back at me to make sure I was coming. He freezes and I make my was down with Jose. Eleven birds break out, we’re fumbling on our feet trying to find a way to stand still and take a shot before these birds glide out too far. I take a shot and miss. As I rack another round a bird catches my attention from the corner of my eye. I shoot, and just like that, I see a bird buckle and let off the biggest whoop I ever have. I shout “DEAD BIRD!” back to scout and he goes charging down this steep, rocky cliff-faced mountain. After losing sight of him for what felt like an eternity, here he comes climbing up towards me, bird in his mouth and the joy in his face of making me happy. As he places the bird in my hand, the first thing that came to my mind was my dad’s and Ruben’s smile. The joy of being proud of my hard work with Scout and the memories of Ruben and the days of hunting with my father filled my heart. I hope this story touched you in some way. Hard work, family and good friendships. With that I leave you, I hope you enjoyed this story and I hope it encourages you to achieve your goals.
RIP - Ruben Carlos
Jose Lara
(909) 706-1149
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Hunt Chairman
Nothing to report.
Chriss Bowles
(951) 757-4571
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Range Secretary
Hey Oranco Bowmen
Hope you all enjoyed your Christmas and New Year holidays, and Santa brought all you good boys and girls shinning new bows and arrows to play with for in 2024 like he did for me. 😁 Thanks Santa!!!
Those of you familiar with me know I've been competing with a longbow in most tournaments for awhile now. But I also shoot a compound bow when hunting, and recently picked up a well kept Hoyt Prevail target bow from my good friend Brad Belvedere, that I'm in the process of setting up. He kinda looks like Santa, right...?
So I hope your as excited as I am about the start of the 2024 Archery Tournament season!
Santa has already kicked things off with the start of the Winter League just this last Sat. morning with the help of his trustee head elf, Jim Teel as well as a few other's too. I grouped in with 7 other longbow/ recurve archers to shoot the 12 unmarked 3D target stations being shot from 24 stakes arrow ea. and 1 long bonus shot.
What a good time we all had and are looking forward to the next 4 Sat. of Oranco Bowmen Winter League competition. You still have time to compete for awards if you shoot the next 4 league shoots and is the perfect warmup for the CBH State Traditional Campionship on Feb. 17th & 18th. at Fresno Field Archers, and the Oranco Bowmen Rendezvous the following wknd.
We also have the State Indoor Championship starting this month at many locations throughout the Southland. All of these shooting opportunities should have everybody in perfect form for this years Club Champ Shoot in March and Bowhunters 3D Championship in April free food & beverages throughout the day for members and PM'S.
Looking forward to seeing you all at these upcoming events!
Mark Houston
(760) 605-1155
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Tournament Chairman
Nothing to report.
David Bacon
(909) 217-4441
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Membership Chairmen
Nothing to report.
Mariela Gonzalez
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League Chairman
I'd like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and that everyone has a safe & healthy coming year.
We have our first Winter League shoot in the Quiver.
53 shooters attended this past weekend even with the cold weather. I'm sure a few people chose to stay in their warm beds.
The day turned out to be a perfect shooting day. I hope the yardage posted behind each target helped with how you guessed your shots. We will be doing this on all unmarked shoots.
The next shoot will be a marked shoot. If got a new bow or some archery Christmas present you want to try out, come on out and have some fun.
Remember it's $10.00 for each shoot.
Brad Belvedere
(951) 545-9462
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Two Year Board Member
By: Bill Waltz - Two Year Board Member
Nothing to report.
Bill Waltz
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If you are looking for photos of previous shoots, check out Tony Nguyen's fantastic photography in the link below! He has an amazing gallery organized by shoots and dates he's participated in:
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Oranco Bowmen Archery Range
Occupying about 45 acres, Oranco Bowmen Archery Club is a NFAA certified 5-star range. This is the highest certification given by NFAA. We are the only range in Southern California with practice butts from 10-80 yards in 5-yard increments. If you need a place to "dial in" your bow, this is it!
Oranco also has two NFAA roving courses: Our Valley Course is a level 28-target course, consisting of 14 animal and 14 hunter paper targets. For those who desire a bit more of a physical challenge, our Mountain Course is a hilly 28-target course offering 14 Field targets and another set of 14 animal paper targets. The Layout changes occasionally.
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Oranco Bowmen Archery Club - Range Map |
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Oranco is not responsible for lost or stolen belongings.
Please remember to lock your vehicles when you are not present and always take your equipment home with you. We have received reports about stolen equipment, and want everyone to understand that you alone are responsible for your belongings. We advise you to put your identification information on your belongings and try not to leave anything unattended.
Remember: We are open to the public on Sundays and during shoots. During these events it is much more difficult to track who is on range property, especially if people do not sign in at the office.
Be safe and responsible everyone.
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Announcements
Range Beautification Party: We would greatly appreciate your help and support to the upcoming Work Parties. Keep an eye out for the email blast. All Club Members and their families are invited. Per Al Wiscovitch, Club President there will be an “ALL YOU CAN EAT LUNCH” served for ALL of our Volunteers who come out and help.
Your assistance ensures that the Oranco Bowmen Archery Club remains the best in Southern California. There is a reason why people travel from all over California to shoot at our Archery Club. Get involved and help us out.
Cook Shack Workers Needed: Positions are still available for volunteers to help out during the upcoming shoots.
Please contact Steve Baker in order to reserve your spot at: Cell# (951) 285-1550. First Come, First Served.
Target Camping: This is NOT Allowed...Period. Your Membership will be terminated for doing this! The Practice Butts are for sighting in, improving your archery skills, and honing your accuracy. The Roving Range is just that, Roving. Shoot 4 arrows, Score them, then move on to the next target.
You have been warned. Don't do it. It is not worth it.
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Is the Late Season the New Rut?
Everyone loves the rut. That’s when everyone seems to take their vacation days and cash in their brownie points. The rut is king, and has been for a long time. But I beg to differ. For me, the late season is the new rut. Below, you’ll find my reasons why.
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Mission Statement:
My Goal as Newsletter Editor is to help Members stay informed with the Operations and Activities that are going on in and around the Oranco Bowmen Archery Club. Your suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Check out our Club Website: Oranco Bowmen Archery Club Website
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