Approximately 140 eager shooters braved less than ideal weather conditions to participate in the 6th Annual IBEW Northern California Clay Shoot at Raahauge’s Pheasant Chukar and Sporting Clays in Dunnigan, CA on April 8th, 2017.
The day started out cold and overcast, and by mid-morning, a steady, light rainfall set in, presenting shooters with an added challenge. But the wet weather didn’t dampen any of the enthusiasm of all of the IBEW members, family, and friends who showed up with the goal of breaking as many of the orange clays seen streaking across the sky as possible.
Spread out over a course that included 17 unique shooting stations, each participant took aim at 100 targets over a span of about three hours, leading up to an eagerly anticipated lunch. The walking and shooting primed everyone’s appetites for what has become one of the event’s many highlights, a tasty lunch featuring delicious pulled pork sandwiches. This year, everyone was in for a treat as carnitas tacos, chucker and pheasant were among the mouth-watering menu choices available.
The real treat of the day was served up after lunch, as nearly two dozen shotguns and hunting rifles were raffled off. As has become the tradition at this event, all participants under 17 walked away with great raffle prizes. As the kid’s raffle concluded and attention turned to the highly anticipated adults raffle, the sun finally made an appearance to put the finishing touches on a family-friendly day of lightly competitive shooting.
No high scores were announced this year (maybe so as not to make those of us semi-average shooters feel too bad about all of the clays that fell to earth in one piece during the day). Everyone left the day with a memorable day of shooting and Union brotherhood, as well as knowing this event continues the tradition of raising money that is distributed to deserving charitable causes throughout Northern California.
This year’s clay shoot was hosted by Local 340, which showed great hospitality, and will determine the distribution of the charitable funds raised from the event.
–Anthony Brown, IBEW 1245 Assistant Business Manager
Photos by John Storey
Bao Nguyen Mac with the shot gun he won at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Members walk back to the next station at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Angie Pigg shoots at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Jeff Wolford, Rick Wolford, Bill Martin, and Richard August at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Hans Heuer, Joe Dray, Sean Stevens, Matt McMullen, and Roman Guerrero, Luna Guerrero, Alin Persia at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Andrew Smith Sr. shoots at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Right to left; Cloudell Douglas, Cameron Douglas, and Justin McDowell at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Cloudell Douglas shoots at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Chris Alfaro, and Dean Bower at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Larry Torres, Rich Perry, Charlie Forbes, Logan Smith, Jose Leal, Bob West, and Kelsey Newman at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Sean Hill shoots at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
L to R: Kendall Williams, Andrew Maffei, Brian Maffei, Sean Hill at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Matt Mrofka, left, laughs with Matt Ramey at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Members shoot at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
L to R: Taylor Flosi, Matt Mrofka, Matt Ramey, and Anthony Wynn at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Dam Smith shoots at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Ray Smith shoots at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Members shoot at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Ray Smith, left, talks with Rey Rodriguez at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Dan Smith, Josh Smith, Ray Smith, and Rey Rodriguez at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Karl Bade at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Members shoot at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Anthony Brown, Roberto Balisteri, Casey Salkauskas, and Charley Wright at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Spent shells being ejected from a shot gun at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Thien Tran at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
A smoking gun at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Phuong Tran at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
L to r: Phuong Tran , Paul Regalo, Bao Tran, Bao Nguyen Mac, Thien Tran, Karl Bade, Tai Huynh, Tien Huynh, and Kulmeet Grewal with PG&E at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Anthony Chan watches Nick Chan shoot at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Travis Carlson at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Ammo at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
Members shoot at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
L to R: Todd Carlson , Travis Carlson , Nick Chan, Anthony Chan, Mike Chan, Sal and Cindy Culcasi, Bill Martin of PG&E at the IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.
The IBEW 1245 Clay Shoot in Dunnigan, Calif. on April 8th, 2017.