Shooters of all ages fire away at Edwards Rod and Gun Club Published Feb. 2, 2011 By Diane Betzler Staff Writer EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Skeet and trap shooting came about as a way for hunters to hone their skills before heading into the wilderness to hunt for game. Through the years the intent of target shooting hasn't changed much, but at the Edwards Rod and Gun Club members claim they get a whole lot more than just target practice. "We not only get more proficient with shooting, we have a lot of fun and we make new friends here," said club member Dan Powers. "Out here we shoot trap and skeet. Both are games of 25 targets," explained Renee Startup, manager for the Edwards Rod and Gun Club, located on Rosamond Blvd. not far from Camp Corum. This type of shooting began more than 100 years ago and although originally designed to provide practice for field shooting, it has since become a sport in itself. "People can shoot in a skeet squad of five, or they can shoot by themselves," Mrs. Startup said. When shooting trap the target comes from a house that‟s in the ground located 16 or more yards in front of the shooting station and the machine throws the target away from the shooter. When shooting skeet, the targets are thrown from side to side, Mrs. Startup said. The target thrower for trap shooting is mounted on an oscillating base, "So you don't know what angle the target is coming out of," Mrs. Startup said. Although targets are now made of clay discs, in the past shooters have used real birds, which is why most shooters still call the clay targets birds. Mr. Pence shoots at least twice a week at the club and says he shoots more trap than skeet. "I find the trap shoot a bit more challenging. You never know which angle the bird is going to shoot out at or where it's heading," he said. Shotguns are the only type of guns fired on the trap and skeet ranges at the Edwards Rod and Gun Club. Contrary to what some people may think, however, target shooting isn't a sport for adults only, "The Boy Scouts shoot here and youngsters from the 4-H club practice target shooting here," Mrs. Startup said. She said Boy Scouts could earn a merit badge after completing a safety course in shooting. Minors are welcome to practice target shooting at the club as long as an adult accompanies them. Mrs. Startup said the Rod and Gun Club is open to anyone with base access, "You don't have to be a member to shoot here." Although she does advise frequent shooters to join since fees for members are discounted. The club offers four trap fields and two skeet fields and holds monthly competition shoots in both skeet and trap. Shooters can use their own shotguns and ammunition or they can rent both from the club. "We have a lot of fun shoots here," Mrs. Startup said. "We also host a yearly 'turkey shoot' the first Saturday before Thanksgiving." The shoot is followed by a turkey dinner at the clubhouse and the winner of the shoot leaves with a frozen turkey. Mr. Powers is a regular who shoots at the club three days a week working on his proficiency. "The better you are, the better chance you have of winning a competition," he said. "Old timer" Dave "Sandy" Sandstrom knows all about winning. He's been shooting at the club since it opened in the late 1940s and has countless awards to show for it. "All the trophies in both display cases inside the club house are mine," Mr. Sandstrom said. "I have no room for all of them at home, so I starting displaying them here a few years ago." His biggest shooting accomplishment, he says, is winning the World Skeet Championship in 2005. "I won retired military and senior in the 28-gauge skeet." Being an old timer has its advantages; Mr. Sandstrom is one of few people who can boast about shooting with the best. "I got to shoot with a lot of world-class shooters. Kenny Barnes was one of them. He was the first individual to ever break 100 straight and all four guns in the same shoot," Mr. Sandstrom recalled. While skeet shooting he frequently teamed up with a fellow shooter best known for breaking the sound barrier, retired Air Force test pilot Chuck Yeager. "Yeager was a good shot, but believe it or not, his wife Glennis was a better shot," Mr. Sandstrom said. Mr. Sandstrom said back in the old days it wasn't at all unusual to see some of Edwards' finest sharpening their shooting skills at the club. "Gen. Jimmy Doolittle, best known for the famous raid on Japan; and Buzz Aldrin, the second man to step foot on the moon often practiced shooting here whenever they were on base." A California City resident, Mr. Sandstrom calls the Edwards Rod and Gun Club his second home. "I spend most of my free time here," the 67-year-old said. When he isn't shooting he can be seen on the ranges picking up empty shotgun shells and other debris. "With the high cost of ammunition it pays to collect the empty shotgun shells and reload," he said. Ollie Winheim, a retired elementary school teacher, warns that target shooting is an addictive sport. "My son brought me here once about seven years ago and I've been coming back ever since." Safety is top priority at the club, and new members have nothing to fear because the old-timers are quick to fill them in on the safety rules of the range. "Any of us are always willing to help a new guy and show him around," Mr. Pence said. "Safety is the key," Mrs. Startup agrees. "The only time your gun is loaded is when the person is on the station ready to shoot," she said. The club enters the shooters' competition scores into the computer and links them to the Amateur Trapshooting Association, "That way when a shooter enters a competition the ATA records can be accessed to look the person up and know their handicap and which category to place them in." The Edwards Rod and Gun Club currently has about 100 members, but as the club's manager points out, not all the members are active, which leaves room for many new people to join. The club also offers access to the rifle and pistol range that is open the second Saturday and third Sunday of each month. Unlike the skeet and trap ranges, however, rifle and pistol shooters must bring their own equipment. "Those guns have to be California legal," Mrs. Startup said. Membership and game fees vary depending on the status of the shooter. Rates depend on whether the person applying for membership or just shooting for the day, is active duty, enlisted, retired Air Force, a Department of Defense employee or a contractor. Anyone wanting to inquire about the fees can call the club at 275-8727 (275-TRAP). The Edwards Rod and Gun Club is open Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The clubhouse is also available to rent for different functions, "It's a great place to have a party," Mrs. Startup said, noting that party-goers don't have to be concerned about keeping the noise down. The clubhouse facility rents for $75 the first three hours and $15 an hour thereafter. Mrs. Startup and the Outdoor Recreation staff welcome new shooters to come and explore a fun and safe place to shoot. "When you're out in the desert you never know who's behind you shooting," Mrs. Startup said. "The Edwards Rod and Gun Club is a safe place to shoot."