Rock Mountain Update

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Jeff S
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Rock Mountain Update

Post by Jeff S »

This weekend I attended the Northern S x S Challenge at Rock Mountain and I thought I would take a few minutes to share my experience. First, let me say that for this Michigander, it was worth the trip just to see the Pennsylvania countryside. What beautiful mountains!

Sprawled on 108 acres of mountain side, Rock Mountain offers a very nice venue for a sporting clays event. The stations are spread out and Mike makes clever use of the varied terrain. Sometimes you're perched on the edge of a cliff shooting down, and other times you're shooting at clays that have launched way up on the hill top. The shooting can be tricky, but the "window of opportunity" on all shots was good. Personally, I shot 7 rounds of clays and there were very, very few "no bird" situations. To this novice, all equipment and "trappers" were top notch.

As is always the case with S x S events, the real fun is see the Fox Fraternity. I'm sure I'll miss a few names (my apologies), but it was great to see Frank, Daryl, Smitty, Mike K, Craig and Stan. In addition to the Fox guys, there were all of the other "regulars" that make these events special. Just seeing these guys brings a smile to my face. Thanks Bob, Chuck, Morris, Milt, Randy, Tom, Shane, Ross, etc.

This was my 7th trip to Pennsylvania for a S x S event and they never disappoint. With each trip I renew friendships, learn invaluable tidbits and seem to leave a better person. In fact, I'm starting to think that this group gives me more, than I contribute in return. I think next time I had better shoot better so that I can contribute to Fox's winning reputation, and there wouldn't be any harm in helping man the booth for awhile. Kevin, sign me up for a couple of hours.

Now, for those who have never attended one of these events, I'm telling you, you need to do it! It's just plain fun! You'll get to shoot a lot, you'll handle gorgeous guns, and you'll be welcomed by like minded people. If that's not a good enough reason to attend, let me add a "teaser". Kevin (Sporns) is working on a secret project. My lips are sealed. I won't breath a word about it, but once again we'll be able to touch DNA residue left by Fox Royalty. Jeff
Jim Cloninger
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Re: Rock Mountain Update

Post by Jim Cloninger »

Thanks, Jeff.
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Silvers
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Re: Rock Mountain Update

Post by Silvers »

Thanks Jeff for your summary and thoughts. Besides those you mentioned I'll add Jim, David, John, Ernie, Gary, Denise, Don, Daniel, J.D., Frank, George, Kevin, Dave, Ken, Brian, Randy, Morris and several Toms on my list. Along with canine friends Fox, Parker and Sam. Surely I missed a few, sorry. Four of our five Directors were there at the Rock. RST brought an inventory of shells along with the pre-orders, probably the one time this year folks could buy its excellent shells at cash & carry and without shipping cost. I saw some great guns on the courses and under the pavilion, and a few changing hands to include small bore Parkers and good Lefevers in particular. Also handled the Parker 8 bores owned by Craig and Stan. Fox attendance was relatively low as compared with the other makers. Of course many are rightly concerned about the CV and distancing and that's OK, but proportionally that didn't seem to work out for Fox. This is an ongoing observation (I have) about how the Fox site and our membership is shifting as some move on, and more and more seem to rarely if ever shoot. And on that line Fox once again didn't have enough shooters on Saturday to field a team for the Manufacturers Cup shootoff. But LC Smith, Lefever, Parker and Ithaca did. Gone seem to be the days when the AHFCA had shooters galore at any/all events. Oh well, our Fox folks in PA and nearby states who could have come but didn't missed a great time and opportunity to reconnect and to meet new brethren whether at tables, while shooting or at tailgate soirées late each day. To each his own. Kudos to Smitty who drove from NC and Jeff from MI. Parker had one gent from CA and LCS had several from the deep South. As a friend and I were talking, get togethers like this one build strong friendships that can carry on when good Foxes or other makers are for sale under the surface, or when you want advice, a second opinion or are looking for parts etc. Lastly to include keeping you pumped up for months after we all get back to the daily routines. :)

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Last edited by Silvers on Mon Aug 03, 2020 11:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Stan Hoover
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Re: Rock Mountain Update

Post by Stan Hoover »

Jeff,
thanks for writing a nice summary of what we enjoyed over the weekend, I think Mike, Sam, & Tad did an excellent job of entertaining and really offer a great venue and a nice spot to shoot sporting clays in NE Pa.

I really enjoyed time spent with everyone, talking hunting pheasants with you Jeff, discussing guns with Daryl, and talking guns with Frank, it was an excellent weekend. For those that missed this fine event, I hope that this Covid situation is under control for 2021 or you're able to make time in your schedule to attend this excellent event put on for double gun enthusiasts. There was definitely some beautiful Fox, Parker, Lefever, and LC Smith guns being shot and others I'm missing for sure.

Looking forward to the next time, whether it be hunting or shooting claybirds,
Stan

PS Jeff: I hope you were able to get a new cell phone, that way Cindy can check up on you when needed :D
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Re: Rock Mountain Update

Post by DarylC »

Well Frank, Stan and Jeff summed up the event really good. The Rock is one of my favorite places to miss targets. Mike and his boss Sam did an outstanding job as did their son Tadd who was always on the course checking operations.

The weather was perfect and it's always great to see old friends and make new.

I have to make a shout out to the Ithaca team comprised of Stan Hoover and his son along with another gentleman and his two sons. I apologize for not remembering their names but I'm sure Stan will chime in with the info. It is great to see these young kids busting clays with their dads. Stan's son won the youth prize of an LC Smith.

And here is to the Stegmeister who kept me and Smitty in line and really was a great squad mate. He was probably the most under rated shooter there. Thanks for coming but please turn in your cards next time :shock:

Which leads me to my next point. Only three of us shot Fox guns for the manufacturers cup so we couldn't even field a team. It's sad when Ithaca can fill their squad with 3 young shooters and we can't get 2 more to fill a squad. You don't have to come up for three days to shoot. All you have to do is make the drive for one day, Saturday, shoot a round and stick around for the event. I will accept the blame for this year as I didn't promote early enough as I figured there would be at least two more Fox shooters there. I asked at least 10 shooters who were on the course if they were going to shoot an event with a Fox but there seemed to be a shortage of Fox guns in attendance. I already have a committed fourth shooter for next year but really hope that some of you collectors/hunters here on this forum would pencil this event in for next year.
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Re: Rock Mountain Update

Post by Stan Hoover »

The Ithaca Team was,

myself, Shane, Daniel, and his twin sons Caleb and Phillip. The boys had a great time and I'm glad Mike offers a Manufacturers Cup where Ithaca can be represented. I do like to shoot to shoot for Fox but I cannot turn the opportunity down to shoot with my son on the Ithaca Team.

To new shooters, shooting on the course or for the Fox team and/or any team, it's all about the fun, really. This whole event is to use our beloved SXS guns, and have fun while doing it. You do not have to be the best shot in your family or your club, it is all about having a good time. We definitely need more shooters, getting younger shooters involved even better yet.

After seeing how poorly I shot in the Manufacturers Challenge, I bet Jeff will submit his score cards next year :)

Stan
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Jeff S
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Re: Rock Mountain Update

Post by Jeff S »

Thanks Stan. You're a little too kind. By the way.... I watched Stan break 14 out of 15 at the "5-Stand" using his 8 gauge. That's a lot of barrel to swing.
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Re: Rock Mountain Update

Post by fox-admin »

Speaking as a 70% shooter the whole idea of shooting for score has little interest to me and all the guys I hunt and shoot clays with. It's great others love to compete and vie for bling my hat is off to them, to each his own.
Each collector organization has its own unique makeup and that's fine by me.
If participating in the Manufactures Cup is important to the shooters in our organization then
actively recruiting shooters should happen well in advance of the event knowing how difficult recruiting shooters has been.
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Re: Rock Mountain Update

Post by Mike of the Mountain »

On behalf of our Rock Mountain family I want to thank you all for the kind words and for coming out to play in our sandbox!! Always great seeing our SxS brothers and sisters. The times we get to hang out are few and far between. We hope you guys and gals make the trip again in 2021. It'll be July 29,30,31-August 1. Until we meet again, break 'em all!! :D
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