Carrabassett Valley Outdoors Association

CVOA/NSSF to sponsor “First Shots” --

Introduction to the shooting sports Sept. 24

 By John McCatherin

CARRABASSETT VALLEY – A planned program designed to introduce both youth and adults to the shooting sports – momentarily put on hold by Hurricane Irene – has been rescheduled for the Carrabassett Valley Outdoor Association’s range Saturday, Sept. 24.

Called “First Shots”, it’s a joint effort by CVOA and the National Shooting Sports Foundation. It was originally scheduled for Sept. 10 but the washouts of two bridges enroute to the range forced the postponement. Temporary bridges opened recently permit people driving from the south on Rt. 27. to now reach the range.

An earlier session of the First Shots program was sponsored by CVOA and NSSF in August with 20 participants, many of them young people who had never fired a gun before.

The Sept. 24^th session will be conducted by Carrabassett Valley Police Chief Scott Nichols, a certified firearms instructor, assisted by veteran CVOA range officers.

It will run from 9 a.m. to noon that Saturday with an initial classroom session focusing on firearms safety and then hands-on handling of firearms including pistols, rifles and shotguns. After the orientation, everyone will have the opportunity to fire live ammunition with each of the three types of firearms.

“At our first session,” CVOA Range Chairman Neal Trask recalled, “we had some kids as young as seven years old shooting for the very first time. They all left with their own targets and a big grin on their face.”

In addition to the youngsters, many adults took part, some of them also for the very first time.

The First Shots events provide the public with a chance to learn the rules and requirements of handgun ownership as well as that of rifles and shotguns, along with comprehensive information on safety, shooting sports opportunities and additional individual and group training programs.

“This program provides newcomers a chance to learn in a safe environment with qualified instructors,” Trask said.

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Anyone interested in attending should contact Trask at 207-235-2732 or at nltrask@tdstelme.net, or Range Secretary John McCatherin at 207-235-2121 or at johnmccatherin@tds.net.

NSSF, founded in 1961, is the trade association for the firearms and recreational shooting sports industry and promotes the safe ownership and responsible use of products it members make and sell. For more information, visit www.nssf.org.

CVOA began 11 years ago and today has some 600 members. It promotes and encourages the development of outdoor activities and the proper use and protection of our natural resources. Its shooting range at 4068 Carrabassett Drive is 1.7 miles north of the Sugarloaf Mountain access road on Rt. 27. It features trap, rifle and pistol ranges and an archery range is currently under construction. For more information, contact www.carrabassettvalleyoutdoorassociation.com.