Hi everyone. Not much shooting is going on in Illinois right now so I thought I would give my yearly plea. Please support your local small clubs. I know big shoots are exciting, you get to meet new people, and you can shoot a lot of targets in a short period of time. I want to remind you that small clubs have their own charm. Sitting under a shade tree with some friends and shooting some targets isn't a bad way to go either. We must keep small clubs active. They are the breeding grounds of future registered shooting. So please show up there and have some fun.
I am very excited to tell you about a new shooting program here in Illinois. Blackburn College, my Alma Mater, has created a shotgun shooting program that will begin competing this fall. I went over to look at the facilities they are putting together and was very impressed. They are coached by Lauren Dunn, a many time All-American, All Stater and a member of the ISTA Hall of Fame. Blackburn is a small liberal arts institution with a friendly, homey atmosphere. If you are looking for a place to shoot and get an education, check out Blackburn. I think you will be impressed. You can reach Lauren at
I am sad to report that Illinois has lost another trap shooter. Tom Hoffman, a central zone shooter, has passed after a battle with cancer. Tom was a great guy and a great shooter and will be missed at the clubs where he competed. I know I sound like a broken record, but I hate it when we lose people like him. Rest well, Tom.
Shoot well and support your local club.
Bill Duncan, ATA Delegate
Hi everyone. I want to start out by correcting another mistake I made with the 2025 Illinois All-State team. The mistake was with the Veterans team. The same five gentlemen remain on the team, but their order needs to be corrected. The correct order is 1) Brian Hezel 93.48, 2) Dan Staker 93.17, 3) Mike Hathaway 92.9, 4) Matt Nicol 92.14, 5) Harvey Schultz 91.91. I apologize to all concerned.
I noticed that Illinois has 3 Mega Target Members from the last target season. Mike Dennis, Leland Hassler and Mike Westjohn all shot more than 20,000 targets last year. Congrats guys. We all admire you for your stamina and dedication. I have said this before, if any of you would like to adopt me and take me shooting, I would really appreciate it.
I want to invite all of you to come and shoot at the Illinois State Shoot this year. This will be our 150th State shoot and we are planning on making it our best yet. Come and be a part of history.
Shoot well and support your local club.
Bill Duncan, ATA Delegate
Hi, everyone. It seems like in the wintertime more people pass away. This is certainly true in Illinois trapshooting because we lost three shooters over the past month. Ed Austin, Robert Wheatey and Linda Nowak have all died recently. All three were good people, good shooters and good friends. I know I sound like a broken record, but I hate to report losing people like this. It diminishes us all when they are not around.
I need to correct a mistake I made when I figured the 2025 Illinois All-State team. In the Sub-Junior category, Logan Rynders should be removed from the fifth spot and Adelynn Wottowa should go in to replace him. I apologize to all who are affected by this change.
Shoot well and support your local club.
Bill Duncan, ATA Delegate
Hi everyone. I want to introduce you to the 2025 Illinois High Average Award winners. These are men and women who shot high averages in the 3 disciplines but did not make either the All-State team or All-American team. We will begin with Doubles: Sam Gilman 97.09; Brady Cox 94.15; Drake Lawler 93.92; Jacob Fournie 93.3; Justin Dewitt 93.22; Frank Haynes 92.38; Wyatt Baine 92.19; Chris Deterding 91.94; Lucus McVaigh 91.82; John Kravanek 91.62. Handicap: Austin Carlen 92.67; Colton Aguiar 91.82; Brayden Hahn 91.7; Terry Rohlfing 91.69; Adam Stockmeyer 91.68; Micheal Benjamin 91.67; George Baskiniii 91.44; Brenden Mowen 90.77; Koester Cook 90.73; Paul Cusack 90.2. Singles: Justin Dewitt 98.47; Terry O'Brian 97.96; Dawson Hemker 97.5; Austin Carlen 97.07; Tom Fester 97.06; John Upcraft 96.93; Katie Gilbertson 96.79; Patrick Murphy 96.62; Joe Nehrt 96.52; William Wirth 98.41. These men and women will receive their certificates on Friday of the state shoot during the annual meeting.
I have a few milestones that have been reached. At the 25,999 plateau, Steve Dinkleman, Kevin Showalter and Duane Parker, all reached it in Doubles and John Krancanas reached it in Singles.
Shoot well and support your local club.
Bill Duncan, ATA Delegate
I want to introduce you to the 2025 Illinois All-State team: OPEN: Anthony Fortino 94.4; Randy Miller 93.38; Kent Kruse 92.8; Aaron Kortte 92.54; Tim Lewis 91.99; Nathan Simpson 91.91; Jeremiah Schultz 91.5; Joseph Terzo 91.23; William Christensen 90.8; Kevin White 90.7. SUB VETERAN: Brian Cox 93.4; Brad Bomkamp 91.68; Ken Mitchell 91.3; Mark Fielder 91.07; Rodney Johnson 90.8. VETERAN: Brian Hezel 93.48; Dan Staker 93.17; Mike Hathaway 92.9; Matt Nicol 92.14; Harvey Schultz 91.91. SENIOR VETERAN: Mike Westjohn 93.63; Frank Payne 92.88; Mike Dennis 92.06; Ron Wolf 92.05; Mack Webb 91. LADY 1: Lauren Dunn 93.17; Erin Federle 90.01; Brooke Weidner 89.123; Sierra Sparenberg 89.12; Grace Hahn 88.15. LADY 2: Janice Rigler 89.05; Joan Maiden 85.69; Brenda Dennis 81.99; Sue Staker 81.88; Connie Martin 78.4. JUNIOR GOLD: Wyatt Williams 96.72; Steve Margherio 95.92; Landon Sievers 94.86; Jaxon Wilson 92.4; Ryan Lewis 91.74. JUNIOR: Mason Bartlow 96.18; Carson Sievers 93.9; Payton Wottowa 91.84; Aidan Ireland 89.97; Carter White 89.8. SUB JUNIOR: Noah Goeddel 94.26; Myles Arrowsmith 92.82; Linden Rynders 91.51; Colton Schutte 91.09; Adelynn Wottowa 89.38; CHAIR: Larry Norton 87.96. Congratulations to all these men and women on this accomplishment.
I was happy to see that Downers Grove Sportsman's Club celebrated its 75-year anniversary this summer. Downers is a jewel of a club where you can shoot anything related to the shotgun shooting sports. What makes this club special, however, are the people there. They are friendly, helpful and thoughtful when you show up. I have been there many times and never felt like a stranger. Quite the contrary, I felt like I was everyone's best friend. If you find yourself in northeastern Illinois, stop in at Downers, you will not regret it.
On October 11 the ISTA Board of Directors met and elected 2 new members to the Hall of Fame. Janice Rigler and Mike Dennis will both be inducted into the HOF on Tuesday of the Illinois State shoot. Exceptional shots and exceptional people. It always makes me happy to see good people get what they deserve. Congratulations to both of you.
About a month ago I received a phone call from Riley Kaufman asking me to come up to Auburn, Illinois and recertify the Edgewood Gun Club to throw registered birds. Edgewood years ago had a very active registered program, and I shot there many times. Sadly, over the years, the club went through a bunch of bad managers who ran the club down and left it for dead. I drove up there not knowing what to expect and was completely blown away by what I found. Riley and his dad, Jeff, completely redid the 4 trap fields. They have new concrete, lights, trap houses and trap machines. The club house has been expanded and modernized and is a very comfortable place to hang out and visit. In short, this is a first-rate shooting facility now. But the thing that really stuck out for me was the atmosphere of the place. Everyone was happy, everyone was smiling, it was a place where you wanted to be. You need to check out Edgewood. You will not be disappointed. Their hours of operation are Monday and Wednesday 10am to 7pm. S
Bill Duncan,ATA Delegate