Cover Story - Long Spurs On Target For Success

By Tom Kocal,

At their practice session June 25, the Carroll County Long Spurs Shooting Team received their new hats and shooting vests (see photo). They needed them for the state shoot at Sparta, Illinois this coming weekend. It's the home of the Grand American Trap Shoot, the first part of the Nationals, also held in Sparta in August.

At Sparta, there will be at least 350 kids registered through the Scholastic Trap Shooting Program. Each participant will shoot 200 rounds during the tournament, advancing based on accuracy.

"For a group that only formed the first part of May, this is a great step forward," said Long Spurs coach Jim Wackerlin. "We are graciously sponsored by the Carroll County Pheasants Forever (CCPF) Chapter through a program called 'No Child Left Indoors.' " The group utilizes the excellent facilities of the Mississippi Flyway Sportsman's Club north of Thomson.

Chuck Quarnstrom, president of the CCPF, who celebrated their 10th Anniversary in 2007, said the chapter is currently ranked #1 in the state and #7 in the country for Youth Expenditures, the amount spent on youth programs like the Long Spurs.

Wackerlin said, "Some of these kids have never picked up a gun before this. We've got 16 kids, from 4th-5th grade to high school age. All boys and only one girl, so far.

"We've got some naturals," Quarnstrom added. "When we started the club, we just cared about developing responsibility and confidence in the kids. As it turns out, we've got some naturals. We didn't plan on going to the Grand American in Sparta this soon."

To prove their point, Cody Calhoun of Mt. Carroll, a student at West Carroll High School, (see front page) nailed 50 out of 50 in two rounds of practice.

"I've been shooting most of my life," he said. "I love hunting just about everything. This is a great way to stay in form."

Ty Harmston, a 6th grader from Elizabeth, attends Stockton Middle School. Another experienced shooter, he nailed a perfect 25 in his second round of practice. He is the son of Dr. Greg and Peggy Harmston.

Montana Mosel of Savanna, a sophomore at West Carroll High School, is the only girl on the team. But that doesn't matter to Montana. "I like to hunt, and I've been shooting a long time."

Coach Wackerlin has been shooting for 38 years. A member of the American Coaching Effectiveness Program, he was a traveling baseball coach for 20 years. "This is the most rewarding thing I've ever done," he said. "These kids are great."

He is joined by assistant coaches Tom Casey, Dr. Greg Harmston, and Bob DeShazo.

"We focus on a 4-step discipline for trap shooting, developed by a shooting club in Billings, Montana," Wackerlin stated. "Each step has both classroom and shooting time. Every step is based on safety developing confidence in these youngsters."

Carroll County Pheasants Forever Chapter also underwrites FFA Wildlife Management Awards. Justin Grisham, Eastland, and Josh McLuckie, West Carroll, are two FFA members working on habitat projects, documenting their work, then submitting their journals for judging. They both received awards this past year. Austin Ashby of the West Carroll FFA, recently elected Vice President of the Illinois State FFA, is a 2008 CCPF Scholarship winner.

"We've also got over $265,000 in the ground now," Quarnstrom added. "A lot of us are getting older. It's nice to have the youth coming up in the ranks, and becoming active in habitat development."

For more information on the CCPF and the Long Spurs Shooting team, contact Quarnstrom at . Plus, go to www.prairie-adsvocate-news.com for a video demonstration of the Long Spurs in action at the Mississippi Flyway Sportsman's Club.