by Bob Wood

Tehachapi Sportsman Club’s Bethany Wood bagged a Rio Grande gobbler she shot on Saturday March 24th during a Texas panhandle youth hunt. She became eligible and won the hunt by joining the Texas Women’s Shooting Sports as a Junior Diva. This organization is headed up by Judy Rhodes and Pearl Silvey out of Fairview, Texas. Judy and Pearl are hosts for the television show, Diva’s in the Outdoors, that airs on the Men’s Channel (Dish Network 218) on Mondays at 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 7:00 a.m. Bethany hunted on the Lone Star M Ranch in Kelton, Texas owned and operated by Jay Monych. Jay enjoys hosting turkey and deer hunts on his 1,280 acre ranch for kids, women and new hunters. He also is involved with organizations that help seriously ill kids who are interested in hunting. Bethany’s hunt was taped and will air on the Diva’s in the Outdoors show in the near future.

Bethany also shoots trap at the Tehachapi Sportsman Club’s range in Sand Canyon with the junior shotgun program headed up by Bill Hurdle. The junior shooters are part of the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) which provides school-age participants in grades 12 and under with the opportunity to showcase their competitive shooting skills and earn state and national recognition. The program is designed to instill in participants safe firearms handling, commitment, responsibility, leadership and teamwork. The kids practice at the range twice a week and compete throughout the state in their sport. Last summer Tehachapi sent a squad of shooters to compete at the 2006 Grand American trap competition in Sparta, Illinois.

For those school aged individuals who might be interested in participating in this exciting sport Bill Hurdle will lead an NRA Basic Shotgun Course on Saturday April 14th from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and can be reached at 661-972-2970.

_____________________________________________________________________