State Rep. Ed Staback’s 15th Annual Junior Shooting Competition will be held on Sept. 20 at the State Game Lands 300 Shooting Range on Archbald Mountain. In case of rain, the competition will be held on Sept. 21.

Held in conjunction with the Richmondale Hunting Club and the Scranton Chapter of the National Rifle Association, the competition is for youths 10 through 18 years of age, with the following divisions: 11-12-13, 14-15-16 and 17-18. Ten-year-olds will be in their own separate division and shoot from a sitting position only.

Sign-in begins at 8 am with no registration permissible after 10 am. All firearms used by the participants will be inspected. The competition begins at 9 am.

Pre-registration is necessary and can be done by contacting Rep. Staback’s district office at 876-1111 between 9 am and 4 pm on weekdays.

All competitors will need to furnish their own gun. Unlike years in the past when firearms were available for the borrowing, only shooters with their own .22 rifles will be able to participate this year. No semi-automatic rifles will be permitted.

Only standard .22-caliber rifles will be allowed, according to Rep. Staback. Guns will be checked by the NRA members for compliance. No heavy barrel or competition guns are permitted. Separate categories of competition will be held for shooter using open sights and scopes. Targets will be 25 yards.

Shooting instructors will be on site to assist all competitors. The instructors include NRA members, members certified by the State Police, representatives of the Richmondale Gun Club and members of local police departments. Also participating in the days’ activities will be representatives and displays from the Wild Turkey Federation and Quality Deer Management.

Trophies will be awarded for the top three competitors from each age group in both categories.

The high scorer in the iron sight competition will be awarded the Frank Tedesco Memorial Trophy. The high scorer in the scope competition will be awarded the Mike Rinaldi Memorial Trophy.

As in the past years this year’s event will include the awarding of a number of guns, including .22 rifles and shotguns. However, to be eligible for any prizes, winners must be present.

“Each year, the success of this event is a great reminder of the many benefits of shooting sports,” said Rep. Staback. “Whether in the form of future hunts or competitions, the safety awareness and shooting experiences gained at the event are certainly valuable skills for all the participants. And, most importantly, it is always a fun time.”

Ammunition and earplugs will be provided to shooters; each participant is urged to bring their own eye protections. Refreshments will be provided for participants.
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"We must all hang together or,surely we will hang separately." Ben Franklin