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Creswell Clay Target Sports is attempting to draw female shooting enthusiasts by offering a special Ladies’ Shooting Night once a month.
”Shooting clubs in general tend to be ‘good ol’ boys clubs,’ and they they are looked at that way,” said Dave Abel, treasurer at Creswell Clay Target Sports. ”But it is a family friendly thing.”
The club even hosts three shooting youth teams from Marist and Pleasant Hill, as well as youth from the surrounding communities in a team called Grover’s Gunners.
Abel said the club has attempted to bring an event for women to the club before, but it never really got started until they were approached by a group of women who asked for them to put it on.
”It was the best thing,” he said. ”It worked better that a group of ladies were bringing it to us than us bringing it to them.”
The Ladies Nights have been going on since February, and attendance has steadily increased, Abel said. Four people showed up to the first night and 10 to the second. Abel said he’s seen more interest generated since they started, and they are expecting a bigger turnout in April.
On the night, women will be able to shoot at member prices. Abel said the club decided to make the event more accessible because, like any sport, there are expenses associated with it.
Creswell Clay Target Sports has been around since 1948, and it is one of the few shotgun facilities in the state that offer all types of shooting games: Trap, skeet, sporting clays and five stand. Abel also is a certified instructor and said that he is happy to help out beginners or attendees wanting instruction during the event.
Not only is shotgun shooting an Olympic sport, Abel said, but it’s something that people can do their whole lives.
”I’m 79 years old and there’s not a lot of sports 79-year-old people can do,” he said.
The next Ladies Night is scheduled for April 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Ladies Night
WHERE: Creswell Clay Target Sports, 81078 N. Pacific Highway, Creswell
WHEN: Wednesday, April 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
MORE INFO: 541-942-2021
