09-15-2007, 01:10 AM
The Oklahoma Station Chapter of Safari Club International (SCI) is inviting the public to the H&H Gun Range Oct. 16 for food and a chance to shoot some of the most serious sporting rifles available, including large-bore doubles typically used for the most dangerous of big game.
Two current Oklahoma SCI members, Michael Engster, a German engineer and rifle expert, and Mike Mistelske, one of SCI's Oklahoma directors and an avid big-game hunter, will bring a variety of high-grade European firearms to H&H Gun range, located at 400 South Vermont, Suite 110, in Oklahoma City (the I-40 & Meridian area, facing I-40), and anyone interested will be able to try their hand at shooting these guns for only the cost of ammunition used. Since the evening's emphasis will be on larger caliber firearms, Engster and Mistelske will also bring photos of various African and other big-game hunts. Several other SCI members with extensive international experience are expected to be present, providing an opportunity to make some helpful connections and get answers to any questions regarding big game hunt planning.<br />
Engster will show and explain the various rifles at 5:30 p.m. A buffet dinner will be served at 6:15 p.m. The cost for dinner is $11 per person. Shooting will commence at approximately 6:45 p.m. and will continue until approximately 8:30 p.m. Ear and eye protection will be provided by H&H Gun Range for those who do not have their own. Ammunition will be available as well (cost per round for big doubles: .470/$10; .500/$13).<br />
Members of SCI and non-members interested in attending the event to learn more about SCI should leave a detailed message with Mistelske by calling or e-mailing him at (918) 241-8551 or mjmistelske@yahoo.com no later than Wednesday, Oct. 3 to help ensure that an appropriate amount of food and ammunition will be available. Mistelske will return from Africa Oct. 4 and will reply to all messages upon returning.<br />
All activities will be held inside H&H's first-class shooting/dining/meeting facility (http://www.hhgunrange.com 405-947-3888) rain or shine. Attendants should arrive by 5:30 p.m. to get the full benefit of Engster's explanation of the various rifles available to examine and to shoot.<br />
According to its Web site, the Oklahoma Station Chapter of SCI serves four basic purposes: protecting the freedom of sportsmen to hunt, offering education on the value of hunting as a valuable wildlife management tool, conserving wildlife to preserve the hunting heritage for future generations and providing humanitarian services.<br />
The Oklahoma Station Chapter of Safari Club International offers support and funding to a number of sportsmen's causes, especially local efforts that benefit the sportsmen and wildlife of Oklahoma. The chapter partners with the Wildlife Department to sponsor several important programs, including the Expo and the Hunter's Against Hunger program, which oversees the distribution of hunter-harvested venison to needy families.<br />
The organization also helped fund the purchase of an airboat used by the Wildlife Department on waterfowl surveys and other wetland management tasks, and they provided the Department with a 24-foot trailer for use in the Department's Shotgun Training Education Program (STEP). STEP introduces both youth and adults to shotgun shooting techniques and the proper handling of firearms. Additionally, the chapter purchased eight elk for introduction into an existing herd in southeast Oklahoma.<br />
The Oklahoma Station of the Safari Club International also sponsors the Department's annual youth essay contest. The contest gives youth the opportunity to share their feelings about Oklahoma's outdoors and gives them the opportunity to win great prizes, including a guided pronghorn antelope hunt in New Mexico
Two current Oklahoma SCI members, Michael Engster, a German engineer and rifle expert, and Mike Mistelske, one of SCI's Oklahoma directors and an avid big-game hunter, will bring a variety of high-grade European firearms to H&H Gun range, located at 400 South Vermont, Suite 110, in Oklahoma City (the I-40 & Meridian area, facing I-40), and anyone interested will be able to try their hand at shooting these guns for only the cost of ammunition used. Since the evening's emphasis will be on larger caliber firearms, Engster and Mistelske will also bring photos of various African and other big-game hunts. Several other SCI members with extensive international experience are expected to be present, providing an opportunity to make some helpful connections and get answers to any questions regarding big game hunt planning.<br />
Engster will show and explain the various rifles at 5:30 p.m. A buffet dinner will be served at 6:15 p.m. The cost for dinner is $11 per person. Shooting will commence at approximately 6:45 p.m. and will continue until approximately 8:30 p.m. Ear and eye protection will be provided by H&H Gun Range for those who do not have their own. Ammunition will be available as well (cost per round for big doubles: .470/$10; .500/$13).<br />
Members of SCI and non-members interested in attending the event to learn more about SCI should leave a detailed message with Mistelske by calling or e-mailing him at (918) 241-8551 or mjmistelske@yahoo.com no later than Wednesday, Oct. 3 to help ensure that an appropriate amount of food and ammunition will be available. Mistelske will return from Africa Oct. 4 and will reply to all messages upon returning.<br />
All activities will be held inside H&H's first-class shooting/dining/meeting facility (http://www.hhgunrange.com 405-947-3888) rain or shine. Attendants should arrive by 5:30 p.m. to get the full benefit of Engster's explanation of the various rifles available to examine and to shoot.<br />
According to its Web site, the Oklahoma Station Chapter of SCI serves four basic purposes: protecting the freedom of sportsmen to hunt, offering education on the value of hunting as a valuable wildlife management tool, conserving wildlife to preserve the hunting heritage for future generations and providing humanitarian services.<br />
The Oklahoma Station Chapter of Safari Club International offers support and funding to a number of sportsmen's causes, especially local efforts that benefit the sportsmen and wildlife of Oklahoma. The chapter partners with the Wildlife Department to sponsor several important programs, including the Expo and the Hunter's Against Hunger program, which oversees the distribution of hunter-harvested venison to needy families.<br />
The organization also helped fund the purchase of an airboat used by the Wildlife Department on waterfowl surveys and other wetland management tasks, and they provided the Department with a 24-foot trailer for use in the Department's Shotgun Training Education Program (STEP). STEP introduces both youth and adults to shotgun shooting techniques and the proper handling of firearms. Additionally, the chapter purchased eight elk for introduction into an existing herd in southeast Oklahoma.<br />
The Oklahoma Station of the Safari Club International also sponsors the Department's annual youth essay contest. The contest gives youth the opportunity to share their feelings about Oklahoma's outdoors and gives them the opportunity to win great prizes, including a guided pronghorn antelope hunt in New Mexico