CCF&G / Ferry Brook Junior Shooters / NH State

Smallbore Whistler Boy History

I am only able to offer a history on the program from 1984 to present. Prior to that, my exposure to competitive rifle shooting was limited to 2 years of shooting in a YMCA program in the very early 1960’s. In 1982 and 1983 my sons were frequent participants at the rifle range at Hidden Valley Scout Camp in Gilmanton NH. In the fall of 1983, my sons wanted to complete their Shooting Merit Badge. To accomplish this, we needed to find something locally. As it turned out, another local Scoutmaster was also the Junior Rifle Team coach at our local club. So, Larry Jr and Rob started shooting with the Cheshire County Fish & Game Club rifle team.  We had no idea where this would lead…

Our first association to the Smallbore Whistler Boy event was in 1984 when I brought Larry Jr to the University of NH range (in the basement of the University fire station) for that year’s tryout. The event was being run by Erwin Lampron Sr. My understanding was that Mr Lampron (Chester NH Rod & Gun Club) had run this tryout for several years. Larry did not make the NH Smallbore team. He did, however, make the High Power Junior team for 1984.

In 1985, Mr Lampron had developed health issues that prevented him doing this any longer. As a result, there was no Smallbore State team. CCF&G conducted its own tryout and sent a Smallbore team.

In 1986, Nashua Fish & Game took over the Smallbore Whistler Boy Tryouts. Nashua ran the Smallbore tryouts for 2 years. In 1986, NH State R&P sent 1 team. In 1987, NH sent 2 teams and CCF&G sent 1 team.

In 1988, Cheshire County Fish & Game Club took over the NH Smallbore Whistler Boy Tryouts and we have continued the event ever since on the 2^nd Saturday in May. We also offer a “make up” option for any week night during the following week to allow Juniors that cannot attend on the Saturday a chance to tryout. Our experience has shown that often Juniors have other Saturday commitments that make this necessary. Our tryout format combines a DCM/CMP Dewar Prone score on the A23-5 / A25 along with a target of 10 shots kneeling and 10 shots standing on the A-51. Our tryouts have also allowed the use of “Any Rifle”. We have traditionally used the event as both a DCM/CMP match and the Whistler Boy tryouts.

Over the years, the number of tryout “spots” has varied from sponsoring organization. The number of available spots is first generated by the sponsoring organization’s (State Association or DCM/CMP Affiliated Club) ability to provide sponsorship. In some years, the issue was how many juniors were available to attend the National Matches. Since 1985, I have strongly promoted the Whistler Boy Match / Camp Perry experience to my Junior Team members as one of the premier platforms of team participation. I have also tried to project this same concept to the State Association level. Nashua Fish & Game Club has also been a strong supporter of the Smallbore Whistler Boy Match.  

The reasons are many;

            An opportunity to attend the National Matches. For some kids, perhaps the only travel experience they will ever have.

            An opportunity to attend the NRA Smallbore Camp at Camp Perry (this is my requirement for at least the first time at Camp Perry).

            An opportunity to compete against Junior Teams from all over the country.

            An incentive other than the Marksmanship Program all during the regular season of practice and local matches.

            A positive goal to work for (make the cut for a Whistler Boy Team).

Funding for this program is like all others, a major factor and concern. For many years, there was a strong commitment from the DCM towards the Smallbore Junior Program. Since the change to the CMP, this has increasingly diminished. This year is a strong example where all support for Smallbore has been eliminated. Through all this, I have always been encouraged by the strong show of support from our State Association (Gun Owners of New Hampshire) and our local Club (Cheshire County Fish & Game) and their willingness to step up and fill whatever gap we had been accustomed to from the DCM. Along with excellent support from local individuals and businesses, we have been able to “make a spot” for every junior shooter from our Club that is able to make the tryout cut and requirements for the NRA Camp and provide the financial support needed.

The use of DCM/CMP issued / American made equipment has not been any kind of motivating factor. It has always been viewed as a requirement that we needed to meet. With regard to the evolvement of equipment over the past few years, I believe the migration towards the “Any Rifle” rule is necessary. Our difficulty under the old rule of DCM issue only was finding rifles that were both suitable and functional. From a purchase and inventory standpoint, our Club buys only Anschutz rifles when we need new equipment. I have, in past years, bought Remington 540’s and Winchester 52’s . My experience with this process is that I often ended up with a 540 “parts” gun. The issue with the 52’s is that it takes a big kid to use one of these shooting positions other than prone. So, that when it comes to equipping 6 or 8 Whistler Boy competitors, we were borrowing suitable rifle from several sources. Once done, I now had to have the shooters have specific “DCM rifle” practices. I believe that this issue will allow other Clubs to take a more positive look at participating in the Whistler Boy Match. I’ve always felt it easier to put together a 2 person team than a 4 person team.

The Cheshire County Fish & Game Club and Ferry Brook Junior Shooters along with Gun Owners of New Hampshire intend to continue our support of, and participate in the Smallbore Whistler Boy Matches.

Larry Parker Sr

February 7, 2006

New Hampshire Smallbore Whistler Boy Competitors                               New Hampshire Smallbore Whistler Boy Teams