When the Holidays are over and it's five or six weeks to the Super Bowl what are you going to do on Sundays? How about some really good tests of your shooting skills and getting to know other clubs and shooters around the area?

That's what the Winter Jack Rabbit is all about; meeting other shooters, seeing different clubs and shooting when it can be a little tough. Here's how it works. Five local clubs are involved:

Maywood SC, Elmhurst
McHenry SC, McHenry
Northbrook SC, Grayslake
St. Charles SC, Elburn
Sycamore SCC, Sycamore

Each Sunday, beginning the first Sunday in January, one of the clubs above hosts the Jack Rabbit shoot and members from each of the clubs come to shoot. The schedule "goes around" twice and concludes in March with a roundup Calcutta shoot on the tenth Sunday. The schedule order varies from year to year but is generally set up and published in early December. It's the idea of "jumping" from club to club each week that led, many years ago, to the "Jack Rabbit" name. And, it's been going on for more than 20 winters, so somebody must be having fun at it.

The shooting and scoring works like this. Everybody shoots a round of 16 yard Singles. Based on each Shooter's score he is assigned to a Handicap squad and everybody shoots a Handicap round. Each shooter's score for that week obviously is the total of the two rounds.

There are five Lewis Class payouts each week for individual shooters and two Lewis Class Team payouts as well as a High Gun and $50 for a 50 straight score. Since the Jack Rabbit is designed as a competition between the clubs, each club's "team" for that week is determined by the top five scores for each club. Shoot one of those top five scores and you're on the team for that week. If your team hits a Lewis score you share in the Team Lewis payout.

The cost gets set each year but it's generally about $20 a week. This cost covers the weekly prize monies, the carryover, Special Event jackpot and the clubs' target costs.

The Jack Rabbit concludes in March with the final session Special Event.  The shooting format is the same but a Calcutta 'auction' is held where the participants bid on the shooters.  The bid money pot is paid out based on the shooters' 50-target Special Event score and is split between the shooter and the person who "owns" the shooter for that event. The carryover jackpot purse is also paid out on the this Special Event day. Shooters must attend at least six of the Jack Rabbit shoots in order to qualify for the Jackpot payout.

So, if you're looking for some variety in your shooting and that on some Wintertime Sundays can be a real "character building experience," come out in January and try the Jack Rabbit. You might win a little, but for sure, you'll have a good time and will meet some great, new people.

If we can provide more information or answer any questions on the wintertime Jack Rabbit Shoots, please contact us.

Chuck Sandlin - 815  477-0706 - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
Cle Rector - 630 784-9655 -  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it