Russ & Vickie Evans

CMP Announces Full Use of Electronics at 2025 National Rifle Matches

By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer 

CAMP PERRY, Ohio – After years of testing, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is thrilled to announce the full use of eTargets at the 2025 National Rifle Matches! 

The 2025 National Rifle Matches are set to be held July 22 through Aug. 3. The CMP’s use of eTargets will include all highpower rifle matches, National Trophy rifle competitions and rifle Games events. The target system will also be used for the National Rimfire Sporter Match on July 20 and the National Mid/Long Range Matches, Aug. 4-9. 

“Competitors have been asking for this for years, and we have spent a great deal of time and energy getting the system ready to be used on the biggest stage in competitive shooting,” said Brian Williams, CMP highpower manager.  

CMP’s line of outdoor electronic targets boasts some of the latest advancements in marksmanship sports. Featuring Kongsberg Target System (KTS) technology, the system includes monitors at each firing point that instantly display accurate shot scores – creating an enhanced experience for individuals on the firing line. The use of the targets also eliminates the need for pit duty, drastically cutting down the duration of each match. 

“We have utilized this system for years, and during that time, we have made countless upgrades and improvements,” Williams explained. “We believe that we now offer the most accurate, easiest to use eTarget system available – working with KTS, developing the system to accommodate the way that we conduct matches and to give the competitors the very best system interface.”  

The KTS system has been permanently installed at CMP’s Talladega Marksmanship Park in Alabama since its inception as well as on Camp Perry’s Petrarca Range in Ohio. The mobile version of the KTS system, which has been featured at all CMP Travel Games events and the National Matches highpower series for the last several years, will be the applied targets for the 2025 National Matches.  

“With an increasing number of affiliate local clubs converting to eTarget systems, there is a growing expectation that the National Matches should be conducted this way,” Williams went on. “Shooting on eTargets is just a better experience for all competitors.” 

As another advantage, the eTarget system at the National Matches will include the KTS Shooter’s Journal, which keeps a log of each individual’s shots/scores on the firing line. Visit the Electronic Targets page on the CMP website at https://thecmp.org/competitions/live-targets/ to view a video on how the eTarget system works! 

The 2025 National Matches will be held on the historic ranges at the Camp Perry National Guard Training Facility in Port Clinton, Ohio. Learn more at https://thecmp.org/cmp-national-matches/.  

CMP’s Junior Rifle Club for All Skill Levels Offered in Ohio, Alabama in 2025

By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is set to host another session of its popular Junior Rifle Club – a weekly group that introduces firearm safety, marksmanship fundamentals, air rifle competition experience and life skills through fun instruction on the range!

Not only will the next session be set at the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center in Ohio but also at the Judith Legerski CMP Competition Center in Alabama! Space is limited for this popular junior activity, so be sure to sign up early!

The 10-week Winter Session will begin Tuesday, Jan. 14, for Alabama and Tuesday, Jan. 28, for Ohio. An informational “Meet & Greet” meeting will also be held Jan. 7 (Alabama) and Jan. 21 (Ohio) for those interested in learning more before the session officially begins.

The Junior Rifle Club will be conducted every Tuesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. EST and 4 to 6 p.m. CST. Fee to join is $50, with no prior experience necessary. The CMP will also loan equipment to those in need!

Participants in the club will not only learn about the sport of marksmanship but also character building proficiencies like discipline, self-control, goal setting and more – all with an emphasis on safety.

Each training session is led by former NCAA Division I rifle athletes. In Ohio, instructors include CMP Junior Rifle Camps manager Ryan Hinson, who was an athlete at Morehead State University, along with CMP program coordinator Alana Kelly, who was previously a member at the University of Mississippi.

If you’d like to become involved in the Junior Rifle Club or have questions and are unable to attend the Meet & Greet, please contact Ryan Hinson at rhinson@thecmp.org or call 419-635-2141 ext. 751 for Ohio or JT Schnering at jschnering@thecmp.org or (256) 835-8455 ext. 415 for Alabama.

Find more details and registration information on the CMP website at https://thecmp.org/cmp-junior-rifle-club/.

Additional Open Marksmanship Times. The Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from noon to 8 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Outside the range doors, the facility features two Laser Shot simulators with hundreds of virtual courses to enjoy, along with authentic Olympic and other memorabilia from the career of celebrated American marksman, Gary Anderson. The center also includes a retail center for equipment and memorabilia needs.

Likewise, the Judith Legerski CMP Competition Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The facility is also home to the CMP South Store, filled with firearms and equipment for purchase, along with its own Laser Shot simulators.

The CMP Competition Centers are available for rent to local groups for meetings, conferences and more. Learn more about the CMP’s air gun competition centers at https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-competition-centers/.

CMP Announces Olympic Silver Medalist SGT Maddalena as 2025 First Shot Speaker

By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer

CAMP PERRY, Ohio – Mark your calendars! The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is thrilled to announce SGT Sagen Maddalena of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit as the 2025 National Matches First Shot Speaker. She will take her ceremonial first shot on July 14 at 4:30 p.m. on the Camp Perry National Guard Training Facility’s historic Rodriguez Range in Port Clinton, Ohio.

Since 1907, the National Trophy Rifle and Pistol Matches have been held at Camp Perry – welcoming each generation’s most talented marksmen and women from around the country as well as those hoping to learn more about the sport. The First Shot Ceremony serves as the traditional opening to the month-long competition season, while the First Shot speaker is an honored distinction amongst the marksmanship community.

SGT Maddalena began her career as a junior on the California Grizzlies highpower rifle team. As a Grizzly, she garnered several successes including the Freedom’s Fire Trophy as a member of the highest scoring team in the National Matches Junior Rifle Team Match in 2013. Maddalena went on to join the University of Alaska Fairbanks rifle team before heading to the Army.

After several successes on a global level, she made her Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games before returning to Team USA for the 2024 Paris Games in both air rifle and smallbore – earning silver in the women’s three-position match. 

The CMP is honored to have her back to kick off the 2025 National Matches!

About the National Matches:

The National Matches schedule is comprised of the Trophy Pistol and Rifle Matches, National Games Matches, National Smallbore Matches, National Air Gun Championships and the National Mid-Range and Long Range Matches. Along with several competitive opportunities, the National Matches includes a variety of educational clinics for all experience levels as well as shopping selections from some of today’s leading industry vendors.

Plan your visit to the 2025 National Matches and view the schedule of events at https://thecmp.org/cmp-national-matches/.

CMP’s Junior Rifle Club for Youth of All Skill Levels to Open in September

By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer

CAMP PERRY, Ohio – This fall, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is set to host another session of its fun and informative Junior Rifle Club – a weekly group that introduces firearm safety, marksmanship fundamentals, air rifle competition experience and life skills through fun instruction on the range!

Training is held within the innovative indoor electronic air range of the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, located on Camp Perry in Port Clinton. The 10-week Fall Session will begin Tuesday, Sept. 17, with a “Meet & Greet” informational meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 10, for those interested in learning more firsthand.

No prior experience is necessary to join. Participants in the club will not only learn about the sport of marksmanship but also character building proficiencies like discipline, self-control, goal setting and more – all with an emphasis on safety.

Each training session is led by former NCAA Division I rifle athletes, including CMP Junior Rifle Camps manager Ryan Hinson, who was an athlete at Morehead State University, along with CMP program coordinator Alana Kelly, who was previously a member at the University of Mississippi.

The Junior Rifle Club at Camp Perry will be conducted every Tuesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. There is no initial cost to join the club, with equipment provided by the CMP in introductory weeks.

If you’d like to become involved in the Junior Rifle Club or have questions and are unable to attend the Meet & Greet, please contact CMP’s Ryan Hinson at rhinson@thecmp.org or call 419-635-2141 ext. 751. You may also attend to CMP’s Open Public time slots, hosted every Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Find more details and registration information on the CMP website at https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-competition-centers/junior-rifle-club/.

Additional Open Marksmanship Times. The Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center is open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m and Tuesday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Outside the range doors, the facility features two Laser Shot simulators with hundreds of virtual courses to enjoy, along with authentic Olympic and other memorabilia from the career of celebrated American marksman, Gary Anderson. The center also includes a retail center for equipment and memorabilia needs.

The CMP Competition Center is also available for local groups to hold meetings or conferences. For questions, please call Catherine at (419) 635-2141, ext. 704. Learn more about the CMP’s air gun competition centers at https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-competition-centers/.

CMP Partners with Lake Erie Arms for Weekly Bullseye League

By Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer

MILAN, Ohio – The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is excited to announce a new Bullseye Pistol League, held in partnership with Lake Erie Arms!

The eight-week league will meet every Tuesday, beginning Sept. 17, 2024, at Lake Erie Arms – a 94,000-square-foot indoor public complex that houses multiple 25-yard and 100-yard ranges, an indoor clay house, virtual simulator, sales as well as a café and upscale member club. The facility is located just a short drive from CMP’s Port Clinton headquarters.

“The CMP is grateful for this opportunity to expand our outreach with Lake Erie Arms and to continue supporting marksmanship opportunities throughout the year,” said Christie Sewell, CMP Chief Programs Officer.

“I’ve personally used the indoor ranges at Lake Erie Arms in the past and have been very impressed with the helpful staff as well as the outstanding accommodations,” she went on. “We’re more than happy to encourage others to explore this local facility for themselves through this enjoyable event.”

The weekly co-ed Bullseye League will be conducted in a single-person format, challenging participants on target accuracy. Both beginner and advanced levels will be offered, with a standard course of fire at 25 yards with .22LR or .45ACP pistols. Pistols are also available for rent!

CMP’s Pistol Manager, Jim Henderson, will be present during the league and will offer a Beginner’s Class on Sept. 17 at 5 p.m. for anyone new to the sport or those with questions on how to improve his or her marksmanship skills.

To add to the fun, the CMP will award Gift Certificates ($100, $75 and $50) to the top three overall league participants and a $100 CMP Gift Certificate to the top beginner.

Learn more and register for this friendly recreational league at https://www.learms.net/cmp-bullseye-league. More information on Bullseye Pistol can be found on the CMP website at https://thecmp.org/competitions/cmp-pistol-program/. Discover all Lake Erie Arms has to offer at https://www.learms.net/!

Other CMP Offerings: Each summer, the CMP hosts the month-long National Rifle and Pistol Matches on the outdoor ranges of the Camp Perry National Guard Training Facility in Port Clinton for participants of all experience levels. Camp Perry is also home to CMP’s Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, which houses an 80-point indoor electronic air gun range and Laser Shot simulators, as well as Petrarca Range, an outdoor electronic range – both open weekly to the public. Learn more at https://thecmp.org/.

Test Your Competitive Strength During the 2024 Ohio Triple Crown

By Ashley Dugan, CMP Writer

CAMP PERRY, Ohio – Are you a pistol competitor looking for an exciting challenge of skill and endurance? Sign up for the 2024 Ohio Triple Crown, a pistol event hosted by the Ohio Rifle and Pistol Association (ORPA) that combines matches from some of the leading marksmanship entities in the state – all through the month of July.

This three-match aggregate includes Ohio’s top Pistol 2700 matches:

• the Cardinal 4-Gun Match at the Cardinal Center in Marengo, July 7-10
• the Canton-McKinley Regional Match at the Canton-McKinley Rifle and Pistol Club in Canton, July 12-14 
• the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) National Matches at the Camp Perry National Guard Training Site in Port Clinton, July 14-21

Pistol 2700 aggregate events combine scores using three different firearm types: .22 caliber, Centerfire and .45 caliber. Slow-fire is held at 50 yards, with timed-fire and rapid-fire conducted at 25 yards. Each stage will include 20 record shots.

Last year, junior Ethan Clark, 19, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, was the first-ever winner of the Ohio Triple Crown – claiming the Sharpshooter class at all three events. Though the event had already been held two times before, no winner had been named until 2023 – evidence to the difficulty of the campaign.

Outside of the overall winner, the competitor who has the highest overall aggregate of the three combined 2700 scores but did not win all three matches will be named the High Aggregate Winner. Competitors may also earn the highest aggregate score in their individual classes: High Master, Master, Expert, Sharpshooter and Marksman.

Find more information on each location and sign up for the matches:

Cardinal Center Pistol Range – https://www.thecardinalcenter.com/
Register – https://www.redfeatheroutfitters.com/4-gun-showdown-2024/

Canton-McKinley Rifle and Pistol Club – https://cantonmckinleyriflepistolclub.com/
Register – https://cantonmckinleyriflepistolclub.com/2023-regional/

CMP’s National Pistol Matches (Info and Registration) – https://thecmp.org/cmp-matches/national-trophy-pistol-games-matches/

For questions or additional information, contact Jim Henderson, CMP Pistol Manager, at jhenderson@thecmp.org.