MONTICELLO - Zwingli Brotherhood will sponsor a free PowerPoint talk by Chris Pederson of Eau Claire at 6 p.m. July 9 at Zwingli United Church of Christ, 416 East Lake Ave., Monticello. The event is open to the public.
Pederson's presentation will be on "Schuetzenvereins (Shooting Societies) of Green County." Pederson is vice-president of the Eau Claire Schuetzenverein and a military historian.
His interest in Germanic hunting and shooting traditions began upon reading about the Hannover Scheutzenfest (Marksman's Festival) shortly after arriving in Germany in December 2004 following a tour in Iraq. In 2007, during a torch-lit ceremony, he was sworn into the German Brotherhood of Hunters after successfully completing the Jagdschein Course in Heidelberg, Germany.
He is gathering material for a book on the Schuetzenvereins of Wisconsin.
Schuetzen-style shooting is primarily done off hand, the most difficult position, at distances out to 200 yards using precision single-shot rifles.
The Swiss considered Schuetzen as "shooting like a man ... standing on two legs."
At one time, Green County had three Schuetzenvereins: One each in Monroe, Monticello and New Glarus. These clubs were a center for social gatherings as well as shooting competitions. Pederson has gathered facts and photos of the facilities (shooting barns, ranges and target houses) as well as the people, the rifles they used, targets and awards.
More information is available by calling Paul Rieder at 608-558-8192.
Pederson's presentation will be on "Schuetzenvereins (Shooting Societies) of Green County." Pederson is vice-president of the Eau Claire Schuetzenverein and a military historian.
His interest in Germanic hunting and shooting traditions began upon reading about the Hannover Scheutzenfest (Marksman's Festival) shortly after arriving in Germany in December 2004 following a tour in Iraq. In 2007, during a torch-lit ceremony, he was sworn into the German Brotherhood of Hunters after successfully completing the Jagdschein Course in Heidelberg, Germany.
He is gathering material for a book on the Schuetzenvereins of Wisconsin.
Schuetzen-style shooting is primarily done off hand, the most difficult position, at distances out to 200 yards using precision single-shot rifles.
The Swiss considered Schuetzen as "shooting like a man ... standing on two legs."
At one time, Green County had three Schuetzenvereins: One each in Monroe, Monticello and New Glarus. These clubs were a center for social gatherings as well as shooting competitions. Pederson has gathered facts and photos of the facilities (shooting barns, ranges and target houses) as well as the people, the rifles they used, targets and awards.
More information is available by calling Paul Rieder at 608-558-8192.