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Final Shots: Martin F. “Bubba” Wood

Photo courtesy of Russell Graves

It is with much sadness that we report the passing of Martin F. “Bubba” Wood on January 5 at the age of 83. The skeet champion, conservationist, wingshooter, and wildlife art curator was a Texas legend whose influence ranged far beyond the state. He was the leader of the renowned Cosmic Cowboys 5-man skeet team in the 1970s. One of his fellow Cosmic Cowboys, Robert Paxton, shared some thoughts on his friend:

Prolific hunter, fisherman, sporting arts dealer, world champion skeet shooter, and conservationist, Bubba Wood was an all-around sportsman.

In 1965, a few years after he began shooting competitive skeet, he had a dream season. He won the HOA at every shoot he attended, except the World Shoot where he was one target behind the HOA Champion. He was HOA High Average Leader that year.

Bubba was a six-time All-American (five Open 1st teams and Co-Captain in 1966). He won three Open World titles – 28-gauge in 1975 and the 12-gauge and Champ of Champs titles in 1976. He was inducted into the NSSA Hall of Fame in 1992.

He served our sport in many ways, including President of TSSA, President of Dallas Gun Club and NSSA Executive Committeeman.

Many would say that one of his greatest accomplishments in skeet was being the leader and driving force of the Cosmic Cowboys 5-man team, recognized by most as the greatest 5-man team in the history of skeet. Many of their world records that they set in the 1970s still hold today.

Others would argue that his work in wildlife conservation should be his legacy. Over the years, Bubba was critical to the success of many nonprofit conservation organizations, and in 2021 was the recipient of the T. Boone Pickens Lifetime Sportsman Award given by the Park Cities Quail Coalition.”

According to the Park Cities Quail Coalition, without Bubba’s early involvement in the organization, it would not exist as it is known today. Bubba involved his friend T. Boone Pickens with the group early on, and both men helped it grow into a successful organization that has contributed millions to conservation.

Bubba was also known as an authority on sporting art, having founded and owned the Collectors Covey wildlife and sporting art gallery for 42 years, giving back $12 million to Texas conservation efforts.

As a prominent conservationist, Bubba Wood was profiled in The Land Report magazine in 2021 in an article titled “A Man For All Seasons.” You can read it here. Park Cities Quail Coalition also created an extraordinary tribute video, which you can view here, when he was awarded the T. Boone Pickens Lifetime Sportsman Award in 2021.

NSSA extends its sympathies to Bubba’s many friends and family.

 

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Final Shots: Kolar’s Don Mainland Passes

We are saddened to report the passing of Don Mainland, the man who established Kolar Arms as one of the leading manufacturers of clay target shotguns since the 1990’s. Mainland acquired the company founded by Larry Kolar in the 1980’s, moving the tube-set business to his machine shop in Wisconsin. After producing trap guns for Remington, Mainland then began production of Kolar-branded shotguns made in the USA. The company is currently in its third generation of Mainland operation, with Don’s son Jeff and grandson Sean now managing the business.

In addition to the Kolar gun business, Don started Letsch Manufacturing, Pioneer Products, and Racine Air. He was known as a true visionary and naturally gifted and driven leader. He had many passions, including clay target shooting, cycling, riding horses, and golf. Don was an accomplished bike racer who raced in Japan’s Kierin circuit in the early 1950’s and held the U.S. coast-to-coast cross-country record, which stood for 11 years. Don was also a proud United States Marine. Above all, Don was known as a loving and proud family man. He was married to Ruth for 71 years, and together they had four children: Michael, Mary, Jeffrey, and Lisa, as well as 12 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

Under Don’s leadership, Kolar Arms grew from a personal passion to a leader in the firearms community, synonymous with excellence and commitment to quality — a reflection of Don’s own integrity. His contributions have been recognized by multiple shooting organizations, including being honored by NSSA in 2011, along with Larry Kolar, Claude Purbaugh, and Jess Briley, for revolutionizing the game of skeet with their development and advancement of sub-gauge tubes. He was inducted into the Wisconsin State Trapshooting Association and honored by other professional organizations for his contributions.

As we mourn his absence, we also celebrate his life — a life richly lived and generously shared. A funeral service will be held on November 9 in Racine, Wisconsin. NSSA-NSCA extends it sympathies to the Mainland family, Don’s Kolar Arms family, and his many friends. See Don’s full obituary.

 

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NSCA Legend Lois Neely Passes

It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Lois Neely, a true legend and cherished member of the sporting clays community. Lois departed this world on July 10, 2023, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be etched in the minds and hearts of our industry. Lois dedicated her life to sporting clays tournaments with an unwavering commitment to excellence, skill and service to our sportsmen. Her career began with the NSSA in member services in 1985. She moved to the NSCA in 1989, the first staff member to solely focus on the NSCA at headquarters, with member services until December of 1996 when she became the lead of the NSCA as Assistant Director.

In 2000, Lois struck out on her own as WyShotgun and offered tournament administration services to gun clubs throughout the country. Lois stayed on the NSCA Rules Committee and Hall of Fame Committee for another 10 years as an at-large member due to her knowledge of the game. Lois ran registration for every NSCA National Championship held in San Antonio from 1990 to 2022. Her tireless efforts earned her a spot in the NSCA Hall of Fame as a recipient of the Hal DuPont Service Award in 2021.

Our friend’s memory will forever live through the countless experiences, profound knowledge, and exuberant personality she generously shared with us. Funeral arrangement details will be provided when information is available. Let us be patient, understanding, and supportive during this difficult period, granting her family the necessary time and space to heal.

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Final Shots: Richard Craig Orr

NSSA life member Richard Craig Orr, 79, of Samburg, TN, passed away Friday, March 25, 2022, at AHC Union City, TN.

Richard fondly remembered his shooting at the 2004 World Skeet Championships where he ran the 250 in the 12 Gauge Main (AA6, SR Champion), was one of only nine 100 straights in the .410 Bore Championship ( A1 SR Runner-Up ) and posting a 546×550 in the HOA Championship, claiming AA2 and SR Runner-Up to Wayne Mayes.

Richard had a lifetime NSSA target count of 129,325 and enjoyed shooting local events in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi until his health began to fail in 2017 and he enjoyed recreational shooting at the club.

Richard was born September 4, 1942, in Milan, TN, son of the late Robert Clifford and Frances (Hicks) Orr. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and was a retired electrician. Richard is survived by his daughter, Jill Meridith of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

NSSA offers its sincere condolences to Richard’s family and friends.

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Final Shots: Johnny R. Cantu

We regret to inform you of the passing of Johnny R. Cantu, editor-in-chief of Shotgun Sports Magazine and an influential figure in the world of skeet. Cantu died on March 4 in Dallas, Texas, following a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease and leukemia.

From an early age, Johnny loved anything that would shoot — slingshots, BB guns, BIC pen barrels, pellet guns, .22s, revolvers, shotguns, big-bore rifles, and bows and arrows. During the late 1970s, ’80s and early ’90s, Johnny traveled the NSSA circuit, much of that time as a shooting representative for Briley Mfg. He learned a lot about shotguns and related subjects from Briley’s founder Jess Briley, famed shooting editor Bob Brister, NSSA Hall-of-Famer Grant Ilseng, and others in the shooting community. The highlight of his skeet shooting career was earning multiple trips to the winners’ podium at the 1986 NSSA World Skeet Championships, where he won a silver in the 20-Gauge Championship (behind Wayne Mayes) and a bronze in the first half of the 12-Gauge (the “East”) event.

In 1991, Dan Reeves asked Johnny to become a member of Team U.S.A. and travel to France to compete against French professional shooters in their game, Ball Trap. After four days of competition, the members of Team U.S.A. came away victorious, and Johnny was named Most Valuable Shooter.

Johnny was Senior Technical Advisor for Beretta USA for over 5 years, then served as Firearms Sales Manager at the original Beretta Gallery in Alexandria, Virginia, and at the Beretta Gallery in Dallas, Texas. He joined the Shotgun Sports staff as Editor-in-Chief in 2005.

Prior to his death, Johnny’s family planned a fundraiser, a skeet shoot and raffle, to help raise money for his medical expenses. That fundraiser will continue to help with his final expenses and his family’s needs.

The skeet shoot is planned for Friday, March 18 at Greater Houston Sports Club. Get the details from the shoot flyer. A raffle is being held for a Fabarm STF Black Rifle. Here are the raffle details..

In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to consider participating in the skeet shoot and raffle or donating directly to the online PayPal fundraiser at https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8HHwR1AcCw.