When Kim Rhode captured the gold medal in women’s skeet shooting, the 33-year-old Californian made Olympic history by becoming the only American to win individual medals in five consecutive Olympic Games.

Rhode earned the gold by hitting 99 out of 100 targets, and she hit 25 straight in the final round.

The historic run began in Atlanta in 1996 when the 16-year-old Rhode won a gold medal in the women’s double trap. In 2000 at Sydney she won the bronze medal, and in 2004 at Athens she won the gold in women’s double trap. In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the double trap event was eliminated so Rhode switched to women’s skeet shooting where she won the silver medal.

When asked if she hunted prior to her trap and skeet prowess, Rhode replied, “I was into hunting prior to any competition. I hunted birds, deer, bear; I even went on a hunting trip to Africa. I’ve always been very active in the outdoors. I also love fishing for trout, salmon, and steelhead.”

She continued, “Growing up we were very active. Those are some of the best memories of mine. Sitting around the campfire with my grandfathers and uncles telling hunting stories like “The deer was this big.” It was fantastic. I hope to share my passion for the outdoors with my kids one day.”

Olympic Shooting Medals

In addition to Rhode, three other American shooters won medals in London.

Vincent Hancock, a gold medalist in men’s skeet in the 2008 Olympics, became the first shotgun shooter to successfully defend a skeet-shooting title by winning the gold again in 2012. Jamie Gray won the gold medal in women’s 50m rifle-3 positions (prone, standing, and kneeling). Matt Emmons earned a bronze medal in the men’s 50m rifle-3 positions. Emmons had previously won a gold medal in 2004 and a silver medal in 2008.

Sporting Licenses on Sale

The 2012-13 licenses for the new hunting, fishing, and trapping seasons that begin on Oct. 1 go on sale beginning Monday.

License buyers have the options of purchasing a license from a local sales outlet, by telephone, or by visiting the DEC website. For questions regarding license purchases, individuals can call DEC’s Automated Licensing System (DECALS) at 1-866-933-2257. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday from Monday through Oct. 13, and regular weekday hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) resume on Oct. 15. Detailed information on license purchases is also available by visiting www.dec.ny.gov.

When purchasing a license, residents should have proof of residency such as a driver’s license or a non-driver’s identification number with a valid NYS address.

Hunting license purchases require individuals to provide proof of hunting education certification or a copy of a previously-held hunting license. For those who have purchased a hunting license in recent years, that information will be contained in the DECALS file.

Deer Management Permits

Deer Management Permits (DMPs) also go on sale on Monday, and they can be purchased at license-issuing agents, by phone, or on-line. Deadline for applications is Oct. 1. DMPs are issued through a random selection process at the point of sale so a purchase is no guarantee that the buyer will actually receive a DMP.

Prior to purchasing a DMP, hunters are advised to verify the Wildlife Management Unit for which they are applying and to check their odds of selection by consulting the chances-of-selection chart at license-issuing agents or on the DEC website.

Top Fishing Brands

Compiled from nearly 30,000 internet-based surveys of anglers, Southwick Associates (AnglerSurvey.com) has compiled a list of the top fishing brands for 2011.

The top brands (percent of purchases) are Shakespeare rods (9.6), Shimano reels (21.4), Brekley Trilene line (13.1), Rapala hard baits (21.8), Zoom soft baits (15.2), Strike King spinner bait (16.4), Plano tackle box (45.8), Frabill landing net (24.5), and Rapala fishing knife (25.2).

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

Today: Bowhunter Education Course at Ferari’s Archery Shop in Carthage (Pre-register at Shop).

Today: Sporting Clays Shoot at Black Lake F&G Club at 9 a.m.

Monday: Sporting Licenses for 2012-13 Go on Sale.

Tuesday; Federated Sportsmen’s Clubs of SLC Meet at Boces at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: Hunter Education Course at Mannsville Fire Hall (Pre-register at 785-2533).

Thursday and Saturday: St. Lawrence International Junior Carp Tournament (www.northcountryguide.com).

Aug. 21,24,25: Hunter Education Course at Adams Center Sportsman’s Club (Pre-register at 232-2942 from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.).

Aug. 23-25: Hunter Education Course at Fort Drum (Pre-register at 772-0053).

Aug. 26: Bowhunter Education Course at Watertown Sportsman’s Club (Pre-register at 785-2533).

Thousands of readers like you have made Northern New York Newspapers the number one ranked website* for local news and sports coverage in the north country.

You can continue on to this article in a few seconds, or you can visit one of our websites:

• Watertown Daily Times
• The Ogdensburg Journal
• Daily Courier-Observer