MIKE BRAUN DOW's Budzik plans to retire; area skeet shooters at World

Mike Budzik, chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, will step down at the end of January after a 30-year wildlife career.
"I'm just going to step aside, catch my breath and do some of the things I've wanted to do," Budzik said Friday.
Budzik, 48, is a 1974 graduate of Hocking Technical College with a degree in Recreation and Wildlife. He began his career with the wildlife division as a conservation aide in 1975.
His previous assignments include wildlife area manager, wildlife biologist, assistant administrator in wildlife management and research, and wildlife district manager for the southeastern portion of the state. He was named chief of the division in 1995.
Budzik said that after his retirement, he will be busy in a number of areas. "I plan to become more active in my church," he said. "I also plan to undertake some mission trips."
Another priority is family-oriented, he said, involving spending more time with his wife.
Finally, he said, "The remaining time I plan to divide between hunting, fishing and trapping."
Budzik said his 30-year wildlife career was a "dream come true." During his time as chief, he said he tried to set directions and boundaries for his subordinates. "You empower your people and then turn them loose," he said. "What I tried to do is foster an attitude of cooperation and partnership."
Budzik said his greatest contribution was in the handling of those who surrounded him. "I didn't promote my friends," he said. "Only the best person for the job got the position." He said that handling hiring and promotions in that manner "cost me some friendships."
He said he was very proud of those who have served under him. "Together we did accomplish some great things," he said. "I believe the division is among the best two or three such agencies across the United States."
The search for his replacement will be conducted nationwide, he said. "That's the way the director does it," he said, "That's not because there are no qualified people in the division." He said, those qualified within the ODNR will be considered.
Local shooters succeed
Area skeet shooters have done well and continue to do well during the on-going World Shoot 2002 at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, Texas.
Considered the Superbowl of skeet shooting, the World Skeet Shooting Championships draw more than 1,000 competitors from the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Asia and South America to shoot for the title of World Skeet Champion.
At the Mini-World -- the preliminary event before the World shoot -- area shooters brought home some impressive awards.
Rich Cameron of Sharon placed second in Class 1 and fifth overall in the Sub-Sub Senior category (40-50-years-old) for the high-overall event (all four shotgun gauges) knocking down 396 out of 400 birds. Richie, as he's known in area skeet circles, is one of a number of exceptional area skeet shooters and has acquired All-American status in skeet.
Richie's father, Dick Cameron, an All-American as well, also placed in HOA at the Mini-World.
Dick, of Masury, took second in Class 1 and fifth overall in the Senior division (60-70 year olds) shooting 394 out of 400 birds.
In the Mini World 20-gauge shoot, Dick placed fourth in Class AA with a perfect 100 score. He was Senior runner-up in the shootoff for that gauge with others who posted perfect scores. Shooting again for Senior honors, he took Class 1 third and fifth place overall, in the .410 small-gauge shoot.
To put some of these awards in perspective and show the level of competition being conducted, it often took shooters at these events turning in perfect scores to even record third and fourth place finishes.
Other area skeet shooters who turned in exceptional marks included Chuck Isaac of New Castle, Pa., who was the top gun in the Mini World 12 gauge event with a championship-caliber mark of 100. Isaac, like the Camerons, also has All-American skeet shooter status.
Tom Bour of Hermitage, Pa., also made a good accounting of his skeet abilities. Bour placed third overall in the Veterans category (over 70) with a score of 97 in the .410 Mini-World event and a Class 1, second place, fifth-overall finish in the Veterans category in the 28-gauge event.
With the preliminary tournament out of the way, the actual World Shoot commenced Oct. 14.
Right off, Rich Cameron made his mark in the doubles event, sponsored by Federal Ammunition, with a 100-clay showing. He placed fifth overall in a shoot-off with 22 others who posted perfect scores of 100. His fifth-place finish is worthy accomplishment for a local shooter at that level.Putting that into further perspective, Cameron finished ahead of Mike Schmidt, one of the world's best skeet shooters.
Results from the week's other events had not been posted as of Saturday.
Aside from Federal Ammunition, other sponsors include Briley, Fiocchio, Beretta, Decot HyWyd Sport Glasses and the National Rifle Association.
braun@vindy.com