At the end of each January, every duck hunter I know recalls every missed duck and swears he or she is going to hit the shooting range a lot during the off season.
Then life takes over. We get busy, and the "twice a month" goal turns into "once in a blue moon."
For me, yesterday was that blue moon. Or maybe I should call it a pink moon. A group of women I've been working with on some programs for California Waterfowl got together with some non-hunting, non-shooting friends for some sporting clays and trap action at our local range, the Cordova Shooting Center.
We started out a bit rough. Few of us had done five-stand sporting clays, and let's just say there wasn't much cheering at the start. Every once in a while I'd look back at the newbies waiting for their turn, and they had these stricken looks on their faces. Geez, if the experienced hunters can't hit these things, what hope do we have?
But we all warmed up soon enough, and everyone ended up having a good time after all, slaying clays and cheering each other on.
Of course, I couldn't go out there with just my gun - I also had to haul out my camera, audio recorder and camcorder. Twenty-four hours later, here's what I've got to show for it - enjoy!
© Holly A. Heyser 2008
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12 comments:
God, it looks like you had fun there.
Ken
Impressive! And love the pink hats.
That looks like a fun day spent at the range... I heard a rumor that the rifle shooting day is coming up soon here at this crazy house!
Looks like you all had a lot of fun. That's great to see.
Looks like an awesome time. Very nice video.
I haven't been to the range in forever. I think I need to get out there, and soon!
Lots of smiles and laughter... that's kinda the point, right! Even if you do have to call for your birds in a "man voice".
Looks like fun.
Wow, we're shhhhmmmokin'! Good job, Holly, the multimedia really adds something.
It was my first time shooting that day, and now I feel safe admitting it, I almost was in hysterics because of the sense of real danger that there is in simply handling a gun. Maybe you longtime gun nuts ;o) have a more laissez-faire approach, but it's really intimidating holding something that can kill you, or worse, someone else, if you mishandle it. There's so much to remember: safety on, double check the safety, watch out for things that want to pinch and bite you as you load, always watch where it's pointing... I think what finally helped me get over it and calm down enough to shoot was the realization that a shotgun is simply a tool -- like a reciprocating saw, or even a sewing machine -- that only does harm if you aren't mindful and precise about it.
I know there's so much more to learn, but I couldn't have found a better group to learn it with! Thanks, yall!
Hey Flanhammer, glad we could help you get past that first step. I still feel a healthy respect for guns myself, even after using them for a couple years now. Personally, I think it's better never to lose that.
Hope we see you out there again!
Pretty fun stuff,
It is real refreshing to see you all teaching the "green horns" a healthy respect for those firearms.
Sounds like Flanhammer learned about some of the pinching of the fingers quite well on her own!!
It's also rather ironic listening to you youngsters refer to the firearms as being no different than any other tools of any other trade. I have preached the very same gospel for 40 decades now! An awareness of the fact that they both can hurt or kill is a very good beginning.
Ahh! That is, 4 decades! Im definitely am not that old yet!
We're coming to visit you in December. Warning. Can I shoot some skeet? It's been years. I was fifteen. Had a helluva time skinning them. But they tasted great!
Joanne
Absolutely!!! I would love that. And I promise to feed you something tastier than skeet when it's over.
Something tells me that the years won't have worn down your skills, too - I'm sure you'll put me to shame.
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