Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
My buddy had said over the phone that the associate he was bringing hunting with us was a Type A personality.
After an hour or so hunting near, not with, this person, I had a hunch what the A stood for.
He was the kind of senior executive that some refer to as hard driving, and others as a triple chrome-plated SOB. I favored Group II.
Obviously, he thought he was alpha male, gave us orders and advice on how to hunt, and considered any alternate opinion as trash.
And if I refer to Frankenstein as my mutt gun. that's one thing. If he makes a joke about guarding stagecoaches and sticking up liquor stores with it 10 minutes after first meeting, it's not something to endear him to me. He also dissed my friend's dog, a young one that needed polish and experience but was willing to please.
The big thing though, was any flush was his. No matter if he was on the right and the bird went left, it was his. To make sure, some of his shots were faster than Marshall Dillon's.
And if two of us swung on the same bird, he was ready to say, "I'm sure I hit that bird". This was doubtful, since he missed lots when he alone shot, but we let him have the birds.
He teetered right on the line of being unsafe with some of his manuevers, and asked me to carry Frankenstein unloaded because non breaking guns worried him.
I didn't. By the time we got back to our vehicles, I was doing a slow boil. Apologies the next day from my buddy helped, and knowing I'd never see his self important self again removed all the canker.
To this day, I'd like to kick his whatever.
And the point to all this?
The man's ego and Testosterone fueled braggadacio can be passed over. The lack of manners and almost dangerous gun handling cannot.
So, here's a few things from fields and range to look at.
Don't hog the shots or game. If two shotgunners fire at the same quarry, the best thing to say after is "Nice shot" or "Your bird". Good manners will get you invited back.It's best to divide things up, so that the shooter on the left takes shots going to the left and some of the ones going up the center.
When hunting,make sure you KNOW where the others are, and all the dogs. Don't shoot if you're doubtful.
Let me repeat that. If in doubt, don't shoot.EVER!
Know what's behind the bird. Taking a shot at a ringneck and sprinkling 6 shot on the Little Darling's Preschool field trip to farm country 300 yards away will not endear you to either the hunters nor non hunters in this scenario. In fact, it may get you locked up.
And observe the Four Rules as if someone's life depend on them. It does.
When dove hunting, skip the low shots. I've been sprinkled a few times with shot when some fool took a low shot, no damage. I did call the perps everything but fine, upstanding sportsmen.
And on the range....
Do not close the action of your gun until it's your turn to shoot.And, do not move from your post until all shooting is completed on that post.
The common practice of some trapshooters resting the muzzle of their break action guns on their shoes still bothers me. Few of these folks seem to have limps, so maybe it's just the idea that offends my sensibilities.
And when shooting on Post 5 at trap, turning to the right to go to Post 1 may keep you from clinking guns together with the guy from Post 4.
When acting as squad leader at trap, wait until you get a signal from the new Post 1 shooter before continuing. When you're the new Post 1, give the leader a signal you're ready.
Don't leave the line before everyone has shot their alloted rounds.
And in either place, never criticize another's choice of shotgun, dog, togs, or vehicle.
Did I miss anything?
After an hour or so hunting near, not with, this person, I had a hunch what the A stood for.
He was the kind of senior executive that some refer to as hard driving, and others as a triple chrome-plated SOB. I favored Group II.
Obviously, he thought he was alpha male, gave us orders and advice on how to hunt, and considered any alternate opinion as trash.
And if I refer to Frankenstein as my mutt gun. that's one thing. If he makes a joke about guarding stagecoaches and sticking up liquor stores with it 10 minutes after first meeting, it's not something to endear him to me. He also dissed my friend's dog, a young one that needed polish and experience but was willing to please.
The big thing though, was any flush was his. No matter if he was on the right and the bird went left, it was his. To make sure, some of his shots were faster than Marshall Dillon's.
And if two of us swung on the same bird, he was ready to say, "I'm sure I hit that bird". This was doubtful, since he missed lots when he alone shot, but we let him have the birds.
He teetered right on the line of being unsafe with some of his manuevers, and asked me to carry Frankenstein unloaded because non breaking guns worried him.
I didn't. By the time we got back to our vehicles, I was doing a slow boil. Apologies the next day from my buddy helped, and knowing I'd never see his self important self again removed all the canker.
To this day, I'd like to kick his whatever.
And the point to all this?
The man's ego and Testosterone fueled braggadacio can be passed over. The lack of manners and almost dangerous gun handling cannot.
So, here's a few things from fields and range to look at.
Don't hog the shots or game. If two shotgunners fire at the same quarry, the best thing to say after is "Nice shot" or "Your bird". Good manners will get you invited back.It's best to divide things up, so that the shooter on the left takes shots going to the left and some of the ones going up the center.
When hunting,make sure you KNOW where the others are, and all the dogs. Don't shoot if you're doubtful.
Let me repeat that. If in doubt, don't shoot.EVER!
Know what's behind the bird. Taking a shot at a ringneck and sprinkling 6 shot on the Little Darling's Preschool field trip to farm country 300 yards away will not endear you to either the hunters nor non hunters in this scenario. In fact, it may get you locked up.
And observe the Four Rules as if someone's life depend on them. It does.
When dove hunting, skip the low shots. I've been sprinkled a few times with shot when some fool took a low shot, no damage. I did call the perps everything but fine, upstanding sportsmen.
And on the range....
Do not close the action of your gun until it's your turn to shoot.And, do not move from your post until all shooting is completed on that post.
The common practice of some trapshooters resting the muzzle of their break action guns on their shoes still bothers me. Few of these folks seem to have limps, so maybe it's just the idea that offends my sensibilities.
And when shooting on Post 5 at trap, turning to the right to go to Post 1 may keep you from clinking guns together with the guy from Post 4.
When acting as squad leader at trap, wait until you get a signal from the new Post 1 shooter before continuing. When you're the new Post 1, give the leader a signal you're ready.
Don't leave the line before everyone has shot their alloted rounds.
And in either place, never criticize another's choice of shotgun, dog, togs, or vehicle.
Did I miss anything?
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