expat_alaska
Member
Didn't know if this is the correct forum for this. Don't think the Competetive Shooting forum was the right place. Mods: feel free to move it.
Anyway, I'll start.
In 1969 I got a job as a trap/skeet puller/setter for $1.50/hr at Roberts' Shooting Park in Elkhorn NE. Worked there for 1 1/2 years. Best job I ever had! The park had 5 skeet ranges, 3 of which also had trap houses.
We had some so-called hot-shot trap shooters who liked to call/shoot doubles on the quick, so much so that it was almost impossible to set two clays on the blade without catching your fingers.
We were open Saturday and Sunday days, as well as Tuesday and Thursday nights, and we would hold "booze" shoots and "turkey" shoots at night (prizes accordingly). 5 targets (and one filled with a colored powder sealed by a cardboard inner and winner hitting the powder target would take the prize. White painted White Flyer clays illuminated by huge floodlights. The shooters would back up well beyond the 27 yard line so I would have to lie in my back with the pull switch and have them shoot over me. No ear protection. Heck, it was 1969-70!
When days were slow, we would clock out and shoot skeet (on our own time) @ the going rate of $1.25 per session (25 targets). I shot a Rem 870 IC vent rib. Never got better than one 23, but we used to have the advantage of shooting doubles at Station 8 just for grins. (Try it sometime!) Also used to shoot one-handed at station 4 and break targets regularly (with one hand it's hard to stop the gun swing!).
Just before pheasant season, farmers would come out in droves to practice, and were generally poor at it. When pulling skeet I would stand behind them and tell them where they were shooting by observing the shot cloud. Most were low and behind of the target. Most would bring Federal paper shells which I would scoop up the spent hulls by the box load to reload (same base wad height as a Win AA) and no one else wanted them. Used Pacific Verilite one-piece wad columns and Red Dot powder with 7 1/2 shot. Long time ago.
In 1970, Roberts' hosted the NSSA State Skeet Shoot. We ran all 5 ranges, some of which required some of the "trap" boys to manually cock the trap and set clays by hand. What a thrill to see these guys shoot!
We saw all manner of fancy guns (oohed and awed by us poor folks). I loved the 28 gauge and the .410 competition and we could see it all through the skeet house openings. Most competitors shot Rem 1100 guns but some used 870 or Win 42 for the .410 competition.
I hope I have not bored you all.
Let e know of any other experiences, please.
Jim
Anyway, I'll start.
In 1969 I got a job as a trap/skeet puller/setter for $1.50/hr at Roberts' Shooting Park in Elkhorn NE. Worked there for 1 1/2 years. Best job I ever had! The park had 5 skeet ranges, 3 of which also had trap houses.
We had some so-called hot-shot trap shooters who liked to call/shoot doubles on the quick, so much so that it was almost impossible to set two clays on the blade without catching your fingers.
We were open Saturday and Sunday days, as well as Tuesday and Thursday nights, and we would hold "booze" shoots and "turkey" shoots at night (prizes accordingly). 5 targets (and one filled with a colored powder sealed by a cardboard inner and winner hitting the powder target would take the prize. White painted White Flyer clays illuminated by huge floodlights. The shooters would back up well beyond the 27 yard line so I would have to lie in my back with the pull switch and have them shoot over me. No ear protection. Heck, it was 1969-70!
When days were slow, we would clock out and shoot skeet (on our own time) @ the going rate of $1.25 per session (25 targets). I shot a Rem 870 IC vent rib. Never got better than one 23, but we used to have the advantage of shooting doubles at Station 8 just for grins. (Try it sometime!) Also used to shoot one-handed at station 4 and break targets regularly (with one hand it's hard to stop the gun swing!).
Just before pheasant season, farmers would come out in droves to practice, and were generally poor at it. When pulling skeet I would stand behind them and tell them where they were shooting by observing the shot cloud. Most were low and behind of the target. Most would bring Federal paper shells which I would scoop up the spent hulls by the box load to reload (same base wad height as a Win AA) and no one else wanted them. Used Pacific Verilite one-piece wad columns and Red Dot powder with 7 1/2 shot. Long time ago.
In 1970, Roberts' hosted the NSSA State Skeet Shoot. We ran all 5 ranges, some of which required some of the "trap" boys to manually cock the trap and set clays by hand. What a thrill to see these guys shoot!
We saw all manner of fancy guns (oohed and awed by us poor folks). I loved the 28 gauge and the .410 competition and we could see it all through the skeet house openings. Most competitors shot Rem 1100 guns but some used 870 or Win 42 for the .410 competition.
I hope I have not bored you all.
Let e know of any other experiences, please.
Jim
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