Well today was a good day. The weather was nice, the schedule was open, and the wife was sleeping, so with a few hours to call my own I finally was able to make it to the range. Jefferson Gun Club has lots of trap and skeet fields, a sporting clays course, and was buzzing with activity when I pulled up. But best of all, it's around 10 miles from my house.
Upon walking in, I spoke with the guy at the counter explaining I was a new to the range, and a new shooter at that. He was pretty understanding and set me up on an open trap range, and asked a couple older gents' packing up for the day if they'd mind getting me started with a round. They kindly agreed.
They asked if I knew how to use my gun, and I told them how I'd been practicing, but hadn't yet shot it. Then the older of the two offered up some wise advise; "Just keep your eye on the target. If you can't see it you can't hit it." Nice and simple - I wish I could give more advice like that...
I tossed in a shell and called, "PULL!" First shot with the new gun, and I thought to myself, "well the kick's a little 'firm', but I think I can deal with that. Let's try some more..." I think I broke the first clay, I don't really remember, but I must have been grinning because I felt like a young kid in love. I knew the 75 shells I brought were going to go quick...
They stayed and walked me through the rest of a round, and were kind enough to offer some polite tips. At the end of the round, when I offered to buy them a round for helping me out, they happily replied " Oh no, we're happy to do it. 'Pleasure meeting you son..." Very nice of them to help me out. One day I'll have to pay it forward...
After they packed up and left, I shot two more rounds with another gentleman, also a newcomer, and we both just had fun with it. I don't think either of us kept a score, but were really doing ok considering. I probably broke 15 of 25 on the last two rounds, the other guy shooting about the same.
Some take-aways from today.
-I had the hardest time hitting the straight-away shots. I have a bad case of "shoot with one eye closed," and I'm sure it hurts me on those straight and rising targets. -Lack of depth perception I guess. I guess I need to start learning to shoot (pistol, rifle, shotgun) with both eyes open. Thoughts?
-Although shooting 75 at a time is fun, you feel it. And I've got the bruises to remind me of it. I think some breaks in between rounds, and some instruction on form are in order...
-It pays to be kind. Because when you're friendly to others, everyone you meet becomes a friend.
-Pay it forward. Because someone (like myself) may not have a clue without a helping hand. And helping someone out is never unrewarding.
-And a bad day on the clays range, is better than any day at work. I don't think I have to explain myself on this one.
So I'm happy to say I think a shot-gunner was born today. I got to spend some time outdoors, meet some friendly people, and have some fun killing clays. Before leaving I got the name of an instructor for some lessons, and talked another moment with the guy at the counter.
"We also sell ammo too." he says. "It's about $5.60 a box, by the case."
"Wow, that's pretty cheap!" I said. "I'll have to pick some up next time I come."
So like Dave McCracken says, I'll have to come back, BA/UU/R. I'm looking forward to it.
Upon walking in, I spoke with the guy at the counter explaining I was a new to the range, and a new shooter at that. He was pretty understanding and set me up on an open trap range, and asked a couple older gents' packing up for the day if they'd mind getting me started with a round. They kindly agreed.
They asked if I knew how to use my gun, and I told them how I'd been practicing, but hadn't yet shot it. Then the older of the two offered up some wise advise; "Just keep your eye on the target. If you can't see it you can't hit it." Nice and simple - I wish I could give more advice like that...
I tossed in a shell and called, "PULL!" First shot with the new gun, and I thought to myself, "well the kick's a little 'firm', but I think I can deal with that. Let's try some more..." I think I broke the first clay, I don't really remember, but I must have been grinning because I felt like a young kid in love. I knew the 75 shells I brought were going to go quick...
They stayed and walked me through the rest of a round, and were kind enough to offer some polite tips. At the end of the round, when I offered to buy them a round for helping me out, they happily replied " Oh no, we're happy to do it. 'Pleasure meeting you son..." Very nice of them to help me out. One day I'll have to pay it forward...
After they packed up and left, I shot two more rounds with another gentleman, also a newcomer, and we both just had fun with it. I don't think either of us kept a score, but were really doing ok considering. I probably broke 15 of 25 on the last two rounds, the other guy shooting about the same.
Some take-aways from today.
-I had the hardest time hitting the straight-away shots. I have a bad case of "shoot with one eye closed," and I'm sure it hurts me on those straight and rising targets. -Lack of depth perception I guess. I guess I need to start learning to shoot (pistol, rifle, shotgun) with both eyes open. Thoughts?
-Although shooting 75 at a time is fun, you feel it. And I've got the bruises to remind me of it. I think some breaks in between rounds, and some instruction on form are in order...
-It pays to be kind. Because when you're friendly to others, everyone you meet becomes a friend.
-Pay it forward. Because someone (like myself) may not have a clue without a helping hand. And helping someone out is never unrewarding.
-And a bad day on the clays range, is better than any day at work. I don't think I have to explain myself on this one.
So I'm happy to say I think a shot-gunner was born today. I got to spend some time outdoors, meet some friendly people, and have some fun killing clays. Before leaving I got the name of an instructor for some lessons, and talked another moment with the guy at the counter.
"We also sell ammo too." he says. "It's about $5.60 a box, by the case."
"Wow, that's pretty cheap!" I said. "I'll have to pick some up next time I come."
So like Dave McCracken says, I'll have to come back, BA/UU/R. I'm looking forward to it.
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