A Sad Tale of Woe.

For those that know me, this is not behind my house. I caught it while out walking. Why? Because my truck always breaks down and I have my camera with me. I am good friends with Pat and Turner.

Remember this: For every story with photos of some great hunting experience there is a sad Tale of Woe.

Hunting season with guns did not start until Sep. 15. On the 14th, I stood by a white plastic chemical silo with a .308 scoping some deer that popped out the woods. I knew the law so I couldn't shoot them. I just wanted to get a better look at them. The gun was empty. The next day the herd was back but the neighbor going to church ran them back into the woods. Enter today.....

I used a shower curtain and two bottles of spray paint to make a hunting stand blind. I crawled up and put it in the tree. I later went to work on this effigy mask you see which is only the frame because I have yet to finish it. I worked on it most of the evening because I really wasn't doing it out of a plan I just started playing with materials constructing it. I sat under the car port weaving away on this thing, unconsciously. The light was just lovely outside because it had rained earlier and a blue butterfly landed by me and moved its wings. I was just so peaceful and thought positively. I know what the mask is for. My dad came and went. I worked on a green house we were constructing. My dad left again. I went out into the field and made this makeshift blind out of tobacco burlap, a metal grate and two aluminum tobacco barn rods. I put a chair there too. I figured they wouldn't be walking that way but I was up wind. There had been shooting all day in the woods, forestry work of some kind, nosy and noisy neighbors. The fact I would later be sitting in a combined corn field breathing God knows what didn't help either. I sat down behind the blind with a book and waited.

I heard my dad come up. I always realize that when I am hunting the general direction of where I project the deer will walk out goes contrary to the place I am actually watching. I had told my father earlier that the deer were using my horses as a cover or shield to get across the field without taking a bullet. My dad said, "You have to give them credit for being smart." I thought I saw a shadow moving slowly through the grass. I looked again because it was some ways from me. I figured it to be a smaller deer. I took the scope and followed along the grass around it because I had seen some dark shadows at the edge of the woods. I scoped it out some more. I then finally landed on a grey shadow slowly moving. Once it stood up straight with the long neck. The only thing I could see was the front half of it. It looked like a person standing there with a tight crown on its head. This buck filled up the scope cross hairs. If I shot immediately that would be the only time I would see the buck alive. The buck was just so beautiful and stupidly reminded me of Thrainduil, the Elven King. For a brief moment I wanted to see him alive. Blame it on the Spyglass. I wasn't sure if he was the one I had been stalking since 2009 but he always shoves his horns up in the bushes so you can't tell if he is a buck or a doe. I then thought let me consider the location of my horses. They were to the left of him which he was walking up on them slowly. Right when I thought he would come out for me to get a shot in the right place (because I abhor gut shots) he stops in the grass.  My finger is on the trigger and then I hear a shot ring out. I am surprised that I didn't flinch and tap the trigger firing my own gun.  I worry my horses will bolt into the line of travel of my bullet. I am thinking to my self....no...no...no...don't shoot again. (Okay maybe I was cursing like a sailor inwardly at the stupidity that my ears were hearing.) Then a second shot rings out. I watched the buck in the scope which is really a small circle of area as it stood in the grass looking in the direction of the gun play. I thought, "Saint Hooks Magoric, am I going to have to rush a shot?"  I didn't see the deer hit as if by projectile force but then turned its rabbit tail towards me and I had to watch it walk off into the woods. I was enjoying a full on anxiety attack which is brought on by feeling cornered for time, rushed, or pressured. Pitifully repeating no..no...no...no. I am a strong woman that is not afraid to say....hell yes...I was about to cry. (Okay I admit I am crying now as I write this.)

Situations like this remind me of a dam with one little pivotal pebble that plugs all that raw energy at bay. Some douche comes along and knocks that rock loose and yonder she blows. Every poisonous issue you have will come to the surface and having a therapist there dressed in camo besides you probably will not help you through your emotional ordeal. I argue a couch to lay on as you spill your guts or soul in a corn field.

I also thought I have healed more than I have killed. I thought at one point that if I kill this deer I kill myself. I have a conscience. Given that I have to do something distasteful because last year I didn't have deer meat and I felt it. People do not care if you are without food. If I have to go contrary to my nature and kill something to eat as supplemental food you can imagine what I have to battle with when I hunt. I also pondered the idea that if I had longer moments of seeing them alive I would not want to kill the animals but then I would be upset with the fact or resentful that I have to do something in order to survive. Sometimes you really have to look at the reasons people are doing things. The options in your mind may not be an option to them.

In retrospect for two shots fired.....no deer at all.

I felt one of two ways. Someone had died and I couldn't get the moments back. I was holding someone's hand and they were slipping to their death as I watched their exit. This was a horrible feeling. Probably not as bad as a deer laying on the ground dying bleeding out though so why am I complaining....self centeredness I would presume.

After I got up I seriously wanted to take the gun and my hunting license and put them on the truck; vowing never to pick up a gun or hunt a deer. Maybe stomp them in the dust? I was just disgusted that my experiences that should have been good were ruined by men. On the other hand I know the golden rule of deer hunting:

if you disrespect the deer family your hunting will be cursed for unnumbered days.

After this episode I vaguely remember profanity and the speaking in tongues of gypsy curses.
At one point I couldn't talk I just used hand signals.

Now I have relapsed and do not want the company of men right now. Should I blame all men for the actions of one? Like Joan Wilder I am all out of Kleenexes.

My mother says to me, "Just go hunting tomorrow."

~Written by W Harley Bloodworth~

Courtesy of the AOFH

ps....if I really put down all the particulars you might have to get some movie popcorn and a chair.

The Moving Target

Remember this: Out there in front of you is a moving target.


Watching the competitive shooters at the 2013 US Open Sporting Clays Championship in Georgetown, SC, my son and I observed several prominent and proficient competitive shooters. The target hitting consistency varied depending on the shooter and his/her preferred style.

In the pursuit of investigation, what would be some observations one could glean from watching other people shoot?  Well, let us investigate what is exactly moving in front of the business end of the shotgun.   When starting out to do any kinds of sport always taken into consideration the following:

• Get checked by a doctor for health problems; eyes, ears, spine, shoulders, reflexes, etc.
• Do your research into the Sporting Clay event.
• Talk to people in the Sporting Clay Field and ask questions.
• Go to Sporting Clay events and read current news.
• Find an exceptional or adequate patient instructor with a good reference list.
• Sign up for the NASC or the NSSA.
• Purchase a gun after shooting, appropriate ammo, clays, clay thrower, or join a reputable sporting clay club.
• Stay away from negative or deceitful people that would hinder your progress or are out only for themselves.
• Practice, practice, practice.

 With this being said, let us focus on the shooting of the clay target.

Things to Consider:

Shot-string: Once the shotgun casing ejects pellets, they move in a uniform string formation where each pellet is occupying a differing place in time and space from the other ones. As the pellets travel (depending on choke use or not) and the distance of the target the pellets will spread wider apart but eventually will fall in an arch to the ground if not on a target.

Time lag: The difference in the time you decide to shoot and the time it takes you to react and put the shotgun in play. This also includes the speed at which you swing the gun (which varies with different clay bird speeds.)  *If you shoot then do not carry the shotgun all the way through, lag time is going to send the pellets into an area of space that is after the interception of the clay bird; causing a bird away.*

Gun Mechanism Timing: Each gun will probably be different so get your gun evaluated or ask before you purchase.

Fast-moving targets: Swing the shotgun to track the target and over take it. Pull the trigger. This will send the shot-string out into the path of the air borne clay to intercept the clay for a break. Keep your follow through.

Straightaway shot: Cover the target point blank. Lead horizontal and vertical on targets angling away and gaining or losing altitude.

Slow Flying birds: Less lead then a fast flying bird.

Rising Shot: Shoot a little above the target.

Falling bird: Shoot a little below the target.

Target Break point: Approximate area in which you want to break a target. (Consider natural barriers, distance to target, target flight, shot-pattern efficiency, and maximum exposure of target surface.)

Eye Focal Point: Where you will focus your eyes to pick up the target visually after launch.

Between Target break-point and Eye focal point is the Gun hold-point:  The direction your muzzles will be pointing when you call for the target.

 At the Station

As we were looking over the shoulder of the shooter from a distance you can get a pretty square assessment of what might be on the shooter’s mind when he’s preparing to yell, “Pull”. One shooter would be standing in the station, gun at the ready, while his amigos are standing behind him doing hand gestures and looking like bird dogs pointing out a fowl. There was a moment where each clay is released to give the general direction from winced the clay makes birth from the bush across its arc to land on the ground. This is when you put on your internal wide angle lens as you go to shoot it while taking the composition in completely.

I waited to see where the target would eject from. There were a couple of machines that had bushes in front. As for where in flight there might be some ‘landmark’ to tip off the shooter when to blast it out the sky I do not know. When you are standing at an angle behind the shooters or to the sides of the station, does not give you a good idea what presents a great shot opportunity unless you are standing in the station yourself. That would be like checking your eyes to see which one is dominant.

As for angles:  “If the target will be coming from a sharp angle, over your shoulder or even behind you, don’t screw your body around or move your feet in order to see the target as soon as possible. Foot and body position should never be compromised just to see a target a little sooner. The target break-point should always be your top priority when positioning your feet and setting yourself in for a shot.” (Meyer 37)

I walked the course, which was huge, and each station had a different direction, height, and patterns of sequential target toss that challenged the shooter. Each station affords the shooter to alter his attempt by testing shooting style to hit the clays. There were also stations where shooters where lined up like race horses while taking their turn.

Observing these differing stations gave one a better sense to the care it takes in gauging target activity from the time it leaves the clay target thrower to the moment it reaches the ground; whole or in pieces.

“There is much more to be learned from observing a target than just where it comes from and where it is going. Is it a standard, mini, midi, or battue? Is it raising or falling? Where in its flight is the trajectory most level? Where is target speed most uniform? Are there obstacles that will interfere with visibility or obstruct shot patterns? Is wind affecting target behavior? Does the sun become a factor at some time during the target’s flight? Where in its flight will the target expose the largest surface area to your shot pattern? “(Meyer 38)

Always observe and ask questions. When you step up to that station; you better prepare yourself for silent major decisions.

 “There are three major decisions that must be made prior to stepping onto a station and attempting to break a target. First, you must decide on the general area in which you intend to break the target. This is what I call the target break-point. Once the target-break-point is identified, you will then decide upon where the eye focal point and gun hold-point will be. “ (Meyer 39)

When looking at the clay target burst after impact:

• Small piece distribution with one large chunk falling to the ground: Shot to high.

• Big chunk goes to the left: Shot too far to the right. *Bird quartering to the left-shot behind the target.*

• Big chunk goes to the right: Shot to far to the left and ahead of the clay.

 After spending several days watching others I was rift with the fact that even the best of shooters do miss and the bird is away. That is normal otherwise it would not be a competition. My son was also eased of his tension when he saw that even the ‘best’ missed. As this is not a replacement for sound schooling of a shotgun or competitive shooting, it’s a start in the right direction for readers to see the challenge of competitive sporting clays.

As for shooters in the sport that may not be experts just yet, watching, learning, and applying are what helps a shooter become proficient at making his/her mark.

There is a lot to be said for going out to any event no matter what it is. Go, the outing might bring to you a new sense of social participation that you found lacking in your life. If this chance at viewing a sport that is new to you would lead you down to the NSCA booth or online and have you sign up; go ahead. As a novice, getting out there and participation is what is going to open that door to learning sporting clays. All you have to do is sign yourself up. If you never put your name in the pot then no one is going to know how well you might do. Not even you. It's easier to hit the wider side of a sporting clay than the thinner side.  Always know what is moving in front of you.

If you would like to see what the NSCA~NSSA are all about click on the link:

http://www.nssa-nsca.org/index.php/2013/05/shooting-tip-shot-tempo/

Literature Sourced:
George Laycock.  The Shotgunner’s Bible, revised edition. Garden City, NY:  Doubleday & Company, 1969, 1987. Print.

Meyer, Jerry. The Sporting Clays Handbook. Guilford, CT. Lyons Press. 1990. Print, pgs.37-39.

Angelia's Reading list:

Written by Angelia Y Larrimore

~Courtesy of the AOFH~