First registered shoot.

[teepee1234]

Is this correct? Do you need to shoot 'competition' to get a CPSA classification? I thought you just needed to shoot birds only provided the shoot is registered??

My lad has been shooting birds only to get a classification and I've been telling the sign on chappie as much so I'd be pissed off if he doesn't get one after shooting 300 registered birds.

DT

My mistake! Was rushing at work and confused "competition" with "registered".

As above, I'll engage brain before opening gob in future!

Anyway, it got a few more responses...

 

[Westward]

I expect every scorer/ref is different, but normally I say nothing whilst someone's shooting and I never call "last pair". After the last pair I tell the shooter what they've scored, thank them and sign the score sheet.

If you're unsure about something or want anything specific like calling your kills/losses as you go, just ask the scorer.

 

[wylye]

Mr P - just a minor correction. The archaic process you describe of the ground secretly allocating stands for classification purposes went into history ages ago. These new-fangled things called computers do it now - and its still a secret!

 

[ExSCA]

Sorry Boss but that C class bit isn't right! Newcomers or those who don't have a classification don't automatically shoot in the lowest class. For registration purposes they are "un-classified" If they wish to enter the competition (as above totally separate from the registered bit) they should go through a process of "classified on the day". This is an archaic process were the ground identify a number of stands at random, keep them secret from the shooters and compare the un-classified shooters score against those (secret) stands. The shooter is then allocated a class, just for the day, based on the current CPSA classification averages.

As you can see this is a complected task and I don't think there are many grounds which go through this palaver so they do one of the following

• Dissuade the the shooter from entering the comp & just shoot birds only
  
• As they are an unknown quantity enter them in the top class.
  
• Assume they are beginners and enter them in the bottom class.
  

As above, non of these is correct but tbh my view is that the CPSA rules should be modified to exclude un-classified shooters from competition.

The 300 targets rule mentioned above needs clarifying as well. This applies to a newcomer starting registered shoots at the beginning or middle of a classification period. If he or she shoots 300 targets they can apply to the CPSA for a temporary classification until the next one comes into force (every June & December). If you shoot only one shoot, 100 birds (or targets for the PC amongst us) in the qualifying period then you will get a class for the subsequent period.

I think it is a very common misconception amongst newcomers that they need to enter the competition in order to gain a classification.

Mr Potter

PS I don't think (shorthand for I haven't bothered to look it up) there is a definite rule on how many no-birds (or no targets) before the ref,/scorer/marker should attempt to clear the trap.

I stand corrected... thanks Mr P.

 

[jasper]

Al-nitro

which ground are you heading to for your firdt attempt?

jasper

 

[Al-Nitro]

Doveridge buddy

 

[jasper]

ok kool. would have been happy to shoot round with you but not heading there.

as all the others say don't worry and enjoy

 

[Hawkeye]

No Target.

Shooter may ask the ref to clear the trap after a minimum of 2 consecutive broken target's ( no bird's ).

As Wylye said. . . read the rules. Deal in FACT'S and save yourself hassle.

 

[Al-Nitro]

ok kool. would have been happy to shoot round with you but not heading there.

as all the others say don't worry and enjoy

Thanks buddy, enjoy i will, it is too addictive not too

 

[Iggy]

Al

I'd have been happy to take you around Doveridge this Sunday but unfortunately I've got something on in the afternoon so if I do shoot I'll need to go early and be away ASAP.

If you do go along do as the others have suggested, keep an eye on what everyone else is doing and don't worry, just enjoy it.

If you're up for it the next time there's one on at Doveridge/Kingsley/Oakedge let me know and we can meet up if you like.

Hope you like the Cheddites - have you got any left?!

Iggy.

 

[Al-Nitro]

Al

I'd have been happy to take you around Doveridge this Sunday but unfortunately I've got something on in the afternoon so if I do shoot I'll need to go early and be away ASAP.

If you do go along do as the others have suggested, keep an eye on what everyone else is doing and don't worry, just enjoy it.

If you're up for it the next time there's one on at Doveridge/Kingsley/Oakedge let me know and we can meet up if you like.

Hope you like the Cheddites - have you got any left?!

Iggy.

Thanks Ian really appreciate the help buddy. I hope not to be too intrusive, you as much as Nick have been great help mate WIll shoot as many as we can without getting in the way of Joshuas studying.

Cheddites... well, if it was half term for Josh, think he would have shot them all within a week Kids these days :.:

 

[DAVE_B]

Hi everyone, I posted the following following last weeks 4 Counties Registered as it deals with the early days of a registered shoot as a beginner so I hope you don't mind me cloying it here.

"I thought I should put everything into perspective. My wife (Victoria) and I are only a few months into the sport and only with our SGC and guns since the beginning of October. We made the trip over to Four Counties today for only our third registered shoot. As you can imagine the stands were quite a challenge for us raw recruits and we were both pleasantly surprised to get a meagre 36. We were not disheartened and to be fare loved every minute of the shoot. A bit on the busy side at each stand but everything was a learning experience. Can't wait to get to the next shoot and fitting in regular lessons as we go.

Thanks go to Sue for her welcome and to everyone that gave us some pointers as we went around. As ever THANKS! to everyone for your patience while you watched us miss clays we should have got. David"

Everything that has been said in this thread is so true, it can be pretty nerve racking to start with but enjoying it is the most important part. Your fellow shooters really do, on the whole, make it a great experience.

 

[tiptop]

DAVID B and VICTORIA....surely not ....really. :wink:

 

[DAVE_B]

Afraid so :???:

 

[Al-Nitro]

Thanks to all for your input and advise. We had a great day out, probably would have enjoyed it more if Josh did'nt come up with the dredded Flu, coughing his guts out all weekend.

It was dry, the sun was out, Josh insisted we still go shooting.

We turned up at Doveridge just after lunch time, never seen so many there and could hear our nerves clattering.

Walked over to Jo at the reception, she telling us we should shoot birds only. To my suprise the costs for us both was not that much more compared to when we go out and practise.

Going around the stands, all the reffs were fantastic (specially the lady whom reffed at the very top of the valley, sorry did'nt catch her name ) , couple of them could not pronounce our names properly ., they even joked and had a little fluffy rabbits

The shooters were extremely friendly, some even offered to hand in our score sheets as we approached the stands, other gave us a bit of encouragment, maybe they could see we were very new to shooting ?

There were a couple of squads of shooters that made us laugh, having so much fluffy rabbits and mikey taking between themselves, we could help but laugh with them

It was only half way through the stands we both started to relax a little after seeing everyone having so much fun.

When we were shooting, we found it a little hard with a crowd behind us. We did say to ourselves, dont let that bother us, but still it is there in the back of the mind. A learning curve maybe, im sure we will get use to that after shooting more registered.

Some targets we should have shot 99% of the time just like at practise, but only manage to shoot a few, others we had never seen before, but was a very enjoyable challenge.

Josh managed 51/100, and myself 43/100.

We actually left without looking at our scores, we knew we did not do as well as we could have, but to turn up feel and gain the experience. Hopefully will do better next time.

Would like to thank Doveridge, there staff and all the reffs there whom put on a good show.

Would also like to thank the shooters making us feel we are part of the community, not sure if they are on these forums, they are very nice people

Alan & Josh

 

[ExSCA]

Great stuff - well done for getting involved. Its a long road now!

 

[EdSolomons]

Brilliant result considering you have both been shooting about 5 minutes! Look forward to seeing you both again soon and building the numbers up again.

 

[AndySwaine]

I think we might have booked on just after you Al, the lady referee at the top is called Marie, she refs at Kegworth too

 

[Iggy]

Good write up Al and well done to you both on those scores.

That's it now, you've done your first registered and hopefully many of the anxieties you had prior to it will go away which can only help you focus on the shooting.

Keep in touch and next time Doveridge is on I'd be happy to meet up and go around together if you like.

Iggy.

 

[KevC]

Hi Alan and Josh

Glad you enjoyed it,and if you managed to pluck up the courage to shoot on such a busy day(165+ entries)you will be just fine anywhere else.

After reading your post i realised i had seen you going round and remember taking your cards off Josh at one of the stands to hand in for you,i noticed your names on the card and don't know why the refs should have got them wong

Good luck trying to control the addiction of competition shooting now.

Kev