My first ever competitive shoot today, an invite to a members only club. 75 sport.
Maybe I should have asked about the rules first but I thought if I watched I'd learn. Generally I'm a quick learner.
As a new gun I was up to shoot first, so no watchee - learnee!
Stepped into the cage and loaded, wasn't sure if allowed to mount first or not so just closed the gun and said pull. I heard an immediate comment of smart ass.
I was also expecting a pair on report, so was caught out after clipping the first when I realised it was a pair together and missed the fast departing second bird. Oh well, reload, close gun, pull. Smashed first, missed second. Load, close, pull, smashed both. Next two pairs same.
When I stepped back, I was discreetly told it's not unsporting to ask to see a pair first, and if I did that again (not asking) it was considered big headed. Well bloody hell, try telling me or let me watch an experienced gun first. I'm used to pay and play, every time a button is pressed you pay, scan the sky and fire ..
After that, man did I hear some excuses, wind in the eye, midges in front of barrel, clay coming out at wrong angle, unexpected flight and so on. Apparently all reasons for shooting again.
Unusual for me as I don't consider myself a good shot, I cleared all the stands till the last, Mr Scarcastic commenting doesn't he ever miss. I took the pairs the wrong way round according to some, but I thought the idea was break them whichever way it suited you?
Last stand, very fast pair but the first easier if you hit it quick before it turned into the tree line. Second low fast and a split second before it was invisible to me. Hit, miss, hit, miss, hit next three pairs.
I enjoyed the shooting but not the competition or the back biting cliques. Its not for me. Maybe it's because it's a members only club.
Finished on 71/75. Don't think I'll be invited again, it's not done to hit more than Mr Scarcastic and his clique.
I hate to think what they would have said if they knew I was using a mix of 21gram and 24 because I thought it was a 50 bird and only took 50 plus a spare box of 21g just in case.
Every dog has its day, and I must admit I was curious to see what I was like against others. I always shoot with my son and friends and we never bother scoring. My son is a far superior shot to me so I'd have loved to see him to shoot today.