A few guys from our Clay Target Club attended a three day Sporting Clays shoot last weekend. The shoot was great with 250 targets over three days...Day 1, 50 targets side by side shotgun, Day 2, 100 targets double barrel (usually O/U) and Day 3, 100 targets double barrel.

Squads averaged 5 shooters and there was 39 squads, hence the need to shoot it over three days. The targets offered by the hosting club were nothing short of magnificent...all shootable but very testing. They had incoming targets (many different angles), crossing (various heights, angles and speeds), simple outgoing targets (at different speeds) and simultaneous pairs of targets...some crossing, some at different heights and speeds, some screaming away, many on "report", a combination of "quail" and high looping targets and of course the "rabbit" at various angles and speeds. All in all, a magnificent mix of targets that really tested the shooters abilities.

One of the more difficult targets I found was one they called the Drop Bear. They had a trap machine set up on a scissor lift, about 12m - 15m in the air with the target simply dropping out and falling when called for...very deceptive and hard to judge the speed at which it was dropping. Probably the most fun was a target they called the Water Rat...when called, the target dropped into a 15m length of poly pipe set at a 30 degree (or thereabouts) incline, and at a slight angle away from the shooter. The only speed the target had was what it picked up roilling down through the pipe. You had about 3m to hit it after it appeared out the end of the pipe.

I am happy because I bettered my last year's score by at least 20 targets and I was upgraded as well. Although, I think I was maybe assisted a little by having a gutful of Paracetamol and Codeine painkillers for my knee...I wasn't feeling much I can tell you...very relaxed.

A pic of the team is below. Members from right to left are:
Eric of Pieter
Eric of Vince
Hagar of Rod,
Eric of Grant
Eric of Steve, and
Eric of Geoff

We had a ball.

now that would make a better Avitar for ya Buddy!!!!
good work I guess your dicky eyes must be coming right.

Good you improved.
You lot obviously need to watch the new "Vikings" series, not a horned helmet in sight.

I didn't know they also use such helmets in the South? I would look for them in the North...
Now there is a story telling the Vikings 'discovered' America long before Columbus, but I never heard they also put footh on Australia...
on the other hand I never saw a Viking wearing glasses either

I think it is generally accepted that the standard Viking dress included a horned helmet...don't know why, but that seems to be the thing.

Eye isn't coming good Elvis...I've adapted to shooting left handed and my left eye is good mate. I'm looking forward to having a shot on the trap range to see how things are going.

Vikings can turn up anywhere...dressed to kill...and the Eric's were ready to kill ever clay target thrown their way. We saw, we "killed" and had an awesome good time.

Boy that's a motley crew .. Looks like you guys are having fun Vince ..

Glad you mend enough to be out and about mate.
Nice set of horn you are sporting there..

That looks like a fun bunch to hang out with!

Be careful wearing horns around this group, might end up on someone's wall ...

Pumpkinslinger wrote:

That looks like a fun bunch to hang out with! Be careful wearing horns around this group, might end up on someone's wall ...

That was my first thought too.....
It must be the thirst of the hunter (or the beer I had last night).

We are a bunch of sh1t stirrers, hell bent on extracting every ounce of enjoyment from every situation. We even had a rather loud duck call for those times when a target escaped the shot. We took our shooting seriously, however everyone around us when we were shooting couldn't help but be infected by our air of fun.

We are currently working on a theme for next year's shoot.

Ministry of funny hats perhaps.

Now that looks like a fun crew !! One boatload of Erics

please nobody suggest the crew from Harry potter....

Looks like a great time
You all look a friendly bunch, how about a Mardi Gras theme

I've only done sporting clays once but it was very fun. It should be an Olympic event (one without wearing tights)


Suz