Skeet Origins: Bird Hunting to Olympic Sport….

Skeet Low House

I spend several Saturdays each month on the skeet field at Weld County Range in Colorado www.wcfw.org.    This  entails mostly watching for range safety, fees, and restocking the traps before closing down the skeet field again.  I’m able to shoot most all day or pull for other shooters when my arms finally get wimpy on me. 

 

HIVIZ CompSight

I’ve always shot with the Ladies Browning Gold 12 GA and my HIVIZ CompSight until recently I bought a Remington 1100 20 GA in preparation for two possible bird hunts later this year.  The 20 GA is much lighter, has a lower drop on the comb, and swings completely different.  It feels great….just need some more time on the range to adjust to the differences and get comfortable with it.  After all, I don’t want to shoot poorly on my first bird hunt! 

 

This prompted a little curiosity on my part as to the origins of the skeet game.   The sport started in Andover, MA around 1920 by a small group of upland game hunters shooting at clay targets as a means to obtain wing-shooting practice.  This developed into a regular game that gave each shooter the same series of shots so they could compete evenly.  By 1923, the activity progressed to much of what we see today.    In 1926 Gertrude Hurlbutt of Montana suggested the sport be called “skeet”, a Scandinavian translation of the verb “to shoot”.  As the sport grew, the formation of a National Skeet Shooting Association was formed around 1935.   Then during WWII, skeet became nonexistent for civilians but the government used the sport in gunnery training to teach servicemen the principles of leading moving targets.  After the end of WWII a group of skeet enthusiasts revived the sport with the public and the current NSSA was formed in 1946, www.nssa-nsca.org.  In 1968, skeet made its first appearance in the Olympic Games.

 

Well, this is the nutshell version….and I started the sport a bit in reverse.  Competition skeet first and now hoping to hone some bird hunting skills with it!

 

For you skeet shooters, I still have my hat…. shooting 24 straight and missing my second low eight.  Ahhh, I tell people I like to leave something to “shoot for”…yes, pun intended.

 

To Reload or Not to Reload?

Steel Shoot - Rawlins, WY

I had never intended to be reloading when I first started shooting monthly revolver matches.  That turned into shooting the regional matches and eventually also shooting action pistol and some IPSC matches.   I quickly found it was very easy for me to go through 1,000 rounds every few weeks, depending upon the frequency of my shoots.

Steel Shoot - Rawlins, WY

For a novice shooter, I thought if I wanted to continue, I needed to learn how to reload to make this more economical.  I was fortunate enough to have several master class shooters and others at my local range who were all more than happy to assist in getting me started.  I knew nothing about reloading or how much I was about to learn!

While there are many modern and efficient reloading presses available, I started with an old Star Reloader found online that needed a little “TLC” to get up and running.   I was thrilled to start with anything.   I moved two old work benches to the basement and before long had a “reloading” work center.   With the Star mounted to the bench, I loaded up on .38 brass, small pistol primers and the powder recommended to me. 

9mm Brass Fresh From the Tumbler

Through this process, I discovered there are different bullet weights, powders, primers, etc., which all relate to one another for achieving proper power factor to function properly in the revolver you are loading for.  The amount of powder used, the overall length of the bullet seating, proper crimp and how to adjust all of these on your reloader are just a few of the minor, but very important, details not to be overlooked. 

Loading sounded complicated and you certainly wanted to be precise about it.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help from an experienced reloader, as I did many times.  That was how I learned and am still learning when presented with a “fussy” press issue.  Stop and ask.

Dillon 650XL Press

I later acquired another new press that I keep set up for 9mm loading.  Another little learning curve there, but it is so satisfying for me to know that I can do this … no running out of ammo before the next big shoot!

From the Land of Hops and Grains…and Bike Races!

Urban Assault Bike Race

 

Quam Girls Rock!

Race morning - June 17th, 2011

My sister-in-law, Deb, and I signed up to ride our second Urban Assault ride hosted by New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado. 

The Urban Assault Ride™ is the biggest bicycle scavenger hunt series in the nation! Here’s how it works: You and your teammate will set out on a city-wide quest for ‘checkpoints’ on your favorite two-wheeled steeds.  At each checkpoint, you’ll drop your bikes and complete a funky/adventurous obstacle course, then remount your bikes and hit the streets for more.

Deb Rides a Mean Big Wheel!

The goal is to complete all the checkpoints in the shortest amount of time. You choose your own route and checkpoint order. This means that the most clever are often the victors. Of course, it may also help if you can pull a mean big-wheel powerslide and fly across an inflatable slip-n-slide 😉

Numero Uno! Yes!!!

Team Numreo Uno! Out of nearly 500 teams, we were #1.  (I didn’t say we finished first…just my type “A” personality had us registered first…come on, everyone has to be good at something!)  If nothing else our race bibs prompted lots of encouraging hoots and hollers for Team #1 along the race route.

 

Fort Collins has been dubbed the “Napa Valley of Craft Beers” and with over 29 miles of bike trails, this is the ideal setting for the race! 

 

 This is off the beaten path of my usual activities, but I do enjoy road biking and what a great way for the ladies to spend the weekend together:  competition, crazy fun and a beautiful setting!

 

New Belgium

Down Time at Camp, the Flip Side of Bear Hunting

So what really goes on at these hunting camps?  Actual days hunting turned out to be just one for me as I was lucky enough to see a bear the first day out.  Well, I’m here for a week and my brother flew in from Pennsylvania and met me in Saskatoon.  I wasn’t about to leave after one day!

Sibling Hunt Time

 

Sibling hunt time together was a big plus for me.  My younger brother, Ben, was able to join me for the week.  We live about 1800 miles apart so this was a great way to enjoy some time together!

 

The Outfitters left some bait out for prospective elk hunters I think....hmm.

 

We hunted over an area of 6600 acres plus.  One day we drove to their elk and deer camp area.  The place was littered with antler drops!  Now I’ve seen plenty of elk antlers before….but not such a bounty in one place.  Kind of like the bears; I couldn’t believe the amount of wildlife there in Spiritwood.  They have bears up there like we see deer here in Colorado.  So I guess it shouldn’t have surprised me to see the antlers waiting for us on the front porch.  Or perhaps the outfitter was trying to entice us to return for a trophy elk or deer hunt!  Hmmm….it worked, I’m seriously considering an elk hunt here.

  

Larson Lake Lodge was situated in the Canadian flyway.  My brother, Ben and Gregg Miller who happened to be quite the duck hunter and TNT Outdoor Explosion TV hunter, from Savannah, drove around and just looked at birds.  Gregg named what must have been thirty or more different species of ducks.  In Fort Collins we have mostly Canadian geese and mallard ducks, so I was thrilled to see so many different ducks and to have Gregg identify them for us was a bonus. 

Canadian Flyway

 

The beavers are in abundance in the area too.  Virtually every water spot had a beaver lodge.  Trapping was apparently a big business.  The trappers in the area sold the pelts and tails.  The carcasses are sold to the outfitters.  In Canada they hunt bear over baited barrels.  Grain, molasses, old cooking oil, and rotting beaver carcasses are all bear delicacies.  Yum.  We spent one day helping to set bait at some of the tree stands. We rode out on the quads with a small trailer containing one grain barrel and one beaver barrel.  Lucky for me I rode on the quad just in back of the guide and my brother mistakenly sat on the downwind end of the quad trailer, behind the “sweet”smelling beaver barrel!  I turned to see how he was faring, knowing he’s always had a bit of a weak stomach from as long as I can remember growing up….  He was puffing, trying to fend off losing it right there!   I was laughing, the guide was laughing…we finally stopped to let him switch positions.   Tree stands were set and ready for the next week’s hunters.   

Beaver lodges everywhere!

 

We had purchased a three-day nonresident fishing license prior to entering Canada.  Ben, Gregg, and I headed to a nearby lake. 

Catching the Elusive Canadian Wood Trout!

 

As you can see I hooked a big one!  Turns out I was fishing for “Wood Trout” Canadian style.  After hooking branches and sunken limbs, I was ready to call it quits.  My brother is busy untangling and clipping my line out of trees and bushes.  All the way to Canada and this is the best I can do?

 

 

Gregg showing me the proper way to catch Wood Trout!

 

Gregg, seeing my frustration, finally took over and was going to gallantly show me how men cast.  Darned if he didn’t find the same Wood Trout I caught! 

Boy, I felt so much better now… Not that our fishing was successful that day, but I didn’t feel so bad about my casting skills any longer and got a good chuckle out  of it too!

   

Most important person there, camp cook Gail!

Lastly, but most importantly was the time spent at the lodge with everyone.  We met the most interesting people and forged some good friendships.  Our camp cook, Gail, was wonderful.  I helped out one evening baking cookies to go with the meal she prepared for the hunters still out that day.  We shared a glass of wine and some good laughs over past hunting camp stories and me relaying my brother’s beaver mishaps!

So when you hear about a hunting trip, there really is so much more that goes on that  rounds out the trip!   From elk spotting, fishing, baiting stands, to baking cookies, this was my experience and I wouldn’t trade it.  The outfitters, guides, cook, and other hunters there really made the trip what it was.

You can visit Larson Lake Outfitters at www.larsonlakeoutfitters.org.

Going to the Dogs?….You Betcha!

HIVIZ Pro Staff Members: Bryce Mann and Doug Richesin

A few years back I attended the National Gun Dog Trials in Rocky Ford, Colorado where I met up with HIVIZ Pro Staffers, Bryce Mann and Doug Richesin.  This was a new event for me.  I have never hunted with dogs nor had any idea what this event entailed. 

I was permitted to follow beside the person scoring as Bryce and Doug worked their dogs during several of the trials in the field.  I found it very interesting and something I think I might like try at some point.  The shooting part won’t be an issue, but working with the dogs is an entirely different story!  I think a little instruction (or more) is on my agenda before I attempt much of this.

The North American Gun Dog Association www.nagdog.com, was formed to provide bird dog owners the opportunity to hunt upland birds in a competition format.

This activity can be enjoyed by friends and family of any age.  It gives members the opportunity to improve their hunting skills and develop their dog’s instinctive abilities.

North American Gun Dog Association (NAGDA) events are held across the country at private hunt clubs. Competition events begin in September and end with a national championship in April.

Competitions are scored, not judged. There are ten (10) divisions, Open Pointing, Amateur Pointing, Open Flushing, Amateur Flushing, Doubles, Youth, Puppy, Seniors, Women’s and Scramble.

The competition is a timed event. One hunter, one dog, two pheasants, two chukars, eight shells, twenty minutes, with the exception of the Doubles Division where the time is 25 minutes each and the Doubles Division provides for ten shells.

Bryce currently trains pointing, flushing and retrieving dogs of all varieties for upland game and waterfowl hunting. Over the years his dogs have held many local and state titles. He is currently competing at the national level with his dogs in upland tournament hunting and serves on the national board of directors for North American Gun Dog Association “NAGDA”.
 
Doug has been involved with The North American Gun Dog Association “NAGDA” for many years both serving as a national board member and executive treasurer and for the past 5 years. Competing at the National level has produced multiple Top 10 placements along with local and state titles with other upland organizations.

Bryce and Doug have been gun dog handlers for various hunt clubs and provided handling and trained dogs for the California Department of Fish and Game’s Heritage Game Bird Programs Family, Ladies, Junior and wheelchair pheasant hunts. Bryce and Doug also conduct seminars for Bass Pro Shops and groups such as Ducks Unlimited, Quail Unlimited and the California Department of Fish and Game’s Advanced Hunter Education programs and the Western States Gun Dog Expo. Both are featured seminar trainer and representative for Tri-Tronics., Remington Sporting Dog and HiViz Shooting Systems.

 Visit Bryce Mann Gun Dogs at www.gun-dogs.net

Content for this article provided in part from www.nagdog.com and www.gun-dogs.net.

Trade Show Etiquette

  Trade show etiquette: you would think these following observations would be common sense, but apparently not to everyone. As industry members and exhibitors at numerous trade shows throughout the year I have observed or been “victim” to some of the incidents mentioned below and I’m sure some of the other industry people reading this can also relate their own stories.  These are not the norm, but they do happen every year at one show or another. …and why they still surprise me after 12 years of trade shows, I have no idea.

At one of our larger shows I came on the floor early, before the show is open to the dealers.  The aisles are deserted and quiet except for the distant vacuum running at some unknown booth.  I am still a good distance from our booth but can see the corner of it down the end of the aisle.  Someone comes around the corner and walks into our booth.  Not a problem….I finally get down there and walk into the booth and it is our competitor with our product in hand, checking it out.   Upon seeing me, and I his logoed shirt, he doesn’t say a word to me, puts the product down turns and walks out.  Hello…I’m about 6″ from you….at least an awkward acknowledgement of my presence would have been good.  Now there is nothing wrong with checking out the competition, and nothing on display that would justify worthy of what I term “industrial spying.”  So my point is instead of sneaking around before or after show hours, be up front about it, come in and visit our booth, ask questions even, we’d be happy to talk to you.   After all, we are all in the industry, making a living the same as you are.

The same goes for product that goes missing after hours.  It’s not about the dollar amount, it’s the principal of the matter.  I’m not saying this is by competitors necessarily.  But when recently at a smaller Distributor show I had another smaller competitor checking out our product during set up and I was “incognito” helping the reps at an adjacent booth.  Darned if the next morning before first day of show opening, I come in and there hangs an empty peg!  Gee, maybe had he lifted the peg too, it at least may not have been so obvious….. 

We’ve had packages mangled by  people trying to get, I don’t know, some replacement parts from the package.  Had they simply asked I would’ve given free replacement parts for what they apparently so desperately needed.  I’d save them the time and effort it took for them to destroy my sample packages there for display purposes!

As an exhibitor, don’t try to schmooze freebies from other exhibitors.  Lots of exhibitors while visiting others’ booths sample items, etc.  If they are offered, fine, but don’t go around with your hand out with that intent.  That just makes you look cheesy in my opinion.

Act professionally.  How you present yourself , not just in dress but in actions, reflects on your company. The show hours can be long and hard on your feet….and we all get exhausted.  An adjoining booth had couches and plush side chairs and I glanced over to see a younger rep dressed in a very nice suit, for their company lounging sideways with his legs thrown up over the arm….just kicking back texting away on his cell phone.

Be considerate of your colleagues working the show with you.  We all work hard and after show hours some of us play hard, some harder than others.  Provided you aren’t meeting with customers for dinner, etc. after the show, that is your time.  But make sure you “answer the bell” in the morning. 

Think about the image you are projecting when hiring local help….cough, sputter…. ummm especially in Vegas.  Yes, I’m referring to “booth girls” Vegas style.  I understand having attractive girls handing out your literature but…when they are obviously not dressed appropriately, (and that was putting it mildly in this instance), and honestly I don’t think they added to their business conducted at the show.  I mean really…. ?  If you do employ them, at least have the courtesy to keep them in your booth.  We had a booth across from us and the girls were in the aisles, almost in our booth, and I did not want anyone mistakenly thinking we had hired them.  AHHH!

Lasers have become quite popular in the industry, whether on guns or tactical flashlights or affixed to scopes.  Yankee that I am, I found myself at my first trade show solo in the Southeast.  Mid-day I look down to see a laser aiming on my chest.  I’m thinking that isn’t cool at all.  The much older gentleman in the booth across the aisle is giggling.  I jokingly told him that wasn’t too funny, don’t be doing that.  The guy did it again about an hour later and kept chuckling.  He was amused…me, not so much.  Ok the third time it happened, I calmly walked over there and told him quietly if he didn’t stop that “I’m going to open up a can of whoop a– on you…and I’m pretty sure I can take you too!”  I figured he might understand that language.  It seemed to do the trick.

In hind sight you have to laugh at some of these things and others you have to just shake your head in disbelief.  I’m sure we all have horror stories or pet peeves from the road to share.  Just remember to treat fellow exhibitors and colleagues the way you would like to be treated.  A little common sense and decency goes a long way.

HIVIZ Exhibiting at EPIC Outdoor Game Fair, Douglasville, GA

SCI (Safari Club International) and Quail Unlimited are hosting the first annual EPIC Outdoor Game Fair this September 23-25th in Douglasville, GA at the Foxhall Resort and Sporting Club.

Touted to be the largest Game Fair of its’ kind in the Southeast, the event will include shooting, fishing, archery, falconry, dog events, fly-fishing, boating, ATV riding, equestrian events, live music, seminars, and professional instruction.

Their mission is to “bring together a diverse range of outdoor enthusiasts to build a framework for understanding our passions.  This understanding will bridge the separation between activities and build a larger social network to support responsible use of natural resources and the roles we share as sportsmen and sportswomen in land use and conservation.”

ShootingVillage

Villages will be set up featuring the different events.  The Shooting Village will have Sporting Clays walking course, designed by Marty Fischer

Marty Fischer, course designer Foxhall Sporting Grounds

 

Five Stand and Wobble Trap sponsored by Beretta.  Airgun Range sponsored by Crosman. and a Handgun area sponsored by LaserShot.  LaserShot will provide handgun and hunting simulators to test your skills.

For tickets and a complete list of events go to www.EPICGameFair.org.  The Game Fair is designed to encourage families, youth, and individuals to actively engage in outdoor sporting activities through education, participation, instructions and competition.   So come join the fun and visit us this September at Foxhall Resort and Sporting Club!

Tough Enough to Wear Pink: Babes With Bullets Ladies Action Pistol Camps

Babes with Bullets Intermediate Camp:  I am a  four time returning alumnus to the BWB Camps www.babeswithbullets.com .  Smith & Wesson is their primary sponsor.  HIVIZ Shooting Systems provides the sights on the Smith & Wesson M&P9L pistols used for training.  In conjunction with the sights we also provide scholarship funds for ladies who may not otherwise be able to attend the camps on their own.  I have experienced the first time camper through the more experienced competitors attending camps. 

Babes with Bullets and other women who believe the Constitution … Chicago Tribune

Babes With Bullets

Enjoying my first experience, I was anxious to bring my then 22 year old daughter who is not a shooter, to the second camp.  My goal was not to turn her into a competitor but to thoroughly familiarize her with handgun operation and safety.  These basics are drilled into you at the beginner camps through close supervision and lots of hands on time with the pistols.  Secondly, and maybe most importantly, my goal for her was to build her self-confidence.  Myself I consider very fortunate to work in the gun industry and having had some excellent mentors along the way.  These facts along with some independent women in my life, have shaped who I am.  But I see many women that do not have this; would never attempt a camp like this; and just plain don’t think they can.  It means something to these women who may have a low self esteem to push the envelope in their lives.  There is a great sense of accomplishment, a renewed self-confidence for many of these women after attending the camp.  They realize they “can do” and I truly believe this spills over into all aspects of their personal lives.  I saw this change in my daughter and know this was one of those “life enriching” experiences not soon to be forgotten.

Daughter and Instructor Judy Wooley at the Montana camp May 2009

Besides the sport being totally enjoyable, at the intermediate camp where most of us had some level of experience in competitions, we focused more on honing our skills, reinforcing basics and control that will give you the means to advance in USPSA, www.uspsa.org.

For me it was stance, grip, trigger control to work on and then putting that together with stage analysis and movement for a smooth run.  It was learning to trust my skills and start pushing myself for speed and accuracy.  Yes, there is room for improvement!  Practice, practice, ….and more practice. 

The sport is exhilarating and I find such a sense of satisfaction when you know you ran a stage well and that adrenalin is still flowing!

Instructors: Kay Miculek, Judy Wooley, and Deb Keehart showing off their sponsor shirts at the Steamboat Springs Camp, May 2011.

Lastly, I can’t say enough about the top notch instructors; their collective experience and most impressive records in the sport!  Included among the instructors are two-time IPSC World Champion/nine-time USPSA National Open Champion, Kay Clark Miculek; and nine-time USPSA Limited Champion, Lisa Munson. How lucky are we to participate in a course like this?!

What’s on Your Bucket List?

Dedicated to Matt..

Ok..we all get busy with everyday life and before you know it another 5 or 10 years have slipped away.  What happened?!

I enjoy a little adventure and got into the discussion with one of our reps.  He said “you are always doing all kinds of things”…. and he seemed impressed.  My response was, “Don’t you have a bucket list?” We’re the same age…and I told him I’d go to work on it for him, after all everyone should have a bucket list!

I had a persistent “nudge” nagging me to get my scuba certification and have since been at it for four years now.  I honestly would never have pursued this without my shooting buddy’s little nudge.  What an experience like no other it has been! 

Following are a few:  I want to see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) in Alaska when they are most brilliant in the winter.

Northern Lights

 

 I want to see the volcanoes erupting, and hike through the lava tubes in Hawaii.

Lava Tubes

 

 

I want to zipline in Costa Rica!

(I actually might have a travel buddy for this one lined up).

 

Diving with the manatees on the Crystal River in Florida!

(Plans in the works!)

 

I want to see Machu Picchu , the Lost City of the Incas, in Peru and hike to top of Huayna Picchu above the city.  I want to follow the Inca Trail from Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu!

 

I want to go to Pamplona, Spain for the running of the Bulls! …..ok, maybe I just want to be in one of the balconies overlooking the streets where they run the bulls. 

Adventure: YES…  Pain and possible death: NO!

 

I want to try hang gliding from the sand dunes! …possible soft landing should this adventure go awry!

 

Sooooo……Matt, I’m your “NUDGE”!

 

I may not get to everything on my list, but it’s constantly evolving…and hey, these are the things that keep your dreams stoked!

 

 

 

 

….And We Don’t Even Sell Fishing Products!

RSR….enjoying a little R&R….

It was my last stop on the week long work journey and I just had to take the last day to relax and try my skills (or my lack thereof), at fishing on the Gulf about 55 miles out from Boca Grande Island. 

 

The day before was spent visiting with RSR Group, www.rsrgroup.com,  in Winter Park, FL by Orlando.  I met with the Buyer for our line and their Sales Manager.  Again more account analysis and product reviews….no big game decoys staring me down here!  I have to give the RSR guys this much, they both go that extra mile partnering with HIVIZ and it shows.  I don’t quite know how to describe it, but their upbeat attitude and energy is addictive.  How could I not enjoy myself and squeeze in one day of R&R with these guys?

 

So how did we do?  The Rep from Murski-Breeding Sales,  www.murskibreeding.com thought it was a slow day fishing.  After all, we headed out early morning following a nasty squall and some rough water.  After slamming rather harshly across a few close swells, several rods and one Sales Manger became temporarily airborne with not such smooth landings!  Eventually we traveled past the storms and had beautiful weather.  Lots of red grouper and red snapper were caught.  I had one timely miss getting out of the water with a 6′ plus shark swimming by the boat!  I won’t go in to why I was hanging over the boat…  Until the day was done, the four of us had a great time. 

 

I don’t accomplish my job alone.  It doesn’t get done without buyers like I have at RSR, Ellett Bros., and Henry’s, and most importantly the Reps at Murski-Breeding!  You guys are awesome!