Yes it is true...when you sit down to plan your next shoot it is NOT who is going to be there that counts most.... but what friends of yours will be there! Should I be surprised at that answer???
I posed this question on web sites, at shoots, at restaurants and to friends.--> "If Digweed, Kruger, McGuire, Robertson....or ANY of the real "Shining Stars" in our sport are going to be at a particular shoot will that influence your decision to GO or NOT go?"
An Overwhelming majority of you said NO. What makes up your mind about the shoot... the #1 reason--> Who is setting the Traps. #2---> How many of your friends are going to be there. #3----> How far is it. #4--->
Weather. Some even went so far as to admit..."if my wife says its OK"!...lol..lol..no comment.
However I congratulate and thank those of you who weighed in on the question. I hope during the upcoming year we meet and say hello. Thank you Thank you!
I for one have been blessed with a few shooting friends with a great sense of humor. In the photo above I was being accused of @#$#@%^^ by my good friend "Club Double" David Williams.
I am also lucky to have a club like Moore & Moore within driving distance...even if that distance is an hour and half one way. Visiting Cory and Pat owners of the range...well they live up to their motto of being the "Friendliest" range in CaLEFTornia...so " when you want to go somewhere where everyone knows your name..." get it.
The two most serious times during a normal practice day are when we are checking our equipment.. deciding on what shells we will shoot that day, lately it's been the CHEAP ones! Also selecting chokes and what glasses to wear based upon todays sun...hey it's CaLEFTnornia folks we get a lot of sun....helps mature the fruits and nuts..lol..lol..no pun intended.
After packing up our shooting carts with 10 or so boxes of the selected rounds we turn to the second most important moment-----> counting our secret stash of "Mulligan Coins". You are allowed to repeat a shot only IF you give the score keeper a coin....But if you run out of coins --> NO DO OVERS!...NO CREDIT...stand down with the score you have and take the ridicule like a man!
We then pick a practice station. Like Dan Reeves says to..."Get your ears ringing!". We will shoot roughly about a hundred targets, depends upon the Mulligan's, before lunch. PLUS>>>>PLUS>>>PLUS...Pat & Cory have the ONLY "ARGENTINA" in the country right now. "What's that you ask..." a special station is embedded into the course that will throw a target in a different direction every 8 seconds! There are 5 traps! If you can control your laughter and you are a fast reloader you will get 30 chances to be a hero or a bum! What great fun! Pat and Cory have now organized "ARGENTINA" Shoots! You got to try this.... If anyone is interested in having an "ARGENTINA" at their range call Pat or Cory Moore (818-890-4788) they have a Patten on the sync machine.
Eventually our stomach's are sore from laughter and growling with hunger so we turn to none other than the famous "King of Irish Meat Pies"------> " No Hostage" Pete Taylor, a baker and chef AND still high score on our team. We settle into the Club House for a special lunch. Pete always prepares a great meal. Our only requirement is it must be under 400 calories...well sometimes he exceeds it but who's keeping track...Pete is also a coffee gourmet! I am a coffee addict...that works for me.
After lunch we shoot another hundred on the second set of stations. Overall winner buys on the ride home. That drive home is still about hour and half, but when your with friends....it can be sometimes too short. The conversation is non-stop from the days targets to settling the worlds problems. I am indeed lucky to have friends like these guys ....and your right I'll shoot where ever I can shoot with friend and people I know. After all isn't that why we all started shooting in the first place??
By the time we reach home we are ready to challenge the world for another week. Lately however I must add that the parting words on most days goes something like this .."James you need to do two things,---->be home more so we can shoot together AND TWO-->you need more MULLIGAN'S Pal!!!
Hey shooters I would like to hear about your practice days with friends...email me!
Hey before you leave---> This was a great radio show my guest was Mr. Michael Hampton of the NSCA answering questions you want to hear! I was fighting a bad head cold that day so I was a little off my game in the studio but Michael does not need much help "ON AIR" he is a pro...ThanX Michael good show. Just click on it ---> Download 01_track_1.wma
See you at the next shoot!
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