Your Mom and I got to attend a State High School Trap Shooting tournament on Saturday in Mayville, WI. High schools that sanction “skeet shooting” as a sport is a rather new endeavor and has lots of interest. Grandson Dominic and his cousin Bailey were both entered in the tournament but on different teams.
A skeet tournament envolves releasing clay pigeons from a mechanical device and the shooter trys to hit the disk as it sails away. Sometimes the disk goes straight, sometimes left and sometimes right. Sometimes the wind blows unexpectedly. You get the idea. Lots of unknowns.
Dominic’s “other Grandpa” has taught him well.
The shotgun shell is filled with little No.8 beebees that release normally in a 30 inch spray pattern. If you hit the clay pigeon in it’s center it just explodes. Dominic and Bailey like the “explosion bit”. An alternative is to shoot a wider 36 inch spray pattern which gives a better chance at getting a hit but “nicking” a pigeon isn’t any fun. I need to give a “risk/reward” speech.
The tournament requires 100 attempts to shoot a pigeon. There are four 25 bird rounds and a total score is used. Dominic started 24/25. He missed a pigeon as it sailed right. Then (ta da), he hit 25/25. It was the first time he ever achieved that. I guess you are awarded a special pin or patch in recognition of a perfect round. He finished 24/25 and 24/25. Total pigeons destroyed- 97/100.
Cousin Bailey got 94/100.
The tournament takes place over several weeks so the State results won’t be tabulated for another week. I’m told that there is always someone who hits all 100 of his/her targeted birds. Dominic’s 97 score will probably get a “top ten”.
I mentioned girls in the competition. There were many, many young ladies. Now there is a thought. Imagine dating a girl who knows how to shoot a gun. It gives a brand new meaning to demanding respect. Whoa!
Have a good week.
Love,
Dad