A Parker Saves the Day (or a case of poor shooting and redemption)
 

Our bird season, hunting from home, has been decent so far with coveys found, a few pheasants taken, and enough beautiful weather days between the miserable ones to make things memorable. That we are seeing progress in our puppy has made things extra special.

The other day we were exploring a new-to-us farm just on the Missouri/Iowa border. Starting the day I was using my "new" 128 year old Dickson round action 12 bore. I'd been using it with good results for most of the season, and had confidence in the gun. We got up a covey wild not far from the truck and they scattered into an old, overgrown milo field -- a perfect set-up. We started to find singles and I missed the first couple of shots...and then over the course of the next hour I missed seven times, taking only one bird over a great point -- an easy shot. I just could not hit anything! I even caught myself closing an eye and aiming, a sure recipe to failure. I just got flustered.

I decided to lick my wounds, so we went back to the truck, had lunch, and sat in the sun to rest for a while. The rest did my psyche good, and I decided to change guns for a fresh start, having brought along a Parker as a back-up gun for this outing. This particular gun, a 1918 DHE 20 gauge, has 30 inch barrels and is choked lightly (55%/65%) and set up to "shoot 6-8 inches high" by the man who ordered it. A little research revealed that the gent who was so specific about the the gun in his order (he even requested a larger than normal grip) was a Kentucky field trialer (a setter guy from what I have found so far). This gun was obviously set up for quail, and I felt a kindred spirit with the original owner of 100 years ago. If I could have special ordered a Parker, it would have been like this one.

Not all stories of shooting woes end well for me, but this was the exception. I went 4 for 4 during the afternoon of our hunt. I usually don't take more than a brace of quail anymore, but after the morning's disastrous shooting, and the fact we found three large coveys (and I wanted to get my puppy as much bird work as possible), I decided that several more birds might exorcize my shooting demons.

The dogs were happy, except for the poor girl that was witness to my earlier shooting, and I can't help but think that there was a long forgotten old bird hunter smiling at having his gun take some 21st Century (very) wild Bobs.

That is some great looking cover Gary. Glad the Parker did'nt let you down.

A good day to remember and a fine Parker too. Congratulations Garry.

Nice pictures too Garry! I really like the oak background for your bird and gun display!





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Reminds me of Havilah Babcock's "Slim Boggin's Mistake"...do you shoot with one eye open or both eyes open?

Great story, nice recovery (and Parker save) and love the photos!

Doesn't get much better than this!

Great pics and great story, Garry. Beautiful dogs and Parker.

Is your gun stocked hi ? Maybe 1 1/4 x 2" How did parker make the gun shoot that high 6 to 8" I have learned to shoot guns that are stocked hi. I started out shooting Parker reproduction SXS guns about 20 years ago when I bought my first one. It was stocked hi and that is what I got used too shooting. The target is always visible right on top the front bead. I do not shoot guns that have drops lower than 1 1/2 x 2 1/2, even then have to cover the bird up to hit it. When hunting live targets that requires to much thought so I try to buy guns that point and shoot about the same. Old original guns are hard to find that are stocked 1 1/4 x 2 1/4 that I shoot well. SXS Ohio

Kenny,

The gun is stocked with a DAH of 2 1/2 inches according to the letter. I, as apparently do you, like my guns stocked high and I shoot so that there is space between the barrel end and the bird...actually, quite a bit of space. I was fitted this was and was able to get several guns custom stocked to fit my way of shooting. Although I have no idea that Parker adjusted the chokes to shoot high, I have read that in the boring of chokes guns can be made to throw their patterns high (if they can be regulated to throw patterns to the same point at X distance, they could surely regulate to have the patterns thrown high). Since shooting over dogs generally produces rising birds, it makes perfect sense to have a gun shoot high like this. It's like magic when the birds get up, but I have to concentrate to, for example, take a bird that is below me, or even a bird that truly flies straight away, as shot actually presents a target that is slightly falling.

All of us who shoot old guns learn to adjust to their stock measurements, etc (otherwise our arsenal would be pretty small...and that's no fun!). I like GBE's account of how he was less able to do this as he aged, and what he did to mitigate the issue. Foster's diagrammatic drawings in his great book have helped me to visualize how different shot angles call for pointing high and/or low. It sounds like you've considered all this pretty deeply too, and also have an intuitive grasp. You are probably a good shot. I am only a passable one.

I shoot with both eyes open and unless I'm in the throes of a shooting slump (like the one described on this particular day), I never see the end of the barrel while shooting. When I start calculating on the shot, I generally miss.

It would be nice to have all of our guns fit us perfectly, but we'd miss out on a lot of guns that are a joy to carry if we only shot under those perfect conditions.

I have come to believe that there is an alchemy to shooting. I'm an expert on absolutely nothing, but "know" that when all elements are in sync, there is a magic to shooting.

All very well said and obviously well founded!





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Love it! I can relate to so much of your experience. Miss a few and start looking at the gun. I think we all do it from time to time. Certain to bring on a fit of talking to myself with a degrading manner:cuss:

I once upon a time could find my way around Clark and Union counties in the Hawkeye, and quail seemed a bit thin late "90 when compared to a decade earlier. But your photos take me back to some of those draws of mixed growth the plow wasn't risked and quail would make a living.

Brett,

I love this phrase. It must be a Southern euphemism, as I learned it from my Father who, when looking at poor quail cover, would say, "A bird would have to pack his lunch and pull a trailer to make a living in that cover!"

And, for what it's worth, there's nothing like the mental tongue-lashing we give ourselves when we do bone-headed things like closing one eye while shooting. When I told my wife, who was witness to all of this, that I was closing my eye, she asked, "Are you sure you're not closing both of them?"

(The farm I mentioned was actually in Missouri, and directly on the border. I could literally flush a bird in Missouri and shoot it in Iowa as the fence row where we found birds was the Missouri State line. I know it was the Missouri State line and not the Iowa State line because only Missouri would have a broken down barbed wire fence to mark anything. That's a joke you'd only get after living in the Show Me State.)

IMHO, a lot of it is adjusting the nut behind the trigger. Years ago, I was asked to come and shoot a Springer Field Trial. For whatever reason, that day I couldn't hit a barn if i was standing inside it. Once I began to miss, I locked up, and started aiming, instead of flowing the gun. It was so bad that I actually asked anyone in the gallery if they would take my place. The pressure is bad because folks have driven long distances to compete, and if you miss, you may jeopardize the dog's chances. However, fortunately there are days when the pheasants look as big and slow as beach balls. Then it's fun!

I think we can all relate to this scenario, I certainly can. Can't recall who but someone once said "I have never ever been in a shooting slump but I have missed targets for extended periods of time". Now that's a good attitude.

Garry: Thanks for the story about frustration, readjustment and redemption; and for the nice photos. It's inspiring.

I have never been a good shot on either clay targets or birds, but that alchemy of which you speak has kicked in on enough occasions to keep me going.

If you tend to know what your eyes are doing, you have greater situational awareness than I have. It is hard enough for me to know what I am doing with my eyes at the moment I pull the trigger on a skeet field, but when it involves a live game bird taking to wing, forget it! -- I am too enthralled to have any idea.

Edmund W. Davis, in his WOODCOCK SHOOTING, a private printing of 1908, and upland classic of today, on page 63 describes this phenomenon well:

“I have often been asked whether I shoot with both eyes open. While I incline to believe that one of my eyes is fast closed, I would be unwilling to confirm that assertion; for at the instant of firing I am bewildered with a mysterious delight and doubt if I am capable of diverting my thoughts sufficiently to tell what my eyes are doing”.

Ladies and Gentlemen….A trip to the steel patterning plate will answer most questions about our shooting issues. Test shots will tell you ware the shot is going. If you do not know the proper testing methods get some help, this part is most important. The next step is to adjust your gun mount if possible and if that is too extreme then off to the stock men for a permanent fix. Remember the gun always shoots ware its barrels are pointed and the key is they are pointed correctly at gun mount. This is a fluid subconscious natural repetition that must be the same every time, if after the gun is mounted that mount needs any adjustment then you just missed! So if you have a good gun mount and the shot is going ware your gun is pointing your brain will do the rest and get the swarm onto the moving targets....your targets will be dust. thanks all SXS Ohio

Paterning steel plate
 

Some pictures to get the idea, some patterns I shot.

Russell, Thanks for the reminder of Davis (I have his book, but alas, only in the reprinted form). I think it's interesting to read what others have said about their shooting, both the similarities and differences. We each come to this process in our own ways. Sure, we can learn about the "science" of it all, but in the end, it's still the individual that experiences that split second unconscious action that is the shot. Thinking too much about it has seldom been the "cure" for me. So, when I am aware of what my eyes are doing, as you suggest, I generally miss.

I'm going to dig my Davis out tonight after we look up a covey or two today.

Thanks for the pictures, Kenny, and the reminder of some of what's involved in shooting. That's a nice set-up you have. I've used the 16 yard method a time or two to check where the patterns were going and my gun fit...and if the barrels were regulated correctly.

However, since I started collecting guns and shooting them, I just check to see where each is shooting and then try to adjust myself. It's not a recipe for good shooting, but I can't bring myself to bend the stocks on my old guns (although I've done it a time or two with fair results). I've shot enough that I can generally tell when I mount a new-to-me gun where it will shoot, and I admit I will still buy a gun that doesn't fit and make do. Shooting too many guns is not the way to be a good shot...but I'd rather shoot too many guns! My dogs don't mind when I miss, and Elaine rather enjoys it when my shooting is poor. She says it "takes me down a notch" when I miss. Some days I don't have any more notches to go down to! It does make me grumpy when I miss, though.

SXS Ohio
Very nice snow seal! :rolleyes: I still have paint on my glasses from the last patterning board I painted while you held my shotgun.

Wild birds turn me on.

When I dip into a shooting slump while shooting clays I just stop and think back to the basics I learned from Churchills book. It's ok, where are my feet, my hands, my shoulders, etc and just go back to the basics. Generally that instantly pulls me out of the slump.

We use grease tinted white on our patterning board instead of paint. Take a shot, trowel it smooth and shoot again. Simple and long lasting. For a durable aiming point we welded a skid shoe from a snowplow to the plate. Grease also keeps the steel plate from rusting. A word of caution - be sure to wear safety glasses when patterning. On numerous occasions we have had pellets bounce back to the 16 yard line. Sounds impossible but it happens.

Here's a postscript to my original post, and a thank you to all who have followed this thread and contributed stories, advice and wisdom.

Since I switched to the 20 gauge Parker I have shot 13 quail with 14 shots. I assure everyone, I know this is an aberration, and I am not normally this kind of shot, but, hey, I'll ride this little streak, just like I have the string of misses at other times. I still say that shooting wild birds as shots present themselves is like no other kind of shooting. I have no doubt I'll be humbled by Mr. Bob again very soon.

Now...I have a nice, original VH 20 gauge that has yet to be shot. Am I crazy to switch guns now? Very likely. :banghead:

Here's a few more of Elaine's pictures from our last several hunts. The puppy continues to take at least two steps forward for every one back, and his partners in crime have done well also. Recently, we've had very decent weather in our North Missouri covers, and the coveys we've found have been of good size with hard flying birds. Who could ask for more?

Photo Key:

1. That's the puppy, Aspen, on the left backing his bracemate, Cedar. He backs naturally, but wants to ease up with me at times. We're working to correct this.
2. This is Aspen on his own point. If you hunt wild quail, you know that if you are alone, a set-up like this very often offers a poor shot if any. Sometimes Elaine will flush them for us, but we opted for the picture this time. No shot, but Aspen did not mind.
3. Here's the culmination of a nice retrieve to hand by Aspen. Cedar is a half-hearted retriever, and Alder just does not retrieve, so I and my old bones are really happy that Aspen has taken to bringing birds to me. That Parker skeleton buttplate shows up well in this photo! I was measured to shoot with a 15" LOP, but the 14 1/8 inch DHE obviously suits me just fine.
4. This photo does not do the size of this bottom-land Pin Oak justice. It was a monarch that Elaine and I could barely touch hands with both of us reaching around it. We have been "collecting" large trees in pictures for many years. There's so much richness to a good hunt, and it includes a sense of place that always makes us grateful that we can still roam places like this.
5. This is the back side of a farm we hunted Saturday on an achingly beautiful day. The air was so still that at sunset we could hear voices in the Amish farmyard almost a mile away. Although a day I deem to be of Red Letter caliber includes birds, good dog work, and decent shooting, it seems that any more the weather is as much a part of the memory as any of the other elements.

You are a lucky, lucky man Gary. Going 13 for 14 on Bobs and having that kind of cover to hunt is the stuff memorable seasons are made of. Nice to have your own photographer to record your success.

mighty fine cover for the birds....a big tree is always awsome to me....your record is a good one hope your luck continues...charlie

Gary

First off thanks for sharing! You have a wonderful way of taking us along. 13 - 14 that would make it hard to closet that gun. What a grand memory you can stack like cord wood atop the pups first year.

Hi Gary...looks like your Gordon setter knows his game! Ware did your dog come from, Kennel? I am thinking of a new pup soon, my Gordon will be 8 on Feb-5th. Im thinking spring of 2020 Kenny

Hey, Kenny,

I hope Miss Ruby is doing well and ready for a bracemate. We have two Springset bred, one from Clearcut Kennels in Minnesota, and a fourth that is of our own breeding between a Springset male and a Stillmeadows female. They all are unique and have different qualities -- and each is smarter than I!

Glad to learn you're optimistic and looking to your hunting future. I enjoyed your posts about your Kansas trip and new Fox.

Puppy breath....such a sweet thing!
 

Thank you Gary for your compliment. I just read your Christmas story...it was real good and refreshing. The upland life has took control of my path in life that's for sure. Its a year round passion for me. I have a wonderful wife who enjoys the outdoors, has hunted some with me in October when its not freezing cold. I know she offers to come when no one else can. She also excepts me being away on hunts, spending my life savings on THE SPORT, guns, dogs, dog gear, new Rooster runner rig, on and on. I'm not getting any better, I need a puppy and now planning extended hunting trips.


Here is a picture from last Sundays hunt....just me and Ruby chasing left over roosters...(-: And Ruby,.... my wife took the (princess) picture!... that what she calls Ruby ever since she was a puppy!

[QUOTE=Kenny Graft;... And Ruby,.... my wife took the (princess) picture!... that what she calls Ruby ever since she was a puppy![/QUOTE]

And a princess she is!...as it sounds like your wife is also. My guess is that there is a wonderfully support spouse behind more than one PGCA member.

I hope you find a good bracemate for Miss Ruby, one that will compliment that beautifully stocked gun.