Once again the Northern New England Division stormed onto the clays course at Scarborough Fish and Game for a great day of busting clays (and each others chops).
I arrived at the appointed hour to find only Bob Weeman there. A quick text message to Cronin confirmed it: he was riding around on his lawn mower and would get back to me in a bit, or so he said. 15 minutes later Frank and the rest of the crew straggled in, looking a little shabby for a Sunday.
Bird presentations had all been reconfigured since our July sortie; this club is well run and a pleasure to visit. The management even provided iced water mid-way through our 100 targets. Maybe we were a little loud or something but another party, all equipped with auto comp guns, cautioned us that this was a game played with loaded weapons and perhaps we ought to be a little kinder to one another. One of us said it was a side-by-side thing and they likely wouldn't understand....
Scores ranged from the mid 40's to a high of 81, turned in by Frank Cronin who beat out local champion Pete Lester by several birds. Later we adjourned to Portland Pie Co for a late lunch, and then a quick tour of the Cabela's gun library where, as before, a member of our crew just couldn't keep his wallet in his trousers (we're looking at you, Billy).
A lot of high presentations this time, some hangers and some fast, out of the treetops.
A devilish dead-fall target here but Frank managed to smoke it...
Pete always makes it looks so easy.
Bob's excuse: my hat brim's too big. Get a new hat, Bob.
A fast crossing partridge shot:
Some people are quite serious about their cards. Correcting a 79 to 81, just to widen the margin...
The NICS crew behind the counter at Cabela's trying to decide whether to approve a transfer or hit the panic button...
A fine time was had by all, Frank Cronin, Bill Janelle, Pete Lester, Bob Weeman, Scott Kittredge, and Allan McLane.