Just Sayin’. For a Friend.

[Keavin Nelson]

It's a wonderful thing to be an old eccentric misguided gun collector just trying to break at least some of the targets you're shooting at; with a little help from your freinds and squad mates.

Some times a lot of help! So we start a new thread category OEMGC, my guess more than a few of us here!!!

[6pt-Sika]

When I started my clay target shall we say journey forty years ago it didn’t take to long before I understood nothing less than 100 straight wasn’t acceptable in skeet for all but the 410 and the same for 16 yard trap . And so it was as I climbed the class ladders . When you’re coming up thru the ranks you don’t realize there will be peaks and valleys you expect a steady progression and that just isn’t the case . You also need to realize once you’ve climbed the mountain you don’t win each time and unless you wanna look like an ass how to be a decent looser . I was quick on picking up the being decent part , if we were in a shoot off together win loose or draw I made sure I shook your hand and offered congratulations etc . It takes some clay target shooters a long time before they realize , other shooters don’t beat them - they BEAT themselves . But I can tell you after forty years of doing this in one form or another I can laugh about misses a hell of a lot easier than I could early in the journey . Think I’ve said once or twice before , now it isn’t as much about the winning as it is about shooting with folks I like and enjoying their company as well as whatever the feast is that day . Don’t get me wrong I still like the bling as the Crazy Polish guy would say , but if I get none that doesn’t make it a bad day .

[J.B. Books]

I have been struggling to deal with the impact of plate tectonics for years

[John Davis]

There comes a point when you realize:

1) Everybody misses;

2) Some days you got it, some days you don't;

3) No matter how bad you think you are shooting, it ain't over till it's over; and

4) Don't make excuses, just play the hand you're dealt.

[Mike of the Mountain]

Originally Posted by John Davis

There comes a point when you realize:

1) Everybody misses;

2) Some days you got it, some days you don't;

3) No matter how bad you think you are shooting, it ain't over till it's over; and

4) Don't make excuses, just play the hand you're dealt.

John, #3 is spot on!! The events I think I “struggle” in, and yes, I am my harshest critic, I am still usually in striking distance if I keep my head in the game and focus. After the “bad” event I look at the scores and know full well that if I paid attention and broke those one or two birds more that HOA was there for the taking. This is a mental game and if we just run the program we’ll be fine.

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Mike Koneski

John, #3 is spot on!! The events I think I “struggle” in, and yes, I am my harshest critic, I am still usually in striking distance if I keep my head in the game and focus. After the “bad” event I look at the scores and know full well that if I paid attention and broke those one or two birds more that HOA was there for the taking. This is a mental game and if we just run the program we’ll be fine.

That’s quite relatable ! Again I was at Fredricksburg for the spring event and shooting the 410 on the field directly in front of the club house . A fine old gentleman that’s no longer with us and is in the VSSA HOF if I’m not mistaken Gibby Andes was sitting there watching our last two rounds with his wife as he was shooting next . I’d gone clean on the last two rounds , walked off and spoke to them . Gibby asked if I’d gone straight , I replied “no sir I had to break the last fifty just to get a 96” he replied I know the feeling !

[ANTMAN]

I learned pretty quickly not to give a care. Its definitely loosened me up to make more 25's. I have a friend who takes misses hard and I see it affect the score negatively. Plus I know I am no shooting prodigy. Its just easier to try and do well but not take it seriously. People can talk while I shoot and it doesn't mess me up at all.

[todd allen]

After a disappointing day on the range one day, an old man told me: "you haven't had your worst day yet."
I live by that.

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by todd allen

After a disappointing day on the range one day, an old man told me: "you haven't had your worst day yet."
I live by that.

I beg to differ ! Once you shot a ZERO you’ve done your worst , there’s nothing less

[todd allen]

Originally Posted by CraigThompson

I beg to differ ! Once you shot a ZERO you’ve done your worst , there’s nothing less

Well, at least you got to go shooting. There's that.