Well, I just came back from a fantastic trip. What a great match!! Holy smokes. **** Massive props to the Mass group.**** Let me throw this out there. There were so many elements of this match that ticked all the boxes in field target. Let me just name a few… First of all the most prominent thing was the two angled shots that were about 15 yards at 45°. What an absolute joy to shoot!!! Then they had targets in super contrasting areas, which definitely challenged those even with perfect eyesight. Throw in a little bit of variable wind, positionals at one yard less than max, crossing pathways, multiple directional shots, in the trees, on the ground, between slits of trees, lanes shooting under a vegetation archway, I can go on... This was so much fun being challenged in all these ways. It was tough, but it was good. I would rather say it was incredibly challenging because everything was certainly not impossible or defeating. Everything was predictable with mastery of your craft. Even the targets were easily distinguished and identifiable. Bright regulation colors allowed optimum target-acquisition time and distinguishability. Personally, I am a huge fan of the one-shot-per-target format. Although I understand that there are a few folks out there who prefer the other method. However, these guys beautifully accommodated both preference styles with grace.
On a personal note, I enjoy immensely traveling to new shooting environments and attending incredibly well-run events. These guys have their sh*t together. It is such a pleasure when a course is laid out well—all within regulation, with a keen eye for detail.
And boy, did the weather sure deliver? I couldn't think of more excellent shooting conditions. We certainly got lucky on that one!
Yes, it was quite a ways to travel. However, I would say it was 100% worth it. I want to encourage fellow members of the shooting community, who typically shy away from traveling great distances to compete, to make the effort. Whether arriving at certain venues that provide a positive experience or a negative experience, it gives you insight and a barometer, and certainly an appreciation for those who do a job well. And these guys did it... This is one of the country's locations that I would recommend visiting and returning to. Even the clubhouse had pictures of field target shooters from the 1800s on the wall. They just didn't have the modern targets or the bum bags yet. At one point, I walked into the office and introduced myself to ask a question, and I believe this gentleman was one of the board members, if not the president of the range. He gave me a personal tour of all the old photographs on the walls, including an excellent history lesson about the area and the range, describing the details of it being the oldest shooting club in the country.
Even the medals were fantastic and classy. Although I would have loved to have taken one home, the best shooters in the country did.
The efforts the local team put forth were undoubtedly recognizable.
The Field Target community would like to thank you for such an outstanding Nationals this year.
Bravo, gentlemen.
