Two hundred yards and back, it’s a walk many of us take when checking targets while spending time on the shooting range. And like many others, my spotting scope would be able to provide a quick glance to see the results of the group shot. But the walk was more my style on this day, especially because I was the only shooter there.
On one of the trips back and forth my thoughts reflected on similar times more decades ago than I care to admit. Late summer and into early fall were when dad liked to have my brother and me with him on the range. It was a time to practice and work out the kinks in our shooting technique well before hunting season began.
Back then there were few summertime activities to interfere. Cell phones were not the distraction that confronts kids today. Nope, just quality time practicing with a purpose.
On the range dad’s time was dedicated to his two sons. Yes, at the end of the session he would touch off a few rounds, but not until his time with us was completed.
Our sessions on the range were not conducted as some kind of endurance contest cramming everything we needed to know into a few sessions. No, dad became an accomplished marksmen in his own right. Fact is, until the year he passed away he competed in offhand 100 yard matches competing for sides of beef. That was during the fall. Come winter it was indoor .22 rifles shoots that paid off in assorted groceries. Mom enjoyed the results of those rifle matches. His excuse to go was to keep the family fed. But mom knew better, she understood how much enjoyed shooting.
Dad’s appreciation of firearms ran deep, and his skills were well honed and hard to beat. Also he wanted to pass those skills along to his two sons.
Range time was devoted to, first and foremost, safety. There was no compromise regarding that subject.
Dad repeatedly said, “No one is born with shooting skills. Shooting is a skill learned from shooting principals, understanding techniques, and a good dose of lots of practice.” From the get go we were schooled on discipline, respect, and the consequences of our actions. His one-on-one time was directed to the pair of boys at his side.
Rifles and shotguns were the tools used to refine our shooting skills. The .22 caliber rifle, a Marlin 39, could cut tightly grouped holes in a bull’s eye target like no other. The same could be said when dispatching gray squirrels in the fall woods.
Go light and build up. My first rifle was chambered in a .270 caliber, and since dad hand loaded ammunition, the first rounds I fired were reduced loads he developed at his load bench. Yes, I could have probably easily recovered from the recoil from factory loads. But what’s the point?
Take it easy and work your way up while developing the skills of a young shooter and building their confidence.
Sure dad was busy, however he understood the value of doing things right and passing on his passion to us along with appreciation of the responsible use of firearms. For that my brother and I were and are the lucky ones.
My brother had a career in law enforcement. While developing his shooting skills on the “force”, he became proficient with handguns. So good in fact that he ranked on the “Governor’s Twenty” for well into two decades.
Firearms are a part of my life as well. Over time hunting for game has been part of the adventure of taking game across the country. Also working with ammunition and firearms manufacturers opened a unique door of opportunities that could have never been imagined when two boys and their dad began spending time on the range together.
Today kids can be exposed to the shooting sports in a number of ways. Youth Field Days along with a wide variety of great mentoring programs have been professionally developed for kids and those new to shooting and hunting. A good example offered locally are the Women in the Outdoors programs, plus there are more to choose from.
Those of us who enjoy the field sports need to become more involved.
To quote a Greek Proverb: A society grows great when old men plant tress whose shade they know they shall never sit in.
FREE PHEASANT HUNT – FOR KIDS
Hunting some of the best pheasant habitat in the state and developed by Pheasants Forever Chapter #630 in cooperation with the PA Game Commission will be the focal point for a pheasant hunt just for kids on Oct. 6th and 13th.
To participate in this special hunt, youth 12-16 must have successfully completed the Hunter Trapper certification program. Additionally all youth must attend a Safety Day at the Fox Township Sportsmen on Sunday, September 23, 2018, from 1-4PM along with their adult parent or guardian. NO EXCEPTIONS!
The safety day includes a number of discussions relating to bird hunting safety. Also there will be demonstrations explaining hunting techniques when hunting over flushing and pointing dogs. Shooting instruction will also take place on the trap range where participants’ will be provided the opportunity to shoot clay birds.
Eye and hearing protection along with shot gun shells will be provided. Or bring your own gun or borrow one from the Chapter. Dress to be outside.
On the day of the hunt the young hunter and their parent or guardian will be paired with a bird dog and handler for a 2-hour hunt on PA State Game Lands #44 near Brockport, PA.
The hunt area will be well stocked with birds, and the hunter will be exposed to some of the best bird hunting in PA while hunting over some of the great bird dogs.
This hunt is provided free of charge and made possible to the volunteers of the 630 Chapter of Pheasants Forever. The first 85 participants will receive a free hunting vest! Free food and beverages will be available during the break.
Registration for the hunt must be done online thru the PA Game Commission web site.https://register-ed.com/programs/pennsylvania/40-pennsylvania-special-hunts
Upon completing the on-line registration, if you do not receive a confirmation email within minutes of registering, please contact Tim Rowan – (814)715-2754. This hunt is sponsored by the volunteers of 630 Chapter of Pheasants Forever, chapter partners, and the PA Game Commission.
Charlie Burchfield is an active member and past president of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, an active member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association, Outdoor Writers Assoc. of America and the Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writers. Gateway Outdoors e-mail is GWOutdoors@comcast.net
