The world is in Turmoil.
We cannot deny that.
International Relations have not been as stressed as they are now for the last 90 years.
Those of us that remember the "Cold War" and the "Cuban Missile Crisis" for sure remember that the EXTENT of the stress and strain was different.
Still, life needs to go on and we should not worry about things we cannot control.
AND, we should still find joy in the simple things.
Perhaps someone will say that there is NOTHING simple about Field Target, ROFL!
AND I would say: "It's a different kind of simple"
;-)
After all, if you put the pellet CLEANLY into the hole, the faceplate will fall.
Simple ¿no?
As many other sports and games, it takes 5 minutes to understand, and a lifetime to master.
It is in this context of simplicity and with an open mind that I started my trip to Steubenville.
A few days before I had received a concerned call from Keith Walters, the "Head Honcho" of the match asking:
-"I have you here as shooting 'hunter', is this a mistake? You ALWAYS shoot WFTF!"
- Nope! I laughed; I am taking a break from WFTF
And that, finally, sunk into my mind. I WAS shooting HUNTER!
:-O LOL!
It also made me think of how lucky we are to have people like ALL the MD's and ALL the people that help setup, take-down, repair/maintain targets, sponsor, or, in any other way, support FT!
As I always say, the BEST thing about FT is the PEOPLE in it.
So, as the Thursday came and I had already packed and setup the car for the trip, at 15:00 hrs I started the trek to Ohio.
Now, from Maryland, it is supposed to be a 4½ hrs drive, but with the traffic jams in different places, plus the extensive roadworks in PA, the trip took almost 5½ hrs.
Still, with all the complications, my little Golf TDi did not disappoint:
We cannot deny that.
International Relations have not been as stressed as they are now for the last 90 years.
Those of us that remember the "Cold War" and the "Cuban Missile Crisis" for sure remember that the EXTENT of the stress and strain was different.
Still, life needs to go on and we should not worry about things we cannot control.
AND, we should still find joy in the simple things.
Perhaps someone will say that there is NOTHING simple about Field Target, ROFL!
AND I would say: "It's a different kind of simple"
;-)
After all, if you put the pellet CLEANLY into the hole, the faceplate will fall.
Simple ¿no?
As many other sports and games, it takes 5 minutes to understand, and a lifetime to master.
It is in this context of simplicity and with an open mind that I started my trip to Steubenville.
A few days before I had received a concerned call from Keith Walters, the "Head Honcho" of the match asking:
-"I have you here as shooting 'hunter', is this a mistake? You ALWAYS shoot WFTF!"
- Nope! I laughed; I am taking a break from WFTF
And that, finally, sunk into my mind. I WAS shooting HUNTER!
:-O LOL!
It also made me think of how lucky we are to have people like ALL the MD's and ALL the people that help setup, take-down, repair/maintain targets, sponsor, or, in any other way, support FT!
As I always say, the BEST thing about FT is the PEOPLE in it.
So, as the Thursday came and I had already packed and setup the car for the trip, at 15:00 hrs I started the trek to Ohio.
Now, from Maryland, it is supposed to be a 4½ hrs drive, but with the traffic jams in different places, plus the extensive roadworks in PA, the trip took almost 5½ hrs.
Still, with all the complications, my little Golf TDi did not disappoint:
Let's see:
255 miles door to door.
At 50.1 GPM=> 5.1 gals
at $5.03/gal => $25.60
Not too shabby . . .
Getting there on Thursday, allowed me a good night's sleep and next morning, I was at the range.
255 miles door to door.
At 50.1 GPM=> 5.1 gals
at $5.03/gal => $25.60
Not too shabby . . .
Getting there on Thursday, allowed me a good night's sleep and next morning, I was at the range.
Only ONE shooter!
So I took advantage and shot the breeze a little with Keith.
The sighting in range was very well set, lots of paper to sight on at all common distances, and some steel here and there just to provide some "musical feedback" (if you ask any FT shooter, he will tell you that the pellet striking steel, when the steel gives way, sounds differently than when the steel holds its ground. And that the sound of the steel giving way to the pellet is, literally "music to his ears") LOL!
So I took advantage and shot the breeze a little with Keith.
The sighting in range was very well set, lots of paper to sight on at all common distances, and some steel here and there just to provide some "musical feedback" (if you ask any FT shooter, he will tell you that the pellet striking steel, when the steel gives way, sounds differently than when the steel holds its ground. And that the sound of the steel giving way to the pellet is, literally "music to his ears") LOL!
AND, the sighting in range also tested scopes.
Anyone having problems with the orientation of the light would have problems somewhere in the Woods/"The Hollow" course.
Luckily, between my "Secret Sunshade" and a short sunshade extension tube it worked perfectly and I had absolutely no problem resolving the pellet holes out to 45 yards.
The 50 and 55 ones were a bit harder because they were in the deep shade and the backing was kraft paper cardboard. But still, not impossible. We had a bright sun and the pellet holes at times became like little "stars" shining through.
As the morning advanced, more and more shooters arrived. Especially those that were to shoot the Pistol course/Match
Anyone having problems with the orientation of the light would have problems somewhere in the Woods/"The Hollow" course.
Luckily, between my "Secret Sunshade" and a short sunshade extension tube it worked perfectly and I had absolutely no problem resolving the pellet holes out to 45 yards.
The 50 and 55 ones were a bit harder because they were in the deep shade and the backing was kraft paper cardboard. But still, not impossible. We had a bright sun and the pellet holes at times became like little "stars" shining through.
As the morning advanced, more and more shooters arrived. Especially those that were to shoot the Pistol course/Match
At the appointed time, the Pistol Shooter's Meeting was held:
And once they were off and running, we could use, again, the sighting in range:
From left to right: Doug Vinson, Ken Hughes and Mark Welker
With the Pistol Match done, and all the people, even those from far away, sighted in, we adjourned for dinner.
Day One:
Next morning, everyone was there , LOL!
Second from left to right, John Cerne
From right to left: Leo Gonzales, and David D'Agostino
And after the shooters' meeting, we all walked to the assigned course to start the match.
I was squadded with my good friend Brian Wagner. We shoot together at Palmyra (PA), and he is the Person in charge of the Looooong Range FT matches there.
We started on lane 4 of "The Hollow" .
As is customary in these reports, each picture gives an idea of the lane in general, and the next one gives some detailed view of the target placement.
I will NOT post a picture of EVERY lane, just the ones that were memorable:
I was squadded with my good friend Brian Wagner. We shoot together at Palmyra (PA), and he is the Person in charge of the Looooong Range FT matches there.
We started on lane 4 of "The Hollow" .
As is customary in these reports, each picture gives an idea of the lane in general, and the next one gives some detailed view of the target placement.
I will NOT post a picture of EVERY lane, just the ones that were memorable:
Lane 5:
Lane 6 seen standing, Brian Wagner, Hunter Piston Winner for the Match, at the gate:
This is my POV sitting on the bumbag, crossed sticks (note the high tech) on the ground:
And why it was memorable, this picture is at 5X:
This picture is at 29X:
I did manage to hit it once, AND, for the next day, the target had been raised with blocks for the WFTF shooters that mostly shoot from bags.
Lane 7:
Lane 7:
Lane 8:
Right target:
Left Target:
Lane 9:
Lane 10:
Can't see the far target? That's because it is over in the next county:
This lane had a farther and a farthest target, LOL! In a completely different direction:
Lane 13:
I THINK this one was in lane 14, LONG shot across an "avenue" running diagonal.
Add a whiff of wind and "poof!" disappearing pellet.
Add a whiff of wind and "poof!" disappearing pellet.
Lane 15 ended the march, and it was time to take a hike back to lane 1, which was the Offhand lane.
Last two lanes for us, were again uphill lanes. Too confused and kerfluffled after the misses in the long targets I concentrated on the shooting, sorry, there are no pictures.
Brian was kind enough to send me three videos, I am very grateful to him and glad to be able to include them here:
Last two lanes for us, were again uphill lanes. Too confused and kerfluffled after the misses in the long targets I concentrated on the shooting, sorry, there are no pictures.
Brian was kind enough to send me three videos, I am very grateful to him and glad to be able to include them here:
After finishing the Match, I went back to the most difficult targets and discovered that it had been VERY NAÏVE on my part to expect the trajectory to be the same here as back home.
Put some corrections into the app and made sure I was ready for the next day (or so I thought, LOL!)
Put some corrections into the app and made sure I was ready for the next day (or so I thought, LOL!)
Day Two
We had our early shooters' meeting:
I was squadded with Jeff Farr and we started at Lane 13:
It was a bit frustrating to see my short shots landing to the RIGHT of the KZ. Perfect elevation, just at 3 O'Clock.
Hmmm, not good. Clearly something was not qite right.
Compensated and got the monkey , at least once. That darned monkey is elusive!
After Lane 14, we only had lane 15 and then we hiked back to Lane 1:
Hmmm, not good. Clearly something was not qite right.
Compensated and got the monkey , at least once. That darned monkey is elusive!
After Lane 14, we only had lane 15 and then we hiked back to Lane 1:
Lane 2:
Do note there are FOUR targets visible in the following picture!
Which ones would YOU shoot?
Well . . . the ones to shoot were the near Crow, and the far Gopher!
Always make sure you have identified the target you need to shoot next.
An easy way is to follow the strings.
Which ones would YOU shoot?
Well . . . the ones to shoot were the near Crow, and the far Gopher!
Always make sure you have identified the target you need to shoot next.
An easy way is to follow the strings.
You were able to find the near Crow, Right?
What is not readily appreciable is that the wind played more than one trick:
What is not readily appreciable is that the wind played more than one trick:
Time your shot.
Lane 4:
Lane 4:
Lane 5:
Could you find the near Turkey?
Lane 6 was the offhand:
Lane 6 was the offhand:
Managed to miss all of them!
WHY?
Because I didn't take the time to "craft the shot". Tried to shoot in an unbalanced, unnatural position, all my shots went low.
FT has this way of "cutting you down to size" LOL!
Anyway, Lane 8 saw us back out in the open:
WHY?
Because I didn't take the time to "craft the shot". Tried to shoot in an unbalanced, unnatural position, all my shots went low.
FT has this way of "cutting you down to size" LOL!
Anyway, Lane 8 saw us back out in the open:
With two wdely separated shots:
The bunny on the right:
AND The Rat on the left?
Nope! there is Crow back there in the shadows, this picture taken two lanes down shows the position in relation to the rat:
Lane 9 were two "aerial" targets:
The Crow almost obscuring the far target:
The Dragon just peeks out behind the Crow's post and the leaves that, with the wind, came in and out of the KZ:
Lane 10:
Antelope on the right:
And NOW, we take the rat!
Lane 11:
A Tank and a Bunny.
It doesn't look like, but that bunny is as far away as the rules allow.
It doesn't look like, but that bunny is as far away as the rules allow.
Lane 12:
A plane:
And a Fox:
It was a bloodbath! LOL!
Didn/t even break 50%!
Ah, well . . . live and learn.
As is my custom, I went back to the hardest targets and came to the conclusion that it was all my fault (not a difficult one to come to, ROFL!).
On the offhand lane, taking a proper stance and ensuring I was in the NSP ; 4 shots, 4 hts, on the dragon, tested the sensitivity of the trajectory to wind, taking shots with and without wind: 7 out of 10.
My only relief is that after many years of shooting WFTF, I am a "scaredy cat" about wind.
Need to practice more and establish a better protocol.
Of course, shooting in a "bowl" is complicated. At times my windicator was telling me 3 mph L-R, and I was seeing about 5 mph R-L at the target.
I also need to recover some of the practice I had reading mirage. It does require a special handling in crafting the shot and perhaps too much time,but it is worth exploring methods to use it.
By the end of the day (and the Match), these were the standings:
Didn/t even break 50%!
Ah, well . . . live and learn.
As is my custom, I went back to the hardest targets and came to the conclusion that it was all my fault (not a difficult one to come to, ROFL!).
On the offhand lane, taking a proper stance and ensuring I was in the NSP ; 4 shots, 4 hts, on the dragon, tested the sensitivity of the trajectory to wind, taking shots with and without wind: 7 out of 10.
My only relief is that after many years of shooting WFTF, I am a "scaredy cat" about wind.
Need to practice more and establish a better protocol.
Of course, shooting in a "bowl" is complicated. At times my windicator was telling me 3 mph L-R, and I was seeing about 5 mph R-L at the target.
I also need to recover some of the practice I had reading mirage. It does require a special handling in crafting the shot and perhaps too much time,but it is worth exploring methods to use it.
By the end of the day (and the Match), these were the standings:
You can see that there were ties that needed to be "shot off"
There was a three way tie in Pistol
A two way tie in Hunter PCP for 2nd and 3rd
And a THREE way tie for 3rd in WFTF PCP
After lunch, Keith officiated the shoot-offs for Pistol and Hunter PCP, but Tyler Patner took over for the WFTF PCP one.
Shootoffs are ALWAYS thrilling. Regardless which rules you use, AAFTA has a rule that deviates slightly from the WFTF one. And that is OK.
The shootoffs were set near the sighting in range:
There was a three way tie in Pistol
A two way tie in Hunter PCP for 2nd and 3rd
And a THREE way tie for 3rd in WFTF PCP
After lunch, Keith officiated the shoot-offs for Pistol and Hunter PCP, but Tyler Patner took over for the WFTF PCP one.
Shootoffs are ALWAYS thrilling. Regardless which rules you use, AAFTA has a rule that deviates slightly from the WFTF one. And that is OK.
The shootoffs were set near the sighting in range:
From left to right: Keith Walters, Doug Vinson, and Bill Rabbit
They all put down the near targets
Similarly, all the long targets fell down
So, the shooters were instructed to kneel
In this round Doug Vinson missed his kneeler and so, Bill R and Keith W went on to the long targets
After three rounds of both of them missing, Bill R scored his shot.
What a Match!
Very well setup and VERY well run.
It's impossible to prevent the deer from taking the strings away when they roam the field, as it is impossible to prevent some critters from chewing off the strings.
While it is true that electronically remote controlled target re-setters would solve these two problems it is also true that strings have more than one function and that it is part of the FT 'lore' to learn all the uses of the strings.
Am I enjoying shooting "Hunter" ?
Yes, by all means.
I will make small modifications to my rig, so that when I go back to WFTF, the experiences will carry over.
There are bigger changes in store when we seriously start planning on going to Canada 2027, as that WFTC's will be held in the Canmore area, between 3,000 and 4,000 FASL.
I am pleasantly surprised about the performance of the Vector Continental at 16X.
If you pay attention to what you are doing, it WILL resolve well the differences between 52 and 54 and between 53 and 55 yards.
The Thermal variations are proving manageable.
MOST of my misses were lip hits at 03:00 or 09:00 O'Clock of the KZ and so, my main issue is the wind.
I could see the pellet hit the faceplate, and so the shot cycle is smooth enough.
Rifle likes to be held firmly, which is, by far, my preference.
And the $5.00 High Tec crossed, sticks performed better than any other bi-pod tested.
Bum bag is still the same.
So, mostly, what this exercise demonstrates is that I am getting old, ROFL! I can no longer hold as steady without the stick as I used to.
I have purposefully omitted the social part of the event, to keep the entry within reason. I CAN tell you it was a BLAST!
Raffle was fun, and dinners with great friends at Naples, and LongHorn were memorable.
DO PLAN on going to the Sherwood Forest GP of 2027 (hint, hint.- It wil be the Nationals, LOL)!
Staying at Steubenville OH is a bit expensive but Weirton WV is just across the river, so that is something to keep in mind.
For those that say that these long range trips to shoot FT are "expensive", well I say that "expensive" is a relative term. To put come concrete numbers, this is a typical expense for ME:
Hotel.- $ 324
Gas.- 50
F&D.- 100
Match.- 100
Total .- $ 574
I stayed 4 nights (Thursday through Monday), so if you stay 2 nights, you can halve this
If you split the gas and the driving with someone, you can achieve the same I do.
If you do not order the most expensive desert in the menu ;-) , you can reduce the F&D item
And so on, we each have our ways to make it work.
Still, probably, this is about what you need to budget for Nationals 2027, or something close to this, as Nationals do require more prizes and more elaborate food, plus more preparations at the Match/Course level, so you can and should expect a higher Match Fee.
So, save $50-60 per month, make it a plan to go with your buddies, and you will have succeeded in your planning.
Remember that half of placing is just being there!
Hope you enjoy, keep well and shoot straight!
HM
Very well setup and VERY well run.
It's impossible to prevent the deer from taking the strings away when they roam the field, as it is impossible to prevent some critters from chewing off the strings.
While it is true that electronically remote controlled target re-setters would solve these two problems it is also true that strings have more than one function and that it is part of the FT 'lore' to learn all the uses of the strings.
Am I enjoying shooting "Hunter" ?
Yes, by all means.
I will make small modifications to my rig, so that when I go back to WFTF, the experiences will carry over.
There are bigger changes in store when we seriously start planning on going to Canada 2027, as that WFTC's will be held in the Canmore area, between 3,000 and 4,000 FASL.
I am pleasantly surprised about the performance of the Vector Continental at 16X.
If you pay attention to what you are doing, it WILL resolve well the differences between 52 and 54 and between 53 and 55 yards.
The Thermal variations are proving manageable.
MOST of my misses were lip hits at 03:00 or 09:00 O'Clock of the KZ and so, my main issue is the wind.
I could see the pellet hit the faceplate, and so the shot cycle is smooth enough.
Rifle likes to be held firmly, which is, by far, my preference.
And the $5.00 High Tec crossed, sticks performed better than any other bi-pod tested.
Bum bag is still the same.
So, mostly, what this exercise demonstrates is that I am getting old, ROFL! I can no longer hold as steady without the stick as I used to.
I have purposefully omitted the social part of the event, to keep the entry within reason. I CAN tell you it was a BLAST!
Raffle was fun, and dinners with great friends at Naples, and LongHorn were memorable.
DO PLAN on going to the Sherwood Forest GP of 2027 (hint, hint.- It wil be the Nationals, LOL)!
Staying at Steubenville OH is a bit expensive but Weirton WV is just across the river, so that is something to keep in mind.
For those that say that these long range trips to shoot FT are "expensive", well I say that "expensive" is a relative term. To put come concrete numbers, this is a typical expense for ME:
Hotel.- $ 324
Gas.- 50
F&D.- 100
Match.- 100
Total .- $ 574
I stayed 4 nights (Thursday through Monday), so if you stay 2 nights, you can halve this
If you split the gas and the driving with someone, you can achieve the same I do.
If you do not order the most expensive desert in the menu ;-) , you can reduce the F&D item
And so on, we each have our ways to make it work.
Still, probably, this is about what you need to budget for Nationals 2027, or something close to this, as Nationals do require more prizes and more elaborate food, plus more preparations at the Match/Course level, so you can and should expect a higher Match Fee.
So, save $50-60 per month, make it a plan to go with your buddies, and you will have succeeded in your planning.
Remember that half of placing is just being there!
Hope you enjoy, keep well and shoot straight!
HM
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