Aim Small, Miss Small

The weather is starting to turn colder here in North Dakota. We had our first freeze warning last week, and I have dug out the fall coat. With the changing of weather seasons, we also change handgun competition seasons. We move from outdoor competitions to indoor competitions. We say goodbye to the Texas Star, steel plate racks, and poppers. Unlike previous years, this year I am sad to see this items stored for the winter. For the first time, I am actually hitting steel consistently. I can clear a Texas Star with five shots instead of two magazines and poppers fall on the first try. Although watch the video below and see what happens when a popper isn’t staked down or calibrated correctly.

With the ability to hit steel targets a negative consequence has occurred. I have lost the ability to hit cardboard targets. It appears I can hit a 6” round target on a Texas Star, but can’t hit 20”x34” IPSC  target.  After suffering this debilitating setback all summer, I came to the realization “Aim Small, Miss Small.”

In the movie, The Patriot, Mel Gibson’s character utters these words to his son, played by Heath Ledger. “Aim Small, Miss Small,” what exactly does this mean? For me, it means I can constantly hit a steel plate, and constantly miss a cardboard target. But the question is why?

When shooting at a 6” steel target, one has to focus on a small object and really pay attention to shot placement or else you’ll miss. Concentration on the front sight and accurate target acquisition are the keys. However, when shooting at a cardboard target, you have a greater area to hit, so oftentimes one loses the ability to focus on a small portion and instead takes the object in as a whole. I mean, how can someone NOT hit a 20”x34” target?  Easy, “Aim Small, Miss Small.” Aim Large, Miss Large.

In order to consistently hit the target, one needs to aim at something small, for instance, the ‘A’ in the middle of the ‘A’ zone. If you aim for something so ridiculously small and miss, you’ll probably hit somewhere in the ‘A’ zone. On the other hand, if you simply aim at the target and miss, you run a greater chance of missing the entire target. “Aim Small, Miss Small.”

So, it only took me six months to figure out what I was doing wrong. Six months of frustration and finishing last in almost every competition. But this mistake will make me a better shooter. I know where the problem lies and how to fix it. I just need to incorporate “Aim Small, Miss Small” into practice and my pre-stage routine.

The moral of the summer, if a 20”x34” cardboard target attacks me, I know I need to aim at the ‘A’ in the center ‘A’ zone and not just assume I’m going to hit it.

Problems with Steel

This is Your Brain on Competitive Shooting

 

Advantages of Fiber Optic Gun Sights

WOMA Member to Host NRA WOMEN ON TARGET Colorado Cast and Blast

ATTENTION ALL LADY HUNTERS!  The High Lonesome Ranch, located in DeBeque, CO, welcomes ladies on this action-packed Cast-N-Blast excursion. From the cackling pheasant, to the wary Chukar partridge, or the coveys of Hungarian partridge, there is more than enough action to make your heart beat just a little faster. The sagebrush and wheatfield covers provide ample hiding spots for the birds, so bring your reflexes. The pros at High Lonesome Ranch take into account your shooting skills and your particular areas of interest to plan a shoot this group won’t soon forget.The ponds are clear and shallow, with shoulder vegetation, blowdown and flats. The majority of your time will be spent sight-casting to brookies, browns, rainbows, and cuttbows. Streamers, nymphs, and dropper rigs are commonly used, but much of our fishing is with dry flies. There is nothing like casting a big Stimulator to a cruising trout and getting a “Grand Slam” is icing on the cake!

Dates: Sept 27-Oct 1, 2011

Accommodations: Accommodations will be in the Homestead Cabin.  An early 1900s homestead with a creek and two trout-filled ponds just off the porch. The 3-bedroom cabin has a dining room, kitchen, reading room, and 3 baths. A kennel for Fido is just outside.

Cost: $3,356.85 – includes a comprehensive safety orientation; 4 nights deluxe lodging; 3.5 days of guided hunting with dogs and guided fly fishing; one culinary cooking class; one hour massage; one round of sporting clays; all fishing accessories; licenses; meals from dinner on Tuesday to breakfast on Saturday; and transportation to and from Grand Junction Airport, CO.

Deadline to Register: September 1, 2011. Don’t delay; this hunt is limited to five ladies.

To Register: Contact Field Hunt Coordinator, Tracey Splechter

tracey@outdoor-connection.com
office – 620-364-5500
cell – 620-203-0089

 

SHOT SHOW MEDIA REGISTRATION IS OPEN

All working media professionals interested in covering the 2012 SHOT Show can now register for press credentials. Media who have attended the SHOT Show in previous years and for which NSSF had a valid email address today received a fast-track registration form. Media members who did not receive this email (even if they’ve attended SHOT Show in the past) should register using the online form at shotshow.org. Reviewing the “badge types” and “proof of eligibility” explanations before filling out the online form will help speed the application process. All approved media will be invited to also register for Media Day at the Range. Questions? E-mail SHOT@compusystems.com or call 708-786-4105 or 866-585-4105.Read the press room guidelines.

Going for Gold in 2016 – Morgan Dulaney Takes Aim

Shooting a 4 1/2 inch disc that is hurling through the air at 45 miles an hour is easy, right?  For many of us shooting those tiny clay pigeons can be a tough skill to master; however, for Morgan Dulaney practice makes perfect.  This rising star is just 18 years old and already has one national title under her belt.

How does she do it?  Carducci Tactical got to spend a few minutes with this delightful young woman on the range and could not help but be impressed not only with her skills but her dedication.   Morgan recently won the National Last Man Standing competition at the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) Nationals in Sparta, Illinois.   Trapshooting comes natural for Morgan who has been shooting her entire life.  The humble teenager understands the hard work and dedication needed to compete not only on the range but in life.

This fall she will be attending the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh majoring in nursing.  School is not her only obligation.  Morgan has taken on the challenge of establishing a SCTP club at her college.   It takes courage and confidence to take on this task and I asked her why this was so important to her.  Morgan responded, “It is a big commitment, but there is no better way to help the competitive shooting sports cause than to actually get out there and try to start a program. “

The Scholastic Clay Target Program’s mission is simple and straight forward.  The program’s goal is to introduce school-age youths to the clay target sports.  The program  focuses on safety and providing a positive and supportive program that instills leadership, responsibility and commitment in the young athletes.  Morgan will have assistance from the SCTP and the Collegiate Shooting Sports Initiative from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).

SCTP has taught Morgan how to handle challenges with grace and maturity.  She expressed, “Sometimes when I explain to people that I have a gun club through my school they ask a lot of questions.  People do not realize that it is not guns that hurt people, it is the person behind the gun.  I explain to join SCTP we MUST have hunter safety before we can even think about shooting.  Also on our team, we have a no strikes policy.  Basically, the first time you endanger yourself or someone around you – you are done – not just for the day, but for the duration of the school year.  SCTP is a positive influence in my life, and I always try to invite people to come and see what we do and join in the fun.”

I decided to take Morgan’s advice and try trap shooting for the first time at a recent outing in Ogden, Utah.  As I watched Morgan hit clay after clay, I grabbed a Remington 12-Gauge shotgun and tried my luck.  What are Morgan’s words of wisdom for a first-time shooter? “Don’t be afraid.  Shoot a smaller gun and work your way up.  Shoot lighter loads and try a pad for your shoulder.  Do not be scared – just have a positive attitude and go into it with a positive outlook.”

I did not get a chance to shoot against Morgan, but I  asked for instruction to help with recoil.  Morgan explained,  ”There are two big things that you need to remember when you are shooting trap.  First if you are right handed when you lift your right arm it will create a pocket in your shoulder for your gun to fit into, so make sure your gun is going into the right spot.  Secondly, remember to pull the gun tight to your shoulder.  If you don’t pull the  gun tight, it will kick harder.  Try to remember to keep it snug.”

Morgan’s skills do not stop on the range.  SCTP has allowed her to motivate others with her words of wisdom.  “SCTP has taught me the only way to be a good leader is to know how to be a good follower,” explains Morgan.  “You have to put yourself in other people’s shoes and try to use motivation that would convince yourself.  I learned that people at any age – young or old – want you to give them information you believe in and to be sincere.  Try to connect with them and that makes it easier to motivate them.”

The best piece of advice that she shares with young shooters?  Morgan does not disappoint in explaining to set goals and aim for the best.  “For people who already shoot, I would say to aim high and do not be afraid to fail.  You might not be the best right now, but if you keep working the possibilities are infinite.  For people who do not shoot yet – try it once.  If you don’t like it then you never have to do it again, but don’t be afraid to try something because it is different or because you are scared of what someone might think.  In the end, all that matters is how you feel about it – nothing else is important,” she continues.

My final question for Morgan was about her insight on attracting more women to the shooting sports.   Morgan admitted that she was not sure about joining SCTP since there was only one other girl on her team.  She took the leap of faith and hopes that other women “have someone to look up to and look to for advise, guidance and encouragement.”  With role models like Morgan, I am sure the sport will continue to explode with growth and popularity.

Morgan Dulaney is a rising star in the shotgun sports with a target set on GOLD in the 2016 Olympics.  She is a positive role model for women and young shooters promoting safety and integrity.  Morgan spends long hours training to stay focused.  One of her goals is to inspire young girls  not only in shooting but in making smart life decisions.   Morgan sums up it up best in her words by stating that she hopes to “show that girls can kick some butt in the shooting sports.”  I know I will be following her path as she strives for a medal.  Morgan Dulaney is a determined young woman who will be tomorrow’s hero.

For more information about other Women Shooters and to follow Morgan’s progress check out Carducci Tactical’s website and blog.