The future of women’s shooting sports

“Are you here to shoot or to watch?” That was my question to eight-year-old Hailey Proffitt at Sunday’s USPSA pistol match at East Alabama Gun Club in Phenix City, Alabama.

“I’m here to watch,” Hailey replied. But it wasn’t long before she had a string of pasters ready to paste targets as soon as the range officer called the range clear.  Of course, that was after donning her Howard Leight ear and eye protection. Hailey has her own gear. Wow!

Dad Jason told me he can’t go to the range without her. “I let her shoot my 9 mm, but it’s just too much for her,” Jason said when I asked if he had considered letting her compete as a junior shooter.  Mark Kauder, EAGC’s range manager, informed us that they permit .22s on the range–just perfect for junior shooters and would-be shooters like Hailey.

With the speed of youth and intensity of a young woman on a mission, Hailey pasted targets at each stage, making our downtime between shooters minimal. Unlike many kids her age, Hailey wasn’t content to wander off to explore, or sit in the shade to play an electronic game.  No, ma’am . . .  she was all business, thank you.

Hailey is also a super helper when dad Jason reloads for his matches. She will separate the brass after cleaning and have it ready to be resized and loaded up. She knows every component of ammunition reloading.

Hailey says, “Dad teaches me safety first. I don’t do anything unless he is with me, or I ask.”

As for the future of women’s shooting sports, Hailey is it, along with all the other young girls just like her. It’s up to us (parents, mentors, friends, media, manufacturers and industry associations) to help out in any way we can to promote their development and elevate their interest.

And I want Hailey on my squad. I say get that little gal a .22 pistol, and let’s get her shooting some pistol matches. I certainly hope that the next time I shoot a match at EAGC, I get to shoot on Hailey’s squad, er, I mean Hailey’s dad’s squad.