Alberta Provincial Trap Championship

[Jamie]

Hey guys, this is going down in Edmonton on Aug 1-5.
If you want to see some spectacular shotgunning I would suggest showing up and watching some of these guys.

Is anyone from here planning on shooting?
I will be up there for Fri-Sun
I haven't had as many opportunities to shoot as I did last year, so I plan on dedicating myself to some serious practice between here and there.
I hope to shoot in the Provincial warm up this weekend and I want to practice every day afterwords.
I hope to run Approx 1000 rounds down the tubes before it starts. I want to see what I can really do if I put my mind to it.
So here is the regime before the shoot
No Booze
Exercise every night
Shoot everyday
No late nights
Eat healthy

I am going to live right and fly straight for the next week and a 1/2.
:lol: :lol: :lol:
That will be a accomplishment by its self.
I wonder if they give out those leather engraved bags for living that way??
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Jamie

[TrollGRG]

What time and where?

[Jamie]

Troll

Not sure of exact start times, but I will find out and let you know.
The Edmonton club is located at the International Airport.

I shot 100 rounds today with a score of 87/100...
I need to get much better than that.
My goal is to be constantly shooting 94-96 in singles by the time this thing roles around.
For doubles I need my score to be around 92-94. I am planning on practicing them tomorrow.
For Handicap, I think I am wasting my $$$$. The winners will be around 99-100. Honestly, I don't stand a chance unless some weather blows in. Then I have a chance but I still need to shoot around that 95 mark.
This is a tough game and unless you have the mental stamina, its tough to be successful at it.
Still though, every time I go out, I come home with a smile on my face.

Jamie

[Dick284]

Why does stuff like this always happen when I'm on standby?

[TrollGRG]

It sounds interesting - I will definately try to make it out for a look see.
Do they use clays or just shoot at the smaller planes? <joke>

[Jamie]

It sounds interesting - I will definately try to make it out for a look see.
Do they use clays or just shoot at the smaller planes? <joke>

I am fairly sure they are made of clay, but I am almost positive I have seen a few made of hardened steel. The damn things just wont break some days
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Find the time Dick, I would like to meet you.

Jamie

[Dick284]

Find the time Dick, I would like to meet you.

Jamie

Gonna be mighty hard for me to be within my 1 hour from the plant requirement.

[catnthehat]

Troll

Not sure of exact start times, but I will find out and let you know.
The Edmonton club is located at the International Airport.

I shot 100 rounds today with a score of 87/100...
I need to get much better than that.
My goal is to be constantly shooting 94-96 in singles by the time this thing roles around.
For doubles I need my score to be around 92-94. I am planning on practicing them tomorrow.
For Handicap, I think I am wasting my $$$$. The winners will be around 99-100. Honestly, I don't stand a chance unless some weather blows in. Then I have a chance but I still need to shoot around that 95 mark.
This is a tough game and unless you have the mental stamina, its tough to be successful at it.
Still though, every time I go out, I come home with a smile on my face.

Jamie

ATA shoots in classes, so you should be okay, unless you are way down on your average!:confused:
Cat

[Jamie]

Cat at this point I shoot from 21 yards in the handicap
B Class in the doubles
D Class in singles (:o )
At these bigger shoots I find in order to win you have to shoot WAY over your classification.

Scores from todays Registered warm up shoot. (all doubles) (out of 100)
86
87 (I missed the last 3, 2nd birds) :o :o
94 (Now that might win me something)
Its getting better with each passing day. I want to be a force at the Provincials.. Head Down Ass up...ALL THE WAY!

Unfortunately I cant shoot tomorrow due to a memorial service, but I will try and get to the last set of doubles.
I saw Bob G run 200 straight in the doubles. Now thats some great shooting. The level of concentration that takes while the wind is blowing and the sun is beating down... WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW
Dare to dream Jamie, Dare to dream

Jamie

[catnthehat]

Hey Jamie, ever see a pin like this before?:D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/catnthehat/IMAGE0002.jpg
Cat

[Jamie]

Seen em.. Never held one.
Did you win it?
If so, CONGRATS!!!
If not, great find!!!

After that pic, I guess there is no sense is showing my 50 in a row badge.
But I did get a free Winchester hat as well!!

Lets hear the story on that pin.

Jamie

[Dick284]

Seen em.. Never held one.
Did you win it?
If so, CONGRATS!!!
If not, great find!!!

After that pic, I guess there is no sense is showing my 50 in a row badge.
But I did get a free Winchester hat as well!!

Lets hear the story on that pin.

Jamie


Nooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!
Please spare us.:lol:

[catnthehat]

The pin belonged to my father, I am nowhere near the trap shooter he was!
The man was an abbsolute genius with anything that had a trigger on it, and I have lots of provincial, national and World hardware downstairs from him and the rest of my family ( even a few meager trophies of my own!:o )
He also managed and coached the Canadian team for a number of years, and was a very sought after venue coordinator for The Olympics, Pan-Am, Commonwealth, and other World Games and Championships.
He loved duck hunting and was a heckuva trap handicapper, shooting from
"back at the fence" for as long as I can remember.
Skeet was about the same, and I think I can find a 1000 straight patcdh somewhere.
He used too do exibition shooting for C.I.L. as part of his job, and if I told you what he was capabble of doing with a .410, I would be flamed here!:lol:
His grandson has the gift as well, posting a 95% average forhis last 150 birds of the season , his first year at trap.
He almost went 50 his first season, it took me 3 to get there!
The kid ain't bad with a rifle either.:D

Cat

[Jamie]

Dick, Dick, Dick

100/100 at the Grand American is fantastic. It is the Stanley Cup of shooting.
The pressure would be monstrous. I know what it felt like to run 73 at Brooks. I couldn't imagine what 100/100 would feel like in those types of conditions and on that property. The best ever have shot and won there. Kind of like playing in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final at the Montreal Forum and being interviewed by Cherry at intermission, all the while knowing you were playing on your Dads pond just last week. The 100/100 would be like scoring a goal in that game. Now shooting 200/200 and winning in a long shoot off would be like scoring the game tying goal and the scoring the game winner in OT.
Some day I hope to get there. Perhaps in a few years, the $$$ makes it very difficult to do. A guy would have flights, Hotels, food, rental cars + all your shooting costs. Cripes that would be a $5,000 trip minimum + all the practice to get ready.

Jamie

BTW, does rifle shooting have a big thing that everyone goes to? If so have you had the chance to go?

[Jamie]

Cat, is your Dad still with us?
Now thats a guy I would love to sit and chat with. The storys the experiance... MIND BLOWING.
Tell us about the 410 storys. I know they are true.

Is your son shooting at the provincials?
Do you still shoot?

Jamie

[catnthehat]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I recall a shoot off with Barney hartman and my father when I was a tyke.
They called it a draw at dark!
Both were straight for the day, and this was a provincial match IIRC.
They were told they couldn't call it a tie, but who was going to argue?:lol:
Well, for rifles, there is Bisley, and of course the Pershing trophy match ( U.S.A., England, and Canada) I've got some of his stuff from there also.


The Super shoot in the states is likely the largest shoret range BR shoot, and then there are the World 1,000 yards at Williamsport, and Hawkes Ridge.
Camp Perry is the biggest rifle shoot though, with all aspects of riflery and handgun shooting going on.
Cat

[Jamie]

Cat, thats not Hijacking, the more storys the better. AT the end of the day they all go BANG!

Jamie
And is your Dad still with us?
If so I am sure he knew a gentleman by the name of Dave Kaszas (sp)
He won the Bronze in the 78 games in Edmonton (trap I think). He also lived in Calgary

Jamie

[catnthehat]

Cat, thats not Hijacking, the more storys the better. AT the end of the day they all go BANG!

Jamie
And is your Dad still with us?
If so I am sure he knew a gentleman by the name of Dave Kaszas (sp)
He won the Bronze in the 78 games in Edmonton (trap I think). He also lived in Calgary

Jamie
I could tell stories about my father all night ( just ask Dick:D )
Sadly, he passed to quieter ranges just before 9/11.

He shot up here the spring before his passing, with pistols and rifles, for the first time in decades, and wowed all that saw him .
What was amazing was unbeknownst to us that he had a tumor the size of a basebal growing inside his brain, and had to have help to the bench because his short term memory was trashed.
Long term was still intact however, made evident by the numerous hits on the 200 meter cheicken in gale force winds ands sleet, and a quick fire salvo with a single action Ruger 44 on a 25 yard bowling ball - all hits save for the "zeroing " shot!!:cool:
cat

[Jamie]

Amazing, needs help to the bench but gets there and starts whacking everything. I wish I could have seen that!!
Sorry to hear of your Dads passing. Guys like that should have wrote a book.

Jamie

[catnthehat]

Amazing, needs help to the bench but gets there and starts whacking everything. I wish I could have seen that!!
Sorry to hear of your Dads passing. Guys like that should have wrote a book.

Jamie
Thank you, he was a truly great man and well known and respected in thhe International shooting comunity.
His passing to the Great Architect was a journey of life, but we sometimes forget that and concentrate on one's death instead.

He wrote no books that I know of , but manyy articles for AIM magazine, Outdoor life, Rod and Gun , etc.
Plus, if you check the internet for the SFC for position shooting rifles , pistols, etc, you will find his name mentioned as Technical consultant or technical director

Cat

[Jamie]

Cat your welcome, and thank you for sharing a bit of your family with me.

As for today, I had a memorial service to attend so I only managed to show up at the club for the final event of the day.
No time for warm up, just enough to get organized and head to the line.
I managed a 88/100. not bad, and I was improving on every shot.
Things are looking good.
Unfortunately the club will be closed for Mon and Tues, so there goes my practice schedule.

On a positive note, looks like I won a really nice wooden Browning Ammo box.
Dad finally broke a 90 with his great run of 93 in the singles... Perhaps that new Perazzi is paying off. He is a "D" shooter in singles and with a score like that he COULD bring back some hardware from Edmonton. I just have talk him into going. He has wanted of the 90 mark for months now, its nice to see him achieve that goal. Very proud son here.

Tomorrow brings a full day of Singles, Handicap and Doubles. If I can keep my head on straight, I am sure to do well. (GOD I HOPE SO)

Jamie

[catnthehat]

good luck to both of you!:)
cat

[Jamie]

Well another shoot is in the books.
Dad did exceptionally well this weekend and won 3 events in his category.
Myself I won 1.
More importantly we had a great time.

Weather was HOT HOT HOT
During the doubles, we only had 3 people on our squad, the weather was hot and I shot last. Anyhow, I shot my 100 bird, crack open the gun and throw it over my shoulder. Only to turn around and press my cheek to a SMOKIN barrel.
OMG did that hurt. I cryed like a little girl. It feels better know, in case anyone is concerned.:lol:

I really approached this whole shoot with the idea that it was a warm up for the provincials, so my mind set was a bit different. I found I wasn't happy with just chipping them and I wanted to adjust before the next shot. (Ex. I hit the top of the bird a few times in a row, I had better start being under the bird a bit more)

Other than a few birds, I know exactly what I did wrong. I also noticed more than a few mental errors. (Ex I missed what I thought was my last shot, I was mad at myself and was thinking about heading back to the bench, anyhow after more than a few looks I realized I had one more shell to go.... So instead of taking my time and making sure of the shot, I quickly shouldered my gun and proceeded to miss.) Its this kind of stuff I have to watch out for.
Plenty of work left to do, but it looks like I have organized a private clinic with one of the best shooters at the club for Tuesday.

Also I noticed a few equipment issues that can be solved with $$$$$. My shooting glasses are the wrap around type, normally they work fine but when its hot they allow the sweat to run down the inside of the glasses.

Very interesting game once you get right into it.

Jamie

[Dick284]

Don't get a mantal melt down Jamie.
If you start over analyzing things your apt to lock yourself up totally.
stay loose but stay focused. You know what to do just don't let the space between your ears get to fogged up.

[catnthehat]

Don't get a mantal melt down Jamie.
If you start over analyzing things your apt to lock yourself up totally.
stay loose but stay focused. You know what to do just don't let the space between your ears get to fogged up.
When talking to me years ago, my coach's ( the old man) favorite expression was " just shut up and shoot, kid"!:D
My first striaght happend ions ago, but I will never forget the conversation I had
with the older brother afterwards.
The Captain:"Great round, Kid ! How much were you leading them?"
Me: "I dunno..."
The Captain " PERFECT!!" :p
When I am solid anbd zoned, it just happens, birds get busted and the bullets just seem to find the center , and I am in my own little world ( Wife says that I'm there a LOT!)
Cat

[Jamie]

Cat, my problem is that I learned to shoot trap with a field gun. Therefore I was covering the target and pulling the trigger. With my new (to me) trap gun I have to be just a bit underneath them. And thats what I say to myself as I am shooting.

The mantra goes like this

See the bird
Under the bird
Break the bird

For Handicap I found I had to speed things up (More Aggressive) so this is what I said to myself

See the Bird
Get on the bird
Break the Bird

Stupid things that I do on the line in order to not think about my score.
lolololol

Jamie
Also I have started to toy with visualization.. Especially with doubles.
Its effective from what I hear.

[Rackmastr]

Sounds like things are going good Jamie....keep it up!!!

[catnthehat]

I have to remember to keep swinging!:o
My father's comb on his 100 was so high moost guy's couldn't shoot it well.
He had short arms and a weird chin!
It was easier for him to shoot that gun at 16 and 27 than to use an adjustable comb like some guys do.
His thought was that to instinctively shoot al all distances and all stations, you should use the same stock adjustments.
I remember him using a Superposed with F/M chokes to shoot skeet with and trap, then take the gun jump shooting ducks.

Skeet birds just POWDER with a full choke!:D
Cat

[MrLeahy]

Great thread guys!!:wave: Thanks for sharing your stories...it's threads like this one, that makes this place great!

[Jamie]

Great thread guys!!:wave: Thanks for sharing your stories...it's threads like this one, that makes this place great!

Glad we could help:wave: :wave:
You should try it (trap) sometime

Jamie

[Jamie]

Well my practice and learning has come to a end for this experiment.

Bob G took this afternoon out of his busy schedule to give me a private clinic today. (anyone who can run 200 straight in doubles is someone I will listen to!)
All if it was gold. I should have had someone taking notes.
I feel like I am really on top of my game right now.
The MP3 player seems to be helping, but lets see what happens when the chips are down.
I shot aprox 250 rounds this afternoon. When I left the club, I felt like I was
10' tall and bullet proof.
I have even purchased a hypnotic "top of your sport" download. I fell asleep last night listening to it. I plan on doing the same tonight.

We leave first thing tomorrow morning. I will be shooting in the preliminary doubles tomorrow afternoon. After that its GO TIME.
The sched looks like this if anyone is interested

Thursday all doubles (Preliminary) Starts at 12 (5 events)
Friday, Singles Handi and doubles. Starts at 10 Am
Sat, Singles, Handi & doubles. Starts at 9 am
Sunday, 200 singles (Provincial championship) Starts at 9 Am
Monday, Doubles Handi. (Provincial Championship) Starts 9 Am

I have done the practice, I have Visualized for days, I have the hypnosis going, The equipment is all top notch. The rest is up to me. I feel prepared, I feel confident. I feel ready.

Now I have to go prove it!

Jamie

[catnthehat]

Enjoy the moment, stuff likje this comes only once a year, and I've alwways thought that even attending as Provincial or National meet of any kind was evry exiting just being able to be part of it.

Cat

[Dick284]

Met up with Jamie today;
He won his class in the singles trap.
Pretty happy feller if I say so my self.

[Jamie]

Dick, thanks for stopping by on Sunday. It was a pleasure meeting you and "Little Dick"

As for me.. Well we just got home and I am bushed. I shot a ton of shells this weekend, put my mind through hell and back, learned more than a little about myself and learned a bunch more about trap shooting.

On the Thursday I showed up to familiarize my self with the layout and shoot a round of doubles in the doubles marathon. I was so nervous I couldn’t put my Ipod in my ears. I was shaking like a leaf. That’s when I knew I had put too much into my mind. I had to calm down.

On the Friday I took “C” class singles in the preliminary event, I shot my second highest score with a 95, but the good stuff didn’t start until Sunday.


I qualified by my average as a “D” shooter, but Edmonton decided to use the “Known ability rule and bump me to “C” class. I didn’t have any objections as I had been putting myself in “C” for a while now. (I have since been told I will be moved to “B”)

It was a grueling test of mental endurance. The top 3 shooters in my class were in my squad. We went head to head to head for two rounds of 100 targets. (Spread out over approx 4 hours).

In the first round I shot a 96 (my second highest score ever) that put me 1 behind the leader.
In the second round I managed a 99/100. (my highest score to date). The fellow who had shot a 96 in the first go round quickly dropped from the race when he missed 3 birds in a row and went down hill from there. However the gentleman with the 97 in the first round kept breaking birds until the 7th segment of event. He finally opened the door for me on the 8 segment. I didn’t let it shut in my face and kept the pressure up. The final score had me at 195/200 and him at 194/200

When it was all said and done and I realized what I had accomplished I was very close to tears. My wife and kids were there and it was hard to keep all the emotions inside. I was absolutely and totally mentally exhausted. I didn’t know my own name. In all the sports I have played over the years I have never had to be so focused and concentrate so hard for so long.

As for Dad. He took the “D” class open trophy in doubles and missed out for the all round trophy by 1 target. He was a huge help to me in achieving this goal. I want to take this chance to say thank you. It was enjoyable to shoot with you over the past year and I am glad you decided to pick up the game.

In the Calcutta we managed to purchase a winner that paid off to the tune of $700 on a $300 investment. Thank you Allen Day, great shooting!

This was my first visit to the Edmonton Gun club. Very nice place with top notch facilities and run in a very professional manner. I hear that ownership could be transferred to AHEIA in the near future if the AHEIA board approves the proposal. For all you Edmonton guys, this is an early Christmas present. AHEIA will do nothing but add to the shooting sports in the Edmonton region. I know we are lucky to have our facility and now (hopefully) Edmonton will have the same privilege.
As an example of what AHEIA can do for the shooting sports, they took over the Calgary gun club approx 10 years ago. Under the old setup they threw approx 100,000 targets the last year in operation. AHEIA threw 1,000,000 (approx) in 2006. That’s a ten fold increase. Very impressive numbers! I hope more and more outdoorsmen take advantage of what Calgary and Edmonton have to offer. Both facilities are great.

I will try and post a few pics of the commemorative bag and the other trophies we won. I wish I had snapped a few pics of all the trophies available. You all would have been most impressed as I am sure Dick will attest to.

Once again, thanks for coming out Dick, it was a pleasure

Thanks for reading
Jamie

BTW, special thanks to Sheep for suggesting Jimmy Buffet and a big thanks to John Denver. Great Tunes exactly what I needed exactly when I needed them

[lilsundance]

Hey congrats Jamie. I am sure when the moment of victory hit you it was an emotional flood realizing what you had accomplished. Congrats again.

[catnthehat]

Well done!
provincials are not easy for the ones who are there to compete to win, that's for sure.
Now, pick up those few lost ones and we'll see you in "B" devision next year hopefully!:)
cat

[Rackmastr]

CONGRATS Jamie!!! You deserve it.....for all the work you've put in it sounds like it really payed off!!!

[Chet]

Good job Jamie - congratulations!

[WTBooner]

Congratulations Jamie, that's awesome!!

[bagwan]

Way to go Big Guy. I think when you win a class, you take yourself out of the class you're in. Thats the way skeet worked many moons ago. Cuts out the sand baggers. Better competition makes you strive that much harder, though so it will probably push you that much more. As if you need it, Right. Anyway, good stuff. My son pushed me a few years back and I know how your dad must feel.

[Jamie]

Thanks for all the kind words guys.
It was most defiantly a experience. I would encourage all of us to go out and try it. Its very addicting! But I am afraid if they opened a Sporting clays course here at the south end, I would do that as well as trap. I just love shooting shotguns.

Bagwan, I have been in individual shoots where if you win you are bumped a class, but only for that shoot. I think it is a OK rule, but punishes those that shoot above there head if only for one day.

My goal is to shoot "A" class for next year if not "AA"
Still a bunch of work to do. Also I plan on getting my Form 6 so that I can go to shoots in the states. At least a guy has a chance at a bit of $$$$

Jamie

[Duk Dog]

Congrats Jamie, job well done. Talk about a pressure situation wait until the opening of duck season! :lol:

[Rocks]

Congrats Jamie, keep up the good shootin!

[sheephunter]

Hey man...way to go. Goes to show that hard work pays off...you earned it buddy!