The targets were set by the "Wizard of the Woods" himself, Brad Varney! I gave Brad this moniker today after viewing the first Station on his course. Station One was 2 following pair (midis) followed by a simo pair (midi and 90mm targets).
The thing with Brad's targets is he makes you take the shot before you really want to. If you wait too long, the targets become more difficult to locate and shoot!! That's the wizardry of Brad Varney!! He takes you out of your comfort zone!
The format for this Shoot was: 50 main targets from 9am to 12:30pm, break for lunch from 11:30 to 1:30, and shoot the second 50 targets from 1-4pm.
This was a well run organized Shoot by the Maine Elk Foundation.
Question: When was the last time you went to a Shoot where not only did you feel good about supporting our hunting heritage but felt everyone left feeling like a winner?!!
This was my first Shoot with the Rocky Mountain Foundation, but it won't be my last. The men and women of this organization were friendly and sincere in their greeting to us. The raffle tables were full of products we know and use in our outdoor adventures and were provided by LL Bean; Coles Gunsmithing, Browning, Bob Allen and others.
The champion and runner-ups in each class received shells manufactured by Rios, Estates and Fiochie. I understand some folks have already signed up for next years shoot!! Has anyone seen my pen??!!
My Squad team members were: Sarah and Jeff St. Pierre, and Mark Brannon.
Lunch was your choice of cheeseburgers, or hotdogs, bags of chips, devil dogs and twinkies, and a variety of sodas.
There was a 100 target Main Event, NSCA sanctioned and Hunter Class. The entry fee of $75 included the Main Event, lunch and raffle tickets with a $50 re-entry fee for a second round of 100 targets and raffle tickets. There was also a Duck Blind Flurry: two shooters - 20 targets for $10. At the end of the shoot, awards and raffle drawings took place and it was requirement that you must be present to receive your winnings.
My squad happened to be very lucky! Three of us won merchandise! Sarah won 4 boxes of Estate Shells and a hat. Mark won a case of Fiochi and Rio shells. I won 4 boxes of Estate shells, a hat, a zippered Camo Gun case, a book, a Benelli Catalog on CD, and a leather Trap Pouch! Whew!! Haven't been that lucky in quite a while.....
The weather was beautiful! None of the humid, soggy atmosphere like we had yesterday at Hermons'. The sun was shining strongly, but Brad's woods is full of shady trees and provided great protection from the heat.
One complaint I hear more and more lately is a lack of seating at the stations at virtually all Shooting Clubs. Club owners must begin to realize and understand that a fair percentage of their patrons are, or are approaching their senior years. Some have joint or other medical problems that makes it stressful for them to shoot the course. There are some who want to shoot, but can't because there is no place for them to sit once they reach a Station, and visiting 12-14 stations is tiring and uncomfortable. Seating at each station would be very, very much welcomed by everyone, both young and older!!
Brad Varney also gives shooting instructions. He is very accommodating and loves to make sure you 'want to come back' to his Club. Brad has a website. His telephone number is: 207.737.4993. The link to his website is: http://www.varneysclaysports.com/
Now for some pictures.......
Here is a photo of Brad and his delightful companion, Alyse (I hope I spelled her name correctly...it's too late to call them and ask; so if I made a mistake I hope I will be forgiven).
And here is a Slideshow!!
2 comments:
John:
Thanks for the great write up about the RMEF shoot. Those of us who worked to put it on certainly appreciate that you all had a good time. We certainly did meeting you and sharing the fun with you.
George Fogg
would like to see more pictures of Alyss, the backbone of Brad
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