Wasting Targets

 

At a recent registered shoot, I saw a squad look at targets for over 15 minutes before they started their round. The lead-off was a well-known and respected skeet shooter.

As the referee approached the field, she let it go on for a few more minutes before saying something to the shooters about wasting targets. This young lady is an excellent referee and did the right thing by speaking up.

The targets cost about 10 or 15 cents each. I’m certain someone out there will give me the actual per-unit cost, but you get the idea. Whatever the cost actually is, this squad cost the gun club an additional few dollars in wasted targets. If several squads were to do the same thing, the loss to the club could be substantial. This may be one reason why some ranges are raising their prices.

Normally, the targets are set at the beginning of the day and adjusted if they become illegal during the day, but there is no need to continue throwing and wasting targets. Call the chief referee to the field and they will reset them if they are not legal.

If we want to keep the skeet venues we have now, we need to support them not only with our business but also by not wasting their targets.

Shoot often, shoot well and stay safe,

Barry Hartmann

Barry Hartmann is an NSSA Master Level and NRA Certified shotgun instructor who can help you improve your skills at American Skeet and wingshooting. To contact Barry, email him at threeat8@aol.com or give him a call at (918)803-2393.