Attending the NSSA Mini World and World Championships
Jack Taylor and Gunnar Casey, two of the young people I’ve had a hand in training, asked me to join them for the Mini World Championships.
These two have become contenders in all of their recent shoots and were anxious to make their presence known at the Mini World, too. These are two very talented young shooters. They wanted to stay for the World Championships, but their school schedules have already been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and they didn’t want to miss more of their classes.
This was Jack’s first trip to the Mini World and Gunnar’s second trip. They both have previously shot at the National Shooting Complex.
Jack evaluated various shotguns while at the shoot and he found a really nice one while there. He shot three or four different brands of loaners from various vendors and finally selected one that was an exceptional deal. Smart young man, he took his time and really made sure he got a shotgun that fit his needs. Now he has to pay his parents back for the loan.
Vendors Row had all of the great shotguns that we skeet shooters recognize, as well as just about anything else a skeet shooter might want or need.
I usually try to visit all of the stores and peruse everything offered. Jack and Gunnar and their fathers were right there, too. Gunnar was evaluating different barrels for his shotgun, and also being a smart young man, decided to wait and continue to work with his current set-up. He has shot several straights with his current shotgun.
While Vendors Row is a big attraction, the Mini and the World Shoot are also where you’ll see friends that you may not have seen since the last World Championships. Two of my friends, Jonnie and Russ Stevens, live nearby, and it’s always a pleasure to see them. I also saw many people I know from the various states I’ve shot in, and that’s always great, too. We were squadded with some really nice people that we enjoyed shooting with. That includes Mark Knighten from Mississippi, a good squad mate.
This year, the year of COVID-19, made the shoot a little different than normal due to ‘social distancing’ and face masks, but it was still a fun and exciting event.
The Mini World and World Shoot are always fun and exciting for us die-hard skeet shooters.
The people at the National Headquarters always make these events very enjoyable and well run, from the registration process through the actual shooting and shoot-offs. If you haven’t been there, you may want to go and be a part of the excitement, see old friends and make new friends, too.
Jack, Gunnar, and I did not perform as well as intended, but it was a great experience for all of us. We saw old friends, made new ones, and we did have an enjoyable trip.
Shoot often, shoot well and stay safe,
Barry Hartmann
Barry Hartmann is an NSSA Master Level and NRA Certified shotgun instructor who teaches American skeet and wingshooting. You can contact Barry at threeat8@aol.com or 918-803-2393.
