Field Target Club

TRAC match report – July 7, 2020

Wow, what a difference a week makes.  Last week it was comfortably cool in the morning.  Today started out at 81 degrees and warmed to 97 by the end of the match, but you could feel a noticeable increase in humidity.  The monsoon season has arrived.  Now all we need is some rain.  Skies were clear and it was BRIGHT, but under the shade canopy it still felt pretty good.

Four of us convened for a mental health session, some fresh air…….and listening to some bitc……er……concerns about the wind.  I am trying to remember who was most vocal, but can tell you that the strings on the near targets, when lifted to check, was blowing 3 and 4 feet off to the right.  The strings on the farther targets were a chore to hang on to!  It came and it went with almost timed frequency, but it was enough to solicit…….comment(s).

Yours truly was planning on shooting half the match with my D54 and the other half with my Steyr.  After getting good groups at my 25 yard zero with Miss Diana, I noticed that I failed to bring the new dope sheet along today.  Needless to say, I shot the match with my Steyr and ended up dropping one point and finishing with 39/40. (space here provided to insert the appropriate expletive du jour).  Old man Mike (Thomas) and Barry (Red Wolf) both tied with 37/40, and Ben (Red Wolf) shot 31/40.

We did our usual 5 lanes/2 targets per/shoot through once/ move targets / repeat / 40 shot match.  Mike pulled the targets for today; small KZ’s that ended up being set at some long distances.  A comment overheard was that the elephant target was everyone’s nemesis today, except mine.  Four shooters ranged four different distances that we measured at half time with the tape measure.  The tape read 155 feet (just over 51 yards).  I had to miss a close one due to my own stupid mistake.

One thing that Mike and I noticed, while shooting, was this one particular lizard.  It would run about two feet in front of the firing line, from my position over to Mikes position, pause, then run back again.  It must have done this a dozen times or so.  We didn’t notice it at first, but as it became obvious, it became funnier each time this creature did his laps.  It even followed the two of us from lane to lane.  Never saw anything like that.  Simple pleasures for simple minds, I guess.

For those wondering about Mormon Lake this month, I will convey what I have learned so far.  The fire restriction level is being raised from a 2 to a 3, meaning we may not be able to shoot unless there is a measurable amount of rain.  What I have done as a back up is check the schedule at BASF and requested the 4th Saturday at the Rifle Silhouette range in the event we cannot shoot Mormon Lake.  If we do end up being able to shoot Mormon Lake, we can do that on the 3rd Saturday, and turn around and shoot BASF on the 4th Saturday.  It is not ideal, but it is something.  This is just turning out to be a really screwed up year.  The best we can hope for is to make the best of it.

We cannot pull a rabbit out of the hat.  Hell, we can’t even find the hat.  But keeping an open mind, we will all get through this.  We will keep you posted with updates as soon as we learn of them, just don’t shoot the messenger.

Meanwhile, take care, be safe, and stay healthy.

Respectfully submitted,

Mark Kauffman

Secretary, Airgunners of Arizona, Inc.