Boone has always been good for some big scores. The background is quite consistent with the traps all facing the mountain. Targets are always well set and they do aim to please.
As regularly happens at trapshooting events, there are often ties in at least one of the disciplines. This little story concerns a singles shoot off at WGC. The participants (victims) were Tracy Sanders, Gerald Sparks and me. We had knotted up with 99s that day and elected to shoot off.
I personally detest any other method of settling ties other than maybe carrying it over to the next event, especially if there is any amount of money or hardware involved. Nobody I know ever broke a target by flipping at it or shattered one by drawing a card. Shoot off or forfeit. (Rant over)
So, after the regular program was concluded, we took the line. The first 25 were set as regular targets- no manipulation and we all 3 ran them. At that time, it appeared there was a potential for this to go on a while. Some enterprising individual(s) suggested that the targets be “massaged” a little to enhance the experience. All parties concerned agreed that this would be fun to do as well as increase the entertainment value for the on-hand peanut gallery.
To start with they raised the trap up as far as it could go with the targets still able to exit the house as well as adding 6 or so turns on the spring. Vertical rockets. We took the line again and had at it. When the smoke cleared after that round, Tracy had missed one late and settled for category. Gerald and I had managed to run them and remained tied.
Now the evil trap minions took it to the next level. They pulled the magnets as far apart as they could on the Pat Trap and still get a target to clear the side walls of the house. Then, the dirty (expletive deleted) lowered the trap as low as it could go AND added all the spring the target could take without breaking on the arm.
This was done on Trap 2. What they did made for a 5’-6’ foot high target that had the left hand target whiz just in front of Trap 1 and the right target zoom past Trap 3, oh boy. This method of setting targets has since been used more than once. It’s an experience for sure.
I happened to have some Federal 3 dram 7 1/2s in the truck and figured it would be prudent to use them. Gerald was on Post 4 and I started on Post 2. As luck would have it, it seemed Gerald was getting most of the “nasty targets” and the majority of mine though low and hot seemed to be staying within normal parameters. As we got through 4 posts into this ordeal, I remained straight and Gerald was down 6 or 7 at this point
As we moved to our last post, I walked past Gerald and he said something to the effect of don’t you let up now. The cheers and jeers continued from the friends and fellow shooters that had supported this spectacle. After the last shot was fired, we shook hands and congratulated each other a round well done.
I haven’t seen Gerald in a few years and I truly hope all is well with him. He was always a tough competitor and one of the really good guys. That’s one of the best things about this sport of ours, we can compete, doing our absolute best to stomp a mudhole in each other and at the end of the day appreciate and value the friendships we have.
See you next time wherever it is. Travel Safe! Dan