Deer hunting starts tomorrow

I was out again practicing with my Parker crossbow this afternoon.  I'm ready to hunt doe starting tomorrow.   There are several counties in Northern Virginia that are truly over run with deer.  The state has an early archery doe only season for the month of September, which I am going to take advantage of.  The county I hunt in; Loudoun, also has the earn a buck restriction.  I can shoot a buck, but then must shoot a doe, or I can shoot a doe, then I can take two bucks before I have to shoot another doe, or I can shoot all does.
With the early season I can hopefully take a doe or two before the regular archery season starts in October.
The landowner where I hunt is all for bringing down the deer population on his farm,, so he encourages my husband and I to come often to his farm to hunt.

Take care, good hunting and good shooting,
M.

Practice hopefully makes perfect

I just got back from practicing at Trap.  I think I did well.  21 out of 25 and 20 out of 25.  This was my sixth time out shooting this game.  My first round ever was a dismal 12 out of 25, so I am improving. It seems that my difficult station spots are the 4th and 5th positions.  I am still shooting behind or letting the bird get to far out on the ones I miss.

I love my new shotgun. A Browning Citori Lighting over under 12 gauge.

My friend who shoots Trap in tournaments offered to watch me and offer tips.  He noticed I was always shooting high and asked me a few questions about the feel of the gun and how it comes up to my shoulder.  The Winchester I was using, we realized, was not giving me the proper line of site to the bead! I was holding it up high when I brought it up naturally to my shoulder.  I had to scrunch my face and cheek down on the stock to get a good sight on the bead.  Not a comfortable situation. I am not bashing Winchester, they make a very fine weapon.  The particular model I had was just not sized right for me.   I tried my husbands Citori White Lighting, and my friends fancy Trap shotgun.  Both of them came up so easily to my shoulder, my cheek rested properly on the stock, and I could just see the bead, not the whole barrel and bead.  My friend said that was exactly what I should be seeing, just the bead.  I shot a few clays with the Citori breaking every one.

With in two days I had traded in my old gun (at a very good trade in price) for the Browning Citori.  So far, two months into this adventure I am so glad I have the Citori.

Take care, good shooting and hunting,
M.

How I got into hunting and shooting

Hi 
I'm going to write to all those who wish to follow me through the next 9 weeks of learning how to shoot Trap, and how I do in the Trap League.  Let's hope for the best.

I got into hunting and shooting through my husband, then boyfriend, during our dating in High School and College.  He pretty much told me up front when we started dating that he was a avid hunter.  He would welcome my learning how to hunt and shoot, but if I did not want to that was okay.  He did let me know that when he scheduled hunting he would not be available to go out with me.  I'm glad he was honest with his passion to hunt and shoot.

I am game for trying new things.  I had no hesitation in trying out this shooting and hunting sport.  

We started at a friends farm, roaming around looking for inanimate objects to shoot at.  My husband thought a 410 single shot shotgun would be a good starter gun.  He would be shooting a 12 gauge shotgun.  He schooled me on safety, and shooting techniques.  I was having a blast.  We spent a lot of time that first summer with our friend at his granddad's farm shooting at corn stalks, hay bales, and targets.  

I was ready to try my hand at squirrel hunting that fall.  During the summer Bruce showed me and told me how to spot squirrels, what to listen for (their barking), and where squirrels liked to live and eat.  I was nervous because I wanted to do well.  We went to the farm on fall afternoon after school.  Bruce and I walked carefully through the woods.  He spotted a squirrel in a tree.  We were getting closer when it took off through the trees.  I remember running through the woods to catch up with the squirrel and Bruce.  Finally they stopped.  The squirrel was barking, Bruce motioned me to slowly walk up to his side.  Once there I rose my gun to my shoulder and shot.  The squirrel came tumbling down out of the tree.  I was thrilled and excited!!  

This little adventure got me stuck on hunting.  More stories about squirrels, rabbits, groundhogs, and deer to come soon.

I have been shooting quite a lot over the intervening years (my first squirrel and now) with pistols, rifles, muzzle loaders and shotguns.  

I am on a new adventure in shooting this fall.  My gun club has a Fall Trap League.  I've been talked into joining for the 8 week league.  I had never shot trap and do not really know the game.   I am on a big quick learning curve.  I'll keep you posted over the next two months or so.

Take care, good shooting and good hunting.
M.