Rookie Trap Question

There can be many factors that affect your shooting and you'll only discover what they are by doing a bunch of it.
I discovered many years ago that I shoot better in the morning than I do after lunch while I observed many other shooters posting better scores after lunch. I decided to do an experiment and started having an energy drink and energy bar for lunch instead of a hamburger or what ever was being served at that particular shoot and my scores in the afternoon were as good as my morning scores. Then to varify what was happening I'd not take the enrgy drink and bar occasionally and I'd see my afternoon scores drop off a bit again. I came to the realization that in everything I do, I do better in the morning than afternoon, it just took competative shooting for me to figure it out. I haven't used the energy drinks and bars since I quit shooting registered targets 10 or 12 years ago, I'd rather shoot without being jacked up of caffine or whatever else they put into those things.
The point that I'm trying to make here is that shotgun shooting is a game of the mind once you've figured out the physical aspect of it. We all know how to break the targets but a lot of us have some difficulty keeping the brain engaged long enough to post a great score!
 
Falconflyer said:
There can be many factors that affect your shooting and you'll only discover what they are by doing a bunch of it.
I discovered many years ago that I shoot better in the morning than I do after lunch while I observed many other shooters posting better scores after lunch. I decided to do an experiment and started having an energy drink and energy bar for lunch instead of a hamburger or what ever was being served at that particular shoot and my scores in the afternoon were as good as my morning scores. Then to varify what was happening I'd not take the enrgy drink and bar occasionally and I'd see my afternoon scores drop off a bit again. I came to the realization that in everything I do, I do better in the morning than afternoon, it just took competative shooting for me to figure it out. I haven't used the energy drinks and bars since I quit shooting registered targets 10 or 12 years ago, I'd rather shoot without being jacked up of caffine or whatever else they put into those things.
The point that I'm trying to make here is that shotgun shooting is a game of the mind once you've figured out the physical aspect of it. We all know how to break the targets but a lot of us have some difficulty keeping the brain engaged long enough to post a great score!
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Well said young fella. I too found what you eat at lunch will make or break your afternoon scores. A burger at noon would make me so tired and sluggish, the gun felt like it weighed 30 Ibs. and swung like a fence post. Once I caught on I only drank water to stay hydrated and a few pieces of cheese for protein at noon, no more sugary drinks, or heavy fatty foods and carbs. No more sluggish afternoons after that.
And yes I also agree once you have learned the physical game the real big hurdle is the mental game. The mental game is huge when you start shooting competively. I have mentioned the mental aspects of the game many times on here. Most debunked it as they just don't get it, and or, don't yet have the experience. You Sir are one of the few on here that have it figured out and understand.
 
OP...and anyone else who is interested

One of the best ways of practice and developing good form and shooting habits I have ever come across and the most inexpensive is the Terry Jordan Wall Chart. He makes them in three or four different sizes. You get a manual explaining practice routines etc and he usually tosses in a couple homemade snap caps with it and they are easy to make if you need more. PM me and I'll send you his contact info since I cannot link it here as he is not a supporting member. Using it last year for the first time corrected some bad habits I had developed and brought me up 3 classes from the worst ATA average I ever had the previous year! It works and the only cost is the initial purchase which is less than 2 flats of ammo! Here is a thread I posted on trapshooters.com about my experiences using the chart.

https://www.trapshooters.com/threads/im-sold.901822/#post-8872468
 
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I realize your OP deals with numbers of boxes.

I realize practice makes perfect and the more you shoot the better you become. Not necessarily.



Before you develop bad shooting habits I strongly suggest you seek instruction by an accredited ATA teacher.

Also, trap has it's quirks and intricacies that unfortunately drives a lot of shooters away from the discipline.
Before you step out on to the range study each station, foot position, and barrel pointing position relative to the trap house.
There is an old Remington film on the internet that takes you through each station. Do not follow the gun safety habits in the film because they could get you kicked off the range.:redface:

Also, the Remington site has an excellent brochure you print off for learning purposes.
 
I will never shoot competitively , but I expect from myself a clean kill on game. They deserve that.

I'm lucky, so far, half the time I have the range to myself. At $6 a box in green fees, it costs more in fuel to get there. My SA shotgun is 58 years old but not broke in. It gets sluggish after 15 shots, so it limits me to a box at a time anyway. chuckle. I have gotten good at tear down and assembly. At least in that it's easier than a 1100, I gather. I'm 7 years retired, but I was a millwright so to me this not a big deal.

A new hobby for an old phart. But again, thanks for the help guys .
 
downwindtracker2 said:
I will never shoot competitively , but I expect from myself a clean kill on game. They deserve that.

I'm lucky, so far, half the time I have the range to myself. At $6 a box in green fees, it costs more in fuel to get there. My SA shotgun is 58 years old but not broke in. It gets sluggish after 15 shots, so it limits me to a box at a time anyway. chuckle. I have gotten good at tear down and assembly. At least in that it's easier than a 1100, I gather. I'm 7 years retired, but I was a millwright so to me this not a big deal.

A new hobby for an old phart. But again, thanks for the help guys .
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My experience, it’s mostly a game for “old pharts”.
 
mrgoat said:
uWell said young fella. I too found what you eat at lunch will make or break your afternoon scores. A burger at noon would make me so tired and sluggish, the gun felt like it weighed 30 Ibs. and swung like a fence post. Once I caught on I only drank water to stay hydrated and a few pieces of cheese for protein at noon, no more sugary drinks, or heavy fatty foods and carbs. No more sluggish afternoons after that.
And yes I also agree once you have learned the physical game the real big hurdle is the mental game. The mental game is huge when you start shooting competively. I have mentioned the mental aspects of the game many times on here. Most debunked it as they just don't get it, and or, don't yet have the experience. You Sir are one of the few on here that have it figured out and understand.
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Ok old fart/phart! Lol
 
the spank said:
Yes I started shooting tarp at the ripe old age of 18....definitely an old farts game. ;)
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I was just being a wise ass.

But I have trapped and kept score at registered ATA shoots for 30 years, and the majority of shooters have always been older men. Although, I will admit that the handful of women and younger shooters at the Canadian Champs this year was a pleasant surprise.
 
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Westward1 said:
I was just being a wise ass.

But I have trapped and kept score at registered ATA shoots for 30 years, and the majority of shooters have always been older men. Although, I will admit that the handful of women and younger shooters at the Canadian Champs this year was a pleasant surprise.
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Yes I knew you were being a wise ass...
 
the spank said:
That must have been a challenge...:p
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The challenge was convincing children that counting the sectors of a Berlin Wansee plastic overlying pattern test sheet with subsequent recording was fun.

Fortunately, the price of candy and ice cream was much lower in those days. And children actually knew how to ahem, count. And add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
 
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mrgoat said:
Well said young fella. I too found what you eat at lunch will make or break your afternoon scores. A burger at noon would make me so tired and sluggish, the gun felt like it weighed 30 Ibs. and swung like a fence post. Once I caught on I only drank water to stay hydrated and a few pieces of cheese for protein at noon, no more sugary drinks, or heavy fatty foods and carbs. No more sluggish afternoons after that.
And yes I also agree once you have learned the physical game the real big hurdle is the mental game. The mental game is huge when you start shooting competively. I have mentioned the mental aspects of the game many times on here. Most debunked it as they just don't get it, and or, don't yet have the experience. You Sir are one of the few on here that have it figured out and understand.
Click to expand...

Well, I haven't been called that in a while! :)
 
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