November 2005's featured shooter was Chris Stadler.
| Name: |
Chris Stadler |
| Age: |
39 |
| Home: |
Gilbert, AZ |
| Originally From: |
Fenton, MI |
| Occupation: |
Network Management Engineer |
| Years Shooting: |
A few in my teens but not much until 2.5 years ago |
| Years Shooting SC: |
2 |
| NSCA Class |
D |
| Shotgun: |
30" Caesar Guerini Magnus Sporting |
| Ammo: |
Mostly Reloads & Remington STS Light Targets |
Q: What are your favorite things about shooting Sporting Clays?
A: I enjoy the time outdoors, the camaraderie, the competition, but I don't
take that too seriously. The best thing about Sporting is the people you
meet. I'm not the most social fellow in any group, but I really enjoy
getting together with folks I've met shooting and getting squaded-up with new
people. A noticeable improvement in my shooting always leaves me smiling, too!
Q: What is your favorite target presentation?
A: Any target that turns to dust, followed by
its identical twin! These days I'm hitting some crossers, but 2 months
ago, I couldn't buy a pair of X's on crossers. So that is what I mean
about the variation. My favorite presentation is one I can master at a
shoot after missing in practice.
Q: What do you feel is your greatest challenge in Sporting?
A: The targets I can hit seem to vary from month-to-month. I know I
can hit them, but for some reason I'll have a dry spell on a particular
target. That tells me it is in my head. So my greatest challenge
in the game is me.
Q: What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment with regards to Sporting Clays?
A: D1 in the 2005 AZ State Shoot. A
really good day followed by a not so good day. But I hung in and didn't
let my mind wander too much, although there was a slump in my spirits.
Come to find out it was a very difficult course on day 2 and I wasn't just having an off
day.
Q: What, if any, are your Sporting Clays goals?
A: I would like to continue to improve and
continue to enjoy myself. I really want to bump up a class ... or 5 someday,
but if I live my life as a D shooter having fun, I'll be all smiles.
Q: Do you shoot sub-gauge events?
A: Every chance I get.
Q: What is the one "gizmo" you find most useful when shooting?
A: Its a toss-up between the ESP ear plugs
and the RCBS reloading press. The ESP's are great, and allow me to shoot
all day without fatigue. The RCBS lets me to shoot all day and still
afford to eat. Not that skipping a meal would be catastrophic for me, but
...
Q: What advice would you give to someone just starting out?
A: First off, always be safe. Start slow. Shoot Trap until you can
break more than you miss. Venture on to the SC field with a seasoned
shooter for your first few outings. Get qualified instruction early, not
so much for hitting the target, but for the fundamentals. Once you've got
the fundamentals, shoot away and you'll start breaking the birds. Then get
some more instruction and practice on specific targets. Above all, have
fun and be safe. If it stops being fun, take a break.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: Nope. Just keep shooting and share
the sport.
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