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You could be featured here! Just click the "Shooter
Questionnaire" button to the left and complete the form!
For October, 2010, the featured shooter was Mark Qualman.
| Name: |
Mark Qualman |
| Age: |
51 |
| Home: |
Mesa, AZ |
| Originally From: |
Boise, ID |
| Occupation: |
Commercial Construction Estimator |
| Years Shooting: |
41 |
| Years Shooting SC: |
5 |
| NSCA Class |
C |
| Shotgun: |
Blaser F3 & Browning Maxus Auto Sporting |
| Ammo: |
Gamebore White Gold XLR, 28 gr., 7 1/2 shot |
Q: What are your favorite things about
shooting Sporting Clays?
A: I really enjoy the people I meet. Of
course, I love the mental game and just getting out and shooting. The different
venues, target presentations, target setters use of terrain and geography keeps
it interesting and helps focus ones mind on breaking clays.
Q: What is your favorite shooting venue?
A: I love my new "home" club of the Rio
Salado Sportsman's Club! It's a great desert setting with some interesting
challenges. I love Cherokee Rose Sporting Clays in Griffin, Georgia as well.
Hall of Famer, Casey Atkinson, runs a top-notch fcility and targets that look
easy to hit, but are very difficult for most.
Q: What has been your favorite shoot/event?
A: The Wild Turkey Federations, Turkey Shoot
at the Meadows Gun Club in Forsyth, Georgia. A variety of terrain, vegetation
and presentations make it a great shoot.
Q: What is your favorite target presentation?
A: They all offer there own brand of
character. I guess I like the teal the best...being an old Trap shooter.
Q: What is your least favorite target
presentation?
A: I have real difficulty with a tower
presentation starting from behind me and landing about 100 yards out.
Q: What do you feel is your greatest challenge in
Sporting?
A: To keep the "disquieting" thoughts from
over-taking me in the shooting stand. I'm my own worst enemy at times.
Q: What do you feel is your biggest
accomplishment with regards to Sporting Clays?
A: To be able to go out to any venue and
shoot and have a good time. I was petrified the first time I went out shooting
Sporting Clays. Again, the people that I shot with the first time were strangers
to me, but took me along and made sure to make that first experience
enjoyable...once I shot a round, I was hooked.
Q: What, if any, are your Sporting Clays goals?
A: Hopefully to shoot my way on to an
All-State team sometime and to go to the Nationals and compete...to have a good
time!
Q: Do you shoot sub-gauge events?
A: Yes. 20 gauge is my favorite.
Q: What is the one "gizmo" you find
most useful when shooting?
A: Actually...my iPod. It plugs into my
ear-muff hearing protection and helps keep my mind off of telling me that I'm
going to miss!
Q: What advice would you give to someone just
starting out?
A: Go to the range and ask someone if you can
shoot the course with them...guaranteed they will say yes, and you'll be hooked.
Also, don't be discouraged if you don't bust a lot of clays starting out. As you
progress, break down each of the presentations one by one. Practice, Practice,
Practice. It's nice to be able to take some lessons, but if you can't, at least
get some instructional videos / books from someone such as Gil Ash. These have
helped me beyond description.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: Take your children or grandchildren to the
range and get them involved early. Seeing them break clays is better than
breaking them yourself!
Webmaster's commentary:
I had the pleasure of shooting with Mark at Rio Salado's Rio 50 at the 2010 Hedge
Hog Open. Mark is a recent transplant from Georgia, so if you see him at
the range, introduce yourself and make him feel welcome!
I'm glad Mark took the time to submit his questionnaire. Help keep the Featured Shooter feature going by filling out the "Shooter
Questionnaire."
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