Will Fennell-Pursuits, Sporting and Otherwise

Many Changes Here......I've been to Italy, and I have a new MacBookPro

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:35:00 +0000

Folks,
Its been a long month or so....I got very engrossed in a consulting project, and preparing for the world FITASC in Italy for the last month. I rationalized my lack of blogging by planning to blog the entire trip to Italy. Well, the best laid plans of mice and bloggers 'oft go astray! When I landed in Rome, I tried to start my PC notebook, and all I could get was the blue screen of death! I was unbelievably unhappy....but no blogging was to be done on the trip.

I did have a great time, and not only shot the World FITASC, I also visited the BERETTA facility. I do have some pics and will be posting some comments here as time allows....because I took the plunge and bought a new laptop....this time a MacBook Pro, and it is taking some time to learn the new operating system, but I am very hopeful that this will truly be a more stable operating system.

Check back soon as I have much to fill you in on!

Best,

Will

The North American Grand Prix......half way through!

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 18:42:00 +0000

Back at my favorite club in the midwest, Claythorne Lodge , for the North American Grand Prix. I shot fairly well in the sporting prelim, but I was squaded with my buddy Brad Kid, who posted an outstanding 96 for HOA. I shot the first half of the FITASC this morning......started with a 25x25 on my first layout, and dwindling down to a 18x25 on my last( we shoot 4 parcours today).

I have the Freedom Cup Sporting left to do this afternoon, then the second half of the FITASC tomorrow.....and I'm looking forward to it!

Best,

Will

Heading to the NRA Convention in Charlotte!

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Wed, 12 May 2010 16:11:00 +0000

Tomorrow I'm heading to the National Rifle Association's National Convention in Charlotte, NC. I'll be there with Beretta, and invite all my friends to come by the booth and let me show you around.

Show link.... NRA CONVENTION

See you there!

Will

Be a target shooter, not a target critic.....and other lessons.....

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Mon, 10 May 2010 05:48:00 +0000

So I'm helping a student, and we are trying to figure out why his performance wasn't up to par at his last major shoot. The good news was that I was in his squad at the shoot in question, so I already had a good idea.....

I sat through stories of all the reasons ...... problems at work, problems with others in the squad, the sun was in my eyes, I think my gun doesn't fit me anymore....maybe it was the new shells, my tummy didn't feel good...and oh yeah, I hated those targets, because you know SOandSO set them, and everybody knows his targets are terrible....

Oh Really? I ask....

Why did you think they weren't well set?

Well, there were too many quartering/crossing/incoming/outgoing round disc shaped birds, and they were either orange or black! what was the target setter thinking! Everybody knows that this guys sets terrible targets!

Oh Really? I ask.....

Well, I asked him if he had heard about this problem with the target setter before the shoot? and yes, of course, his other friends had filled him in....and sure enough, there were waaaay to many of some type of targets set and that confirmed that there was a problem.

And my student went into this shoot, convinced that the targets would not be to his liking, and of course, they were not. He was convinced they were going to be "bad targets" before the weekend started. It was the topic of conversation before/during/ and after the shoot.....so much that he was not planning his next station while waiting to shoot, but stewing on these awful targets.....and you can imagine how that helps your score!

I shouldn't sound so pious....I have fallen victim to the same evil vice, that of being a Target Critic( the all knowing, wise to the ways of sporting clays) instead of the Target Shooter. The Target Critic may sound like he knows a lot about the game( and have a built in excuse for poor performance), but the target critic rarely performs well.....since, you know, it was the fault of the poorly set targets. This evil usually befalls a shooter after he has been to a few "great shoots" with "great targets", and suddenly finds himself not shooting up to his level of expectations. It certainly can't be the shooter's fault, it must be something else.....let's blame the target setter!

I got tired of letting my performance slip by having my own little pity party about the target quality, and decided that I have to play with what is set for me to shoot right now. I can decide whether I like them next week.

Look gang, when you went through registration, you signed up to enter a competition shooting targets, not showing your experience by criticizing them. You signed up to shoot the targets that were presented for that event....now quit talking( and whining ) about them, and set about killing them. I promise you will have more fun.

You can bitch about them Monday on the internet....

Best,

Will

PS, if you know the target setter for the upcoming shoot is famous for a particular style of target, and you haven't practiced that type of target until you can hammer them over and over again......then whose fault is it really?

My Momma drowned all the dumb babies.....

One more day of instruction and then its time for the Georgia State Sporting Clays Shoot

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 03:26:00 +0000

I'm sitting here tonite at Big Red Oak Plantation, getting ready for one last day of instruction. Then Friday, its game day for the Georgia State Sporting Clay Championships @ Cherokee Rose in Griffin, Ga. Casey Atkinson and crew at the 'Rose always do a good job, and I'm sure this shoot will be spectacular! Time to get ready for race day!

Best,

Will

Palmetto Cup...good weather, good targets, good times.....and a HOA Trophy!

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 01:13:00 +0000

The 2010 Palmetto Cup is finished, and what a great shoot it was! Great targets, great weather, and good times with old friends! Target setting was done by club owner Joe Cantey and trap wizard Chuck Frazier. Turnout at the shoot was light, but that didn't keep those of us that showed up from having a great weekend. I managed a 2nd place finish in the prelimary, got my butt kicked badly in the FITASC( HOA was Todd Simmons of Georgia in both the Prelim and FITASC-Good shooting TODD!), but shot a 190x200 in the main event to take HOA , clear of the second place score by 5 birds. I felt good with my shooting, and look forward to the next tournament.... the Gamaliel Cup in Nashville next weekend!

Best,

Will

"This is when we WIN"....a lesson learned from Dan Carlisle

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 02:10:00 +0000

Folks,
This past weekend, I had a good shoot. I had not performed as well as I had wanted at my first 2 events this year, and I was determined to get my game together. I practiced....I worked on my mindset, and I was prepared. I went to the North American FITASC with my head on straight, and full of confidence that I had done what was needed to have a good weekend.

But there were doubts of another kind in the air even before I got to the shoot. The North American FITASC was to be held at a new club, and there were concerns that the club wasn't really ready for a big tournament. On top of that, the weather wasn't looking so good.....new club( fresh earth moving) + rain= MUD. As I drove to the shoot, I was starting to get apprehensive. I was talking on the cell phone to a buddy about this, and he mentioned that like business, sometimes you can snatch victory out of a chaotic situation. That comment reminded me of a shoot earlier in my career...

It was at the Seminole Cup back in the TM Ranch days. I was shooting the main event with my coach and friend, Dan Carlisle, and we were both shooting well....really well. We were pushing each other every stand, and the squad had a real positive vibe to it (anyone that has squadded with Dan knows what I'm talking about). Then, the storm to end all storms came over the horizon......I mean cold, harsh wind, and heavy, sideways rain. I dove into my well stocked range bag and came out with a nice rain suit, waterproof hat, gloves...the whole get up that an aspiring "top shooter" was supposed to have at hand.

Didn't matter....I was miserable ...cold, wet feet....it was awful, and what a shame, I had been shooting so well, but that was slipping away from me. I was standing around whining about being cold and wet. Then I looked over at Dan....he had on the same blue jeans and tshirt that he started the round with....he was laughing at the mud, making jokes about the rising water and getting the truck stuck on the way out of the club.....he was having fun.

That was when he grabbed me by my rain suit (might as well have been by the scruff of the neck) and pulled me behind the golf cart, and said "...listen Bubba, all these other shooters are bitchin' about the weather, and they aren't focused on SHOOTING and WINNING.....this is when we WIN!" Well, he was right of course.....all I needed to do was keep my wits about me for a couple of hours of rain, which I have done thousand of days in the duck blind or deer stand, and stay focused on the job at hand. A couple of hours of rain isn't going to kill you...you won''t melt. You can get dry and warm in the clubhouse or hotel.

I didn't win that Seminole Cup....I had let too many get away during the few stations that I had my little pity party..... but Dan did.....I finished up well behind Dan, but much better than if we hadn't had that talk. I've learned a lot from him, about how to handle a shotgun, and about how to win.

I stopped on the way to the club and got a new rain suit, I cleaned my DT10, and rubbed it down with plenty of rust preventative. When I started up the drive to the club, they were already cars stuck in the parking area.....I engaged the 4 wheel drive on my truck, telling myself that I would need to wash the mud out of my front hubs after the shoot was over, before I headed home. I was ready for the weather, and I was ready to make a run for the title when I got to the shoot. Thanks Dan.

Best,

Will

The North American FITASC Champioships.......GREAT TARGETS

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 03:57:00 +0000

Folks,
I'm in a Holiday Inn, part if the way home from Bucksnort, TN and the North American FITASC Championships. Its been a long weekend, with plenty of crappy weather, muddy roads, and great targets! The North American Championships is the new name for the old Pan American FITASC Championships, and is still a FITASC World Cup event, and this year is also a TEAM USA Qualifier. After 8 great parcours, I came from 3 targets behind ( after Saturday's scores ) and tied my old friend Jon Kruger on a score of 190x200. We were both pleased as target setter, former World FITASC Champion for the UK, Ben Husthwaite had predicted that the winning score would be no higher than 188, and probably as low as 182! After a full parcour shootoff, I edged out Jon for the HOA Gold Medal. It was a fun shootoff, and certainly one I won't soon forget!

I'm cold and tired, and soon to be asleep, but here are a few pics.....

The targets were a hard bit of work, but shooting FITASC still beats working!

Best,

Will

Done with instruction for the week.....on to the North American FITASC Championship!

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 02:44:00 +0000

I finished up teaching today in Georgia @ Big Red Oak Plantation, and got in a bit of practice today with my buddies Randy Travalia and Larry Farrow. Larry is still recovering from shoulder surgery, but he shot well today. Randy shot well, as always, and he looks like he has his game face on for this weekend's big shoot in TN....

The North American FITASC Championships in Bucksnort, TN.

I felt pretty good in practice today, and am looking forward to hitting the parcours. My buddy Ben Husthwaite is over from the UK to set the targets, so that should be well inhand. The targets should be great! If you love FITASC, I'll see you at the shoot!

Best,

Will

Another Successful Atlanta Charity Clays Event is in the History Books!

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 02:26:00 +0000

I had a great time this past weekend at the Atlanta Charity Clays Event, ....again! I've been attending this event for 7 or 8 years, and it is quite a great time, and raises funds for a great cause.

Atlanta Charity Clays

We shot for 2 days, at 2 different venues. Good targets for a this type of event, and plenty of good times! My friends Vinnie Hancock and Glenn Eller, both Shotgun Gold Medal winners in the Beijing Olympics, showed up to help, and we had a great time in the shootoff at the end. If you want to shoot some clays for a great cause, think about coming next March!

Best,
, ,
Will

The National FITASC is Over, Congrats to Byron Justice!

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:38:00 +0000

Well, another National FITASC Championships are in the record books, and a hearty round of congratulations go out to Byron Justice, our new National Champion. Well done Byron. It was a hard fought event, with very challenging targets. Challenging, but fair. I would go back and pay to shoot them tomorrow, if they were still up! Well done Rio Brazos, and especially great job by the target setter, Randy Voss of Caribou Gun Club from Minnesota.

I shoot well enough on the first day, pretty well on the second, and let myself down on the last. Ending up Master 3rd. I shot fair in the 2 sporting events. The main thing is that I really feel the competitive edge coming back to my game, and I'm fired up for my next registered event in 2 weeks time at the North American FITASC Grand Prix.

See you there......

Best,

Will

National FITASC @ Rio Brazos

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:30:00 +0000

First day of competition @ the National FITASC championships today, and the targets were stiff. Shot parcours 5,6 and 7 today, and scored pretty well ( 24,22, and 21). I felt good about the first 2 scores, but felt I let down a bit on the last. Out on the course tomorrow at 8 am, so I'm off to bed now to get some sleep!

Best,

Will

DT10 and TRG22, .....and the Weather Was Grand!

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:27:00 +0000

Well,
I got to Houston late last night, and today I went to American Shooting Center to shoot a bit. Head Honcho and good friend, Ed Arrighi, who is shooting the National FITASC also, joined me for a couple of hundred practice targets. We had a great time, working out the kinks and "getting our confidence on". With plenty of daylight left, I headed to the longrange rifle area and broke out the Sako TRG. I have been looking forward to shooting on ASC's range out to 600 yards, and getting firm zero's, or "come up's" out to 600 yrds. That is now accomplished, and the 12" steel plate @ 600 yards was ringing for quite awhile!

I had soooo much fun @ ASC, I'm going back tomorrow!

Best,

Will

Been to Burge, and now at Big Red Oak Plantation.....

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:42:00 +0000

Well,
I finished 2 days of instruction at Burge Plantation, and now I'm at Big Red Oak. I've got a full day of lessons for tomorrow, and it looks like the rains will start Tuesday. Then, I'll head on out to Texas!

Yesterday, my first 'lesson' was a special one....my longtime friend and student Larry Farrow came out to shoot for the first time in over a year. Larry had shoulder surgery, and has been out of the game for quite awhile. The doc have finally cleared him to start shooting again, and we went out for an hour to test the waters. While his endurance was short, he certainly had not lost his touch, and he was blasting targets with abandon.

You could have driven a pickup truck through his smile when he broke his first target. Only afterward did he realize that there was no pain(!). He will need plenty of practice to build his shooting arms' strength back up, but one thing Larry has never been scared of was burning shotgun shells, and lots of dedicated, hard practice!

Glad to have you back in the game Larry,

Best,

Will

Heading to Georgia, Texas, Georgia, and Tennesee

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:09:00 +0000

This is my least favorite part of my great job/lifestyle/passion.....packing for the extended road trip. I'm leaving tomorrow ( early tomorrow ) , heading to Burge Plantation for lessons for the afternoon. Then the next day to Big Red Oak in Gay, Ga to teach through Monday evening. Then on to Houston for the National Fitasc Championships @ Rio Brazos over the following weekend. I teach the Monday, Tuesday, and half day Wednesday after the shoot ( 3/15-17) @ American Shooting Centers in Houston. Then back across the south to Atlanta for the Atlanta Charity Clays event ( 3/19-20) at Burge Plantation. I teach in the Atlanta area after the shoot till Wednesday ( 3/21-23) and then head up to the new club, Dogwood Hollow, in western Tennesee for the North American Fitasc Gran Prix ( 3/26-28).

I then get to finally come home.

So back to the thing I hate....figuring out everything I need for basically a month of inside and outdside activities in 3 different states, spread over 3 weeks. Everything from coat and tie dinners at the Charity Clays event, to shooting tournaments in any possible kind of weather, to possibly hunting hogs in Texas.

Oh well, it still BEATS WORKING.

Best,

Will

The Devil Made Me Do It.......I Had To Order a New Wilson Combat 1911

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:20:00 +0000

Folks,
I 'fessed up that I seriously love custom 1911 pattern handguns. I mean I really dig them. Well, I broke down and ordered a new custom carry gun today from my friends @ Wilson Combat. I ordered the new Ultralight Carry, which is a full size 1911, but with a lightweight aluminum alloy frame to save weight. Its about half a pound lighter on your belt than an all steel version of the same pistola.....here is a pic...

I ordered the gun with several custom options including being chambered in the potent .38 Super chambering, with a spare fitted 9mm barrel( .38 Super for carry, and cheap 9mm for practice ). Also both barrels will be feature deep flutes to reduce weight( and look cool ). Gonna be a neat blaster.....delivery in about 5 -6 weeks....I"ll post pics when I get it!

Best,

Will

GAMEBORE BLUE DIAMOND's

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:52:00 +0000

I got a chance to shoot some Gamebore Blue Diamond shells today, and I came away quite impressed! Same quality Diamond shot as the famous White Gold[ my go-to favorite shells], but with reduced recoil due to lower velocity( 1200 fps@ 3ft ) and quality Gordon System hulls, made famous by B&P. These hulls further reduce recoil by nature of a collapsing internal chamber in the base of the hull to help reduce pressure.

They were very soft on the shoulder, with a smooth recoil, and they smoked targets. I think these shells will be very popular.

Best,

Will

Stories From the Range

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:57:00 +0000

Here is a good story,

So Sunday, I was giving a lesson to a young couple.....apparently they are “dating"....well, he was having a real hard time keeping his focus on the clay till the end of the shot. He was measuring lead, and missing behind. I explained to both of them that when the focus left the target to measure the lead, that the barrels slowed, and he was consistently behind the target. Even though he understood what was going on, he just couldn’t consistently keep his eyes locked on the bird….and he was getting frustrated.

So we took a break, and I told them a story of a 13 year old boy in my youth program that had the same problem. I told the young man to stare at the target like a cheerleader’s butt.....and after a few sheepish laughs and grins, the young shooter started busting targets.

After this break, and moment of levity, I put the guy back in the shooting box, and he called for a bird[ the same one he had missed 10 times in a row]. He smoked the clay! Everyone was happy and congratulations were passed around.

I then asked them what we learned…..before either could answer with something about focus.....I told the young lady the answer was that she is getting a short skirt and pom-poms for her birthday!

Sometimes, I’m sooooo witty, I amuse myself.

Best,

Will

Stopping @ Big Red Oak for lessons this Sunday and Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:21:00 +0000

Gang,
I'm driving to Houston next week for the National FITASC, and have carved a couple of days out of my schedule to stop @ Big Red Oak Plantation in Gay, Ga. I'll be @ BRO on this Sunday(3/7) and Monday(3/8). Please contact me ASAP if you are interested in booking some time!

Best,

Will

All Packed Up, and Ready to Go to SEMINOLE CUP!

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:42:00 +0000

Heading out early tomorrow......I just have to stop by the shell warehouse and pickup ammo for the gang, and then about 10 hours of driving. I've got a good squad- Ben Brunton, John Bauer, Jon Kent, and Vinnie Hancock. JB and Jon can certainly hold their own, but there is something about having a 2 time world champion[Brunton] and a Olympic Gold Medal Winner[Hancock] in your squad to give the squad a good vibe.

There is something about Seminole Cup every year....it is THE EVENT that starts things off. I have been every year since 1995. I won't lie and say that I'm as excited tonite as I was the night before I left for the shoot in '95, but I still get that tingle everytime I get ready for the first Big Blast of the season.

Best,

Will

Sporting Clays in the SNOW

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:03:00 +0000

This winter cannot end soon enough. Saturday was lessons in the snow. I got a chance for a bit of practice late in the day for myself, and shot a flat of shells yesterday afternoon again in practice. This weather is killing my ability to get enough practice in! I truly understand the plight \my friends in the north face each year. Yeah, you can get some practice in, but shooting all bundled up in heavy cloths is just not the same......aaarrrrgggghhhh. I can't wait to head to Florida for Seminole Cup this week! I may not have gotten in as much practice as I want, but at least it should be WARM.

Best,

Will

GAMEBORE for Atlanta.....

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 05:13:00 +0000

Just to spread the word......to ship Gamebore shells to the Atlanta area in a cost effective way, I need to put together a 100 flat order. I have 50 flats placed with one student, so if someone in the area wants a good deal on great shells, give me a shout, and we can make this happen!

Best,

Will

There is more to this shooting gig than just clay targets.....

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 05:10:00 +0000

I know that it's blasphemy to say that there is more to shooting than just clays or wingshooting....but I'll say it, I want more. I mentioned in my first entry to this blog that there would be more....well there will be.......

I'm setting a goal of continuing my journey to be a more well rounded shooter and instructor this year. I plan on attending at least one advanced tactical handgun, carbine, and tactiacl precision rifle class this year. Obliviously this is partially out of personal interest and desire, but also because I have enough of my students that want me to be able to help them down the same road. I plan on being able to help them in whatever journey down the shooting road they want to take.

Hell, I like road trips!

Best Regards,

Will

News from NSCA Advisory "New Executive Council"

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:01:00 +0000

Looks like there was some major changes to come out of the NSCA Advisory Council Meeting last weekend in San Antonio....

Newly Elected NSCA Executive Council

Seems like the sentiments must have been to get new blood into the Executive Council.

A thank you goes out to the past Executive Council for the service and dedication of the past members. While eveyone [ myself included] may not have agreed all with the councils decisions, I think this Executive Council has advanced the sport more than councils of the past. I think no one ever doubted their dedication. The members owe this past Executive Council a debt of gratitude.

To the new leaders on the Executive Council.....now is your time. You have been elected by your peers, and you owe it to the membership to make the best of your time in office. As you can imagine, many eyes are upon you, do what needs to be done for the best of the sport, not for your own interest, or to win other's approval. You must walk the line of doing what you know is right for the sport, and also not just looking at issues from just your point of view.

Best Regards,

Will

Please, tell yourself to FOCUS on the target

noreply@blogger.com (Will Fennell) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:55:00 +0000

So,
I stop by the local range, Rocky Creek , to drop off some Gamebore shotshells today, and a good old friend asked me to help him with a pair of targets that way giving him trouble. He helped me unload the shells, and I helped him with the station....fair enough.

So, it was a realitively fast true pair, and he was swinging the gun with enough energy that if we could convert it to electricity, we could light Las Vegas......and not hitting anything. So we talked briefly about a plan...which one to shoot first and why.....and still nothing.....lost/lost. Ok, I asked him what he was focusing on regarding the first target. I get a blank stare..... So I suggested that he try to focus on where the black belly meets the orange rim on that target. He loads up, and call for the pair..... dead/lost. Well, we are making headway!

A couple of more pairs....still dead/lost. I'm thinking surely he gets it....? We picked out some detail to focus on the first bird, so that he had the target in focus as he stroked the bird, and he hit it.....maybe we should do that on the second bird also? Nope, he was soooo wrapped up in shooting fast enough to have a chance at the second bird, he was not doing what was needed to break it. OK, lets take the next step...

I bring up that we hit the first bird by finding some detail to focus on, and he agrees....he understands that worked. So I bring up that maybe we should do that on the second bird [ok, I admit it, I used a bit of sarcasm at this point]. So we talk about the second bird, and decided on what was most visible on that bird in the area that he was going to engage it.....pull-DEAD PAIR.

Big Smile....and I got to see one of my favorite sights, the light bulb going off over his head.

Best,

Will