TOP GUN TERRITORY SHOOTER RICKY CRAWFORD LANDS WIN AT NATIONALS
TERRITORY hunter and clay target shooter Ricky Crawford travelled to Victoria recently to compete in the Field and Game National Championships. Nearly 550 shooters from around Australia competed and Ricky won the A Grade. Here is how he did it in his own words. “Here is a quick rundown on my weekend at the Field and Game national championships held November 4 and 5, 2017,” he said.
“There are usually three courses and each of the layouts are shot twice over two days comprising 150 targets.
“This year they set six separate layouts and we shot four grounds on the Saturday and two on the Sunday.
“This meant we never shot the same targets twice and that things run a bit smoother and quicker.
“The targets are always tough in Victoria as they set such amazing courses with the undulating terrain (something we don’t have in Darwin).
“So, the first round was a bit shaky, with me shooting a 18/25 and made me realise I needed to study the targets a bit more as some were very deceiving, due to the terrain.
“Second round was a lot better shooting a 22/25. I missed a couple of easy targets, but I was smoking the big long targets.
“The third course was another great ground with lots of tricky targets and I was happy to have finished on a 21/25.
“The final round for day one was probably the toughest courses there with a lot of low scores shot across the board, but it was little simple mistakes that let me down shooting an 18/25. “After this I thought I was sure to be out of the running.
“I went straight to the practice ground and tried to focus on judging the targets better and the little things that let me down.
“After that while catching up with a few mates at the club house I noticed I was five targets behind the A grade leader, and three targets behind second place holder and equal third with about a dozen others on 79/100. I realised if I shot a couple of good rounds the next day I’d be still in with a chance.
“Sunday morning came with a bit of wind that was freezing (for me) but was not affecting the targets too much. With 50 targets left our squad stepped off. I was feeling good. I was shooting well and had only dropped two targets — until the last station. Miss, miss, and miss!
“Boy was I angry with myself. So, I finished with a 20/25 which isn’t bad but disappointing when I knew I should have scored higher and had targets to make up.
“The last round came, and I was in a good mindset. I was focused on shooting and I was hitting them well. Suddenly, I was on the last station of the round, last station of the whole comp and it sunk in that I’d only dropped one target and the result of the previous round was lurking in the back of my head.
“I hit the first couple of targets and then rushed the double and dropped the last target finishing with a 23. “Back to the practice ground to use the last of my ammo up and someone told me I was equal first. Now I had to buy more ammo!
“The shoot off was for first place overall in A grade and was the first shoot off to happen. Its 14 targets over two stations, (six and then eight).
“My opponent shot the first stand first and missed two. I stepped up and shot the stand clean. With a cheer from the crowd the pressure was on.
“I shot the second stand first and dropped two. My opponent stepped up and dropped another four and I could finally relax.
“I was lucky enough to win an SHS straight pull 12 gauge shotgun, a fancy gun travel case, four slabs of shells, some hats and bags etc.
“All in all, it was a great weekend and hopefully more NT shooters can join me in future.” Weekly Friday night practice continues at the NT Field and Game range, Mickett Creek Shooting Complex, Brandt Rd, Knuckey Lagoon. This is the best place for hunters to get all the goose gossip every week.