Target Shooter 1

Keith Wilson reloading as he shoots
targets through a low aperture on the
long Stage 5
a significant penalty. The final complication was the
start position - holding the shotgun in the weak hand,
in Option 2 (magazine loaded - no rounds in the
chamber), with a bottle of water held in the strong
hand. On the start signal, the bottle was dropped
into a box to activate the release mechanism; the
gun had to be brought to the strong shoulder, racked
to chamber a round before engaging the targets.
At 12 metres it’s not always easy to see a hit on
a moving target causing many to shoot more than
required, or miss but think they’d scored. The
fastest shooters were doing this stage in around
7 seconds - amazing performance that drew
much vocal admiration from the watching crowds.
Stage 4 was a fast 8 plate shoot through an
aperture with a screen of water obscuring the
view. To make it harder, a no-shoot target was also
included to prevent a wild blag and requiring
accurate fast shot placement. This was from a
fully loaded (Option 1) start position - the best
shooters completing this stage in just over four
seconds!
Shooting matches of this level for days is tiring and
when Friday arrived, I think all competitors were
glad to have completed the competition. “I’m bushed
but would do it all again next week” said one of the
shooters as he packed his gun away after a final slug
stage.
The weather had been favourable apart from one
morning of rain - not too hot and always with a
hint of breeze. The club facilities were fantastic
and I know I speak for all who attended when I say
how well the competition was run by Roman Sedy
and his team. Hot food was always available with
large eating areas. A webcam allowed those back
home to see us which was a thoughtful touch.
Ammunition and accessories for on sale, stalls
catering for shooters had plenty of room and even
scrutineering was carried out in a slick fashion.
For those lucky enough to have qualified to a
certain level, there was still a day of shoot-offs
on the Saturday. These are simple man v man
stages incorporating a compulsory reload and were
shot at a separate range near Pisek. A host of UK
team members took part in these tense, quick-fire
events before returning to Pisek that evening for
the final closing speeches and awards ceremony.
The final ceremony was another blaze of celebration
in the historic and spacious Pisek House of
Culture. Pisek nestles along the banks of the Otava
Target Shooter 31