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iTrapshooter.com: Welcome Don. It was great to meet you in Mason at the Spring Team Shoot and right after that shoot you made a trip to the Buckeye. How is the season shaping up so far?
Don: My season so far has been a little disappointing in so far as putting wins on the board from major shoots. The Senior Veteran category has gotten even more competitive this year with an influx of excellent shooters. I am shooting well but just not well enough; I keep coming up one or two birds short. There is still a lot of season left and I plan on making the most of it.
iTrapshooter.com: At both shoots, the weather was keeping things interesting. You’re a strong competitor, how many years have you been shooting through windy weather and do you consider it an advantage or a disadvantage and why?
Don: Wind seems to be major factor this year for some reason. I think it is a mental thing more than anything else. You must look for the target and go to it and break it. I was shooting yesterday at a club in Ohio and wind was a major factor but some outstanding scores were posted, including a 98 of mine, and some very bad ones. I don’t even think about it when I am shooting. Those that stay in the club house are protecting their averages and that never has been important to me. I go to a shoot to shoot not sit on the porch, consequently my averages suffer. It has affected my position of the State team which is based on averages but ego trips are not my thing really. Yes, it is nice making it but it’s not the end of the world. Don’t get me wrong, I love to win and that is my objective each and every time I go out there.
iTrapshooter.com: Let’s talk about Ohio. On your next visit, you’ll be front and center in what’s being called a “Grudge Match” to help raise funds for a couple of great causes?
Don: Shooting for causes is part of giving back and helping in any way that you can. That is important in your community also which is outside of the shooting venue. The “Grudge Match” was not my idea but the brain child of Brad Dysinger and Don Cogan, OSTA President. They asked if I would consider doing this because of the bitter rivalry between G and myself on TS.com. They thought they could raise monies for their causes if it could be put together and I agreed. It has grown way beyond my expectations and it looks like they are going to be able to put $2,000+ towards their youth scholarship program. Actually with all the notoriety that is coming about I am getting a little nervous about it from some of the pressure of side bets that are going on and I have been told about.
iTrapshooter.com: And you’ll be shooting 3-hole targets?
Don: The three hole targets shouldn’t be a problem. Many things have changed from the past such as guns, shells, triggers, recoil reduction devices, voice calls, target throwing machines, computers in scoring and registration. Many including G want to go back to the “old days” to try and level the playing field and I totally disagree. Any changes to the game to make it more difficult for the top shooters are going to make it even more difficult for those of lesser ability. You will drive some of those shooters out of the game before they have a chance to better themselves. The top shooters will always be the top shooters.
I heard an interesting theory yesterday and that is you reduce the shot load as you gain yardage. Such as 7/8 oz of shot for those at 26 & 27 yards, 1oz for 23 to 25 yards and
1 1/8 oz for everything closer. Interesting idea and worth further consideration, in my opinion.
I don’t worry too much about the past, other than I wish I could relive parts of it, today is here and we must make the most of it.
Don: My season so far has been a little disappointing in so far as putting wins on the board from major shoots. The Senior Veteran category has gotten even more competitive this year with an influx of excellent shooters. I am shooting well but just not well enough; I keep coming up one or two birds short. There is still a lot of season left and I plan on making the most of it.
iTrapshooter.com: At both shoots, the weather was keeping things interesting. You’re a strong competitor, how many years have you been shooting through windy weather and do you consider it an advantage or a disadvantage and why?
Don: Wind seems to be major factor this year for some reason. I think it is a mental thing more than anything else. You must look for the target and go to it and break it. I was shooting yesterday at a club in Ohio and wind was a major factor but some outstanding scores were posted, including a 98 of mine, and some very bad ones. I don’t even think about it when I am shooting. Those that stay in the club house are protecting their averages and that never has been important to me. I go to a shoot to shoot not sit on the porch, consequently my averages suffer. It has affected my position of the State team which is based on averages but ego trips are not my thing really. Yes, it is nice making it but it’s not the end of the world. Don’t get me wrong, I love to win and that is my objective each and every time I go out there.
iTrapshooter.com: Let’s talk about Ohio. On your next visit, you’ll be front and center in what’s being called a “Grudge Match” to help raise funds for a couple of great causes?
Don: Shooting for causes is part of giving back and helping in any way that you can. That is important in your community also which is outside of the shooting venue. The “Grudge Match” was not my idea but the brain child of Brad Dysinger and Don Cogan, OSTA President. They asked if I would consider doing this because of the bitter rivalry between G and myself on TS.com. They thought they could raise monies for their causes if it could be put together and I agreed. It has grown way beyond my expectations and it looks like they are going to be able to put $2,000+ towards their youth scholarship program. Actually with all the notoriety that is coming about I am getting a little nervous about it from some of the pressure of side bets that are going on and I have been told about.
iTrapshooter.com: And you’ll be shooting 3-
Don: The three hole targets shouldn’t be a problem. Many things have changed from the past such as guns, shells, triggers, recoil reduction devices, voice calls, target throwing machines, computers in scoring and registration. Many including G want to go back to the “old days” to try and level the playing field and I totally disagree. Any changes to the game to make it more difficult for the top shooters are going to make it even more difficult for those of lesser ability. You will drive some of those shooters out of the game before they have a chance to better themselves. The top shooters will always be the top shooters.
I heard an interesting theory yesterday and that is you reduce the shot load as you gain yardage. Such as 7/8 oz of shot for those at 26 & 27 yards, 1oz for 23 to 25 yards and
1 1/8 oz for everything closer. Interesting idea and worth further consideration, in my opinion.
I don’t worry too much about the past, other than I wish I could relive parts of it, today is here and we must make the most of it.
“I go to a shoot to shoot, not to sit on the porch.”
An iTrapshooter.com interview
Copyright 2012
All Rights Reserved.
Big Don
Talks Trap
“Shooting for causes is part of
giving back and helping in any way
that you can.”
“It looks like they are going to
be able to put $2,000+ towards
their youth scholarship
program.”
