Does Humor Really Belong In Shooting?

[Bang Bang XXXXXX]

I apologize to the late Frank Zappa for changing his wording, but it seems to me that many people are just too serious about this sport. I was a "big dog" in another shooting discipline around 25 years ago and most of the people I shot with were having a good time. Multiple time Olympic gold medal winners who joked around, told funny stories, and were not offended at a dirty joke.

There are a couple of guys who are great to be around. Does DILLIGAF ring a bell or at least make you smile? The Harrisburg-area "Dogs" with their relaxed attitude. Phillips with his Limey outlook on life.

I was told at one venue that my hat could be considered offensive. That is why the X's in my on-line name do not stand for 6 dead birds, just one politically correct person who is doing his best not to offend anyone. I refuse to stop wearing the hat, but I will be giving a few, less offensive ones to close friends.

This site has been deader than Tiger's reputation, spend a few minutes streaming some electrons telling me that I am full of feces or telling me that I just might be right.

[hopper810]

I'm with you on the FUN part if your not not enjoying any "hobby" then what's the point to me shooting is an escape not a chore,that's why i enjoy going to the range and breaking some clays. before some of say I'm not competitive or don't care about winning that's a long way from the truth. i was once kicked out of church league softball because i played to hard  .

that was a long time ago and I'm still want to win as much as ever,but I've learned how to "turn it off" after finishing a station and enjoy the whole experience of shooting till the next time i get in the box to shoot. any way thanks for letting me ramble a while

yea it's a little slow over here,hope it picks up after the holidays.

take care all and have a FUN and safe time.

[KRIEGHOFFK80]

When you are doing anything and the funny stuff goes away you should too!!

If you want humor just watch me shoot!!   

[hopper810]

When you are doing anything and the funny stuff goes away you should too!!

If you want humor just watch me shoot!!   

Thanks Terry for saying what i was trying to.

when i go to step in the first box of a tourney i tell my squad mates"please hold your laughter till after i finish each station."

i learned from my Dad how to use humor to keep things loose in almost any type of situation.

[Bang Bang XXXXXX]

Well, Fellows, let's work at spreading the smiles, even if it at our own expense.

I often use the "Blind Squirrel" analogy when I have a good station, which ain't often.

I know that "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing" is the way we should be when we are in the booth. But outside!!!!

I find many things out there to laugh at and the behaviors of many competitors a great target, better than the clay birds, in fact. Don't get mad when someone gets a laugh at your expense, don't even get even. Get ahead. Remember, it is better to give than receive.

Shotgunfun and I have a mutual appreciation of a bunch of people called "Firesign Theater". Many dual meanings and looking at things at a tangent to the norm. It explains many of my unusual views on what makes people laugh.

I know that this is a bit off topic, but with so few things being posted on this board, I figured it just might be time to try to lighten things up.

The first person, other that Shotgunfun, who can tell me where "Shoes For Industry" comes from gets an adult beverage at the PA State Shoot.

[hopper810]

i tell my coworkers the only reason I'm there is for comic relief.(maint. man at a church camp) I'm a people watcher anyway and some folks do some funny stuff. i get a kick out of some of the shooting stances i see.

. Many dual meanings and looking at things at a tangent to the norm. It explains many of my unusual views on what makes people laugh

sounds like you and i would get along just fine.

[KRIEGHOFFK80]

Bang Bang XXXXXX,

I really know you have good humor if you hang out with Shotgunfun!!

[Bang Bang XXXXXX]

We have been friends even before he went to "The Rock". I must like pain.

Another adult beverage for telling me who the Rev. Billy c. Wirtz is. Google isn't fair.

[brrr]

BANG BANG,
I remember a group or show that featured "firesign theater".  It may have been an album. I'm just too old to remember where or what show had "firesign theater." It might have to do with a bad habit I/we had back in the 60's??

[Bang Bang XXXXXX]

BRRR, you are cold, but getting warmer. In fast, you might just be getting hot. Firesign has a bunch of albums (albums date us). You ain't got that adult beverage yet. Two of them out there for the right answers.

As for that problem, DuPont said it best, "Better Living Through Chemistry".TM

[brrr]

BANG BANG,
I called my old roomate!! He has a better memory than I. ( Not for a lack of trying on his part, I might add!)

Shoes for industry is a FIRESIGN THEATER album!! And a track on the album.

[Bang Bang XXXXXX]

Brrrr,

You'll have to split that adult beverage with your room mate. It is off Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me The Pliers. See me at the PA State Shoot. Just look for the hat.

Now that we are friends, you can call me by my first name, Bang.

On my next trip to Ottsville, I'll give them an idea or two for new clothing items. Imagine the royalties that can come from K-80 underwear. Think about the "greying" of the shotgun sports. Boxers? Briefs? Depends?  H-D markets almost anything, why can't Krieghoff?

Now for another adult beverage giveaway:

Where did "Peace through purity of essence" come from?

[brrr]

Bang,
now that we're friends you can call me br.

And to answer your question, humor has no place in shooting. This is far too serious what with slow pulls and tartgets that don't fly through the rings!!

OOPS, I forgot, this Sporting Clays not Trap and skeet!!

[Bang Bang XXXXXX]

Br,

Now that you mention slow pull and skeet, I do have a story.

A few years ago, I went out to Rural with a friend to try skeet with my 28. He knew many of the other guys and he told me that one guy tended to be a real pain. I was the first shooter in our squad and I went 4 for 4 at 1. I was handed the button and this guy went into the station. He said pull and I pushed the button. He broke the bird and gave me a look like he caught me in bed with his daughter.

He called for the next bird, I pushed the button, he broke the bird. This time he gave me a look like he caught me in bed with his daughter and his best retriever.

He called for the pair, I pushed the button, he broke the pair. He came over to me, close enough for for it to be considered a violation of my personal airspace, and told me that I was about a tenth of a second too slow with my releases. I asked if he was kidding. As he turned red at the audacity of my question, he explained to me that he was shooting skeet since God invented birds.

My response to his verbal tirade was simply this: " I was told that some skeet shooters were anal-retentive and you just proved it. I shoot a lot of sporting clays and we try to welcome new shooters, not drive them away."

It was a big laugh for the others on the squad, many shook my hand at the end of the round.

Two adult beverages out there for the right answers. Rev. Wirtz & Peace through purity of essence.

[shotgunfun]

  Bang, since I don't consume adult beverages (I was an adult beverage star in my past life and I need the few brain cells I have) and I'm out of the running for your two questions of the day, I have a question for you. Are we in Goshen yet?

[shotgunfun]

Bangbang, this is Mrs. shotgunfun.  I think "purity" quote is from Turgidson?  But let them figure out which source!  Am I right? S

[Bang Bang XXXXXX]

Sam,

Right movie, wrong character.

For my Polish friend with the polished pate, pray for proper precipitationless weather so Meals on Wheels can arrive. That just might be better than an adult beverage.

Shot (that is a better description than fun), grab for the ring and see if you wind up with a hot dog.

Black stuff coming out of the ground? Wagons Ho!!!

[shotgunfun]

  Bang, I'm still waiting for the electrician!

[Bang Bang XXXXXX]

As usual, shotgunfun, waiting at the airport for your ship to come in.

I think Darwin was right when he talked about alcohol consumption. Drinking kills brain cells. The weak die first and the strong survive. That's the whole point of Darwinism. Therefore, adult beverages will make you smarter. Go into any bar around midnight and everyone on a stool has all the answers for all the world's problems.

Come on fellow shooters, someone out there could tell me what church the Rev. Billy C. Wirtz represents and where Peace through purity of essence came from.

 Ask shotgunfun, it's hard to get me to part with a buck. For me to make an offer like this is like the federal government giving good advice. It don't happen that often.

[shotgunfun]

          Rev. Billy- The First House Of Polyester Worship And Horizontal Throbbing Teenage Desire. I'm partial to "Mennonite Surf Party". You should see those wacky Menno's surfing on the Saucony Creek!!


         We're all Bozo's on this bus.

[Bang Bang XXXXXX]

Well, shotgunfun, I guess it's time to put this one to bed. The Brrr Man, where ever he is, should PM me, if he isn't gonna make the PA State Shoot this year, so I can get an adult beverage to him.

As for you, You're gonna get Yoccoed. Be prepared.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday, everyone.

[brrr]

Bang,
You never know I may show up at the PA. state shoot just to make you "pay up".
( I'm retired and travel to many shoots!!)
Where and when is the Pa. State shoot?

[Bang Bang XXXXXX]

Br, my friend, I would like to pay up in person. We can swap lies, sing bawdy songs, and generally have a good time. Hopefully, shotgunfun can leave his venue and join in the laughs.

Bill Appel is having the state shoot at Thunder Ridge in mid-July. 2 days of prelims, 2 day main. I find the PA state shoot a great excuse to bring all the guns and have a good time shooting. Hitting could be considered another subject. I keep trying to get the Stoeger Condor to earn a punch.

TR is about 1/2 hour from Corning, NY, as a general reference point. I'll most likely be staying in Wellsboro, PA.

Keep me posted.

[shooterdad]

Have as much fun as you can, and remember its ok to be a little serious when you are in the box , you are only in there for a minute at a time , the rest of the time , loosen up. I have been shooting clay targets for over 30 years , and at the top of the game, not only in Sporting , but in Skeet , Trap, and Bunker. It is very interesting to see how people in different disciplines, measure fun. I have always been a prankster, and generally have fun at all of them , its just my nature, but not all guys look at it the same.

Sporting shooters, are by far the most layed back, seem to have the most fun while they are shooting, they are used to noise golf carts , machinery, people talking, etc, however are among the least social after. They clear out as soon as the last shot is fired.

Skeet shooters, are a little more tense while shooting, and get aggravated easily when shooting. They too clear out as soon as the shooting is done.

Trap shooters are even stuffier than Skeet shooters, however, you will meet more characters, than in all the other games combined. One thing that sets the Trap shooters apart is , once the shooting is over , the party starts . Most of the trap shoots have full parking lots of trailers and motorhomes, and these old goats have a blast, food drink , music, cigars and good times.

Bunker shooters , are a breed apart, seldom do you ever see them smile , they don't seem to be enjoying themselves, heck they barely talk to each other , but just like anyone else , they love to shoot.

So in summary, I will tell you this, the guys that you see having the most fun, are the ones that , don't count targets, they don't beat the steering wheel off the car after a bad shoot, and they don't go home and kick there dog. They come out weekly practice , and in the end are happy they aren't at work, if they win there class, or an event now and then, they stay in the game. The guys that have the ultra serious attitude, and act life there life hangs in the balance, well they usually burn out and quit, that or people get tired of there lack of social skills, and unwillingness to have fun ,and exclude them from there squad.

Remember why your out there , its to have fun.........Have a great day

[Bang Bang XXXXXX]

shooterdad,

I admit that I suffer from premature withdrawal on Sunday afternoons. I like to get home to watch "Go Fast, Turn Left, Go Fast, Turn Left".

On prelim days, I've been seen sitting in a rocking chair or two, swapping lies, and enjoying a beverage. I have not spent much time trying the other shotgun disciplines because I have heard just too many horror stories about demeanors. Maybe I should get out more.

The first time that I even watch any shotgun shooting was out in LA in '84 for the Olympic Trials. The bleachers on the shotgun fields were a great place for a quick nap (if the sun wasn't out). I tried to see what they were shooting at 2 fields over and I couldn't see the birds. I went over to the active field and had a WTF moment. That bunker trap looked like one mean game to a rifle shooter.

There is still an adult beverage out there for "Peace through Purity of Essence"

Bang Bang Censored

[shooterdad]

Bang, I know what you mean , I love me some Dale Jr, hope he has a better year than last year. As far as staying away from other Clay Sports because of some Knuckleheads, well you are just missing out on an opportunity to improve your sporting game. You can take a little from each game and you will become much more keen to different situations. There are Bone heads not matter what or where you go.

Yea you must have been at Prado, I have shot there , but not to much any more, nice place though. Are you in So Cal ? I used to be a pretty decent sporting shooter, ah heck , I was pretty good at everything I shot .....lol,    don't mind me , I was just typing out load. Oh well , maybe if you are local we can have a cold one some day ...Pepsi , I have never drank booze in my life....could explain alot.....Have a Good one

[Bang Bang XXXXXX]

I'm from eastern PA, about an hour north of Philly. I'm a washed-up smallbore rifle shooter trying to have fun.

Did 2 trips to Prado for team trials, '84 and '86. It was really neat to have all the three disciplines at one place at the same time. After your event, you could see how the others played their games. That's when Dan Carlisle was on the Army team shooting both bunker ans skeet.

I didn't even take the time in '84 to even go out to see the Pacific. The wife went with me in '86 so I had to get some sightseeing in. When I went on a shooting trip, that was the main and only focus.

I enjoyed Prado because conditions were predictable. As the day went on, add about 4 clicks of windage for every hour after 9 AM. As the day went on, it just blew harder, not gusty, just harder. I always shot fast so I usually got done before things got interesting.

Because it was built on a flood plain, they were not allowed to put in a proper sewage system for the Olympics. I will always remember the long rows of Job-Johnnys here, there, and everywhere. Did they ever put in a permanent system?

One thing that I did not expect was the actors and actresses that came out to see us shoot and take the time to talk to us. Bob Stack, Denver Pyle, and a couple of others would be behind the firing line watching at times.

I'll have to start planning to see how the other shotgun shooters live.

Bang