Thread: Sparrowhawk hunters shoot

Who’s heading along to this one? I’ve never been along but looking more possible this year, just got to check the brownie point account and see if I’m allowed out…

We did a forum one last year, it’s a lot of fun

I think I'll miss it this year, unfortunately - in the hills shooting animals instead

I shot the first one back in 21 I think it was. As it was billed as a hunters challenge I turned up with my parker hale 3006 hunting rifle with it's 3-9 bdc scope. I got squadded with guys with tripods, target optics etc. It was an eyeopener about what classifies as "hunting gear" down south. It was fun but frustrating and taught me a bit about limits. I understand that there are now gear limitations which seems sensible. If I can time it right I would like to give it another go but not this year.

How did everyone go?

Originally Posted by gimp

How did everyone go?

Would love if it was a few weeks earlier by around the 15th I'm pretty set on weekends being for hunting. I take it we will do another Forum shoot this year @gimp

If there's interest. Let's aim for not in Spring

I'm in anytime but August since I'll be in Alaska

Originally Posted by gimp

How did everyone go?

It was a brilliant day wandering around the course in sunshine, pleasant temperatures and light winds. It made a nice change from the last two HC shoots where the wind made it impossible to figure out what was attributable to our shot setup and execution and what was environmental effects.

My squad was very enjoyable, helping each other out with target ID, ranging and possible wind effects. There was some good natured banter and piss-taking too which made it even better.

For anyone who hasn't been to this shoot yet I can't recommend it enough. It is a competition in that there's a prize for first place but that's it. No multiple classes or any of that. There's a sensible maximum weight limit for rifles that is there to keep out the pure heavy target setups. And no tripods are allowed either. Aside from that you improvise with whatever you are carrying, just like when hunting. As an example I shot off my pack whenever possible as for me that gives best accuracy in field positions. I carried my extended leg (sitting height) bipod on the rifle mostly but only shot off it at one target where it was really useful for getting a solid setup.

The other useful item was an improvised rear bag consisting of my backup set of merino thermals. I've carried these in a soft dry bag on 90%+ of hunts and have often been used as a shooting aid. So it got used as a rear bag a fair bit and also on top of the strainer post for the uphill wallaby - worked great for that shot.

There was a great selection of spot prizes including a hand held thermal! Everybody at prize giving got something to take home. There was food laid on soon afterwards, but despite the incredible smell of the meat cooking we opted to head home as we had a very early start. At the previous events that finished a little later we had dinner there - amazing slow roasted pork and lamb and pork belly.

If I haven't made it clear yet, it's an excellent event. Make sure your rifle is zeroed well and you have good info about your ammunition (just the same as you would as an ethical hunter!!!) and you'll have a great time.

Originally Posted by gimp

If there's interest. Let's aim for not in Spring

@gimp Sounds good