Ruahini NZDA Hunters Biathlon May 2013

As you may be aware Neckshot has been organising a Hunters Biathlon Steel Gong Shoot with the Ruahini branch of the NZDA (LINK). My father (Malcolm) and I were just there running the shoot. Neckshot was left organising the location, the marshals, the BBQ, the prizes and of course the competitors. Malcolm and i set up the course (actually to seperate courses) on Saturday and then i was pretty heavily involved in managing the shoot on the day, freeing Malcolm up to compete.

The event was a biathlon, so competitors had to move between various shoot stages and had there overall course time recorded. Competitors were encouraged to compete in their normal hunting gear (which is why some of them are wearing camo clothing to a target shoot) including boots, day packs, bumbags. Their overall score was based on the number of targets they hit combined with their overall time. Target hits made up two thirds of their overall score leaving the remaining one third for their time. There was no time penalty for a missed shot. A possible overall score was 300.

We had both courses running at the same time. Both courses involved 10 shots and all competitors completed both courses twice making up their 40 shots.

Course 1 involved:
The competitor started with a 600m run (tail wind assisted) to shoot position 1. At position 1 they fired 1 shot at a ~150m 10" square target from any position followed by 1 shot each at two 10" targets at ~25m standing.

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Note the wind blowing the rifle sling... and target 2 has been hit.

From position 1 the competitor ran back up the course (into a head wind) about 250m to postion 2. Here they fired 1 round each at two 10" targets located at ~110m and ~165m from any position but prone (they could use the trees for support). Here they also fired 1 round each at two 6" targets located at the same distances from any position.

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Once finished here than ran about 50m to position 3. Here they fired 3 rounds at a single 6" target located at ~100m using any shooting position. The challenge here was waiting for the target to stop swinging so you could fire at it again.

From position 3 the competitors had a 300m run back to the start/finish position. This was the easy course. Most competitors finished this course in about 20 minutes.

Course 2 involved:
The competitor started with a 300m run up a hill and into a head wind to position 4. Many competitor were physically blown backwards while making there way over the ridge. Here they fired 2 rounds at a 6" target located at ~120m using any position but prone. They then fired 1 round at a 10" target at ~160m and 2 rounds at a 10" target at ~230m using any shooting position. The wind made this stage really difficult. Malcolm found his 223 was hitting 5-6" low at 230m because of the wind. Neckshot marshaled at this position all day and did an awesome job in the conditions.

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Once finished at postion 4 the competitor had a 250m run to postion 5 & 6 (tail wind assisted). At postion 5 they fired 2 rounds at a 6" target at ~110m using a tree for support. They then moved forward to position 6 and fired 3 rounds at two 10" targets at ~340m. The wind made these longer targets really difficult.

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From here the competitor had a 100m run to the start / finish line.

This was the more difficult course though again most competitors completed it in about 20 minutes.

At the end of the day we gave out some prizes and had a BBQ lunch.

All in all it was a great day. I didn't hear any bad comments and we learnt quite a bit about running the shoot that i can use to improve the next one. Rotorua long range field shoot this weekend here we come!

Can you post up next time this is on? 'cos it sounds fun.



e: I'm retarded and missed the thread announcing it!

Good report and pics Gillie:thumbsup: I was a little surprised Neckshot wasn't anchored to that post as I knew the wind would be challenging up there.;)

That there looks and sounds like a sweet day!!
Awesome set up guys and good on you Neckshot for helping that stump stay up in the wind!!

Gimp...
Second weekend in November (TBC) = Rotorua short range.
Second weekend in December = Taihape short range.
Last weekend in January = New Plymouth short range.
Somewhere in there i am sure there will be another shoot in Dannevirke and a couple of longer range events. I suspect we will be running a medium range (100 to 600m) multi stage event in New Plymouth soon as well.

Cheers, Dundee. Easy to do when you have a good event.

Sounds like a lot of fun. don't know about the running bit though.

Rushy, i may have been exagerating how most competitors completed the courses, a lot of walking was involved... All in all the competition was pretty casual and the scoring was such that even if you were the slowest competitor all day but hit all your targets you would have come second overall... the fastest competitor ended up 5th overall

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Originally Posted by Gillie

Rushy, i may have been exagerating how most competitors completed the courses, a lot of walking was involved... All in all the competition was pretty casual and the scoring was such that even if you were the slowest competitor all day but hit all your targets you would have come second overall... the fastest competitor ended up 5th overall

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Thanks Gillie. I gave up running in my thirties. Figured out that it used up too many heartbeats

Sounds like fun but plus one on the running Rushy .

I can't recall ever having to run to shoot something.

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What!? Nelson doesn't have hills?? Or maybe climbing them just doesn't increase your heart rate... :P

No pleasing everyone i suppose. :) Been running shoots for a while now and it has been suggested on multiple occasions that putting competitors under physical stress by making them run/move would be a good idea. Personally i like the idea of a biathlon, particularly with the scoring the way we did it. Competitors knew hitting targets was worth more than completing the course fast. As i said above you could have been the slowest competitor there and if you hit all the targets you would have ended up 2nd overall.

Another rimfire postal shoot soon for the youngans Gillie,the kids and I had great fun with that.Top work for setting up these shoots.

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Originally Posted by Gillie

What!? Nelson doesn't have hills?? Or maybe climbing them just doesn't increase your heart rate... :P

No pleasing everyone i suppose. :) Been running shoots for a while now and it has been suggested on multiple occasions that putting competitors under physical stress by making them run/move would be a good idea. Personally i like the idea of a biathlon, particularly with the scoring the way we did it. Competitors knew hitting targets was worth more than completing the course fast. As i said above you could have been the slowest competitor there and if you hit all the targets you would have ended up 2nd overall.

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I did say sounds like fun didnt I? If not I meant to.

Yep we got hills, I generally sidel round em in the bush real slow;) and if on the tops im where I want to be shivering not panting waiting for light.

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Originally Posted by Gillie

What!? Nelson doesn't have hills?? Or maybe climbing them just doesn't increase your heart rate... :P

No pleasing everyone i suppose. :) Been running shoots for a while now and it has been suggested on multiple occasions that putting competitors under physical stress by making them run/move would be a good idea. Personally i like the idea of a biathlon, particularly with the scoring the way we did it. Competitors knew hitting targets was worth more than completing the course fast. As i said above you could have been the slowest competitor there and if you hit all the targets you would have ended up 2nd overall.

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Gillie I think you have misinterpreted what VC was saying.

Don't worry Rushy, Vietnamcam, i'm sitting here laughing my arse off :thumbsup:

As i said i have been running field shoots for 4-5 years now and one consistent comment i have got all the way through has been "You should make them run to get their heaert rate up and then see how they shoot". Every field shoot, short or long range, whether i have run it or not, i have heard a comment about introducing physical stress. Vietnamcam's comment honestly surprised me. After a few years of "You should make them run" i finally set a shoot where people are encouraged to move and i get a comment like that. :D

Cheers, Vietnamcam the shoot was a lot of fun. Even while managing it i was wishing i could have competed. We do try and set shoots to reflect hunting conditions and i can think of several occassions where i have been offerred a shot while climbing a hill, or shooting mobs of goats when i have had to shift position, or maybe just getting into a position with the animal already spooked...

Yea that happens (getting a opportunity when busting your guts) but i still don't run:D

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Originally Posted by Gillie

Don't worry Rushy, Vietnamcam, i'm sitting here laughing my arse off :thumbsup:

As i said i have been running field shoots for 4-5 years now and one consistent comment i have got all the way through has been "You should make them run to get their heaert rate up and then see how they shoot". Every field shoot, short or long range, whether i have run it or not, i have heard a comment about introducing physical stress. Vietnamcam's comment honestly surprised me. After a few years of "You should make them run" i finally set a shoot where people are encouraged to move and i get a comment like that. :D

Cheers, Vietnamcam the shoot was a lot of fun. Even while managing it i was wishing i could have competed. We do try and set shoots to reflect hunting conditions and i can think of several occassions where i have been offerred a shot while climbing a hill, or shooting mobs of goats when i have had to shift position, or maybe just getting into a position with the animal already spooked...

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Maybe people don't have to run any more because they don't have to rely on a kill for their income. I've certainly done a lot of running to get to an animal/s before they disappeared into the bush or over a ridge line. You can certainly put a spurt on if the animal has a big $ sign on its side :) The shoot was totally realistic for this old bastard, and it was one of the best days I've had away from hunting for many years. I can't wait for the next one.

It fitted my adage perfectly "I might be slow, but at least I'm rough" :)

Looks like another awesome day Gillie. I really must get to one of your events as they look like a lot of fun, and mimic real life hunting/shooting conditions. :)

tthere will be another one and its gonna be harder and more open.ill be chnging venue for tthe next one.
tahr proved age is no barrier but you still have to be a good shooter under stress,gillie can taylor a gong shoot
to any situation the type of gong shoots we do here
match our hunting situation.alot of time and effort go into a gong shoot from gillie and it shows in how well the shoots run.
its like everything though unless you line up on the startline with all the other keen buggers.......your only a dreamer.

I must be a dreamer then

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Me too so far, need to pull thumb out and make the effort to get to one.

Awesome stuff for organising this event Neckshot. :thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

I must be a dreamer then

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Me as well:)

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Originally Posted by Neckshot

There will be another one and its gonna be harder and more open. I'll be changing venue for the next one.

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I get the impression you'll be after a shoot involving targets at longer distances... careful with that, you may find it much harder to get people to turn up on the day. I really like the Steel Safari style shoots in the states. Be awesome to be able to do them here in NZ. Long range seems to be a bit of a fad in the shooting / hunting community at the moment and it is getting a bit of publicity but i would expect 95% of hunters will not be keen to turn up to a long range shooting event.

Personally i would rather see more hunters practice their standing and kneeling shooting as well as focusing on effective use of support in the field (trees, scrub, daypacks, etc...). Thats just me though i suppose.

No longer between stages I'm talking about. Its a struggle no matter what ,and giving the shooter no info at each stage letting them make there own desision

And let magnums come along???

the anti-competition sentiment is weird. I'm super keen to shoot matches.

Iv been in a competitive circuit many times but unrelated to shooting. If you can't make your way all the way round the country due to time or money equipment failiure injury etc or any combination of those you don't even place . Regardless of your abilities .


I enjoyed the postal shoot way back.

Im sure i would have enjoyed this shoot if it was in my area, didn't require much travel or entree fee, the wife wasn't working, i had spare ammo to just shoot at stuff.

Its not as simple as if you don't turn up and shoot you must be full of shit ;)

When I win lotto i shall attend and shoot every forum shoot and display my sufficient to put many deer on the deck level of accuracy from various positions.

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Are

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Originally Posted by BRADS

And let magnums come along???

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Not my plates mate so not my call. Remember ranges are under 300yds generally for our last two shoots,

Hey, I didn't turn up, so

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Originally Posted by Neckshot

Are

Not my plates mate so not my call. Remember ranges are under 300yds generally for our last two shoots,

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I'll bring some proper biz:)
Least go up to 7mm rem mag:)

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Iv been in a competitive circuit many times but unrelated to shooting. If you can't make your way all the way round the country due to time or money equipment failiure injury etc or any combination of those you don't even place . Regardless of your abilities .


I enjoyed the postal shoot way back.

Im sure i would have enjoyed this shoot if it was in my area, didn't require much travel or entree fee, the wife wasn't working, i had spare ammo to just shoot at stuff.

Its not as simple as if you don't turn up and shoot you must bge full of shit
Lhb
When I win lotto i shall attend and shoot every forum shoot and display my sufficient to put many deer on the deck level of accuracy from various positions.

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Ive been misenterprited, I fully agree vc .I just had alot of people tell me they are keen as to come and then pull out in the last minutev bhhh

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Originally Posted by Neckshot

Ive been misenterprited, I fully agree vc .I just had alot of people tell me they are keen as to come and then pull out in the last minutev bhhh

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That always happens bro:(
That is the only reason I haven't been arsed having a forum gong shoot here.
Good on you for organizing this shoot, and everyone had a good time by the sound of it.:)
I just hope your next one has a bit more distance, for a bit bigger cals:thumbsup:

Our internet is on the blink so using my phone and itsit is hard work .anyway when people dontturn up hard work to replace them it just pissed me off.
so dont take offence and dont try starting any petty arguments

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Originally Posted by Neckshot

Our internet is on the blink so using my phone and itsit is hard work .anyway when people dontturn up hard work to replace them it just pissed me off.
so dont take offence and dont try starting any petty arguments

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You shouldn't drink and use the phone mate:)

omg im about to snap my phone in half........that worked.im going to org a medium to long range shoot but with low numbers so if people pull out its no big deal maybe at the end of spring.

I will be up for the next one. As much notice as possible would be good as work and other shit need rearranging. Would be good to meet some of you lot.

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Originally Posted by Neckshot

omg im about to snap my phone in half........that worked.im going to org a medium to long range shoot but with low numbers so if people pull out its no big deal maybe at the end of spring.

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Attachment 10310

You might not see this on ya phone but well done:thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by BRADS

Least go up to 7mm rem mag:)

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Truth be told, the "No full length magnum" rule has less to do with target damage and more to do with me simplifying my rules for the short range events.

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Originally Posted by Neckshot

anyway when people dont turn up hard work to replace them it just pissed me off.

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Yeah, this sucks... and it is a sad reality of organising an event.

Neckshot if there is one thing I have learned in my life time it is that if you do anything that involves commitment from others you will be let down from time to time. You just can't always rely on folk to do what they say they will do (fortunately some you can)