June 3, 2008
GUNS AND AMMO
The firearms safety course was held the first night. BOW volunteers Richard and Bob showed us a range of rifles and shotguns, from break action, to bolt action, to pump, lever and semi-automatic. We practiced handling, ensuring the weapons were safe, and loading with blank ammo. Bob and Richard are pretty rugged no-nonsense backcountry-style dudes — and at that point I felt as though Kim and I had signed up with some renegade merc army 
Once we got to the range the next day, Richard put ol’ Ma Baker here through her paces, showing me how to snug up to that 12-gauge real tight, and hit a flying target. When I finally got the hang of it and started shattering my clay pigeons, it was on a total high. Awesome feeling. That’s a shooting vest I’m wearing, with pockets for the shells in front, except I had to wear it inside out so that the padded shoulder bit was on my left. I have new respect for the idiosyncrasies faced by left-handed folk.
This was fabulous experience for me because Silver, my heroine in MANHUNTER (coming November from SRS) carries both hunting rifle and 12-gauge shotgun. She’s also a mantracker, and mantracking was one of the courses we did.
I’ll post more pics tomorrow ….
Meretta Says:
How interesting to have to shoot left handed if you’re a rightie…I never knew!
I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of your pictures and hearing about your fun.
spyscribbler Says:
Mantracker? I can’t WAIT to read about that! So cool, Loreth. I love that you’re sharing. At least I can have the vicarious adventure!