| My first skeet tournament was great, but the later | | | | before or during the shoot, but the shoot must go |
| ones were much better. Why? Because of what I'd | | | | on, and you still need to be able to see the targets. |
| bring along. Every job, hobby, or sport requires the | | | | That becomes difficult when rain beads up on your |
| right equipment. A skeet tournament is no different. | | | | glasses. A hat keeps off the rain very nicely. |
| Sure, all that is really required is your shotgun and | | | | Item #4. A few extra shotshells. Sometimes you fire |
| some shells (and the entrance fee), but specific kinds | | | | a dud round, and you need to take the shot over. |
| of equipment can also make the difference between | | | | Especially if you just went 75-straight and are trying |
| being frustrated and having a good, problem-free | | | | to go for 100, you really don't want to have that |
| shoot. | | | | shot count for a miss just because of a dud round |
| 7 items help eliminate hassle, make shooting a little | | | | and because no one else on the squad had any to |
| easier, and might even help your score when you | | | | spare. Keep at least a couple shells handy, just in |
| bring them to the skeet shoot: | | | | case. |
| Item #1. A light, plastic, easy-to assemble table, like | | | | Item #5. A shotshell holder for your extra shells. Your |
| the kind you would find in a camping catalog. | | | | pouch is probably designed for a box of 25, and it's |
| Sometimes you have to assemble your gun from out | | | | kind of a pain to carry your spare shells in your |
| of your car (like when the clubhouse is crowded). | | | | pocket. A leather shotshell holder is much more |
| Especially if you're not the only shooter, there is | | | | convenient (and classy), especially if you find one |
| often not enough space in the trunk or pickup bed to | | | | that slips right over your belt, next to your shell bag. |
| put your gun(s) together. A lightweight table makes it | | | | Item #6. Plastic grocery bags for your spent hulls. |
| easier. Particularly handy is the type that has a | | | | This is a must-bring if you reload your shells at home. |
| tabletop you can just roll up, and which has legs you | | | | Just bring several bags with you to the skeet field, |
| can just screw on. | | | | so that you can keep all your hulls clean and dry. |
| Item #2. Shooting glasses with changeable lenses of | | | | Maybe you do this already, but if you don't, it might |
| different shades. Sometimes the sun is beaming, but | | | | make life a bit easier. |
| sometimes more light would make it easier to see | | | | Item #7. A "bore snake" to clean your barrels with. |
| the clay pigeons. You can buy a set of lenses of | | | | You want to clean your barrels when they are still |
| different tints that you just pop into a frame, which | | | | warm, or else they are harder to clean. That means |
| makes it that much easier to see the targets. | | | | you probably shouldn't wait until you get home to |
| They're not cheap, but Randolph Engineering makes | | | | clean your gun. Patches are a pain, because it takes |
| very good lenses of this type. | | | | dozens of them to remove any grime. Run the bore |
| Item #3. A hat (with a visor). Sometimes it rains right | | | | snake through each barrel once and you're done. |