Northern Shooting Show HFT Diary

And so, after a slow start, and some interminable bad weather, the season has finally taken off. May was a busy month, with two big national events falling on back to back weekends. First, we had the long awaited Northern Shooting Show, held up in North Yorkshire, followed by the first UKAHFT round, held in Leicestershire.

HFT Masters, Northern Shooting Show, Harrogate- Sponsors: BASC, The Airgun Centre, Hawke, Jack Pyke, Ronnie Sunshines, Airgun Gurus, Field Sports Channel and SACF. I’m not overly keen on two day shoots, but the NNS offers us the perfect format, with a day to see the show and possibly help out on the meet the public HFT Masters stand, then compete on the Sunday. The Harrogate Showground is a marvellous venue for a start, and this show just seems to generate a warm friendly atmosphere. Range Right had loaned some Kral Jumbo air rifles for this years have a go area, and whilst some youngsters did struggle with these beefy machines, the level of enthusiasm overall was gratifying. Plenty of excited faces for sure, and it’s this kind of event that will help secure our sport and encourage the next wave of enthusiasts to come through the ranks.

Come Sunday, and as we gathered round the zero range, it was clear that the wind was going to play a big part in the proceedings. Shooting high on the ridge around the picket fence, and down at targets across the lake, and up into trees, makes for a picturesque and brilliantly spectator-friendly course, which Ian Bainbridge and the HFT Masters crew should be proud of. And, as it panned out, high scores would be few and far between.

Results

Open Class: 1st Bevan Quinn 54ex60, 2nd Chris Cundy 53, 3rd Mick Dakin 52
.22: 1st Pete Muir 46
Recoiling: 1st Kyle Hampton 41
Ladies: 1st Karen O’Mara 47
Veteran: 1st Mike Isaac 46
Juniors: 1st Callum Clark 42
UKAHFT National Round 1, Misfits, Leicestershire, sponsored by Daystate

Results

Open Class: 1st Greg Hensman 59, 2nd Neil Wakelin 58, 3rd Elliott Reed 58
Juniors 9-13: 1st Myla Parsons-Smith 36
Juniors 14-16: 1st Megan Reed 53
Ladies: 1st Sarah Pantling 52
Veteran: 1st Geoff Ryder 53
Recoiling: 1st Steve Whiting 52
.22 Class: 1st Jason Lockett 48
Club Team Winner: 1st Misfits
Manufacturers Team: 1st Walther

Give away!

I was having an exciting time of it too, having initially missed just three targets in the first 20, but a turn of the corner, and a change of wind, soon wiped the smile off my face. A final score of 51 was highly placed, but I still rued my bad finish, and what might have been. A throw away indeed!

Bevan Quinn from the New Caledonian club in Glasgow, has only been shooting for four years, and his solid score of 54 ex 60 was enough to give him a clear win on the day. Shooting his RAW TM1000 fitted with his own, custom-made stock had clearly done the trick; so, congratulations to him, for mastering what proved to be a super challenging course.

Misfits have been an energised Hunter Field Target club for a good few seasons now, but when they had signed up to stage the first of this year’s UKAHFT rounds, and then promptly lost their ground, there must have been a few sweaty palms for a while. Well, having visited their new venue just recently, buried in some of the most beautiful Leicestershire countryside, I can happily report that they appear to be firmly back on track. For what a day’s sport we had! A string of targets out in the open field, then another whole stretch laid out in the wood. Wind from all angles, and yes, it was a bit of a hike, but for the fit among us, (stop that sniggering!), it proved a thoroughly enjoyable outing. Not sure about the sneaky cab ride to the gate, for those in the right place at the right time, but this was another great shoot, and a fabulous location. Well done to Greg Hensman too. Of course, we all have a little home knowledge at our own ground, but a 59 was staggeringly good shooting, and he’s not been there long! Anyone who can hold off in-form Neil Wakelin (second here on 58), deserves special praise after all!

Raffle prizes have become a big attraction at both the Masters shoots and these UKAHFT events, and here the top prize of a Daystate Huntsman rifle from the main sponsors, sent winner, Ethan Pantling home with a smile.

New event

Exciting news hit the HFT scene a short while back, with the announcement from Air Arms that they are to sponsor their own brand new International competition- the Air Arms International Challenge Cup, to be shot in Holland at the FT Schalkhaar Club on the 6th and 7th of July 2018. The course will be set over 30 lanes and shot to UKAHFT rules. There will be free on-site camping for competitors, and there are apparently numerous hotels, hostels, and B&Bs nearby. It all promises to be an exciting weekend, with the opportunity to compete against some of the very best shooters in Europe. It’s a great development, and if you wish to compete in the contest, all you need to do is add your name to the Air Arms International thread on http://shooting-the-breeze.com/forum. com, along with an indication of whether you would prefer accommodation in either a hotel, hostel, B&B, or camping.

For pre-booking application forms and downloads regarding established UKAHFT events (where bookings are possible), and all the latest information on anything connected with Hunter Field Target shooting, look at the following websites: https://sites.google.com/site/ukahft/ and www.shooting-the-breeze.com https:// sites.google.com/site/whfta1/

In addition, details of HFT Masters events can be seen at www.hftmasters.com and www.whfto.com

Air arms international challenge cup 6th & 7th July 2018

UKAHFT 2018 National Series Planned Shoot Dates

R2 23rd June Rivington Rifles, nr Bolton
R3 24th June Emley Moor, Yorks
R4 21st July M.A.D., Essex
R5 22nd July M.A.D.
R6 18th August Furnace Mill, Shropshire
R7 19th August Nomads
R8 23rd September Cambridge
R9 21st October Quarry Hunters, Wales

HFT Masters Planned Shoot Dates For 2018

Round 3 17th June Cloybank, Scotland
Round 4 28th July Emley Moor
Round 5 29th July Rivington
World HFT Champs. 4Th & 5th August Czech Republic- see whfto website below
Round 6 2nd September Venue to be advised
Round 7 28th October M.A.D., Essex
Master Classes Dates T.B.A Pete’s Airgun Farm / M.A.D.