Clays, Crates, and Questionable Gear Choices

Let’s talk about how things are going.

I started skeet shooting in January 2025. My first round?
4 out of 25.
Not a typo. That’s four hits. 21 clean misses. And zero ego left intact.

But I kept at it.

I’ve now put almost 2,000 rounds through my shotgun.
My best score is 21 out of 25, and I’m finally hitting more than I’m missing.

That doesn't make me an expert. It makes me a little less bad. And that’s a win I’ll take.

Shooting has taught me that:

• Form matters.

• Focus matters.

• And sometimes clays just have a mind of their own.

(Insert links to gear here: shotgun, shells, vest, ear pro.)

Hazel’s learning too.

We’re starting with the basics:

• Crate training (she has thoughts)

• Recall (she has strong opinions)

And that’s about it for now. We’re taking her to a gun dog trainer (more on that in a future post) and he said he wants a clean slate, so that’s what we’re giving him.

Every day we’ve had her, she’s pointing, bounding, chasing, ignoring commands, and stealing socks with equal enthusiasm. She’s exactly what I hoped for — and way more work than I was ready for.

Gear-wise, I’ve had some wins and some regrets.

Wins:

• My boots. Comfortable, waterproof, and haven’t rolled my ankle... yet.

• My shotgun. Light, balanced, reliable.

Regrets:

• My first upland vest — held together with hope and bad stitching.

• Treats Hazel immediately deemed “beneath her.”

(Insert link to first-time gear list and recommendations here.)

This blog isn’t a tutorial. It’s a journal.
Of everything I’m learning the hard way.
Every missed shot, every small win, every muddy-pawed step.

If you’re starting from scratch like I am — 40-something, no hunting background, just trying something new — you’re in the right place.

I’m clueless.
But I’m committed.

Let’s see where this goes.