Issue link: http://ssaansw.uberflip.com/i/273445
Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. 4 Junior Hunter of the Year Beau Rosewood It started on one weekend at our Dairyville range. We were all there chatting away setting all our gear up; we were shooting rimfi re 50m group. I sat down next to Dad as usual, I sat there tweaking my rifl e when the RO started the tape, "All shooters to the fi ring line, is any shooter not ready, you may insert your bolts and commence fi re." Then the familiar twang of .22 projectiles being fi red from the rifl es began. As usual I fi nished before Dad; the RO supervising me cleared the rifl e and helped me put my gun away. I waited for Dad to fi nish his card but as I was waiting one of our mates, Ian, came up and we started having a chat. I asked Ian if he had been out hunting lately and he had been going to a property in Inverell with his son. As I listened intently Ian told his story about the different animals that come through the property, everything from foxes to pigs. When Dad had fi nished shooting and had put away his rifl e, I told him about the trips Ian had taken. Dad and Ian started talking together and ended up deciding that next time Ian went hunting Dad and I could tag along and as Dad told me about what they had planned I couldn't wait to go. The route we had chosen was only three and a half hours long so I got to listen to Dad's shooting stories all the way (oh fun!) The main part was him telling me that hunting had to be done the correct way and that target shooting was to practice for being a good shot in the fi eld. Dad always says you have to hit a tennis ball at 50m standing before you can start to hunt. He went on about having both eyes open and making sure the fi rst shot hits where you intend so that the animal does not suffer. He said it must be a one shot kill although told me that I must always be ready to fi re again just in case. When we arrived the cocky was waiting for us and gave us a quick rundown about how he wanted us to do this and where we were allowed to shoot. He then left it to Ian to show us where we were staying. That afternoon we got out our rifl es and Dad gave them a check. Ian said I get fi rst shot because it's my fi rst time hunting.