Stengths and Weaknesses

Recently I was asked this question - which I think is a question we all should ask ourselves. “Danni Layton - what are your strengths and weaknesses in air-gunning?” That question has caused me so much soul searching that I’ve had to dig really deep and be honest with myself. It really made me think back to the very start of my air gunning journey and where I’m at now with this sport I genuinely love and enjoy.

When a family friend first invited me on his hunting trips to local farms I must have drove the poor man to despair. I was 15, acted like an over excited puppy and always spoke loudly at the wrong moments. How he put up with me, I have no idea! – But I’m so glad he did; and as time went on I slowly began to learn to be quiet, walk light and listen to his guidance.

Time passed and my first permission to shoot on a large farm came my way. I had learnt all the basic skills but at this point I still hadn’t mastered one of the most important, which is patience. I would work my way around the fields and hedgerows as though I was in a walking race, hell bent on winning gold, then get totally frustrated when rabbits would seemingly appear from nowhere and head for their burrows at a rapid rate of knots. When the odd opportunity did come my way to take a shot, excitement would kick in and gun control would sometimes be forgotten causing me to completely miss. I would get so down in the dumps some days and find an unsuccessful trip to be so frustrating. I’d be thinking about my next trip before I’d even left the field to go home. Things started to change for me dramatically when a friend gave me some of his old air gun magazines. I would spend all my free time reading articles about hunting techniques, I would take this information into the fields with me which is when things really started to turn around for me and at this point I started having many more successful hunting trips. I’d learnt to use wind direction, available cover but most importantly to slow down and use my eyes! And yes – I was finally starting to have PATIENCE! At this time I hadn’t given any thought to joining an air gun club, as being somebody that was out in the fields hunting I couldn’t see how it would have any benefit to me. These thoughts were quickly put aside when I was invited to an open day at a local club where some of these guys and girls really knew how to shoot and was soon giving me some fantastic advice. It was so refreshing being around people that shared the same passion for shooting. I was amazed to find that a large number of the people there were also hunters who came to the range to keep their skills sharp and enjoy the company of other shooters. I came away knowing that becoming a member of a club was something I not only wanted… but needed to do. This still hasn’t quite happened yet with raising three children while putting my time into hunting too, my life is definitely a juggling act but one I wouldn’t change for the world. I am in contact with a shooting range though and plan to visit on a more regular basis in the coming months. Quite a few years have passed by since I was introduced to air gunning and I’ve not only matured as a character, I’ve matured as a shooter also! But I know I still have such a long way to go and if I’m honest I don’t think you ever stop learning. Every time I read a magazine, scan the Internet or talk to a fellow shooter there always seems to be new ideas that I can put into practice in the field. I am a very inquisitive person, my mind has to be kept busy and I have to set myself goals and challenges permanently. This is something that has seemed to benefit my shooting over the years. I won’t claim to be an amazing shooter, I am human, I have days where I find it difficult and have to remember to breath and be calm. I am like every single one of you guys and girls out there. If I get stuck on a topic I’m unsure about, I won’t be shy, I’ll be forever researching until I find the answer, or pester one if my shooting buddies until I have the information I need. So this takes me up to where I am at this present time with areas I’m aware that need improving and things I could really do with help and advice with.

Being only 5ft2 there are times when holding and aiming a rifle can be difficult, sometimes I find the reach to the fore stock can put a lot of strain on my arm, so I’ll be looking into learning some new techniques that can help me with this problem that has been a struggle with some rifles from the very start of my air gunning journey. Another bad habit I’d become aware of – my following through with a shot became non-existent, so to correct this I’ve started to shoot on a daily basis in my own small back garden range. Training myself to follow through with a shot, automatically with no awareness of me doing so, has helped me shake off this bad habit I’d picked up.

I’m extremely excited that I and some friends of mine have a day shooting at Bisley shooting ground coming up, where we will be spending our time correcting some of our ‘not so good’ techniques under the tuition of our very own Terry Doe. I couldn’t think of a more exciting opportunity to improve our skills as to soaking in the knowledge and wise words of Mr Doe himself. We are all eagerly waiting this date with minds ready to learn and absorb anything he guidance he can give us. I am secretly hoping that I can have my arm surgically removed and a longer one put on to help me in my shooting, but I have a little feeling Terry won’t be able to go ahead with this procedure, so all ears open will have to do. The great thing about air gunning above all, be it with a pistol or rifle, is that you’re always chasing that excellence and always trying to be the best you can be. There is always so much more to learn from techniques to field craft. With new equipment that’s always coming onto the market which can admittedly help us all and while it’s fantastic to see fresh ideas put into production, the foundations will always be good shooting technique and solid field craft.

I hope to keep you posted on any improvements I have made and all things new I’ve learnt, but before I go I would just like to ask you all a question…what are YOUR strengths and weaknesses? Dig deep my friends and let us all share our journeys into air gunning. I respect anyone and everyone who can throw their hands in the air and say “you know what, Danni, I have bad habits too which need improving, don’t we all?!” and to those who are always willing to learn and share information with fellow shooters, keep up the good work!! Let us know your stories and how you’d like to improve your shooting skills, we’d love to hear your thoughts! For now, stay safe - Danni

Published by Airgun World