Wool,
That first match ain't exactly what you would call "clear in my mind." It was some time back, now. So, the memory ain't what one would consider sharp, or even in focus, neither one.
But, I do remember walkin' up to the loadin' table and thinkin' that this shootin' game must be just like huntin'. And I knew how to hunt.
So, I loads up my store-bought .45 LC rounds in my brand new, never-shot-before Vaquero, and in my used ASM Dakota. Then, I loads up the same rounds in my brand new Rossi Puma. Then, I sticks about 6 rounds of 12 gauge in my pants pocket under my right holster. And I proceeds to the line.
Never havin' shot in any type of organized shootin' sport before, the timer had to hit me on the shoulder to tell me to start shootin'. I didn't hear the beep. I was in my hunter-ZEN mode. Haw! Haw! Haw!
The shootin' part is pretty fuzzy now, but I remember tryin' to figure out how would be the best way to hold my hogleg with two hands. Out of the 10 shots with the pistolas, I must have used 4 or 5 different grip techniques.
I knew that when it came to the rifle, I would really shine. I knew how to do that!
So, I cocked the rifle and pulled it up real snug to my shoulder. Then, I saw that knock down rifle target way out there and took steady aim. Bein' careful not to spook the target and the ones standin' near it, I let out my breath after getttin' a good bead, and slooooooooooowly eased the trigger back. Bang! Clang! YeeeeHaw! (I remember lookin at the timer and grinnin') "Heck, this is easy," I thought. I dropped the rifle to hip level, and racked it again. Then I proceeded to do the same thing with the remainin' 7 rounds. I hit ever' one and each shot was absolutely dead center. Them targets went spinnin' and flyin', never again to roost on that ol' target rack.
The shotgun was a little spookier. I knew that I had to do it fast. So, I reached under my holster, into my pants pocket and pried out not one, but TWO shotshells at the same time. I loaded 'em into my Stevens 2-by-each, one at a time. And then I had to work a bit at gettin' those 28" barrels up in the air and the action closed up tight. But, I eventually did. I pushed the safety off and swung the butt carefully and slowly up to my shoulder, so as not to spook the targets. I took very careful aim, released my breath, and squeezed the first trigger. BLAM! I hit that swingin' target dead in the center of the mass. No shoulder shot here, it was a head shot for sure. Heck, that was easy! It wasn't like I was gonna ruin the "head" or nothin'. Then, I methodically proceeded to do the same for the next 5 shots.
Turns out, I had 4 pistol misses but shot the rifle and shotgun clean! YeeeeeeHaaaaaaw!
Oh, I saw the sidelong glances and smothered grins of the other shooters, but I had survived my first stage! And besides, I didn't know what the Hell they were chucklin' at anyway. Ignorance is bliss. Haw! Haw! Haw! I thought they were grinnin' 'cause of my dead-center accuracy and methodical shootin' style. Worked for me.
Thanks for stayin' with me all this ways, pards. There's a point to this.
Nowadays, whenever I am mentorin' a new shooter and s/he says somethin' like: "Well, I ain't exactly new to shootin'. I been huntin' all my life," I kind of grin. Usually my response is somethin' like: "Wool, if you already know how to shoot, this match ought to be a piece o' cake! Just listen to me and I'll try and give you a few tips along the way."
There ain't nothin' like your first time...
Ride on!