AIMING FOR SUCCESS

SHOOTING THE TARGET: Dennis Fuller of La Grande fires at a target during a recent practical pistol shoot at the La Grande Rifle and Pistol Club. The observer/DICK MASON

Spangler was traveling hundreds of miles on weekends in the spring, summer and fall to compete in practical pistol shooting events in Union County and other Northwest locations.

Then a novice, Spangler was finishing behind many veteran competitors.

“I was not doing well. I wondered why I kept coming back.’’

Then it hit him — he was having the time of his life.

The adrenaline was generated by putting pride, not by putting his physical welfare on the line.

“This is one of the few thrill sports with a low risk factor,’’ Spangler said.

Indeed, it is sometimes said that if shooting had an “extreme’’ sport, practical pistol shooting is it. It’s extreme because it tests not only shooting accuracy but the shooter’s ability to navigate unfamiliar obstacles, and to reload and move quickly.

Spangler is one of up to 40 people who take part  in practical pistol shoots at the La Grande Rifle and Pistol Club. The shoots, sanctioned by the U.S. Practical Shooting Association, are put on by the Grande Ronde Practical Shooters.

A competitor at a recent practical pistol shoot at the La Grande Rifle and Pistol Club prepares to test his skills. Sandy Fuller of La Grande, a judge, is standing behind the shooter. Fuller is also a practical pistol shooting competitor.

The courses designed by the Grande Ronde Practical Shooters have up to 40 targets. Participants, depending on the their category, have to reload up to three times while moving through a course.

Each venue at USPSA-sanctioned events also has a standard course. Scores on this course are rated against those of other shooters throughout the nation. There are about 60 versions of standard USPSA courses.

Courses at the La Grande Rifle and Pistol Club are designed by Dennis Fuller, Rick Witherrite, Robert Barnes and Barney Brooks, all members of the Grande Ronde Practical Shooters.

Courses are changed each month but always have paper and metal targets.

“There is something about putting a hole in paper and the ring of steel,’’ said practical shooter Mike McCarty of Butter Creek in Umatilla County.

McCarty said he believes that there are three keys to success in practical shooting.

“Practice, consistency and a  love of it,’’ he said.

Eris Merritt of Baker City shares the passion.

“It is very addictive,’’ Merritt said.

The sport attracts people from all walks of life. McCarty said he found himself competing in a recent national competition in a group that included a judge, a district attorney, a zookeeper and a laborer.

These and most competitors are attracted to more than the physical challenges of the sport.

“It is a mental game like golf,’’ said Sid Lenseigne of Yakima,

Gary Casner of Payette, Idaho, agrees.

“Each stage has a different  problem and you have to solve it,’’ Casner said.

It is apparent from the good-natured ribbing at shoots that most competitors know each other well.

“We are good friends,’’ said Jess Roberts of La Grande. “We like giving everyone a hard time and getting one ourselves.’’

Safety is a major emphasis at all practical shooting events, said Fuller, match director for the Grande Ronde Practical Shooters. He stressed that participants are never allowed to have a finger on their pistol’s trigger when moving on a course. Anyone who puts their finger on their trigger is automatically disqualified for the entire match.

Fuller is among the judges who watches for infractions. Fuller follows competitors looking only to make sure they do not have their finger on the trigger when moving between targets.

USPSA-sanctioned practical shooting competitions are also conducted each month in the spring and summer in the Tri-Cites area, Yakima, Emmett, Idaho, and Nampa, Idaho.

Practical shoots are generally conducted at the La Grande Rifle and Pistol Club on the   second Sunday of the month.  Anyone interested in participating should call Fuller at 963-2713.