Hope For A Broken Bird
12/24/2021 | By: Daniel Schindler, Master Sporting Clays, Skeet, Trap and Wingshooting Instructor
Shaking hands, surrounded by all the camaraderie,
she began to understand how our world with guns
was completely different from hers.
A few years back, my wife Cheryl contacted a local organization that helped older foster children get adopted. Cheryl believed we could help their youngsters overcome their fear of guns. You can imagine their initial resistance as the only experience the social workers and youngsters had with guns was 100% negative. In fairness, we’d all have that view if all we had was exposure to gang activities, family members or friends bleeding from gunshot wounds or worse. One of the youngsters in residence had a friend die in her arms after being shot.
With a big fundraiser coming up in Greenville, SC, Cheryl invited the organization’s Director to attend the event so she could meet some of the 200 shooters who were raising money for abused and neglected children ages two to five. First-hand, the Director got to see the kindness and goodwill coming from those in our sport. That afternoon led to one of the most gratifying and rewarding days of our lives.
A gentleman in Asheville, NC, whom we hold in very high regard, graciously offered to open his private clays course for our upcoming event. God Bless you, Mr. Smith.
Arriving at the camp where the foster children were staying, we were greeted by smiles and a little trepidation. Cheryl and I were offered some background on the youths we would be working with later that day.
Legs crossed, I sat on the floor awaiting our group. As the youngsters sat down around me, I assured everyone that they would be perfectly safe during our time together. Watch or shoot would be totally up to them. Those who know me well, know I wear my emotions on my sleeve. My heart was beating faster as everyone watched me, yearning for some assurance. Could I be trusted? Silently, their faces were asking, will I be OK if I go with you – and shoot guns?
Maybe it was because kids had always gravitated towards me that the tension was slowly leaving in the room. Smiles and laughter began erupting after my corny jokes. Fragile as it was, some trust was being established. The stage set, amid hushed voices, off we all went – a caravan of uncertainties.
Arriving at our beautiful country location, I spoke to our group of counselors to make sure everyone knew, handling the gun was not required. It was OK, just to watch.
Three, 10-foot logs were placed on the ground in a U shape for a shooting box. Facing a distant trap machine well up on the hill, the inbound target took its time approaching us. High, it finally settled in the sky above us at about 20 yards. I held the youth model 20 gauge and low recoil ammunition. The Counselor standing on the other side of the box had the trap controller.
I asked the youngsters who wanted to shoot to please form a line behind me. Most of them moved further back and off to the side. Watching. Five lined up behind me, a mixture of facial expressions I will never forget – hope and reluctance vacillating. But, listen ‘up, there they stood, together, scared but determined, ready to face whatever lay ahead. Me? My heart was beating faster again – all choked up with pride in them. That was then – and now as I type these words.
When I knew she was ready,
standing close, I closed the action.
Ages ranging from 11 to 16, eyes and ears in place, one by one, they each stepped up to hold the gun and shoot. After a brief introduction to recoil, targets began exploding. I can still hear the thunderous cheering and applause.
On deck was a young lady, her brother behind her, not forcing but gently nudging her forward. On top of troubled upbringings, she’d been a witness to a homicide. As the shooter beside me in the box stepped out, she stepped forward. Cautiously. I smiled and gently reminded her she did not have to shoot. Tight behind us, her brother whispered encouragement. Following a few very basic “point and shoot” instructions, I eased the gun into her shoulder with my hand under the forearm. With looks of utter disbelief and joy she broke her first 3 targets. As did her brother and two more shooters after him. The line behind me was steadily growing longer.
My next shooter had been waiting patiently at the back of the line. I’d noticed him. Couldn’t help it. I don’t know how else to say this, so I’ll just say it: this young man looked anorexic, his spirit broken and crushed. No doubt, he’d been physically abused. Repeatedly. 14 years old, thin, short and trembling, he cautiously stepped into the box. Head down, he whispered to me, “I can’t do this.” Again, dear reader, your attention please. While he kept repeating those words, he was not backing up. Scouts honor now, the rising force of his determination gripped both of us. When his head finally came up, there was a fierceness in his eyes. His expression had changed to, THIS time, I win. I glanced across at the woman holding the controller. Smiling, she’d seen it too. Holding back tears, she turned and looked up the hill. Not me though. I pulled my hat down tighter so no one could see my face.
An eternally long moment of uneasy silence came over our group. The entire earth went still. I waited. When the time came, I offered, maybe we could do this together? I would shoot first, so he could watch, then decide. I put both my knees down and placed him close behind me so he could watch over my shoulder. Bang. X. I risked a glance back and caught his smile. Once more. X. Another glance back. Here came that fierceness again. We reversed positions. Let’s go Dan! Gun up, we got the comb and cheek together. When I knew he was ready, standing close, gun closed, I slid my hand away from the forearm. Please Lord, just this one time, OK? Bang. X. Cheers and applause. From those behind us too. Twice more – same results. When I eased the gun from his hands, he turned and hugged me. Regaining my composure, the next shooter stepped forward. I glanced over my left shoulder and watched our victor step back into the line.
And you thought this was all about shooting?
As our time together came to a close, the group formed their customary circle and we all held hands. Holding the “talking stick,” each person was asked to share what he or she was grateful for today. Quiet words, with confident voices, we were overwhelmed by what we heard. The 16-year-old brother said he wanted to become a police officer and today was the day he knew he’d made the right decision. His 14-year old sister who had shaken like a leaf in a windstorm, said her views had changed, her fear of guns was finally fading. The young man who said he couldn’t do this held his head up proudly and said, “Today, I learned…if I make up my mind to do it, I can.”
In a few short hours, we learned that we can change lives for the better, including our own. If you know someone who has no idea why we love shooting, consider inviting him/her to a clays event so they can experience the life we so much enjoy.
Merry Christmas everyone. From Cheryl and I and all our Instructors, we wish you a safe and Blessed Holiday.
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About Dan Schindler
Dan Schindler is one of only 60 worldwide members of the Guild of Shooting Instructors (UK) and is one of the most highly respected Sporting Clays and Wingshooting Instructors in the US. Dan is an NSCA Level III Instructor (since 1995) and founded the Paragon School of Sporting with one goal in mind. Whether it be for the advanced competitor or providing the basics to the entry-level shooter, Paragon provides the simplest, most practical and most effective Instruction, Coaching and Mental Training for the Sporting Clays & Wingshooting enthusiast. Dan Schindler helps shooters alleviate a lot of their frustration by taking the mystery out of breaking targets, calling their own misses, and make their own corrections. Lessons are fun, enlightening and our clients learn to shoot better in minutes!
Testimonials
Dan Schindler's Books
"Recommended for shooters of all skill levels, Coaches, Instructors
and parents of youth shooters."
Take Your Best Shot (Book I), 3rd Edition is THE Gold Standard Primer It's all about the fundamentals, a requirement for good shooting. This book is used by high school and college shooting teams, recreational and competitive shooters from around the world. Solid, valuable, concise information that has helped thousands of shooters shoot more consistently with higher scores.
To The Target (Book II) Builds on the steps outlined in Book I. Emphasises Gun Management skills when the trap fires, creating a consistent, reliable, trustworthy swing.
Beyond the Target (Book III) is for shooters of all levels, filled with valuable information, clay target truths. Entertaining and a culmination of 3 decades of Dan's life's work as a teacher, competitor, published writer, and much more.
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