The Australian Junior Shooter

Lachlan Adolph has pride of place on the cover of our spring edition after his world title-winning performance in the Fifty Calibre Shooters Association championships in New Mexico. The 13-year-old was a runaway winner in the junior category and an impressive eighth overall from a highly competitive field of 80 shooters. In a hunting vein, young Carl Redlich discovers that going bush with dad Chris, and shadowing his every move, is the best way to learn the hunter’s craft and enjoy the rewards it brings. For the tech-savvy youngsters out there, our Communications Officer Sam Talbot gets to grips with the VR Experience by Aimpoint and finds it almost as good as a real-life hunting expedition. Elsewhere, Ben Jimenez takes us through the importance of gun range etiquette and Dick Eussen outlines why it pays to be bush-ready – always! And in our juniors-only competition there’s the chance to win a 100w halogen lamp from Lightforce valued at almost $130.

In our autumn edition, young Joseph Nugent takes us through the techniques of stalking large game, in this case a mature red deer stag, then outlines the step-by-step process for preparing your trophy for mounting. And with accuracy in mind, Dick Eussen explains the benefits of using a rest in the field to make sure you hit that target every time. With safety in mind, Heart of the Huntress star Christie Pisani alerts us to the dangers lurking in the wild, from snakes to knives in the kit bag, and focuses on the first aid procedure should something go wrong. For young shooters with no family connection to the sport, Sam Talbot turns the spotlight on a couple of youth training schemes in New South Wales and Victoria, and explains why the SSAA Sponsor a Junior scheme is paying off. And our juniors-only competition gives youngsters the chance to win a Bistoli Range Bag and Beanie valued at $75.

Joseph Nugent gives his best tips for junior hunters when it comes to stalking and shooting deer. We report on the highlights from the 2017 SSAA National Junior Challenge and participant Nicole Worthley recalls how she achieved personal bests at the event. Communications Officer Sam Talbot finds out how Olympic Games junior shotgunner Aislin Jones switched from being a right-handed to left-handed shooter, and why juniors were flocking to shoot at the SSAA Mackay Junior Development Day. Melissa Dean explains how she made the jump from target shooter to hunter, while Andrea Kiernan shares how her son got his first fox whistle. Junior shooters can also go into the running to win a great range bag and beanie from Bistoli.

Communications Officer Sam Talbot finds out what it takes to be a world-class biathlete by speaking with siblings Damon and Darcie Morton who are representing Australia in Europe. Sam also revisits all the action from the SSAA NSW 2017 Junior Target Shooting Camp, which included expert coaching from international shotgun shooters Michael McNabb and Gemma Dunn. Brad Allen shows some junior hunters the ropes while they attempt to obtain the very challenging Tartini Grand Slam. Joseph Nugent details how useful finding animal droppings can be when hunting and gives some great advice for juniors when it comes to identifying and ageing sign. Plus, we reveal the details for this year’s SSAA National Junior Challenge, which will be held in South Australia at SSAA Para in July.

Anthony Hall covers all the action from the 2016 SSAA National Junior Challenge and the juniors who will be the future of our sport. Assistant Editor Dave Rose finds out how SSAA Bowen is attracting junior shooters to their club, while Geoff Porter reports on SSAA Wodonga taking the shooting sports, including biathlon, to schools at the ninth annual Inter School Shooting Competition. Communications Officer Sam Talbot catches up with the ‘This is Shooting’ sisters and finds out what they have been up to since starring in the SSAA’s national campaign. Joseph Nugent shows other juniors what equipment they need to be successful in the field, and Perry Magowan recalls taking his grandson Jack on his first deer adventure.

Liam Crespo goes hunting for goats with his father, grandfather and brother and the three generations of men get more than they bargain from the wildlife on a relatively untouched property. Wraps get made simple by Lynn Bain who gives a master class on how to take your game meat cooking to the next level. Assistant Editor Dave Rose speaks with 17-year-old SSAA member Danielle Lewis who with her father is getting on top of pesky foxes and rabbits in Victoria. Dave also interviews some up and coming shooters in WA who have completed range officer training. Damon Marks recalls the excitement and pressure of getting his first pig in a family of hunters, while junior shooters across Australia get excited for the upcoming SSAA National Junior Challenge.

Assistant Editor Dave Rose covers the 2015 SSAA National Junior Challenge, which was held at the Glenorchy range in Tasmania in July. Some of this year’s shooting stars include brothers Laughlan and Harry Freeman, who finished first and third respectively in the Under 15 title on their home range, and South Australia’s Jordan Robinson, who won the 15-18 title. Jared McCarthy details how he made a remarkable transition from an under-achiever to an accomplished international Air Rifle Field Target shooter. Joseph Nugent and Matt Fox each share stories on hunting red deer and goats with their fathers, while Victorian sisters Kimberly and April Buttress say they too would like to try hunting but are currently making solid progress from being rank novice shooters to competing at the SSAA National Junior Challenge.

Media Officer Kate Fantinel checks out the target shooting action at the 2015 Australian Venture gathering in South Australia. She meets up with Venturers Mostyn Hudson and Amy Paech who share their experiences with the rifle and pistol shooting events. Assistant Editor Dave Rose profiles Western Australian brothers and keen pistol shooters Hunter and Angus Knowles, while Queensland junior Domenica Finch takes us on a school holidays pig hunting trip where she sees native and pest animals, meets interesting people and learns some new skills. Perry Magowan and his grandson Jack head out on a South East Queensland red deer hunt, and we preview the upcoming National Junior Challenge and postal championships.