Submitted by Julie Moore, KNOW Member
When Laura Lang mentioned the Bluegrass Games, I thought it sounded like fun, although I had never competed in any shooting event before. I wasn’t even a very experienced shooter. I was just beginning to target shoot with guns I borrowed from my brothers. I had gone to the Fun Shoot at the Bob White Club that Vikki Rawe organized in April, I had taken the rifle/pistol/shotgun classes at BOW programs, and I’d been going to a firing range to practice but I certainly wasn’t an expert marksman.
Laura was very familiar with the events held at the Blue Grass Games and reassured me that it was low-key and was not intimidating. I decided to compete. Laura arranged a practice shoot with some Hunter Education instructors and I spent a very enjoyable Sunday afternoon at a farm by Owenton getting advice from some experienced shooters. I borrowed a .22 pistol from one of my brothers and George Mountjoy of KDFWR loaned me an air rifle. I had never used an air rifle before and it was fun learning to shoot it. I also practiced at firing ranges as much as possible during the week prior to the games. My two brothers were proud of my motivation to compete and gave me a lot of support.
On Sunday, July 25, I met Laura and her husband, Mac, at the Bluegrass Sportsmens League south of Lexington where the shooting events were held. We could participate in all the events held on one day at the Bluegrass Games since the application fee covered all of them. Laura and I competed in the air rifle match, the field air rifle competition which consisted of a course of metal animal targets, and the Camp Perry .22 pistol match. Laura had told me there would be participants with a variety of equipment from non-expensive guns bought at Kmart to $1000 guns with precision scopes. We competed at the same time as the men but were in a different classification.
The woman that won the gold medal in the events we participated in had very professional expensive equipment and she practiced frequently with her husband. Laura won two silver medals, one for .22 pistol and one for the field air rifle event and she won a bronze medal in the air rifle match. I came home with a silver medal in the air rifle match (only because Laura’s gun jammed) and two bronze medals for the field air rifle competition and .22 pistol.
The participants at the games were a varied group from senior citizens, Army marksmen, hunters, married couples, youths, and a few of us women who just enjoy shooting. It was such a rewarding experience to be involved with a group of people who shared similar interests and were all there with a spirit of sportsmanship. I found the men to be helpful and courteous and the women were pleased to have other women involved.
Unfortunately, there weren’t many women competing in the games, which is a shame because it was such a positive confidence-building experience. I probably wouldn’t have participated before I got involved with the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program and the Kentucky Network of Outdoor Women. I have gained wonderful friendships and personal growth through the strong, independent women in these organizations and I hope we will continue to work toward educating women to pursue their passions and expect the best for their life.
