Crowbusters member known as Island Shooter John (Demi) Howard, was a member of a 3 man USA team that won the Veteran Class Team Bronze Medal at the 43rd World FITASC Championship in Hungary last week. Congratulations Demi!
(FITASC Sporting, is a shooting discipline which forms part of the ‘Federation Internationale de Tir Aux Sportives de Chasse’ based in Paris. FITASC as it is more commonly known, is an international form of Sporting Clays and enjoys a following the world over. Many would argue that it is the ultimate challenge in clay target shooting).
Thanks, Pete. Can I assume that Skip ratted me out on the news? I tend to divulge too much to him.
Yes, it was a rare honor to be at the shoot and come back with something to show for it. With Covid regulations, it was not the normal World FITASC. I signed up for 3 Covid tests (one before leaving, one upon arrival and the last one before departing. Due to the many restrictions still in place at several countries, many shooters did not show. In addition to all the tests, Hungary warned everyone that in case of a positive test or apparent symptoms, you would be quarantined at your expense at "a government facility!" With those warnings, my wife bailed out and let me go alone.
Targets were good and stout over some great terrain... quite different from crow hunting! My shooting should have been better, but we eked out with bronze due to some stellar shooting by teammate Paul Oppegard, who is a good friend. All things considered, it was an excellent trip.
Now it's back to the real world, taking care of business while waiting for another crow season!
Demi
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The man who thinks he can, and the man who thinks he can’t are both right.
Thanks again, guys. Randy, if the truth be known, there was definitely an "alignment of the stars" that got me there and on the USA Team and for us to pull off a bronze. As they say, some are good, while others are lucky!!
Bob, although I've shot driven birds in other places, never in Hungary. While on this trip I did see some pheasants crossing the road in various crops and the club I was shooting at does shoot game. Maybe a return trip would be in order.
One interesting note about the club. At the top of one hill we saw a remnant of past Communism days... an abandoned government facility that included four towers that were the signal-blocking antennae used to jamb Radio Free Europe broadcasts into Hungary. And, since Hungary has now been freed from the Communism oppression, they have erected a statue of Ronald Regan in the town square in Budapest!! See photos:
Demi
-- Edited by Island Shooter on Monday 9th of August 2021 02:55:21 PM
