SIM day experience

I do sometimes wonder, if my shooting journey, is destined to be a one based on comedy of errors. 

I was invited to, and have accomplished my first ever SIM day (Simulated Game Day); for those who have never shot a SIM day, or heard of one, it’s basically hundreds of clays sent out all out once during each drive, whilst you are stood on a peg, trying to smash as many as you can, and frantically re-load your gun; I cheated slightly and roped in a experienced game shooter and loader to be a my peg partner, as he could load for me and save me time. This was a partnership which was working well, until one drive, where I was not paying close enough attention to how quick he was (or this case wasn’t) loading, and I caught his fingers in my gun as I closed it… 

The day took part on one of THE hottest days of this year so far, which just added to the intensity of the day, and it was an early start for me; which is never good for someone who is not a morning person at all, whereas my partner for the day, is! 

The first ‘comedy moment’, was playing spot the odd one out with the vehicles, everyone else had turned up in a 4×4, and there was me and my peg partner; in my trusty Seat Ibiza. I would just like to confirm, it managed to get ‘off road’ just as well as those in 4×4’s did! 

I had decided to leave my trusty old 12bore Lanber at home, and take my new Grade 5 Miroku MK38 out, and give her a proper outing. In hindsight, I think a few ‘gentle’ sessions at the clay ground to ease us into our new partnership would have been better! 

The day was based in a  shoot in a quarry in Rutland, and the drives were to simulate Partridge’s been driven over us from the tops of the quarry, and the Partridge is a game bird I’ve not yet had the opportunity to shoot in real life, so I had no idea what these drives and clays were going to like; in short- fast and small! 

It was decided between me and my peg partner, that I would shoot first (ladies first apparently), and it was with more than a small amount of trepidation that I stepped up and waiting for the horn to blow, which signalled the start of the drive. The peg we had picked, unfortunately meant we had the full glare of the sun, and so I missed most of the clays that were within my (comfortable) range of shooting, and I was glad to swop over to my partner, who struggled as much as I did.  

A quick break was had, and then we went down into the quarry, which gave us much needed shade from the sun, but also seemed to attract horse flies-which took no hesitation in taking 3 samples from me! 

After 2 drives, my shirt was stuck to me, my arms ached from the weight of my gun and I had burnt my hand/fingers more than once on hot barrels; they were getting hot anyway from the amount of cartridges we were putting through them, but the heat from the sun added an extra layer of inferno to them. The one blessing we did have, was I had planned ahead and had 2 cool bags full of either iced water or bottles of ice, and they were a relief to have on the back of your neck, or to cool burnt fingers! 

Lunch was a much welcomed break to be able to sit down and keep cool, and prepare for the last 2 drives of the day, the last one of which is called ‘The Alamo’ – where all the guns line up, and aim to break all the clays sent; if they succeed, the team gets the day for free. 

Refreshed from lunch, we headed back down into the quarry, where my peg partner and the 2 guns on the second peg up from us, decided to engage in some ‘friendly poaching’ of each other’s clays, much to the amusement of the  gamekeeper of the shoot, who had also commented on how quick my peg partner could load! I think at one point, my partner did tell me to ‘shoot quicker!’  

Alas, I have to admit, I pulled out of taking part in the ‘Alamo’ , I had rushed mounting my gun more than once during some of the drives, which had resulted in a bruise starting to make an appearance on my cheek, and a very bruised shoulder which was making me wince and flinch, so I took stepped back and was able to watch the rest of the team do their thing; we didn’t beat the clays! 

I do not think I have ever been quite so glad to get back to my car and sit in it, with the air con on full, and I had thrown a clean shirt in the back to change into, which made the drive home more pleasant for me. 

Having completed my first SIM day, I have to admit, I do not think I would do another one anytime soon. I much prefer the usually sedate pace of being sat in a pigeon hide or the predictability of being on a stand at my local ground, but they are certainly a good ‘game sharpener’ if you want to get some fast and furious practice in before the game season starts , and a good team building exercise/social if you can get a full team of guns together that you know.