Personal Report From The Cardinal Classic

Having just returned from that 7 hr. drive home I feel qualified to offer a few observations and suggestions.
First of all the weather absolutely sucked-dark, dismal and rainy most days. Targets weren't very visible on some banks while better on others. Target setting was a bit inconsistent but given the weather conditions it wasn't easy. Many shooters declined to shoot some events (me included) because of the likelihood of more rain and storms. It also seemed like more than a few shooters opted to leave early because of conditions.
Improvements I'd consider would include filling the ruts in the road behind the traps, and adding more benches on the porches at vendor row. Given the dismal weather with heavy rain blowing through those small enclosures, used primarily by the pullers and staff, left little space for all those shooters pulled off the line. It was no fun standing on the porch for us old timers with no opportunity to sit anywhere while waiting for the shoot to resume. Many of us also viewed that lightning strike in the field near bank 8 and certainly were less comfortable.
Please stock more catfish in the pond. There hasn't been much to fish for in the last two years. Kids get bored with fishing when there's little to catch.
That said, we had fun. Probably one of the worst shoots I ever attended simply because of the weather-nothing else. Hats off the Cardinal Center employees and staff who were always pleasant, tried to help and we'll certainly be back again next year-unless I get an invite for a dove hunt out in the field in front of bank 3. It's full of 'em. I'm waiting?

 

My granddaughter and I catch plenty of catfish. We have a secret bait....LOL

 

Geterdun, Is that dy-no-mit you are using? Roger C.

 

We call 'em Dupont Spinners where I come from.

 

Oleolli, why didn't you just go back and shelter in your vehicle? Was it that far from the trap you were shooting from?

 

Slim Jims Best of all you can eat the bait!!!!


On a better note. I shot way better than normal. Only missed 52 out of 1300 and 16 of them were on Sunday

 

oleolliedawg - I did decline to shoot some events due to the (high) likelihood of more storms. Agreed on some more benches and would like to see 2 picnic tables under the trap line shelters vs. 1.

Mike J - personally, my truck was pretty close, but we shot through a few drops which quickly turned to mid-heavy rain that lasted about 1.5 posts, and were called off due to lightning. I went to the trap-line shelter and it absolutely dumped rain, and I mean right now and in full force. I decided to hang out in the shelter semi-wet vs. going for the truck and getting soaked to the bone. I did think a lot about the sandwich in my truck while I was there though. Heard a few good stories while there too.

Geterdun - Congratulations on your shoot scores! Well done! I will pack some Slim Jims next time; thanks for the hot tip!

On another note, practice trap was $5.00 for 25 birds. I wanted a quick warm-up and offered $2.00 for 10 birds. I just wanted to shoot 2 birds per post and move-on to my event. The gentleman at the practice trap looked at me like I had horns growing out of my head and said he could only sell me all 25 and I could choose to shoot only 10 if I chose to. I shot all 25 without argument. Was my request too far against the grain or unreasonable? Has anyone else done this before?

I thought the shoot was well run, and I had fun as always!

 

Even with the bad weather it is always a very nice place to shoot or shop . Always have fun there

 

It is my favorite shoot and the best as far as I am concerned but there are issues that really need fixing..Several traps do not drain at all after it rains. With the equipment and knowledge they have there that should be done you cant have shooters standing in 3 inches of water.

The port a potties were full within a few inches of the top behind bank 9 and 11 it was disgusting to see. They were never pumped out, I seen several people go in and right back out instantly. They were also sitting in a low area where the water and mud was flowing and being tracked in. Putting them on a bit higher ground is the answer to the mud and rain. I have never seen them like that before there but I heard several people mad about them.

 

I agree with Terry. In fact I expressed by disappointment with Luke and Jay. I was told they had called the port a pot folks and they were supposed to be on their way!!! NOT.