Home is Vancouver Island, British Columbia, where I shoot clays with a dedicated group of friends. Hunting is spent shooting chukars, pheasants and waterfowl on our clubs lease properties, adding trips to Saskatchewan and Mexico. As President of our club (Hidden Valley Conservation Club) we provide local opportunities for hunters and hunting dog enthusiasts.
I began duck hunting and clays at 13. Very quickly duck hunting became a passion. Driving to the marsh in the early morning, before school, racing to class, finish classes and heading back out. Sunday was reserved for trap and skeet when hunting season finished. Continuing to shoot, at 65, I decided to address my left dominate eye and switched to shooting both eyes open, left handed. It took practice, but I persisted until I was able to shoot left and right handed confidently. A helpful skill in a tight blind.
On clays, I shoot a Beretta 694, 12 ga and a Beretta 686, 20 and 28 ga. For waterfowl, it is a Beretta A400 Extreme 12 ga and for upland a variety of 28 gauges. I also enjoy reloading and have a number of old pumps that I load Bismuth for.
Hunting took on a new dimension when dogs came into our lives. We train, hunt and compete with our dogs, an activity that keeps my wife and I active all year long.
I feel very privileged to be a part of the Muller Chokes organization and to play a role in advancing the sport.
- Dave Thompson
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