The 2017 Proficiency course took place in Dunmanway on August 19th. A full compliment of 40 The morning session consisted of Safety presentations on firearm handling, the wildlife acts, the law as it pertains to firearms given by Our President Timmy McCarthy and NARGC safety Officers Mr John Flannigan and Jim O Connor. This was followed by a written exam based on the presentations. Breaks for tea/coffee and scones and tea/coffee and sandwiches were held at appropriate times. This took place in the Brookpark Hotel and staff and facilities were top notch.
The evening session was a practical training session at the Dunmanway Clay Target Shooting Grounds with instruction from 3 NARGC Instructors, Vincent, Jim and John at 3 different shooting stations. All the candidates received practical instruction on firearms handling and were put through their paces learning how to shoot different types of clays at each station under the watchful eyes of the NARGC instructors. Each candidate receiving individual instruction until they were successfully able to hit the targets.
The Dunmanway Clay Target Shooting members who assisted, gave their time and the grounds and use of equipment for free deserve a special mention and indeed many thanks to them. They have always been at the forefront of promoting shooting sports and we need more like that club. The NARGC Instructors also deserve a special thanks for their time, expertise and dedication.