Annette's Origin Story
How Does a City Girl Learn to Shoot Shotguns?
Although born in Northern Virginian in an area considered to be the "City", I happened to be the first grandchild of an outdoorsman from a rural area of central Virginia. And it was this grandfather who instilled in me a passion for shotgun shooting from a very young age. As his constant companion, I tagged along on his hunting adventures. My grandfather hunted a wide variety of game, but it was bird hunting that was his absolute favorite and so became mine as well. For those unfamiliar with bird hunting, know that the firearm used in this sport is a shotgun. The first gun he placed in my hands was a Remington 870, a 20 gauge pump action. Through many a quail and dove hunt my love of shotgun shooting was solidified. For me, it is just thrilling to shoot a moving target out of the sky.
1974- me with my grandfather, father & cousins.
As childhood led into adulthood and all its associated responsibilities, there was little time for bird hunting. As one might expect, life took over. College, marriage, a career and motherhood became my adult priorities, but the love of shotgunning was never forgotten. Virginia has changed a great deal over the decades making bird hunting far less readily available. Luckily, I discovered the field game of skeet. Little did I know that this shotgun field game was literally invented by bird hunters seeking to practice wing-shooting with their favorite upland shotguns. Since my discovery of this sport in 2010, it has evolved from a mere hobby into a passionate career
Shooting and teaching shotgun shooting it to others has become a personal mission and I particular enjoy helping new shooters and woman. In this season of my life my husband, adult son and I all shoot competitively together as a family on a local team year round. In addition, I became a certified instructor so that I could share this wonderful sport. I started working at Bull Run Shooting Center in 2012. Initially, I trapped and served as a range safety officer overseeing others shooting the field games of skeet, trap and wobble, five stand and sporting clays. With time I took on more responsibilities at Bull Run what was initially a side hustle hobby type job has developed into a major part of my life.
2016- on a bird with friendsm husband & son
2018- me with my husband, son & team shooters
I now serve as essentially the head trapper teaching range safety, training all newly hired range officers. I work as a guide/instructor for large corporate events at the facility and
I provide private instruction there and at other ranges. I'm a member of both the National Skeet Shooting Association and the National Sporting Clays Shooting Association. I am a Certified Instructor of the National Sporting Clays Association and a Certified Shotgun Shooting Instructor by the National Rifle Association. I shoot on local leagues, travel around NOVA and the metro area to shooting events to compete and train new shooters weekly.
As I participate in "official" or registered shooting events with the National Sporting Clays and Skeet Shooting Associations events, it has become glaringly obvious that far too few women are involved in this sport. It is my personal mission to foster more ladies into the shotgun sports. Shotgun field games are perfect for someone who appreciates precision, skill, mental focus and a challenge. I hope through private and group instruction to make this sport more accessible and enjoyable for all, but especially women.
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch so we can start working together.
