Eating and Shooting

Discussion in 'Trapshooting Forum - Americantrapshooter.com' started by Wadhopper, Apr 13, 2016.

  1. Wadhopper

    Wadhopper Active Member

    How many of you take into consideration what you eat on the days you know you'll be shooting?
    I have tried to not eat a heavy meal prior to shooting...I don't want to feel bloated or tired while standing on the line. I just re-read that and wonder if this is a sign of aging or what?
    Anyhow...
    So I will typically eat a light to medium lunch and skip supper only having maybe a barley pop and jerky or little whatnot prior to heading to the range. Well, I think maybe that backfired last night.
    I had started off rough on my first 25, missing four. I didn't let that get me down, after all...it had been almost 20 years since I called my bird at this club and my first round of registered trap. I dropped three on my next round. After watching the birds from trap four we decided to raise the birds up a notch and that did the trick, or so I thought.
    I was 20 birds in without a loss and moving to my last station. As I stepped onto post three I watched the ground under my foot move. I planted into position and looked out over the house and my focus wasn't there. I mounted my gun, called my bird and don't even think I was in the right zip code when I pulled the trigger..."LOSS"...I closed my eyes, told my brain to get its shit together, opened them back up and blinked hard a few times. I called my remaining birds without another loss but was amazed I hit anything. I went back into the clubhouse and got a pop for the sugar, thinking maybe that was the issue. I didn't have a re-occurrence for the rest of the evening.
    What do you guys think? Sugar? Dehydration? Lack of protein? All of the above?
     
  2. Columbus

    Columbus Forum Leader Founding Member Forum Leader

  3. Wadhopper

    Wadhopper Active Member

    I hope not...
     
  4. Gerald

    Gerald Mega Poster Founding Member

    Had your eyes checked lately ? Had some similar problems years ago.
    I used to get anxiety sessions where nerves took over.
    Might have had a Blood Press. spike ?

    My neighbor is a shooter and is a staunch believer in no Caffene before a shoot.

    Probably an isolated incident, but if more episodes get checked out.


    Regards....Gerald
     
  5. Wadhopper

    Wadhopper Active Member

    Eye's checked a little over a year ago
    I wouldn't be surprised if I had BP issues; stupid job....
    No caffeine within several hours prior to shooting but had an iced-tea with lunch
    Anxiety may be an issue, not really stressful but my nerves get jittery.
     
  6. jb63

    jb63 Active Member

    I rarely shoot after dinner time, so what I eat at night isn't much of a problem unless I really overdo it.
    When you're old two very important things you look forward to are "waking up and passing last nights supper"
    When shooting registered birds during the day it's a normal breakfast and light lunch. Carry a bottle of Gator Aid in my bag for between stations.
    I do much better on scores if I"m not thirsty and don't feel bloated.
    Any caffeine drinks are a total no no according to my Doctor.
    My days of stress related worries ended 14 years ago.
     
  7. Wadhopper

    Wadhopper Active Member

    Hmm...
    Looking forward to passing last nights supper is one of the highlights of my day, so long as everything goes according to plan...yep, I'm over the hill.
    I'm thinking about the caffeine-free lifestyle change as well, thank god it's not in beer! I'll try the Gatorade between rounds, except I piss like a race-horse when I'm nervous so that might backfire pretty bad!
    My stress from work will follow me to the grave cause that's about the only way I think I'll ever be able to retire.
    After thinking about it, maybe I should just mount my gun on the wall and save my money!
     
  8. targetbreaker

    targetbreaker if it goirs bang I probley shot it.

    no, keep it going I think you got what it takes to be a good shot!
     
    Wadhopper likes this.
  9. Trap 2

    Trap 2 Well-Known Member Founding Member

    I have that same vision problem now and then. Found out that it was dehydration. I will drink at least 2 bottles of water during an event and usually one before and one after. Your eyes must have water to function properly. Lay off the sugar and the caffeine before and during the event. Not good for your blood sugar levels..... Just my experience...
     
    Wadhopper likes this.
  10. Buzman

    Buzman Member

    My shoots are in the middle of the day. Normal breakfast with coffee usually at a resturant. I worked outside for 35 years, so I know the importance of staying hydraded, usually sipping on water thru the day. Of course with getting older, going to the bathrooom more frequently is a problem so you sip on drinks and don't drink alot all at once.
     
    Wadhopper likes this.
  11. Shooting Coach

    Shooting Coach Well-Known Member Founding Member

    [​IMG]

    Eat your way to AAA! (NOT)

    The visual cortex can take up to 1/3 of the brain's resources. If your blood sugar crashes, your brain will not operate properly. Do a little research, eat light, sensibly and often during your shoot. Make sure you avoid dehydration. If in doubt, see your Doctor.
     
    targetbreaker, Wadhopper and wpt like this.
  12. rookieshooter

    rookieshooter Mega Poster Forum Leader

    Plain and simple...you choked! Well, that's what we called it back in the day.
     
  13. Wadhopper

    Wadhopper Active Member

    Last time I checked, having the ground look like Lake Erie under your feet wasn't considered choking.
     
    targetbreaker likes this.
  14. targetbreaker

    targetbreaker if it goirs bang I probley shot it.

    I have sugar, when it goes low its bad news, your legs get like jello and eyes blur, looks like a slow motion movie. I had it down to 40-61 you craw then.
     
  15. Brent Paulus

    Brent Paulus Active Member Founding Member

    Hey Hopper, don't take this as smart as remark. But when is the last time you had a check up. What you described could be a minor issue, and probably is. But just to be on the safe side so you can hang around and shoot many more years, a trip to the Doc may be in order. I'm an antique and way to many issues to be a repeatable or reliable shooter with some of those issues. My problem is age related. Good Luck