Hunter Field Target (HFT) is a thrilling outdoor airgun target shooting discipline that simulates real-life hunting scenarios. It’s a sport that combines the thrill of hunting with the precision of target shooting, making it an exciting and challenging discipline for airgun enthusiasts. If you’re a beginner looking to understand and get into HFT, here’s a simple guide to help you get started.
Plinking To HFT
From Backyard Plinking to the Thrill of the Hunt: Your Beginner’s Guide to Hunter Field Target Shooting”
Are you an airgun enthusiast who’s mastered the art of backyard plinking and is now looking for a new challenge? Perhaps it’s time to enter the exciting Hunter Field Target (HFT) shooting world. This guide will take you from casual plinking to navigating the thrilling courses of HFT, a sport that combines the precision of target shooting with the strategic elements of hunting. Let’s embark on this journey together, one target at a time!
What is HFT?
HFT is designed to encourage, promote, and educate the safe use of airguns within a formatted, controlled environment. The sport involves navigating a course and shooting at metal knockdown targets from different positions and distances, simulating the hunting experience. The targets are strategically placed to imitate various hunting scenarios, adding an exciting challenge to the discipline.
Equipment You’ll Need
To get started with HFT, you’ll need a few essential pieces of equipment:
- Air Rifle: Any air rifle can be used if it complies with current UK Airgun legislation and UKAHFT equipment rules. The muzzle energy must not exceed 12 ft-lbs (16 Joules). Rifles can and will be subject to random or compulsory chronograph testing at each event to ensure that UKAHFT operates within current UK Airgun legislation.
The choice of air rifle can significantly impact your performance in HFT. Choosing a rifle that fits you well and suits your shooting style is essential. Spend time practising with your rifle to understand its characteristics, such as how it reacts to different pellets and weather conditions.
- Scope: A good quality scope is essential for precise aiming and target acquisition. However, scope settings, including magnification, parallax adjustment, ocular settings, turret settings, and illumination settings (if applicable), must remain unchanged throughout the event.
The scope is your window to the target. Understanding how to use your scope effectively, including adjusting for different distances and lighting conditions, is crucial. Remember, once the competition starts, you cannot modify the settings of your scope, so make sure you’re comfortable with it beforehand.
- Pellets: Different air rifles may perform better with specific types or weights of pellets. Trying out different options and seeing what works best with your rifle is a good idea. Try our pellet sample pack.
- Safety Equipment: Safety should always be a priority. Wear eye protection, such as shooting glasses, to safeguard your eyes. Ear protection is also recommended, especially in shooting ranges or competitions with high noise levels.
- Safety: Safety is paramount in HFT. Rules cover aspects such as rifle handling, cease-fires, and conduct. Junior competitors must always be under their parents’ or guardians’ direct supervision.
- Course Format: A typical HFT course consists of 30 knock-over-style targets that fall flat or rotate out of view when correctly hit. Targets are shot from prone, kneeling, or standing positions and from an individually designated peg or support.
- Scoring: Each target hit scores you points. The aim is to accumulate as many points as possible throughout the course.
- Shooting Positions: Different targets require different shooting positions, including prone, unsupported standing, unsupported kneeling, and supported positional shots. Understanding and practising these positions will significantly improve your performance.
- Classes: Competitions are divided into several classes, including Open, Ladies, Veteran, Junior, Recoil, .22, and Sticks. Each class has its own set of rules and guidelines.
- Shooting Accessories: Depending on the rules of the specific HFT competition, you might also need shooting accessories like a shooting mat or shooting sticks to stabilise your rifle and provide support while shooting from various positions.
Improving Shooting Technique
- Stance: Your stance is the foundation of your shot. Practice standing in a stable and comfortable position, with your feet shoulder-width apart and your body aligned with the target. Find a position that offers stability and comfort for prone and kneeling shots.
- Grip: A firm but relaxed grip on your rifle is essential. The rifle should rest in the palm of your hand, and your fingers should wrap around the grip naturally. Avoid gripping too tightly, as it can cause your shots to be off target.
- Trigger Control: Smooth and consistent trigger control is crucial for accurate shooting. Practice slowly squeezing the trigger, keeping your focus on the target. Avoid jerking or pulling the trigger, as this can throw off your aim.
- Breathing Control: Your breathing can affect your shot. Practice taking slow, deep breaths, and aim to shoot during the natural pause between your breaths.
Improving Range Estimation
Estimating range accurately is a crucial skill in HFT, as you’re not allowed to use rangefinders. Here are some methods to practice:
- Pacing: A straightforward method is to pace out distances. Start by setting a target at a known distance, then pace out the distance and take note of how many steps it takes. With practice, you can get a good sense of distance this way.
- Bracketing: This involves using the size of the target to estimate the distance. This method requires knowledge of the standard sizes of targets and practice to get right.
- Sight Picture: This involves looking at how much of the target fills your sight picture at different distances. With practice, you can learn to estimate the distance based on the target’s appearance in your scope.
- Practice: The best way to improve your range estimation is to practice. Spend time estimating distances at the range or in the field, then check your estimates. Over time, your estimates will become more accurate.
The Social Effect of HFT
Camaraderie Among Participants
HFT is not just about individual competition but also about the camaraderie and friendships formed. Participants often share a deep passion for the sport, and this shared interest fosters a strong sense of community. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or a beginner, you’ll find that the HFT community is welcoming and supportive. Competitions often feel like gatherings of friends, with participants cheering each other on and sharing in the joy of each other’s successes.
Learning from Experienced Shooters
One of the great things about the HFT community is the willingness of more experienced shooters to share their knowledge and experience. Beginners can learn a lot from watching and talking to these seasoned competitors. Be bold and ask questions or seek advice. Most HFT shooters are happy to share tips on everything from shooting technique to equipment selection.
The atmosphere at HFT Events
HFT events are often characterised by a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. While the competition can be intense, the focus is on enjoying the sport and having a good time. Events often include social activities, such as barbecues or dinners, where participants can mingle and get to know each other. This social aspect, combined with the thrill of competition, makes HFT events something to look forward to.
Acceptable Style But
Joining a Competition
To participate in HFT, consider joining a local shooting club or organisation that hosts HFT events. They can provide guidance, training, and information about upcoming competitions. It’s a great way to connect with fellow shooters, learn from experienced individuals, and enjoy the sport together.
What to Expect on the Day of the Event
On the event day, you can expect to navigate a course with around 30 targets, each requiring a different shooting position. You’ll be scored based on your accuracy, with each target hit earning you points. The atmosphere is usually friendly and supportive, focusing on the safety and enjoyment of the sport.
Handling Nerves
It’s normal to feel nervous, especially if it’s your first competition. Here are some strategies to manage your nerves:
- Preparation: The more prepared you are, the less nervous you’ll feel. Spend time practising your shooting skills, understanding the rules, and familiarising yourself with your equipment.
- Breathing Exercises: Deep, controlled breathing can help calm your nerves. Practice taking slow, deep breaths before you shoot to help steady your hand and focus your mind.
- Positive Visualisation: Visualise yourself successfully hitting the targets. It can boost your confidence and reduce anxiety.
- Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome: Instead of worrying about winning or losing, focus on each shot and the enjoyment of the sport. This can help reduce pressure and keep your nerves in check.
- Adjust for Weather Conditions: Weather can affect your shot, especially wind. Practice shooting in various weather conditions and learn how to adjust your aim accordingly.
Strategising for Different Courses
Each HFT course is unique, with different targets, distances, and shooting positions. Here are some tips for strategising:
- Understand the Course: Before the competition, try understanding the course layout. Understanding the order of targets and the required shooting positions can help you plan your approach.
Air Rifle Maintenance
- Cleaning: Regularly clean your air rifle to remove dirt, dust, and residue. Clean the barrel with a cleaning rod with a soft cloth or a brush attachment. Always clean from the breech end to avoid damaging the muzzle.
- Lubrication: Apply a small amount of lubricant to the moving parts of your rifle. However, avoid over-lubrication as it can attract dust and dirt.
- Storage: Store your air rifle in a dry, cool place to prevent rust and damage. Use a gun case or cabinet for storage.
Scope Maintenance
- Lens Cleaning: Clean the lenses of your scope with a lens cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth. Avoid touching the lenses with your fingers, as oils can damage the coating.
- Check Mounts: Regularly check the mounts of your scope to ensure they are secure. Loose mounts can affect your accuracy.
Pellet Care
- Storage: Store your pellets in a cool, dry place. Moisture can damage pellets and affect their performance.
- Handling: Handle pellets with clean hands to avoid getting oils or dirt on them, which can affect their flight.
Accessory Maintenance
- Cleaning: Regularly clean your shooting accessories, such as bipods, shooting mats, or shooting sticks, to keep them in good condition.
- Check for Damage: Regularly inspect your accessories for any signs of wear or damage. Replace any damaged equipment to ensure safety and performance.
- Unsafe Muzzle Discipline and Rifle Handling: Rifles should always be unloaded and un-cocked when not used. Rifles should only be loaded when it is a competitor’s turn to shoot. Rifles must only be sighted, shouldered, and discharged over designated firing lines. When approaching shooting lanes and adopting shooting positions, the rifle’s muzzle must be kept muzzle down and, where practicable, pointing over a designated firing line.
- Adjusting Rifle Settings During Competition: Rifles cannot be adjusted once the first shot is taken unless an ancillary repair is required. For example, if a butt pad works loose during the event and requires securing.
- Scope Adjustments: Scope settings, including magnification, parallax adjustment, ocular settings, turret settings, and illumination settings (if applicable), must remain unchanged throughout the event. No adjustments from the original settings may be made once the first shot has been fired.
- Use of Certain Equipment: The use of any range-finding device is not permitted by competitors during the event. No other optical aid, such as binoculars, can be used by competitors during the event. Any lasers fitted to a rifle must be disabled and verified as such before starting the shoot. The use of Olympic-style shooting jackets is not allowed in any circumstances.
- Violating Safety Rules: Any competitor warned by UKAHFT Marshals for two safety violations will be asked to leave the course and disqualified from the event. Safety violations include not discharging their rifle promptly in the event of a cease-fire, loading their rifle when it is not their turn to shoot, discharging their rifle during a cease-fire, and not carrying their rifle with the muzzle point down when it is not cased.
Summary
As you embark on your journey from backyard plinking to the exciting world of Hunter Field Target shooting, remember that every expert was once a beginner. The passion for the sport, the dedication to practice, and the willingness to learn transform a novice into a seasoned shooter. HFT is not just about hitting targets; it’s about the thrill of the hunt, the camaraderie among fellow enthusiasts, and the personal satisfaction of improving your skills. So, take that first step, join the HFT community, and let the adventure begin. Happy shooting!
Full HFT Rules