Selecting the right pistol ammo • Trapping feral pests • Ridgeline’s protective Kea jacket AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S SHOOTER Libby Kosmala Paralympic shooter into Sport Hall of Fame Issue 7 An official publication of the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia Contents Editorial Editorial 2 Gemma Dunn Taking aim with Laetisha We’ve hit the halfway mark of 3 what’s been a very turbulent year Scanlan – Rally round in and Laetisha Scanlan provides these demanding times an insight into how the shooting community has been affected. Letter to the editor Our cover story features remarkable shooter Libby Kosmala, whose 13 medals across a record 12 Paralympic Women’s-only competition Games has rightly earned her a spot in the SA Sport Hall of Fame. Paralympic great first I wrap up my three-part series on ammunition selection 4 shooter into Sport Hall with a look at Pistol ammo and how it links to my previous of Fame Shotgun and Rifle articles. My review on the Kea jacket from Ridgeline highlights just how useful it is and how it comes with an added What’s the right ammo for conservation bonus. 7 you? Part three – Pistol We introduced you to SSAA Conservation and Wildlife Management Queensland member Michelle Pares in Issue 5 and in this edition, Michelle tries her hand at Hunting’s best laid plans trapping marauding wild dogs and foxes. 10 Remember to enter this edition’s fantastic competition Ridgeline’s Kea jacket and that you can get in touch via [email protected] and 14 Facebook. the real deal! 16 SSAA membership form FOLLOW US AWSmag australianwomensshooter_mag AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S SHOOTER Mail: PO Box 2520, Unley, SA 5061 The Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia Phone: 08 8272 7100 Fax: 08 8272 2945 Inc (SSAA Inc) is subject to the provisions of the Editor Gemma Dunn Web: ssaa.org.au Email: [email protected] National Privacy Act. We collect personal informa- tion from members of the Sporting Shooters’ Production Editor Thomas Cook The Australian Women’s Shooter is owned and published by the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Association of Australia in the various states and Feature Columnist Laetisha Scanlan Australia Inc. Opinions expressed herein are those territories. Should you want a copy of the SSAA Graphic Designer Natalie Kuhlmann of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the Inc Privacy Statement or seek further information please write to PO Box 2520, Unley, SA 5061. Advertising Representative Karoline Wasiak policy of this Association. Administration Debbie Wing No text or photographs within this publication may be republished, either electronically or in print, Contributors: Nadia Isa, Michelle Pares without the express written permission of the SSAA. Copyright 2020. 2 AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S SHOOTER Taking aim with Laetisha Scanlan Rally round in these demanding times With the outbreak of the COVID-19 owners have been. The firearms industry I personally have pandemic most of us, with exception to is one of the most regulated industries in reached a point essential services, have been forced to stay Australia and we have some of the strictest in time where at home and social distance. So, what does gun laws in the world.” the enforced that mean for our shooting community and break has been Melanie believes the shooting community SSSA members all around the country? somewhat refreshing and allowed for needs to stick together as a cohort some quietness to our busy everyday From a sporting standpoint, like most through these uncertain times. life. However, I am now ready to hit the organisations, all events have been “Victorian Premier Dan Andrews believes range and be back doing what I love. And cancelled until further notice, even the it is okay to go bush walking or hiking or I am sure I am not alone in this feeling. Olympic Games. And while I do think this ride your bike, but you can’t go for a walk It’s funny how much you miss something was the best decision regarding the Games with your rifle?” she said. when it is no longer an option of choice. for the health and safety of the partici- pants and everyone else, my heart goes “You can walk your dog but you can’t walk Unlike other activities such as tennis or out to those athletes that may not be able your gun dog with a rifle on your own? football, SSAA members and shooters in to compete due to the 15-month post- You can kayak on your own, but you must general don’t have the freedom to go and ponement. For now, we continue to wait not fish from your kayak? We believe ‘practise’ in the backyard (unless you live and put our sporting aspirations on hold. outdoor enthusiasts are being shafted in on a farm and you have these facilities, in what the Premier believes in his eyes are which I am very envious of you right now). From a business standpoint, my friend ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. and former team-mate Melanie Kirley is So, I can deeply sympathise with the an avid hunter, clay target shooter and “There has never been a better time than shooting community as the weeks and works in her family’s hunting and fishing now for the shooting industry of Australia months pass us by in isolation. Let’s hope business. I was interested in regards to to form one voice that gets us through the easing of restrictions is a success. how COVID-19 has affected her and her tough times like these. Support your local My message to everyone is hang in there, family’s livelihood. gunshop as they need you more than ever be safe. And know that you aren’t alone. and our sport needs you more than ever!” This is what she had to say: “It is a pretty heart-breaking situation to be a gunshop If we then look at this pandemic from ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ owner in the current crisis. We have been a social standpoint, little to no face to through bushfires and drought but it’s fair face interaction with friends and family to say the restriction of trade that COVID- outside from whom we live with has been Letter to the Editor 19 has brought on us is the most difficult extremely difficult for many. It’s amazing trading period we have ever been through. to think how much I took the basic right Hi all, of socialising for granted and how the I was just reading your issue 6 of the AWS “It has been disappointing to be portrayed results of isolation can significantly affect magazine and wanted to write a quick thank in the media the way licensed firearms our overall mental wellbeing. you. As a beginner it’s so informative and I don’t feel overwhelmed with all the info. It makes me excited about shooting again. It’s not often you get to hear appreciation Women’s-only competition (even though there would be MANY who Only female SSAA members feel the same as I), so I thought I would are eligible to enter. One entry WIN a FALCO just voice mine. Thank you! per member. To enter, simply Hunters backpack Hannah write your name, address and membership number on the back Kindly donated by of an envelope and send it to: Ozzi Straight Shooter Hi Hannah, FALCO Hunters backpack, ozzistraightshooter.com Thanks for reading AWS and for your great Australian Women’s Shooter, feedback. The magazine’s aim is to ensure Valued at $295 PO Box 2520, Unley, SA 5061 everyone feels comfortable with shooting, or online at ssaa.org.au/win which for many means sticking to the basics then developing confidence from there. Competition closes June 30, 2020 Gemma AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S SHOOTER 3 Paralympic great first shooter into Sport Hall of Fame Nadia Isa Twelve Paralympic Games and 13 medals “There were only seven of us that were “I was in the Royal Adelaide Hospital across four decades is no mean feat, awarded, and I was the only disabled. visiting a friend, and this man beside the but that is exactly what nine-time gold Again, a great honour, I was thrilled to friend that I was visiting turned to me medallist Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Kosmala did to bits,” she said. and said ‘oh you’re sitting in a wheelchair, earn herself a spot in the South Australian you’ve got big strong arms and shoulders’ Ms Cassidy also acknowledged the Sport Hall of Fame. and I said ‘yes’. He said ‘well, why don’t you achievement of reaching such a high level play wheelchair sport?’ and I said ‘where? The rifle shooter met rigorous criteria of success in a niche sport in Australia. what is it?’ assessed by a selection committee which “I think we have a dominant sport culture included sporting legends like Bruce “So I went out and had a go and it was with the cricket and the footy, netball and McAvaney, Jenny Williams, Pat Mickan terrifying,” she said while laughing. soccer so it’s nice that she represents a and Roger Wills, and was chaired by David sport that probably isn’t as well celebrated. Libby described the experience of arriving Prince OAM. And [it] gives young athletes an idea that at the Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre in “Libby certainly met the criteria to a not everybody likes to play footy, cricket Adelaide’s north to try sport for the first very high standard and was deemed to be and netball,” she said. time as ‘disastrous’. worthy of induction,” said Sport SA CEO, “There were four other guys in wheelchairs Leah Cassidy.