SIKESTON MAN AIMS FOR SHOOTING TITLE

SIKESTON -- Shooting is a popular sport in the area and shooting competitions allow people to show off their skills. Sikeston's Woody Sigmin has honed his skill to the point where he competes in national tournaments.

Recently, Sigmin competed at the sixth annual turkey shoot held in Forsyth, Ga. The competition, sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation, is one of the largest clay sporting events in the nation and one of several competitions Sigmin has been a part of in the last two years.

Sigmin began shooting four years ago under the tutelage of John Woolley.

A member of the National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA), Sigmin has been competing for the last two years and usually shoots every weekend whether he is competing or practicing at the Grassy Lakes Lodge and Sporting Clays in Wickliffe, Ky.

"I have probably shot in 20 tournaments this past year," Sigmin said. "They are all over the mid-south, primarily in the tri-state area (Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee). I also shot in the nationals this past September in San Antonio, Texas."

At the nationals, Sigmin finished 16th and at the recent turkey shoot in Georgia he finished in the top third of the shooters.

"These tournaments that I am going to have a lot of professional shooters," Sigmin said. "They bring in the best shooters from all over the country, particularly when you get into the nationals in San Antonio. I am not at the level yet where I want to be. It is going to take a significant amount of additional practice and lessons before I get myself at the level where I can compete with some of these A, AA and Master class shooters."

As Sigmin strives to improve he hopes more people will take notice in the sport.

"It is an excellent sport," Sigmin said. "It is a sport that you don't read a whole lot about, but it is one where the occasional hunter or shooter would like to get involved in. They would find it is a very challenging and addictive sport. It is something that a competitive person can fit right in with. Plus, it really sharpens your skills come hunting season."