Shooter Spotlight: Don Norris II

The purpose of the “Shooter Spotlight” is to help shooters get to know their fellow competitors a little bit better. We cover a wide range of shooters from “Marksman to Master.” This is the 25th interview in the series.

Where do you call home?
I live in Glocester, Rhode Island which is in the northwest corner of the state.

How long have you been shooting?
I’ve had a lifelong interest with firearms and shooting. I received my first BB gun when I was seven so that would add up to 42 yrs. of shooting bliss. Presently I compete in three events prone and three position smallbore and highpower rifle Across The Course.  I also shoot bullseye pistol.

How did you get involved in shooting competitively?
I never had the opportunity to shoot competitively as a junior.  I started shooting highpower rifle on a team at the Rhode Island state range at Buck Hill in 1980 and about the same time joined the Smithfield Sportsmans Club smallbore rifle team for indoor 3P. I took a 15 year break from shooting to help my wife raise our two boys and started back up again in 2000.

What is a little known fact about yourself that your fellow competitors might not know?
I was very active with boy scouts as a youth and I earned the rank of Eagle scout when I was 14.

What do you consider your finest shooting achievement?
I would have to say attaining high master classification in highpower rifle. I’ve never had any formal coaching and have been self taught for the most part. I finished 6Th overall in the CMP Springfield rifle match in 2007 at Camp Perry and have had many first and second place finishes in local matches.

What is your favorite pre-match meal?
A bowl of oatmeal and a banana and plenty of water.

What is your favorite post match drink?
A nice cup of hot coffee.

Do you have a favorite shooting range?
My favorite indoor/outdoor range would be the Smithfield Sportsmans Club in Smithfield, RI. I’ve done a lot of practicing there in the 30 years that I’ve been a member. I can’t leave out Camp Perry, the Mecca of the shooting community, as a favorite of mine also.

Do you have any short term and/or long term goals?
My short term goal is to become distinguished in highpower rifle and to attain my master classification in both smallbore and pistol. Long term goal is to work on smallbore distinguished and compete regularly at Camp Perry.

What shooting skill are you currently focusing your energy on?
Presently I’m working on mastering the kneeling position in smallbore followed by working on my long range skills in highpower. Reading conditions can be challenging and costly at times.

Thanks Don for sharing a little bit about yourself with the pronematch.com community!