Some of us have watched her grow up as a shooting competitor in the skeet world. Haley Dunn has been competing for a decade and is on the U.S. Shooting Team. This Iowa native moved to Texas after college in Missouri, and not only competes internationally, but also teaches shooting clinics. We managed to catch her between teaching duties and travel.
Photo courtesy of Beretta
The WON: How long have you been shooting and how did you get started?
Haley Dunn: I have been shooting shotguns since I was 10, when my dad opened Steelclay Shooting Sports in Eddyville, Iowa. I was a trapper and shot after work with the neighbor boys! I started out competing in sporting clays when I was 13, then moved to International Skeet when I was 15 and made the Junior World team. I have been shooting international ever since and started back in sporting clays in 2010.
The WON: Which Beretta gun do you shoot?
Haley Dunn: Beretta DT11 12 ga.
Photo courtesy of USA Shooting
The WON: When you’re not competing, what’s your training schedule like?
Haley Dunn: I try to train 4 days a week at least.
The WON: What do you tell women when they ask you why you shoot when not on duty-related training?
Haley Dunn: I live and eat and breathe it! It is something anyone can do for the rest of his or her life. I enjoy the competition, camaraderie with fellow shooters and the rush of breaking targets!
The WON: What’s the best way for a woman to get into the shooting sports?
Haley Dunn: The best way is to start with someone who knows the sport. Basic fundamentals, gun fit and understanding the game go a long way in making that start comfortable, successful and itching for more. You can find instructors at most local gun clubs.
The WON: Why do you like your Beretta?
Haley Dunn: Durability, dependability and confidence. It is very important that I trust my equipment when competing all over the world.
The WON: What do you like to do when you’re not shooting? Your hobbies, please and a few interests?
Haley Dunn: When I am not shooting, I am coaching shooting. I give private lessons and am the Director of Operations and Master Instructor for Dan Carlisle’s Gold Medal Shooting Academy, handling day-to-day duties and clinics. I am also helping with the start-up activities for the Professional Sporting Clays Association.I will be moving to Houston after the first of the year and teaching/training at Able Ammo and American Shooting Centers. When time allows, I enjoy hunting, fishing golf and family. I also love a good mani-pedi.
Photo courtesy of USA Shooting
The WON: When are your next competitions?
Haley Dunn: I have a couple sporting clays shoots in January and February. In March, I have the Spring Selection Match for International Skeet and April is the first World Cup of the season and the first ever Professional Sporting Clays tour event.
Keep up with Haley on her Facebook Fan Page or at www.shooting4gold.com
Publisher/Editor Barbara Baird is a freelance writer in hunting, shooting and outdoor markets. Her bylines are found at several top hunting and shooting publications. She also is a travel writer, and you can follow her at https://www.ozarkian.com. View all posts by Barbara Baird
