JW Pulliam

This edition of IL Shooters Profile delivers the details of a shooter everyone should know. JW Pulliam from Galatia IL has been around the sporting clays world for over 22 years and has won an impressive array of awards. JW now almost 80 represents IL on the 2010 All American Team for our Senior Super Veterans. JW a retired High School teacher and Baseball coach must have done something special since a baseball field was named in his honor. I have had the pleasure of shooting with JW at the Gamaliel Cup an he is a very impressive man.

JW was first introduced to shooting with a Red Ryder BB gun at the age of 10 and then plinked with his father using a Winchester bolt action .22. Typically this story goes the other way but this time a son, Alan a 5 time IL State Championship, introduced his father to this sport we all enjoy.  In 1998 JW was asked to come along with his son to try this new thing called sporting clays. In the 22 short years of shooting sporting clays JW has built a long list of impressive shooting achievements.

JW's notable Achievements
To keep things simple these major championships are in the Senior, Veteran and the combinations of these.
1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 IL State Senior Champ
1996 Wild Turkey Veteran National Champion
1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 IL State Veteran Champ
1998 Seminole Cup Veteran Champ
2001 IL State Super Veteran Champ
2007, 2008, 2009 IL State Senior Super Veteran
2009 US Open Senior Super Veteran Champion, Main & Preliminary
Zone Champion in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 & 2007 for his concurrent
In addition to a shooting champion JW was also a State & National delegate for 15 years, in 2003 JW was inducted into the Illinois Sporting Clays Hall of Fame and was on the All American Team in 1993, 1994 & 1996.

JW’s Gear
Shotgun: Beretta 391
Ammo: Winchester AA
Chokes: Wright's & Briley
Glasses: Decot
Hearing Protection: ESP
Gun fitting: JW fitted his gun himself

JW’s Clubs:
Rend Lake & World Shooting Complex

JW’s Other favorite places to compete:
Elk Creek, World Shooting Complex, Northbrook Sportsmen's Club, Rend Lake

JW's Shooting Style
To keep his game strong JW tries to practice once per week and get in a tournament each weekend. His mental approach after each shot is to move onto just the next target and leave the last shot behind him. JW's pre-shot routine is simply the basics of establishing the break point, hold point and running a rehearsal one more time before calling pull.

JW works with his son Alan, Dan Carlise & Ron Schafer to keep his game sharp and learn new things. JW believes that you should shoot the style that is most appropriate for each shot. That includes mostly pull away but also shoots sustained lead when the situation is right.

JW hopes that today we can benefit from his experience when there were few coaches available and you had to do this all on our own. He recommends starting with a good coach, having your gun fitted to you and shoot with a group of people that make you a better a shot. JW says he owes his success to loveing: "The challenge and excitement of putting your skills to the test in a wonderful but difficult sport." JW suggests that we all keep our attitude strong and supportive to keep people joining our great sport.

See you on the course… Dan Grebel
If you know someone else that shooters should know, please see me on the course.

Past Spotlight Articles

Bob Davis
Dr. Ralph Everson
Small Framed Big Shots - Michael Iverson
Lyle R. Shear
David P Lauzen
Upland Hunt Club

Andy Ackmann
Jon Porter
JW Pulliam
Nick Clement

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