Carl Walker earned a 'Distinguished Expert' rating in the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY – The weather was cool and there was a stiff wind blowing from the north. This didn't bother Carl Walker, 13, of Lower Lake as he prepared to complete what few shooters and fewer teens accomplish – the "Distinguished Expert" rating in the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program.

He was concentrating on the steps for the safe, accurate operation of the .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol on the table next to him. He had achieved the "Expert" rating the week prior during the monthly combined 4-H/Konocti Rod and Gun Club Youth Shooting Sports event.

Carl has been active in the shooting sports from a young age and started in Lake County 4-H Shooting Sports at the age of 9. He enjoys muzzle loading rifle shooting the most, closely followed by shotgun.

Carl has a goal. He read last month that in 2007 there was only one youth shooter in the country who achieved Distinguished Expert in rifle, pistol and shotgun in a single year and was the youngest ever, at 15.

The final course of fire included two-handed and right- and left-, one-handed shooting on multiple targets.

When the timer started he concentrated, focused and started squeezing the trigger smoothly and cleanly. The three targets are 25 feet away, wind blowing from the left and the center scoring ring is a 4-inch circle.

He gets 10 seconds for each set of six shots. Two hands, right hand, left hand and his final set is two-handed shooting in order, two shots center target, two shots left then two shots right. When he is done he removes the magazine from the pistol and sets them both on the table, and waits.

When the scoring is complete, he shakes the offered hand, "Congratulations, Distinguished Expert." Carl smiled and said, "Thank you, that's one ... "

Nicole Gentry is 4-H Youth development secretary.

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