The same thing occurred the following year in Mexico City when he won the Championship of the Americas only to lose it because of the shell situation.
"I guess I learned my lesson about using their shells in competition," said Freeman. The accomplished marksman pointed out that there are two types of live pigeon shooting. "Columbaires consists of throwing out live pigeons," Pruett said, "while Flyer Shooting consists of pigeons released from boxes electrically operated."
One of Pruett's biggest thrills, however, was the selection to the Tiros Al Pichion Association All-American team. Pruett has belonged to the Association for 10 years.
Pruett's marksmanship is further exemplified by the fact that he shot 25 birds in a row in Monroe, La., while shooting live pigeons and also shot 18 live birds in a row in a special shootoff at Club Campestre at Nuevo Laredo. "I preferred shooting live pigeons," said Pruett, a deeply-tanned 64year-old gentleman whose eyes twinkle everytime he thinks of the competition. "You really get a workout at a shoot. Sometimes you may shoot as many as 150 birds."
Another big thrill was beating cowboy Roy Rogers in a skeet match by two targets.
Pruett, a charter member of the Houston Gun Club and currently a member of TAPA and American Flyers Association, placed in every shoot but one last year. He has been competing in skeet shooting for the past 20 years but only 12 years with live pigeons.
Pruett is not only an accomplished marksman when it comes to skeet and live pigeon shooting. In his den at home are trophies any man would give his trigger finger to own - brown bear, caribou, mountain goat, moose, etc. His 1,100pound brown bear trophy rates as his pride and joy over the years. The big bear was killed in Alaska.
Big game hunter, skeet shooter and live pigeon marksman-supreme all hit home when describing the achievements of Baytown's Freeman Pruett. |
