STERLING, CO – The Inaugural Prairie Dog Gauntlet, held last weekend at the High Plains Precision Range, delivered brutal 15-20 MPH crosswinds and a density altitude exceeding 12,000 feet, challenging even the most seasoned competitors. However, it was an unforeseen avian intervention on the notorious “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” stage that truly redefined the limits of ballistic probability.
Competitor Jedidiah “Iron Lung” Picket, known for his methodical stage planning and unwavering positional work, faced the stage’s 12-inch plate at 1150 yards. His GA Precision Crusader, running a Zermatt Arms Origin action, Benchmark 26-inch MTU barrel in 6 Dasher pushing 105gr Berger Hybrids at 2920 FPS, was meticulously prepared. Dialing 8.6 MRAD and holding 1.8 MRAD for the swirling 9 o’clock wind, Picket initiated the shot through his Kahles K525i with an SKMR4 reticle.
Initial reports from the spotting scope suggested a clean flight, until approximately 700 yards downrange. A mature mallard drake, previously unnoticed, executed a sudden, unscheduled ascent directly into the 105gr projectile's flight path. Eyewitnesses describe a distinct "thwack" followed by a momentary disruption of the bullet's vapor trail. What would have been a projected 0.3 MRAD miss to the right, attributable to a micro-gust or slight over-hold, was instead corrected with surgical precision. The 6 Dasher round, now presumably carrying a kinetic load of waterfowl, found the absolute center of the 12-inch steel.
Match Director Brantley "Brass Hound" Thompson confirmed the impact, noting, "It was a solid clang. Didn't even realize a duck was involved until the spotters started screaming. Guess the duck's BC was… surprisingly favorable." Picket maintains his wind call was impeccable, attributing the incident to "just another variable in the long-range equation." This improbable deflection secured Picket a clean 10 points on a stage where most shooters struggled for partials, vaulting him into the top three overall standings. The incident has prompted discussions among top shooters regarding the potential for "biological wind flags" and the nuanced ballistic properties of various waterfowl species.
