Get to know Jace a little more
Interview from November 2023:
How did you get started in competitive firearms competitions?I first started out shooting firearm competitions mostly because of archery. At both the indoor and outdoor ranges I practiced at with my bow, they also had firearm ranges that I would go to after or during my archery practices so I didn't burn myself out from shooting my bow too much. Not long later we found out that the indoor range had a precision pistol shooting league starting up, so me and my dad decided to join to have more fun with the pistol shooting. That’s how we found out that I was pretty good, then we started to look for other local firearms matches to attend.
What advice would you give someone who wants to try to get started in competitive firearms competitions?Advice I would give someone who wants to get started in firearm competitions would be don't put too much pressure on yourself. Don't try to shoot too fast or aim too hard because all that will do is make you shoot worse. Take your time and just make good shots, doesn’t matter how fast you shoot if you can’t make the shots count.
What do you see as the main difference between firearms and archery competitions?In archery there were a lot more kids and a lot more classes to shoot in. But with firearms there aren't many kids and there are just a few classes to choose from depending on your gun setup and maybe your gender.
What mistakes did you make as you started shooting competitive firearms competitions?At the beginning I would put too much pressure on myself to shoot better than I could, and was to worried about my times.
How do you train?I train at an actual firearms range whenever I can; practicing on specific things like speed shots or working on distance. But I also use my Laser Ammo Training aids that allows me to train at home. Using Laser Ammo allows me to train at home when I can't make it to the range and another benefit is that it saves on the cost of ammo.
What was your first firearms experience?My earliest experience I remember was when I was 4 or 5 years old my dad took me out on a pheasant hunt him and my brother did, they gave me a BB gun to walk with. My dad said that was the first time I shoot a shotgun too, be shouldered the gun and held me at the same time and let me shoot it. Do you hunt? Yes I pheasant and deer hunt, I've gone turkey and squirrel hunting too.
How did you go from that first firearms experience, to becoming a GSSF Master shooter at the age of 15? In essentially just one year of actually competing?Actually a lot of it carried over from years of competing in archery at the National level. The main thing I focused on was practice; if it was practicing gun control, trigger control, hand placement, drawing from a holster, or even reloading. Practice is what made me better.
What advice would you give to families that want to get their kids into competitive shooting, but like yours the parents don’t participate in the sport and don’t know much about it?Don't go out and buy the most expensive gun you find, but also don't buy the cheapest gun you find. Start with a decent rimfire gun and then let them work their way up slowly upgrading, but not so low they can't compete with what they start with. Make sure they actually like it before spending money.
What are 5 things you always keep in your range back, (aside from the obvious guns, magazines, ammo, eyes & ears)?In my new GPS Tactical Range Backpack I keep a first aid kit, Breakthrough Clean cleaning kit, rain gear, bug spray/sunscreen and snacks & water.
What do you want to accomplish from competing in competitive firearms? I would like to get to the point where shooting competitive firearm matches becomes my job.
After obtaining the classification of GSSF Master Shooter in 2023 at the age of 15, what are your goals in 2024 at the age of 16?My goal for 2024 is to be able to hold my own in the Master class, I don't expect to win but just to be able to place well.
What do you do outside of competing in firearms competitions?I run my own yard service buisness JaceWaltersRakingandMORE.com and I still ride freestyle BMX.
Who is your biggest supporter?My dad because he is who made all of this possible.
Out of all the racing and shooting you've done, what event stands out the most and why?Being able to compete in The Vegas Shoot (archery) at the South Pointe in Las Vegas Nevada. That’s because when I was about 5 my brother Fin raced there in the Arenacross National Amateur Championships and I told my parents that I would bring them back for me but I didn’t say what it would be for.
Why did you want to continue competing in a shooting sport after you had to hang up your bow from your injury you sustained after all those years of competing in archery at such a high level?I wanted to keep competing because it keeps me busy and I am good at it. I also find it fun being able shoot with people who know what they are talking about and want to help you get better allowing you to learn from them.
What advice would you give someone who wants to try to get started in competitive firearms competitions?Advice I would give someone who wants to get started in firearm competitions would be don't put too much pressure on yourself. Don't try to shoot too fast or aim too hard because all that will do is make you shoot worse. Take your time and just make good shots, doesn’t matter how fast you shoot if you can’t make the shots count.
What do you see as the main difference between firearms and archery competitions?In archery there were a lot more kids and a lot more classes to shoot in. But with firearms there aren't many kids and there are just a few classes to choose from depending on your gun setup and maybe your gender.
What mistakes did you make as you started shooting competitive firearms competitions?At the beginning I would put too much pressure on myself to shoot better than I could, and was to worried about my times.
How do you train?I train at an actual firearms range whenever I can; practicing on specific things like speed shots or working on distance. But I also use my Laser Ammo Training aids that allows me to train at home. Using Laser Ammo allows me to train at home when I can't make it to the range and another benefit is that it saves on the cost of ammo.
What was your first firearms experience?My earliest experience I remember was when I was 4 or 5 years old my dad took me out on a pheasant hunt him and my brother did, they gave me a BB gun to walk with. My dad said that was the first time I shoot a shotgun too, be shouldered the gun and held me at the same time and let me shoot it. Do you hunt? Yes I pheasant and deer hunt, I've gone turkey and squirrel hunting too.
How did you go from that first firearms experience, to becoming a GSSF Master shooter at the age of 15? In essentially just one year of actually competing?Actually a lot of it carried over from years of competing in archery at the National level. The main thing I focused on was practice; if it was practicing gun control, trigger control, hand placement, drawing from a holster, or even reloading. Practice is what made me better.
What advice would you give to families that want to get their kids into competitive shooting, but like yours the parents don’t participate in the sport and don’t know much about it?Don't go out and buy the most expensive gun you find, but also don't buy the cheapest gun you find. Start with a decent rimfire gun and then let them work their way up slowly upgrading, but not so low they can't compete with what they start with. Make sure they actually like it before spending money.
What are 5 things you always keep in your range back, (aside from the obvious guns, magazines, ammo, eyes & ears)?In my new GPS Tactical Range Backpack I keep a first aid kit, Breakthrough Clean cleaning kit, rain gear, bug spray/sunscreen and snacks & water.
What do you want to accomplish from competing in competitive firearms? I would like to get to the point where shooting competitive firearm matches becomes my job.
After obtaining the classification of GSSF Master Shooter in 2023 at the age of 15, what are your goals in 2024 at the age of 16?My goal for 2024 is to be able to hold my own in the Master class, I don't expect to win but just to be able to place well.
What do you do outside of competing in firearms competitions?I run my own yard service buisness JaceWaltersRakingandMORE.com and I still ride freestyle BMX.
Who is your biggest supporter?My dad because he is who made all of this possible.
Out of all the racing and shooting you've done, what event stands out the most and why?Being able to compete in The Vegas Shoot (archery) at the South Pointe in Las Vegas Nevada. That’s because when I was about 5 my brother Fin raced there in the Arenacross National Amateur Championships and I told my parents that I would bring them back for me but I didn’t say what it would be for.
Why did you want to continue competing in a shooting sport after you had to hang up your bow from your injury you sustained after all those years of competing in archery at such a high level?I wanted to keep competing because it keeps me busy and I am good at it. I also find it fun being able shoot with people who know what they are talking about and want to help you get better allowing you to learn from them.
Interview from November 2021:
Do you have a nickname in archery?No.
What's your most memorable memory in archery as a competitor?Going to The Vegas Shoot and getting to warm up next to Matt Stutzman.
What's your most memorable memory in archery as a fan / spectator?Watching Matt Stutzman shoot his 3rd Vegas game with his coach down on the floor.
What goal did you have for the 2021 season? Did you accomplish it?Finishing on the podium for the IBO National Shooter of the Year, but did not get it.
Goals for the 2022 season?To finish on the podium for the IBO National Shooter of the Year.
Outside of your parents, who has inspired you the most to continue to reach your archery goals?Matt Stutzman.
What is the most discouraging / annoying thing you've heard others say about your shooting style that you had to ignore?That I lean back too much and I'm going to break my arm.
Do you have tournament superstitions or rituals that you do?No.
All though you are a young archer, you've already experienced a lot. What would your advice be to up and coming youth archers and their parents that you wish you knew?To never give up and put in the work and effort if you really want it.
Other than archery, how do you spend your time?Riding freestyle BMX & scooters and my dirtbike when I can.
What tournament is tops on your list of, I need to win (again) or finish better at and why?Lancaster because it has kicked my butt every year.
Odds are you train / practice almost every day. How does your training for a specific tournament differ from a normal everyday practice?If it is for an outdoor target shoot I will go to the LaGrange Hunting & Fishing Club so I can shoot the farther distance and if it's 3D I will shoot 3D targets and 2D animal targets.
Who was your first archery sponsor / supporter? How did you come about getting a deal with them and do you still have them?Bohning archery and yes I still have them.
How much tuning do you do on your bow and equipment? Who helps you the most on your bow?I do most of the work myself but I can't do in depth tuning or anything with my string yet so PJ Charette helps me with the stuff that I can't do.
Do you have names for any of your gear? And if so what are they?I named my bow Cynthia.
What important lessons have you learned and implemented over the last few years?Making every shot your first.
What made you take archery from a hobby, to a way of life?When I started out it was really fun and it was a sport I could do with my family.
How do you promote the sport of archery?I talk to friends at school about it and actually one of my friends bought a bow to start shooting.
Do you bow hunt?Yes.
What is your favorite discipline of archery, and why?3D because every target is different.
What is your least favorite discipline of archery and why?Indoors because I have a hard time shooting the same target at the same distance for 10 ends.
What helps guide the changes that you make to your equipment?How my bow feels when I'm at full draw and at release.
What is a 'rule', terminology, or something in archery that you don't like?That you can't have head phones in while shooting.