I couldn’t have been happier when Becky Yackley shared the news that Stag Arms invited her entire family to join its shooting team. I’ve shot with the Yackleys in years past, and I know how hard her husband Mark and their sons — Tim, Sean and Andrew — work as ambassadors of the shooting sports. If you are not familiar with the Yackleys, some of their titles include nine National Bianchi and NRA Action Pistol records, eight-time Bianchi Cup Junior National Championships, three-time Ladies Metallic National Championships, 2018 Ladies Metallic World Champion Title, two-time USMC Launchheimer Trophy Winner and many more. You may have already read the press release we shared from Stag Arms, but I wanted to dig deeper and learn more about this exciting change for the Yackley family. So, I reached out to Becky for some input.
Sponsored by Stag Arms
What is it like to shoot as a family?
Competing as a family is one of the most rewarding and challenging things a person can do. We get to spend a lot of time together, which means much more opportunities to enjoy the people our sons have become. It also means dealing with the struggles in the chaos of five people often working out of a single vehicle on the range and sharing gear. We try not to complain (too much) about each other’s habits or equipment that’s in the way when you might nap in the car on a long drive. If you can truly get along with people you spend 99% of your time with without driving each other nuts, you’ll be able to get along with anyone. It’s a great life lesson!
What is your favorite shooting discipline?
Because we compete in a variety of shooting disciplines, we tend to consider what we are doing at that moment as our favorite. It’s nice to get a break from doing the same thing, so mixing 3-gun, pistol matches and some long-range matches, helps us stay excited about the opportunities we have in the present. There are some features of events that we really do like – physically tough matches, matches that require accuracy, well-run events and opportunities to compete in different terrain and venues.
Why Stag Arms?
There is a saying, “You can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family.” The shooting sports and firearms industry truly is a big family. An opportunity came along to join Team Stag, and we’re embracing this new leg of our family’s adventure with everything we’ve got! It helps that the rifles truly live up to the tasks we’ve put them to! Our first match shooting them had a lot of long-range, and we were getting first-round hits at 500 to 550 yards. Three of us won our divisions, and our youngest, Andrew, had one of his best match placings ever.
Also, Stag rifles are made in America. When we compete in 3-Gun, a high-volume activity, we love that Stag Arms has an accuracy guarantee. So, if you shoot a barrel out, they give you a new one.
What Stag guns will you be using?
We are shooting the Stag 15 3-Gun rifle with a 16″ barrel in Team Stag colors. If you want to see what the team rifles look like, make sure that you watch the video Stag Arms captured at our home.
What are some of your plans for the rest of the year?
We have plans to show off the Team Stag rifles and attack every match like we did the first match of the year for as much domination as possible.
Anything you want to add?
Stag Arms is a brand that has been around for 20 years. We want to use our Stag rifles to show that with a solid-built AR, you can go out there and do big things, just chill and shoot critters or have an excellent set-up for home defense. With the fads and tendencies for the gun world to find the “newest and hottest” thing out there, we want to remind you that the newest and hottest is sometimes right under your nose.
Learn more about Stag Arms here.
Michelle Cerino, aka Princess Gunslinger, first entered the firearms industry in 2011 as co-owner, president and trainer at a national training company. She immediately began competing in both 3-Gun and NRA Action Pistol, becoming a sponsored shooter. Michelle is currently a columnist and Managing Editor of Women’s Outdoor News, as well as owner of Pervenio LLC. She also manages social media for Vera Koo and FASTER Saves Lives. Michelle encourages others to step out of the comforts of home and explore. View all posts by Michelle Cerino
What an awesome family!!!