Hawke's Bay clay target shooter James Fulford knows how to score ... with or without a gun in his hands.
Fulford, 17, started an aboriculture course at the Waikato Institute of Technology in Hamilton last month. Hamilton happens to be the venue for next year's world championships.
"Obviously the career was the main priority for moving up here but it's also a perfect opportunity to become familiar with the facilities and surroundings in the build-up to the world championships," Fulford explained.
Fulford finished 15th in the junior section of last year's world championships in Wales and was keen to improve on that finish on home soil. The Karamu High School product is eligible to shoot in the junior ranks for another four years.
If recent performances are an indication Fulford is on target to achieve his goal. At the March 3-8 nationals in Hamilton Fulford won three junior titles and an open title.