Robin Forsythe has always tried to give it his best shot and it has paid off with a world championship medal.
Forsythe, of Senatobia, made the 2025 United State Helice team and went to Ghedi, Italy to represent the United States in the 35th World Helice Championships.
“I’ve hunted all my life and sort of just picked up Helice,” said Forsythe. “Something clicked and fit and I love it.”
Helice originated in Europe to replace shooting pigeons and has recently caught on in the U.S. It’s similar to trap where a shooter stands at a station and calls for a bird.
And this is where the sport changes. Instead of a clay arching over the field, a spinning, weaving, bladed target rises quickly from one of several spots and flies who knows where.
“They can go any direction and you have to get on the target quick and break it,” said Forsythe. “There are only two or three places in Mississippi to shoot helice; West Point’s Prairie Wildlife and a couple of ranges in Jackon.”
Forsythe qualified for the world championship by being one of the top scorers after shooting seven venues around the country. Three men were chosen for United State Helice Association (USHA).
“Italy is home to a lot of fine shotgun makers and we were up against the best in the world,” said Forsythe. “We came in second and two missed birds were the difference.”
Forsythe shoots a tailored Krieghoff 12-gauge. Shells are limited to one-ounce loads with No. 7 shot.
There were 358 shooters from 12 countries, eight of whom sent national teams, competing in the multi-day events. Forsythe won the seniors division in the President's Cup race and participated in the shoot-off for first place. He ended up fourth overall in the President's cup race.
The United State Helice Association (USHA) senior team was made up of Forsythe, Ken Thompson of Hamilton, Miss., and Mike Sellers of Texas. The team took home the silver medal in the Match of Nations.
Robin is working toward making the team next year when the World Helice Championship will be held in Portugal.
