Practice makes perfect.

It’s the motto 11-year-old Sedona resident Cody Kirkham lives by every day when he goes out to the range to shoot a various array of Old West type shooters.

A 12-gauge shotgun, a .22-caliber rifle and two Ruger single six revolvers are just some of the tools Kirkham uses when going to different shooting engagements around the state.

Kirkham began the hobby just seven months ago, and it has become his favorite thing to do.

“I play soccer, basketball and baseball. But this is my favorite. This is what I love,” Kirkham said Wednesday, July 20, as he demonstrated what he does at competitions.

Dressed in a white button-up shirt with a black cowboy hat and holsters on each side, Kirkham certainly fits the part of an Old West gunman out to prove his aim.

Except for the yellow shooting glasses and ear plugs, one couldn’t tell if Kirkham was a 19th century settler coming out west or buddies with Wyatt Earp.

In the last seven months, Kirkham has won a few awards, most notably the Railhead Championships in Williams just a few weeks ago.

The Railhead Championships sported nearly 200 shooters from around the Southwest and Kirkham took first overall in his age group.

Kirkham also took seventh overall in New Mexico at the End of Trail World Championships in June where over 660 shooters from 16 countries were in attendance.

When asked what his favorite part about action shooting was, Kirkham didn’t hesitate to answer.

“I guess it’s because I get to go out and do my best, hit my targets and have fun,” Kirkham said.

Kirkham is a member of the Arizona Yavapai Rangers, which have five world class shooters in their outfit, something Greg Kirkham believes is best for young Cody Kirkham.

“It’s like having Michael Jordan in your backyard. These guys are top shooters and Cody [Kirkham] can learn from them,” Greg Kirkham said.

Cody Kirkham’s coach is Clyde Wasson, or Pecos, as the Kirkhams and the shooting community call him.

When asked how he got involved in the first place, Kirkham explained his family began shooting and it was something he wanted to try and now loves.

“My uncle Tom [Kirkham] and my cousin Matt [Kirkham] started and it looked really fun so I got involved,” Kirkham said.

Kirkham is looking forward to his next competition, the Verde Valley Range Wars, which are scheduled to begin Friday, Sept. 23.

“Every time we practice out here at the range I use a time,r and I do things how I would do them at a competition. I’ve gotten better,” Kirkham said.

While most 11-year-olds are playing tag, video games or another sport, Kirkham spends his time at the range shooting multiple weapons. But that’s just how he likes it.

“Shooting is my favorite,” Kirkham said.