In the long tradition of chatting with Top Shot contestants post-elimination, Rifleman's Reality Shots caught up with Daryl Parker.

American Rifleman: How would you describe the positive effect that Top Shot has had on the general public's opinion of firearms and the shooting sports?

Daryl Parker: I believe Top Shot has created a groundswell of Americans who are interested in learning about this sport, and motivating them to get out to the range. I’ve heard from numerous sources that ranges are now seeing a significant increase in their weekend traffic.

AR: What were your goals coming into Top Shot? Did you meet them?

DP: Obviously, my goal was to win the title, but barring that, I hoped to make it to the individual portion of the contest. THAT didn’t happen either, but in the end, I am glad that I was a tough competitor, and represented myself well.

AR: Explain, from your point of view, the reason for the red team's domination?

DP: I wouldn’t call it red team’s domination as much as I would say it was blue team’s failure to thrive. We had all the talent we needed, which makes it even worse that we lost some of the challenges we did. That being said, I don’t want to take anything away from the red team—great marksmen.

AR: The show has portrayed Jay as "the novice." Though we all know everyone on the show has the skills to win.  Do you think the competitors underestimated him?

DP: Yes, but I also believe Jay has fostered that perception a little bit, so that other competitors would underestimate him. It has worked, but with a background in elite competition in Olympic archery, skeet, air pistol and air rifle, Jay is anything but a novice.

AR: The military guys in the house have obviously bonded and are in turn rooting for each other to win. Does that mean everyone in the house for the remainder of the show will be looking to oust Jay first?

DP: I don’t necessarily think it will be a group strategy for them, since they are now going to individual competition, but since eliminating Jermaine and now me, he will definitely have a target on his back.

AR: You were confident that you could beat Jay with the .22. What was the major reason he took you down in the final challenge?

DP: There were two reasons: the rounded-profile front-sight on that .22 revolver completely covers the 1.5-inch disk at 25 feet, and I couldn’t tell where my rounds were missing, so it took me way too long to finish the pistol targets, and Jay was changing magazines as I had just put in a full one. If I could have just gotten started with that magazine, I might have been about to finish him off, but as you saw, my magazine was not fully seated and fell out.

AR: What was the most thrilling challenge you took place in?

DP: I would have to say it was the plate challenge, because it was a head-to-head challenge, and speed was a factor. We had a lot of adrenaline pumping that day, and we needed that win. It was the most satisfying challenge, I’ll put it that way.

AR: What did you make of the overall experience of Top Shot?

DP: Overall, it was amazing. I got to know some of the most dynamic, skilled and personable people I’ve ever met, shoot these crazy challenges they came up with, and compete on a national stage. The fans from this show are incredible, and I can’t tell everyone how much I have appreciated all their support and words of encouragement.

AR: What does the future hold for you in shooting?

DP: I am going to be opening a specialty shooting range soon! It will have the standard firearms safety classes, basic and advanced marksmanship, shotgun and rifle (out to 1,000 yards), but the crown jewel will be a one or two day shooting package where the shooters will test their skills against Top Shot-like challenges!  It is going to be a blast!

AR: Who is your pick to win Season 2?

DP: That’s a tough call. The remaining seven shooters are all skilled, but I’m going to have to go with either Brian Zinns or Chris Reed. Those two are now the elder statesmen of the show, and I think in the end, their experience will win out.