Can I Share Something -- Avoiding Crowds at Range

[284winner]

Today will be a beautiful day. 65 degrees, winds 8-10 mph from about the 4-5 o'clock relative to the shooting benches. I get off work at 2 pm. I have some load development work to do. So today would be the perfect day.

Except I don't want to go because I'm sure there will be other people there given the nice weather. I want to start at 50 yards and the 50 range is by far the most used range.

I am really getting to the point that I will modify my plans to avoid being around people. As I get older, this becomes more so. Problem is there's more and more people around here and the area is growing. I mostly like people on a one-on-one basis but crowds, even small ones...people I don't know...different story. It's not fear, it's just some kind of almost subconscious "get out of here."

This weekend I was in Lowe's for some items and I was going to price check some other things while I was there. Of course it was packed. Nice weather and spring on the way. I had a nearly overwhelming feeling of there's too many people in here, I've got to get out. I've got to get away from here.

It was not a panic attack, I don't ever experience that. No physical stress or anxiety at all, just a very pervasive feeling of “this is not good, I want to leave and leave right now.” It was not an unmanageable thing, I could rationally tell myself “doesn't matter, just do what you came for” but it was probably the nearest thing to claustrophobia I have ever experienced.

Ever experience that?

I've never been a crowd guy. Don't like big gatherings. Don't like packed ranges AT ALL. I belong to a 60 person private range. I'd say if those 60, maybe 15 are hard core shooters. Hard core meaning they shoot other than just before hunting season opens. Of that 15, maybe 5 of them are retired which allows them to shoot 7 days a week during early morning hours (which is when I shoot). When I go to my range, I think maybe 2 times I had one other guy shooting at the same time. This is my kind of crowd. If this is a Covid issue, I'm over this Covid thing. I've been hearing too many lies and misinformation about it that I'm living my life as I once and always have. Something has to be printed on my death certificate. I found suddenly I'm sheltering from an invisible enemy that seems to have changed the entire world. I've raced motocross, chased dangerous game animals, lived in Detroit, worked 34+ years in LE and suddenly afraid in an invisible virus that we've similarly had in the flu virus. I wish we all could just let this go, be smart and live free without fear. Unfortunately many won't ever do that. I hope this isn't your fear of crowds but if it is, good luck. It's gonna be a long unhappy future for you. If it's not the case, I feel you in many circumstances. I just do not like big crowds in almost all scenarios.

 

[outasite`08]

I have very little regard for the ‘shooting public’. Terrible manners. Slobs. And in general just posturing idiots.

I also think, and COVID has borne this out, that humanity in general is without any redeeming qualities.
I tend to prefer my own company and I keep my own counsel.

It looks like you have a four legged buddy. That is the best friend a man has and can trust. Mine is laying on my feet right now. Jeff