Ideas to Increase Participation

[ELR LVR]

That’s the last thing we need is cash payouts even though with shotmarkers that would eliminate cheating. But there would always be someone trying to cheat for $50 bucks. When I shot 3d archery tournaments I saw guys trying to cheat all to get a 50 cent medal.

I see, I dont know how one can cheat when or if we shoot for score
The hit is evident, physically marked by a spotter and last shot covered up,
or logged on shot marker
--
if the prize was in the thousands then I could see people getting rather creative
but for even say $500, I dont see people getting pissy or whining or complaining if they simply didn't measure up
---
and for anything under a $500 prize,
theres people GIVING stuff away worth more than $100 just for free to others
I dont see anyone at the club I shoot at cheating over $100-$200

 

[323]

I see, I dont know how one can cheat when or if we shoot for score
The hit is evident, physically marked by a spotter and last shot covered up,
or logged on shot marker
--
if the prize was in the thoudands then I could see people getting rather creative
but for even say $500, I dont see people getting pissy or whining or complaining if they simply didn't measure up
---
and for $100 prize, theres people GIVING stuff away worth more than that just for free to others

Oh you be surprised… you have folks that don’t even realize when a new shot registers. At one match a guy was crossfiring but his scorer was yelling 10 because the last shot was a 10. Finally someone from another firing point said I got a cross fire. Or they have a missed shot the scorer takes it upon himself to give a provisional shot etc. I seen a lot with electronics..

 

[jghoghunter]

Oh you be surprised…

I've seen people cheat in the factory class for a $30 1st place prize and a agg. at the end of the year.

 

[ELR LVR]

I've seen people cheat in the factory glass for a $30 1st place prize and a agg. at the end of the year.

Dang , Ok Roger that
no big deal, it would make it more interesting sometimes is all
Not suggesting every SINGLE match should be for a cash prize

but I mean, we have poker games for real money

Nascar wins money, they even try to cheat or get creative

yet they still carry on
---
Maybe $50 is a good number to start off with, to let the cheaters expose themselves and get 'em out before allowing it to be more
If someone cheats kick em out, let there be repercussions for the act
Sometimes, I feel that
it'd be nice to have more of a reason to spend $6K and up for a rifle,
other than for how cool it looks
---
Similar to how, not many would spend $100,000 on a fast engine just for how cool it looks in their Camaro
But for Top Fuel Drag Racing, then there is a reason
---
It would be intereesting to see how much more inspired and innovative the Manufacturers would become with new components, barrels etc if there were high stakes involved.
Exotic barrel materials
ceramic lingings, internal barrel water cooling, magnetic resonance dampening etc etc
--- if there is no return on investment, nobody is going to invest in advancing quickly just so they can ensure a win.
Sorry if I relate this to car racing, it just seems like the best parallel to compare to when it comes to innovative advancements to win a race, and I guess that's more what I'd like to see, inspiration for accelerated advancements in the equipment, like how Ford Motor Co. invested so much in the development of the GT40.
Maybe I'm dreaming here but, look how freaking long it took just for Sierra to come out with 6mm bullets approaching .600 BC lol, we should have had that 20 yrs ago.
It's as though we're still in baby land when it comes to advanced engineering in the gun & scope Dept
---
IE: Competition inspired the Mfgr's and Engineers , right?

 

[323]

Dang , Ok Roger that
no big deal, it would make it more interesting sometimes is all
Not suggesting every SINGLE match should be for a cash prize

but I mean, we have poker games for real money

Nascar wins money, they even try to cheat or get creative

yet they still carry on
---
Maybe $50 is a good number to start off with, to let the cheaters expose themselves and get 'em out before allowing it to be more
If someone cheats kick em out, let there be repercussions for the act
Sometimes, I feel that
it'd be nice to have more of a reason to spend $6K and up for a rifle,
other than for how cool it looks
---
Similar to how, not many would spend $100,000 on a fast engine just for how cool it looks in their Camaro
But for Top Fuel Drag Racing, then there is a reason
---
It would be intereesting to see how much more inspired and innovative the Manufacturers would become with new components, barrels etc if there were high stakes involved.
Exotic barrel materials
ceramic lingings, internal barrel water cooling, magnetic resonance dampening etc etc
--- if there is no return on investment, nobody is going to invest in advancing quickly just so they can ensure a win.
Sorry if I relate this to car racing, it just seems like the best parallel to compare to when it comes to innovative advancements to win a race, and I guess that's more what I'd like to see, inspiration for accelerated advancements in the equipment, like how Ford Motor Co. invested so much in the development of the GT40.
Maybe I'm dreaming here but, look how freaking long it took just for Sierra to come out with 6mm bullets approaching .600 BC lol, we should have had that 20 yrs ago.
It's as though we're still in baby land when it comes to advanced engineering in the gun & scope Dept
---
IE: Competition inspired the Mfgr's and Engineers , right?

If you had big payouts go to the 2026 swn results for FO look at the top 15 that’s who would always be in the top 15. At the matches with big payouts, I know I would probably stop shooting f class if it went to cash pay outs. Sure a new up and comer would crawl there way to the top. But most would just give up/quit. You need to look into f class point series. Thst pays out cash the top 32 shooters from each class are invited. Far as nascar reference not very many one car teams are competitive.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I am the NBRSA Registered Match Director for our two Registered VFS Matches at The Tomball Gun Club.
We also have 5 Club Matches that shoot the same Format as the Registered Matches but with VERY relaxed rules in the top class, which we simply call The Benchrest Class. It is open to any legal firearm as long as it is not return to battery, (Rail Gun). Richard and Dwayne Pullum run the Club Matches.

The Club Matches also offer a Modified and Factory Class. Simply put, of you have a firearm, you can shoot.

There are 1s, 2d and 3d place medals for each class.

We also have a “money shot”, where each competitor can choose to put up $5. The best score in the 5Th match on the #1 bull gets the cash.

For the Registered Matches we have awards for the first three places at each yardage, five places for the Grand Agg, plus high X count at both yardages and the Grand Agg. The cost for the trophy’s for the two Registered Match’s as $850 total.

We have a local Bar B Q place carer in food. The shooters fill out their menus when they register, we have a runner take them to the restaurant, they show up around noon with everybodies order. The competitor pays then.

The main thing we offer is good competition. We strive to run the Matches with fairness and efficiency.

I give a safety meeting before each Match. One thing I do stress is being respectful to the Facility, not only in tidying up your trash but in your overall conduct.

 

[Mfitz717]

I would honestly say advertise matches (other than here if possible). I wanted to get into short range br, ended up going to a couple groundhog shoots and now I’m gonna try 600 freedom. I found there’s a UBR match held down in WV.
I cannot say enough good things about the experience I’ve had starting out, people were more than helpful. Someone lent me a gun and rest last summer at a 600 freedom match.
I think people get this idea they’ll be looked down on trying it and it’s the exact opposite.

 

[Kiwishooter]

I've seen people cheat in the factory class for a $30 1st place prize and a agg. at the end of the year.

Last match I was at the match director introduced a new rule after the start of the competition, then used that rule to disqualify 2 people, and the 2 people wouldn't have won anyway
Everyone else was OK with it because it didn't affect them!!

 

[Krogen]

I am trying something new with the goal of capturing new shooters. Only time will tell if it works. Once a year, we induct new members. Each year, we lose 5% to 10% of the membership through attrition. We replenish the club roster from the waiting list. Typically, these new members are keen to use the facilities. They've been sitting on the waiting list for a year or two with some pent up interest. Sure, out matches are open to the public, but I've only seen a few waiting list people participate in open matches. Go figure. . . .

Looking to entice them, I sent an email to the newbies offering free entry to 5 different matches in 2026. I waived most rules save for some with no wiggle room. I offered up any help and advice they wanted to get started.

The email went out last Friday. The next day, a couple of the newbies showed up at a match to "check things out." Short notice for sure, but they showed up. Neither one shot, but they hung around, talked with the guys and got a feel for the event. They also got a sales pitch from me and many of the shooters. I think, OK >hope< this showed them we're a friendly bunch, there's nothing intimidating and we have a lot of fun.

It will be interesting to see if this works. I think the idea of hooking newbies when they're fresh and enthusiastic could be effective. If so, maybe they'll tell their friends and get them into the game too.

 

[John Merc]

We offer cash prizes every match and a BBQ lunch lunch.. the one thing that brought more shooters was using E targets and shooting more 3x600’s that attracts not only F class and Palma shooters but also the Service rifle crowd..

 

[swd]

We offer cash prizes every match and a BBQ lunch lunch.. the one thing that brought more shooters was using E targets and shooting more 3x600’s that attracts not only F class and Palma shooters but also the Service rifle crowd..

I will second this! Sacramento is a great great bunch of guys and fun place to shoot. We try to welcome all new shooters. And Don does a great burger!

 

[F Class John]

As a mid-range match director at a club of 6,000 members I've had to adapt over the years for sure. I run two leagues, one winter (jan-mar) and summer (apr-jul). The rest of year is just shooting for fun. We shoot every Tuesday and every third Saturday of the month so that's roughly 63 times a year at 600yds. When I first took over we had fewer divisions but I've worked to make sure the PRS shooters felt welcomed so we added a division for them and it's grown the group. As a group I have over 400 people on the email list with about 75 being regulars in some way.

To be fair, I don't care what someone wants to shoot when they show up. They don't have to shoot for score, they can test a hunting rifle if the want or just blow off rounds for fun. What they do with their time is up to them.

I charge $100 for the whole year for club members or $120 for non-members. $5 or $10 respectively if someone just wants to shoot per night. We average 30+ people per night/day for winter league, 40+ for summer league and then from August to December it drops to about 20.

Here's the guidelines I give the group for divisions

• F-Open
  • Any caliber
  • Any front rest
  • No brakes or suppressors
  • Stocks foreend width must be 3”
  • While we don’t weigh guns, we expect they at least appear to fall within the 22lb limit
• F-T/R
  • .223 and .308 only
  • Any kind of bipod only (no front rests)
  • No brakes or suppressors
  • While we don’t weigh guns, we expect they at least appear to fall within the 18.2lb limit
• Sling
  • Shoot off a sling only (bench or prone)
  • Any caliber
  • I group all sling shooters into one category so any rifle and optic is allowed
• Field Precision Rifle
  • Any caliber
  • Suppressors and brakes allowed
  • Folding bipods only
• Recreational
  • This is largely for new shooters or those just here to have some fun and don’t regularly shoot scores above 196 in any category
  • Any gun
  • Any caliber
  • Any rest
  • Anything else

For the leagues we do best 6 targets and for summer it's best 10 targets. Top three in each division get custom awards (tumblers, plaques, coaters, etc) and then at the end of summer we do a party where I give away close to $5,000 in prizes.

Hope any of this helps in your quest for more attendance.

 

[Albany Mountain]

Charge an extra 5 bucks and have a pizza party at the end. Or at the beginning.

 

[Bennybooboo]

I charge $100 for the whole year for club members or $120 for non-members. $5 or $10 respectively if someone just wants to shoot per night. We average 30+ people per night/day for winter league, 40+ for summer league and then from August to December it drops to about 20.

Oh that's good! Similar to a pre-paid punch card. I can see where this would yield more income for prizes throughout the year, and competitors are invested=>more likely to return.

 

[danny]

The younger crowd likes ACTION. While they think BR rifles are cool they probably don't have the time or $$ to acquire one. You might gain a few shooters by opening up a tacticool class so they can shoot their super cool black guns without competing against dedicated BR rifles. Heck, have a pistol class if there are any in your area. The main point is to entice new shooters to the game. Many of the suggestions above also, such as recognition and lunch goes a long way. And HELP them and don't treat them like a red headed step child.

Are we going to give them some doors that they can kick down, and have targets placed inside of a sectioned off "room" that they can unleash a hellfire upon, maybe even screaming "get the bitch"?

Danny

 

[Big_Daddy]

For the leagues we do best 6 targets and for summer it's best 10 targets. Top three in each division get custom awards (tumblers, plaques, coaters, etc) and then at the end of summer we do a party where I give away close to $5,000 in prizes.

With a prize payout of $5,000, what are your cumulative match fees?
IE..... is this a net plus or minus for the Club regarding cash flow?

Just curious.

 

[F Class John]

With a prize payout of $5,000, what are your cumulative match fees?
IE..... is this a net plus or minus for the Club regarding cash flow?

Just curious.

Funds in from the members who participate fund everything 100% (plus of course I reach out to vendors for help like many other MDs.)

 

[Big_Daddy]

Funds in from the members who participate fund everything 100% (plus of course I reach out to vendors for help like many other MDs.)

Well done....
Thank you for the response.

 

[Rick300]

Are we going to give them some doors that they can kick down, and have targets placed inside of a sectioned off "room" that they can unleash a hellfire upon, maybe even screaming "get the bitch"?

Danny

If that's what you want to do then go for it. Can I come watch?

 

[danny]

If that's what you want to do then go for it. Can I come watch?

You can't, because I won't be doing it.

Danny