Lack of interest

[M14AMU]

Personally I would like to see more matches with reactive targets, at multiple yardages (say 100, 200, 400). Let guys start on the easier stuff and then work their way out, after they experience the satisfaction of getting hits at 100. I think targets that go "clang" and/or fall down, are a good way to capture the interest of newcomers. Instant gratification is a good thing for the Gen Xers (and us old guys too!).

I think more clubs should sponsor something like the Pala Varmint Silhouette match. This is, without question, the most fun I've ever had at a rifle match.

http://www.accurateshooter.com/competition/varmint-silhouette-california-style/

A really good reason why...I enjoy shooting on this target:


ricktarget01 by Sharps45 2 7/8, on Flickr

Using this:


Grptite by Sharps45 2 7/8, on Flickr

 

[BigDMT]

New F-class shooter here. Lack of interest isn't my problem, lack of matches/facilities close to me is.

Same goes for BR clubs with me. Just don't have the time to travel.

 

[PhulesAu]

Living around Houston "Texas that is", it isn't a lack of interest. It's a lack of club. all are Waiting list only now, and there's damn little if any place to build a new range.

 

[M14AMU]

Does not Lake Jackson have a nice range or has that been taken up by subdivision??

 

[KMart]

I think the range you refer to in Lake Jackson is the Greenwood Gun Club. I don't know the status as of now, but there is a website for the club

 

[hockeyref]

If we're talking clubs.... My club owns about 700 acres and is a regulated shooting grounds. we stock about 1500 birds a year and can hunt them 7 days a week Oct 1 - April 1 (except for the PA firearms deer season). Members can also hunt regular seasons on property. We have 2 trap ranges, 1 Skeet range, a tower clays range, an old field archery range inhabited by foam animals, a 500 yard rifle range with pits, a 100 yard range with roof and concrete firing line suitable for BR or small bore, and a pistol range that's under construction but usable. We also have an ~1 acre pond that's stocked with trout.

Waiting list? we've had a near constant 2 year wait since before I joined 20 years ago. You are expected to participate in all fund raisers, put in 20 work hours, and attend 6 of 12 meetings (0r pay for them at $20 each hour, $10 each meeting). Membership is capped at 160 plus life members.... Dues are in the $200\year neighborhood.

So why do I list all of that... Well, that's a whole lot to pay and do just to have access to the ranges all of the time.... We have had a drastic drop in my R&P committee over the years with guys dropping out, or passing... and we have had no luck replacing them. We now have 3 guys (myself and 2 others) that actively run our program. All three of us are up for life status in the next 5 years or so which is a huge reduction in dues and work requirements, but also takes away the active role in committees - as in I could no longer be R&P chair if I opt for life status. So do I pay $200+ a year for the privilege of spending most of my free time working on the ranges and providing other shooters a place for a x-course or mid range match, or do I pay 25% of that and just go shoot when I want to? There is no one waiting int he wings to be groomed as a replacement. I took over the committee 15 years ago and have no problem continuing except for the dues issue once I'm life member eligible. There are another handful of R&P comm members that perform general range maintenance but have no desire or interest in HP competitions. They would just as soon drop the matches and just maintain the ranges for private member use... The club supports our program, but it is reaching a critical mass ..... it is very hard to get anyone recruited because of the wait and the membership requirements. Most say, "well, I just want to shoot. I don't care about all of that other stuff."

So what should we do? Without help our program - which is doing ok averaging ~20 shooters for mid range matches (x-course is a different discussion here) - will likely just STOP in the next 5 years no matter what the interest is. The average shooter that attends our matches (and even those that have run matches at other clubs) have no idea how difficult it is to make sure that they have a place to compete once or twice a month... Not to mention the pain felt by those of us busting our asses to offer the matches and then having to cancel one for lack of attendance.

Sorry for the rant, but this one has been heavy on my mind for a couple years now....

 

[Texas Solo]

I stopped shooting CMP Hi-Pwr when my eyes got too old to see the front post. It just wasn't fun anymore.
Then I moved to Texas after retiring and found someone who shot F Class.."F Class..what's that??"
Within a month I was building a long range bolt gun with a big honking scope. I shoot every monthly match and have just introduced someone else into it who has a similar history of old eyes and quitting CMP.
So for me, it was never a lack of interest, but a lack of ability. Finding F Class got me back into shooting, at 56 years of age.
I'm just blessed that a club/range exists only 35 miles from home.

 

[DennisH]

F Class shooting is growing in our area.

Shortage of supplies has slowed many down.

Dennis

 

[Immike]

I live outside city limits and normally hear gunfire on a regular basis. I mean alot of it! The last couple months I haven't heard anything.

5/23 - I just heard a pistol shot for one clip. Nothing like I will hear on a average weekend. I think they are out of ammo out there.

 

[jhord]

My increased interest in High Power coincided, unfortunately, with the decline of my eyesight. I struggled the first two years, finally I just said the heck with it and started shooting with a scope. Most clubs will allow it, and it has really allowed me to enjoy high power shooting, being able to shoot to my ability to hold, instead of see. There is still a stigma attached to shooting with optics, but I hope that goes away eventually. The CMP really needs to create an optics class at the nationals, scored separately from the iron sight shooters.

 

[1911cwp]

The Palmetto Gun Club in South Carolina just stopped their membership at 600 members. There is now a waiting list. Google the club and see the membership requirements. We have Cowboy, IDPA, ICORE, Steel Challenge, Small Bore, Long Range, ect. Range goes from one foot to over 800 yards. The club offers classes in Concealed Weapons, Rifle, Handgun and reloading. Members family are free. The local police use the range in exchange for patrols of the area. Too good to pass up and I am glad I joined! BTW, a lot of recent members were joining so as state law cannot shut down a range after being in use at five years. Plus, many members report too many idiots at the public ranges endangering others there. Just because you have a gun doesn't mean you know whats going on. We have to change this.