redlabeld
Unregistered User
(1/23/03 5:19:11 pm)
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I bring a new shooter
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5 years ago I stepped into a shooters box on a local sporting clays range. Good Lord willing, I will continue to step in that box so long as I can take a breath of air, hold a weapon, see the target and pull the trigger. Many of us (myself included) have no idea what fascinated and compelled us to chase after a approximately 4 inch circle painted orange, traveling at mach 3 in differing directions, but my addiction to this sport isn't something that I can explain in this thread.
At that time, I too questioned how much I was spending on this "hobby" regardless of whether it was a registered shoot or just a warm up at a 5 stand. But after 5 years I have no regrets on the money that I've spent to do what my objectives are. They are (a) Become a better shooter, (b) Share my shortcomings, my strengths, and my weaknesses with fellow shooters, and capitalize on what I learn from others, (c) to acquaint others the sense of fun and competition that this challenging sport brings, and (d) to have fun and enjoy both the challenge and the blessings of fellowship amongst all of you.
I (and this is just me speaking) handle objective (c) with a sense that we as shooters should ALSO give of ourselves to perpetuate this sport. Many of the threads that I have viewed allude to the range reducing its prices, or bonus's and rewards or trophies, or the state shooting organization modifying fees to aid in bringing people to this sport. It is my belief that a person with a desire to compete in a challenge will over come many obstacles if they WANT to overcome the challenges (both economic and personal). I do believe, the real numbers be known, many individuals will not simply follow this sport given costs associated with this sport. HOWEVER, I didn't think that I could afford to peruse this when I first started but I managed to find a way BECAUSE I WANTED IT. I have come to the belief that the old saying "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" is applicable when new people enter this or any other sport.
That being said, I frequently will bring a friend, associate, acquaintance and provide them with their shells or pay their way the first time. Most of these shooters now shoot on an infrequent basis, and some not at all. But just a few got hooked and now enjoy shooting regularly and have joined the NSCA. They, like me saw something that appealed to them, which brought them closer to this sport.
Having previously been self employed, After looking at the overhead, procurement of long and short term investments for real property, material fixtures and equipment, upkeep, manpower and services, insurance, advertising, depreciation, and of course Federal, State, and Local Government encumbrances and taxes, aside from other hidden and intangible costs that some shooters may not see... I do not envy or resent the range owners desire to eek out a living. I can truthfully say that for the most part in this sport I have always gotten a good "product" for what I pay irrespective of the costs. This may not be true of all shooters.
I truly believe that most ranges do the very level best to price tournaments at a rate which will (a) give the shooter the most bang for the buck (b) deliver a product for which they will return, and (c) create a atmosphere to bring that consumer back for repetitive business. For the good of all, the range must justify it's existence to stay in business or it will surely fail sooner or later. That benefits no one. We benefit all by exposing someone whom hasnt had the whereto fore to come shoot. Fellowship in this sport is a huge incentive for a person to belong. But we as shooters need to take the first step and find ways to bring in new competitors. I believe it is similar to church. You can invite and bring them in. We as the lay membership need to encourage and give them reasons to keep coming back. They and they alone
enevitably will either commit to it or walk from it. Our part is to invite, to encourage, to assist and to build relationships with new shooters and provide all the ranges with an asset that only we shooters can put on their shelves. Remember, if you miss...it ain't the gun....it's the shooter.
Best Wishes Mike Green
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Unregistered User
(1/23/03 5:19:11 pm)
--------------------
I bring a new shooter
--------------------
5 years ago I stepped into a shooters box on a local sporting clays range. Good Lord willing, I will continue to step in that box so long as I can take a breath of air, hold a weapon, see the target and pull the trigger. Many of us (myself included) have no idea what fascinated and compelled us to chase after a approximately 4 inch circle painted orange, traveling at mach 3 in differing directions, but my addiction to this sport isn't something that I can explain in this thread.
At that time, I too questioned how much I was spending on this "hobby" regardless of whether it was a registered shoot or just a warm up at a 5 stand. But after 5 years I have no regrets on the money that I've spent to do what my objectives are. They are (a) Become a better shooter, (b) Share my shortcomings, my strengths, and my weaknesses with fellow shooters, and capitalize on what I learn from others, (c) to acquaint others the sense of fun and competition that this challenging sport brings, and (d) to have fun and enjoy both the challenge and the blessings of fellowship amongst all of you.
I (and this is just me speaking) handle objective (c) with a sense that we as shooters should ALSO give of ourselves to perpetuate this sport. Many of the threads that I have viewed allude to the range reducing its prices, or bonus's and rewards or trophies, or the state shooting organization modifying fees to aid in bringing people to this sport. It is my belief that a person with a desire to compete in a challenge will over come many obstacles if they WANT to overcome the challenges (both economic and personal). I do believe, the real numbers be known, many individuals will not simply follow this sport given costs associated with this sport. HOWEVER, I didn't think that I could afford to peruse this when I first started but I managed to find a way BECAUSE I WANTED IT. I have come to the belief that the old saying "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" is applicable when new people enter this or any other sport.
That being said, I frequently will bring a friend, associate, acquaintance and provide them with their shells or pay their way the first time. Most of these shooters now shoot on an infrequent basis, and some not at all. But just a few got hooked and now enjoy shooting regularly and have joined the NSCA. They, like me saw something that appealed to them, which brought them closer to this sport.
Having previously been self employed, After looking at the overhead, procurement of long and short term investments for real property, material fixtures and equipment, upkeep, manpower and services, insurance, advertising, depreciation, and of course Federal, State, and Local Government encumbrances and taxes, aside from other hidden and intangible costs that some shooters may not see... I do not envy or resent the range owners desire to eek out a living. I can truthfully say that for the most part in this sport I have always gotten a good "product" for what I pay irrespective of the costs. This may not be true of all shooters.
I truly believe that most ranges do the very level best to price tournaments at a rate which will (a) give the shooter the most bang for the buck (b) deliver a product for which they will return, and (c) create a atmosphere to bring that consumer back for repetitive business. For the good of all, the range must justify it's existence to stay in business or it will surely fail sooner or later. That benefits no one. We benefit all by exposing someone whom hasnt had the whereto fore to come shoot. Fellowship in this sport is a huge incentive for a person to belong. But we as shooters need to take the first step and find ways to bring in new competitors. I believe it is similar to church. You can invite and bring them in. We as the lay membership need to encourage and give them reasons to keep coming back. They and they alone
enevitably will either commit to it or walk from it. Our part is to invite, to encourage, to assist and to build relationships with new shooters and provide all the ranges with an asset that only we shooters can put on their shelves. Remember, if you miss...it ain't the gun....it's the shooter.
Best Wishes Mike Green
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