Thank you for that cavedweller!
How would I suggest we improve and grow FT and its different classes?
As someone who was recently given the oportunity to partake in helping organize an AAFTA-sanctioned GP, I'll take a stab at answering that question for those that care to put up with my poorly crafted ramblings.
Field Target isn't dying and infact I believe it is growing. There are too many talented and dedicated hardcore folks out there for the idea that the sport/activity/hobby will soon be dead. Folks like, Yourself, Garret, JW & Mr Merritt, Leo Gonzalez, Matt Sawyer, Ron Jobbes, Al Padilla, Wayne Burns and the relentless unstoppable force that is Randy, Motorhead, Mr Piercy, to name a few.. and not to mention all the talented shooters that serve to inspire the rest of us that not long ago were contemplating, admiring, but simply watching them... Like the entire USA teams over the years; from Mr. Harold, to Mr. Suave and Mr. Cray to now young Lauren, Cameron, and how about that Mr. Patner and Sir Hughes, huh!!
The main impediment I recognize and have alluded to already is Access. The folks are clearly there now, and there will always be guys waiting in the wings to join as long as access becomes more readily available. Here too, I must commend you, as I know that you've taken it upon yourself to tackle this same issue, based on private conversations we've both had.
Though our country is a vast swath of majestic landscapes, gaining access to even a small parcel of its beauty is seemingly impossible given the high prices, regulations, and growing anti-sentiments that manage to be heard, with the simple strategy of being louder. The vast majority of us (I'll assume, given our shared interest) are quiet professionals working hard to make dreams happen. Time runs along fast and rapidly while the work to gather resources is undertaken, and the opportunities march on becoming more expensive. The antis simply shout, and more often than not, their voices are heard if for no other reason than to promote their silence.
Now, there are still places where FT can grow, due to not being as expensive, densely populated, and where the political climate aligns with not having so much oversight and constant regulation. Our local club was dealt a blow that threatened its existence at the hands of some of the things mentioned. Thankfully, for the old guard, this wasn't their first rodeo, and no amount of meddling deters their resolve... Further evidence that FT is alive and well, the shear will to see it continue is testament once more to that vibrancy.
For folks like me that claim to love FT, there is much to be done to match the level of commitment and achievement the aforementioned have already accomplished in making FT available and appealing this far. What is left to do? what can individuals do? Commitment and Cohesion! Commit the resources to put a rig together, help someone else acquire a rig from the many sitting in our closets that we know we won't ever shoot again, commit to finding a club or a group of folks that share the same passion, commit to showing up, helping out, commit to buying/building the necessary things, commit to putting differences aside for the greater good (as a diagnosed ENTJ personality typle, this is my personal achilles heel), commit to doing it if you actually can...
Despite all the challenges one can encounter, one must find a way to carry on with the activity. We can't call it a discipline if we are not committed to it.
Money is the next impediment to growing FT. An uncomfortable subject for those living in a country where we all see ourselves as self-determined individuals capable of achievement. But the reality of Money is present more than ever. It is no mystery that the country is undergoing some radical challenges regarding all things related to money and the economy. COVID, inflation, and the natural cycles of governance have affected us all. Some, maybe less than others, but the effects have been felt, and the political climate has affected the animus and character of the American people, if not the world.. But hard times make for hard people, and hard people will always work to bring forth good times once more.. I'll bring it up again, now more than ever it is critical to evaluate just how much we are willing to tax our ownselves... The few FT capable guns that often come up, do so at retail or darn closet to retail, yes, even for used guns we are asking over MSRP... old styers going for the price of a brand new one... I try to price my stuff accordingly, and if someone that I know is serious about FT contacts me with true interest, I more often than not try to cut them a deal... recently, a steal of a deal!!!
Also, finding access to places to shoot, either by tapping into folks who own land in suitable places or convincing established places to make room for FT. The motto is, "if you build it, they will come". And came they did! I had the pleasure of shaking many a hand at the Western States GP 2025 and will forever be grateful to those who included me in it, and chipped in to make it happen, even it at times personalities didn't align, FT carried on for one more valuable event.
In my personal life, most of my resources dried out accidentally, and I've taken a major step back from my interests, but my personal resolve isn't to walk away, but to recover and find a way to do things better. Most of you have witnessed and adviced me through my frantic divestment of most of my collection in an effort to continue to beresponsible at the home front where it matters most, while making sure my wares were priced to promote others picking up FT. I've held on to a few rifles and, more importantly, the notion that there is much work to do, on me personally, and in the realm of Field Target....
! I hope the new NV scope works as pkanned for you!
