Field Target is an arms race.

[Iowa Airgunner]

I think when people first look at field target they get the impression it is expensive. But when you compare a good field target rifle to a kayak or bicycle it’s not that bad. I don’t think most people expect to compete at the top level. They just want to try and see how they do.
Then they get into it and start spending big money. But even then most people never even dream of buying a 2500 dollar scope. Have you priced electric bicycles? Any hobby can be expensive. But top level competition is not a hobby. Spend all the money on coaching guns and practice. Top level performance demands that.

 

[Franklink]

Is there any real evidence that FT is dwindling because it's too expensive?

In the 12 years I've been around it I've never heard of anyone that left because it was too costly.

I would imagine a new budget based division would have the potential to be as popular as the basic break barrel class. Had to practically beg people to shoot that.

Mike

The verb dwindle has a connotation of reduction, or petering out, or declining, at least to me. In that sense I agree that cost isnt a reason FT is dwindling. (On that note, is it dwindling?).

From what I've seen in the local clubs where I attend, aging out is a bigger reason folks quit coming than cost. There's a difference between aging out and stifling growth though.

Pretty sure I said something along these lines already in this discussion.....but one of two things happens with someone interested enough to come check out their first match: either the hook gets set deep and they start throwing money at FT, or we never see them again. I can't help but wonder if the "never see them again" faction simply can't rationalize the cost of a typical rig shot by the highest scoring shooters. And "can't accept it" could be because they've got more common sense than most of us field target nuts, or literally because their financial situation can't support spending at least a couple thousand to get going and be semi-competitive.

 

[HunterWhiteHead]

Frank said:
“Pretty sure I said something along these lines already in this discussion.....but one of two things happens with someone interested enough to come check out their first match: either the hook gets set deep and they start throwing money at FT, or we never see them again. I can't help but wonder if the "never see them again" faction simply can't rationalize the cost of a typical rig shot by the highest scoring shooters. And "can't accept it" could be because they've got more common sense than most of us field target nuts, or literally because their financial situation can't support spending at least a couple thousand to get going and be semi-competitive.”

Hunter said:
I agree, I don’t think that the notion of this sport is cost prohibitive is ever conveyed by a new member.
When I decided to join in the fun I told the match director that I would try to get a rifle that was $300 or so and a scope about the same. Then $700 rifle, $400 scope, every type of pellet available and a case. I already had an air tank. I am pretty sure that I’ve seen some prospective members shy away due to cost concerns.

I know that many people just don’t have a place to practice. I know that the top competitors shoot most days of the week.

The club in Oregon has identified a low cost starter rig. Perhaps this is a good start.

Hunter

 

[Franklink]

Ok, Let's assume that it is an arms race and that is a problem standing in front of expanding the Filed Target Game.

What if there was a new class, (AAFTA approved or not), that was "Free Style" with any air rifle under 20fpe and MSRP of total equipment under $1,000. And to support the vendors and tuners among us, we have two classes, "Out of the Box" no reworking at all except cleaning the barrel, and a class for improvements under $500. This will of course be hard to "Police" and be mostly up to the shooters to "do the right thing". A tuning invoice with the changes might be required. This would encourage the tuners out there to do their best for the fair AND the lowest price possible.... And encourage the manufactures and vendors to offer great "Out of the Box" air rifles and scopes.

What do you think?
Wayne

Wayne, I see this idea being more productive as its own stand -alone match, versus a class/division happening at the same time/match as guys running their número uno rig.

I could also see some use of this concept for a upstart club trying to get some membership built up, like the guy in Iowa that posts about building up a FT club.

 

[Airgunoregon]

Over the years of running a club and GP matches, we have seen a lot of folks that don't come back after they see what it's gonna take to play the game with any chance of even doing OK, let alone getting to the winners circle.

When they understand that it takes at least $1,500 to get set up with all the equipment, and then a whole lot of time finding and learning a steady position, and then a lot of time practicing follow through and wind reading. They just don't come back.

We find it's the retired folks who have that time and dedication... and money to freely spend in their retirement, that stick it out and come back to compete over the long run.

I agree that "stand alone" matches for the low price point equipment would be a great way to get that class going... along with having those classes at the regular matches. I still think there are some folks like Scott Hull who like to whoop the high price rigs with low price point equipment they upgrade. That attitude can be developed in others, I believe.

The Stand Alone, everyone has to shoot equipment in one of the two low price point classes, would encourage purchasing the equipment and trying it out for both newbies and experienced competitors who can afford to, and often just like collecting air guns and making them shoot as good as possible. Especially if the vendors would step up and offer some great prizes for the matches... and I think they would, I know AirGun Oregon would.

What ya say folks, would you try it out if the prizes were there for motivation?

 

[Motorhead]

Over the years of running a club and GP matches, we have seen a lot of folks that don't come back after they see what it's gonna take to play the game with any chance of even doing OK, let alone getting to the winners circle.

When they understand that it takes at least $1,500 to get set up with all the equipment, and then a whole lot of time finding and learning a steady position, and then a lot of time practicing follow through and wind reading. They just don't come back.

We find it's the retired folks who have that time and dedication... and money to freely spend in their retirement, that stick it out and come back to compete over the long run.

I agree that "stand alone" matches for the low price point equipment would be a great way to get that class going... along with having those classes at the regular matches. I still think there are some folks like Scott Hull who like to whoop the high price rigs with low price point equipment they upgrade. That attitude can be developed in others, I believe.

The Stand Alone, everyone has to shoot equipment in one of the two low price point classes, would encourage purchasing the equipment and trying it out for both newbies and experienced competitors who can afford to, and often just like collecting air guns and making them shoot as good as possible. Especially if the vendors would step up and offer some great prizes for the matches... and I think they would, I know AirGun Oregon would.

What ya say folks, would you try it out if the prizes were there for motivation?

Prizes paid for by higher entry fees is .. IMO a bad recipe and not going to get the type of folks your hoping or think it will.
When prize monies or prizes worth going for it get offered, the rule benders & cheaters perk right up having those with no business but stroking there egos to be at the top of a winners podium no matter the lack of ethics they may hide.
Or as we often see, the heavily sponsored shooters who generally don't pay for entries from there own pockets go after the top spots so those who sponsor them get top recognition etc etc ...
You make it a monetary game it absolutely will be an equipment race.

Take any sport or hobby and start making it a rewards for results event .... Many will bow out as the fun, sharing/ help and sportsmanship trends to thin out or disappear.

Just my personal feelings after years of seeing first hand this situation in many of my past sports / hobbies.

 

[thomasair]

Cash prizes are the devil.

 

[HunterWhiteHead]

Mike, it looks like you won 75 bucks there, not earth shaking but back in 2016 you could buy a bunch of pellets to practice for the next round.
Hunter

 

[Motorhead]

With no increase in entry fee ... Absolutely walk it to the line and get-r-done if able.
As to keep all in context and your obvious attempt at a dig ... falls flat
Tho THANK YOU for the $100
Your point Mike is ???

 

[thomasair]

Everybody looks happy and I don't recall any cheaters ruining anything.

 

[thomasair]

Mike, it looks like you won 75 bucks there, not earth shaking but back in 2016 you could buy a bunch of pellets to practice for the next round.
Hunter

That's not me in the middle....that's Chris Merritt.

 

[HunterWhiteHead]

Ah, sorry Mike, So it was Scott that took home the grand prize! I tried to follow the information that I had, unfortunately the link to the match for August 21, 2016 on the AAFTA website had a broken link for that date. It looks like this match was at Morrow Bay / San Louis Obispo. Was that the venue before Sacramento Valley? The signs in the photo must have been for the previous month. It was kind of confusing because that looked like Scott, but the leader board didn’t show that.

I’ve only started researching the field target stuff recently.

I see that you and Scott and a bunch of other members have been shooting this for decades.

Thank you all for hosting and supporting these events for so long.

The local match director is Jeff Cloud (current Chairman and treasurer of AAFTA), great guy. He helped me get started a few years ago.
Thank you Jeff!

I took 3 years off but I have started to practice again, and I have made two meets this year. I’m not very good but I have fun.

I normally wouldn’t get into such a thread with all of you ‘heavy hitters’ but I would like to see the sport grow. I am sure that you see things from the match directors side, I see things from a new shooters side, so I have a different perspective.
If my comments are not helpful just let me know.

So I guess you’re point is that a small cash award is like icing on the cake, but as Scott noted a large cash award is an invitation for malfeasance.

Hunter