Gentlemen, I am going to throw in my 2 cents for what it is worth. In the world of silhouette shooting, I am an outsider looking in. I have belonged to various gun clubs, the NRA, the NMLRA for over 40 years and I had never heard of silhouette shooting until two years ago. I have never seen anything in the gun books you buy at the magazine racks nothing in the NRA magazines that come with the NRA subscription nor anything you see on the TV sporting shows about silhouette shooting. The only information I find on the subject of silhouette shooting comes from the internet, mainly this web site. Says a lot for promotion of the sport. But back to the subject. I have seen this same thing happen in Archery. I started out as a beginner in the bottom class and worked my way up to one of the top shooters in the professional ranks. In my youth, I shot many pro tournaments and other money shoots and being sponsored by Archery manufactures, I know what it takes to shoot at the top and what it takes to stay at the top.
In the beginning, the thing that I found that kept mine and others interested in Archery was trophys, medals, ribbons etc. These were given in all classifications. The person starting out (with either expensive or inexpensive equipment) that came in first, second or third in there class was awarded a trophy, medal, ribbon etc. They were congratulated and made to fell as though they had accomplished something special even if it were in the lower classification. Some people, because they did not want to get into the higher classifications where better equipment, stiffer competition and more dedication was required, would simply shoot scores that would keep them at the top of there classification. They got there trophy and was know as the top shooter in XXX classification. They were happy while other shooters moved on in classification.
When the money shoots got started, there was no classification. You brought you equipment and your skill and the top, I forget how many places were paid, took home the money. You shot against the sponsored shooters and the unsponsored shooters, the best. Then, and I dont think you want to go down this path, a Handicap system was instituted because the guy that didnt want to put in the time, money for equipment or dedication wanted to compete for the money. Therefore a person shooting high scores had to give the lower score shooters enough points to make them competitive. It is hard to beat a person who has deliberately held his scores down and now shoots the higher scores plus the handicap he received. You put in hours and hours of practice, saved money for good equipment, he did none of these thing and is proud that he got a higher scored and beat the pro. I have never understood this kind thinking. It is a lot easier to pick up 10 points when you are shooting 12 than it is to pick up 1 point when shooting 37. Fortunately the Handicap system did not last very long and was done away with.
Things to consider:
1. For family attraction, have fun shoots where targets are easy and $150 guns can win a trophy, some will filter out to become top shooters, and you will probably upset the guy who bought his gun at the flea market for $20, and now complains he cant complete with those expensive $150 guns.
2. Try promoting this sport through video tapes, media, magazines etc.
3. The people who shoot the top scores and the people who are trying to move up in classification whether they be racer type or not,. they have put everything into this sport they can. Leave them alone and give them the respect that they deserve. After all, when looking for knowledge, it is the best shooters you seek.
I am sure that you have heard these things before, but I have wanted to say them for many years.
Sorry if I drifted off the subject.
Besides, I am have enough problems trying to squeeze the trigger when the dot is momentarily on the target.
Tedfl
