Jeff,
I missed your posting thinking it was of a different topic..
I can't help with the local matches, I think you can got to the NRA's web site and look for events.
As far as how many matches in a year? I went well into 2 pages of my silhouette small bore NRA book in both rifles last year. I am lucky, we have a approved match every Wednesday night for 6 months out of the year 30 mins from my house, 2 matches on the 3rd Sunday 30 mins from my house, 2 matches on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays 2.5 hours from my house. I don't think that's average..I may be wrong. The TX guy seem to have alot of resources as well...
As far as traveling goes, you are less than 4 hours from a 2 day "State" match in less than 2 weeks. Jacksonville is having the Florida state match on 4/9 and 4/10. There will be practice and a team match on Friday ((not required) and the (2) 40 shot matches on Saturday and Sunday. No better way then to jump in with both feet. I would also imagine that you would learn more about what types of silhouette shoots there are in Florida in one weekend at that match then you could imagine, not to mention the sport itself. Last year we were treated to Troy's attempt to break the long run in Turkeys and some very intresting shoot-offs!
Feel free to e-mail me or ask any other questions here. Would love to meet you in J-Ville, I'm having to fly to get there. If $ is an issuie you could drive up the morning of the Saturday match, stay one night and then shoot Sunday and then drive home... If I was 4 hours away I would not miss it. Match usually has about 70-90 shooters I understand.
Chicken George