joining ihmsa a mistake?

[SHOOTALL]

It the politics that is the turn off . I shot the NC state match . Won revolver . There was alot of hushed talk the the match director gave the trophy to an in state shooter and told me he would send me a trophy which he did it stated i was out of state winner not over all winner . The other trophy stated the in state winner was over all revolver winner . Guess they will do anything to win .

[S.B.]

It the politics that is the turn off . I shot the NC state match . Won revolver . There was alot of hushed talk the the match director gave the trophy to an in state shooter and told me he would send me a trophy which he did it stated i was out of state winner not over all winner . The other trophy stated the in state winner was over all revolver winner . Guess they will do anything to win .

So, this is what has you upset with the game? What exactly, have you contributed to the game, lately?
Please excuse my forewardness but, do you really think your making this game better by trying to turn others off to it? All this over a difference of opinion between you and a match director?
Again, please excuse me but, get over it, grow up.
Steve

[SHOOTALL]

Steve , i am over it and shot for several years afterward , helped run matches , repaired targets , ran the line , set targets etc. .
What is your problem with full disclosure ? Why can't you allow others to see both sides ? What is it that makes you wish to cover the dark side ?
It can be fun , but new shooters should be aware of all aspects and not be led blind into it by those who insist on everyone wearing rose colored glases !
I ask for no one to excuse me , You sir need to "grow up " and remove your rose glasses !

[S.B.]

I see far too much bickering within the shooting sports today, for it to be a good thing for shooters. Didn't mean to be looking through my rose colored glasses but, would like to see harmony in our games and more work aimed at the antis? "United we stand, divided we fall".
Any set of rules can't possibly satisfy every competitor and only agrivates some opinions.
Steve

[SHOOTALL]

I couldn't agree more about banding togather , but keeping our own house clean won't hurt either !

[19 Turkeys]

Shootall,

The problem is that you are carping about an event that happened over 10 years ago by your own admission.  Whatever "dark side" events that happened then has no relevance today (other than your comment about repeating history if you don't understand it).

Back then, state and regional championships could only be awarded to in members that were residents of the state or region for 6 months proceeding the match.  What you probably do not know is that the rule was changed a few years ago (around 2003 I believe) to allow match directors to hold open championships where non-residents can compete for state and region titles.  This is now a local club decision.  The match director at the match you attended was simply following the rule that was in place back "in the day".

If you have a comment about a CURRENT "dark side" event that you believe needs discussed by all means bring it up.  But I do not see the benefit of a non IHMSA member knocking the sport he/she has not participated in for over 10 years by bringing up a very old rule that was followed but which you did not agree with at the time.

The Josephine County Sportsman Association has hosted the West Coast Championship for 9 years.  It is usually the second largest match in the US.  We are proud of the fun atmosphere at this event and work diligently to promote and grow the sport.  Feel free to rejoin IHMSA & come shoot with us here in Oregon.  You'll not find politics at Oregon matches.  In fact, I have found it rare indeed in the past 25 years to find any politics at matches other than the Internationals.

Steve W.

[SHOOTALL]

Excuse me 19 turkeys , the regional director said they were playing games at the time . And yes i have hid nothing . Be bliss if you wish !

[19 Turkeys]

Excuse me 19 turkeys , the regional director said they were playing games at the time . And yes i have hid nothing . Be bliss if you wish !

Point 1: You are assuming the RD knew the rules.  If you were a non-resident you could not win the state title.  Simply stated, that was the rule back then.

Point 2: It was over ten years ago.  IHMSA is simply a game.  You have carried a grudge for this many years over a game? & now you try to influence someone that may be interested in giving IHMSA a try.  Forget it.

Point 3: I'll not be responding to any additional posts you make.

Point 4: My invitation is still open to visit our range & see what is happening in IHMSA today.

Steve W.

[SHOOTALL]

 Sorry but i hold no grudge as you say .
I'm glad you shoot in a perfect world .

[Ladobe]

...
The real key to IHMSA's continued success is that each of us needs to be involved in recruiting new members and helping the match director run the show.  I have seen way too many clubs fold because the match director moves or is burned out, and no one is willing to pick up the torch.
...
Steve W.

That thought sure is right on Steve.   IHMSA was a pretty big deal at our largest gun club, with lots of members who wouldn't think of missing either BB or SB match weekends each month.   And many of them could often be found at the range practicing week nights or on off weekends.    There was pretty good support too, but naturally it was always the same folks who showed up for work parties or to lended a hand however needed.    Lots of recruitment going on too which kept the membership at least level if not growing.   Then our match director and his wife got burned out and decided to step down to rifle silhouette only.   The gent that stepped up had been a member who shot in almost all classes of both BB and SB, so always shot several matches each day and known by almost everybody.   An OK guy, but not outgoing and he mistakenly gives the first impression of always having a chip on his shoulder.   People started falling away, a few moved, and within a couple of years the IHMSA range went from matches taking several hours to run everybody through on most match days to a mostly unihabited waste land in comparison.   Those few who always stepped up and a few newbies now and then is about all that's left.

[19 Turkeys]

We finished up the ninth annual West Coast Championship here in Grants Pass, OR today.  It was a 5 day 60 round match.  48 shooters from WA, CA, OR, CO, IN & British Columbia fired 318 entries in BB, SB, FP, HS, FS & AIR.  Everyone has committed to return next year for the 10th anniversary match.  We had several new shooters again, and that is always a treat.  We will be having a special commemorative pin made for the event, and each entrant will receive one.

So, IHMSA is not dead and joining is not a mistake.  The big mistake will be not attending the 10th anniversary West Coast Championship match.  Match dates are June 15-19, 2010.

Steve W.

[Richard P]

    I havent read all three pages of posts.  I can tell you my point.  When I discovered IHMSA I thought it was fantastic.  I had poor equipment and no spotting help.  Eventually I bought better equipment and had help in spotting. I joined in March 1979, 05905-L.  I have seen and been part of the ups and downs.  I have won some and not won a lot. 
    For a person who is interested in gaining the experience of long handgun range accuracy I think IHMSA offers the best chance to learn.  There are challenges for anyone who wants to come out and shoot.  You dont have to shoot everything.  The rimfire game is one in which the field is leveled for most people.  You can shoot a lot without reloading. The marksmanship test is there and it is a lot quieter on the line. 
   No shooting sport is inexpensive but a T/C 10'' match barrel that can serve iron sighted or scoped can cerry you a long way.  You shoot against yourself and the targets anyway.  Richard