A total Revamp

[willk]

Boy, this place is quiet. Guess it is all my fault. I spend too much time doing other things and not attending to the business at hand.

So, to liven things up a bit, I am proposing a revamp of the way we shoot

Some say IHMSA is too easy

Some say IHMSA is too hard

Few say IHMSA is just right

FEW is the key word here both at the matches and on our forum. (I am just as much at fault as anyone)

So, why not change, make it easier for beginners and tougher for the old hands

First, shoot only three rounds of targets not four. For the old timers, the chickens are a waste of time and ammo (and we all know that ammo and components are a bit scarce in these days and times) For the newbies, 200 meters is a bit hard. SO

For beginners, Pigs at 50, Turkeys at 100 and Rams at 150. A problem with rails. Not really, shoot three targets instead of five. Makes it easier to move up. Also have the beginners shoot first. That way the beginners get the experience of the old hands to advise them and spot for them as they shoot. The old hands will have some time on their hands. And since they are not shooting, they can assist with target setting.

Now for the middle folks, they can shoot the normal targets of pigs at 100, turkeys at 150 and rams at 200. Beginners and top of the line folks can help with target setting (shooting five targets this time)

For the International class folks, they shoot the normal HALF SCALE targets, pigs at 100, turkeys at 150 and rams at 200. Beginners, and the mid range fellows can help set targets (shooting fire targets this time as well)

How do we get folks to help set targets. Make setting targets the part of the entry fee. $3.00 per gun to set targets, $15.00 per gun if you don't set targets.

Matches go faster cause we shoot less targets, and there are less targets to purchase/maintain. Chickens are the most likely to be damaged. Second, the match directors have people available to set targets, and don't have to go to the expense of hiring target setters or build auto resets. Just refer to it as sweat equity in your sport.

Different yes, but as I said at the start, its been awful quiet around here. TOO Quiet.

(yes I said this once before but I am saying it again)

[KickBass]

The sport is fine, it is the organizational structure that needs revamped.

[260 Striker]

Due to the ammo/component shortage why not just shoot normal distances but just one target at each range. Look at all the money we could save!!!! My problem is we cut back to one day matches due to reduced entries and I can't shoot all the guns I want to shoot at each match. Just shooting one target at each distance would let me shoot more guns!!! I hope you all know I am kidding. Shooting steel is just for fun anyway. Getting newbies to show up is a problem, not making things easier for them. Many of our old hands help the new guys, lend guns and ammo and help spot for them too. The actual shooting part of our sport is perfect, it is all the other stuff that goes along with the shooting part that could stand some improvement. I'm hoping 2014 turns out better for IHMSA.

[willk]

Well, I don't think the IHMSA is just fine. IF it was fine or if it was perfect, we would have to make reservations a month in advance to get a spot in the match to shoot and the money would take care of itself. Further, an infusion of money is not going to make more shooters come and participate in our matches. If it would tell how it would. Firing everyone in the main office may save some money in the short term but in the long term, the sport is dying, and the lack of money is just a symptom of its death. Firing the staff to save money is just a short term infusion of cash. As far as volunteers taking it over, just how long is it taking to fill state and regional directors? Think about it.

We need to do something that will make people want to participate. Our son has built an AR Pistol in 300 Blackout. Bugs are still being worked out but appealing to that crowd is a much better answer than just firing staff and hoping a few dollars in the treasury will make things right.

I do agree, we need to get our finances in order, but what we are doing is not working. We have to start thinking outside of the box.

260, you are getting close but with just one shot, having a bad shot will ruin your day. A couple or more would be better, but less than five might be an answer

Think about it men, firing Lorene will not bring people back. She's not the problem. Times have changed and we haven't.

[338whisper2]

I think the sport is perfect the way that it is,I've seen a lot of people taco if you cut down the number of targets it would almost to easy for some folks,the closest range for me is 4½ hours away and we make 3-4 of the shoots, I just wish their was one closer,it's hard to get new people to try the sport when they got to drive that far.

[xp-100]

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. I have talked to I was blue in the face to new shooters, but no such luck. Ranges are too far to travel to. Cutting the staff is not going to solve any problems, in fact, it just might create more problems. Problem lies in not enough ranges that will to participate in our sport, not enough dedicated shooters in our sport also. Ranges are looking at the F class shooters, long range shooters and fast action shooters. These shooters generate more income per shooter than what we are bringing in. Yes, our sport is a hard game, but you have to look at reality also. Some IHMSA ranges are cutting some of the shooting classes, like small bore, field pistol, half scale. Some only offer sm. bore and field pistol and yes air gun. Some don't offer air gun. I think field pistol shot from other shooting positions would help promote that part also, like maybe creed-more of flop positions. Something has to be done, but cutting the staff is not what needs to be done. Involvement is what needs to happen! Enough said from my 2 cents if anyone cares.

[braud357]

I guess that I will give my "2 cents" - we have been discussing this subject for years. I think that our main problem is comprised of many different things. First off, the shooter demographic has totally changed. Most, if not all, of todays shooters are attracted to the scenario-based games. We came from a hunting background, for the most part. These shooters are looking for quantity of rounds expended, with accuracy being just a small part. Those shooters who are looking for a accuracy game are attracted to F-Class rifle. IHMSA has always been, and will always be, a harder-than-normal shooting sport. Couple this with the total lack of ranges to practice at, the distances of travel to matches, and an older shooting base - therein lies the problem ! We have been in steady decline for the past 20 years - and the "end" is getting closer. Is cutting Headquarters staff the answer - nope, too little, too late ! The main money draw has been the Internationals - we cannot continue to operate this match in the "red". Should it be discontinued - I am not sure. A better solution should be to make it more accessable to a wider base of shooters nationwide. I would rather see it held at a different range every year - even if it meant limiting the amount of entries. If range "A" could only handle 400 entries in the week-long match - make that the cut-off. It seems that the same core group of shooters attend the Internationals each year. No offense intended towards them, but many of us cannot afford to attend anymore. I would like to see at least 4 locations that can handle this match. Auto-reset targets would help make this work. Is this feasible - maybe - maybe not ! I do not think that changing our game to try to attract the "others" will do anything for us. We are what we are - plain and simple ! I intend to continue shooting handgun silhouette no matter what, and will do whatever I can to help. But, and I am sorry if this sounds defeatist - we have been on "life - support" for a very long time ! Perhaps it is time to "downsize" !! --- Philip Braud IHMSA #13794 Louisiana State Director

[xp-100]

I think Phillip is on target with most of it. But, I also believe that some of the other comments are also in order. There has to be something done to help salvage our sport. And yes, I will continue to shoot and support IHMSA to what ever or when to ever the end.

[braud357]

I agree Bruce - I wish someone could come up with a viable solution ! But, like you said - "you can lead a horse to water, but ---------"

[Richard Pickering]

Bruce and Phillip, part of the current situation is that there aren't enough ''horses'' to lead. We are specialized. WE aren't the ''Glock Shoot''. The ranges we need are large and need to be sited with a good size safety beyond. Due to that we are many times in rural areas. At Little River GC we seldom get locals to join us. They want to shoot ''at the farm''; If they want to shoot at all outside hunting season. People either have never heard of us or once they see what we do they think they could never be able to be competitive.
We aren't cheap. We could go to using ''Contenders only or Ruger 44 revolvers only''. We could do one category ''freestyle'' and another ''standing''. We could do several things to simplify the game and make it less expensive. Is that what we want ?
Going back to new members-----as Phillip mentioned, their background has changed. They (those who are interested), if they are young---work jobs that don't support extra expenses, or, they are always working. While I was formerly employed I had to work weekends on rotation. Sometimes I could attend a match and still make my shift--sometimes not. Or, I'd have to swap off weekends. I don't know the answer and I don't know if there is one. But, we need the discussion if we are to ever analyze the situation. Richard