A New Course Being Born

[Deleted member 38071]

First let me thank the Board of Governor's at the Mass Rifle Association for being enthusiastic in their support of field target at the club. In October 2021 we (Matt Sawyer and John Eroh) received permission to make unused/undeveloped club property into a field target course.

The area is swampy/lowland transitioning into hardwood forest. It provides opportunities to place targets in shaded holes, across open swamp on posts and mounted in trees. Targets will be on the ground below the shooter, level with the shooter and of course a target or two high enough up a tree to make you think it had visited a dispensary. 

With the help of Leo Gonsales, Matt Sawyer and I have been busy. We cleared the main path and set shooters box/lane locations on that path. Then the hard work of clearing lanes began. It took three days, with three workers to get it done. A day in November, another last month and yesterday to deside target locations for, and clear 15 lanes.

While this is a milestone for a course's development there's much left to do. The targets, from http://www.flop-over.co.uk/ are on the way and will need to be assembled, painted and tested. Mounts, posts and bases on the course need to be placed. Shooter's boxes need defiining. String winders made and filled. There is more to the list but with a few months to go before the course will be opened it's an achievable goal.

Oh, the original course shared with the shotgun field(not shot at the same time) will be receiving a touch up here and there as well. 

Also, there are whispers of a June grand prix being held at MRA so spread the word.

MRA FT

 

[ScottEnglish]

Great project. On a FT course like this, strings will become a problem. Look into the auto reset electronic targets (No Strings Attached) being developed and posted in the FT forum.

 

[Mg616]

Nice work. A lot of clubs have room to add FT and other airgun sports to the menu; it seems like a no brainer but I have learned that it isn't easy. Good luck!

 

[Deleted member 38071]

Great project. On a FT course like this, strings will become a problem. Look into the auto reset electronic targets (No Strings Attached) being developed and posted in the FT forum.

While it's hard to see in the photos I ran string from the painted stakes out too the target locations for each lane. This avoids potential crossing strings. It also expedites clearing the lane given you know exactly where to cut by following the string.

The swampy bits will have pallets for a walkway to targets that have/can/will be surrounded by water depending on time of year. 

 

[Deleted member 38071]

Nice work. A lot of clubs have room to add FT and other airgun sports to the menu; it seems like a no brainer but I have learned that it isn't easy. Good luck!

You're not wrong. I've promoted ft to clubs I'm not a member of and no matter how many .22 rimfire mathes I attended it never gained traction. If it weren't for Matt Sawyer this mey not have happened either.

 

[Uglyjohn]

The elevated platform picture looks like the old NRA trailer/tower used to introduce sporting clays to gun clubs in the early 90’s. This one appears to be in good shape and could provide a nice high to low feature to your course. Good luck with your project! Uj

 

[Deleted member 38071]

The elevated platform picture looks like the old NRA trailer/tower used to introduce sporting clays to gun clubs in the early 90’s. This one appears to be in good shape and could provide a nice high to low feature to your course. Good luck with your project! Uj

 

[Franklink]

Very cool! Looks like a great place for a match. 

What I really love about our summertime matches near Luna, NM and Flagstaff, AZ is that every course (monthly) is different than the last. I'd highly suggest not being married to the idea of static lanes (fixed target placement and lane marker locations). 

 

[DonC]

The property looks good. Best of luck.

How did you decide to choose Flop Over Targets? Shipping from UK had to be considered.

 

[Deleted member 38071]

We chose flopover because of the variety of face plates, quality construction and flawless operation. It's the best option for the dollar when considering what's available. We've been using them at a few different clubs in north east for the last few years without fault. 

Changing the course monthly isn't feasible at this time. Maybe if we attract some retirees that can change. 

 

[BC]

Matt and John, great job on the new course. How much is shipping from the UK when you buy enough targets for a course, say 30 targets so you have spares? If the shipping isnt that bad 17 pounds is a great price for quality targets. BC

 

[chasdicapua]

Good stuff guys. I can't wait to come and shoot the course. 

Like the June Grand Prix idea. Count me in


Chas

 

[Deleted member 38071]

You don't have to wait for June to check out the course Chas. Come freeze your phalanges off with us in the driving snow next Saturday for our Shaken Snow Globe Challenge.

 

[John "spysir" Blount]

Elevated shooting platform is fun.

http://www.desotoairgunners.net/id306.htm

John

 

[Garrettkq]

Developing a new course is a blast. Most shooters won’t understand the challenges. It’s such a privilege to get the use of land near an existing range. At the range in Phoenix, we are lucky enough to shoot among the protected cactus etc, and carving out a course lends it’s unique features that make your course special. With experts such as yourselves developing it, ya know the course will be outstanding!

 

[Deleted member 38071]

Thank you for your vote of confidence Garrett. It certainly is a privilege being given this opportunity to design a corse and implement those ideas without restraint. . I hope to live up to yours and others expectations for this course, and the FT facility as a whole.

 

[Kdog]

Congratulations that's great news...goodluck moving forward building your dream FT course. It's nice to see you have a club that is working with you! Wish I lived closer to check it out. 

 

[Kdog]

..

 

[Deleted member 38071]

You know what's great? The trip from ohio is less than a day. With a gp planned for June there's no reason to miss out.

 

[Kdog]

You know what's great? The trip from ohio is less than a day. With a gp planned for June there's no reason to miss out.

Excepr that I have recently started a new job and only have one weeks vacation which I normally spend with my family..lol. Perhaps in the future I'll be fortunate enough to have more time and really be.able to do what I'd like to do, but for now that day is not here.