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After the Worlds' - Back to Hunter and Open Classes???

Well, at almost 75 years old, it was a real challenge to give the worlds' a go. I had started my FT shooting in the 12fpe WFTF class with USFT #44 back in 2008. Over the years it's got very difficult to endure the position challenges for the entire match, but I usually did pretty good for the first half, but cramped up and fell apart in the second half... So, a few years back I went to Hunter.

Randy and I were challenged by LD to get in shape a year ago for a go at the worlds. It's a once in a lifetime chance for someone like me who doesn't like to fly anywhere. And to boot LD said he had a 12fpe USFT he had built, he wanted me to shoot in the worlds and if I could come in the top ten, he would give it to me... so I had to go for it.

Of course my expectations were not real high, but it was good motivation to start eating better, and doing a lot of stretching and walking in the morning with my wife and dogs... all good stuff anyway.

Expectations were about right I only shot in the bottom of the top third of competitors 50 something out of I think about 165 competitors... not great, but I was able to shoot all three days without cramping up and actually did my best, a 37/50 on day three on the Blue course that is on the rocky hill side where pushing my cart up the hills was a real pain.

There is way more competitors Nationally and on the West coast in the Hunter PCP class and WFTF class is pretty sparse out here. So, I'm leaning toward going back to Hunter next year... I'm only getting older:)

How about you?? I know a lot of you folks switched from Open and Hunter to attend the worlds like me.. How many are sticking with it? How many going back??

Wayne
 
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I may not be going to Hunter or Open, but I think that I may be playing with my PCP in WFTF this year a little more to maybe give myself some options and see if I have what it takes to qualify for the PCP team at a future Worlds.

Jessica is planning on shooting next year in Ireland, so it'll be nice to dust off her bum bag and see her chipping paint with us this year.
 
We do miss her as she was a damn good competitor ;)

That's Your Wife & daughter .. a true Twofer :love:

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I may not be going to Hunter or Open, but I think that I may be playing with my PCP in WFTF this year a little more to maybe give myself some options and see if I have what it takes to qualify for the PCP team at a future Worlds.

Jessica is planning on shooting next year in Ireland, so it'll be nice to dust off her bum bag and see her chipping paint with us this year.
It'll be so fun to have Jessica and the whole family on the FT course. Start em' young!!
 
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Open piston maybe...... been sooooo invested in the TX platform the last couple years Ive really had zero thought of shooting anything else

Learned a lot this year, and especially at the Worlds, that I think I can find a few more points with some easy changes, better practice and more practice


Other than my Gen1 Marauder, not sure I have anything that's FT capable......
 
I put a rifle together just to go shoot Worlds. I just wanted the oppertunity to go to something like that. I think I may stick with it. I learned a lot. I will be totally resetting up my scope with a different sidewheel. I also discovered an issue with my rifle right before I headed to the match that I need to fix as it really messed me up. That said I have the rifle, scope, and shooting jacket so might as well sort it all out and continue as I enjoyed it. I always felt WFTF class is the purist form of the sport.
 
I shot in the 2019 WFTF world match and had a good time finishing mid pack in a field of 400+ competitors.

I did some preparation for the 2024 WFTF match. But when a call went out for more course marshals, I figured I’d be better suited for that. I realized that there’s a lot of things that need to be learned to be at the top in WFTF (high power scopes, shooting jackets, butt hooks, risers, etc.).To realize any significant benefit from any of those takes particular skills and a lot of practice with each. And then there’s reading the wind which is even more critical at 12fpe. My plans are to shoot in rifle Hunter Division for all of 2025.
 
After shooting in the Worlds for the first time in Mesa last month and really enjoying competing and meeting shooters from all corners of the globe, I plan to stick with WFTF. Just need to embrace the challenge it presents compared to Hunter and open class. Already making plans to shoot 2025 Worlds in Ireland. 🌈🍀🇨🇮
 
I shot in the 2019 WFTF world match and had a good time finishing mid pack in a field of 400+ competitors.

I did some preparation for the 2024 WFTF match. But when a call went out for more course marshals, I figured I’d be better suited for that. I realized that there’s a lot of things that need to be learned to be at the top in WFTF (high power scopes, shooting jackets, butt hooks, risers, etc.).To realize any significant benefit from any of those takes particular skills and a lot of practice with each. And then there’s reading the wind which is even more critical at 12fpe. My plans are to shoot in rifle Hunter Division for all of 2025.
Thank you Scott for dropping out of the competition to work as a helper and Marshall. The course was set up great and the targets preformed super well. And the Marshals were totally on top of the game and available. Super well run match!
 
I switched from Open to WFTF in 2023, so this was my second year in this class. Went to Phoenix and enjoyed shooting at the worlds. Even if I never shoot in the worlds again (I'm on the fence re: Ireland next year) though, I'm sticking to WFTF. It's just such a great game. Sometimes frustrating, yes, be ultimately really enjoyable for me.
 
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I'm leaning toward going back to Hunter next year... I'm only getting older:)

Wayne
RATS!!!!! Guess you and Randy will be two of the big guns to gun for in Oregon in 2025. You guys switched to WFTF this year giving past runner-ups a chance to win Hunter Class PCP (thank you very much!). Maybe an early trip up to get some more course experience is in order this year, lol.
 
Is the new place to shoot FT gonna be set up next season? It's an even longer drive for me, but I'll probably still go.
Jacob SOFT is planning to set up an AAFTA field target course at the Ashland Gun and Archery club where we host the Extreme Challenge the first weekend of May (May 1st-4th) in 2025. It's very windy there, but very little elevation shots available.... maybe a few downhill if we use the dry creek area 200 yards from the Extreme shooting line. It's only 3 miles from our ranch where we host the Oregon State.

We'll have the "Oregon State AAFTA GP" July 18th, 19th 20th at our ranch where we usually host it. But Jacob will have to use the Gun range for his match, (usually mid September).. since AAFTA no longer allows a course to be use twice in one year by a different Match Director/Club like in years past.