I just wanted to give a shout out to Eric, Ryan and many others at Central Ohio Airgunners shooting club near Columbus Ohio. I found them via their FB page then website. Posted a few questions as I was looking at getting into the hobby. Many people were very helpful with their responses. They encouraged me to attend an HFT match that was coming up.
I figured hey why not, its only an hour away. Maybe I'll be able to watch some and get some pointers and narrow down where to start. I arrived shortly after Eric did and introduced myself as he was setting a few things up. He was very welcoming and helpful. He introduced me to others as they arrived. Many took time to answer questions and give advice, even though they were preparing for a match that is part of the Buckeye Field Target Series (a series comprised of shooting at 4 clubs in the state)
Then Ryan S. asked if I had time and if I was going to be staying for the day. I was. He asked if I wanted to participate in the match, and if I did he had a spare setup for me to use. I was hesitant at first because I didn't want to be bothersome. Someone else overheard it and said look hes offering to let you shoot a great rifle and have some fun, take the opportunity. It was sound advice and I was blown away by it being so new. Ryan handed me an S510 with an athlon scope and then sent me his dope sheet for it. He then took the time to teach me about the rifle he loaned me, then HFT. As we got started we were talking and he was helping me alot. After the first 5 stations I was really getting into a rhythm. I ended the match with what I thought was a respectable score of 31/60 and going 2/4 on the kneeling and standing lanes. Ryan ended tied with first with a 55 but sadly lost the shoot off.
Then afterward more were encouraging and welcoming. They gave me great advice. On the drive home I remarked how peaceful it had been with the silence apart from the hits on the targets, how open and welcoming everyone had been. I was totally hooked. I got looking at rifles more. I had dismissed anything in 177. However with how fun HFT was, that became a focus. They had encouraged me to start with a mid range rifle like an Avenge X and put quality glass on it since it could be moved to another rifle down the road. Great sound advice. Ryan even told me to message him with questions. Hes gone above and beyond with the help. He offered to let me use his rifle at the next match so I wouldn't feel rushed. Hes refused offers of money or a 12 pack to make up for it (though I did slip some cash into his guncase)
I did settle on the Daystate Hunstman Revere Safari and tossed in a BRK ghost because I couldn't resist it. I'm waiting on them to arrive now and to get my parallax wheels from scope-werks. I likely wont be ready by the 8th but I will be for any further matches.
This is a perfect example of how new people should be treated. It makes it fun for them and feel welcomed and appreciated. I know sometimes newbie questions can be tiresome, but this is how we grow the sport and clubs. I cant speak about other fields as I've not had the chance to go to others yet, but I hope this is the norm not the exception.
I figured hey why not, its only an hour away. Maybe I'll be able to watch some and get some pointers and narrow down where to start. I arrived shortly after Eric did and introduced myself as he was setting a few things up. He was very welcoming and helpful. He introduced me to others as they arrived. Many took time to answer questions and give advice, even though they were preparing for a match that is part of the Buckeye Field Target Series (a series comprised of shooting at 4 clubs in the state)
Then Ryan S. asked if I had time and if I was going to be staying for the day. I was. He asked if I wanted to participate in the match, and if I did he had a spare setup for me to use. I was hesitant at first because I didn't want to be bothersome. Someone else overheard it and said look hes offering to let you shoot a great rifle and have some fun, take the opportunity. It was sound advice and I was blown away by it being so new. Ryan handed me an S510 with an athlon scope and then sent me his dope sheet for it. He then took the time to teach me about the rifle he loaned me, then HFT. As we got started we were talking and he was helping me alot. After the first 5 stations I was really getting into a rhythm. I ended the match with what I thought was a respectable score of 31/60 and going 2/4 on the kneeling and standing lanes. Ryan ended tied with first with a 55 but sadly lost the shoot off.
Then afterward more were encouraging and welcoming. They gave me great advice. On the drive home I remarked how peaceful it had been with the silence apart from the hits on the targets, how open and welcoming everyone had been. I was totally hooked. I got looking at rifles more. I had dismissed anything in 177. However with how fun HFT was, that became a focus. They had encouraged me to start with a mid range rifle like an Avenge X and put quality glass on it since it could be moved to another rifle down the road. Great sound advice. Ryan even told me to message him with questions. Hes gone above and beyond with the help. He offered to let me use his rifle at the next match so I wouldn't feel rushed. Hes refused offers of money or a 12 pack to make up for it (though I did slip some cash into his guncase)
I did settle on the Daystate Hunstman Revere Safari and tossed in a BRK ghost because I couldn't resist it. I'm waiting on them to arrive now and to get my parallax wheels from scope-werks. I likely wont be ready by the 8th but I will be for any further matches.
This is a perfect example of how new people should be treated. It makes it fun for them and feel welcomed and appreciated. I know sometimes newbie questions can be tiresome, but this is how we grow the sport and clubs. I cant speak about other fields as I've not had the chance to go to others yet, but I hope this is the norm not the exception.
