• Please consider adding your "Event" to the Calendar located on our Home page!

central pennsylvania area shoot/meet?? gauging interest

I'm somewhat new to the forum but have been following it frequently. One issue I see with our sport is trying to link up with others to do what we enjoy with others that enjoy it as well. I've recently gained access to a large area of property already suited for shooting sports, (currently running paintball and airsoft matches) and was wondering if there would be any interest in the central pennsylvania and surrounding areas to set up some kind of shooting or get together(s) on a regular schedule to get us that all like doing the same thing together to do it. The is a 4500 psi hpa compressor and fill equipment already on site and operating so it would lend itself to a benchrest set up or field target or long range pretty much any kind of air rifle shooting very easily. Just an idea i'm kicking around because i've been looking for some kind of regular meet like this for some time and haven't had any luck so i'm looking into what it would take to start one or if anyone is interested. Thanks ahead guys/gals let me know what you think!!!
 
I think (and this is just my opinion ) your best chance at getting something started might be with field target. The one and probably biggest draw back is the expense of buying enough targets to get it off the ground. Also depends on how much land you have available, and can you set up a course of fire that will be fun, safe, and interesting. I am in S.E. pa (think Philadelphia area ) we have a good amount of guys that regularly shoot field target. Most of those guys don't mind traveling to shoot field target either. So depending on how far West you are, some may travel to matches in central pa. It's alot of work to get a range set up and going. I have spent the last year getting mine going and maintaining it. I'm not involved in other aspects of airgun shooting ei : NRA silhouette, benchrest, 10 meter etc. to know how much interest that would bring. That's something you would need to research in that area of Pa. One thing to consider is that you've already done the hardest part.....getting the land.

Good luck, hope you can get something started.

Doug B.
 
Some great phot's of this years FT nationals were just posting in this section if your totally new to the concept.

Some closer links for you:

http://aafta.org/html/organization/organization_aafta_clubs_ne.html

Space is the main thing to setting up , CIA airgun club used to have a "bring a target" entry fee , everyone shoots at it and you take it back home. Also nothing wrong with home made targets and there are designs available if your inclined. If a person wanted to be a card carrying points awarding club it takes very llittle other than/place/targets/few $ and a match. Most FT shoots are not "ponits" shoots so ..... always match directors rules too. If you'd like to allow any old kind of side event/shooting just announce it. Silhouette, 100yards, timed tin cans, timed staged red ryder balloon shoots Big-bore. I've seen all the above & more at "FT shoots".

Read through this section of the forum, maybe contact a couple of the folks trying to star new shoots, someone in Indiana comes to mind. And contact some estanblished clubs.

Bets yet, contact your local club person and get to the next match. It WILL be worth your time no matter your interest in airguns.





John
 
There used to be some airgun activity in Harrisburg but no more. Nothing in PA except here near Phila. Delaware County field and Stream match is this sunday and is a good match to check out. We have one more Field Target match this year in Nov. at Falls, north of Phila. Either match would be good to go to and a great learning experience for you. For info on Falls check our website and calendar at FTRPA.org



Rick B.
 
Basically,We have 3 field target ranges between Delaware County Field and Stream and Falls Township. 2 ranges @ DCFS and 1 @ Falls Township. Lot of the local shooters compete at both. DCFS has a Field Target shoot 1st Sunday of every month April through Dec. switching back and forth between the upper (non AAFTA) and lower (AAFTA) courses. Falls township has a Field target shoot every other month April through Nov.(correct me if I'm wrong here Rich) and on the off months they hold NRA silhouette matches (a great way to improve on your off hand shooting).So yes we are fortunate in this area, we have 13 matches between the 2 clubs, and NRA silhouette to boot. The matches are posted here in the field target forum for both clubs under Falls township and Delaware County Field and Stream. In Pa. both clubs are easy to reach by use of the Turnpike or I 95. Shoot listings in the forums have contact info for both clubs. Come join in the fun. Good group of guys.