Creating an FT facility and range

[cavedweller]

Opportunity strikes - here in Mobile Alabama, I am surrounded avid hunters and outdoor enthusiasts; yet few, and I do mean few, airgunners reside here. Lots of people may own an airgun but it’s a leftover novelty from their childhood. Most hunters here pay to be members of a hunting camp. The nearest FT location to me is over 2.5 hours and 2 states away. @BC, a very knowledgeable and accomplished FT participant is in the process of creating an FT location just 1 hour away to the East in Pensacola FL. Yea!
Contemplating this Void in the airgun world I realize that my community has an itch that needs scratching and they don’t even know how much they itch.
Question 1 - how much land and type of land does a quality FT club need?
Question 2 - how does one sell the powder burners on the idea of airguns, so they’ll not only participate, but also contribute to its success?
Those who have gone down this path before me, certainly must have lots of lessons learned to share! Ideas?
GO!

 

[wildcj5]

I would start by reaching out to:

AAFTA

American Airgun Field Target Association

www.aafta.org

Not much help in starting a club but since I have been shooting FT we have used a few different venues.

We had a spot at the Prado shooting range in chino hills California. It was built for the 84 Olympics. The range we used I believe was 60 yards. Being a traditional gun range it offered zero in variation for targets. What it did offer was covered shooting area with a concrete slab. It made for a very communal shooting experience. The range even had lockers for us to store our targets. People would wonder over from the firearm ranges to see what we were shooting and why there was no noise.

Second was a private horse and cattle ranch that let us use a section. This was an amazing spot that allowed us to make it our own. We had a shipping container on site we stored all our equipment in. Down side was the only way new shooters discovered us was word of mouth.

We currently shoot at another traditional range. Actually the range we have had longest. We have a section away from the normal ranges that is in a grove of eucalyptus trees. It offers lots of variety in lanes. The down side is there is always range maintenance to keep lanes open. Again being shared with firearms shooters we get people wandering over to see what we are doing.

The ruff part about getting people into it is the price. When we say how much a rifle and scope cost the first words are “I could buy an AR”. But we always mention the ammo cost and then you see the wheels turn in their head.

The other talking point in getting new shooters is how much trigger time they can get with an airgun. Most people can shoot in their yard.

Here is the link to my local club.

California Airgun Shooters Association

Californiaairgunshootersassociation.com. We are a Southern California airgun club offering bi-monthly Field Target matches, as well as other airgun disciplines. Everyone is welcome to join California Airgun Shooters Association!

www.californiaairgunshootersassociation.com

 

[beerthief]

There is a bunch of guys in Ocala Fl that uses a gulf course to set up lanes , yeah a large open grass area but at least a place to shoot .
Maybe to start , set up one or 2 lanes at a PB range , that is what i am trying to arrange right now ,
Every time i go to my range i can hardly shoot from others asking WTH? i am doing . then almost immediately ,"can i try it ?
OH do not use a moderator it will become a legal argument on the spot .

 

[rich177]

Thank you for your post. THE way to grow the sport is to have matches in places that do not now have them. Period.

Question 1-At minimum you can set a match up on an existing firearm range and space shooters at least six feet apart. Some clubs run matches like this and it's okay but not considered ideal. You would want at least 10 lanes but ideal would be to have 15 or so so you can change the course match to match. I prefer a wooded setting but an open field also works (just less exciting). If you can, space the lanes apart maybe 20 feet or so if you have the room. I have set up many courses within maybe 2 acres ( for those interested an acre is 43,560 sq. ft.). Up and down shots are nice if you can fit them in. Remember do not make the course too difficult. You only need a couple of lanes out to 55 yds. and you can have a few under 20 yds. You should have about 30 targets but you can get by with less. Pay attention to your zones of fire too.

Question 2- Boy if I had the answer I would be a superstar. I have gone to gun clubs for open house if they have one and club meetings set up a table with field targets, rifles, pictures literature including catalogs, given presentations and on and on. Unfortunately there is not much, but some crossover from firearms shooters and also 10 meter airgun shooters but we keep trying. You will however find a few that will come out and give it a try. You could also try 4-H clubs and Bot Scouts and gun shows but they are work and take a lot of effort. At our club we get a little less than half of our participation from club members. The rest are travelers, some from up to 4 hours drive away. Again do not make it too difficult.

Be prepared to do a lot of work.

Respectfully submitted,
Rick Bassett

 

[beerthief]

Something i said b4 ............... DO NOT use a moderator at a PB range ! many police and other s there will accuse you of illegal having a silencer . This happened to me and it was not pleasant . I feared a knock on my door for weeks after but never happened .
Lucky that most people do not think of a shrouded barrel or even know that barrel is shrouded so i do not mention it .

OK reading my post this was not as big of a deal that it sounds like but it did happen

 

[cavedweller]

I received input from another forum member suggesting bow and arrow peeps and clubs. Thought it was also a good idea.

 

[Roboslug]

I'm not a FT shooter, but these guys have quite an operation.

Bayou Airgun Club

2021 CAJUN SPRING CLASS REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!! REGISTER HERE

sites.google.com

 

[Mg616]

Tried this ~ 2 years ago at my clays focused club with mixed results. It seemed like a no brainer, I sensed a strong interest from a handful of shooters on the rifle range so I wrote a letter to the board asking for consideration. Gave a presentation to the board that was well received and commitment to move forward...with a committee (who doesn't love to hear that?). Weeks later the club manager resigned and the committee / proposal was lost in the drama. New guy was interested but buried, he just resigned. Will try again someday if the winds change. Hoping the club survives at this point.

My $.02 (and plan for round 2):
- Find a champion on the board (better not to join). Draft a letter to lay out the proposal and get people on the same page. Glad to share mine.
- Try to show them the goods - show & tell at an event. Better to hijack something already on the schedule, hosting your own is a PITA and raises expectation vs. catching somebody's eye at some other function.
- Target the kids - I've always thought this was a great idea, but I'm told this isn't easy. I would consider setting up a side show at hunter safety or other kids outing etc.

Good luck!

 

[TerryE1]

Buy a big PCP air compressor. When the firearms guys find out what the support equipment costs…..

 

[BC]

Opportunity strikes - here in Mobile Alabama, I am surrounded avid hunters and outdoor enthusiasts; yet few, and I do mean few, airgunners reside here. Lots of people may own an airgun but it’s a leftover novelty from their childhood. Most hunters here pay to be members of a hunting camp. The nearest FT location to me is over 2.5 hours and 2 states away. @BC, a very knowledgeable and accomplished FT participant is in the process of creating an FT location just 1 hour away to the East in Pensacola FL. Yea!
Contemplating this Void in the airgun world I realize that my community has an itch that needs scratching and they don’t even know how much they itch.
Question 1 - how much land and type of land does a quality FT club need?
Question 2 - how does one sell the powder burners on the idea of airguns, so they’ll not only participate, but also contribute to its success?
Those who have gone down this path before me, certainly must have lots of lessons learned to share! Ideas?
GO!

Hey Rudy, thanks for mentioning me. After I get back from AAFTA Nationals( Oct 15-17) being held in Puerto Rico this year, at my friend Pedros club in Aguadilla, I will be arranging a trip out to Arizona to pick up all my garage and workshop contents (that include all my FT targets, strings, etc) and another 20 ft Uhaul worth of stuff. I have already spoken to Tom at the Santa Rosa Shooting Facility just down the road about forming a club and shooting at their range, and its a GO. I will be using their old archery area, which is awesome as it has trees for shade and to redirect wind flow, a shaded pavillion area with tables, electricity and bathrooms, and trhe shooting area is big. So i think it will be slow to start but we should pick up some shooters from the area, as well as some of my buddies from BAGA Bayou Air Gun Club in Baton Rouge making the drive to join us once in a while. I will figure out a schedule and do a monthly shoot for sure on a saturday, and maybe 2 shoots a month depending on demand. I will get the word out as it gets close. I still need to notify AAFTA and come up with a club name. Thanks Bill BC