PG Rod and Gun club

[Furprick]

I have been a member here for 25yrs, a very active one in the 80's but now I go out and shoot non- competitively. This week -end as well as some inthe pst the range is closed down for a trap shooting event. Why is the entire facilaty closed for one event? The range is designed for several shooting disciplines , each not interfering with the others. ???????????

[pgpapa]

I was Hand Gun director in the eary 80's and all ways wonder why the range was shut down for local events.
We would shut down the range when we did a out of town shoot as we had a lot of campers,kids etc and it was safer that way

I guess I should join again, its been awhile!

Larry

[Furprick]

I can understand the trap range being closed for an event, weather local or regional, as with the small bore sillouette range and so on, to the general membership, but not the whole facilaty, Safety of course is the primary concern at any shooting sports venue. The range as it is today is well designed for several shooting disciplines to be run off at once. I guess i should go to a general meeting and voice my concerns there. Just PMO'ed yesterday as I have this new unfired Sako waiting to show its stuff. Anyway we went down to the old range off the Blackwater RD, and the Sako performed as advertized.

[180grainer]

It's because the place is run by morons.......

[the rifleman]

I just returned from a weekend trap shooting event at the Nanaimo F&G club. Other clubs do this as well when holding a bigger shoot. The Vancouver GC, Pitt meadows GC, Langley GC, PQ GC, Vernon, Kelowna, etc. etc. I don't believe it's because they all have morons running the clubs. They shut everything else down as well, and for good reason's.

Safety is a main concern, as many ranges impede on others. Sporting clays ranges, and skeet ranges are often overlapping. Disturbance that can be caused by other disciplines taking place at the same time. Many trap shooters need full concentration to shoot good scores, and there is often big money involved in the competitions. The sound of a big bore rifle being fired repeatedly, can throw off a shooters concentration.



Space is another consideration. The Nanaimo club, as well as most others, have shooters from all over the province to shoot in these trap competitions. Many bring campers, trailers, motorhomes, tents, etc., and camp right on the clubs grounds. Parking then becomes a problem, as does security. With shotguns often worth thousands of dollars, personal belongings at camp, etc., they don't want a bunch of people, non club members with day passes wandering around the grounds.

Another big reason is because the competition shoot's are often one of the bigger fund raisers for the entire club for the year. Sometimes thousands of dollars. Not only from entrance fees, but from 50/50 draws, and portions of the calcutta event. It's a great chance to introduce many potential members to a club as well, which again helps the club funds. New members can also become good volunteers for work needing done on the grounds, and perhaps eventually become directors,or executives of the club. Almost all clubs need new blood in this area. As many know, a few do a lot of work for the many.

These are just a few reasons why they shut down other activity's at many of the clubs. If a fellow who shows up maybe once a month to target shoot, and happens to come on the rare weekend that a club is hosting an important trap event, I say tough! Come the next weekend, or during a weekday evening.

Many clubs shut down other areas of the club grounds when holding archery events, or rifle/ pistol sporting clays, or skeet competitions. If a fellow who wants to shoot a few rounds of practice trap isn't allowed, I say tough to him too!