From: Witherstick
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Date: 19-Jun-17 |
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Our family has attended 3d shoots for years. In fact, our children have grown into young adults going to shoots across the country. Our youngest was just a babe when he first attended ATAR before it moved and then ended. We had still enjoy Cloverdale and Compton and had another great visit to them this year.
We have noticed that the crowds are much smaller these days, and there seems to be a much higher percentage of new shooters attending. I suspect many of the regular attendees get a little bored with the same course layouts year after year. It would be great if the hosts could mix a course up from time to time. We skip Compton some years just because it is the same every year.
As for all those new attendees, it is great to see them. However, the mix of less regular attendees and hosts not realizing how many new shooters are on the courses is resulting in some interesting events. For example, we noticed many shooters who were lost on the courses, shooting form wherever, or even walking the courses in the wrong direction.
At Cloverdale, one who;e group decided to shoot at the next target while standing by the target that they had just shot. Also, in the same group, no one knew what to if you strike a backstop and can't remove the arrow until I politely pointed out to them that they could just unscrew the arrow from the point. they honestly thought that they should leave the arrow.
At Compton this past weekend, We saw several people walking randomly throughout the courses in various directions. Admitedly, the stretch of trail shared by the green and red courses is confusing. However, While coming to full draw on the green course from the first elevated platform, I had a guy actually walk right in front of me! I let down and explained to him the error of his ways as well as where the orange course started.
At both, we noticed that range etiquette is not quite what it use to be. Many do not allow others to shoot through and others do not politely ask to do so. Many will walk righ by others in the act of shooting.
Maybe it was just our experience. But, on the other hand, it might be that some of the newer shooters just need clearer examples and direction. hosts might need to be more clear as to range rules as well as their layouts. they might just be taking a little too much for granted not realizing the seemingly higher percentage of new shooters on their courses.
Great to see all the new shooters, but lets make sure that we don't take too much for granted.
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From: Witherstick
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Date: 19-Jun-17 |
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While many lament the end of the lift at ETAR, I should have added that we like the fact that it resulted in some course changes. Looking forward to shooting those again and maybe they will make some changes again in the future.
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From: Jim
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Date: 19-Jun-17 |
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kirk, that is what I have experienced at both of those shoots. I don't even bother to attend Cloverdale anymore and I only go to the Compton shoot to see what the vendors have to offer, not to shoot.
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From: Mpdh
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Date: 19-Jun-17 |
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When entering the Compton shoot you are given a booklet that has all the info and rules. One of the rules is no dogs on the courses. A group of about 6 people walked right by me with a dog running loose.
MP
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From: Doc Pain
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Date: 19-Jun-17 |
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I spent the day on Saturday at Compton and enjoyed myself very much. Although you always see a few violations of the rules and a lack of etiquette by some I try to not let it ruin my day and offer constructive criticism especially when it involves safety. After 4 decades of being involved in many shooting sports and outdoor activities I feel that traditional archery still has the most involvement of whole families enjoying the sport. Nothing makes a kid smile more than breaking a baloon with a well placed arrow.
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From: Witherstick
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Date: 19-Jun-17 |
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Don't get me wrong. I still had a great time and want to welcome any new shooters. I am just concerned that etiquette and rules seem to be slipping. At one target at Compton, I started to shoot when a voice said "hold up." Next, a guy walks out from behind the target without muttering another word. As I began to shoot a 2nd time, another guy walked out! The booklet also requires someone to stay in front of the target while asearching for arrows.
I honestly believe those who have been shooting for a long time need to be politely offering some direction at these events as well as hosts being more diligent with their rule enforcement. The alternative is just asking for something bad to happen.
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From: Gvdocholiday
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Date: 19-Jun-17 |
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The baboon target was good for hidden arrow searchers.
When I ventured the course by myself I shot over the baboons back and had to search.
I found myself with a conundrum....so I decided to leave my bow leaning on the front of the target across the scoring rings. That seemed to work. Found my arrow as well.
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From: George D. Stout
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Date: 19-Jun-17 |
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ETAR has seven courses, and the ones I shot always seemed to be a little different each year, but that could just be me not remembering correctly. Mike and his gang do a great job in my opinion of keeping things safe and in good order. I've only missed a few times since it began in 1989 as a traditional only shoot, and it sure has come a long way. The first shoot had 12 vendors and 200 shooters. Now they have well over 3000 shooters and more vendors than you can count. At any event you will have a few folks that don't read or don't care about the rules, but overall they are a minority. I'm a fan.
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From: mjh
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Date: 20-Jun-17 |
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At the Coon Rapids Shoot the courses are changed every year. First time in 27 years we actually had a member map the courses with a gps then overlay them on a map of the property. A two sided flyer was printed with course maps, guidelines, pointers and such.----While I was not really involved it the running of the shoot this year, it was my impression that the flyers with maps were well received. We had no extras at the end of the shoot I was told. We always get new comers and they need beginner information. If the new comers have a frustrating day how likely are they to come back?
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From: Babysaph
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Date: 20-Jun-17 |
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I have been to ETAR every year. I don't go to shoot. I can shoot here where I live. I can buy what I need on the Internet. I go to be with my NJ buddies. Wouldn't miss it. It's bowstock.
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From: Mule/IN
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Date: 21-Jun-17 |
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Common sense "should" come into play in these situations, but unfortunately it seems that some folks didn't get their fair share. I did not make it to Compton this year, but did attend Cloverdale. Everyone I encountered on the range was polite and well mannered. We let several smaller (or younger and faster) groups shoot around us as were older 3 of our group and the one young guy was wearing a brace due to a knee surgery.
2 friends attended Compton this year and felt the ranges were set up well for the most part and that the flow on the ranges was good. My past experiences there was that the ranges seemed to be over crowded with no flow, but I may have chosen the wrong range to shoot at the wrong time of the day.
In my opinion (which really doesn't matter much in the grand scheme of things), the "flow" at fun shoots where no score is kept, tends to be a little slower. "We're not keeping score so we can shoot from anywhere we want", or "Let's shoot a couple arrows form over here...I wouldn't have taken that shot while hunting!" At a competitive shoot, I still see and hear comments like these, but a lot less frequently.
The above thought are just my opinion. I usually don't turn in a score card anyway, but I do try to adhere to the range rules wherever I am shooting. I enjoy shooting competitive shoots even though there are some shots that I would never take in the field. Challenging shots are what make it a competition. If I don't challenge myself, I won't improve.
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From: Red Beastmaster
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Date: 21-Jun-17 |
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By far, the worst courses I ever saw were at the original GATAR location in Warriors Mark PA. The main course was basically a circle but had numerous Mickey Mouse ears looping off of it. No rhyme or reason to it. You could go in any direction on the mazelike course. Sheer luck that no one got shot.
Those hosting the shoot were clueless and admitted it. Their main interest was sporting clays and bird hunts.
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