Practical Hunter

[19 Turkeys]

I don't think a financial report tells the whole story.

The financial report is the whole story. We had over $104,000 cash on hand on 12-31-2008. As of 12-31-2011 we were down to just over $34,000. I do believe it tells the whole story. Look at the March paper to see how much cash we have on hand.

Steve W.

[encore22]

You must have access to a report that hasn't been published yet. I did not get my Jan/Feb issuse of the IHMSA news yet and I get it first class mail.
If in fact we lost all that income, starting Air didn't make too much difference in the financials, but I'm sure it made a lot of members happy to shoot another discipline. Make more shooters happy by letting us shoot the PH category.

[19 Turkeys]

Craig,

I accidentally typed 12-31-2012 and it should have been 12-31-2011. I corrected the post. Sorry about the error. The 2012 report should be in the March issue. I will be interested to see how 2012 ended up.

Steve W.

[encore22]

First off, your initial post should have read 12/31/2012, because that years report will be in the March 2013 IHMSA news.
If the numbers you refer to are listed as Total Checking/Savings here is what I found. I do not make any attempt to consider myself a financial expert, but our Sec/ Treas puts out a balance sheet that you can find what your looking for.
Total Checking/Savings for 2008, $104,134
Total Checking/Savings for 2011, $38,641
Difference of -$65,493 for the three year period.
Looking a few lines up the page it lists
Solomon, Smith, Barney MFA $94,251 for 2008 and $31,688 for 2011. Difference of -$62,563
The two differences are pretty close. My opinion that money was used to cover expenses for operating IHMSA that would be found in the complete report.
In the six month report for 2012 it shows:
Total checking/Savings $47,071 which is an increas of$ 8430. We must be doing something right to increase our Cash On Hand.
In 2008 AP sanction fees brought in $1222. Three tears later the sanction fees were $693. The first six months of 2012 the fees were $382.
In a proposed year, 2011,PH fees were $52 and for six months or 2012 $21. Not a lot but some is better than nothing.
Unless you know different it should be a plus report from 2011.
Another point in sticking with the thread, when Air came to be, the soft ware had no difficuly in being upgraded. Now a few years and eons of better technology it can't be upgraded for PH. Sounds like a bit of scare tactic to me.
A note to any Air shooters that read my comments. You guys/gals are the premier shooters in IHMSA in my opinion. I had a chance to watch the matches for an extended time at the 2012 Internationals in OKC. I even got a chance to spot for a friend shooter. I was amazed at the accuracy displayed by all shooters. I think there is room for all of us to shoot whatever discipline we like.

[19 Turkeys]

The reason the software cannot be updated is that the volunteer who created it had a crash and the code was lost as I understand it.

I have moved into a new house and my records are still packed, thus I was posting from memory. Your numbers are accurate, and we are loosing cash rapidly which is our major problem.

Steve W.

[19 Turkeys]

So what is your solution Steve?

I will be wearing my asbestos undies after I post this; so, I will be invulnerable to the upcoming flames! Yes, I will give you some thoughts for the continuation of the sport.

As a preface to this post, it is with great regret that I read Steve Roe's post over on SP that the Conover, NC range has stopped shooting IHMSA matches. Steve, Joe, & Ronnie have done a yeoman's job keeping that range going for many years. Thanks to all of you for your years of service to IHMSA.

First, recognize some facts. Number One is that IHMSA, Inc and the Board of Directors are not responsible for recruiting new members. That duty falls to each dues paying IHMSA member. IHMSA's responsibility is to give us the tools to recruit. And they have done that as we have had a very nice, full color slick tri-fold brochure and a DVD to help us for some years. Unfortunately, for various reasons we as members have failed to keep the membership at a sufficient level to keep the organization financially healthy. I do not believe that any reasonable member would think that we are now financially sound.

Second, this year's International will be in Fort Stockton, TX. We have not had a financially profitable Internationals there in the last 4 or 5 times it was held there. Thus, we will probably loose money in 2013 as well.

Third, read the 2012 financials in March and see if the loosing trend continued in 2012. It is my understanding that Jim Fields generously offered to host the 2012 Internationals in OKC at no cost for the range. Thus, the loss should be negligible in 2012 or maybe even a small profit.

Lastly, our membership (see point 1 above) has fallen below what I call "critical mass". Critical mass being that number of members necessary to cover the cost of operation annually.

So, what do I consider the answer? Given the loosing trend since 2008, it is highly probable that IHMSA will be broke in a few years. But, that does not necessarily mean the sport will die. And we should begin to plan for this survival now. We have healthy clubs out there doing a fine job. But, to keep the sport alive it will require some volunteers. The sport (and IHMSA) could continue solely as a web based organization. Several shooting organizations already do this. The United States Air Rifle Benchrest Association is a prime example. All it will take is a volunteer webmaster (who could be paid a small annual sum through a small annual fee paid by each club). Of course, each club would need to supply its own scorecards, and the rules would probably be frozen for a time to determine the direction of the organization. Each club could post club match reports on the web just as we do now.

To prepare, I would strongly suggest that each club build a database of shooter contact information so you can stay in touch with shooters that participate in your matches.

The good news is the sport will not die unless we let it. You and I are responsible to see it continue.

Yours,

Steve W.

[braud357]

Steve, as always your observations are "spot on" (in my opinion). I feel that we have long passed the point of no return. It is up to us as members and match directors to keep this sport alive. This is what Charlie and I intend to do here in Louisiana. We will continue to shoot silhouette as long as we can !

[19 Turkeys]

Thanks Philip! Keep doing what you are doing!

Steve W.

[jrywho]

I would like to express my support for Practical Hunter. I also believe revenue regardless of the source or amount is productive. This category has some benefits not discussed. As talked about cost to compete today is higher than ever. To be "competitive" in the UAS category one has to locate materials and guns that are no longer available. The alternative is to have a custom bolt action built by a gunsmith. Either way a gunsmith will usually have to be involved. With PH a handgun can be assembled by most competent shooters. The configurations, platform and calibers are endless. All available over the counter to the common sportsman. It isn't unreasonable to expect a total cost of $800-$900.
This category is a CHALLENGE! UAS has become too easy with full size targets and we have gone to the more difficult 1/2 and 1/5th scale targets to compensate for equipment that is better than the task at hand. I believe the new shooter is intimidated by the equipment and watch the smaller targets fall in disbelief.

I think PRACTICAL HUNTER can bridge the gap.

I have shot at many ranges across the central US. What I have seen first hand is not the new shooter participating in PH. It is the seasoned, experienced AAA and Int class UAS person. As we know the Oklahoma Internationals also shot this category. Those that competed were not new shooters but some of the best this sport has to offer.
Given a chance this category will grow. Lets change the intent of the class from new shooter growth to promoting for those who have aging eyes and still want to shoot Production type guns. As said before it could bridge the gap between a ultra accurate expensive UAS gun and the affordable over the counter firearms.
PH is not easy.......much more difficult to shoot a perfect score. A CHALLENGE that I believe will create renewed interest and participation.
My eyes are aging which many share within our membership. The scope classes preserve my membership with IHMSA. I enjoy a challenge and setting a new goal drives my interest. A decision needs to be made in favor of continuing Practical Hunter.

Jerry S

[braud357]

My problem with Practical Hunter is this - I have no intention of purchasing any more "silhouette-specific" handguns. The only handgun that I own that would be appropiate for PH would actually be a great gun for the category. I have a scoped Ruger 357 Mag Blackhawk - only problem is that it has a custom Shilen barrel on it. So, what do we do, make a PH Unlimited class ?? (see what I mean, yet another class !!) My point is this - we already have categories to cover darn near EVERYTHING ! In my opinion - we do not need more ! Besides, there are already 3 existing categories in which I could use it - US, UAS, and UASHS. I find those to be challenging enough !