A total Revamp

[338whisper2]

I think some of y'all are missing the whole concept,xp-100 was talking about look at air,an,½,bb whats the difference in field pistol......he wasn't talking about sandbags or shooting sticks.I my be wrong but thats the way I read it

[braud357]

Just a question - seems that most shooters in Field Pistol shoot the 22 Hornet - is it allowed in Practical Hunter ??

[high standard 40]

Practical Hunter Short Course ---fired on the Field Pistol targets-----is what XP100 is refering to. The rules as stated in the IHMSA News states:

"All 3 courses are to be shot from any SAFE freestyle position including Prone, Kneeling, Sitting, or Standing."

Since it states any safe position, then creedmore position would be allowed as long as you do it safely. The sandbags or bipods can be used by shooters in classes A and AA.

As far as cartridges, the rules state:

"The standard FP straight wall cartridges only"

This statement can be a little confusing. On the one hand it says "Standard FP cartridges" but it also states "straight wall only". In my opinion, Standard FP cartridges includes 22 Hornet, 32-20, and 270 Ren. I would really like to see a clarification on this but I believe the intent of the Practical Hunter Short Course is aligned with all aspects of Field Pistol with the exception of shooting position. If you attend a match at my range, I'll alow the Hornet etc and will continue to do so till someone higher up in the chain tells me otherwise.

All this being said, I think the desires of XP100 have already been addressed. Shoot and enjoy.

[LOCKHART]

This is just a thought, but didnt we have a IHMSA video done a few years back? Why couldnt we get
that on one of those cable tv outdoor shows? Ive been in this since 1980, and I still meet people who
have no idea what IHMSA even is, so there is a market out there for new shooters. I think it might be
worth a try. I know there has to be members who know how to get this done. Just an idea.

[gibar]

I tried the TV approach with Sportsmans and Outdoor channels for the MOA match and there was no interest. Got ahold of two of the weekly segment programs that showed some interest but the killer was the $$$$$ involved. End of story.

[19 Turkeys]

This is just a thought, but didnt we have a IHMSA video done a few years back? Why couldnt we get
that on one of those cable tv outdoor shows? Ive been in this since 1980, and I still meet people who
have no idea what IHMSA even is, so there is a market out there for new shooters. I think it might be
worth a try. I know there has to be members who know how to get this done. Just an idea.

My region director & I have both tried on numerous occasions to get a cable show to the Internationals to no avail. I did get a crew to the WCC a few years ago & have a great DVD of all 5 episodes. They did a super job. It cost my club almost $4,000 to have it done.

Steve W.

[LOCKHART]

I used to shoot at the silhouette range in Victoria, Texas and the local news
paper and t.v. station really took an interest in the game. I was there several
times when the local television station sent film crews out for local interest
stories. When I was match director at New Braunfels, I tried getting the outdoor
writer from the Austin American Statesman, to come out and take a look at
our sport. Being that the Austin paper was a ultra-liberal rag, and still is, this
came to nought. He never, in the 10 years I was director, came to any of
our matches! We even had Hal Swiggett at one of our state matches there.
He auctioned off his number 2 IHMSA membership number. I guess those were
the good ol days of IHMSA. I just hope we have many more of those days to come.

[19 Turkeys]

Anyone who has been following this thread or others concerning the future of the organization know where I stand. In order to get our elected officials off the dime, I have written a letter to the editor which should be in the next issue of the paper. Other than continuing to recruit new members and being our local club's match director, I believe I have done all that I can do to convince our elected officials to make some significant changes to reduce expenses or raise income (without raising dues I might add).

Thus, I have decided that any further participation in threads of this nature on my part are futile. I have said my piece on this subject.

Steve W.

[260 Striker]

Steve, You have been one of many crusading for important, necessary changes and are bringing it to the attention (I hope) of the board by writing your letter. Maybe the rest of us who are just as concerned should also write letters. Possibly that would stimulate the HQ staff to be more receptive to outside suggestions for improvement. Thanks for the letter and for sharing your comments here on the forum. Lots of members who have contributed to this string and other similar strings have some very positive ideas that at the very least should be considered by HQ. Since we have never had any feedback in the newspaper what each of the individual committees do on a regular basis I doubt if we will hear any comments about your letter or any others that may be written on this subject. Unfortunately, our HQ operations are as transparent as our current Federal Government. Thanks for trying. Lynn

[braud357]

Steve, you have always been honest and forthright about what is needed to make IHMSA viable. My brother Charlie and I have just returned from setting up for tomorrow's match, and we talked in length about this subject. Bottom line is this - we cannot continue to expend funds the way that we have been doing. The major drain has been the Internationals - how can we continue to operate this match "in the red" ? I will say something here that will surely draw the ire of many who read this - we need to cancel the Internationals in its current configuration. Until we can figure a way to increase participation and operate it so that it can at least break even - it has become a luxury that we cannot afford. What I would like to see, ideally, is for the match to be held at a different venue each year. The concept of permanent locations was fostered by the amount of shooters attending overwhelming the facilities available. Well, my friends - the days of 1200+ entries are gone - never to return. Let the hosting range accept the burden of hosting the match. I know that all of this is just a dream - it will never happen ! As with many things in life - change has befallen us and our game. We need to face the facts - we are no longer the coolest thing out there ! And it is not because of gun prices, or having too many classes, etc. etc. The shooting public has changed, and there is nothing we can do to change that. Couple this with fewer and fewer ranges - and there you have it. I have been an IHMSA member since 1980 and have competed every year since. I was a match director from 1991 - 2009, a state director from 1995 - 2007, regional director from 2007 - 2009. I feel that I have done my fair share in promoting IHMSA, and will continue to do so. Most people have multiple hobbies - as do I. I play bass guitar in a local band, but I have never enjoyed any pastime in my life as much as handgun silhouette shooting. And, I will continue to do so, no matter what happens. My brother and I will continue to shoot here in Louisiana. So, my friends - the choice is simple. The ship is taking on water fast - do we ride it down, continue to bail water, or do we plug the leak ?? I may be accused of being negative - I call it being realistic ! As Steve W. (and Forrest Gump) said - "That's all I got to say about THAT " !