RISE AND FALL OF IHMSA

[Proclaim]

Couldn't resist jumping in either.

The decline in participation can be laid at the feet of two areas...equipment race and expansion of the categories. More categories = less entrants in all the categories=less competition, less comradarie, less fun.

FWIW, just an opinion.

Tom

Please tell me what the categories were when the ranges were busy, busy. Thanks!

[19 Turkeys]

The first Internationals at Idaho Falls had over 1900 entries and only BB P, R, U & S were shot. In Ohio, ranges were filled for 2 days with those 4 plus FP P & PAS and SB P, R , U & S and if you did not sign up a month in advance you probably would not be able to shoot. Those were the days!

Steve W.

[braud357]

Just a FYI - the 1st Internationals to offer a separate revolver category was in 1980. Prior to that, the 1977, 1978, and 1979 Internationals were U, P, and Standing ONLY. My 1st year as a member was 1980, and there were only those 3 categories. The revolver category was added in 1981. Our monthly matches back then in Louisiana & Mississippi averaged over 100 entries. I still do not agree with the idea that the additional categories caused the decline in participation - the cause is societal. We grew up as hunters and shooters - the next generation grew up as video gamers ! Surely there are exceptions, but they are few and far between. Couple this with the lack of ranges to practice at, and the decrease of ranges holding matches + member loss = our current situation !

[Proclaim]

I still do not agree with the idea that the additional categories caused the decline in participation - the cause is societal. We grew up as hunters and shooters - the next generation grew up as video gamers ! Surely there are exceptions, but they are few and far between. Couple this with the lack of ranges to practice at, and the decrease of ranges holding matches + member loss = our current situation !

Now that's what I believe; a combination of these factors has created our current situation.

[19 Turkeys]

I have corrected my post. I meant to say "first Internationals at Idaho Falls."

I find it interesting that we started to loose members when Elgin died and we could no longer sell cheap guns. A cool game and cheap guns, no wonder it grew like crazy!

Steve W.

[KickBass]

So how did that work? How was Elgin able to get those cheap guns? I'm sure that must have been a huge plus for the sport.

[19 Turkeys]

So how did that work? How was Elgin able to get those cheap guns? I'm sure that must have been a huge plus for the sport.

Basically, there were 2 organizations, IHMSA and The Silhouette. Elgin owned The Silhouette and sold the guns and a plethora of other things through it. Elgin also owned the 3 ram logo we now use. We got it back when we learned the trademark had lapsed.

IHMSA was funded by dues and sanction fees and run by Elgin. The 2 companies ran seamlessly side by side. He got the guns cheap through bulk purchases and by convincing the companies that their image would be enhanced by winning competitions.

Steve W.

[260 Striker]

I have to agree with Phillip. I joined in 1980 but didn't shoot my first match until 1981. If too many categories is a problem (NOT) then subtract all the entries we have today that are NOT U, P, R and S and see what a low turnout we would really have. Phillip is also right about the recent generations not being the outdoor types of years ago. If we had massive power outages half the young people today wouldn't know what to do for entertainment. Years ago we had 7 big bore ranges in OH and now we are down to I think just two. Every weekend you could shoot big bore but you had to call ahead to reserve times. It was not unusual for our club to have 180+ entries for a two day match. Me personally, I don't care how may categories we have since that just lets more people shoot more guns. Think what would happen if we didn't have the scoped classes, no FP, no 1/2 size and others. IHMSA would have died long ago. Some of us old geezers need the scoped categories just so we can see the targets. You can tell the die hard IHMSA shooters from the non-dedicated types. We will shoot until we can't hold a gun any longer. I have heard some complain there may only be one shooter in a category/class at a match. I think that is great. At least that one shooter kept shooting a gun/class that he/she likes. I wish I had the answer to make IHMSA better but I think Phillip explained it best.

[19 Turkeys]

First rule of life: Everything dies!

Steve W.

[braud357]

First rule of life: Everything dies!

Steve W.

Steve, my old friend, is sadly correct ! Lets enjoy it while we still can !