Low Attendance

[lone ringer]

Seems like attendance to silhouette matches is low just about every where. Back in the day we used to have close to 100 shooters (some times more) attend our state matches and not we are lucky if we have one third that many.

In my opinion shooting silhouettes off hand with scoped rifles is one of the most challenging shooting sports there is bar none and to make things worst the media hardly acknowledges us so we have virtually no exposure to new shooters.

Shooters that made the bulk of the matches attendance either got old, frustrated with not being able to master the sport or maybe just saw the light and took up another shooting sport (like Cowboy Lever Action).

The word now a days is TACTICAL and my local clubs get tons of participation, also Three gun events seem to be quite popular in a lot of places.

I've been fortunate enough to have been able to shoot HP silhouette since 1978 when National matches would draw 300 shooters (not guns) and I hope that the sport will not disappear all together in my life time.

I do not know what the answer is to bring the sport to what it once was but going from shooting with factory rifles to full fledged custom rifles that cost over $3000 is not helping our sport much either and that is the reason why Cowboy Lever Action is more popular these days.

[Trent]

I just don't see the high dollar guns that a lot of people are using as a reason for low attendance. I found that appealing even though I knew I wouldn't be able to afford one. I shoot a pretty much factory R700 DBM in 7-08 and I have shot a 26/40 with it so far (AZ state match). I don't feel threatened by the high dollar guns and I don't get any pressure from any other shooters that I need to invest in a custom gun. I have less that $1,000 in scope and gun.

That is still a BIG chunk of change to a lot of folks. Add on top of that the cost of actually shooting matches. Ammo, fees, and fuel.

I really feel that if we all collectively want to boost attendance then we need to put some serious pressure on folks that already have gear that is HP silo worthy. That means for the most part, hunters. The media is not going to put out any press on our sport given the unpopular(unknown) status that we have. WE are going to need to step up our efforts. That means gun shows, NRA banquets, Elk Foundation banquets, Ducks Unlimited, gun stores, gun clubs...etc. Here in Colorado we have winter and summer biathlon events and I am going to make it a point to go to those competitions and promote silhouette (both SB and HP). At least those people know how hard the aspect of shooting offhand is and I think I can promote silhouette as additional training for them year round (Denver is nice like that). We need to get creative and really promote.

[Trent]

What got me hooked into high power was the generosity of the existing shooters. I had no less than 3 existing competitors volunteering rifles and ammo for me to use at matches. They asked nothing in return. That is all it took and I was hooked. It took me a little while to scrounge together my meager setup and through the help of others I am now one of the "regulars".

The guys got the hooks in me deep and that is what got me addicted. I've only been shooting HP for around 7 or 8 months I think. Maybe 9 or 10... I forget.

[silhouette13]

perhpas since we get no media coverage,we need to promote grass roots style....like when am i getting stickers from steel chickens it has been 3 years!

[Bob259]

..............like when am i getting stickers from steel chickens it has been 3 years!

Stickers..... speaking of SC stickers Mike was supposed to mail me mine last year about this very time.... then there was a car fiasco... and then.... Long story short, still waiting by the mail box for them.

Mike... can you hear me

[Another Dang 9]

[


as i said before, i would love to have the oppertunity to shoot HPP, my closest range is a 14 hour drive, so maybe it would be once a year. a huge investment for limited fun. i dont even have a range around here i could get sight settigs for.

the first time i saw silo was a remington 700 commercial, i instantly wanted to shoot it. then realized it was out of the question, was introduced to SB about 5 yearts ago, i love it and it will do.[/quote]

Dave, you forget Pemi has a good range. If you show up this weekend (sunday)you can try HP. Nothing is for score just fun. Still working out the peticulars with the club for an aproved match.

[Snake]

I'm thinking that a whole bunch of silhouette theme bumper stickers might help spread the word....all that's necessary is a clever artist....anybody out there?
I noticed some commentary about the expense of our game....I'm not convinced that has stifled participation. I look at bench rest and IDPA and IPSC and high power...they don't seem to suffer (as badly perhaps) and there's no doubt that they ain't cheap! Furthermore a fella can buy a Tikka (made by Sako) for the early 5's (it comes with rings and a great trigger) in 6.54x55 , 308. 7-08 and you're in the game. Hunting rifle division opens the field up wide....so is the problem the lack of promotion ...and can anyone explain why some of the regulars ain't

[Bob Mc Alice]

Bumper stickers and the like wont produce new shooters. Promotion booths and tables at gun shows might pique the interest of a few local shooters as Shakes suggested. But don't look for a line of new shooters at your next match after spending the weekend talking silhouette until you are hoarse and can not speak the next day.This website has done a tremendous job at spreading the word and promoting the silhouette shooting sports, but we need more.

Some how we need to get the attention of major gun magazine publishers and persuade them to do an in depth article on silhouette shooting. I would suggest the NRA's American Rifleman, American Hunter, Guns and Ammo, Shooting Times, etc. Assign the story to well known rifle shooting authors like Towsley, Boddington, Barnsness and others to get the word out that this game still exists. Have them interview past and present champions, do equipment reviews, show lots of action photos of shooters of all ages and gender and talk to the best group of off hand shooters in the world. Then put it to print. Thirty to thirty five years ago this game was all the rage. We are at the tail end of that generation and are in jeopardy of going extinct if we do not act. We need a new generation of shooters to carry on the game. I believe we could generate much new interest in silhouette if we can get the word out to the masses.

Steve B. has experience as an accomplished author of rimfire articles and even a book or two. Steve, what chance would we have trying to convince a publisher to do such an article. What steps would you recommend we take to get this off the ground?

[silhouette13]

i will email Ron Spomer, i bust his nuts from time to time via email worth a shot

[Snake]

I agree that a table at a gun show helps, so does veteran shooters word of mouth promotion, and so does anything--that draws attention to the sport ...favorable attention that is! There have been lots of articles on silhouette...including a promo article in several older Sierra loading manuals...but there hasn't been much lately. I tried to get the local rag's outdoor writer to spread a little ink.....but that leftist dipwad was more interested in eco friendly hiking and crapping in the woods ("the proper use of the pine cone" or 'how to clean your hands when things go bad"). Always bring a little extra ammo to let a spectator try a round or two....I usually let the target setters knock down a few after the match.

[silhouette13]

ron told me he was swamped and would try to check it out, but no promises. i am going to try an have our leftist dipwad out door writer to do a bit on Silo. who knows, maybe ..

[ter]

In Pennsylvania at the annual Good Friday match at Blue Rock, there used to be 3 full relays of 40 animals, and some guys could only shoot one relay. This year there was 2 relays with half capacity. So I would say 1/3. It is the economy I guess. Same goes for hunting, I live in an area with a ton of state land, and it is hard to find a parked truck in deer season on the third day. I would say it is worse than 1/3. Camps are empty. It is very sad in my opinion.

[Joaquin B]

Quit complaining about low attendance... We had another 3-relay HP Silhouette match in Tucson this past Sunday. John shot relay 1, I shot relay 2 and Ron shot relay 3. We shot gongs and drove downrange to confirm hits at the end of the "match". The thermometer hit 103, but we braved the heat, unlike the bunch of pansies who stayed home.

[Snake]

FYI...this last weekend we had our BPCR silhouette regional. We had 32....not bad considering its usually 40-60! No giveaways from any supplier....despite the fact that their business is apparently going strong. Yes I shoot that game...its silhouette ain't it? Is there some reason why there's no BPCR forum on this site? But I digress.
I'm beginning to think that the popularity shift to tactical firearms has hurt us....pretending to be a sniper apparently has a lot of appeal....more appeal than being a real shooter and standing up and engaging targets like God intended

[Jerry G]

You are one tough SOB Joaquin. As cold as it has been here in the north, I wish I was down there for relay 4.