Good news and bad news

[Cody Smith]

Kurt, I have three little kids (2,3, and 6) and can about guarantee that if looked at my IRS returns they would show my income level is in the poverty level. Most of the ones that say they can't afford to go shoot find a way to go to Disney World, have a boat, a harley, go to the lake, ski trips, trips to Vegas, whatever. We don't do that stuff, we go shoot. We take the camper and pack lunches. Several trips we have taken (and we have yet to be gone more than 5 days, usually one or two) we never ate out or bought anything other than fuel. We enjoy the camping trips, getting to see new things, and most of all the people we shoot with. I didn't say everyone can afford it, I just said that there are a lot of folks that could if they would make it a priority. Where I can sympathize with them is that is it really worth the sacrifice? I still think so, but I can see why it would be hard to justify. The folks putting on the matches need to offer more. I appreciate you point Kurt, but it does ruffle my feathers a little as I am sure I am busier and have less money than most of the population. We decided several years ago that we were going to make shooting a priority. Besides the break from work, what better people to raise our kids around? I have met so many wonderful people and made so many memories, it seems like an investment that has paid back a hundred fold.
take care, Cody