Good news and bad news

[SgtDog0311]

This has been an educational thread. I’ve never attended a BPCR event but hope to this year. Didn’t realize the politics behind it all but I do know motivations about as well as the next guy. I hear Cody loud and clear and applaud him for his choices in family time. I spent most of young fatherhood chasing Wrestling tournaments all the way through the college level competition. And now am back at it as a grandfather. Wouldn’t miss a big tournament my grandson was wrestling in for small tournament I was shooting in! But we’re a wrestling family and while shooting is not a new interest for me, chasing it like I have been the last few years is a ‘new level’. One I couldn’t have pursued like I’m pursuing before now. It’s hard to juggle all of life’s tuggings. I also hear what he’s saying about making it a rewarding experience. If someone or some organization steps up to sponsorship then they have that responsibility to add to that process or they ought to bow out.

I’m just glad to know OKC has a venue. If I get a rifle ready by March I’ll get to experience a bit of what all you guys are so familiar with. But come May I drag out for the Panhandle of Idaho, and my retirement budget wouldn’t support too many trips to Spokane where I believe they have a schedule. Right now I try hard to make a couple events hosted by good gentlemen who offer their places and facilities, which they’ve built themselves, in order to expose people to long range shooting with vintage guns. One of them is a member here and I’m grateful as I can be for his efforts and hospitality. Most of the attendees at both places work hard to make the whole experience a good one all the way around. And again like Cody, we all enjoy the time together and the ethics and values of the shooting crowd. Guess I’ll take what I can get.

You could say the same thing about some of the forums aimed at this sport. Some folks are nearly hostile to new participants and a little snooty, while others are welcoming and make the introduction a welcoming one. I’m grateful those forums and those who run them, and to those individuals there who put a hand out and offer their experience in a way that throws the welcome mat out.