Runningfool
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
If only there were 20 times the 3 gun matches within a 2 hour radius! Actually I'd be happy if there was just one
3 Gunners
- Thread starter bluesclues
- Start date
If only there were 20 times the 3 gun matches within a 2 hour radius! Actually I'd be happy if there was just one
If only there were 20 times the 3 gun matches within a 2 hour radius! Actually I'd be happy if there was just one
How many matches a year within 2 or 3 hour drive?
Runningfool
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
3gun? Other than the ones we put on at GSC? None for the past several years. Some awesome 2gun events here and there and a terrific action-shotgun series this year. EESA did a few 3GunNation events a couple of years ago but they were 2guns per stage (ie. Rifle and pistol or shogun and pistol).
Hmmmm, figured there would be more.
It's not "3 gun" to you unless all three are used on every stage?
Runningfool
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
It's still 3gun but my preference is definitely to incorporate all 3 guns on every stage.
There is some great information from some very experienced people here, thank you.
Please keep it coming.
This was our second year running 3 gun in Cold Lake & Bonnyville. The clubs here have been fantastic and very supportive of the sport.
We have had the fortunate opportunity to travel to matches that are not too far away and have learned a ton of things that make for a successful outing. Also, a huge shout out to WRAS for their support and knowledge.
We have a small population base (~50,000 in the Lakeland area) so really rely on competitors traveling to our matches.
Please keep it coming.
This was our second year running 3 gun in Cold Lake & Bonnyville. The clubs here have been fantastic and very supportive of the sport.
We have had the fortunate opportunity to travel to matches that are not too far away and have learned a ton of things that make for a successful outing. Also, a huge shout out to WRAS for their support and knowledge.
We have a small population base (~50,000 in the Lakeland area) so really rely on competitors traveling to our matches.
Interesting points Bluesclues and Stevo.
You make a valid point about 2hrs drive from Calgary and the amount of involvement from volunteers / competitors.
Our range is actually about 2hrs drive from my house. Population 2hrs from the range would be around 1.5+ million. Where we used to travel to MH and Lethbridge, we now see competitors coming to Milo for shoots which is great. It's what we hoped.
Curious what you guys charge for match fees? This is another touchy subject. It seems 3G and PRS fees are extremely low at CDTSA. I've done a few shoots now, where fees generally range from 40-90$. I just finished a shotgun sporting clays match for 1 out of 3 days was 200$ (230$ all said with additional classes - with lunch included). CDTSA 3G is 10$ (members) and $20 PRS (members). EXTREMELY cheap compared to other events and shooting events. Heck, you can't shoot sporting clays around Calgary for less than $40 and you have to be a member to get that price, otherwise 75$. That's just a run of the course. Not even an competition.
You make a valid point about 2hrs drive from Calgary and the amount of involvement from volunteers / competitors.
Our range is actually about 2hrs drive from my house. Population 2hrs from the range would be around 1.5+ million. Where we used to travel to MH and Lethbridge, we now see competitors coming to Milo for shoots which is great. It's what we hoped.
Curious what you guys charge for match fees? This is another touchy subject. It seems 3G and PRS fees are extremely low at CDTSA. I've done a few shoots now, where fees generally range from 40-90$. I just finished a shotgun sporting clays match for 1 out of 3 days was 200$ (230$ all said with additional classes - with lunch included). CDTSA 3G is 10$ (members) and $20 PRS (members). EXTREMELY cheap compared to other events and shooting events. Heck, you can't shoot sporting clays around Calgary for less than $40 and you have to be a member to get that price, otherwise 75$. That's just a run of the course. Not even an competition.
Single day MP3G matches this year have all been $40, and that's at all 4 clubs that hosted. All include lunch.
The two-day matches are more, obviously, depending on the perks. The PR Team Match is $150 per team, including supper on Saturday. The GP two-day was $110 per person, but it included 4 meals.
Edit: with respect to fees at PCFGA, we charge enough to cover expenses and put some money in the pot for the club. Our single day shoots also subsidize the prize table for the team match. 3 gun is self-funding here and shows a "profit" for the club. Our total club budget is 10% or less than clubs like GP or FSJ so there aren't deep pockets to support events.
Other clubs are expected to break-even or profit/loss isn't even a consideration as it's a "club" event.
The two-day matches are more, obviously, depending on the perks. The PR Team Match is $150 per team, including supper on Saturday. The GP two-day was $110 per person, but it included 4 meals.
Edit: with respect to fees at PCFGA, we charge enough to cover expenses and put some money in the pot for the club. Our single day shoots also subsidize the prize table for the team match. 3 gun is self-funding here and shows a "profit" for the club. Our total club budget is 10% or less than clubs like GP or FSJ so there aren't deep pockets to support events.
Other clubs are expected to break-even or profit/loss isn't even a consideration as it's a "club" event.
Last edited:
Entry costs wouldn't be for profit, but to improve events by spending more on props, target scoring devices, hit indicators, more steel, stands, etc.
What I did find interesting was the the costs for the recent shotgun shoot (Radium Clay Busters Shoot) was fully open book and financials were posted on the wall in a tidy spreadsheet beside the scores. I didn't peruse them since I wasn't a member, but was interesting to see. Thinking about it now I would have liked to review them just out of curiosity.
What I did find interesting was the the costs for the recent shotgun shoot (Radium Clay Busters Shoot) was fully open book and financials were posted on the wall in a tidy spreadsheet beside the scores. I didn't peruse them since I wasn't a member, but was interesting to see. Thinking about it now I would have liked to review them just out of curiosity.
- Location
- Fort St John B.C.
STEVO said:
total profit this year for FSJ was $150.... so all is good, we split with ipsc for a lot of our steel targets but the cost of cardboard is solely on the 3gun side.
at our club if we break even we are happy..... we have never not broke even, so the only loss to the club is day rental fees for the 3 days of shooting (shotgun closes the range 3x more then we do)
we do have a good base of people for setup and so's but year to year turnover is around 40% so you have to keep encouraging new people to join.
Regarding match fees. The last match we had on 13 Aug was in collaboration with WRAS. We let WRAS set the match fees and they decided $40 was appropriate.
Next season, we are hoping to work with WRAS again as they bring a lot to the table with their extensive knowledge, know how and props.
We are looking to make some profit for the club as well because, we do shut down the range for a day and a half and we would like to buy some more props/targets.
The club(s) have been very supportive and we are looking to say "thanks" for their support with some income.
Runningfool
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
I think you are on the right track. At my club we charge $60 and approach our matches as follows:
1) They've got to be fun for the shooters. No one wants to shoot matches that are boring, poorly organized, or not worth their money or time.
2) They've got to be fun for the volunteers too. No one wants to volunteer at a match where they feel they are not utilized or appreciated.
3) They've got to be beneficial to the hosting club. Our membership sacrifices a significant amount of time so that non-members can come and shoot matches. The money we raise from the matches helps keep the membership costs down by offsetting some of the costs of running the range.
We take care of (1) by running matches efficiently and on time. With plenty of volunteers we make sure shooters don't have to worry about patching or resetting targets - we take care of that so they can focus on competing, or socializing, or whatever it is they like to do when they're not shooting. We try our best to develop new and interesting scenarios for shooters of varying abilities so that the veteran is challenged but the novice isn't left frustrated. We provide 4 stages, each utilizing 3 guns, and we do it in 2 hours so shooters don't have to write off a whole Saturday to shoot a match.
Number (2) for us really takes care of itself. Yes we provide food and refreshments and a small token gift for each volunteer but the real reason we have such a strong group of volunteers is that we enjoy working together. Look after your volunteers and they will look after you.
By giving back to the club we ensure number (3) is addressed. Half of the match fees are handed over to the club. We feel this is fair and helps ensure we can continue to offer matches to the multigun community.
The only other thing I would mention, and it was touched on previously, is the importance of financial transparency. All of our volunteers know, as do the membership, that every penny that doesn't get donated to the club goes to buying targets, match supplies, props, patch guns, timers, etc. In my opinion, few things can sour people's attitude quicker than even the hint of someone personally gaining from holding matches. I know every club is different but at my club that is the way it is and I'm glad for that.
This thread is full of good information. It's the kind of thing I wish I had stumbled on when I was starting to get a 3gun program going. I'm sure there are many people on CGN who read about 3gun and think it would be awesome to organize but just don't know how to begin. Perhaps the mods could "sticky" this thread or initiate one. Just a thought.
An additional resource that I have been listening to lately is the "3 gun show" pod cast. (3gunshow.com)
This is a great resource for new and experienced 3 gunners alike. The show is informative and often funny as well....
One of the things that is mentioned is what matches do you plan to attend this year? It is amazing that the high level competitors plan to attend some matches out to a year in advance.
It would appear that the big matches host their matches at the same time every year and competitors can plan to attend 6-8 months in advance.
I was just thinking of this when I saw the thread for the Prairie Fire Multigun in Saskatoon next June.
This is great for me as I can put this in the calendar now before life's other commitments take up that space.
Still interested in hearing people thoughts on running 3 gun matches, traveling to 3 gun matches, your experiences at 3 gun matches and any and all pieces of advice you have about how you made 3 gun successful at your club.
This is a great resource for new and experienced 3 gunners alike. The show is informative and often funny as well....
One of the things that is mentioned is what matches do you plan to attend this year? It is amazing that the high level competitors plan to attend some matches out to a year in advance.
It would appear that the big matches host their matches at the same time every year and competitors can plan to attend 6-8 months in advance.
I was just thinking of this when I saw the thread for the Prairie Fire Multigun in Saskatoon next June.
This is great for me as I can put this in the calendar now before life's other commitments take up that space.
Still interested in hearing people thoughts on running 3 gun matches, traveling to 3 gun matches, your experiences at 3 gun matches and any and all pieces of advice you have about how you made 3 gun successful at your club.
Between FSJ, Dawson Creek, Grande Prairie and Peace River there has been 9??(Maybe more) 3 gun matches in the Peace Region. There's still a match in Grande Prairie on Sep 17th and the team match in Peace River Oct 1-2.
That's right. 11 matches total in the Peace this year.
The Bulkley Valley Rod and Gun Club is actively trying to get some matches going west of Prince George BC we have had a couple of small 1 day matches this year and we are holding our final 1day match of the year on September 17, registration is now open on practicescore, search season finale, anyone who is in the Smithers area that day and would like to join us is more than welcome to
