After reading the guns and shells etc. it started me thinking of all the trap clubs that we "used" to have out here in the Vancouver area and the steadily decline of them until I believe there are only 5 left that are an easy drive. There were when I started early seventies I believe 11 and most were shut down due to encroachment and never allowed to move but with the lack of opportunities results in the lack of shooters.To my colleagues to the East I know there have been issues Ottawa comes to mind but are the clubs still viable? or headed down that same road.
Trap Clubs
- Thread starter reddog
- Start date
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
I think it's the same everywhere. Edmonton lost a club a few years ago due to encroachment. I have shot at a few clubs that have had to fight the good fight to keep going and put in landscaping changes massive in size to try to dampen the sound of gun fire for whiny folks who have encroached in areas the clubs have been at long before the suburbs started to expand often miles. SK lost a club two years ago when it's owner suffered severe health issues resulting in his passing a year later. His family didn't want the club and nobody wanted to take it over so the family parted it out and sold it all off at pennies on the dollar just to get rid of it. That's one club that isn't coming back anytime soon and one last venue for the few registered shooters left and the locals lost a club close to home and now have to travel 90 minutes to the nearest club. Our club runs about 28-36 members each year, about 8 of which shoot weekly. We have most evenings we are open 4-6 trap shooters and 2-3 skeet shooters and 99% of the time it's the same 8-9 people.
Add to that today's current environment with few new shooters and the writing is on the wall. There was a time the shooting sports attracted only the very wealthy as they were the only ones who could afford such pastimes then with a better standard of living many more could participate. It is quickly returning to a sport of the wealthy. Add all the things together, an anti-gun government, cost, encroachment, lack of knowledge of the sport by non-participants and it's not hard to see why it's dying. I'll continue to shoot as much and as long as I can, hopefully until I am too old to participate but I truly feel I'll live to see my participation end before that happens.
Add to that today's current environment with few new shooters and the writing is on the wall. There was a time the shooting sports attracted only the very wealthy as they were the only ones who could afford such pastimes then with a better standard of living many more could participate. It is quickly returning to a sport of the wealthy. Add all the things together, an anti-gun government, cost, encroachment, lack of knowledge of the sport by non-participants and it's not hard to see why it's dying. I'll continue to shoot as much and as long as I can, hopefully until I am too old to participate but I truly feel I'll live to see my participation end before that happens.
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StansfieldMcElroy
CGN Regular
- Location
- Upper Canada
If you're in Vancouver just head up to a forest road and toss some clays
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
Going out on public ground to toss some clays around is fine and dandy until someone starts complaining about the mess left behind and informal clays shooting is completely different from an organized game. Many of us enjoy organized shoots and that style of shooting. Going out to shoot some tossed clays on public land has never held any kind of appeal for me personally and most organized clays shooters I know are the same. Personally I find little challenge in it and even less satisfaction. Its like playing a game of baseball compared to going in the front yard with your buddy and playing catch. Catch will be fun for a bit but eventually you enjoy getting into a game much more.
No matter where you might be, dragging a thrower out there to blast some clays starts out as fun… but then leaves you feeling you just wasted expensive ammo – and this from a guy that has a thrower with a wobble attachment and wireless remote.
Not to mention the clean-up, like Frank mentioned.
Not to mention the clean-up, like Frank mentioned.
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Don't count on that, he'll be after the duck guns next!
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
He already is! He's after ALL GUNS!!!
The UN wants everybody in the free world unarmed. Justin and every other political player has wet dreams about getting into the ultimate rich kids club.
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I like your optimism but make no mistake, the reality is the total disarming of civilians.
I’ve heard of some changes coming to Edmonton Gun Club.
Nothing terrible (I hope) but i worry it will be something that will make this an even more expensive sport.
Nice club to shoot at, but I wish prices were more in line with AHEIA clubs.
Nothing terrible (I hope) but i worry it will be something that will make this an even more expensive sport.
Nice club to shoot at, but I wish prices were more in line with AHEIA clubs.
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
AHEIA owns their own property. Edmonton has a lease with the airport. That lease is likely not cheap hence the price differences.
Hey Cuz, is that 20% down I partisipation or profit . I would say at our club has increased in participation, especially this year but definitely down in profit due to target cost. Just got another truck load of targets and we'll have to raise rates another $1.00 a round in May
When we have to buy targets this summer, we will have to raise the cost per round, likely at least $1 per round. But the increase in shotshell costs, will amount to much more. Overall, the cost to shoot 100 targets, will likely increase by about $30-$40.
