Do alot of people take the black badge and never shoot?

Since 2002, when I first started conducting Black Badge courses, I've trained 97 individuals (I've kept track). Out of those, 20 have never shot a qualifier. But out of those 20, six took the course within the last few months. (IPSC Alberta policy is that an individual has one year from the time of their Black Badge course to shoot a qualifier) So 14 out of 97 or less that 15%; not bad I should think.

I owe my success to 'follow up'. I e-mail all my past students every time there is a match coming up. It's been my experience that some people just 'lose track' of the schedule. By e-mailing them it keeps them informed of upcoming events.

It must be working. IPSC Alberta has been getting record turn outs to matches.....
 
Dragoon said:
I owe my success to 'follow up'. I e-mail all my past students every time there is a match coming up. It's been my experience that some people just 'lose track' of the schedule. By e-mailing them it keeps them informed of upcoming events.

It must be working. IPSC Alberta has been getting record turn outs to matches.....
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Man, that's a great idea! Good on you!
 
Hello,
I am a new shooter. I have never own handguns till January of 2005, now thanks to Paul Martin I have four.
When I got my handguns my first thoughts were what to do with it. Then I recall that some guys on this forum were getting so excited with IPSC and also I remember when I had the Dish Net some handgun competition on tv coming from States.
I decided to get into it. Without knowing anyone or basic knowledge of handguns and only 300 rounds through my pistols I went for BB course in March, just few days after I got my ATT.

My instructor was Don, and I can say he is a darn good teacher with good knowledge and friendly attitude. There was 9 of us taking BB back in March. From that group I have seen only 4-5 guys shooting once and never have seen other 3 guys shooting. I got so into it, that I travel to many matches and I can see who is shooting. Basically I am the only one guy from our group going to IPSC matches. I have even shot Provincials, where I got DQ, but that different story. My best so far result is 43% from Waterloo, three weeks ago.

Why people give up?
I think, one of the reasons is lack of some kind of apprenticeship program or body help program like Quigley says. I would love to have someone who will take me to the range or come to mine and give me instructions to how to improve and where I make mistakes.

Another reason is, some guys are so serious during the matches that they do not see a new shooter and are not helping them with explaining how to do the stage or where to change the mags.

Also, we are only human and we new shooter should have little bit thicker skin if we want to shoot IPSC and try things on our own, even if no one is available to help.

In conclusion, I would like to thank those guys who help last Sunday in Barrie, first Steve and Russell, first class gentlemen also Carm and Norm, thanks for being nice.
 
One of the ideas that I discussed with a few friends was a mentoring type program. It was based on the idea that in BC, all competitors work half a day, and shoot half a day (it might not fly out in places like Ontario).

Black Badge or other qualified individuals wouldn't RO or patch/set steel, but would instead follow around a squad of new(er) shooters, offering advice, organizing the squad and explaining to them what to be careful of and pay attention to on the stage. It would be like a practical extension of the Black Badge Course.

Unfortunately, most of these qualified individuals are also RO's, and we've been extremely short of qualified RO's and CRO's out west, almost to the point of having to use uncertified officials. :(
 
We're starting a mentoring program in Ontario...(see last copy of sitrep for the long version)...here's the Coles Notes version:

It's intended to help people from post BB through their first few matches (including introducing them to other members)

We have a BB in Cornwall this week-end...so we'll pilot it from here. Newer members (or any members for that matter) are welcome to take advantage of it.

We've already had about a dozen people sign up to help out (from the mentoring side) so we're well underway...

It should help reduce the amount of new members that we seem to lose every
year. Members can email me (or PM me) if you have an interest in mentoring new members...or if you are a newer member and are having a difficult time cracking your way in

A big thanks to all that have signed up to help (including a few fellow GunNutz)

Regards
Craig Stoklosar
IPSC Ontario
 
Right On! You're never too old (or too young) for a playdate!

People don't get hung up about calling folks for a fourth for golf, why should shooting be any different?

Besides, it provides a second level of potential BS for the missus.
"Gee Honey, I'd love to spend Saturday at Knick Knacks R' Us with you, but they guys just called and they want an extra body for the trip to Ottawa. I sure hate to let them down."
 
I first did my BB back in '94 and attended every match I could. I moved to Yellowknife in '97 and participated for a while but given the days of minus 40 and the loss of the indoor range, IPSC petered out. There have been attempts to revive it but this has had no real success.

I had basically decided to stop anyway. I love shooting and in a single range session I go through hundreds of rounds from .22 to .44 mag. Looking at IPSC, I just thought that getting pumped to shoot a stage, finishing in a matter of seconds at times and then standing by to watch others have fun was just not cutting it for me. I realized that going to the range and not having to wait on people and shooting all the time gave me what I wanted more than IPSC.

Do I regret doing the BB course and learning what I did by going to matches? Most definitely not! I know I am a better, and safer, shooter because of IPSC and the BB course. I don't think I am being selfish for not "getting others into IPSC" as in the buddy system people are referring to, but I have introduced dozens of people to shooting, both handgun and rifle, over the years so I am happy with that.

Besides, as has been said, maybe when the kids are off to school and I have time on my hands I'll take it up again. Who knows?
 
Ipsc

I took the BB course and shot a few times. Had health probs-got that fairly good now. E Mailed to find out if I needed to retrain or what. Actually E Mailed twice. Got no answer-doubt I could generate the interest now>
 
One thing to consider about the BB courses.. I was talking to a fellow shooter this weekend, he was saying that some clubs required an offical "holster training" to be able to shoot ANY holster disipline at thier club.. since Cowboy action and IDPA do not have official courses (I was told this, not sure how accurate it is) . then those clubs require you to take a BB course..

EG. The BB is required if you want to shoot cowboy action with a holster at thier club..

This could be why some take the course but never do thier qualifier shoot.
 
btplus said:
I took the BB course and shot a few times. Had health probs-got that fairly good now. E Mailed to find out if I needed to retrain or what. Actually E Mailed twice. Got no answer-doubt I could generate the interest now>
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What province are you from? Each section may have different rules when it comes to recertification.

In BC the BC house rules state:

2. RE-CERTIFICATION:
d. If a competitor has not been active for 1 year the following is required:
i. Receive a written endorsement from a Training Course Instructor
e. After 2 years:
i. Write the Open Book Exam and pass it. (Minimum 75%)
ii. Complete a Level I or higher match under the supervision of a currently certified TCI or
CRO.
f. After 3 years:
i. Write the Open Book Exam and pass it. (Minimum 75%)
ii. Complete the Qualification Record requirements of the Black Badge Course and pass.
iii. Complete a Level II or higher qualifier match.
g. After 4 or more years:
i. Must re-take the Training Course (Black Badge).
All written endorsements and/or certifications documents must be sent to the Membership Coordinator with any appropriate fees collected as verification that an inactive member has been recertified.
 
I took my BB last October but have not shot a match due to work/family commitments.

Hoping to make it out next weekend.
 
ckc123 said:
One thing to consider about the BB courses.. I was talking to a fellow shooter this weekend, he was saying that some clubs required an offical "holster training" to be able to shoot ANY holster disipline at thier club.. since Cowboy action and IDPA do not have official courses (I was told this, not sure how accurate it is) . then those clubs require you to take a BB course..
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Hi

It's not

There is a course for IDPA in Canada. It's put on by the CSSA.

Having said that, I still tell people that want to shoot IDPA, that it is a good idea to take a BB course. Can never have to much experience;)
 
So if a person does the BB course do they have to take a second course to shoot IDPA ?
 
atr said:
So if a person does the BB course do they have to take a second course to shoot IDPA ?
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If a person has taken a BB course, they don't have to take the CDP course to shoot IDPA.

It is a good idea to take the CDP course, so that you learn the rules of IDPA, being so many don't seem to want to go to the IDPA web sight and read the rules online:rolleyes:
 
I used to shoot I.P.S.C. years ago...then came the time of THE GREAT SPLIT.
That's when I.P.S.C. Ont. was dis-affilliated by I.P.S.C. CANADA...And then
I.P.S.C. WORLD for non-payment of dues...If memory serves me correctly...
it was over the fact that every province had ponied-up money to fight the Hi-cap mag. ban( or some other bull#### gun-law that was supposed to protect the non-shooting public) And, Ont. was the only province to refuse to put up the money...After the dis-affiliation...I.P.S.C. Ont. splintered into two opposing groups...O.R.S.A. and C.O.R.S.A. . I started to get ``love letters" from both groups. Each claiming that they were better than the other...I thought...NOT!! I'll just wait until the dust settles from this...By that time...I had just plain lost interest...Got into P.P.C. and have had a lot of fun.(not to mention that it's nice to have something on my wall to show for it...)
Don't get me wrong...After I passed my B.B. course, I was quite active in local matches as well as club matches. Who knows? I may just get back into it.
 
Thanks..and, Not at all.. Unlike I.P.S.C., Where you pay your money,shoot your one match,and leave...Ishoot 3-4matches a day: 1500
snub-nose
service-pistol
slug-gun
These 4 matches comprise the National Defense HeadQuarters Competition. And
is shot outdoors and in any weather...Last year, during the service-pistol match...I had to shield my face from the hail,while trying to shoot a army-issue Sig. one-handed at the ``Running Russian" target.
Boring? Hardly! I still have my I.P.S.C. gun& gear, and my get back into it.
I'd also like to try I.D.P.A. and Western style.
 
did BB 4 years ago...havent shot a match since

Instructor sucked at follow up...no match calendar...no certifacte...still havent recieved a damn thing from him (He sure took my $250 quick)

On the other hand...the 'head guy' for IPSC Alberta is still more than happy to have me at a match

But....I hate driving for hours....closest match I know of is more than 3 hours from here (provincials at Spruce Grove, I think)

I LOVE IPSC style shoots....but to hell with the travelling
 
Klunk said:
did BB 4 years ago...havent shot a match since

Instructor sucked at follow up...no match calendar...no certifacte...still havent recieved a damn thing from him (He sure took my $250 quick)

On the other hand...the 'head guy' for IPSC Alberta is still more than happy to have me at a match

But....I hate driving for hours....closest match I know of is more than 3 hours from here (provincials at Spruce Grove, I think)

I LOVE IPSC style shoots....but to hell with the travelling
Click to expand...

I just trained six guys in Wainwright. With you, that makes 9 or 10 guys. You should start hosting your own IPSC matches....
 
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