Need Feedback on Sporting Clays Events

[salter]

Attendance at sporting clays events has been declining over the past several years. I only have data for Western Canada and most of that is for registered shoots but the number of registered targets has dropped some 60% from its peak in 2016. Now certainly there was a major impact from Covid, but the decline actually started earlier than 2020.

It would be interesting to hear some positive suggestions from shooters on how participation can be increased..

Why do you no longer attend sporting clays events, if that is the case?

What new ideas would you like to see at these events that would encourage you to attend?

What changes should be made to the current format at events?

Do you prefer registered over non-registered events and why?

Are events too costly?

Are there too many targets at an event or too few?

Is the atmosphere at registered events too competitive?

The current CNSCA classification and prize award system was designed to allow shooters at all levels to compete amongst their peers. Is it satisfactory or should there be changes made?

Any and all feedback is appreciated.

 

[Falconflyer]

I quit shooting registered targets in 2011. The entry fees were getting high (not nearly as high as they are now) the prizes were garbage, the last price I won was a temperature thermometer, probably a 5 retail dollar item. I have a stack of the Olympic style medals that are kinda neat but fairly impractical, prizes of shotgun shells like we used to give out would be better.
One of the other major reasons that I quit was because I witnessed shooters cheating with alarming regularity. Some were cheating because they couldn’t be bothered to read the rules and others just wanted that 5 dollar thermometer no matter what. And some of these guys were so serious about scoring that it became not fun anymore. Shooting non registered targets with buddies that don’t take themselves so seriously is just more relaxing and fun.

 

[NZClaybuster]

Why do you no longer attend sporting clays events, if that is the case? I don't shoot clays competitively because my kids noticed i was gone and camping was always at gun clubs. My daughters didn't take to clays..

What new ideas would you like to see at these events that would encourage you to attend? Pro/am where experienced shooters were matched with newbies or lower class shooters with coaching being encouraged

What changes should be made to the current format at events? Haven't been in a while, but multiple events within events to allow people to shoot multiples of 25 or 50 as their time and budget allowed.

Do you prefer registered over non-registered events and why? I like both, but for different reasons. I like registered to match my progress against my past performance, i like non-registered as they tend to be fund raisers for good causes. both have value.

Are events too costly? I like the option of shooting targets only so that prizes costs don't have to be added to entry fees. Chicken and egg issue. with more shooters comes the opportunity for sponsored prizes. Sponsored prizes can bring more shooters. but the cost of adding prizes to entry fees makes it tough.. Clays is not a cheap sport

Are there too many targets at an event or too few? when i am hitting them, there is never enough, when i am missing, there are too many . see post above

Is the atmosphere at registered events too competitive? It has been a while since i was in a reg'd competition, but the serioius competitors always set themselves apart. There isn't much you can do about that.

The current CNSCA classification and prize award system was designed to allow shooters at all levels to compete amongst their peers. Is it satisfactory or should there be changes made? The system is near perfect, but the amount of classes and the obligation to provide prizing is to much for small clubs. with smaller attendance the amount of classes and concurrents could be halved.



Best of luck.

 

[stubblejumper]

The local DU fundraiser still sells out every year, as do a few other fundraisers held at the range that I belong to, but very few people at our range have any interest in shooting registered targets.

 

[waldo54]

I don't shoot sporting clays but do shoot a lot of registered trap events and the cost of entry fees, ammo, travel and accommodation have doubled in the past 5 years and there is no end in sight, when you add the fact that many shooters are aging and not shooting near as much or at all anymore it all adds up to declining numbers. Inflation in general has made a huge dent in disposable income for most people, they just don't have the money for recreational shooting.

 

[Westward1]

I started shooting registered Sporting when the NSCA was the only association involved. I am not sure what year that would have been but the only NSCA membership card I can find is from 1991. I shot a lot of competition in the early years of the ASCA and CNSCA and enjoyed the travel and experiences. Through the years, my fellow shooters quit participating for many reasons and I am sure the rising costs played a large part. But for me, I realized after 30+ years that is was no longer enjoyable. Now that I am retired, I shoot more than I ever have. But have no interest in registered competition.

 

[Rob!]

Attendance at sporting clays events has been declining over the past several years. I only have data for Western Canada and most of that is for registered shoots but the number of registered targets has dropped some 60% from its peak in 2016. Now certainly there was a major impact from Covid, but the decline actually started earlier than 2020.

It would be interesting to hear some positive suggestions from shooters on how participation can be increased..

Why do you no longer attend sporting clays events, if that is the case?

I do - and would attend more if not much travel is involved. Takes a pretty special event to get me travel.

What new ideas would you like to see at these events that would encourage you to attend?

Maybe bring something back. Years ago, after a shoot we'd gather at the clubhouse after the shoot for an awesome meal, a spreadsheet of results on the projector and presentations / awards and prizes. I enjoyed this part of the experience and family / friends feeling it inspired. Please bring it back. Feel free to charge appropriately.
I'd be happy to see more subgauge - more supersport. No interest in Fitasc - too stuffy. Fun shoots, (2 man etc) are fun indeed.

What changes should be made to the current format at events?

Might be interesting to try random squadding once in a while. Meet new people.

Do you prefer registered over non-registered events and why?

I'll shoot registered whenever it's offered. Lets me track my performance history and the organizations support our sport. Would be nice to see an end to the petty bickering. The small cost of registering targets is no more imposition than leaving a tip for a good restaurant experience, and every shoot I've been to has been a good experience.

Are events too costly?

Shoots at our club feature top notch equipment, staff to promptly respond to challenges, nice supporting grounds and facilities, talented target setting and so much more. Cheaper would be nice - but don't cut service and great experience. Find a generous philanthropist.

Are there too many targets at an event or too few?

100 - 120 targets is fine for most. One or two big events a year would be nice.

Is the atmosphere at registered events too competitive?

Not really. Top shooters squad together as do fun shooters. Haven't seen registration make much difference. At local shoots, no-one is going home with a new truck.

The current CNSCA classification and prize award system was designed to allow shooters at all levels to compete amongst their peers. Is it satisfactory or should there be changes made?

Love the CNSCA - actually prefer it to NSCA, but I'm happy to support both. Wait. There is one thing. I'd like lifetime membership actually be that - as it is with NSCA.

Any and all feedback is appreciated.

Can't overstate how much I appreciate the work put in by clubs and organizations in support of our sport.
NZ Claybuster - thanks for getting me to try multi-quoting. Very cool.

 

[bluelynx]

Salter:

My post may be removed with permission

Your thread is excellent.

The question's you prepared required a knowledgeable background of experience and thought.

I love the systematic manner of your questions for analysis.

Mister Salter:

I am not kissing your ass.

We require some serious questions of how to recruit more shooters on the ranges.

Would you be able to develop a similar enquiry list for bringing in newcomer's

The posting crowd is impeccable.

Most respectfully,
Bluelynx.

 

[stubblejumper]

Salter:

My post may be removed with permission

Your thread is excellent.

The question's you prepared required a knowledgeable background of experience and thought.

I love the systematic manner of your questions for analysis.

Mister Salter:

I am not kissing your ass.

We require some serious questions of how to recruit more shooters on the ranges.

Would you be able to develop a similar enquiry list for bringing in newcomer's

The posting crowd is impeccable.

Most respectfully,
Bluelynx.

A huge problem today is recruiting new shooters, especially young shooters. Looking around at skeet, on a typical day, one of our regular members is 18, after that, every other regular member is over 40, and the majority is over 60. Yes we get some younger shooters now and then, but not on a regular basis. I even tried to run an introduction for young shooters, where the club would cover most of the cost, for four Saturdays, where myself and a couple of other members would teach the young shooters the basics of wingshooting, and the game of skeet. We only had three youths sign up, so the program was canceled. In today's world, most youths just have no interest, they would rather shoot zombies on their computer.

 

[salter]

A huge problem today is recruiting new shooters, especially young shooters. Looking around at skeet, on a typical day, one of our regular members is 18, after that, every other regular member is over 40, and the majority is over 60. Yes we get some younger shooters now and then, but not on a regular basis. I even tried to run an introduction for young shooters, where the club would cover most of the cost, for four Saturdays, where myself and a couple of other members would teach the young shooters the basics of wingshooting, and the game of skeet. We only had three youths sign up, so the program was canceled. In today's world, most youths just have no interest, they would rather shoot zombies on their computer.

Our experience unfortunately is almost exactly the same.

 

[salter]

Thanks for all the responses. I will compile these and send to CNSCA, BCSCA and ASCA. Hopefully some positive things will come out of this,

 

[qwer]

opinion from a relative young (under 30) clay shooter:
1. I live in Toronto where most clay shooting clubs with 1hr drive and reasonable fee is full and no longer taking new members. ex. Oshawa Clay target, or clay only club charges high membership fee, like $700 yearly at uxbridge.
2. cheapest 12ga ammo costs $0.5, clay are $8 per round which sums up to $1 per shot.
3. Gun cost is high. Non turkish U/O are reaching 3k. Semi-auto and pump aren't welcome by many. I know per issf rule semiauto aren't allowed but we aren't shooting in the olympics.
4. Gun clubs rarely have clay shooting intro session open to outsider. I understand clubs have legel/management/safety concerns. I read member above posted his experience with no signup shooting session, but unsure the scope of his advertising target group.

 

[winruger]

A huge problem today is recruiting new shooters, especially young shooters. Looking around at skeet, on a typical day, one of our regular members is 18, after that, every other regular member is over 40, and the majority is over 60. Yes we get some younger shooters now and then, but not on a regular basis. I even tried to run an introduction for young shooters, where the club would cover most of the cost, for four Saturdays, where myself and a couple of other members would teach the young shooters the basics of wingshooting, and the game of skeet. We only had three youths sign up, so the program was canceled. In today's world, most youths just have no interest, they would rather shoot zombies on their computer.

many universities in Canada now how target shooting clubs. I am not certain how active they are now post-covid. But the cost is a factor yes...mainly because the country is not really as affluent as it was in the 50s and 60s..