How to irritate people

Since I have not shot OT in some time, I have not bothered to keep up with the rule changes that occur every year.

My understanding is now the shoot-off round is single-barrel only.

Well, that's nice. Two different games in one.

The ISSF is going to make Int'l Trap & Skeet television friendly, by God - even if they drive all the competitors out of the sport in the process.

How can you show both the target and the shooter in the same frame? You can't. Skeet, maybe. Trap, no way. Stop trying to make the game something it isn't (i.e. readily and attractively televisable) and work to make it popular enough that the IOC can't dump it from the games.

I've quite had it with this. If I ever am fortunate enough to qualify for a final in a large international competition I hope I would have the guts to shoot the final with my beat-up old Remington 870. That'd demonstrate my contempt for the new rule. Harumph!

Another thing. Since these rules have spiralled out of control, I propose we, at the grass roots, go back to the rules circa 1980: 200 targets, no shoot off except for ties. Free use of up to 36 gram loads. Minimum 75 meter birds.
15 seconds to call for the bird.

I'd like to do that for just one shoot. Just run it up the 'ole flag pole and see who salutes.

Who knows? Maybe the old style would be more popular?

USA Shooting and the World Cup

If you remember the 1998 Atlanta World Cup held at the Wolf Creek Olympic Ranges - then, like me, you are more than a little worried about the upcoming shotgun World Cup in Kerrville, TX.

The shotgun portion of the '98 WC was an unmitigated disaster and a national humiliation. The people in charge of that event had no idea how to run a shotgun match.

In those days, USA Shooting was largely staffed by rifle shooters. Now, let's be clear: I've nothing against rifle shooters. However, in 1998, the assumption that a rifle shooter, even one with experience running large rifle matches, could competently run a large, important international shotgun event - was a mistake.

It is my understanding that Wanda Jewel is the match director for the upcoming WC. While I have only met her once, she strikes me as a competent individual. Nevertheless, the question needs to be asked: what is her experience with shotgun matches?

With 300 competitors (50 squads) there will not be time to "learn on the job". I really hope she's got a lot of help.

The Kerrville facility could be a high visability, public relations boon for our sports. But only if we continue to get international events. Another showing like '98 and we may not, in the future, be able to draw the kinds of events that a facility like Kerrville deserves.

My fingers are crossed.