OGCA Fox Sightings

[DarylC]

It seems to me the lack of participation and enthusiasm are the challenge team events. We have tried different qualifying strategies to try to draw more people in, it has helped with fill out a squad but not everyone is happy with the selection format. The best events in terms of participants was the Fox small bore challenge shot on the Hausmann 5 stand with a cash prize for the top 3 scores and the BW. The BW continues to be a well supported event. These are not team events but seem to meet the needs of the attendees. Maybe someone can figure out why the team challenge events are poorly supported and make modifications.

In my experience with the team challenge events it seems it boils down to the timing of the challenge events. By the time Saturday afternoon rolls around many shooters have left and finding the qualifying shooters that are still around is the real challenge. Possibly, and I'm just throwing this out there, we could just have a sign up sheet posted on Thurs for any shooter that would like to shoot the event and go with that. Have the challenge event say, Fri at noon and either have qualifications on the 5 stand or just go with the people who have signed up and form teams from that. I think you have witnessed Craig, how hectic it is on Sat. afternoon trying to cobble the teams together and get them to stay around. I'm certainly open to any and all suggestions.

[eightbore]

Good points about timing of brand events. Back in the day when I remembered what end the shot comes out, I shot what I saw as a mediocre score in the Parker team tryouts at the Southern. I had been on the Parker team before and thought I knew what a qualifying score would be. On the way up the road headed for home, my cell phone rang. It was Mark Conrad calling to ask where I was, the Parker-Smith competition was about to begin and I was on the Parker team. Yup, moving things up a bit in the weekend schedule would help. Also, shooting 100 birds in a team championship on a Sunday is way off my radar. At least, recently, there is no Sunday at Ernie's. No Sunday at the Southern would be another improvement.

[Maggiemollie]

I support moving up the challenges to either Friday afternoon or Saturday morning.

[DarylC]

Keep the suggestions coming guys. I will implement some sort of sign up sheet that if you are willing to shoot on a challenge team you will make a commitment to stick around and check back with your gun's organization to see if and when you shoot.

[Jeff S]

Keep the suggestions coming guys. I will implement some sort of sign up sheet that if you are willing to shoot on a challenge team you will make a commitment to stick around and check back with your gun's organization to see if and when you shoot.

Daryl, I think a sign up sheet is a very good idea.

[Silvers]

How about asking for a dedicated member volunteer to act as Fox Association Field Rep in the upper mid-west, i.e., general area of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, etc. to look out for vintage SxS shoots and to stimulate/emphasize a presence of Fox gun shooters. I do see vintage SxS shoots advertised fairly often. Not that the person has to attend but maybe work with the club management to advertise and award a decent gift or trophy to the high Fox gun or two. Part of the deal for management to provide a pic or two and some details for our Newsletter. I often wonder what can be done to expand our presence and influence beyond just the East Coast. The same thing might be done with a Deep South and/or a West Coast Field Rep(s). frank

[Jeff S]

Frank, that’s a great idea. I have not attended these events (because I’ve “budgeted” my time to the Pennsylvania events), but here are 3 that are very popular: the MEC Great Northern SxS Classic in Wisconsin, the Yooper SxS Classic in Michigan’s U.P., and the SASS Fun Shoot at Lewiston, Michigan. All three events get a lot of “press”. The SASS event is relatively new, but I bet it will grow.

I’ve heard that a few of the traditional events are slowly losing a little of their luster. There’s nothing wrong with jumping on the bandwagon at a new, and up and coming event. An individual’s person time can be a limiting factor, but we have a lot of members. “Many hands make light work.”

Correction! The “official SASSS” event is March 22 at the Multi lakes Conservation Club in Commerce, Mi.

[Randy G Roberts]

It seems like we want more shooters “chatting” about their guns, and their experiences. Three weeks ago I started laying out my plans for the booth at the Southern. Rather than focusing on “long legged” guns, or “light weight” upland guns, the theme is going to be, “Working Guns”. If a gun is going to be on display on the table it must be accompanied by a picture of the gun next to harvested game. I’ve put together 4 “display cards” for a variety of my guns, and will make two more this Fall. If someone would like to add to the display, they are welcome. I will post an invitation to participate in the display, but some of the display items won’t be ready until mid-November.

Jeff that's a great idea. I applaud your imagination and creativity on that one. It should make for a fabulous table display. I know from personal experience that coming up with table themes gets a bit difficult after a while.

[fox-admin]

Our membership is spread out pretty evenly but it is concentrated on the east. PA-52, NY-23, MI-20, NC-17, OH-14, NJ-12, CT-12, WI-11, CA-11.