Fox Collectors

I want all members and lurkers to take a long, hard look at the picture below. Now lookup the word “nadir.” Better yet, I’ll save you the trouble. It means the low-water mark, the lowest point of anything.

Allow me to use it in a sentence: “This past weekend (and last) was the nadir of my eleven year association with the Fox Collectors!!!” For the first time in over a decade I’m embarrassed to be a part of this group and am counting the days until I can officially drift away, like a fart in your favorite house of worship. If it were up to me, I’d cancel every 2018 event and let this group plod along on the AHFCA website and Jason Peck’s Facebook page.

Losing is one thing; it comes with the territory and often is the fuel for life’s most gratifying victories. NOT SHOWING UP on the other hand, is unconscionable, deplorable and a blatant INSULT, not only to this organization and its BOD, but to the sponsoring club that worked their nads off to entertain us.

Today we’re the laughing stock of the double-gun shooting fraternity, a joke, a selfish, apathetic band of gypsies out for themselves. Honestly, I’m dreading the call to Vintage Gunner President Gary Lacey trying to concoct a reasonable explanation as to what the hell transpired at Hopkins this past weekend.

And that’s not our only sin. Last weekend at Rock Mountain--- a shooter’s paradise set in a truly beautiful locale--- Mike and Susan Koneski hosted a wonderful shoot where again we couldn’t field a squad of five to shooters to vie for the Manufacturers Cup.

I have never, ever heard such a myriad of excuses as to why our members could not attend our functions as was put forth this year. It was self-destruction at its finest, and frankly these shoots were doomed within weeks of their scheduling. So, what gives and why do I repeatedly feel like we’re pi**ing into the eye of Hurricane Irma ?

I hear “There are too many shoots” I respectfully disagree. There are four major double-gun events on the calendar for 2018, and only 3 where the AHFCA sponsors shooting activities. June at Hausmann’s, August at Rock Mountain and Sept. (TBD) at Hopkins.

I hear “I’m not a competitor and shoot only for fun.” Really? Do you hold a job? Do you work for a corporation? Do you run your own business? Do you hunt? Then guess what, you compete each and every day for a paycheck and/or that vest full of game! Man up. If you shoot a lousy round, toss your scorecard, no one will ever know and furthermore no one cares! You’re shooting to promote the health and welfare of the AHFCA.

I hear “The targets are too expensive?” Seriously? Thirty to Fifty bucks will break the bank? This from a group who’ll drop five to six figures on a Fox in a heartbeat, and who spend untold thousands on restoration projects, hunting trips, Botox shots for their bird dogs and who drive $50K+ pick-ups/SUV’s. Hand me a freakin’ tissue, I’m welling up.

The fact remains that 75+% of our members reside in the Northeast, well within driving distance of our events. And to those members living west of the Mississippi, give Dave Noreen a call, he’ll offer you plenty of sympathy.

There’s an unwritten quid-pro-quo at play when you sign up to be a member of the AHFCA. Sure, we’ll do our part supplying you with newsletters, a soon to be state-of-the art website, an invaluable repository of Fox gun knowledge and a no-charge conduit to some of the most knowledgeable collectors/shooters/technicana experts on the planet. But there’s a little something we expect in return: PARTICIPATION. These events don’t happen by accident. We don’t rub a lamp or wiggle our nose like Bewitched, wish we could.

Chuck Bishop from the PGCA said it best. “Basically, the Fox team should have forfeited the match.” He’s right, we should have conceded. My, how well that would have played in the Shooting Sportsman gazette.

I would be remiss in allowing my tirade to extinguish the grand effort put forth by the scant few guys in blue who did show, to wit Mike Smith, Daryl Corona, Alan Smith and Allen Peterson, who valiantly tried to fend off a talent laden Team Parker on Saturday afternoon, and almost succeeded. Kudos to Kevin McCormack as well, for manning the AHFCA booth and assisting with the tedious, FPC admin duties.

Yup, 15 months, 4 days 11 hours and 59 minutes until I pass the torch. Free at last…..free at last, thank God almighty, I’m free at last!!!
PS---Wondering about the attached firecracker? My strong advice would be to place it beneath your ass and light!! Perhaps it’ll serve as a wake-up call to a few of you but then again, I’m not holding my breath.

Seems like quite a scolding, what am I missing here? As a paying member of this association am I agreeing to participate in club sponsored events? No one has ever said to me "we don't want your dues if you can't attend any events". I understand what your saying, I'm sure it's frustrating to put in the time and effort that the BOD does only to feel like no one cares enough to participate and validate your hard work and time.

Sorry, ended up posting a reply before I was finished.
What I'm trying to convey is that I can understand your frustration, but don't feel I should be shamed or bullied into attending events. I'm not a shooter, I'm a student and collector of all things Fox. I have an unexplainable and uncontrollable urge to read all I can about these guns, to search them out in out of the way pawn shops, gun shops, shows and public auctions. I hope to someday be able to retire and spend more time learning to shoot better, attend more events, meet more people, etc., but that day is not here yet. Maybe there will be no more people willing to put in the time and effort to set these things up by then, I understand it's a real possibility, but it's just the way things must be right now for me.
I currently pay dues for the privilege of reading the forums and learning from a great group of individuals. I'm sure there are other members of there like me. If I'm in the wrong place, and the board would rather I just go set up a Facebook account I'll do that (actually I probably won't, I can't stand the whole concept) .

P.S.
I buy a hunting license each year and have never received a scathing letter from the PA Game Commission chastising me for not going afield and harvesting game. Get what I'm saying?

I am a life member of the AHFCA, for some 5+ years now. I participate on the forum, I contribute when I can do so with something I feel is worthwhile. I do not expect to come on here and be belittled by some self-righteous officer of the organization because I cannot leave my work to drive hundreds of miles and participate in an event that does nothing substantial other than make the ones who participated look good if they win. I love competition, I love shooting Foxes, but I despise condescension. "If I can do this, why can't YOU?", doesn't play well with me.

You are way outta' line, Steve. You owe the membership a sincere apology. No one bought a membership in this organization to be scolded by the likes of you. Where in the job description of AHFCA Executive Director does it give you this license? You need to step back, take a deep breath and consider that you may have done more to harm this organization than every other member who loves their guns, loves hunting with them, collecting them and learning more about them, but could care less about beating the Parker Team. If I weren't already a life member I would sure not become one after reading that post.

Consider me very disappointed in some of our "leadership".

SRH

I agree With Stan I go when I can shoot when I want and have lots of have fun at the events. I found the pre event bragging and taunting embarrassing and have all the class of wearing your Knickers down on your butt. As a retired Navy man and disabled Vet,I have had my ass chewed a few times over the years but you can go pack sand my friend, Get over yourself. All clubs have a core few members that are the ones who get things done and keep the operation going. celebrate them and go along and enjoy the ride. I appreciate all the Knowledge and information the Fox Collectors associations Members share. and will continue to be a member.

I read that as tongue-in-cheek, would hope that was the intent. Seriously, who is so vain as to be embarrassed by something like a forfeit appearing in a Gazette?

I agree with kgb. I read Toolman's post as part frustration and part tongue in cheek hyperbole which he has used to great effect in his wonderful DGJ articles. I didn't take any offense. However, for us working class folks, it is a real commitment to attend one of these events. Being from the Nashville area, I went to the Southern this year, and it was still a 9+ hour drive each way. It was worth it though, and I plan to go again.