New shooter

My daughter and I are new to this sport, we joined our local club and have been shooting at least once a week and twice when we could. My daughter likes it so much she went and bought her own Browning and she's a tight a$$ with her money so that says a lot about her love of this game.

We decided to join the ATA this year but reading all the negativity about the organization on this site I'm second guessing if we should or not. Does this drama carry over to the local shoots? Will this be fun or should I just keep shooting unregistered targets at my local club? Favorite banks, no money, politics, slamming the people running the shoot. This is not a very good PR campaign.

I was looking forward to Las Vegas this Sept, and had at least a dozen other shoots lined up by December. All I've read on this site are reasons not to do this. It's a bummer, is there anything good to say out there.

 

Just go shoot both ATA and local shoots its a blast.

 

Go to the Missouri Handicap, this fall, then to the Las Vegas shoot , if she has enough targets in, shoot the Grand American in Illinois at Sparta, This is a fantastic sport for a lady, tell her I said shoot her best at every shoot. Never lay down missing targets. There are a lot of Great lady shooters.

What is being discussed on here is management problems, that need to be corrected.

I agree with the above post. She could even try sporting clays if she bought an O/U.

Gary Bryant..............................Dr.longshot

 

I am also new to this sport; this is my second year shooting ATA and I love it. While there are many opportunities within the ATA organization as evidenced by lower event attendance overall, I always enjoy the tournaments and find myself anxious for the next one as soon as I complete my final event in the current one. I learn something new at every outing and always find myself surrounded with nice, friendly folks who are quick to offer advice when asked (and a few turds here and there). I have also picked up a few new friends along the way.

Since I am new I don't concern myself with Lewis Class, bank assignments or a lot of the other things that are debated on this forum; I cannot afford Lewis, and banks don't mean much to me because I don't have enough experience or common sense to know when I am on an undesirable one. I focus on having fun and even when I have a tough round I still realize that I enjoyed the experience and learned a few things from it. Since you joined ATA this year and have shoots lined up for September and beyond, be reminded that the target year runs from September 1 - August 31. Give it a go, you already paid the dues and if all else fails, you will get to spend more time with your daughter (hopefully) making memories.

 

I don't know what part of the country you are in, but in the Northeast most of the state shoots are over and the small local shoots will go until the fall. Go shoot some of the smaller local shoots and practice at your club. I see lots of Father/Daughters out there having a ball. You get to go to different clubs and shoot and meet lots of very nice people you will see at lots of the shoots.

 

We used to love the smaller, local shoots as well as our State and Zone shoots. Met some wonderful people from all over the globe. Management of the ATA may leave a lot to be desired, but at the local levels you don't have to worry as much. Just go and have fun.

 

As a new shooter the only tip I can give you is --Politics is politics --shooting is shooting -- This sport can be what ever you want to make it-- You are on the right track with shooting with your daughter --keep it fun --This form will give you a lot of information -- you just have to apply it to your situation and level of trap shooting --Personally I welcome anyone how takes up the great sport of trap shooting. -- And you will find most other shooter will agree with me.

 

Joe,
There are somethings you and your daughter will never have the pleasure and experience of and that is the grand as it once was that was a part of history and great memories for many who attended ... The grand is nothing like it used to be (verified by attendance) nor is the ATA (verified by number of members ) because greed has a way of rearing its ugly head and rather than be an organization for the shooters its turned into a Cash Cow for those who feel their shooting should be supported by the membership, namely the EC and some of the BOD ... There are a number of good shoots ran by shooters for shooters that can be enjoyed, Las Vegas has always been a good shoot, based on reports from other shooters the shoots at Cardinal Center in Ohio, the Fall Handicap in Mo, Spring Grand in Tucson just to mention a few are always well attended and worth your while ... The time with your daughter is well spent, if she enjoys shooting that is even better because time really does have a way of flying by, so enjoy ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Me,
My daughter, 2 sons and son in law all shoot, we have a blast weather ATA or meat shoots or at home on the trapfield
Enjoy it while you can.

 

As an avid trapshooter who is NOT a member of the ATA, my advice would be....join the ATA. It can expand your options in this sport AND membership in that organization will not hinder you in any way when you shoot OUTSIDE the ATA's auspices.
If, a few years down the road, you and/or your daughter decide ATA membership is superfluous, you can always choose to not renew your membership.