New match replacing the Western National

[Bill L AZWINS]

I appreciate the kind words about the AZWINS just completed.

First I apologize for not having been better at getting information out about the event earlier. I struggled getting on this site getting malware introduced to my computer in the effort. It takes someone more tech Smart than me todo it.

Although the physical part of the event was basically the same as the old WNS. We had to bring ourselves up to speed on the administrative side. Thanks to my daughter Joyce and brother Jay who
Managed to create a system that worked we brought this thing off. Alan Ross brought his program and really helped keep the pistol events on course.

Volunteers have always been the backbone of our event and this year more than ever they stepped up.

This message is already too long we’ll get the website and Facebook updated.

Basically a great event. The long range matches will attract worldwide attention. The partnership with the USIMLT and The BPCR 1000 yard Championshipd (that are still going on) is very strong.

We’re well in the black thanks to our generous competitors and volunteers.

Bill Loughrige

 

[D. Buck Stopshere]

Perhaps the financial drain came from “trucking” the NMLRA HQ Match Staff from Friendship IN to the Western Nationals and encamped for the week, providing Admin & Scoring, and repeating the “trucking” back to Indiana. 3,600 miles round trip by my calculations, whether driving or flying.

The Board of Directors was informed that only about 100 competitors attended in 2018. “Dollars and Sense” have to come into play here. Regretfully, the Board had to cut it loose. It had a good run for thirty years.

Like a number of our activities, it ain’t what it used to be as far as the “head count”. Even the NMLRA Territorial Program was in the hole in 2018.

I had a commercial booth at Friendship from ‘72 till 1998, and those were “shining times”, with 2,000+ folks most years. Great times rubbing elbows with “legends & heroes”. I shot on the pistol line from ‘87 to ‘98. Made Master in ‘95. I hear now attendance at Friendship is about a 1,000.

I hope this here shooting match is a great success year after year. Hope it attracts buku vendors and traders, bringing more black powder interest to our numbers. In a few weeks, I’m going to make a seven hour drive to the largest target shoot in the Southeast, the Brushy Creek Rendezvous & Shooting Match. But even it is half in numbers of what it was in 1998, when I started coming.

My advice, take advantage of every shooting event you want to attend. Perhaps, in a decade it will be only a memory.

Buck Buchanan
Field Rep - NC
NMLRA

 

[jime444]

Thanks again, Bill for putting together a great shoot. I’ve talked to many people personally about it and all of them were planning to return next year. Let’s make it even better, I think we got some momentum going. Maybe, even the national(that is tri-state) organization will admit they made a mistake. Naw, they ain’t that smart are they? Lol.

 

[Ranch 13]

I wasn't able to attend due to a last minute medical emergency, but by all accounts from the guys I would of been shooting with in the cartridge events, it was a grand success, and I would be surprised if attendance by the cartridge folks doesn't go up considerably next year.

 

[fleener]

It is hard to dispute the facts that the match was decreasing in attendance as the years went by. If the controversy of the NMLRA ending it help fuel interest and peoples desire to show up and support the match, that is a great positive.

It would great to have it continue to grow and become even MUCH larger.

Some day, perhaps next year, I will be able to show up and shoot out there.

Fleener

 

[Don Steele]

I've followed this thread from the beginning because of my interest in possibly traveling (from Florida) to the Western National when it was managed by the NMLRA. Based upon the reports I received from folks who did make the trip...it wasn't all that much so I didn't go. Coincidentally...I discussed the Western National with a member of the NMLRA board the week they were taking up the issue of whether or not to continue using members money to support it. The numbers he shared with me made it a financial "No-Brainer" to discontinue sending an entire team of people to Arizona for a poorly attended event. Buck hit it pretty much right on the head...(see his post above). The shoot that was just held was managed by dedicated folks who have given a lot of the credit for their successful event to the volunteers who stepped up and helped out. That's ALL GOOD..I'm really pleased to read of their success and sincerely congratulate them. I hope their success will engender a growth in interest in our sport out West. A good shoot doesn't HAVE TO be run by a traveling cadre of NMLRA staff to be successful. If it broadens the appeal and participation in shooting muzzleloaders, and BPCR...I'm all for it. There are several interesting stops I'd enjoy making out there besides just going to Phoenix to shoot and a future trip may very well be in the planning stages.

 

[smo]

I wasn’t aware that a “crew” from the NMLRA traveled there too host the shoot...,

What was the reasoning behind this, the rules seem self explanatory for most NMLRA ran shooting matches.

I could see one or two people going out there each year, just too protect the clubs intrest, so too speak.

But I can’t understand why a large contingency of members would be required, most of which are Volunteers anyway... correct?

I will have too say, never having been to Phoenix, the weather there would have too be better than the weather in Friendship during that time of the year.

I’m glad the shoot went well and I hope the support there continues..

 

[fleener]

The reason for the traveling crew was due to needing workers to help support the matches, not enough volunteers. Also the match director was a paid position when the NMLRA ran it.

Fleener

 

[FishDFly]

Some years one of the members would pull the trailer round trip from Friendship to Phoenix. Other times one of the employees would pull the trailer, added cost.

The trailer had all the targets and supplies to run the shoot. Also in the trailer was all the medals and the NMLRA items for sale.

The employees who came from Friendship, you have to pair their air fare, motels, rental car, food and expenses

Running shoots is a business, need to make a profit.

 

[fleener]

Not sure I agree that the shoots need to make a profit. Breaking even or close to it I think can be good.

Not everything a organization does has to make money to be of a positive benefit to its members

Fleener

 

[Ranch 13]

Word is that this match will be held next year in the same time frame, with the same Muzzle Loader matches, Creedmoor , USIMLT, and 1000 yard World championships. So there's plenty of time to get travel plans in place.

 

[FishDFly]

Word is that this match will be held next year in the same time frame, with the same Muzzle Loader matches, Creedmoor , USIMLT, and 1000 yard World championships. So there's plenty of time to get travel plans in place.

Asked before, any vendors show up, food available, black powder available?

 

[jime444]

Bill L. had A case of Goex avail for use/sale, 2fg and 3fg available. Most of it was auctioned off because it wasn’t sold to competitors. Several small vendors were there, traders row was smaller than in the past. Town has grown up around the range. Less than 1/2 mile away is a large shopping area, Albertsons, Lots of places to eat, etc. No real onsite food, except a local hotdog/brat vendor on the public range. The Az fish and game department runs the facility, which is scheduled and rented by them. This is a large facility with many multiple ranges which the ML’s scheduled 3 or 4 of them for the match, smallbore(oh/pistol) benchrest (300 yard), silhouette(primitive), 1000 yard, etc. including the activity bldg (registration/target/scoring/admin). Since my winter home is less than 10 minutes from the range, if needed, i could easily stock anything you might require. With the proper planning, that is. I personally shot for 5 days, burning up several pounds of powder and roundballs. You’re on the north side of the 5th or 6th largest city in the US. one of the most gun friendly areas in the country. Most supplies can be had in a reasonable and timely fashion. All you would need to do is ask.

 

[FishDFly]

Thanks.

I have been to the previous 10 shoots and was curious how the questions I asked compared to those previous shoots. Also asked for those who might come next year.

Each year vendors row is getting smaller. Remember when Marvin and Log Cabin would come.

 

[jime444]

I agree that the vendor row is getting smaller. So is friendships. internet sales have taken a great hit on any retail location, the same thing is happening here. Travel costs are high, margins are just too low.
Personally, I’d like to see a Swap Meet format added. Lots of older shooters have ML’s, clothing, gear and spare equipment to sell. Maybe it’s just one day, maybe the final weekend. I think that would generate a bunch of interest and increase attendance, sell raffle tickets, etc.

 

[smo]

For me the swap meet/ flea markets at Friendship are a plus.

Sometimes a man can find a good deal there among the other junk.

Food is always a plus too....
It’s hard for a fat man too concentrate on shooting when he’s hungry!

 

[Ranch 13]

Well mark your calendars for next year. Set up is March 1st, and you can shoot all the way thru to the 13th.

 

[Shooter1]

Too ill to make it to 2018 shoot, but even the new weak me and my grandson had a great time at 2019 shoot. Bill L. did great job with help of family and volunteers to make it work. Many of us that couldn't shoot all we wanted to (my self included) worked as National Range Officers for at least 1/2 a day. I was so exhausted that 2 days my unlicensed grandson had to drive me back to camp and pop a beer for me. Cancer, even in remission sucks. If i"m around next year, I will definitely be there again. Vendors even had 60 cal balls when I ran low.

 

[thixotropy]

Too ill to make it to 2018 shoot, but even the new weak me and my grandson had a great time at 2019 shoot. Bill L. did great job with help of family and volunteers to make it work. Many of us that couldn't shoot all we wanted to (my self included) worked as National Range Officers for at least 1/2 a day. I was so exhausted that 2 days my unlicensed grandson had to drive me back to camp and pop a beer for me. Cancer, even in remission sucks. If i"m around next year, I will definitely be there again. Vendors even had 60 cal balls when I ran low.

Keep fighting it man-good on you putting forth the effort, GF and myself are both now members of the "club". Hope to be there this spring ourselves. Wish you well. Meeting more and more people who have fought it and won. Seems like every other person in FL lately!