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All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Air Gun Gate => Topic started by: Gertrude on July 24, 2013, 06:39:43 PM

Title: Airguns and 4H Club programs
Post by: Gertrude on July 24, 2013, 06:39:43 PM
Hi all,
 Well now that our local Livestock Exhibit and Competitions at the County Fair is finished, I will have a little more time to look into a Shooting Sports Program for my daughters 4H club.

 My current club, the Orange Valley Handlers (OVH) is going to be merging with another local club, the Orange Acres Back Breakers (OABB). I have just sent a letter to the OABB's Shooting Sports program leader, Mr. Ashford.
 I thought some of you here might enjoy that letter, so here's a copy for you to read...

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Hello Mr. Ashford,

Now that the livestock portion of County Fair is finished, I have a little more time.
 We (OVH), did pretty well at the fair, with many ribbons in both Market Animals, and Showmanship.
  Some of the other OVH club members and myself, did attend the June OABB general monthly meeting, and I was hoping we could meet. Hopefully we can find time soon. I am looking very forward to coming to OABB as a member with my family.

 I would like to meet up with you sometime to discuss and learn more about how you have coordinated and organized the OABB Shooting Sports program.

Who has been involved, where and what you have been shooting, what level of instruction, ages and experience of the kids who have been involved, (and their parents too).
 Also any connections you may have to shooting ranges or larger private properties, where Air Gunning (AG's) might be legal to shoot, as opposed to .22's and other "powder burner" firearms.

 I am a lifelong experienced firearms owner and shooter, and would love to pursue "regular guns/powder burners" as a 4H project,... but as you well know, the current cost of ammunition, as well as the lack of availability, are certainly prohibitive to a .22 rimfire, or "powder burner" based program. I am a card holder of Firearms Safety Course, (as well as my daughter too), and I am a NRA Lifetime member. I have attended the county boards " New Project Leader Orientation" meeting last year, given by Jason Suppes, but I have never been a active project leader.

 If there is enough interest and support within the OABB 4H clubs membership, I am confident a comparable program could be developed using Air Guns, as a more cost effective alternative.
 I would like to meet with you, and show you some of our airguns for your consideration and opinion.
 Just as in the world of "powder burners" /Firearms realm,... there are also a wide variety of Air Guns (AG's), and their respective operating systems.

 Some of them are very simple and budget minded,... some of them are middle of the road to upper end,... (and some of them can be ridiculously over the top crazy expensive).
But either way,... and whatever a person decides he/she likes to shoot,...
 ...the pellets are far less expensive than regular ammo.
 $8 to $12 for 500 pellets is the norm.

 Of course there are special duty/hunting pellets that can get more expensive, but those are not necessary for the average target shooter or program.

A side benefit is that most airguns are a lot quieter too. (some are nearly silent to shoot), and target backstops can also be made to be near silent too.

If any of this is of interest to you, or is a possibility to help in keeping your shooting sports program running at OABB, I would love to meet with you, talk about it, and show you some of our "stuff".

Let me know what you think, and if there might be a convenient time we could meet.
 My cell is 714-225-7346
 My email is: [email protected]

p.s.
 I did spend some time at the OC Fair with Greg Hammork from Trabuco Trail Blazers 4H club. He is one of the Community Club Leaders for TTB, and he is also very interested in having a Shooting Sports program for their club, or possibly doing a Piggy-back thing between the OABB and TTB clubs.

I look forward to hearing from you
Thanks,
Ron Stephen
Title: Re: Airguns and 4H Club programs
Post by: OleTomCat on July 24, 2013, 08:11:13 PM
Looks good Ron, hope you hear back from him soon....
Title: Re: Airguns and 4H Club programs
Post by: Gertrude on July 26, 2013, 02:26:50 PM
Well, I heard back from him, and unfortunately it's not quite as positive sounding as I had hoped for.

here's a quote from his email reply to me...
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Hi Ron
Last years program was a complete failure, I could not get any ammo (and it still does not look like its available), so we only had the orientation/safety meeting but were never able to shoot.
  I am only 4H certified for a rifle program, but this does include air rifles too. Air guns would be an option, but the problem is where to shoot. I don't think the ranges like pellet guns and I don't know the legality of shooting in someones back yard, (and in this day and age I am not sure I would want to find out if someone calls the police).   There is a range at the Outdoor Education Camp near Irvine park, however they require you to use the range BB guns (plastic hunks of junk), no outside guns and no lead pellets are allowed. 

If there is interest in air rifles and a convenient, inexpensive place can be found to shoot I would be willing to reconsider leading the rifle program again this year.

Bob
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SOOoooooo,....
 Apparently the 4H Shooting Sports program he had for last year, was only something they were trying to get started, but never really got off of the ground. This was due to various reasons,... but the main reason appears to be not having a local place to shoot with a reasonable cost.
 This is the main difficulty with trying to have/run a program for a club, or group of people, with common interests.

 The facility or place to participate in any sport or activity, needs to be within a reasonable distance for the membership/participants to access, and therefor maintain a interest in that sport or activity,... (and around here, that is no small task). 
 I need to find a place that is LOCAL to shoot... if this is going to be a project that can survive.
 I'll accept ANY HELP or suggestions you guys may provide.

 I would think that a place within about 20-25 miles would be reasonable, and we could maintain an acceptable level of interest and regular participation. I do know of one **somewhat local** AG club that has regular shoots, but they generally shoot at a facility that is over 60 miles away from me, (and this would be 80ish miles away from most of the interested 4H membership).   I will make contact with them and inquire as to whether they may be willing to support a Youth Development 4H Shooting Sports program, and if they have any suggestions to a place more local to our membership.

Dang it,... I wish there was someplace in/around the Cleveland National Forest, or Silverado area. That would be ideal to being a reasonable, distance and "central" to the 3 different 4H clubs who are interested in having a AG Shooting Sports program.
 Maybe I'll go talk to the ranger station in Silverado Canyon, and see what they may suggest... but I doubt I'll get very far with them.
 It's CALLED a National Forest,.... but it's USUALLY closed to most any activities outside of hiking, tree hugging, and "saving the arroyo toad". (if you catch my drift).
Title: Re: Airguns and 4H Club programs
Post by: OleTomCat on July 26, 2013, 02:40:55 PM
Ron,

Here is a idea to take to one of your local indoor ranges, approach them to sponsor the program by donating range time for the 4H, it is a tax right off for them and good PR and if yall do it during the day it shouldn't cost them much....

Al
Title: Re: Airguns and 4H Club programs
Post by: Gertrude on July 26, 2013, 05:39:20 PM
good idea Al, I'll look into it.
  there are very few indoor ranges around here, and those that Are around, are pistol only.
 Even if I could get them to let us shoot, it would be 20 yds at the most.
 That would get real boring, real quick for most rifle shooting.
 I really think we need to find something at least 40 - 50 yards to keep it interesting and challenging.

I am SO jealous of you guys who can shoot whenever and wherever you choose.
 DANG I miss shooting in my back yard !  :'(
Title: Re: Airguns and 4H Club programs
Post by: Gertrude on July 26, 2013, 06:00:42 PM
For anyone who is interested... here's some of the hoops we've got to jump through just for the 4H approvals, etc. Most of this I completly understand and have to agree with simply on the SAFETY issues of having a group of kids with guns.
 Obviously no one wants or needs to get hurt in this sport, and surely SOME will come, who have basically zero experience and/or are completely absent of any common sense.
 
I am willing to deal with all of this, if I can just find a place for us to shoot.

http://4h.ucanr.edu/files/86385.pdf (http://4h.ucanr.edu/files/86385.pdf)

http://4h.ucanr.edu/files/2139.pdf (http://4h.ucanr.edu/files/2139.pdf)

http://4h.ucanr.edu/files/2137.pdf (http://4h.ucanr.edu/files/2137.pdf)

http://4h.ucanr.edu/files/19721.pdf (http://4h.ucanr.edu/files/19721.pdf)

http://4h.ucanr.edu/files/2133.pdf (http://4h.ucanr.edu/files/2133.pdf)

http://4h.ucanr.edu/files/2138.pdf (http://4h.ucanr.edu/files/2138.pdf)

http://4h.ucanr.edu/files/2123.pdf (http://4h.ucanr.edu/files/2123.pdf)

This is all AFTER we have a secured place to shoot and a interested/willing membership.
(Welcome to Comunisti-alifornia-istan).



Title: Re: Airguns and 4H Club programs
Post by: OleTomCat on July 26, 2013, 06:23:23 PM
good idea Al, I'll look into it.
  there are very few indoor ranges around here, and those that Are around, are pistol only.
 Even if I could get them to let us shoot, it would be 20 yds at the most.
 That would get real boring, real quick for most rifle shooting.
 I really think we need to find something at least 40 - 50 yards to keep it interesting and challenging.

I am SO jealous of you guys who can shoot whenever and wherever you choose.
 DANG I miss shooting in my back yard !  :'(

It may not be much of a challenge for you and your daughter, but some of the other kids that have never shot before may just get hooked on the 20~25yd targets...
Title: Re: Airguns and 4H Club programs
Post by: DD789 on July 27, 2013, 01:08:01 AM
Have you talked to Mr. Mac1? he might have some suggestions.
Title: Re: Airguns and 4H Club programs
Post by: sperho on July 27, 2013, 01:22:08 AM
Do you have a Civic Auditorium of some kind?  Perhaps permission there is attainable...
Title: Re: Airguns and 4H Club programs
Post by: Tater on July 27, 2013, 01:49:35 AM
It may not be much of a challenge for you and your daughter, but some of the other kids that have never shot before may just get hooked on the 20~25yd targets...

I was thinking the same thing Al.

Edit: I'm stuck shooting indoors only here, max range of 13 yards.    :'(
I'd LOVE the range!
Title: Re: Airguns and 4H Club programs
Post by: sperho on July 27, 2013, 01:52:41 AM
I was thinking 10m / 3P style.  Doesn't take much space, doesn't take much gun, and will challenge shooters at all levels...
Title: Re: Airguns and 4H Club programs
Post by: sixshootertexan on July 27, 2013, 07:50:04 AM
Check with local colleges to see if they have a 10m program. Maybe they can work with you.
Title: Re: Airguns and 4H Club programs
Post by: Slavia on July 27, 2013, 02:08:35 PM
10 years ago when the kids were little we used the 4H building at the fairgrounds.  To be able to do that we had to go to the city council to get city code changed.