West Coast GTA Fun Shoot/Airgun Show???

[ezman604]

Okay folks, we need some input. Travis @ Wicked Air Rifles and I just had a conversation about the possibility of a GTA West Coast event. We have quite a few members and vendors located on the left coast and many could not make the annual Fun Shoot in KY. So I am posting this to see first of all how many of you would possibly attend a Southern CA event in say October/November time frame. And to also ask, beg, plead for someone to host the event. Or let us know of a possibility of a place that could support an event. Preferably some place with space for a shooting range, adequate facilities, food and lodging available close.
Please vote in the poll and spread the good word. Let's see if this is doable and what kind of participation we can generate. And if you can or know of anyone that could possible host the event, please drop either myself or Travis (oldpro) a message.
Thanks in advance!!!!
SAFE & Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
 

[Joe Brancato]

I'd be happy to assist and possibly help in further areas.  I have been trying to put together a show on my own for a couple of years, and I just don't have the manpower to do so. I have picked out areas that I thought would be easy for people to access, etc.  It has been so over-whelming that I have put it on the back burner. If someone would like to do it I will assiste. If someone would like to assist me, I will host. Whatever it takes to make it happen.
 Call me to discuss, we could even use my place as a home base for you guys when you are here.

[Meann-Machine]

I have two birthdays and a wedding during that time, so even though I'll have to fly out to California for the wedding I don't think participation in a fall shoot is going to happen for me.  My schedule requires something like that to be scheduled closer to a year in advance, like the 2016 Kentucky shoot is, and even at that it is going to clash, or mesh with, depending on your perspective, the 2016 NRA Annual Meeting in Louisville.

[darren]

Way to step up Joe..,
Depending on dates depends if I go

Love to see it happen......maybe even get that Palone character to the left coast.

[Gear_Junkie]

Man, I would love to attend something like this, but I'm closer to the Sacramento Area.  SoCal is 9 hours away for me... still it's tempting.

[ezman604]

I have two birthdays and a wedding during that time...

MAN...and I thought managing GTA Forums would make me grow old quick.
HeeHee

[Bwalton]

I would be there no doubt, I also have a few places in mind depending how big of a place we would need. Then there is the guys in SlO that could host, and they would be more set up for that type of event.

[ezman604]

Thanks Joe and Baxter. Keep me informed and we will see if we can develop this event. At the moment, I can't commit to being there but I feel the desire and need to make any GTA event. It's what I live for.

[SnoValley]

All of us on the West coast appreciate the effort, but for some of us Southern Cal is almost as far as KY. There are quite a few of us up in the northern end of that left coast, WA, Ore. and even Canada. Maybe something more in the middle, Northern Cal or Oregon would be more doable for both the Cal guys and us farther north...JMHO. (my opinion and 5 bucks will get you a coffee at SBucks) 

[ezman604]

Good point. We're still in the look see phase, nothing set in stone at all.

[PBguns]

No question if held in Socal I would be there (and help in any fashion I could).

[haertig]

Unfortunately, California is way too gun unfriendly for me to go there.  Even flying in with airguns would set you up for potential hassle.  Not worth the headaches that would probably ensue.  Might as well hold the event in Chicago or New Jersey.

Move the event a state or two east from there, and I'd definitely consider attending.

[ztirffritz]

Wish I could go, but SoCal is just too far.  Almost the same distance as KY.  Somewhere around SF would be better.  Actually, Weed CA would be perfect.  That's about smack dab in the middle of the West Coast.  That would at least be within driving distance for me.

[Gear_Junkie]

Maybe something more in the middle, Northern Cal or Oregon would be more doable for both the Cal guys and us farther north...JMHO. (my opinion and 5 bucks will get you a coffee at SBucks) 

Amen to that.  I think there are some field target clubs in the Sacramento Area.  Motorhead would probably know more.

I'm also trying to talk the NEVADA COUNTY SPORTSMEN'S CLUB into allowing an air gun league.  But I haven't been able to connect with the director yet.  A couple of members said that, as long as I'm able to take the lead on setting this up, it's a strong possibility.  The issue is that it could take a few months to get going I'd imagine.  The foothills are a nice place to hang out, especially in the fall when the colors change.  There is plenty of lodging, places to eat, and 2 historic towns for spouses to check out while the rest of us are shooting (Grass Valley and Nevada City).  There's even a paintball place in town that can fill tanks.  Lake Tahoe is also nearby for those nearby.  Just throwing this out there...

[Joe Shooter]

If I may...
Kentucky is not exactly on the East Coast, so while a West Coast fun shoot is fine idea...in my personal, humble opinion, the East Coast fun shoot should be moved closer in to the East Coast.

[Hangtown-Shooter]

We have a large outdoor range here in NorCal (near Sacramento). Local airgun comps are already held here. I am fairly new to the hobby so not really much help...Scott (Motorhead) would be a better person to speak with regarding the possibility of hosting it here.


http://www.sacvalley.org

[Booger]

My son lives in Ontario, if I can talk the wife into it.

[BigBlastCharlie]

I can't possibly travel that far but I'd like to donate my totally redesigned Big Blast Target Inflator, one 6-Pack for each attendee. It's premature on the count I understand but a good reason to start early is that somehow someone has to start collecting 2-liter bottles for targets.
TSA wouldn't understand anyone flying with empty pop bottles and the State of California might think that you're coming to steal their water. Any ideas for how this can be done needs to be addressed.
Here's a How to Use video for the new style: 

[PBguns]

Unfortunately, California is way too gun unfriendly for me to go there.  Even flying in with airguns would set you up for potential hassle.  Not worth the headaches that would probably ensue.  Might as well hold the event in Chicago or New Jersey.

Move the event a state or two east from there, and I'd definitely consider attending.

.

What airgun laws of ours are you so concerned with that you have to have a two state buffer?

[cobrajocky]

I'm pretty new to this forum, but an old timer in California - former USAF Officer / Pilot and former Cop/ range-master / armorer. You do know that you are talking about liberal controlled California as a place to hold this? I live in mostly "blue" Orange County now (on the coast south of LA-la land) and even here there is virtually NO PLACE to shoot any air gun out in the open. ALL the counties in  CA have laws against shooting air weapons even on private property (READ - your own yard) unless it is a licensed facility like a shooting range, which are all scandalously expensive. A few police agencies allow public shooting, but only conventional guns, not air guns. There are no BLM properties in the 5 counties in this area except the deserts east of Palm Springs. None of the National Forests in OC, Riverside, LA or San Bernadino counties allow shooting of any kind; however a couple of small NF areas in north San Diego County do, but they are very remote. and one is closed due to the drought and concerns for fires, There is an outdoor shooting range near Prado Dam south of Corona (home of Fender Guitars and CA Confederate AF), but it is not cheap nor am I sure they allow Air guns. I can't speak for recent conditions in N California, but keep in mind that is the hornets nest of the raging Liberals that ruin, er run this state, so you figure it out as to their hospitality towards any kind of guns. Besides, it's "dang" cold in October - April.

Here is one thought, the Orange County Fairgrounds is huge, it was a former WWII USAAC barracks at one time and I think back in 60's or something they held NRA shooting events there (22LR only). The range is long gone, but building a wood + metal backstop would be a breeze for Air Guns and they also have huge indoor venues that could contain ISSF type 10m matches ..... IF you can find someone to talk the Fairgrounds into the idea. LOTS of gun shops in OC, maybe you can get some to sponsor?

The OC Fairgrounds is dead as a door nail in the fall, they may welcome this idea, so might the gun shops around here. I'm sure they'd love to sell $3,500 .177 Feinwerkbau or Anshutz as much as a $1,000 Desert Eagle or $3,000 Over and Under Browning shotgun.