The PITA rule book has 39 pages and the ATA rule book has 97 pages. Other than that, what are the major differences between shooting PITA versus ATA ? If PITA expanded to include all 50 states, what's is your guess on what percent of the ex-ATA shooters would join and shoot PITA targets? How has PITA avoided being corrupted, or has it ?
PITA doesn't try to compete with the ATA and frequently follows the ATA's lead. If you're looking for an organization to supplant the ATA, PITA isn't it. For years, PITA has had a huge opening to increase its membership but has done nothing to challenge the ATA. Same targets, same presentation, mostly the same everything. I am heartened by the decent amount of Wobble Trap that is shot in the Pacific Northwest. The ISSA directly challenges the ATA, but it only throws Olympic Trap. The NRA could and probably should regulate Trap, but years ago, they ceded Trap regulation and most of the shotgun sports to the ATA and other organizations.
I would have to think the PITA has not expanded as a means of keeping the ATA from doing anything to interfere with the operations of the PITA … There are numerous shooters who would join and shoot registered targets if the PITA was operational in their area, I for one am one of them … With the amount of shooters unhappy with the operations of the ATA the past few years the PITA might be missing out … WPT … (YAC) …
The PITA Did have a Gun Club in Wesr Virginia THROWING PITA TARGETS. and closed up after building a home on that site, and I believe that was the fartherest east location. GB.....................................DLS
many members of this forum dislike the ATA due to the management of the association over the years. That would include what has been done to the rules regarding target flight, shell speed, number of shooters needed for a punch, FTF rule etc. So before you run off and lobby PITA to expand to the east so you can join the organization you might want to check out the rule book. Many of you will be disappointed that they have pretty much followed the ATA down the path you blame for killing registered shooting.
But I'm sure they are eager for a bunch of old, disgruntled ATA refugees to come straighten them out.
Iowa guy, I would say that some on this site, dislike the ATA because of rule changes regarding target flight, shell speed, number of shooters needed for a punch, FTF rule etc.. I would say that many have quit shooting ATA targets because of the corruption and incompetence demonstrated by the ATA management team coupled with their unwillingness to allow the members to have a realistic voice and a lack of total transparency.
I am sure PITA would make a bunch of money off them since none of them shoot anymore, they just sit and bitch.
Iowa guy, I should have also included the word betrayal to my list of reasons why many have stopped shooting ATA targets.
The NRA abandoned international shooters of every type decades ago. They were too much trouble! USA Shooting now is the rep for Olympic shooting sports. FITASC and FEDECAT sanction non-Olympic games. None have anything as meek as ATA or PITA and do not challenge them in any way
From the PATHETIC turn out your kiss the ring, don't look behind the curtain, and just drink this it's good for you ata has been able to generate in the last 13 years I would say not ALL the DISGRUNTLED shooters are OLD. How many shot last years GAH event? 2,003? Wow, that's impressive. Since you used that term old, I would assume you are a young newbie. We "old" guys lived and shot when it was great. Unfortunately all you have is what there is now and you are screwed. Keep telling yourself what a great job the ata is doing and how you just can't wait to get back to that place in IL. Pay the dues, pay the fees, win nothing, keep drinking the Kool-Aid. Just think of the stories you can tell your grandchildren if you ever have any. "Why I tell ya, I remember the good old days kids, they were just wonderful. We all, well, me and good old Joe anyway, used to go to all the shoots they had back when we started. Yep, both local clubs, the state shoot and that place they used to shoot in IL. It's gone now. We shot at four places in one year. Boy, how I remember those years. I'm tellin ya it was just glorious. Hundreds of shooters at the state shoot. We had almost two thousand shooters in one day at the thing they used to call the grand. Can you imagine that? Man oh man those were the days. Couldn't win much so we didn't play any of the things they called options. We went pretty much just for the fun of it. I wasn't a very good shot anyway so it really didn't matter. One day I did win about twelve dollars. What? No they don't shoot there anymore. The state closed up the property because they were losing money by the boat load. Hey Grandpap? Old Joe told us about a time when you could shoot anywhere in our area almost every weekend. That there were dozens of clubs that used to shoot. He said that the state shoots used to be really big and that big shoot in August used to get more than double what you and him saw. He was kidding right? No way there could have been over four thousand shooters in one day. He said that the targets were harder but the majority of the shooters used to play the options, whatever they are, and the winner even got a car and over thirty thousand dollars. He said the guys older than you and him called them the golden years. Yeah, well old Joe is just another of those old disgruntled, ata refugees.
I remember when people had to wipe their butt with pages from the Montgomery Ward or Sears catalog also. So What.
ATA is truly the easiest Trap in the world. All these ATA shooters with their $10,000 guns, campers, and golf carts wouldn't score in the mid pack in Europe.
Man, if you remember that then you really are old. I doubt that is the case. More likely just too young and or dumb to get the point.
Then take your Mossberg 500 with extended magazine and multiple rails adorned with the latest systems, move to Europe and participate with your so much admired greatest shooters. Or if that's not an option I've got a 12 yo son more than willing for a challenge at $1/target at your often maligned Cardinal Center at any shoot next Summer. Surely an expert like yourself is salivating at the opportunity to make some easy cash. Bring it on!