Trapshooting is expensive but not at one time…..

I saw a recent post saying the kids need to learn how expensive the sport is.

The kids I think are more intelligent than the average old fart. The kids learn quickly there are no financial rewards. But there used to be. The handicap system is broke. The game is boring. The old farts won’t change it.

 

Really?

 

He’s not wrong…

 

Started in 1966 as a 12 year old. Never received discounted targets or shells. I would spend the afternoon in the trap house setting targets and make enough to shoot two rounds (targets .75 per round and club reloads 2.00 per box) and have enough left to buy a couple of cokes and a sandwich after. That $6 I was paid and promptly spent is worth $54.96 in today’s bidendollars. Never realized how generous that job paid. I really don’t believe half price targets are such a burden to the rest of us considering the youth that benefit are being introduced to a beneficial side of firearms use. After about a year, I was promoted to scorer/puller-no increase in pay, just better working conditions. From time to time I still do that job gratis for enjoyment at 68 yrs. old.

 

That's generous? How many kids today would do that job for $55?
Fifty-five bucks for a day's work in hard, dirty, dangerous conditions today is probably breaking some laws
.
I did the same job (trap boy, then puller/scorer) in 1964 and 1965 when I was 17-18. Had great fun. Met a lot of cool "old guys". Trapshooting then, as now, was primarily done by the local doctors, lawyers, successful business owners, big farmers, and others who were at the top of the financial pyramid. Just like today.

 

Neil taunted the forum. Asking what delegate out there would change anything? Or even knew enough about the ATA system to make changes. Delegates? Leaders? Lol. I hate to admit that ass was right!

 

I started the summer of 1964, the year the Christian Co Quail Club was organized
in Hopkinsville Ky. I worked 3 midnight shifts at a restaurant bringing home $18.00. Min wage was 70cents per hr. We shot 5 bird matches and the entry fee was $1.00. New Federal paper shells were $2.00 a box. I would shoot 3 matches, with my 20Ga bird gun, which w/my skill and gun I was non competitive.
The rest of the time I spent either pulling the trap or keeping score, all were non paying. I just wanted to be there. What I did receive that summer was a lot of hearing loss, due to not using hearing protection. I didn't know any better and no one warned me what could happen. I have been in and out of the game several times, and now at 75 I am here for my last rodeo. LDS