OSTA Zone from Shooter Appreciation Day to Target Prices Fixed? History and intent?

The notes on my desk say the OSTA Zone Shoots started out as a Shooter Appreciation Day. The shoots were 100 bird events. (Please confirm this for me). I am told there were as many as 500 in a Zone Shoot.

And....there was a free Lewis Class? Did the OSTA appreciate shooters that much?

My information for this year is that the target prices have been fixed at $46. At least one club wants to charge $36.

Are the OSTA Zone Shoots still Shooter Appreciation Day?

I report. You decide.
merlo out

 

I started ATA in 1974, when I started the zone shoot was 100 singles targets. The zones picked class shooters for the state shoot. Top two shooters in each class made up the zone teams. There was a free lewis class added money for every shooter entered, in state only. This was not an option. I was told then that it was an appreciation for the shooters supporting the osta.

I think the zone shoots have long since outlived their time. I would have ended them when I was on the board if I could have gotten the votes.

 

The Ohio zone shoots were started as near as I can tell in 1950 and they were started by the OSTA to show appreciation to the shooters for supporting the OSTA. The Zone shoot was 100 16yd reasonable priced targets with the shooters divided into classes and the top two from each class made up the team to compete against the other zones at the state shoot. There was a normal lewis class purse and also a free added money lewis class. $5.00 was added to this free lewis for each Ohio entry. The free lewis continued for many years and the attendance was large. At times the South West zone would have over 500 entries and the North West zone would have well over 300 entries. Eventually the free lewis went away and it became a 200 target program and at some point in time handicap and doubles were added and it seems that any appreciation toward the Ohio supporters was forgotten. Now it seems that some of our leaders are trying to claim that it was not started as an appreciation shoot. I understand that the OSTA is requiring the host clubs to charge 46 cent per target for the zone shoot while some of the host clubs would be willing to be at 32 to 34 cents. It just doesn't sound to me that this is much of an appreciation deal. If any of the host clubs are willing to charge less than 46 cents why are they being forced to gouge their shooters? Also if shooters are required to pay considerable more than normal price for targets at the Zone shoot it should not be a requirement to be considered for the State Team. Why not let each club charge their normal price and bring back the free lewis on the 16yd targets. Maybe it is time to move on from the zone shoots as they sure don't appear to be what they were intended to be in the beginning.
Dave Berlet

 

Dave, maybe they need the money to afford the $200,000. SALARY, that some of the employees get.
What does the delegate from Ohio feel is the right program? Roger C.

 

Do you not know the zone shoot loses money every year how do you expect to pay for all these free money stuff. Maybe you know it alls should be out there recruiting ata shooters. You think these clubs are ran off of fairy dust and unicorn poop. Quit living in the past and realize prices are outrageous these days. I dont like it and its oblivious yall dont like it but what is the osta supposed to do.

 

Roger,
The delegate from Ohio isn’t an OSTA representative. She acts in the best interests of the ATA, which is exactly what the shooters of Ohio elected her to do. As former member of the OSTA BOD and past President of the association, I resent your unfounded and completely false accusation that any member of the OSTA BOD is receiving a 200K salary. The Ohio zone shoots have been on life support for many years. When Brad and I were on the BOD, we tried several ideas to bring the zone shoots back to prominence. The sad truth is the zone shoots have run their course and are no longer relevant to many shooters. Most shooters aren’t aware that Ohio Clubs not hosting zone shoots are prevented from holding registered shoots during zone shoot weekend. Originally this was implemented to drive maximum numbers to zone shoot host clubs. Now it just prevents shooters from choosing where they would like to shoot that weekend. The free Lewis class was a joke by the time I started shooting registered in 1993. I’d often receive a check a few weeks after the shoot for a small amount that I didn’t even know I had coming. The money for the free Lewis was repurposed to the Champion of Champions program which benefited all clubs choosing to host a C. of C, shoot, not just the zone shoot host sites. Zone shoots were used for electing zone representatives to the OSTA BOD which can now be handled electronically in a much more efficient manor. It is simply insane that host clubs are required to charge more for zone shoot targets than their regular registered target prices. Especially since trophies are provided by the OSTA not the host clubs. Enough rambling for now.

 

DON, APPARENTLY YOUR COMPREHENSION IS NOT TO GOOD. I WAS REFERING TO THE DELEGATES TO THE ATA. I NEVER MENTIONED THE OHIO DELEGATE. IF
SHE IS TELLING THE OHIO SHOOTERS WHAT THE ATA WANTS THEM TO DO SHE IS A DELEGETE.
I ASK HOW SHE FELT ABOUT THE SITUTION.
I started shooting registered in 1974, and most likely remember things you never heard of. In 1993 the game was on a down hill slide. Roger C.
PS the $200.000. salary is for the ATA employee that has it headed in a fantastic direction.

 

It seems $46 is a bit excessive. But, are the goals to make a profit or promote trap locally? That might depend on the local club holding the event.

How much does does the OSTA make? The ATA gets their cut to pay their excessive salaries. Gipson might be an empty suit but he does get around 200k salary. OSTA Officers are volunteers.

I say let the club decide.

 

i started shooting ATA registered targets in 1969. So, Dave has more knowledge on this subject. Yep, there was a "free" lewis class. I was VERY DISAPPOINTED when i received my zone shoot program this year. I noticed the target prices were being set by the OSTA again this year. What a joke. Some of the hosting clubs are embarrassed to charge the shooters these fixed prices. Look at it another way. The hosting club has a shoot on a weekend. They charge their normal target. The following weekend they host the zone shoot for the OSTA and are REQUIRED to charge the fixed price. It's very hard the the hosting club to tell the shooters they have to pay this increased target fee because the fee is set by the OSTA. Most hosting clubs (not all) are managed by volunteers and a lot of help is volunteer. Therefore they are able to offer targets at a reasonable price. These clubs are not losing money on their normal shoots or they would raise their target price. This move really makes the OSTA look stupid. Amen!!!

 

Shoot your local clubs meat shoots, Calcutta shoots, black target shoots, practice nights, back ups, FUN SHOOTS. The ATA has nothing but expensive practice targets. Why ANYONE bothers with ATA today is to me the same how any gun owner can be a democrat. I think they have a reality problem. As I told Don when I quit ATA the longer you stay away the less you miss it. I enjoyed the years I shot mostly, I enjoyed most of the people. When that got less and less I walked away. I don't regret either choice.

Ata was never cheap. If you can afford a 15K single bbl shotgun the price of targets is meaningless. Don said it about the zone shoots, they should be put out of their misery.