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.