My last editorial discussed how supporting the 2nd Amendment can help our country and keep our shooting sports from slowly eroding.  This editorial continues by discussing how you can help the various sports associated with Western-action shooting grow.

There are many ways you can help our sport grow.  Every shooter who participates and every spectator who comes to watch the action is spreading the word about how safe and fun Western-action shooting is.  Every time you work on the range, take a Range Officer (RO) class, be a posse marshal, ask a new shooter to join you, or talk to a spectator, your presence is felt.  Remember, how you behave on and off the range, when talking about our sport, makes you a representative.  Your attitude and behavior has a definite affect on our shooting sport and its growth or decline.  It is up to you to make it a positive experience for others.

You might ask why I harp on this occasionally.  It is simple; the majority of people in our sport always present a positive, well-mannered, polite, enthusiastic appearance to both their fellow participants and to non-shooters.  However, there are a few that will swear, become unruly, complain vigorously, put forth a superior and unfriendly attitude, or display other forms of behavior that are not conducive to good sportsmanlike conduct.  Many times they do this unconsciously and don't know they are being observed by a potential new member that may even be considering bringing their spouse and children to the next match.  You may want to approach them in a nice and friendly manner and remind them that there are others watching, and to be more careful.

I have also become increasingly concerned about shooting clubs across the country.  Bickering among members seems to be more prevalent, to the point of displaying down right animosity, in some cases.  Some clubs have split and others have disbanded.  It is important to work together in your individual club and with other clubs in the area.  It fills me with disappointment to see a club(s) deliberately set up special matches during a state championship just to draw people away and be vindictive.  Such a display does not conform to the Spirit of the Game!  Special match schedules should be determined by considering other monthly club matches, annual matches, and state and regional championships in the area.  It is you who can have a positive affect on this scheduling, which will assist in making both clubs and the sport grow.  It is true that there are times when date conflicts cannot be helped as there are so many matches going on.  However, if we make these dates with thought and consideration of other clubs and events going on, conflicts will be minimized and it will provide more shooting opportunities for people to attend.

Media awareness of our sport is another area which I believe needs more attention.  SASS has started the Cowboy Action Shooter, a half hour weekly show on the Outdoor Life Network, while The Outdoor Channel has Cowboys starring Tequila, aka Richard Young.  There has been some media coverage over the last couple of years that has also gone nationwide, but not nearly enough.  We need to push for more advertising, articles, photos, and features in newspapers, on television, and radio.  Much of this can be obtained free, especially if a charity shoot is involved.

Each of us holds the key to the future.  We will all impact where our sport goes and if it is still here ten and twenty years from now.  Let's make it positive.  Let's work together.

Please send your comments or letters to the editor to editor@shootmagazine.com.

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