Birdgun Quail, SASS #63663 Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 I have a confession. I'm a fair weather cowboy. Since I don't have a leadership role at my club or any other club, I only attend matches (for the most part) when the weather will be between 50°F and 90°F. I also don't go if it looks like we'll be shooting in the rain. My philosophy is, I go to CAS matches to enjoy; not to endure. I tip my hat and have the utmost respect for our club leaders who, through rain or shine, are out there faithfully keeping the shoots going for those that aren't as wimpy as me. What are your weather criterions?
Driftwood Johnson, SASS #38283 Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 I don't shoot when there is two feet of snow on the ground. Like right now. P.S. If I didn't shoot when the temp is over 90 that would rule out most of the summer around these parts. Ya wanta shoot, ya gotta put up with a little bit of 'unpleasant' weather in these parts.
Cascade Charlie, SASS # 48668L Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 Birdgun...I'm with you now, except 90 is even a little high for me if the humidity is up there. I was always involved at the clubs where we shoot and I was always there writing or setting up etc., but now after an almost three year hiatus, I think I'll be a little more selective. If I can keep my toes warm, I don't mind fairly cold weather, but the heat just saps me till I'm worthless and having NO fun at all. That's just me, Cascade Charlie
Rye Miles #13621 Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 I have a confession. I'm a fair weather cowboy. Since I don't have a leadership role at my club or any other club, I only attend matches (for the most part) when the weather will be between 50°F and 90°F. I also don't go if it looks like we'll be shooting in the rain. My philosophy is, I go to CAS matches to enjoy; not to endure. I tip my hat and have the utmost respect for our club leaders who, through rain or shine, are out there faithfully keeping the shoots going for those that aren't as wimpy as me. What are your weather criterions? Pretty much the same as you, I am Treasurer of a club here and I do have to make all the shoots but if the weather don't suit me I won't shoot. Never happened so far which is amazing considering the crap weather that we have here. Rye That's why I wanna eventually move to warm climate so I can enjoy shooting ALL year 'round.
Ranger Dave, SASS #78509 Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 I don't do rain, but I'll try most other conditions. I used to weigh 300 lbs. but I joined a gym as well as Weight Watchers and dropped down to between 165 and 170. I found that it makes a big difference in my tolerance for conditions (except that I get cold sooner). Going to the gym three to four days a week also keeps me limber and able to hold the guns up for extended periods (not to mention standing for extended periods). I'm retired, so this might not work for some folks. As I got older, I decided I wanted to live longer so I switched to more fish and chicken, salads, and low-fat diet. The side benefit was that I was able to handle a six-stage match without too much stress. I'm either a range officer in training or a loading table guy, so I'm always standing. ;-) I'll never be a top shooter because I'm having too much fun to go that fast, but the gym allows me to survive and have a good time regardless of conditions. --Ranger Dave
L. G., SASS #48097 Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 If it's raining or snowing, I don't go, otherwise I'm there! Shot at 0 degree temps, and shot at 100 degree temps, you just gotta dress for it and hydrate as needed.
Three Foot Johnson Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 I've lived in Montana all my life, and I absolutely HATE winter; it's five months of wasted life for me. If I have to put on a coat to go outside, it's too cold to go outside. Rain is kind of a moot point, as this area is mostly "high mountain desert" - on the rare occasions it does rain, the dust will be flying thirty minutes after it stops.
Andrew Quigley SASS #32802 Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 Well the colder temp is what kills me. I don't shoot when it's in the 30's very much because of my hands. Don't trust them to shoot 4 or 5 stages when it gets that cold. Fingers don't work like they used too.
TN Mongo, SASS #61450 Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 I'm the local president of the FWSA Fair Weather Shooters Association. Like Birdgun said, I do this for fun. So when it's unpleasant weather-wise, it's not fun and I don't shoot. Rain's the worst. I really don't mind the cold and if I skipped every match when it was over 90, I'd miss most of the matches. I do take a lot of grief from my pards when I skip a match, however.
Slowhand Bob, 24229 Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 I stay away from rainy days but will go out for most of the other local shoots, even extra cold or hot. If on the home range I can always quit shooting when it ceases to be fun and be back home in less than thirty, last week I only got to shoot two stages due to prior commitments. If the clubs only charge ten or fifteen dollars, what am I out??? Trips up to Columbia even offers a nice little incentive when the weather is extreme, I can shoot three or four stages and head to Tandy Leather to pick up some supplies! Another win win for cowboy shooting days that might otherwise be passed on. Some of you guys must also realize that down in sunny Charleston a high of fifty is kinda chilly fer us while ninety plus is a common summer day!
That Masked Man Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 For me it's all about if I'm feeling up to it that particular morning. Did two shoots in very cold (for Georgia) conditions last month, but I am usually a wimp in the cold. No shooting in the rain or snow for me though - can't stand to be wet, not to mention the concern about rusty guns!
Grizzly Dave Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 If sun is shining 32 degrees or above is fine, above 40 even better. I don't handle heat very well, so anything above 85 or so makes me start to question how bad I want to shoot.
Creeker, SASS #43022 Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 I am VP of one of our local clubs and Match Director for another - I don't often have any choice about whether I am going shooting. But I have some pretty firm rules - I will not shoot if the temp is below zero or above 140. Pretty much anything between those two points is fair game. I have set targets when the steel would blister your hands without gloves and I have set steel in the driving rain and sideways snow. As I read that last sentence, I'm thinking I should really seek out some professional help.
Matthew Duncan Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 I've notice that I have a tendency to place higher in colder weather. It is either I'm much faster or the better Shooters have the smarts to stay home. Gets below 30 no sun shine me no shoot
Shooting Bull Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 As I read that last sentence, I'm thinking I should really seek out some professional help. FINALLY!!!!!!
Madd Mike #8595 Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 As I read that last sentence, I'm thinking I should really seek out some professional help. Hell0 creeker see iffen ya can git a discount fer t00 as we are both GF-ers, ya gotta do pairs sum say I need help, fellers like philly slim / mr clean guy
Olen Rugged Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 ... I go to CAS matches to enjoy; not to endure... AMEN! The road that goes into the range leads out....use it. Olen
German Jim Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 I have a confession. I'm a fair weather cowboy. Since I don't have a leadership role at my club or any other club, I only attend matches (for the most part) when the weather will be between 50°F and 90°F. I also don't go if it looks like we'll be shooting in the rain. My philosophy is, I go to CAS matches to enjoy; not to endure. I tip my hat and have the utmost respect for our club leaders who, through rain or shine, are out there faithfully keeping the shoots going for those that aren't as wimpy as me. What are your weather criterions? +1! Exactly! Ditto! Same Same! I'll second that! That goes for me to!
Dragon Hill Dave #59561 Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 I like to think that I am tough enough to shoot in any conditions. I have been out there blasting away in 100+ weather in my minimum Classic Cowboy duds and shivering in 20 degrees and 30 mph wind with everything I own on. I have even gotten up in a driving rain in the hope that at the range 30 miles away the sun is shining or at least it isn't raining as bad (nope, and luckily smarter people than me wisely declared a cancellation). But I must admit that if this is my third or fourth consecutive weekend to shoot, it is monthly match, and I wake up to freezing cold and drizzle, I might just go back to bed (and have on at least one occasion). When the weather is real bad it is a tough choice between braving the conditions and seeing my equally obsessed and slightly deranged friends to blast some targets or staying home. Smart or not, I would say, based on past experience, that 8 times out of 10, I am out there.
Okie Sawbones, SASS #77381 Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 I'm another one of those fools setting up two matches a month, rain or shine, hot or cold. Here in the Pacific NorthWet, if you don't shoot when it is raining, you wouldn't shoot much. We usually don't get bitter winter weather here, but we have shot when it was snowing. Ya just make do with what ya got -- Carhartt is our friend in the winter.
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 Birdgun, I couldn't agree more. This game we play is suppose to be FUN. It's not fun to be cold and shivering. It's not fun not to be able to feel your fingers. It's not fun to be soaked to the skin and it's not fun to watch your guns rust. It's not fun to clean a bunch of wet guns. It's not fun to finally get out of the hospital and find you can't tolerate cold at all and your stuck in Pennsyltuckey with a really nasty winter. I AM A WIMP!! Proud of it. In the past I've shot at snow flakes, shot at rain drops on my glasses (embarrassing) and had range mud pull my boot off. No More!! I AM A WIMP. Proud of it. 50 to 90 with no rain is just fine thank you!! Coffinmaker
Okie Sawbones, SASS #77381 Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 Ya bunch of jackwagons. Tissue? It isn't cold until this happens.
Guest Paniolo Cowboy SASS #75875 Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 Even if I'm not moving cows for friends, I have to feed, check on, and doctor my horses rain or shine, hot or cold. So as for being a Fair Weather Cowboy, no I don't think I qualify. But now as for being a Fair Weather Shooter? Yup! That's me these days. I shoot CAS strictly for fun. So like the man said, "I go to CAS matches to enjoy; not to endure!" With me, it's Social-Thing and nothing else. Semper Fi Pards!
Grizzly Dave Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 Ya bunch of jackwagons. Tissue? It isn't cold until this happens. LOL Okie.
Just Ed Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 If the Clubs that I shoot with are having a match it's get out of the way here I come. I like the people too much to stay home.
Smokey Shayne Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 I shoot with a few fair weather shooters....and I dont blame them a bit. Up until this past year, you wouldnt expect to see me during the winter months...not because it was too cold, but because I would be hunting...lol. This past year though, I would be at the match instead of the woods. If its our match weekend, I will be there. Sometimes it does feel like Im obligated to be there, but most times I really want to be there. Besides, you never know who will decide to show up and I dont want to miss seeing someone that I havent seen in a while.
Blue Steel Duke Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 Birdgun, I'm with ya on this one, but the barometer with me is my Rheumatoid Arthritis. If I can't hold onto a pistol, driving 150 miles round trip and using over $200 of store bought ammo for the both of us, just isn't worth the trip. This getting old stinks! BSD
Bart Solo Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 It really depends on how your club is constructed. If you have solid store fronts to break the wind you might be able to handle a little colder weather. Here is a link to the Powder Creek Cowboys CowboyCam of the January 29, 2011 shoot. Full disclosure, I wasn't there. I was worn out from moving my daughter to her new job in Salina, KS. A lot of pards you might recognize were on hand however. If you look closely you might see snow. Tame Bill was wearing the camera.
Birdgun Quail, SASS #63663 Posted February 4, 2011 Author Posted February 4, 2011 Ya bunch of jackwagons. Tissue? It isn't cold until this happens. Or until... THIS HAPPENS!
Rolan Kraps, SASS # 24084 Life Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 Since my ailments last year I too have become a "fair weather shooter". I don't mind the cold, but damp/rain really bothers me. Therefore, I won't be at the Riverbend match tomorrow.
Deuce Stevens SASS#55996 Posted February 5, 2011 Posted February 5, 2011 Have shot in -5 all the way to 106. In MI we seems like we shoot in bad weather more than good. Though I am fairly young I seem to have poor circulation in my hands they get painfully cold. Silk glove under Filson merrino wool gloves helps. If there is a shoot, I'll be there no matter what weather.
Stump Water Posted February 5, 2011 Posted February 5, 2011 Though I am fairly young I seem to have poor circulation in my hands they get painfully cold. I know what ya mean. Back when I used to hunt I'd say, "If my hands or feet get cold I'm going to the house." After seeing my fingers turn blue/white one cold day a fellow shooter says, "There's a name for that yanno." Primary Reynaud's: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raynaud's_phenomenon
Captain Lee Bishop Posted February 5, 2011 Posted February 5, 2011 My criteria is that if it's not raining, I'll go when I can. In the Pacific NW, that's a lot to ask for, I admit! It never gets very hot here, so it's never too hot for me to shoot as it never gets above in the 80s in the summer normally. I figure that I paid my dues shooting out on crummy weather, courtesy of Uncle Sam. If I didn't like shooting in awful weather when I was paid to do, why the heck would I pay to do so as a hobby? It's hard for me to get time off to shoot as it is, but if it's crummy weather, I'd much rather use that time doing something else.
Guest Paniolo Cowboy SASS #75875 Posted February 5, 2011 Posted February 5, 2011 Have shot in -5 all the way to 106. In MI we seems like we shoot in bad weather more than good. Though I am fairly young I seem to have poor circulation in my hands they get painfully cold. Silk glove under Filson merrino wool gloves helps. If there is a shoot, I'll be there no matter what weather. As usual, you have my respect pard! As for the poor circulation in your hands, when mine act up I use some Absorbine Veterinary Horse Liniment. I use it on my horses, but it's great for circulation, stiffness, and arthritis on my hands. It comes in a liquid and a gel. Either one works real well. It warms my hands up without it being hot, if you know what I mean. I hope this helps! Semper Fi!
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