Stage decoration and props?

[Warden Callaway]

Does decorations and non-function props make a difference?

 

We've been at ranges and watched a lot of videos and there is a lot of differences in the use or non use of props and decoration. Some are stark - often just temporary staging tables of hay bales, folding tables, old spools, etc. Others are very elaborate with walls filled with decorations and props scattered about.

 

Our range is a work in progress and we now have four permanent stages built. The only decoration is signs I've made for each stage. We could go through the barn loft and come up with some ol'timey items to nail on walls or set about but I'm not sure if the effort would return any value to the experience.

[Possum Skinner, SASS#60697]

Makes a positive difference to me.

[Russ T. Sites]

I like the props and decorations it's one of the things that makes our sport different

[Chicken Scratch]

I love when a range "gussey up" with eye candy. Especially when it is a annual or state match. Two of my favorite matches are Winter Range, and the siege at St Augustine because of all the decoration, and hoopla

 

Scratch

[rippin kid]

Some ranges have no choice they are temporary so a minimal decoration rule. But at a permanent range I enjoy it feeling like walking down the streets of Dodge City.

[Chief Rick]

I enjoy facades and props, as long as there are plenty of views for spotters and spectators to see what's happening downrange.

[Tennessee Trapper Tom]

Properly placed decoration, such as a wooden cactus or a cowboy, etc. , can help to prevent getting hit with lead splatter. Not only adds a layer of entertainment ( imagine the being the cowpoke that nails a prop instead of the target. But a layer of safety as well. As for decoration that is strictly ambience, I think that anything that sends your imagination back to those days is a plus. Although I have yet to attend some of the bigger matches($ comes into play) it would be a wonderful adventure. My wife can't shoot, and quite frankly I currently can't either due to health problems.

 

She would love to take part in the full experience, dress up, socialize, attend a western ball all guzzied up. So yes the environment plays an important role in our sport.

 

Greatest sport and greatest people, ya'll!

 

Don't just shoot and go, lend a hand to keep this sport going

 

Short answer, it helps!

[Warden Callaway]

I bet if I ask the shooters at the club if they would like to see decorations and props, I'd get enthusiastic approval. Then ask who's going to help and I'd get silence and people looking at the ground.

[Woody Shootem, SASS # 24816]

I think adding the props adds a lot of ambience to the stages. I've seen one stage, at Firelands Peacemakers, where they have a bar, complete with whiskey bottles and a piano. Adds to the fun factor, in my opinion.

 

However, I certainly do NOT hold it against a club if they cannot do this due to the temporary nature of the stages due to host club rules.

[Cheatin' Chamberlin]

IMHO it really adds to the match itself. The Siege down in Florida has A LOT of decorations and props. It is one of my favorite matches to go and shoot. The decorations seem to add some touch of "we are glad you are here" feel to me. I know there is a lot of work that goes into making these things. It also shows that the club members are proud of there club!

 

We just got our new bays at our local club. We will start our cowboy town this fall. It has taken us 5 years to get our own bays we are very excited and plan on putting up plenty of props and decorations for the new cowboy town.

 

 

Cheatin'

[Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217]

Hi Warden,

 

Like costumes, I think props are a valuable asset and create great ambiance.

 

An important thing to remember is to ensure there are locations where the counters can see the targets without impeding the shooter.

 

Regards,

 

Allie

[Ripsaw]

I'm pretty new (shooting for about 6 months now) and have only been to three local clubs so far. One has permanent "building" facades that add a lot of character. The others have portable plywood facades that get used for some matches but not every match. I think that facades and decorations add "ambience" to the shoots. It's a lot of work to set up and take down, so that has to be taken into account.

[Grizzly Dave]

I like props and I like stage dressing too. My home club is lucky to be able to have 6 permanent facades and an additional 6 bays to use for annuals. The permanent facades have some decorations attached and there all the time. The other bays get temporary facades for the annual. All stages get additional stage dressing for the annual. To me it really adds to the flavor of the match.

 

But as others have said, I don't hold it against clubs who don't have the luxury of doing likewise. However at annuals a few plywood cactus, cowboy cutouts, pick ax, lanterns, etc spread around goes a long ways to adding to the feel. Most times getting out the extra stuff isn't 'worth it' for a monthly, but every now and then a specific item that plays into a stage is fun. For example last match they put one of the stuffed dummies into the casket we had to stage a shotgun in, quick, easy, and fun.

[Noz]

The Ozark Posse shoots in TightWad Swede's back yard. We have minimal props and Dressings. We chose to spend our limited funding on targets. Our targets are all set within SASS guidelines but we have a reputation for being one of the toughest shoots around. Mostly because of unusual footing, none of the stages are on the level.

 

RedWood, we had a match with a giant rocking chair rigged so that your feet did not touch the ground. Fire a heavy 12 and you rocked for a while.

[El Hombre Sin Nombre]

The first few times I shot, it was at clubs that did not have permanent facades. I didn't know the difference so I was perfectly cool with it. It was still the most fun I had ever had shooting. Then I shot at a "cowboy town". What a difference in feel. I love to shoot anywhere, but the cowboy towns do add a lot to the shoot. Props are cool too. I recently shoot a stage off a wagon seat that bounced a little. That was really cool. I figure it's sort of like our clothing. Anything you can add that doesn't take away from the safety or function of the shoot is a plus in my book.

[Spades Hanlin SASS#66204]

 

Very glad to see this thread as I may end up being one of the match directors for our local club that has just been under way for a couple of yrs.

 

This very subject is something I voiced to the other members that I would like to do for our range, we don't have berms and probably never will because of the property layout of the club so everything is non down range movement which can be very limiting for senerios and reset type targets.

 

But we will be working on that, in the mean time I thought we could gussy up the range with some active and non active props and such!

 

I'm Very interested in this thread and any ideas expressed here thanx for starting this thread Warden C...

 

Spades H.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Some ranges have no choice they are temporary so a minimal decoration rule. But at a permanent range I enjoy it feeling like walking down the streets of Dodge City.

How's this then-

http://www.rrbarregulators.com/RRBar-index.html

OLG

[Twitchy]

I really like props. The little touches that make you feel like your on the set of a western movie. Of the few ranges I have shot on, they have done a great job. Most of the stages are permanent, so it appears to me that a lot of the props perhaps have accumulated over the years, kind of like they would at a real saloon or mercantile. I'm with Russ T. , it's part of the charm of this game.

[Red Hooker]

Look at the post on the NYS Championships (Heluvarukas), just concluded this weekend. Several mention the very detailed facades and props there and how shooters are impressed by them. Yeah, it makes a difference.

[Warden Callaway]

One problem we face, and we're not unique, is that you dare not leave a thing out that you don't want stolen or vandalized. Last month parties unknown cut the lock off of a storage trailer on the range. It was unclear what they took. During the summer, parties unknown, stole a couple of steel targets and stand. I didn't see the targets but was told the frame was anchored in the ground.

[Blackey Cole]

I feel that it does add to the illusion. I understand that if you have to setup.and tear down each bay every time with minimal support it is a lot to ask for it. But if your charging the same amount as the club down the trail who does have their own range and they add to the range every month or year when they hold their annual . But if you want the same number of shooters you have to offer the same or the shooter will fail to show.

[Bart Solo]

Two thoughts, First, it is a bad thing if the props get in the way of the spotters. Spotters should be able to position themselves to see all of the shots. The pot belly stove that looked great going in becomes a problem when it blocks one of the spotters ability to see all the pistol shots. The same can be said for props blocking the view of spectators, but we aren't much of a spectator sport anyway. Second, I think one of the problems a lot of clubs face is their permanent buildings and expensive and extensive props mean their stages get old after a while. Month after month of the same target arrays can lead to boredom or the introduction of confusing penalty inducing shooting sequences.

 

There are a lot of trade offs, though. Pretty buildings with lots of props are attractive to new shooters and more importantly, if done right, they can keep the shooters dry and warm in bad weather and can add to safety by allowing the introduction of inobtrusive baffles. Sometimes if a club has limited space permanent buildings are absolutely necessary.

[The Wichita Southpaw]

One problem we face, and we're not unique, is that you dare not leave a thing out that you don't want stolen or vandalized. Last month parties unknown cut the lock off of a storage trailer on the range. It was unclear what they took. During the summer, parties unknown, stole a couple of steel targets and stand. I didn't see the targets but was told the frame was anchored in the ground.

 

You have got to have cajones grandes to thieve from a place where anyone you encounter is likely to be heavily armed! Or JUST PLAIN STUPID.