Muleshoe Bill SASS #67022 Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 For at least the last two years, the evening before a shoot I have all the good intentions of going and shooting.... The morning of, it is just not worth going... drive 2- 3 hours round trip, leave home in morning about 6:30 get home about 5PM. Spend 25 - 30 dollars in gas, about 20 in ammo and 20 for entry fee. Just has seemed more worthwhile to stay home and mow lawn, build a cabinet, weld up some project. SASS - CAS seems to have lost its appeal.
Smokestack SASS#87384 Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 I would definitely see a Dr as soon as possible.
Grizzly Dave Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 Bummer Bill, it's still getting me outta bed that's for sure. Maybe you need to spice it up some, start shooting gunfighter, or switch to off handed duelist to add a challenge, or whatever. Find a buddy to compete against, good natured ribbing and competition is fun. Find a new shooter to mentor, it's fun helping someone come along and watch as they grow in the game. Or if none of that appeals to ya, and CAS just don't float yer boat any more, send me your irons, I'll make sure they get exercised regular.
Blackey Cole Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 I have went thru the same thoughts except mowing the yard or woodworking I have other distractions. I think in the last three years I've made two monthly shoots. I've made more EOTs than monthlies.. I've perry much given up on making monthlies I try to schedule an annual per month for the rest of the yeat except December. That way the effort is worth it. My main problem is I'm not a morning person after retiring from the military after 20 year of being at work at 7 am. If I worked days which it did for the last 7 years but before that my number of day shifts for 13 years would add up to less than a year. Just wasn't my thing. I figure by driving the Motorhome to the match the driving time is cut out so it just getting up and going to shoot so that makes things so much better.
Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 step away for awhile and don't beat yourself up for doing it cowboy shooting is supposed to be fun--when it's not move on. After awhile you may come back, or not. people get burned out for all sorts of reasons. It isn't a sign of weakness it just 'is' best of luck and hang in there cr
Widder, SASS #59054 Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 Although I wasn't getting bored, I did discover when I bought some new pistols (Ruger .32 Vaq), that I started getting more enthused in practicing more. As with most anything (fishing, hunting, bowling, golfing, etc...) our interest has peaks and valleys. Just make sure you are not getting any signs of depression. AND, don't let yourself get old mowing the yard or building a cabinet. Do stuff to help you feel young and in the midst of where the action is. As mentioned above, you might want to consider shooting in a new category, etc... ..........Widder
Deuce Stevens SASS#55996 Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 15 years later still excited to wake up and go shoot even the smallest monthly match. Must admit though that my friends that are like family are what keep me doing it not the shooting. The competative part of this game can be very fickle. Take a break for a bit, but word of caution from what I have seen the longer you stay away the easier it is to do so. Good luck.
Judge'm All Duncan, SASS#67320 Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 Sorry to hear that Bill. Let me tell you a little story. I can't wait to go shoot on a Saturday. Why you may wonder. Well 3.5 years ago I got just a little sick and during an 18 month period of time I was in the hospital for 182 days. During that time I did not get to shoot much, but, my cowboy family kept me in their prayers and I was able to be the Mat h Director of two state matches with all my friends. The first thing I wanted to do when I was capable to go was shoot a SASS match and smell some BP. Well I have been able to shoot some and visit with my friends, and have gotten much healthier. Finally with both my knees replaced since February, my long journey in a dark tunnel is coming to an end and I can finally see the sunshine and blue skies. If not for the friends and family that I have made in SASS, I might have given up and just set around the house on the weekend. These people mean more to me than anything and any amount of time that I can spend with them is worth more to me than anything except my wife who is without a doubt the best shooting partner and is my SUPERWOMAN, I am about to get released from my orthopedic doctor which is great. My Physical therapy guys have started to work on me moving faster and stronger like we need to do. I am going to keep working toward my goals. I hope to see you on the trail sometime, I will be at Back at Cha in Texas. People like Whiskey Creek Johnson, Iron Maiden, T-Bone Dooley, Jackalope, Harley and Kiss, Tennessee Tombstone and more people than I can remember are the reasons why I get up at 5 on Saturday morning and drive 100 plus miles and get home at 6 in the evening. I love this game we play and the people that we get to play with. I hope to see you down the trail. Judge
Blackey Cole Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 Well I got a motorcycle back in 2010 and shot ever now and thenn but most of my time was spent on the bike. In March 2012 I wrecked it and came close to,losing my left leg. I went to EOT as press that year and tried to shoot a monthly the July after it and it hurt too much so I quit after three of four stages. Fell into depression later that year for about a year. During that time Meyer leg got infected from the surgery, it took another year almost before my primary dr sent me to wound care the sent me immediately to infectious diseases who sent me to Ortho to have the hardware remove along with the infection that happened las October got out of rehab just before Xmas and it was March or April before I was able to put full weight on my leg. I'm still in pt from the surgery I've shot WR and EOT this year. I plan on a local annual next month and at least one annual each month the rest of the year. That is if my infection hasn't returned.
Grizzly Dave Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 Well I got a motorcycle back in 2010 and shot ever now and thenn but most of my time was spent on the bike. In March 2012 I wrecked it and came close to,losing my left leg. I went to EOT as press that year and tried to shoot a monthly the July after it and it hurt too much so I quit after three of four stages. Fell into depression later that year for about a year. During that time Meyer leg got infected from the surgery, it took another year almost before my primary dr sent me to wound care the sent me immediately to infectious diseases who sent me to Ortho to have the hardware remove along with the infection that happened las October got out of rehab just before Xmas and it was March or April before I was able to put full weight on my leg. I'm still in pt from the surgery I've shot WR and EOT this year. I plan on a local annual next month and at least one annual each month the rest of the year. That is if my infection hasn't returned. GO GIT 'EM BLACKEY! Ya gotta live while yer alive, afterwards is too late. I use that phrase to kick myself in the butt from time to time to get me moving to do something I might not otherwise do.
Chili Pepper Kid, SASS #60463 Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 15 years later still excited to wake up and go shoot even the smallest monthly match. Must admit though that my friends that are like family are what keep me doing it not the shooting. The competative part of this game can be very fickle. Take a break for a bit, but word of caution from what I have seen the longer you stay away the easier it is to do so. Good luck. +1.. my 11th yr and I look forward to every shoot. Sometimes I think it helps with burn out living in a state where we are forced to take 4-5 months off.
Krazy Kajun Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 Muleshoe Bill, do you have a buddy that you could partner up with and ride together... a lot of times its more fun to go with pards so you can cut up and visit along the long drive to and from the match. I occasionally travel with a buddy to some matches and we have fun kidding one another on the ride to and from the match and at the match. The visiting was the highlight of the trip, the shooting is just what tied it together. Kajun
Nickel City Dude Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 MB I know how you feel. I got burn out about Civil War reenacting after about 25 years of doing it. As far as SASS is concerned when I go to a monthly I figured if I shoot 5 stages and average 60 seconds for each stage I am shooting for a total of 5 minutes of the 4 hours I am there. Add 3 hours travel time to the mix and I might be better off just going to my local range and do some plinking. But then you add the good time with the other shooters and that is what makes me get up at 5am to go to a shoot on the weekends.
Hoss Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 I've been shooting 4 years. At least 2, sometimes 3 matches a month. Last spring had a stretch of 10 matches in 12 weeks. I can hardly sleep the night before a match. I drive between 1.5-3 hours 1 way. I love every minute of it! Best bunch of folks I've ever been around! To keep fresh, I shoot some different categories. Mostly 49r, sometimes Frontier cartridge, sometimes Cody-Dixon, sometimes sharpshooter.
Hoss Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 Muleshoe Bill, do you have a buddy that you could partner up with and ride together... a lot of times its more fun to go with pards so you can cut up and visit along the long drive to and from the match. I occasionally travel with a buddy to some matches and we have fun kidding one another on the ride to and from the match and at the match. The visiting was the highlight of the trip, the shooting is just what tied it together. Kajun Yep!
Muleshoe Bill SASS #67022 Posted July 28, 2016 Author Posted July 28, 2016 Muleshoe Bill, do you have a buddy that you could partner up with and ride together... a lot of times its more fun to go with pards so you can cut up and visit along the long drive to and from the match. I occasionally travel with a buddy to some matches and we have fun kidding one another on the ride to and from the match and at the match. The visiting was the highlight of the trip, the shooting is just what tied it together. Kajun That is probably a big part of it. Doing the solo ride
Catlow4697 Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 Bill Find a shooter to ride with, the drive goes faster Try to shoot a different category Shoot black powder. Buy or try that new firearm you always wanted Pick a club that you really like to shoot at, here in Ohio and Michigan we have shoots every weekend with overlapping shoots Really hard to chose where to shoot. CATLOW
Pit Bull Tex Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 I ride solo wish I didn't.I have not been doing this as long as you cowboys but I still wake up before the alarm goes off to go to a shoot.I can't wait to get there and BS with my cowboy family.I don't get to go to many big shoots because of the solo ride and sometime funds.I do miss shoot to go see my grand daughter show horses but the kids are the only reason I will miss a shoot.I hope you get the feeling back.I truly love the cowboys and cowgirls and the shooting is fun too.
Rye Miles #13621 Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 I hear ya Muleshoe, I've been doing this for close to 20 years and I have cut down on the shoots I go to. If it's too hot the heck with it and if it's too cold also. I use to go to 5 shoots a month I've cut down to 3, I still love the sport, don't get me wrong, but it's not as all fire important as it once was. Rye
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 OP-With all the clubs in Tx. Is this 3 hr cruise, the closest one? Are there none closer? OLG
Muleshoe Bill SASS #67022 Posted July 28, 2016 Author Posted July 28, 2016 Hey Lumpy Grits... That 3 hour cruise is round trip to two of the clubs I shoot at. Having medical issues may enter into this too, BUT....
Muleshoe Bill SASS #67022 Posted July 28, 2016 Author Posted July 28, 2016 I hear ya Muleshoe, I've been doing this for close to 20 years and I have cut down on the shoots I go to. If it's too hot the heck with it and if it's too cold also. I use to go to 5 shoots a month I've cut down to 3, I still love the sport, don't get me wrong, but it's not as all fire important as it once was. Rye I was thinking about this instead of sleeping... I started in 2003 in this sport, I also have stopped high power matches and silhouette too. When I was working I needed the matches to de-stress - my BP was running 180-190 over 120 or so. Now it runs 110 - 120 over 70 - 75. I worked most weekends, and when I had a Sat. off I shot SASS matches and Sundays I hit the other matches... Maybe I just need to set a schedule and go regardless of cost and time.
Noz Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 I go to matches to see my friends, If there is shooting going on, that is a bonus.
Buckaroo Bubba Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 15 years later still excited to wake up and go shoot even the smallest monthly match. Must admit though that my friends that are like family are what keep me doing it not the shooting. The competative part of this game can be very fickle. Take a break for a bit, but word of caution from what I have seen the longer you stay away the easier it is to do so. Good luck. I am with Deuce on this.. I couldn't imagine not getting up and going to see my Cowboy Family. There are times I feel a bit burned out, especially running a club, but those moments come and go very quickly. The more I shoot, the more I get excited. But like anything else, this sport is just not for some people. People come and go. Do what makes you happy. If you don't find enjoyment in it, that's okay too. Guess I am lucky, my club is 45 minutes away but have another I attend all the time that is 25 minutes away... plus a bunch more within 2 hours.. Good Luck Pard! Find your happiness!
Blackey Cole Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 I know it's easier for me to follow thru if someone else is expecting me
J-BAR #18287 Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 " SASS - CAS seems to have lost its appeal." So, what was the appeal when you started? As others have noted, there are a lot of reasons to enjoy SASS-CAS, but yours may no longer apply, and that's OK. I have an obsessive introverted personality. That sounds bad, but it just means I can enjoy a practice session by myself as much as a match. I have been shooting CAS since 1998 and have yet to shoot a match that I was totally satisfied with. I can always identity some little something that was not perfect and think to myself, "I can shoot better than that." I know I am on an impossible quest for perfection, but it's the journey that is fun. Even with all that, there have been times driving on the way to a match that I wished it was already over with. Hard to explain, but there it is. But by the next to the last stage, I hate to have it end. Geez, anything is better than mowing the lawn!! Buying new guns, trying new categories, are all excellent suggestions for renewing your interest How often do you shoot a clean match? Make a goal of shooting three clean matches in a row, regardless of how you wind up in the rank scores. Are you shooting two-handed? Try Duelist for a couple of matches. Are you shooting in an age-based category? Enter a category with the kiddies where you cannot possibly win see what happens. This thread proves there are folks who want you to continue shooting. I hope you will find it encouraging. Load your gear into the car the night before the match. Wear sneakers while driving and put on your boots at the range. Little things make a big difference!
Blastmaster Posted July 29, 2016 Posted July 29, 2016 J-Bar and others, I took the OP post as. The OP stated that his hangup is the long (2-3hr round trip) 'solo' drive to the shoot + all the associated costs + when all combined, a very long day, mostly alone.. A significant investment of time for the whatever socializing he gains. Each of us has to evaluated the whole event to see if it is worth it. Only he can decide Cabin fever can be a driving force to make one leave their cave to see what is on the other side of the mountain, even if you know what is on the other side of the mountain.
J-BAR #18287 Posted July 29, 2016 Posted July 29, 2016 J-Bar and others, I took the OP post as. The OP stated that his hangup is the long (2-3hr round trip) 'solo' drive to the shoot + all the associated costs + when all combined, a very long day, mostly alone.. A significant investment of time for the whatever socializing he gains. Each of us has to evaluated the whole event to see if it is worth it. Only he can decide Cabin fever can be a driving force to make one leave their cave to see what is on the other side of the mountain, even if you know what is on the other side of the mountain. Point well taken. But if he is sure he no longer wants to drive to matches, why post at all? I took his post as request for renewed perspective. I cannot speak for others, but my post was simply a fumbling attempt to share that my level of enthusiasm varies from one shoot to another, and to identify those things that make me continue shooting. He may decide that none of it applies to him. I hope it doesn't hurt. It was just intended to help.
Blastmaster Posted July 29, 2016 Posted July 29, 2016 Point well taken. But if he is sure he no longer wants to drive to matches, why post at all? I took his post as request for renewed perspective. I cannot speak for others, but my post was simply a fumbling attempt to share that my level of enthusiasm varies from one shoot to another, and to identify those things that make me continue shooting. He may decide that none of it applies to him. I hope it doesn't hurt. It was just intended to help. As you said before, your point is well taken
Griff Posted July 29, 2016 Posted July 29, 2016 I've lost interest, quit and come back so many times I feel like a yo-yo! Every time I leave a match, I tell myself, "... ok, that's it... time to grow up!" By the time I get home (2 hour drive), I've changed my mind... and am looking forward to the next time! Every time I leave the house for work... I search the SASS clubs list to see if there's a shoot near where I'm going... If there is, I confirm it's still being held and load up the guns and ammo! My agent calls me and asks, "where do you want to go?" My answer is always anywhere except, CA, Chicago & north or east of PA!
diablo slim Posted July 29, 2016 Posted July 29, 2016 Hanging out and shooting with my SASS pards.....PRICELESS!!!
Muleshoe Bill SASS #67022 Posted July 29, 2016 Author Posted July 29, 2016 J-Bar, you have touched on a huge part of the issue. Perhaps doing something different, Duelist... something. Clean matches... sheeze about half of mine are that (I shot bullseye for years so my problem is I stay on target till I see the hit, then move) I usually shoot middle of the pack I only shoot to compete with myself. Maybe a rhinestone shirt with rolled up jeans.....
Blastmaster Posted July 29, 2016 Posted July 29, 2016 Muleshoe Bill, If you haven't tried blackpowder, then talk about a whole new challenge in shooting through smoke, managing recoil, keep the guns running with fouling, and the simple but interesting aspects of reloading the ammo. Start with BP pistols, then add BP rifle, then add BP SG. Can use BP in any category if you wish.
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