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GTA Regional Shooting Events => SanDiego California Shooting Events Discussion => : Casey.Robertson December 29, 2009, 10:27:41 AM

: Possible FT venue
: Casey.Robertson December 29, 2009, 10:27:41 AM


In the very early stages but EzyE and I checked it out a week or so ago and it has some potential.  Once we solidify some things we'll have more info.  It's in Pine Valley about 45 min east of San Diego.  Not as close as we'd like but not terrible either.  Here are some pics - the area is currently utilized as a paintball field but we met with the superintendent and he had no objections to airgun activities as long as we got on the schedule.

More info to come... (we hope!)

-Casey



Pics:





(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dD2vqb-dPoI/SzqNeiedMJE/AAAAAAAADHU/FHmzEmLEnxI/s160-c/2009PineValleyFT.jpg) (http://picasaweb.google.com/casey.robertson/2009PineValleyFT?feat=embedwebsite)
2009 Pine Valley FT (http://"http://picasaweb.google.com/casey.robertson/2009PineValleyFT?feat=embedwebsite)



: RE: Possible FT venue
: crazyhorse December 29, 2009, 04:50:41 PM
I've been out there...but did not know about the paint ball activities......looks really good...!!
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Wingman115 January 01, 2010, 11:54:37 AM
The pics look great please keep us posted I would love to shoot there.
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Casey.Robertson January 02, 2010, 04:50:03 PM
Thanks!  Our initial goal is to have the initial 'shoot' be pretty informal.  We've never run a match/event etc before so would realistically like everybody's input as to possible shooting lanes, directions, logistics, gear that will be needed, target placement/type - basically everything.  I am contacting the event coordinator about possible dates.  Day of the week we'll shoot for is Saturday.  The daily use cost at the camp is $12 which isn't free but it's not a ton more than the $5 for the police range and would essentially allow us to shoot all day.  

So if there are any dates you want to throw out there say in late January or early February let me know.  

Casey
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Wingman115 January 03, 2010, 01:38:37 PM
I'm game for any Sat this month.
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Casey.Robertson January 04, 2010, 04:07:15 AM
Some updates....

Got an email back from the events coordinator and it looks like Saturdays will be rough to schedule in advance.  They normally have large groups at the camp and inevitably the the paintball field is booked by said group.  There are several options - one is holding the shoots on Sunday which is not ideal but a lot more open dates.  Two, I can call her a couple of days prior to the Saturday in question and check availability.  However this doesn't give anybody much time to plan for attendance.  We could also do a mixture of both - go with Sundays for a solid schedule and maybe some last minute Saturdays for fun shoots.

Related to getting this off the ground, let me know what you guys have in terms of recommendations for targets/field targets.  The GAMO models look to be the most cost-effective.  There are some really nice ones out there but unless somebody is feeling extraordinarily generous $75+ for the field targets is a lot to pay.  Maybe we make that the club entrance fee - by an Otten field target, get into the club - LOL.

I'm also going to try to get to one of the existing FT events to see how they are run.  I'd like to see the pacing, the set up etc.  Those of you that have experience with that I'd love to pick your brain.  I'm also considering going for AAFTA membership.  Apparently you only need 2 members and it would be cool to get at least one 'sanctioned' event per year.  

Casey
: Re: Possible FT venue
: crazyhorse January 04, 2010, 04:13:33 AM
I like the saturday idea..but sundays would work on dates I don't shoot 50 yard  benchrest which is 3rd Sundays......we could "pool" our resources re targets..I have one Gamo squirrel metal one...so if we could each bring one,that would get us started...even if we had just two lanes starting out,it would be fun...normally,there are two targets per lane....distances are typically 10-55 yards...with most in the 15-30 yard ranges in matches I've shot in..

We also need to bring some 'paper" targets for those who need to sight in...
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Wingman115 January 04, 2010, 04:57:04 AM
I have a Gamo squirrel I could bring as well.
: Holy crap that's far.
: autoduel January 04, 2010, 07:14:13 AM
Almost a 2 hour drive for me.
I might camp out and ride noble canyon the next day while I'm there.
This would be a once a month thing at most for me and I will be shooting ALL day to make it worth while.
Spinners, reactive targets (I got half a case of bad paintballs), and 100 yd challenges would make this a fun venue.
Someone with a welder/ cutting torch could make targets, there are several types of linkages that could be used, some using door hinges.
I'll take some pictures of the targets during the next prado shoot.
: RE: Holy crap that's far.
: Casey.Robertson January 04, 2010, 07:57:19 AM
Yeah- it is far.  That's the biggest downside and not an insignificant one.  I'm wracking my brain for something more central in San Diego and coming up empty.  All of the larger areas I can think of are either government owned, military, airports or park/preserves that have hikers etc.  

I figure at least initially we'll have a hodge-podge of targets.  I'd like to work up to real FT matches at some point but at least off the bat I just want to get everybody's opinion on the site, shoot for fun etc.  So yeah, any and all targets are welcome.  Had I known this might work I would have thought seriously about all the targets that the club in Texas was selling off a while back.  

Regarding the venue itself, in the interest of full disclosure it is the Pine Valley Bible Conference Center.  Eric and I met with the guy who calls the shots and he had no issue with us using the area whatsoever and in fact related stories of having to hunt rabbits for food with his pellet rifle back in the day.  So he knows what the guns are about and has no problem.

The only stipulations regarding any kind of behavior are on foul language and no smoking.  We will be away from the main camp area but they ask that we respect that those rules.  I don't have a problem with that and I figured most attendees would be OK too.  If you must curse or smoke the main town is about a 2-3 minute drive :-)

And don't worry, this will not be evangelism or church in the guise of target shooting.  I wanted to let you know what the place is so nobody felt like there was a hidden agenda of any sort.  I just thought of it since I attended a retreat there a couple years back and figured it was worth a shot since they just started running paintball in the last year or so.

Some other nice things about the camp is that they have a cafeteria and coffee shop on site.  They said especially if large groups are present during shoots that it would be no trouble having extra meals without any advance notice.  It would be about $5-$7 for what I think is all you can eat.  Immediately adjacent to the field is a picnic area on a little rise and they are installing outhouse bathroom right next to it as well.  They are also finishing up some campsites right next door too if a multi-day event every happened.  They also have regular hotel/lodge type rooms available depending on the size and number of groups at the camp at any given time.  

Anyway, as soon as I get a confirmed date I'll let the group know and then I'll figure out if any paperwork etc is needed.  And you are right Steve - with the available shooting areas and elevations we could have all kinds of challenges :-)  Who knows, a mountain lion may even cross our path!

Casey
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Wingman115 January 04, 2010, 11:55:28 AM
Casey it sounds good I have no issue with any of the conditions. If you get this location locked down we'll try to get the word out so we can have a big gathering.
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Casey.Robertson January 20, 2010, 09:35:00 AM
Tentative dates are the weekend of Feb 20/21.  I'm trying to secure the Saturday slot but if not it will be on Sunday.  That should give us enough time to get a few people together, figure out some targets, handle logistics etc.  My vision for this first gathering is to reconnect with the local shooters, check out the area, get everybody's input and have some fun shooting.  This would NOT be formal match of any kind.  Mainly we need to test the area out for viability, ranges, wind, shooting lanes etc and I'd greatly appreciate input.  

For this first gathering let's keep it pretty mellow i.e. let's not plaster it all over different boards.  I think if we get too massive of a group it will be hard to be in 'test' mode.  But based on turnouts in the past I don't think it will an issue - frankly I'm more worried that it will just be me out there!  

As soon as I lock down the dates I'll have more info.  As far as times go we'd likely have the field for either half a day or the entire day.  

Thanks!
Casey
: Re: Possible FT venue
: crazyhorse January 21, 2010, 12:40:34 AM
Thanks for putting time in on this...ready when you are..just let us know what you need..
....my computer crashed a week ago and I wuz "blind" for a week..LOL

On my laptop till PC is fixed...
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Wingman115 January 24, 2010, 01:20:35 AM
Bummer I have the following Sat and Sunday off. I'll try to make the next one.
: Re: Possible FT venue
: crazyhorse January 24, 2010, 04:05:50 AM
Hang tight..he said dates tenative....
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Casey.Robertson January 26, 2010, 04:34:56 AM
Is February 28th better for anybody else?  We don't need a big turnout but I'd like to accommodate as many people as possible.
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Wingman115 January 26, 2010, 04:44:42 AM
28th good for me.
: Re: Possible FT venue
: crazyhorse January 29, 2010, 01:03:23 AM
Feb 28 good for me....
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Casey.Robertson January 29, 2010, 03:50:04 AM
OK - let's shoot for Feb 28th (no pun intended).  That will work out better for me and it sounds like at least 3-4 of us can make it.
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Casey.Robertson February 02, 2010, 06:53:12 AM
Finalizing the date and times for the fun shoot/scouting expedition.  What do you guys think about 9am-1pm?  More time, less time? Earlier/later?  I'm not a huge morning person but could get there a bit earlier if it's the consensus of the group.  I'd just rather not freeze when we can have some sun instead :-)
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Wingman115 February 02, 2010, 08:44:51 AM
As cold as its been in the mornings I'm for 10am that way the CO2 guns will shoot alittle better.
: Re: Possible FT venue
: crazyhorse February 02, 2010, 10:57:29 AM
9 AM is perfect...it will be in the mid-60'S by then...it was 68 this morning in Descanco by 9:30 AM...
: Re: Possible FT venue
: autoduel February 02, 2010, 05:40:06 PM
I'll be there, and maybe stalk some squirrels afterward.....
: Re: Possible FT venue
: vhag February 03, 2010, 02:45:54 AM
hello guys, looks like a nice spot,  count me in, let me know if i need to bring anything,  where is this place at?
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Casey.Robertson February 03, 2010, 04:03:23 AM
Let's split the difference and go for 9:30am to approximately 1:30/2pm.  I checked the 5 day forecast for Pine Valley and it said 56, 55, 53, 50 and 48 for the highs so it's going to be chilly.  Rich, do you find that to be an accurate forecast based on experience?  Descanso has a similar trend for the next 5 days, just 2-3 degrees warmer.
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Casey.Robertson February 03, 2010, 05:10:53 AM
Hey Victor.  The venue is called Pine Valley Bible Conference Center.  It's a rural retreat/camp out in Pine Valley, about 35-40 min east of San Diego on the 8 fwy.  I just emailed the administrator out there to confirm Sunday, February 28th from 9:30am - 2pm.  

As far as what to bring, I would say anything that could assist in terms of targets, rests, bags etc.  It's not a shooting facility, it's a paintball field - so they have built-in tire berms, some structures etc but no bench rest areas per se.

My goal for the shoot is to hang out and have fun above all else, but to also vet the area as a possible fun shoot/FT venue.  It's definitely on the rougher side in terms of facilities i.e. a river bed vs. a paved shooting range but I think it could be a lot of fun and challenging to shoot at.  The camp admins seemed to have no issue whatsoever with shooting there and if anything the condition of the paintball field and staging area should only improve.

The daily usage fee is $12 which is not ideal but frankly at this point I'll pay it if it means I can go shoot for 4-5 hours without being hassled by neighbors or over-zealous rangemasters :-)

The only 'rules' per se outside of obvious safety stuff is no swearing, no drinking and no smoking (in keeping with the general camp rules).  Other than that we will be left to our own devices.  I understand target shooting and swearing may go hand in hand for some people so just try to do it on the inside - lol.

Here is a link to the venue location:

http://pinevalleybible.com/directions

: Re: Possible FT venue
: Casey.Robertson February 03, 2010, 05:12:35 AM
Cool!  It will be great to reconnect with everybody.  As for the squirrels, I didn't get any clearance regarding hunting....were you talking about another area?  They might go for that down the road but I didn't want to press our like and mainly wanted it to be a shooting club/venue etc.

-Casey
: Re: Possible FT venue
: crazyhorse February 03, 2010, 07:01:47 AM
Yes,current high's are on mid 50's in Pine Valley.....but at end of month with clear weather it should be around 60+ by mid-morning...

Yesterday in Descanso it hit 68 F while sun was out contrary to forecast...then about 1 PM it got cloudy and temps dropped to 60 with wind kicking up...

9:30 ok by me..
: Re: Possible FT venue
: crazyhorse February 03, 2010, 07:03:57 AM
autoduel - 2/2/2010  10:40 PM

I'll be there, and maybe stalk some squirrels afterward.....


Yup...but at different location..
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Wingman115 February 03, 2010, 11:30:55 AM
I have a Gamo pop up target I can bring. Sounds like it should be fun.
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Casey.Robertson February 03, 2010, 11:44:31 AM
Has anybody bought a target from Steel Plinkers before?  I kind of like the look of their quadrant target.  Seems like it would help you ID your misses pretty well.  The amateur tinkerer in me would love to see some kind of remote resettable field target using a servo/solenoid actuated mechanism using an RF remote.  Sound like a weekend project? LOL.
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Wingman115 February 03, 2010, 12:13:52 PM
I saw one pictured on the web and thought it was a great idea. It looks like it would be fun to shoot at as well.
: Re: Possible FT venue
: crazyhorse February 05, 2010, 06:53:17 AM
Plinkers look cool...self-resetting (counter balanced)...but Spinners are cheaper...and check this out....a "Casey" target...lol..

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/Birchwood_Casey_Gallery_Resetting_Airgun_Target/1137

: Re: Possible FT venue
: Wingman115 February 14, 2010, 11:55:03 PM
Should be a fun day can't wait to see the venue.
: Re: Possible FT venue
: autoduel February 15, 2010, 01:35:59 PM
Went to the metal supply place for some target material.

30 minutes on the band saw and I got some mini field target silhouttes with 1-3/8 max killzones.
(http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad38/autoduel/DSC01058.jpg)
: Re: Possible FT venue
: crazyhorse February 15, 2010, 01:54:50 PM
Looking good Steve...btw...that was a real nice job you did on that guys bullpup...!! Very professional..
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Wingman115 February 16, 2010, 03:37:18 AM
Steve it looks like they will be fun to shoot at. I can't wait to see the finished project! BTW throw a link up of the bullpup I could not find it on the other board. Thanks
: Re: Possible FT venue
: autoduel February 16, 2010, 04:12:25 AM
The only thick aluminum plate I could find was 4" wide, so the silhouettes are a little smaller than standard targets.
The 2nd  bullpup I made was not posted on the other board, but here's a pic:
(http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad38/autoduel/IMG_0012-1.jpg)
: Re: Possible FT venue
: Wingman115 February 16, 2010, 12:46:44 PM
Nice Steve great job!