Clowns shooting IDPA

[Miggy]

All of them should be drummed out of IDPA 

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/MqgZM-GNmTY&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/MqgZM-GNmTY&rel=0</a>

Trail Glades Range - "Tactical" range A.K.A. The Closet.

Video shows new shooters, great shooters and old shooters that plain suck... but we manage to have fun.

[Steve]

Good show, Miggy.  If that was Valentines Day, it was obviously Florida!  Apparently, judging from the number of stages that have you starting facing "up range," you folks down south are letting way too many people sneak up behind you...   

Steve

[Miggy]

We call that range "the closet" because it is about the size of a mid sized bay. We do a lot of weak hand drills, shooting from the ground and stages designed for bad breath distances.

Allegedly sometime before the end of the decade, Miami Dade Parks will continue "improving" the range and we "might" get 4 or 5 bays. It is downright pitiful that with so many shooters representing all pistol disciplines and action shooting sports, we do not have a decent range capable of hosting a State tournament.

[Steve]

Well, I wasn't going to mention it, but with those barrels and all, it does sort of look like an old hazmat dump site.     Any possibility that all the users or groups could put together an improvement drive?  There may be money, fund raising ideas, construction materials and equipment, or other expertise among the shooters that could be donated to the cause.  It might help get things moving.  I have no idea about local politics down there, but it shouldn't hurt to ask.  It sounds like there are enough users that you should be able to get Miami Dade's attention.  Not really my area, of course, but many agencies drag their feet more because of lack enthusiasm than money.  You guys might be able to help them out with both.  Just a thought.  In any case, good luck.  And a tip of the Pro Arms hat to you for making the most of what you have to work with.

Steve

[Miggy]

We  have a great coalition between the clubs and everybody worked hard, but you mentioned politics and that's the crux. It took 6 years to get the initial improvements approved. The actual work on the range itself took about 6 months! The South Florida Water Management District and the anti gunners in power were a pain in the arse. The money eventually went to the alleged money makers (trap, skeet, etc) plus the pistol and rifle static ranges.

Some of us are thinking about moving north near Jax.... I hear there is a decent range up there 

[MasAyoob]

Miggy, we accept refugees...

[Scott Currie]

I'm with you Miggy.  Palm Beach County is at about at the same speed as Broward and Dade.  They had a massive outdoor shooting park on the books that would rival Markham Park in Ft. Lauderdale but I think the money went to the trials and convictions of several county commissioners.  Seems to be a trend here in West Palm.  The Panhandle keeps looking better and better.

[Chris]

The Panhandle is cool... but the northern section between Live Oak and Palatka keeps you much closer to excellent IDPA/IPSC ranges, and provides a lot more in the way of fishing activities, for those inclined to wet a line. Plus... there is a LAW up here that convenience stores may not be located more than 10 miles apart, so you are never further than 5 miles from Co' Beer, should you run out. Just a thought.
Chris Christian