The next thing one must do in preparing to put on a regional is to become familiar with the six events and their requirements. If you have a nearby shotgun range, Skeet & Trap, or Sporting Clays, it might be a good idea to try and work out an arrangement with them to help you in setting up the shotgun events, as they would have the necessary equipment and the expertise. Someone from the STCA will gladly assist in the logistics and requirements with the range manager if so needed. Due to the unique presentation of the shotgun stages, a special ‘computer’ is available from the STCA, which will facilitate the automation of the target throwing sequence. The ‘computer’ is almost mandatory for the flush and flurry. While the mixed bag can be thrown manually, our computer also assists in this event as well. The actual operation of the computer is not complicated; however it may be best to have one of us from STCA to help “talk” you through the first time. On the shotgun events we set up the Flush, and then perhaps simply add an additional trap to throw the Mixed Bag. Thus we are able to basically shoot two events on the same field by adding one trap. We then move five of those traps downrange and set up the Flurry and conclude our shotgun stages with minimal effort. If your facility has plenty of traps, the only logistics problem will be that of the computer. As the STCA currently only has one to loan out, it is important that you make adequate reservations prior to your event. Now you need to be sure that you or the shotgun range has adequate clay targets on hand. This may seem trivial, but there is nothing worse than discovering at the last minute, that you do not have enough to complete the match. On setting up the cages for the shotgun event, be certain that you check the swing path of the respective shooter’s gun barrels in relation to the flight path of the birds. You must determine that there is adequate separation in the cages so that there is no possibility of overlapping sight pictures between ‘side-by-side’ shooters swinging on birds flying in opposite directions (e.g. the shooter in the left cage chasing a left to right bird and the center cage shooter chasing a right to left). If the cages are set too close, a very dangerous situation could develop where their barrels actually overlap and they are in direct line of fire of one another! On the shotgun events, there are general recommendations and approximate distances listed to help guide you. What we are looking for here is continuity in set up, so that the general match concept’s integrity is maintained. If you stay within the general guidelines suggested for the presentation of targets, your regional will coincide with the experience of the nationals, thus giving competitors better practice for Nationals.
All of the stage requirements (STC Rules) are specifically listed on the web site. It is best if you have a knowledgeable range officer, along with an assistant, to supervise each team as they fire. Setting up the steel events is pretty straightforward. After your initial preparation as discussed above, it is now time to actually run the match. If you hold a 2 day event, it might be best to shoot the shotgun on Saturday and the steel on Sunday. The reason being that the steel normally progresses much faster, thus allowing you to get your ‘out of town’ competitors on the road sooner. It has been a very attractive inducement for several of the clubs to present “1200” score matches rather than the standard “600”. This is merely where the competitors fire each course or competition twice, thus doubling the score and doubling the practice. Score Sheets are available for downloading from the web site and scoring is relatively straightforward.
Ok, so let’s recap. First, you need to confirm that you have the facility or facilities required (often times clubs shoot the shotgun at one range and the steel at another if one range cannot accommodate both). Next, complete the preliminary incidental planning and preparation. You have reserved the necessary ranges to shoot the event. You have the necessary personnel to serve as Range Officers (RO’s), down range crew and score the match (don’t forget that, at regionals, competitors willingly volunteer to assist in many capacities). You will need clip boards and countdown stop watches for your RO’s. The RO’s should be completely familiar with their events, the scoring and safety requirements. So, you have lined up your ranges, your dates have been authorized through STCA and posted on the web site, your personnel, your shotgun logistics and reserved STCA’s steel targets. You’ve downloaded all the events and score sheets. You have timers, paint, and necessary clay targets. What else? Well now would be a good time to get your community involved. Go to your area sporting goods dealers and ask them to post your flyers announcing the match. Explain how much fun it is and that everyone can compete. It is good for them, as it requires all three disciplines, rifle, pistol, and shotgun. See if they might like to get involved, come out and participate, or at least ‘spectate’. Often, they will donate small gifts like ammo, caps or whatever. The STCA has a Regional Support program where if you have at least five individual teams (two or three man) with no mix matching of teams to arrive at that, the STCA will donate three free $100.00 National entry certificates for you to award as you deem fit. In addition to this, the STCA will award you $250.00 in cash for a minimum of five teams and $500.00 in cash if you have ten or more.
Regionals are intended to: 1) introduce prospective competitors to the sport of Sportsman Team Challenge, 2) provide practice for the Nationals, and 3) assist in classifying teams. By shooting a “1200” score match, all of these values are doubled, thus your consideration of this option is appreciated. The procedures for running the teams through each stage of fire are detailed in the complete set of rules. By following them, you should progress through your tournament with relative ease. We hope that these guidelines will assist you in your endeavor. While they may not answer every question, please remember that we are here to help. Just contact us.