[oldskeetshooter]

The Skeet culture change, over the past 50 years, has produced some interesting changes. Seems that the wannabe skeet shooters, of today, are more interested in wearing clothing articles that represent their favorite shooting implement or accessory. Shooting skills and scores are second to appearance or perception.

The walking billboard shooter has become a common thing.

 

[oldskeetshooter]

Key is "younger" people participating. The more shooters we have the better for everyone.

You are correct, to a certain degree. However, most serious shooters are there to break targets and not to socialize. I was told, early in my shooting endeavors "If you are serious about breaking targets, one of the worse things you can do is to shoot with a bunch of "Social" shooters."

The guy that told me this was one of the greats of the game. He was willing to help those who REALLY wanted help. However, when it came to, serious, shooting he wears a different hat.

 

[oldskeetshooter]

I remember shooting with a guy who ran a house framing crew. He wore his work clothes to the shoots. Slip on tennis shoes with holes, jeans or cut off shorts, white tshirt and a white cotton nail apron for a shell pouch. Today, he would be "White Eyed" at most shoots by a lot of folks. He was AA-AAA and shot 395 to 399 at most shoots.

Hmmm? If I felt that garb would work for me today, I'd try it. However, I would change one thing. I'd have a tshirt made up with "Stay away from me, I have pink eye" printed on the shirt. Then again, the tshirt idea would not work as most social shooters would be asking me "What is pink eye?".

 

[oldskeetshooter]

A lot of shooters wear ball caps. That's seems all well and good until sun damage takes it's toll and the dermatologist starts cutting parts from the ears. Then the shooter believes that wide brimmed hats should have been mandatory, safety equipment.

 

[oldskeetshooter]

The club needs to raise the cost to shoot high enough the Tent Ts, underwear and flip floppers will keep that nasty at Walmart.

Yep, That philosophy has been practiced, in another shotgun game, for 15+ years. There is a reason why Sporting Clays is called "Golf with a shotgun".

 

[oldskeetshooter]

This thing has hit the 8 page mark. In the past, I shot with a guy in the business of providing female models at various gatherings, conventions, etc. Let's call the guy Ralph. Occasionally, Ralph would bring 5 or so of these uhhhhhh...girls, to skeet shoots. I can assure you, these girls were not dressed for safety. Why should they? Their function was not to shoot. Their, primary, function was to bring Ralph a cool drink of water in between rounds.

Distraction? Yes. Complaints about their clothing, NO.

 

[oldskeetshooter]

I like this approach...

In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
Thomas Jefferson

Yep, in reality that about covers it. However, a considerable number of shooters, today, hold "Style" as their "Principle". It is easy to recognize those shooters. Look at the scoreboard...

 

[oldskeetshooter]

Everything pretty much covered

Safety is paramount. For me this means sturdy footwear, ears, eyes, and something to hold the shells. Beyond that it is up to the shooter and their ability to take some ribbing from the squad - from fancy pants wearing his vest and button down shirt to bubba in the wifebeater and cut off jean shorts.

EDIT - Also remember that this is a mental game. Every bit of energy you spend thinking about what someone is wearing is distracting/knocking you out of the zone. No different than that person asking if you've missed one yet.

Well said !!

Some folks are on the field to break targets. Others are there to sport their guns, clothes, vehicles, social correctness, etc.

Sooner or later, a shooter has to determine which crowd is best for them. If a person is serious about breaking targets, that crowd will welcome them with open arms. Whereas, the other crowd will continue to argue with each other about the correct gun, clothing, vehicle and social correct manners.