Mike D's. Hoser Haven

This web site: For the last few months has not been properly maintained. I have been distracted with multiple medical problems and have not been feeling very well. I’m recovering and plan to get back in the saddle.

 Thanks, Mike D. 10/05/09

Hopefully anyone who missed the “Pro-Am” steel match at the Old Bridge NJ club was doing something fun that day because all attending had a good time. As a well travel shooter I have competed in most every type of shooting sport you could name but this “Pro-Am” format was new to me. I was slightly apprehensive and unsure about what to expect however I was completely engrossed in the thing after the first stage. I shot on Friday afternoon and R.O.ed all day Saturday and during that whole time did not see one shooter that was not enjoying themselves. The knock down steel, fix time format is hard but so much fun you what do it over and over.  6 of the 7 stages had movement included within their design with a target count of up to 40 each. The next time there is a Pro-Am match I will enter with multiple guns just so I can keep shooting it. The entire crew did a great job; they had lunch and cold drinks for everyone and the whole thing went off without a hitch. Next time Old Bridge has a Pro-Am match “I’m there with bells on early”  05/13/09

The Power Factor seems to be far from some shooters concern these days. I know I have been away from the sport for a while but holy shit! When I stopped competing USPSA was at a 175,000-power factor for major and now its only 165,000. What is so hard about that? Some folks may believe they are gaining an advantage but they are only hurting themselves in the long term. The next time those guys go to ANY major match they will be in for a rude awakening. Either they will be scored minor or if they bump up the loads their gun will behave completely different. “Back in the day” we used to occasionally pull out the chronograph at local matches to keep things in check. I think if the honor system is failing us maybe its time to start checking again. What is so hard about that? 03/24/09

Holy Smokes, I think some of our intrepid USPSA match directors may need some Ben-Gay and a few aspirin on Monday. This weekend’s weather was awesome, and you could tell by all the hoser’s that came out to play. Saturday I moseyed on down to the Southern Chester PA club to see Rob and his crew and they did not disappoint. Rob’s web note said to expect 35 shooters but near 70 showed to help chew up the targets. Sunday saw more of the same. Matt and the Duchess County boys where also swamped with shooters and they where rolling out the new palm scoring system. WOW those folks must have had a long day, but roomer has it all went well and they pulled it off in spite of the up hill battle. At the same time I was at my home club of Old Bridge NJ and we almost ran out of parking. Old bridge also had the high turn out of near 70 hoser’s who come to beat up targets. The guys tell me they are expecting record turnouts this season and I think there correct. 03/22/09

The palm pilot scoring system is starting to show up at the local clubs and if it's anything like we have at my home club (Old Bridge NJ) it is the coolest thing since the 1911 auto. It does however require some de bugging and a little patience by the shooters the first couple of times it’s used. One of the changes is the need for pre-registration.  Keep in mind that none of these things will work without all of us helping out and pitching in. 

The Guthsville PA club had their March IPSC match despite a grim weather forecast. (I give kudos for that alone) Victor and I drove out watching the sky for the whole ride out. Eric, Mike, Isabelle and the local folks made us feel as welcome as old fiends and we where glad to come.  Vic and I saw a gaggle of brand new pepper poppers; swingers, droppers, turners and club member Mike Gottlieb made a complete set of new modular walls for field courses. The Guthsville crew is not shy to use them and on a seriously questionable winter day still made a fun yet challenging set of 5 stages.  I was thoroughly impressed with this clubs enthusiasm, members and range even though a small turn out was expected. Anyone looking to enjoy an afternoon shooting a good match with great people at a nice place should run, not walk to Orefield PA and say hey to the Guthsville gang.  3/1/09

For anyone who likes steel shooting take a good look at the P.A. steel league. I did it years back and they do a great job. The only pain for me was some of the clubs in the league are quite far into the central part of P.A. for us coastal guys but it's worth the ride.