south florida appleseed?

[smoakingun]

while looking at the schedule for the next few monts, trying to decide which events i will be working, I didn't see any events in south east or south west fl. What gives?

[PHenry]

Your attention to detail is excellent sir. That's right - we have never been able to consistently crack that nut. We do have a land owner in Ft. Myers that will hold KDCs and invitation-only events, but we have not even truly maximized that opp.

Also, there is a Sheriff's range in Clewiston, FL that would very likely be willing to run additional events there. I would have to look, but I can likely find the range master's name and contact info - great guy and he likes us. We held an event there as a result of one of the original FL cadre (now inactive), being buddies with a county commissioner in that area and he wanted an event - also a great guy.

What is needed is someone to pursue a date at that venue, or find another. The single event we held in Clewiston was in August and it gits truly ugly hot there on southern shore of Lake Okeechobee. Although I did get an offer to go gator hunting!

With only two active SBs left here - we don't have a lot of time to seek out new venues or dates. Lame excuse I know, but best I could come up with on short notice! 

PH

[smoakingun]

I wasn't looking for a reason why, but more of a what can we do?

[PHenry]

I can try to git the contact info for the Clewiston range, and I can also get with ItsanSKS to bring him in on it. Clewiston isn't truly "south FL", but it's pretty close. DoubleLife was the man responsible for getting the local commissioner interested - I'll start there.
Thanks,
PH

[Sly223]

 Myakka is as far south, as AS gets so far, but, If anything happens this far south, I will be TBOTG, If anyone knows someone,down here, I probably know someone, who knows, somebody, who can get some action down here.

[smoakingun]

how about ft myers, dade or broward counties? It really seems that we don't have much presence in larger areas.

[ItsanSKS]

I'm currently working on a range in/near Miami. 

I've been given some leads on other ranges in S. Florida, and am working on pursuing those as time permits. 

What we really need is some more Shoot Bosses here in Florida, so that we can adequately staff new events...

[PHenry]

What we really need is some more Shoot Bosses here in Florida, so that we can adequately staff new events...

Ask ItsanSKS how he knows this.  We have everything in place to make our goal of doubling here in FL - everything except people willing to do what it takes to learn to run events on a regular and consistent basis.

OK, yes we need more SBs here in FL. And where do these elusive creatures come from? Are they cut from "special" cloth? Are they sent from Fred? Do they drop from the sky, ready to run events? They must be retired and independently wealthy types right?

SBs are merely IIT0s that worked at it, that kept at it, until they were solid instructors and then decided they would step up, load their vehicles with everything needed, and show up, "damn the torpedoes", come what may - I'll improvise, and get it done. After a few events, they begin to get the feel of it and somewhere along the road, become seasoned "pros".

Yes, SBing is a lot of work - more than anyone who hasn't done it knows, but with greater work comes greater satisfaction. And for thems of us who live to hear the sound of our own voices, an opp to spend a great deal of time hearing yourself speak. I mean, not that ItsanSKS and I fall into that category - just saying for thems who do. 

The hardest part of SBing is getting started and for that, you have lots of help waiting. Unlike my own foray into this level of instructing, yours will be well guided. No inventing the wheel needed. I have everything worked out and will share it with anyone who is willing to take the "red pill".

Come on in, the water's fine. 

[smoakingun]

we got one more sb, I'm working my way up and I have two folks that want the blue hat

[RookieShooter]

Hi everybody.  I'm brand new to the board. 

Several friends and I are interested in attending an Appleseed event in South Florida (Broward or Dade).  From talking with people in the area, I would be surprised if we could not get at least 15-25 people together.

I checked the calendar on the main Appleseed site and don't see anything scheduled in this area.  I checked out the forums, and it looks like an event was held in 2010 at Pop's Gun Range in Broward http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=13612.0.   Does anyone know how that venue was?  Is that range is agreeable to hosting another event? 

What about the range at Markham Park?  Has anyone spoken with them?  I'm happy to make some inquiries, but I don't want to recreate the wheel if someone has already explored these options.  I'm also more than willing to help market the event once we get it scheduled.

The guys I've spoken with so far suggested late October / early November or some time after the first of the year when it's still cool out.  The concern is that the year-end holidays could hurt attendance.  However, we all recognize that the instructors are very giving of their time so we will work around whatever is best for the instructors.

If anyone is familiar with previous South Florida events, please post where it was held and whether the range would consider hosting it again.  I'm happy to lend a hand in trying to get another event scheduled.

[Sly223]

Hey Rookie,
We would love to get back into that area.
Pop's was a great venue with a lot of patriots everytime!
Unfortunately the owner ran into personal troubles and Appleseed did not want any bad press.
If you would or could be our boots on the ground that would be great, Start by contacting Itsansks(Eric McCabe). and Bruce 9mm4545, they are our State coordinators.
For now we have Myakka and New Smyrna and a few up the East Coast.
I myself have to drive two hrs.
Welcome, find a venue and bring all your friends, We will have a great time!

[PHenry]

RS,
We can provide u with any info or promo materials u might need - just ask.
PHenry

[RookieShooter]

Thanks PHenry.  I will definitely take you up on that.  I just pm'd Itsansks and 9mm4545 to see what I can do to help find a range. 

I just bought my first rifle (10/22) last weekend and can't wait to learn how to shoot it.

[PHenry]

First Rifle! Congrats sir! I recall my first rifle, well, we of course didn't call em rifles then.........

[smoakingun]

if we can get a south florida event, I will make the drive to instruct it.

[RookieShooter]

Well, we hit a bunch of roadblocks trying to find a place for an Appleseed in Broward.  There are not many rifle ranges in Broward that would be able to host an Appleseed. 

A few buddies and I are really looking forward to attending an Appleseed but didn't want to wait any longer while trying to get one hosted in South Florida.  We booked for one of the November events in Myakka.   

We have not given up on South Florida yet, and we are putting out the feelers to see if anyone knows anyplace in Dade or Palm Beach.  I'm certain the demand is here, so we just need to find the right venue.  We will keep looking.

[ItsanSKS]

Don't quote me on this, but we should have a new range on board in S. Florida within the next two weeks.

I've sent the required paperwork to the Hendry County Sherrifs Range, in Clewiston.  Located at the SW corner of Lake Okeechobee, it's as far south as I've been able to get... 

Stay tuned!

-ItsanSKS

[velocette]

Eric;
I was talking with my club's president today (Hollywood rifle & pistol club   http://www.hrpclub.info/  )   about an Appleseed event.  He is quite interested.
Apparently, someone from Appleseed has been talking with him and he asked if anyone had attended
and had an opinion.  I mentioned that I had attended both of Pop's events and had a very good opinion
about Appleseed and the training that was provided.
He (the pres) then said he was interested in going forward.
If that is the case, I may take you up on your request that I become an instructor.

Happy days to ya

Roger Seitz  Rifleman 248

[ItsanSKS]

Roger-

Good to hear from you Sir.  Bruce (9mm4545) is handling the communications with that range, as I am currently out of state on business.  By all accounts, this should be 'in the bag' by the end of the year. 

Looking forward to having some quality events in S. Florida in 2012!

-ItsanSKS

[9mm4545]

The host application was sent today. As soon as it is returned, then we should have a shoot within 60 days. I would think sometime in late Feb or March. If anyone can assist with getting the host application filled out and returned ASAP, I am sure Chuck, the club president, would appreciate it--and it will facilitate moving the process forward.

[velocette]

9mm4545;
I talked with Chuck Monday.  What will probably happen is that he will bring it up in the January meeting for approval by the membership.  (we do not meet in Dec.)
Following that, I'm sure that the paperwork will proceed quickly.  Our club is not only well organized but it is able to move pretty quickly when motivated.

Roger

[9mm4545]

Excellent! As soon as the host app gets to national we can get it moving. March is looking good since we don't have as many events then as some of the other months and the weather should be good as well. If there is anything I can do to assist, let me know. Things to be decided by the club's board are when events can be held, number of shooters accommodated, minimum age allowed, and range fees for members and nonmembers. Bruce

[velocette]

Bruce;
Since I am but a lowly member of the HRPC,  there's little I can do to move the application forward, save being an advocate.
That said, we (HRPC) are always looking for ways to advance the shooting sports.  We host a JRs program and annually have a
free womens day to train new female shooters.  We'll soon see, but I think that an Appleseed event is reasonably achievable.

Roger

[pikid89]

As for fort myers/ charlotte county there is 2 private ranges I know of

there is the Hansen Gun Club off of Zemel Rd across from the charlotte county dump
http://www.swfps.com/

the other is a range the boy scouts use, of of oil well rd behind the Charlotte county correctional institute
http://www.swfsa.org/index.shtml

[Sly223]

Whats Clewiston's status?

[Heimdhal]

Whats Clewiston's status?

Sorry for not seeing this ealier.  Clewiston is probably a no-go, at least for the very near future.  There just isnt a lot of interest from the range masters, at least the head guy that makes the "yay" or "nay" decision. 

Were stil trying, but my honest suggestion at this point would be to perhaps contact and persue the Okechobee Shooting Sports range in Okechobee.  I have talked to them at the gun shows at they are interested, but are un familiar with appleseed as a whole, outside of what I've told them.

[PHenry]

if we want to reactivate Clewiston, we need to get in touch with the man who made it happen last time. He is a local councilman, well known to a former RWVA instructor - DoubleLife. PM me and I will look up the name and contact info. Carson somebody as I recall.
PH

[9mm4545]

I have had two contacts with Hollywood Gun Club and they do seem to be nibbling at the bait. I talked yesterday with the club president and the indications are good for a shoot there. I sent a host app and I will call again in a day or two to remind him about it. Fingers crossed...

[ItsanSKS]

PHenry-

The councilman you are referring to is Carson Turner.  He is/was a huge proponent of Appleseed, and may possibly be relied upon to add his voice to the pressure to get an event in that area. 

To those in S. Florida-
If you really want an event in your area, it is up to you. 

Some specific things you can do:

Contact 9mm4545 to get your hands on some promotional materials.
Go to the range you'd like to host the event (especially if you are a member there) and let the club officials know that you'd like them to host one.
Pass them the contact info for either 9mm4545 or myself.
Keep hounding them until it happens.

Easy, but it takes time and perseverance. 

-ItsanSKS

[PHenry]

To those in S. Florida-
If you really want an event in your area, it is up to you. 

ItsanSKS - that's just "crazy talk" sir. You are speaking of self-reliance, one of the fine traditions of the Founders, long since dropped as "old fashioned". 

Unfortunately, he is spot on. Appleseeds is a results based org, with scant resources. We can offer little more than a bucket with which to bail. The actual bailing must be handled by unpaid, under appreciated, overworked volunteers. 

Carson is a good man - a credit to his profession and easily contacted owing to his standing in that "sugar town" resting on the southern border of the big lake.

Despite my obviously abrasive nature and unreasonable expectations, if someone were to get that range interested - I could and would travel down there to SB an event and also offer any guidance on setting up same, to anyone so "crazy" as to take this little project on! 

In Liberty,
PHenry