| |
Visit our complete list of sponsors! Learn about the
BENEFITS OF BECOMING
AN HSO SPONSOR
by Clicking Here.
Sponsorship Link: Click Here!
|
|
About Us
Hunting Simulation Organization:
New Face of Shooting Sports.
by Mike Slinkard
Archers are a unique lot. Our sport has many different faces and facets – from traditional target archery games such as FITA and NFAA target events, to unmarked 3-D IBO and ASA events, as well as various specialty games.
We all know that hunting is the life-blood of archery today, and bow hunting is the original reason behind the existence of most archery events. Hunters recognize the need to increase accuracy and effectiveness in the woods, and if fulfilling this need could also be fun so much the better!
Target and 3-D archery have long been recognized as the leading way for hunters to practice their art. Regular archery events continue to provide fun and excitement as well as practice sessions to hunters across the nation. In recent times however, target and 3-D archery have experienced a reduction of participants in most areas of the country. The list of reasons for this decline is long and arbitrary, but suffice it to say, many hunters and shooters would welcome an exciting new hunting practice game.
This yearning for the ultimate bow hunting practice has led some of my finest technicians, various archery friends, associates, and yours truly, to strive to create a new twist to hunting practice games, as well as a new competition that can be fun for hunters at all levels. Our goal was to create a game (or at least a variation and combination of existing games) that was as close to a true hunting simulation as possible.
For the new game to meet our parameters it had to be, first and foremost, a game for hunters. It would have to help them become better shooters in the woods by simulating not only realistic hunting shots, but also add other elements of the hunt such as: short windows of opportunity, fast and accurate distance judging, and challenging the nerves of the shooter on every shot. The new game had to be very spectator friendly and exciting for people to watch whether or not they were archers. We felt it needed to be structured so that a hunting bow was truly the best type of equipment to use to be successful without requiring a specific equipment type. In a nutshell we wanted a game that helped hunters become more proficient in the woods while at the same time allowing for the ultimate in high pressure competition for those that desired it. We concluded that is also had to be fun and exciting for spectators and TV audiences regardless of whether they actually shot archery or not. (Yes – Like a main stream sport!).
By 2005 I had spent the previous 4 years competing feverishly in the ESPN Great Outdoor Games archery competition put on by the ATA. This was the first archery competition that I am aware of that was actually designed for spectators and the TV audience in particular. The game was very simple to understand, and extremely fast paced. Most importantly, competitors had to shoot it in front of a large group of very exuberant fans AND you had to beat the shooter next to you in head to head fashion. I found that this experience had all the intensity of the moment of truth on a trophy animal, plus it was extremely exciting to watch. We felt our new game needed to incorporate this level of excitement and spectator appeal at least at the higher levels of competition.
We were also very aware of the Buckmasters tour and the excitement that pop-up and moving target shooting had for hunters. I competed in several of these events and found them to be very exhilarating. However, the biggest problem we noticed was that it was very difficult for the average hunter to compete in these events as there was a very limited number of these types of tournaments and even fewer invitations. On top of this, there were very few businesses in the industry that had this kind of format available for practice. Most of the competitors built their own makeshift systems, or just “winged it” as they went along. We felt that to make the kind of impact we were looking for our new game had to be readily available and open to anyone who wanted to shoot or compete. We also knew it had to be logistically friendly for average clubs, ranges or individuals to set up and operate.
After more than a year of trial and error, we finally came up with a game we call Motion Targets. This new game uses standard 3-D targets scored the same way as regular 3-D tours, on an all-electric, pop-up target stand. It also has “running” target stands, which move laterally. This “runner” can be set to 4 different speeds on the course, which is similar to the Buckmasters events. The shooting scenarios are run by a programmable logic controller (PLC) which is essentially a computer that is designed to keep shooters guessing as to which target is going to present the next shot and for how long. In our game, female deer, elk, antelope and turkeys are not legal but do present themselves in interesting positions that sometimes block shot opportunities for added realism and fun. The system runs on a standard 110 volt service, is very mobile, and is suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Finally we incorporated the head to head tournament format to the larger competitions for awesome spectator appeal and excitement that is comparable to the ESPN games.
After we had the basic game on track, it was apparent that we needed a national organization to serve as a catalyst to get shooters interested in the game and shops and ranges interested in having a system for shooters to use to become proficient. Promotion to bring the game to the large spectator events and TV would be vital. With this in mind we formed the Hunting Simulation Organization - HSO. The first step was to develop some very simple rules and guidelines for the events that would make them both fun for shooters of all levels and profitable for the owners of the systems that HSO contracts to hold the events.
HSO would not actually own Motion Target systems and put on tournaments, but rather would make contacts with various organizations, trade shows or other suitable businesses in which to hold HSO sanctioned events, and pursue television coverage of as many of those events as possible. HSO then contracts with existing owners of Motion Target systems to hold the events in accordance with HSO guidelines. The owner or “Associate” gets a large portion of the proceeds from the event and/or a flat fee. The host gets the exposure and crowd appeal of the event (and sometimes a portion of the proceeds if the particular agreement states as such). Shooters enjoy this new and exciting sport first hand and HSO picks up new members and sponsors. It is truly a win-win for all involved!
Since the beginning of HSO in 2006 the organization has made great headway toward its goals. HSO president Karen Demaris has been very successful in attaining contracts with prestigious retail sport show venues such as the O’loughlin retail trade shows in the Pacific Northwest. Also, HSO held a regional event at the Choctaw Casino in Durant Oklahoma December of 2007 that promised to usher in a new era for archery future archery events. We found that HSO events are a perfect fit for Native American casinos across the country. HSO brings in a great crowd that is a “captive audience” for the casino. The arena or coliseum areas that most casinos have provide a great shooting experience that is easily viewed by fans of all types. The money class in these events typically has large payouts for the competitors so they draw the very best shooters for the most exciting competition. HSO continues to receive inquires weekly from many suitable venues that wish to host HSO events.
The pinnacle for HSO so far has been the World Final event held in conjunction with the annual Archery Trade Association show in Indianapolis Indiana on January 10 2008. At this event the top 4 shooters from all 8 HSO regions were invited to compete and the finalists competed before an exuberant crowd and the scrutiny of 8 TV cameras. This event showcased very well the vision of HSO, as the competition was intense and the crowd was hanging on every shot. This event will be seen on the Sportsman’s Channel, as well as on a DVD that will be available at archery shops and other retailers in early 2008.
The future of HSO and the Motion Target game is bright. Corporate Sponsors are beginning to see the vision and potential as well and are joining with us to make HSO the premier archery tour for hunters. At this time, the biggest obstacle HSO has is getting a secure infrastructure in place to hold an adequate number of events in all areas of the country. Currently, there are a limited number of shops, clubs, or individual businesses that own the Motion Target system and can contract with HSO to host events. While the number of Motion Target owners is steadily increasing, in order for us to take this game to the next level we need many more locations where people can shoot and become proficient at the game. It is obvious that in order for this game to be a mainstream event, it must grow past the “novelty shoot” stage and the only way to accomplish this is to have systems available for practice for average everyday shooters.
The profit potential of the system for the owners is awesome, and the game is nothing less than addicting for the shooters, so we are very confident that the game will continue to grow. Since it is very well received by the television audience it is our goal to have a TV show dedicated to the HSO tour by 2009. This will be helpful to all our affiliates who own the system as well as showcase the sport of Motion Targets to the world as the exciting sporting event that it is.
One other aspect of HSO not yet mentioned is the upcoming Motion Target gun game made for rifle hunters. This is basically the same game as the archery event; however it is shot with rifles out to 500 yards. This venue is in the works now and will be seen very soon at gun clubs around the US.
We hope this vision for HSO and Motion Targets will inspire you to get involved in our new shooting “revolution.” If you know a club or range that is a good fit for the Motion Target game, or if you know someone who might be interested in owning a system as a traveling business, please have them contact Motion Targets. If you are a hunter who is looking for great hunting practice and an unbelievable amount of fun, contact HSO for details on membership and upcoming events in your area.
Mike Slinkard
CEO, Motion Targets
To contact Motion Targets call 541-575-0247 or log onto www.motiontargets.com
For HSO call 541-419-6650 or contact Karen Demaris at Karen@huntingsimulation.com
|
|
