How do we encourage new people into the sport ?

jukibom said:
you do that by getting more young people involved
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Yes but as already mentioned how to do we get them off xbox ect ?
The world most of us grew up in had far less in terms of entertainment provided to us. Indeed most of the time if you didn't get off your bum it didn't just happen, you had to make it happen.
 
I’m probably wrong about my opinion but I’d say

1) more ranges/ places to shoot. (Personal gripe being in Tebay)
2) better advertising of the sport/hobby (I’m not talking facebook)
3) an article in popular mainstream media about the benefits of it including commentary from the police on how it’s not dangerous if rules are followed.
4) ranges could have a scheme where for new members, the first visit including refreshments is free, then they pay normal fees?
5) this forum creates groups based on location/county, so people can ask local folk where to go and possibly buddy up with ( this does have potential for security risks so maybe one for the bin). On the flip side, this would arm AGF with data of where newbie hotspots are, so they could tip off local shops to make visits and offers( again, probably a silly idea)
6) sponsorship and tutoring positions, lead by the more senior/experienced range staff/retailers.
7) finally: we spread the word and respect everyone.
 
I was thinking that for me at least, once I'd decided I wanted to actually go to a range (I wandered into a gun shop near my parents and was astounded when they explained the law to me!), finding concrete information about what is on and where is an absolute QUAGMIRE of ancient forum posts, broken web pages, half-detailed google maps entries and often times weirdly actively hostile wording on ranges' web pages.

What I REALLY wanted was a way to see, on a map, everything available around me; the services they provide (refreshments, range types, toiletries, disability accessibility etc.), their opening times, what is allowed (pellets / lead-only / rimfire / bbs?) or expected (bring your own rifle / gun hire / safety instructions for first timers etc) and all that. If it could be standardised and filtered, oh my god even better.

Is there a way we can crowd source this information and catalogue it? Could we use that to consolidate and drive interest more broadly?
 
Ranges and gun clubs need to be more family friendly and encourage younger people. All of the ranges I shoot at are mainly middle age to retirement age men. They are also mainly closed at weekends, bank holidays or out off normal school/working hours when working people would be willing to go and take the kids. The whole shooting sector needs to catch up and modernise its image to compete with all of the interests out there for younger people and indeed adults.
 
I think that you would need to invite an “influencer” to a club and providing they had a good time it would be all over social media
C rated stars and online “influencers” seem to yield the power these days
Get one on board and the outcome would far exceed what us oldies could ever achieve
 
Embedthelead said:
I’m probably wrong about my opinion but I’d say

1) more ranges/ places to shoot. (Personal gripe being in Tebay)
2) better advertising of the sport/hobby (I’m not talking facebook)
3) an article in popular mainstream media about the benefits of it including commentary from the police on how it’s not dangerous if rules are followed.
4) ranges could have a scheme where for new members, the first visit including refreshments is free, then they pay normal fees?
5) this forum creates groups based on location/county, so people can ask local folk where to go and possibly buddy up with ( this does have potential for security risks so maybe one for the bin). On the flip side, this would arm AGF with data of where newbie hotspots are, so they could tip off local shops to make visits and offers( again, probably a silly idea)
6) sponsorship and tutoring positions, lead by the more senior/experienced range staff/retailers.
7) finally: we spread the word and respect everyone.
Click to expand...
Social media, Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram and all of the others out there are exactly where advertising, marketing and promoting awareness needs to be, its where the younger generation live.
 
jukibom said:
I was thinking that for me at least, once I'd decided I wanted to actually go to a range (I wandered into a gun shop near my parents and was astounded when they explained the law to me!), finding concrete information about what is on and where is an absolute QUAGMIRE of ancient forum posts, broken web pages, half-detailed google maps entries and often times weirdly actively hostile wording on ranges' web pages.

What I REALLY wanted was a way to see, on a map, everything available around me; the services they provide (refreshments, range types, toiletries, disability accessibility etc.), their opening times, what is allowed (pellets / lead-only / rimfire / bbs?) or expected (bring your own rifle / gun hire / safety instructions for first timers etc) and all that. If it could be standardised and filtered, oh my god even better.

Is there a way we can crowd source this information and catalogue it? Could we use that to consolidate and drive interest more broadly?
Click to expand...
Same boat.

That last paragraph is one for the mods : make contact with each range / shop and explain they’ll be creating a page on this forum and they require the kind of information you mentioned. The page will need to be maintained by the shop /range but the potential for them for customers not currently in their portfolio is something they should consider.

I’m useless at this stuff so I’m going to slowly walk backwards into the hedge like the Homer Simpson gif before the sugar from that Easter egg kicks in and gives me false energy/brain power.
 
Redsun351 said:
Social media, Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram and all of the others out there are exactly where advertising, marketing and promoting awareness needs to be, it’s where the younger generation live.
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Ok, this idea might be from the sugar but how about retailers/ ranges / manufacturers visit schools? My daughter’s primary school did archery and axe throwing before Easter leave.
 
Embedthelead said:
Ok, this idea might be from the sugar but how about retailers/ ranges / manufacturers visit schools? My daughter’s primary school did archery and axe throwing before Easter leave.
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I suspect that's a media hit piece waiting to happen 🫠

Embedthelead said:
That last paragraph is one for the mods : make contact with each range / shop and explain they’ll be creating a page on this forum and they require the kind of information you mentioned. The page will need to be maintained by the shop /range but the potential for them for customers not currently in their portfolio is something they should consider.
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Hmm... I do like the idea of letting ranges take ownership of their pages and adding more information, photos, up-to-date opening times and the like. Not sure if it's out of scope of the forum though (poor mods have enough on their plate!)
 
IMG_2947.webp

Just in case someone needs evidence
 
jukibom said:
I was thinking that for me at least, once I'd decided I wanted to actually go to a range (I wandered into a gun shop near my parents and was astounded when they explained the law to me!), finding concrete information about what is on and where is an absolute QUAGMIRE of ancient forum posts, broken web pages, half-detailed google maps entries and often times weirdly actively hostile wording on ranges' web pages.

What I REALLY wanted was a way to see, on a map, everything available around me; the services they provide (refreshments, range types, toiletries, disability accessibility etc.), their opening times, what is allowed (pellets / lead-only / rimfire / bbs?) or expected (bring your own rifle / gun hire / safety instructions for first timers etc) and all that. If it could be standardised and filtered, oh my god even better.

Is there a way we can crowd source this information and catalogue it? Could we use that to consolidate and drive interest more broadly?
Click to expand...

There's the forum range map

Forum Range Map

airgunforums.co.uk airgunforums.co.uk
And it shows most (some?) of the available ranges and clubs.

Information about those ranges/clubs rather depends on how good their website is, and some websites are really bad.

On top of that it seems that some ranges/clubs operate as almost a closed shop; Use the contact us form to find basic information such as location!
This is hardly open and welcoming and I'm sure it reduces the number of potential people who CBA to jump through hoops to find out more
 
Stu.22 said:
Unfortunately public attitudes have changed considerably around gun ownership and are putting to many younger ones off sadly
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Totally agree, I only mention I shoot to like minded folk, which is why Agf is a haven for us. Back in the day most youngsters had an air rifle/pistol catapult/ penknife. I introduced my son at 13 to the hobby and it was a great but short dad and lad thing, but doubt he will ever pick a gun up again. I doubt that’s the same story in America where airguns are growing in popularity every year.
 
Mad Andy said:
There's the forum range map

Forum Range Map

airgunforums.co.uk airgunforums.co.uk
And it shows most (some?) of the available ranges and clubs.

Information about those ranges/clubs rather depends on how good their website is, and some websites are really bad.

On top of that it seems that some ranges/clubs operate as almost a closed shop; Use the contact us form to find basic information such as location!
This is hardly open and welcoming and I'm sure it reduces the number of potential people who CBA to jump through hoops to find out more
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Today I learned! But yeah, sending users through to some of those really rough sites isn't ideal :(
 
In an ideal world the primary converts would be youth clubs (not that many left I gather) youth charities, local council youth services, young offender services (here me out, shooting offers control, patience, concentration, achievement, development, all the things most likely lacking in their lives, plus their interest would be instant at the mention of "gun") Get those type of organisations onside and it soon becomes more mainstream and not some misunderstood underground group of people one argument away from mass murderers. Unfortunately the mere mention of shooting and people now think of lunatics in US schools, criminals and terrorists.
 
jukibom said:
Today I learned! But yeah, sending users through to some of those really rough sites isn't ideal :(
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I am a member of a commercial gun club whose website has everything you previously outlined. And also a private club (as most are) which is run by unpaid volunteers, which has no web presence.
I think the above would be a relatively common theme across the country. It's very hard to convince members of private clubs to take on the responsibility of setting up and running a website, although some may be lucky in this respect.
 
Would a paid for presence on here that is regularly updated and maintained be more attractive to private clubs. Assuming the fee was very affordable many clubs might see the value of such a service to bring in new members and possibly ensure their survival.
 
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