Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1915-06-03

cations and similar bodies For rifle
shooting makes an appeal to virile, rec
blooded men. and such are its peculiar
characteristics that no other sport cal
be substituted for it
Where the dub" Is Never Dub"
Shooting is not confined to persons
who have more leisure than they know
what to do with, as those who cannot
use the range In the daytime can do so
In the evening. A simple Illuminating
device solves the problem. and artificial
light Is no hindrance TO good marks
manship. The workers In the stores,
shops and offices, therefore, are not ex.
cluded from this alluring pastime,
which is another reason for its grow
ing popularity. Rife shooting, more
over, is possible at all seasons of the
year, for even an outdoor range can
be protected in winter SO that its use
need not be interrupted.
One of its principal advantages as
sport is the fact that by the employ
ment of system of handicapping the
beginner completes on equal terms with
the expert, though everybody gets full
credit for his proficiency. "A thing which
Is difficult to arrange in other sports
Rife shooting does 'not call for physi
cal strength or prowess like athletic
sports But 1t does demand mental
and physical control in marked de
gree and develops these qualities;
hence its great value to boys and
young men. Learning to hold rifle
without letting 1t wabble and to pull
the trigger without jerking it means
self-discipline. 1t is discipline in it
self Rifle shooting requires a great
deal of practice all the year around
This develops will power, determine
ton and stick to-it-iveness, 1t also
more than almost any other sport de-
yelops concentra ton. self control and
"cold nerve" Many are the matches
where victory or defeat depends on
the man shooting, and he must be able
to keep his hand steady and his judg-
ment cool under the bard strain of an
exciting competition. There Is more
Individual work in this sport than in
any other In baseball or football it Is
teamwork that counts. One man may
have an off day and not make much
difference to the team, but this is not
true in shooting. Rifle practice devel-
ops clean living and temperance. The
rideman has to say goodby to bad hab-
It's If he has them.
A Change of Opinion.
The old idea that it is dangerous to |
let Son Johnny have rife is fast dis !
appearing. Once every mother firmly |
believed that Johnny, If he were al
owed to handle firearms, would shoot |
himself or somebody else, perhaps with
the gun that wasn't loaded" The
every little while print ac-
counts of such accidents But that is an
argument in favor of organized rifle
hooting, not against 1t. How do fire
rms accidents usually occur? Through
he carelessness of somebody who does
lot know how to handle firearms, some
lody who has had no instruction and
In their care and use. Johnny
nay be forbidden to have q rife, but
e is allowed to 20 camping with other
oys. Somebody sneaks a cheap fire.
rm into camp. None of them know
ow il should be used, and one after
lie other proceeds to "fool with it."
hen the accident
A small bore rife club usually starts
With one man. This man owns a rifle,
nd, though he enjoys shooting for its
wn sake. he feels that there would be
Iuch more pleasure and profit In 1t II
e could get some other rifemen to-
ether and thus provide for all the zest
( competition. Or this prime mover
lay be the good citizen who sees In the
of rife club q means
helping the boys or Of supplying q
eed In the general social life of the
The purpose behind the
reject may also be incident to the de-
elopment of one or more of the exist
lg local organizations, like frater- ,
al order. the grange, the Y. M. @. A,
lie churches Reasons for starting J
fe club thus extend all the way from r
lie sheer fun that shooting affords to +
lie good 1t may do the town and to 1
lie individuals in 1t. You yourself may [
,e an opportunity for gun club In $
Dur community.
How to Organize. d
You can start good rife club with
, few as two dozen members, but the O
terest will be greater and the financ- s
g easier If you can get fifty. That is
ot difficult There are probably sew .
al dozen persons scattered around l
Dur locality who like to shoot, even
lough you yourself know but a few.
OH have only 10 bring them together
nd even II there are not many shoot
s every small town and city neigh
,rhood has fifty young people who
III Ike shooting when they get ac-
tainted with It. You can Hnd that a
any In your town II is only neces- J
Try to put the proposition before them
an Interesting way and bring them
gether for organization. When you
sue the invitation to the first meet
g be sure to extend 1t to everybody I