[jyl]

This is probably not a very remarkable topic, but the experience is new to me.

I’m trying to join a private shooting club here in Portland. It has been around since 1948, the backstop is from WW2 naval armor plate, cool old-school vibe, many members have grown up shooting here as children. Very low profile - no web presence, no contact phone or email.

As far as I can tell, you have to 1) know someone who invites you to come visit, etc. From then, the process is: 2) fill out an application, 3) come in for a preliminary interview, 4) they discuss and vet you, 5) you get invited to come in and shoot under observation (they are watching for gun safety), 6) maybe do that a couple times, 7) more discussion and vetting, 8) get invited to attend a membership meeting and introduce self/answer questions, 9) eventually membership votes on 10) who gets admitted. They cap membership so there are only a limited number of new membership opportunities.

So far I’ve made it to step 4), I think. The whole process takes a few months. Not hearing back right away is a good sign, I’m told.

We talked about their bullseye team, in which I’m interested. My concern is that I’m too bad to be on a team, but apparently new team members get a handicap, which is welcome.