Though some of the most recognized and popular figures in the shooting sports today are women, there are not as many girls involved in competitive shooting as there could be. If one visits the National Matches held annually at Camp Perry, Ohio, one will see firsthand the disparity between the number of female and male competitors. Anyone on the firing line will tell you that women seem to have a natural advantage as shooters. This leads us to the question: Why are there not as many females involved as males?      Sara Rozanski, now a member of Team CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) and an incredibly accomplished high-power shooter, noted that when she shot on the ORPA (Ohio Rifle and Pistol Association) Junior High Power Rifle Team, she was one of six girls on the team. While she acknowledged that “there’s definitely a lot more females shooting in general,” she agreed that the lack of scholarships is a significant factor in the lack of female participation in high power. Rozanski sums up the sport well, saying that “High power is…not a lucrative sport. You can’t get scholarships on it. You don’t win a lot of money on it. It’s more or less…about shooting the best for yourself and then the prestige of whatever match you’re shooting in…you’re more or less just shooting for yourself to see if you can shoot better than the time you did before. It’s kinda weird. Not many people, I think, go into a sport unless they’re kinda getting something out of it other than for themselves, they’re either getting money out of it or huge awards or huge notoriety, that’s not this sport at all.” In other words, if girls are going to pick a shooting sport, many will choose one that will help them in some other way.  ... Read More

Sunday, June 24 marked the return of the Ohio Rifle and Pistol Association (ORPA) matches to Camp Perry under the leadership of ORPA’s new highpower director, Samantha Henderson. This was an enjoyable learning experience and she noted that everyone has been incredibly nice and helpful. This 80-shot NRA match with two sighers at each position was, like the former day’s CMP events, shot on CMP’s electronic targets featuring Kongsberg technology. Competitors slept in an hour later with a match start time of 8:00 am, and the day proved much cooler and drier than the previous. Nearly everyone knew those shooting around them, increasing camaraderie and lending a more comfortable atmosphere to the match. Scorecards were turned in at each yard line. This was both a good and a bad thing as some competitors liked not knowing their total score as it alleviated some mental pressure while others did not like knowing where they stood.... Read More

Four a.m. – that is the time many Ohio competitors awoke in time to drive to Camp Perry for the June 23 Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) 800 aggregate and subsequent EIC match. With everyone ready to go and at the 200-yard line by approximately 6:45 am, it seemed that the impending rainstorms may be just narrowly avoided. Firing was to commence at 7:00 am, but a miscommunication with range operations delayed the start until 8:00 am. Many used the extra time to visit with friends, load magazines, check zeroes, and to cover their gear in case of rain.... Read More

Before the firing of the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) National Trophy events, the National Matches schedule offers training clinics for all levels of shooters to receive personalized help and information. For junior shooters, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Junior Highpower Rifle Clinic offers one-on-one training, dry firing and class work focused on safety, trigger control, fundamentals and effects of weather, among other things. For those looking for more than the basics, an Advanced CMP Highpower Clinic offers marksmen supplementary training, dry firing exercises and position work. Many juniors (age 20 and below) attend the USMC clinic year after year, using the opportunity to freshen up their skills before the bigger National Trophy matches, to socialize with other juniors and to receive coaching.... Read More