Now that American Idol has retired, is it time to move from microphones to .22’s?
“That’s exactly how this was described to me: This is kind of the American Idol of shooting,” said Matthew Poulin, director of Pioneer Sportsmen, a private sport shooting and archery club in Dunbarton.
The 60-year-old facility is one of three in New Hampshire chosen as a qualifying location for American Marksman, a national target shooting competition that is being filmed for a reality TV show slated for the Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel. Organizers say the three-level competition will move to regionals and nationals, culminating in a winner who gets a $50,000 prize.
That means there may be TV crews filming contestants at any time.
“This falls in line with our charter to promote the shooting sports in a safe, comfortable environment,” Poulin said.
Like American Idol, this show is designed to highlight previously unknown talent, so no professional shooters are allowed. “No one that has any level of sponsorship in the shooting sports may participate,” notes the American Marksman website.
Competitors register in advance at AmMarksman.com for a fee of $20. Pioneer Sportsman will not charge contestants a range fee.
The timed competition involves shooting at sets of five targets from 20 feet and 30 feet, using .22-caliber pistols or rifles or both from a standing position. Results will be recorded and uploaded to the American Marksman website, and depending on scores, people can advance to regional contests starting in June, at a location yet to be announced, with a national competition slated for next January.
There are categories for men and women, those under 18, and veterans and law enforcement personnel.
Pioneer Sportsman is normally open for shooting only to its 400 paying members – it also has an extensive archery facilities on its 65-acre site – but it hosts several events during the year that are open to the public, and this is one of them.
Poulin asks that people who want to try out call in advance, at 568-2535.
The American Marksman contestants can fire from 4 to 8 p.m. on Fridays and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, starting this weekend through next month.
“We’re not sure what the response is going to be,” Poulin said. “I’m asking people to call me and set a time, so I can make sure we have staff on hand.”
Two other shooting ranges in New Hampshire are also qualifying locations, in Hinsdale and Hudson.
(David Brooks can be reached at 369-3313, dbrooks@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @GraniteGeek.)
