Unrestored targets happen. Usually what happens is the person (let’s call him “Bob”) who has been taping the target is the on deck shooter and is doing his final walkthrough. Everyone assumes Bob is getting that target so no one else tapes it and the ROs forget to check the targets before starting Bob. As a result, Bob sees un-taped holes in the target he had previously been tending to. What should Bob do? What should the RO do? Let’s look more closely in this Question of the Month.
You are the timer RO and during a competitor’s attempt of a course of fire, he stops himself mid-stage because there is an unrestored target.
After releasing this question, I realized that there are two answers that are almost identical (the two options that both start with “If you are finished:). But in my mind I have the third place answer (Say “If you are finished….” and see if the target can be scored) as the best answer. But I will also accept the winner of the poll as the correct answer. Let’s discuss why.
First, let’s look at the relevant rule which is 9.1.4 – “Unrestored Targets – If, following completion of a course of fire by a previous competitor, one or more targets have not been properly patched or taped or if previously applied pasters have fallen off the target for the competitor being scored, the Range Officer must judge whether or not an accurate score can be determined. If there are extra scoring hits or questionable penalty hits thereon, and it is not obvious which hits were made by the competitor being scored, the affected competitor must be ordered to reshoot the course of fire. Reviewing previous score sheets is prohibited; targets must be scored as is, using the actual target as the basis for the scoring call.”
You will notice that nowhere in that rule does it mention that it’s a stop the shooter and issue an automatic reshoot. It says the RO must determine if an accurate score can be determined and if not, then it’s a reshoot. How can you determine if the target can be scored? Evidence on the target! That evidence can range from the RO watching the new holes appear and noting which are from the current competitor, to different calibers, to different grease (burn) mark darkness, to angle target shot from, etc. A lot of the time, an accurate score can be determined. The times it can’t be determined, then it’s a reshoot.
So, going back to our friend Bob. If he stops himself for an unrestored target at only two targets into a 14 target stage, the RO gives if the “If you are finished” command and then if Bob shot that target the RO will see if it can be accurately scored. If it can, then Bob gets a whole mess of misses and FTSA penalties for all the targets he chose to not engage before stopping himself. If Bob stops himself before shooting the unrestored target, and the RO knows he didn’t shoot it, then it’s the same score the stage as shot. Now, if Bob shot the target in question and the RO cannot determine an accurate score, then a reshoot will be ordered.
As a RO, if you notice an unrestored target after the start signal, note the holes that are there before the current competitor engages it and do not stop the competitor. If the competitor stops him/herself, then the next thing you should say is “If you are finished…” And hopefully that command will trigger something in the competitor’s brain to keep going. And the best way to prevent this situation from even happening is to double check the target reset before saying “Make ready”.
And, as a competitor never stop yourself for an unrestored target! The only time a competitor can get a reshoot for stopping him/herself is for accidental loss of eye or hearing protection. Any other time it is a “score the stage as shot” situation. Don’t be like Bob and rack up a huge number of penalties. I will say that 98% of the time I have been shooting a stage and come across an unrestored target, it’s a close target the RO can see and we both see the existing holes as I shoot it. Rarely is it a reshoot because the RO knows which hits are mine.