[jjhess]

Half the crowd and have the trophies.
All the vendors should be there and you will be better off getting first chance on what they got

 

[fenoc]

Attendance typically is on the small side but that is the best time to try demo guns etc since it isn't as crowded as main week. There are also 3 events per day rather an 2 so you can get more quantity in. For camping you'll have to contact the ATA office in Sparta.

 

[trapwife]

For camping, check the Grand camping thread at the top of the list. Or call the ATA office. There are others who don’t come to camp until Grand week.

 

[slide action]

If you are going there mainly to shoot targets and shop then the prelim week is probably best. The stuff for sale isn't as picked over and they they throw 300 targets a day compared to 200 during the main grand week . If you are going for the BIG wins though ,Grand week is your best bet. Especially if you have your eyes on the BIG ONE , the GAH . No greater honor in the fame IMO than to get you picture on that wall in the Museum !

 

[stocker1042]

I'm one of those people who actually prefers prelim week over Grand week. 300 birds a day instead of 200. Get on early flights and unless you're in a shootoff, you're done most days by 3:30-4pm and shootoffs usually start around 6pm which means if you're in one of those you can be done by 7. Less traffic, less crowds, shopping is much easier.

 

[vatrap]

11 of us are going to Prelim week for the same reasons already stated, 300 targets most days, early shopping, easier to get hotel rooms. A group of us have been going to Prelim week for a couple of years now and enjoy it.