i love competitions, great chance to not have to shoot on a square, static range and try all sorts of new things. when that buzzer goes off, there is definitely some stress induced, sort of like when that big buck appears, or worst case scenario, you have a sd or hd situation. i do uspsa, idpa, 2 & 3 gun, prs and gas gun matches. great opportunity to figure out how you and your gun work together and what skills or equipment need improvement. running around with guns is just fun. everyone thinks they're badass at the bench slow firing a great 3 or 5 shot group, whole different animal with the buzzer and movement/stress involved, but that's how you get better.
PRS Club Series Pacific Northwest, our local small game shoots by Sportsman's Challenge.
Really good way to get shooting practice. Not 100% applicable to hunting, but will get you familiar with what is need to make ethical long range hunting shots. My wife and I really enjoy it.
Every time you practice with a rifle you become a better shot.
I've been playing the PRS game for a couple years. It provides a lot of trigger time. As noted it isn't a direct transfer to hunting but I'm a lot more comfortable and skilled at long range shooting than I ever was before the joining the game. My elk a few months ago was 20-30 yards.
I shoot a couple times a year at the Sportsman's Challenge. The small game shoots are especially good for anyone who wants to get started in long range shooting and competition.
Been shooting matches for over a decade. Don't shoot that much USPSA or 3 gun since I got into PRS but at one point I was up to 6 matches a month, 20K+ rounds a year.