Albert Frontier Shootist

[fingers284]

I have been informed that the AFS will resume operating "practice" ( The province has banned all sports competitions until further notice) shooting sessions in July. July 18 is the first event. All events will be one dayer's except for the Aug long weekend "practice session" it will be two days (3 actually as a "site clean-up" work bee will be held on the Friday).
Because of the Provincial crowd size restrictions, pre registration is compulsory and first-come first served application is in order here.

There are some requisite changes required to our usual operating procedure due to the Covid situation. These changes have been tested and tried by the exec. recently and, while a bit different, they are satisfactorily doable. Consult the web site for a list of changes...if you don't agree with them please stay at home...we have no choice with Provincial guidelines to keep from being shut down again.

it will just be good to get shooting & socializing again...even tho it will be at a small distancing requirement.

Enjoy!!

 

[fingers284]

So, the first "practice" event was held Saturday with the "Covid" changes to standard operating procedures in place. It went beautifully, slowed things up a small bit from a standard event but didn't hear a single complaint from anybody...

Social distancing was easily attained and observed for the most part in the posse I watched. The biggest changes were that the TO's were full face masked at least until they caused headaches to both TO's then they reverted to medical face style masks. Both TO's had their own timers that only they touched.
The next biggest change was in the brass picking exercise, usually there is a force of brass pickers that dive in ( in a perfect posse) and pick brass for the previous shooter...we changed that to one posse member with a broom sweeping the brass off the boardwalks, into a small pile on a piece of carpet or tarp, each shooter then retrieves & touches only his own stuff...this worked excellent and there is discussion to have this instituted as a permanent change. Hand cleaner was present at all times and any broom user cleansed the handle before use.

Social distancing was implemented at the loading table, instead of the usual 4 shooters loading up at one table, only 2 were allowed, one at each end.
The changes added about an hour to a six-stage match...many comments basically saying "better this than not shooting at all".

There is one other change at our club that will become a regular thing is the addition of a dedicated "Outlaw" classification. Basically "outlaw" is doing all your shooting from the hip, no "sighting" allowed. One member started doing this a few years ago( cant see those damn sights anyways)...Lawrence, I think you know who this is. Four members participated in the class this event and had a blast ( 3 or 4 more have indicated they will be switching as well). The original Outlaw shooter shot his pistols from the hip then reverted to using sights on the rifle & shotgun but now everybody decided to go full outlaw with all guns with one exception. Once you have shot the scenario mandated 3 of shotgun rounds & still have a shotgun target or two still standing you can revert to sighting to conserve rounds...15 or so shotgun rounds at a few stages gets expensive.

So if your a cowboy Shooter and want to add a bit of challenge to your fun , give'er a try, I was really quite surprised by the hit percentage of the boys this week, probably, mostly in the 70% or better.

 

[Alex McKr]

Fingers284: Hope this info is useful:

Something I see used all the time for brass picking are those trigger-operated reaching tools(for lack of a better term). Used to extend a person's reach and pick cans or other items off high shelves, etc. They come in various forms. Some with small suction-type cups on the ends, etc. These make great brass pickers. No bending or stooping for brass. Squeeze the trigger....the jaws clamp onto the brass case. Then, simply drop into waiting basket, etc. Very handy gadget. I use one all the time for my own practice, too.

"Outlaw" class is a hoot and a half, isn't it? We occasionally see shooters in this category. With blackpowder firearms, its a real challenge. Plus a lot of fun! Sometimes also, shooters in the "Working Cowboy" class. That is: One sixgun, only(Rifle & shotgun are included, as required). A full revolver re-load is required on every stage... on the clock. No blazing stage times....but plenty of action. This is a real test of a person's dexterity and gun-handling skills.

Glad to see your 'practice' went okay. Matches are starting to appear on the calendar here in Ontario, too. The Grenville Wild Turkey Posse(Grenville Fish & Game), has a match scheduled for July 25. I expect to see more scheduled, very soon. At last!

Cal

 

[Garand]

Doug, nice to hear that Gary is still kicking butt and taking names. We are hoping to make it up to shoot with you guys on the 12/13th of September, baring any other commitments.

 

[fingers284]

You bet he is...had 2 stages with one miss each shooting "outlaw" at the last shoot. We had 7 "outlaws" in one posse last shoot ( I even waddled through 10 stages, first time I've had my gun belt on in 5 years)...it was a blast. It's funny actually, my progression through 20 years of cowboying started with 10-stage total times in the 500 seconds range and I gradually got better up to an average of 25-30 seconds per stage, then health issues intervened and I had the fore-mentioned 5 yrs. off...this past shoot my time was 1100 seconds for the match ...and I cant remember enjoying a shoot more than that one... ever.

Hope you can make it Lawrence, looking forward to seeing you and your bride.