I got to the Redwood River Sportsmans' Club on Friday night and set up in the club house where Habs and the gracious Mary were preparing the kitchen for the weekend. The clubhouse facilities were great and I really want to thank Habs, Mary, and the club for the great support. Went to sleep with snow falling.
We had an excellent turnout Saturday morning as 12 hardy souls braved a new snowfall and bracing winds on a day that I doubt made it into the 40's. Saturday was challenging with a lot of equipment issues and the wind and cold but the as true riflemen our students persevered and we were able to shoot a couple AQTs, but no rifleman patches.
Sunday was much better without the wind, 10 students returned and the temperature did get into the 40's. After a quick review of the previous days instruction we began shooting AQTs, Mike Z who had come pretty close on Saturday blew it away and shot a 244 for our first rifleman's patch of the day, followed later by Eric who requalified and I expect we'll see him at Redwood Falls in May and later Mike M also qualified with the infamous 210, he was thoroughly doused by Habs who spared no water on our new Rifleman. The club was well represented by Habs and Clint who is also a board member and is a new shooter to Appleseed. Mike M's Dad Charlie came up from Decorah IA to participate and shared some great conversation. Mike Z and his boys Shawn and Jared came in from Vesta to participate, and both boys were great on the line and showed much improvement over the course of the first day and while Shawn failed to make muster on Sunday Jared did and earned his junior patch for an effort well done. Bill and Will came in from Lakeville and though newbies to shooting showed tremendous improvement over the course of the weekend and I fully expect to see tham at future Appleseeds and earning the coveted patch. Finally, Dylan yet another Habs recruit came down shot with us and showed alot of improvement, I hope to see Dylan at the next Appleseed I am sure he can earn his Rifleman patch soon. We had four new RWVA members join, welcome aboard Mike Z, Mike M, Bill and Clint. All in all a great week end.
Special thanks to Kosciusko for bringing the store and his armory, and BuzzG for his insight to bring along tent stakes to hold down the tarps O0 that helped a lot on Saturday with the high winds. I look forward to seeing both of you guys as Red hats soon.
After looking at this post, it occurs to me that the gracious Mary was give short shrift in the narrative. This is not to be left standing, Mary was finally able to spend two full days at an Appleseed and is a great shot, if we can get over the equipment issues I fully expect her to be a rifleman qualified shooter with the next AQT. ;)
Great job Sven!
Sounds an excellent shoot... Except... Where are the pics? ???
Congratulations Riflemen! And for the future Riflemen - Persist!
See you on the Trail!
Aftermath
I would like to give a great big,"THANK YOU" to Sven, Kevin and Buzz for their time spent passing on the valuable knowledge they possess. And their patients working with people who really want to learn what they have to share.
Great work guys
Thanks again
Erik
I think dousing a new rifleman (210) with water when its barely 40 degrees is cruel and inhumane punishment. You Minnesota guys are crazy :D I would have asked for a re score, maybe to 209 even.
Quote from: colycat on April 22, 2011, 07:35:34 PM
I think dousing a new rifleman (210) with water when its barely 40 degrees is cruel and inhumane punishment. You Minnesota guys are crazy :D I would have asked for a re score, maybe to 209 even.
Cruel and ihumane? Heck, in the winter we douse ourselves with ice-water just to warm up!
Quote from: colycat on April 22, 2011, 07:35:34 PM
I think dousing a new rifleman (210) with water when its barely 40 degrees is cruel and inhumane punishment. You Minnesota guys are crazy :D I would have asked for a re score, maybe to 209 even.
punishment? No, baptism in the waters of the North Bridge is a reward only bestowed upon the fortunate few. ;) Mike was happy to shoot 210 ^:)^ ( with my rifle, BTW) . Besides, I have it on good authority that he has samurai blood coursing thru his veins, and such folks revel in adversity. O0
Quote from: colycat on April 22, 2011, 07:35:34 PM
I think dousing a new rifleman (210) with water when its barely 40 degrees is cruel and inhumane punishment. You Minnesota guys are crazy :D I would have asked for a re score, maybe to 209 even.
It just wouldn't seem like a normal Appleseed if we didn't get to witness at least one proper initiation to the Appleseed family, Congrats Mike and remember, your only competition out there is yourself. keep shootin :---
The founders were sure smiling on their special weekend - no doubt a few ::) at the North bridge ceremony.
BTW Sven ,I use some of your quotes at our events out here . The Calvin C quote on persistence is most rewarding . Thank You Sir.
Respectfully ,
JA