The Henry County Sportsmen's Association facility in Liberty Center was the location for the June 2026 Project Appleseed rifle clinic, hosted during Father's Day weekend. The Association's beautiful clubhouse was available to the students, but the group found little need for shelter for this event as the weather was temperate and very comfortable.
The morning dew quickly disappeared as the temperature rose to a very nice 78 degrees later toward noon. Students began to arrive at 8:00 a.m. and quickly made themselves comfortable at the equipment line boundary.
Our group of six students (and 1 observer) included 3 who were previous Appleseed participants. There was thought that Father's Day weekend would serve as a challenge for participation. As it turned out, the observance was an incentive. The attendees included 1 grandfather and 2 fathers who brought sons and a daughter. All had preregistered. Our volunteer instructor crew included Headhunter (Austin) and Topper (Shane). Topper managed safety as the Saturday Line Boss with Headhunter as Range Safety Officer. Following the delivery of the pre-history story, the class began preparation for the first shots of the clinic.
With the first Red Coat target posted, live fire began at 9:05 a.m. With 6 students, 2 placed 3 hits on the 100-yard silhouette (33%) and 2 (33%) put their rounds on the 200-yard silhouette. Two put their 3 rounds on the 300-yard shape and 1 managed 3 rounds on the 400-yard silhouette. Two shingles were hit, but no one cleared the target. As it turned out, this Saturday morning Red Coat set the base line for measurable improvement that would be demonstrated throughout the weekend.
The first of many "squares" targets replaced the morning Red Coats, signaling the start of an intense series of instruction on prone steady hold factors. The next opportunity for students to engage in live fire was to test their use of the newly taught procedures at the prone position, focusing on how to sling-up. Natural point of aim served as the focal point of instruction on the 6-steps of firing the shot.
The squares target sessions were put to good use by students learning how to achieve groups that could be used to guide sight adjustments. The IMC instruction provided by Headhunter introduced the concept of rapid calculation of needed adjustments based on the minute of angle grid printed on the squares format. Topper discussed how to interpret feedback demonstrated by the targets by explaining how the fundamentals of the six steps produced the results down range.
The Green Practice AQT was posted at 12:50 p.m. and the group took a lunch break and heard a presentation on the First Strike of the Match. When it was time for the next instruction involving the Grean Practice AQT, it was sunny and bright, with no wind.
The Green Practice AQT signaled the beginning of instruction on the various options for shooting in the Seated Position. The experience of shooting Seated was "enhanced" with changes in body direction (transition) and magazine changes. The element of timed fire was introduced to prepare students for their first encounter with the AQT.
The Green AQT served again for instruction on the Standing Position and the similar but different methods needed to establish natural point of aim. Fortunately, the standing 100-yard silhouette is larger. But it shows students the accuracy that can be accomplished without multiple points of contact with the ground. After experiencing making shots from standing, transitioning to prone was welcomed by all.
The first AQT of the clinic was posted at 4:20 p.m. But before the class was put under the clock, Headhunter presented the Second Strike. This proved to be excellent timing because the discussion of the impact of marksmanship at the North Bridge brought history to the center as students engaged the course of fire.
The class engaged AQT #1, resulting in some respectable scores. Matthew D. posted 229 while Luke F. achieved 225. Both students were first time Riflemen. Henry D. scored 147 and was very eager to try again, so AQT #2 was immediately posted.
Another break provided an opportunity to deliver the Third Strike and rest prior to the next live fire action. AQT #2 began at 5:30 p.m. This time, both Matthew D. and Luke F. requalified as Riflemen with scores of 229 and 225. Henry M. achieved the coveted 210 score. Both Instructors verified Henry's target and prepared to administer the "baptism", at the appropriate time.
The Saturday afternoon Red Coat replaced AQT #2 and all was completed by 6:15 p.m. With 3 students participating, 3 placed 3 hits on the 100-yard silhouette (100%), 3 (100%) put their rounds on the 200-yard silhouette, and 2 (66%) placed hits on the 300-yard and 400-yard silhouettes. Three shingles were hit (100%). Matthew D. and Luke F. cleared the target.
Saturday awards included recognition of 3 new Riflemen and the presentation of the William Diamond patch to youth participants (Alexis S., Izaya S., Henry D.). The coveted Ohio Appleseed patch was given to Matt S. and Luke F. for having cleared the Redcoat target.
Sunday, June 21 started out cool but very bright. Following a quick review of safety, the 6 steps to firing a shot and a redemonstration of the steady hold factors, the morning Red Coat was posted and shot by 9:07 a.m. Headhunter managed safety as the Sunday Line Boss with Topper as Range Safety Officer. With 5 students, 4 placed 3 hits on the 100-yard silhouette (80%), 4 (80%) put their rounds on the 200-yard silhouette, 4 on the 300-yard (80%) and 3 (60%) placed hits on the 400-yard silhouette. Three shingles were hit (60%) and Matthew D. repeated clearing the Redcoat.
Squares targets were posted to perfect sight-in and serve as instructional support. Topper led the group through carding the sights, ball and dummy exercises, Rifleman's cadence and dance. With those completed, students posted the 3rd (overall) AQT of the clinic. AQT #3 was shot just before lunch. All 3 Riflemen from the day before requalified with scores of 229 (Matt D.), 227 (Luke F.) and 220 (Henry. D.). Lunch break was used for the Known Distance presentation. The KD instruction ended with a lively discussion about the opportunities for long range centerfire and rimfire instruction. History lessons involving Dangerous Old Men were presented by Topper and Headhunter. The stories told highlighted the total involvement of everyone, including those fathers who engaged the British at great risk.
AQT #4 was shot after the working lunch. For this course of fire 5 of the students turned in targets for scoring, which demonstrated improvement as the day continued. Izaya S. (59), Alexis S. (107), Dylan S. (151), Luke F. (227) and Matt D. (234) each posted scores that exceeded their best of the clinic.
Instead of immediately posting the next AQT, the students took on the challenge of the fun shoot which involved the "Parker's Revenge" target. Three fire teams of 2 shooters each were formed. The teams had a combined 40 rounds and 2 minutes to engage and defeat the Redcoat detachment, which was led by Lt. Colonel Smith. The winning team would be determined by point totals. When the smoke cleared, the judges conferred and determined that Team #1 (Izaya. S and Matt D.) had the highest score.
The balance of Sunday afternoon was consumed with firing on 2 additional AQTs. Scores on AQT #5 increased for Izaya S. (90), Alexis S. (120), Dylan S. (161) and Luke F. (238). The final AQT of the clinic (#6) had the highest scores of the event. Henry M., Matt M. and Luke F. requalified. Both Matt M. and Luke F. shot scores qualifying for a Distinguished tab (243 and 241 respectively).
The Sunday afternoon Redcoat was completed and recorded by 3:30 p.m. With 6 shooters, 5 placed 3 hits on the 100-yard silhouette (83%), 3 placed all hits on the 200-yard, 300-yard and 400-yard targets. Shingles were hit by 4 shooters (including Alexis S.). Both Luke F. and Henry M. cleared the Redcoat. For Luke that was a repeat, while for Henry it was the first time. Awards distributed included the Ohio Appleseed patch (Henry M.) and a U.S. $2.00 bill with President Jefferson on the front and the signing of the Declaration of Independence on the reverse for each of the youth students.
I want to thank all of the students for coming out and exhibiting a willingness to learn new skills. I want to encourage all of you to practice reading your targets to diagnose ways you can correct your technique. Congratulations to Matt M. and Luke F. for earning a distinguished tab and to Henry M. for earning the Rifleman patch and taking part in the ritual baptism.
I want to thank the Henry County Sportsmen's Association for permitting Project Appleseed to use the range and clubhouse during Father's Day weekend 2026, which is the 250th anniversary of the birth of American Independence. Many thanks to Topper and Headhunter for volunteering this past weekend.
In Liberty,
Third Degree
William Diamond presentation
Parker's Revenge
2 more teams
First 2 rifleman and Henry earned his rifleman with a 210.
Then the distinguished patches came out with 241 and 243 scores along with cleared hits count targets.
Henry nailed his hits count target too. All three shooters received the Ohio patch.
Good work shown throughout the weekend. Our targets showed improvement from the beginning of the weekend to the last targets on Sunday.
If anyone has questions about the weekend, reach out to any of the instructors.
See you on the trail...
I'll echo thanks to the HCSA for the use of their facilities, and a hearty thanks to our volunteer cadre of instructors, huzzah!
It was great to see all the participants steadily improve and the gorgeous weather throughout the weekend!
Thanks again to all for a great event!
Thanks to the Club for the facilities and the instructors for sharing their experience and the strikes.
Great weather and fellowship with like minded individuals. Can't wait to attend another!
See you all around!!!!