The Konocti Rod & Gun Club did a great job of hosting us this weekend. The club president, Marty Klier and his club members really made us feel welcome by cooking up a biscuits-and-gravy breakfast both mornings. Then they provided a hot dog lunch and picnic tables in a shady spot for us to gather for our stories. Clearly, the folks at this range have an appreciation for the Appleseed Project, and will be working hard to build up the attendance at the next shoot. Marty, you have our heartfelt thanks!
Briefly, some of the highlights:
Always first on the list of highlights are the young Americans that come to learn rifle marksmanship and our American Heritage. Bret, 14, was brought by his mom who didn't shoot. He showed persistence all weekend, and brought a pretty good sense of humor. He definitely lived up to my expectations for responsibility and safety. Ten year old Hunter was our Designated Sniper, shooting from prone all weekend with a rolled up mat as a rest. He shot a perfect score of 50 on Stage One, followed up by 47 on Stage Two of the AQT. He proved his worth as our team Designated Sniper when he was first to spot an encroachment into the side of our downrange safety area. Well done, Hunter! He was awarded with an RWVA patch for that one.
Another thing always on my list of highlights are the experienced shooters that come with a teachable attitude. The Lakeport Appleseed was no exception. They nearly always learn something about marksmanship, and because they've raised kids or have grandkids, they appreciated our message with a depth not seen in the younger shooters.
We had the pleasure of issuing what I believe to be the 99th Rifleman patch in California. Joe, congratulations! A rifleman persists. Joe also asked to become an IIT, and was welcomed into the fold. We also had a shooter, Scott, shooting a stock-sighted Ruger 10/22 that scored 185 on the AQT that wants to attend an IBC. More NorCal instructors on the way!
For this trip, an important highlight for me was that the instructor crew camped together. It was yet another chance for the west coast Appleseed folks to continue to build camaraderie. Also, having a group fo instructors with competence, passion, and confidence really helps folks "get it." And they did get it. I had lots of shooters that told me that they really enjoyed the stories of our American heritage. I have high hopes that the Konocti Rod & Gun Club and the people of the Clear Lake area will become an important part of the Appleseed Project.
It was a pleasure to spend the weekend in the company of fellow Americans. I'll be back.
James E
Awesome James!
I knew the shooters would be in good hands.
Looks like #100 will be awarded in Sacramento on Aug 15-26!!
Where was 98 awarded? Bridgeport?
Quote from: V on August 03, 2009, 12:18:05 PM
Where was 98 awarded? Bridgeport?
Negative on Bridgeport, although several shooters were close.
Quote from: V on August 03, 2009, 12:18:05 PM
Where was 98 awarded? Bridgeport?
Maybe #98 was presented
#98 went to Randy, husband of Jackie (22calgal)....or as Fred wants to call him, "Mr.22calgal".......(we're still working on getting him a name for the forum)
MrBill & I went with him after his latest AS, and he did a beautiful 223, with a 96 on Stage 4!
He also accepted the orange hat, and yet another instructor "team" is built....... O0 O0 O0
LLP
BTW, great job as SB there James! Looks like you were able to handle all the action, and get the training in......any numbers for us?? Pixs?? Fish??
Looks like we are getting both sides of Cali's sides as we move on up the state, finding all the right folks! Dang, I'm getting excited about this here growth stuff now!! O0 O0 O0
Who's got Sac? I would like to be there, but we have to take care of some family stuff here, then the Fresno gathering, then Minden to help Nevada bunch hold down our "eastern border".......Heh!! Used to be, they kinda worried about some "Cali aliens" sneaking into Neva, now they are welcoming us in to help 'em out........ **) @@)
Onward, gentle folks, onward!! Ever onward!!
LLP
I didn't take pictures, too much else to worry about my first time out as SB. Some were taken on BD's camera, it's going to be up to him to post them.
We started with 14 shooters on Saturday a.m., all shooting .22's. Of course the vast majority were 10/22's. BTW, Joe, who shot rifleman, was shooting a bolt action rifle.
Saturday a.m. Redcoats were:
6 at 100
2 at 400
2 headshots.
Sunday p.m. Redcoats were:
4 at 100
2 at 200
2 at 300
4 at 400
2 headshots.
Big improvement. We had 13 come back Sunday, only 10 stayed to shoot the final Redcoat
AQT's, Joe 212, with a bolt gun....Greg 207.....Glen 197 done without transitioning.....Gary 188.....Scott 186, with stock ruger sights.....Kevin 168.....Kevin's dad Ray 147.....Hunter, our 10 y.o. Designated Sniper 181...... JIm, Hunter's grandpop 137
Again, I can't stress enough the hospitality that the folks at the Lakeport range showed us. I look forward to being there again.
James E
Appleseed looks to have a bright future in Lakeport. We were welcomed to the range like long lost family and I look forward to returning soon.
Here's a few pics of Lakeport.
in order
1.) Hunter (our designated sniper and safety spotter) and his grandpa Jim.
2.) A wide shot of the line and cover.
3.) The shaded lunch area / theater in the round.
4.) JamesE giving me my new hat.
5.) JamesE wrapping up Saturday.
6.) Romeo's Hero revisiting the SHF of prone while JamesE demos.
7.) Romeo's Hero instructing shooter Scott during prone slow fire.
8.) Joe accepting his Rifleman patch, earned while shooting a bolt.
9.) Shooters Gary and Glen share honors for best star target.
Jim & Crew,
Congrats on a successful shoot! New Riflemen, Red hat, orange hats, smiling faces and great weather to top it all off.
I wish I could have been there.
Russ
James,
Congrats on a successful Appleseed! Looks like fun! wish I could have been there...
I look forward to working with you and Eric in the future.
And Congrats to Rod, for getting his RED HAT!!! I will work with you anytime, even FOR you, too!
Also Kudos to Juliette, she has become a great instructor! and RyanTSG has done a fine job as IIT.
I am glad to know you all. Looks like you all are having a great impact on forward mobility of the NorCal instructor crew!
See you all on the Appleseed trail.... :~
Cameron
What a wonderful Appleseed. I had a great time working with all the awesome instructors. A HUGE congratulations to BaldDragn who was promoted to Red Hat, he has worked very hard to get to there.
The shooters in Lakeport were wonderful, everyone had a teachable attitude and it showed in the way that their shooting improved. Many of the shooters were persisting through physical ailments , including the heat. We had a few shooters who had to take some extended breaks from the firing line, but even while they were shooting they still listened to the instruction and were able to learn from it. Because they didn't give up these people will still benefit from the instruction and will imporve their shooting. It would be a pleasure to return to this range and work with all these shooters and more at a future appleseed.
On Saturday over a lunch of hot dogs and chips (cooked by the range) we shared the 3 strikes of April 19, 1775. Everyone was very attentive during these stories and on Sunday we got to tell the stories of Dangerous Old Men and Determined Dames. One the members from the range also brought out a muzzle loaded rifle and smooth bore musket and shared some history about these firearms and how they were used differently by the Colonials and the British soldiers. This was a great demo and I know the instructors, and I'm sure the shooters, appreciated this extra in the history lesson.
The range said they were definitely interested in having us back and I can say I would be happy to instruct up there again. I am also looking forward to working with our newest Cali IIT Joe,
Thank you to the range for making this a great experience. Everyone was very helpful and we had a great time telling stories after the event was over. We look forward to being there again, and i look forward to working with our newest IIT Joe.
(All shooters make sure to let us know your forum name once your registered.)
See you on the Trail
Romeo's Hero
Juliette
I sent a message to Club President, Marty, to see if we could get a date in November.
Looking at their calendar it looks like either the 7th-8th or 21st-22nd.