I have been working on Saturday's Appleseed, inventorying what material I have on hand (not enough, never enough), sending out the POI for the two day event to the IITs and interested parties - those day's will be shorter than this weeks. I had tried to get the lawn mower to turn over and start so I could cut, thrash and bag the clipping and wayward leaves, the mower is smarter than I and I put it away, chore undone. It is cold, bitterly and the wind is blasting more of that Artic Global Unwarmed stuff our way, it is cold. But then, being just a Library Keeper, I keep remembering Henry Knox, fine man of books that he was, and his mission to get the guns from Ticonderoga to Boston for General Washington's use. So, between the 82nd's work during the Battle of the Bulge and good old Henry Knox's example of leadership and perseverance - I guess I can weather well the two day Appleseed, wish you were here.
I seem to have a box of Appleseed Shoot goodies, promised delivery is tomorrow, Friday, so with all the help from my friends, the RWVA Central and my own preparations we should have a great Winter Appleseed - what did they call that Apple cider that was frozen to remove the water content and only the alcohol was left - the good stuff? Applejack? I probably have the whole process wrong, but that is what happens to fellows that quit drinking badly so very long ago. If I don't see you on my range this weekend, okay Wade's DAR, you have a great one and remember to make every shot count, targets were put on the Earth for a purpose. 8)
Looking forward to it, see you there.
Cold or not I wish I could be there :-[ :( , Finaly going to be able to get in my replacemet truck maight be on the road saturday if not then monday :wb:. :P
Have fun, I hope you make good use of it .
Wade
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I'm looking forward to being there, I even went and finally bought a set of chains for my car after 3 years of telling myself it's not worth it since I never drive if it's bad enough that I need chains. I'm not going to let some Arctic Blast stop me and I'm certainly not going to worry about some grass that hasn't been cut or a few leaves on the ground. See you there, I'll be the guy who didn't shave for a week hoping that the stubble would some how keep his face from freezing to the stock.
If there's a spring clean up I could probably get a half dozen or so Boy Scouts to join in the clean up, if we can find rifles for all of them I'll bring them to one of the spring shoots, although not officially as scouts.
UPS and Bulkhead have just delivered the Appleseed support package, bring lots of bullets, there are lots of targets awaiting your best attentions. Don't you love it when a plan comes together, I think the weather will be just right, the stories you will tell your grandchildren about when they come to listen to the GOOD Old Days.
Quote from: Earl on December 11, 2009, 06:55:07 PM
UPS and Bulkhead have just delivered the Appleseed support package, bring lots of bullets, there are lots of targets awaiting your best attentions. Don't you love it when a plan comes together, I think the weather will be just right, the stories you will tell your grandchildren about when they come to listen to the GOOD Old Days.
The weather forcast looks good for this weekend over that away , It does not look like it will get really cold intell about the time I get there .
Have fun
Wade
I am starting to think Wade is afraid of the cold, since he missed this shoot last year too.
Quote from: RL on December 11, 2009, 08:45:58 PM
I am starting to think Wade is afraid of the cold, since he missed this shoot last year too.
What chould you possably mean by that ::) :cool2: . Can I get flash reports this year also ?
Wade
Well, what a wonderful day to shoot, forget what the weather wizards told you about bad - today was cold but clear, the rifles and shooters performed well, and all marks except the shoot boss handing out the t-shirts were met, it was dark as the pictures demonstrate when the rifles cleared the line.
The weather was terrible, nary a rain drop, hail stone or snow flake to be found. I was disappointed, last years weather was better. ++) Lots of fun, I forgot what it was like to be on the other side of instruction.
Another fantastic days with some huge achievements for our corner of the country........I'll let the Shoot boss and other instructors share the day with you...Fantastic......That's the only word......
Wheeler44
Great day for a shoot. Cold but clear, and it actually did warm up for an hour or so! I was very impressed by how consistent many of the shooters were, and how their groups were tightened drastically from the previous day (this is what I was told when asked, since I wasn't present Saturday).
And of course several people shot Rifleman scores, and there are a few that are knocking on that door.
I can't wait to read the day's report from the shoot boss and others that attended this northwest winter shoot plus, pictures, pictures, pictures please.
TruTenacity, patience is a virtue you have in abundance, and I wouldn't forget you, there is a terrible video of me presenting two fine RWVA Instructors their Red Cap, on Facebook for the world to see. But I have some pictures to share of shooters, too. It was better than Wheeler44 said, it was my Best AS as Shootboss in 2009, great instructors to work with, wonderful shooters picking up all we said and locking it in and proving it on the targets. Now to the lady's request for pictures.
Thanks for posting, Earl. I can now go to bed.
Am I done yet, no, not by a large amount of paperwork, money, emails and reports.... well, someone has to do it, just not tonight, there are shooters and Instructors still on the road, may they make it safely.
The first southern view down into the Castle Rock shooting range gully was awe inspiring early Sunday morning as we carried our rifle cases down. The fog made the sunlight soft enough to look at the low hanging sun, yet lit up the skyline in bright white. The rolling hills across the country scene was completely covered in glistening frosty grass blades and sparse trees. This white tapestry framed the old wooden barn standing guard over the shooting range where people were about to learn more about "what they were about" and where our country came from. That was a great moment and event thanks to the people of Appleseed.
Great looking shoot folks!
Details! Details! TruTenacity and I are awaiting the real scoop...
HH
Earl and all,
Great pictures. Good video on Facebook also. Caught in the act!
Sounds like a very good shoot. Congratulations to the new Riflemen(women), and to the new Red Hats.
Best regards,
Reformed Redneck
By my careful calculations, If we (western Wa.) adopt Western Rose, we would be much better off...What do ya say RR ???????
W44
Wow - Kevin Shot a 195 - Excellent!
This weekend's shoot was my first live marksmanship instruction course and my first Appleseed event. I arrived early to find that I was one of the only participants who wasn't an instructor, as more participants started showing up I found that I was not only one of the only students I was one of the only first time Appleseeders. I got a lot of help from Ethan and his dad when the other instructors were working with other first time Appleseeders down the line, they gave me the same answers and suggestions as the instructors would have given, even though they weren't wearing an orange cap.
My first redcoat target was dreadful, my sights were off about 3" to the left and an inch low, I hit the 100 yard target and missed the others, I did manage to hit the headshot but only because I missed another target by just enough to hit the headshot. After shooting a couple sighting squares I got the sights zeroed well enough to be productive the rest of the day.
During the sighting in process I learned that I was doing the respiratory pause backward, I'd take a breath and hold it then squeeze the trigger before exhaling, my groups significantly improved when someone coached me on when to squeeze the trigger. I improved my form in the prone position by putting my elbow directly underneath the target, holding the trigger back after the shot and shifting my body to achieve NPOA.
I learned a little bit about the off hand and sitting positions too, but these are the positions I've done most of my shooting in the past so I felt pretty comfortable before hand. NPOA is one of the main things I took away from the instruction in these positions, I've always used my muscles to hold on target in the standing and sitting positions rather than finding my NPOA. My offhand group on the first greencoat target was better than Ethan's by a few points and he was wearing a rifleman patch!
I promptly forgot what I'd learned about form in the prone position during the AQT and watched my sights move diagonally across the target without giving it a thought until cease fire was called. My AQT score was 171, which I thought was pretty respectable considering I only fired 2 shots from the sitting position before cease fire was called. If I'd changed mags faster and gotten 5 more shots off consistent with the first 2 shots I would have scored about 190. I know that I could have improved my score by quite a bit if I'd had time to shoot another AQT target knowing that I need to shoot the sitting stage faster and taking a little more time to work on my form in the prone position on the final stages.
I regret that I wasn't able to shoot again on Sunday, I feel a little cheated that I don't know the story of the 3rd strike and I missed out on a whole lot of useful practice and instruction on Sunday. I'd really like to attend another event later in winter or this spring. I'd planned on carpooling with two women who are friends of my wife, but they ended up backing out at the last minute. I spoke to one of them yesterday and both she and her husband would like to attend an event in the spring ,I hope I'll be able to join them.
As I mentioned above, I'm a scout master and I think this would be an excellent opportunity for the boys to learn some of our American heritage and marksmanship skills. Unfortunately the BSA has some rules that are a little restrictive. First, Scouts are only permitted to shoot under the instruction of a NRA certified rifle instructor and when on the range must be supervised by an NRA certified Range Safety Officer. I don't know what the requirements are for the RWVA certification for instructor and safety officer or if they could be substituted for the NRA certification. My gut feeling is that unless RWVA starts working with the scouts directly at the national level I don't see them recognizing RWVA certification [I am personally frustrated with the way the scouting program is run at the national level as well as locally, unless BSA can profit (financially) from an event they generally don't support it.] Instructors would need to have both NRA and RVWA certification to supervise Scouts, which may or may not be true of the current instructors and range officers. Second, Scouts are only permitted to fire single shot .22 rifles, which isn't a huge concern, although a semi-auto or at least a bolt action repeater is more practical. That said, our troop is first and foremost a youth group sponsored by our church. We do have flexibility to participate in activities that do not fall within the BSA standards and I don't think it would be too big a deal to get permission to make the event a church outing rather than a scouting activity.
Excellent reply Kornphlake.... Stories like that warm my heart....PM me about your Scout group...We'll work something out.
W44
It was great to get a little trigger time under the tutelage of Earl and his great crew of teachers and instructors.
Congratulations to the new Red Hats tdow and Western Rose. A special congratulations to Mrs. tdow. You worked hard and earned you badge.
I 'm looking forward to next time I can work with and learn from my friends.
My wife and I had a great time learning and shooting at Appleseed this last weekend. I want to thank all the instructors for all the hard work they did to make it so enjoyable. Kari was unsure on what to expect and she left there knowing that we would be back and we would make rifleman. We met so many great people both shooters and instructors and look forward to seeing all of you at the next Appleseed shoot.
We had a great time. Out of 14 shooters, I believe that 6 were returning riflemen, and we made 3 more (including my very significant other :)). That's a whole lot of riflemen on the line. Kevin was shooting rifleman groups with a bolt action .22 with open sights, but the time just kept cutting him off. It was the first time he had shot that rifle by the way. Kevin, come back and you will go home with a green patch!
Tanya shot an amazing target. I saw a solid standing score, and an amazing perfect score on stage 4! You hardly ever see that!. Unfortunately for her, the rifle crapped out on her on stages 2 and 3 and she barely made any shots off. Fortunately for us, that means that she'll be back to earn a patch.
Brent shot a 200. I would say that's knocking on the door. Way to go!
Kornphlake, I hope you had a good experience at Appleseed. I'm glad you got some help from Rod. We're lucky to have instructors like him. He is a class act, and really goes out of his way to help people. He gave my wife some great advice, and shot some amazing groups as well. I would have liked to see you on Sunday. I hope to see you out on the trail. My boy is a cub scout, and I'm considering getting my NRA instructor certification so that I can help out with marksmanship there. If you have any more information on the requirements, I would be interested.
Mark and Andrew, GREAT JOB!!!
--Todd
Reply to Wheeler,
Fat chance. As in no chance. We are always pleased to help you folks out in Washington as we have been the recipients of help from you all. But adoption? NO.
Let's get some more shoots scheduled in eastern Washington. We certainly have a very good start on a more localized Instructor Team for the Inland Northwest. We should be able to crank it up.
Best regards from Idaho,
Reformed Redneck
Well, I wouldn't go trying to adopt Western Rose, just point out to her that the real West is a bit further than Moscow and she is always invited to work ranges. She is better than that good. I have watched IITs get distracted or off talking shooting, but she locks into analyzing a shooter's every move, eye twitch and finger pop, and won't let up until it gets corrected. No matter the size, age nor shaggy brows - reminds me of a terrier, won't let up until you are in the Natural Point of Aim and relaxed. And if you are a lazy shoot boss or distracted by all the paperwork she does bring the problems to you with her solution (which is normally the correct one - she must have a hotline to Fred somewhere). I am looking forward to working with the entire clan again, someone had best tell me when Heather is shooting again, I think she could ace the whole AQT and make us mummmm.
Appleseeds have always had a few hesitant new shooters, some may never have shot a rifle before, and having an orientation aside from the pushing forward of the other shooters where they are the center of instruction works well, they gain confidence in the instructor coach and what they are about to do. I also find that having really sharp young people that know how to shoot and how to share it makes other young people and women comfortable in that they may get that good one day. If I were to design a team of instructors I would always have some really old guys that love people and fine firearms, a couple of sharp young folks that really know how to shoot and have lots of energy and laughter, and a couple of solid shooters with a passion for shooting, Appleseeds and passing on the tradition. Yep, and I have to have some women with Instructor or IIT hats on, they would keep the line civilized and polite (I am sure) and not allow it to turn into some kind of terrible initiation course.
And, this particular shoot was full of what Captain Parker had at Lexington, lots of family supporting each other, friends from far away and people who were waiting to hear what happened to those they care too much for. Family and friends and Appleseed continues to grow, and the shooting gets better, the Riflemen increase in number and even on cold December Days the Training Band goes homeward having proved to themselves that they know very much what they are about.
Castel Rock on Sunday was an awesome day, I knew it would be when Wheeler and I noticed a Bald Eagle flying low over our little group, while Earl was leading us in the our safety review, the eagle seemed to be listening and giving approval as he slowly coasted by 50 feet over our heads. We had rifleman patches earned and new red hats earned as well, Congratuations to all. Even though it was freezing when we started out it turned out to be a beautiful day, looking forward to the next one already!
Thanks for posting the great photos Earl! I can see from the photos that I need more work on my freehand standing position - bring the rifle up to you head not your head down to the rifle!!!! And get that elbow out!!!!
Congrats and thanks to WesternRose & Tdow for making Redhat! You earned it. You are showing yourself to be "somewhat above the average of the mass". Your humble, yet valuable work reminds me of this quote from _The True Story of Paul Revere_: by Charles Gettemy describing the situation of the many unsung heros who helped earn our liberty.
"[Revere] had the keen zest of the citizen whose patriotism is of the lusty type that causes him to wish to take an active part in all movements that make for civic progress, and civic progress from 1760 to the Revolution meant enlightened resistance to British parliamentary aggression.
Most men like Revere--- somewhat above the average of the mass, but not possessing the usual elements of enduring fame-- pass out of life eulogized by their fellow-citizens; remembered by a circle of admiring and respecting friends until they also pass away; and are ultimately forgotten, finding no place upon the pages of written history."...[Eighty Eight years later,] "Paul Revere was rescued from this fate by [Longfellow's Poem]"..."Revere really did something on the eve of the historic skirmish at Lexington which is worth remembering"
Full text can be found here: http://www.earlyamerica.com/lives/revere/ for your reading pleasure.
This was a great shoot. It held a lot of firsts for me.
Thanks to the shooters who showed up, persevered through the snow and ice, did an excellent job and were very receptive.
Earl, thanks for all of the encouragement and putting up with me all weekend. You did a great job as Shoot Boss. 8)
Todd and family, thanks for not only putting up with me all weekend but also on that loooong car drive to and from Castle Rock. Todd you did a great job with the second strike and I can't wait to work another shoot with you.
Wheeler, it was great meeting you and being able to talk with you a bit. It was a blast going through the "Newbie POI". I learned something from it, I really enjoyed it and I hope to be able to do it again. That bonfire was wonderful in the cold. ::)
XOR, it was great seeing you again and you did a great job clearing the line. I don't think I ever saw a time when you weren't doing your job.
OLD GEEZER, thanks for explaining how the back sight works and helping me think things through.
Kratos, you did a very good job calling the line. I hope I can do half as well.
LTR, I didn't get to work with you much, but it was nice meeting you.
Kelly, Congratulations!!!! :cool2:
Andrew, you did a really good job with that tube-fed .22. Congrats, Rifleman!
Mark, well done.
Tanya and Kari, it was wonderful to be able to work with you two.
Kevin, good job on the 195. You did great with that bolt rifle.
Wade and Snowflake, I'm sorry you two weren't able to be there. I'll look forward to meeting you both sometime in the future.
Rod, it was nice seeing you again. Thanks for spending so much time talking with me and helping me understand some things.
Hawkhavn, your coming for a visit soon, right? Thanks for pushing me back in Sept. to talk in front of people for my first time.. :-X
One thing that I really missed at this shoot was family... I've never been to a shoot without family, or anywhere without family for that matter. Also there where no kids at this shoot and that was another thing that I missed.
As to adoption.... well, lets just say that almost five days away from family was more than long enough for me.
That would be really cool if Heather would ace the whole AQT! :cool2: Hopefully April 3-4 in Lewiston. See you there, Earl. @) If not sooner...
Todd, Earl, you two can be expecting some pictures in your email. Wheeler, I've got some that I could send to you too if you want them.
Pictures as promised.. :D
O0 Thanks for the pictures of the Crew, I was so busy making sure I got the shooters I didn't get the crew as individuals. Very nice, thanks. 8) Hope you liked the video, I know you want to know where to join the WRVA now don't you? :wb:
Quote from: Earl on December 16, 2009, 01:39:53 AM
O0 Thanks for the pictures of the Crew, I was so busy making sure I got the shooters I didn't get the crew as individuals. Very nice, thanks. 8) Hope you liked the video, I know you want to know where to join the WRVA now don't you? :wb:
Thanks for posting the video. We've watched it a couple of times. Probably a good thing none of us knew the camera was rolling. I have the feeling that the video would have been drastically different if we had'v known and it wouldn't have caught the spirit of the day.. **) Aren't you glad this forum doesn't have a way to post videos. ^:)^
I wasn't going to mention that. :-X I figured that everyone knew what you were talking about anyway since it's on the hats.
~ WR "little short stuff" ;)