Project Appleseed

   Just got home from the Athens, OH. shoot where Don D was Shoot Boss.

The Range was well suited to the program with enough room for 55 shooters and the club members pitched in with water stations, a sunshade, picnic tables and a wonderfull hot lunch both days.

The weather started chilly but climbed in to the low to mid 70's Sat. and hotter Sun. No clouds,rain and only a little dust.

Sat. we had 44 shooters with several walkon's (10-14 ) but no rifleman were made that day .
Sun. there were fewer shooters no walkon's and 2 rifleman -Yes!  The AQT grind took its toll on the shooters throughout the day sending everyone home tired but hopefully more alive and with info to practice for the next shoot ( Canton , OH. should see a few of these students ).

Don D and myself presented history with a guest demo of the Brown Bess by one of the club members.
Don D, Myself and Dinky Dao ran the range .

Mrs. Don D was the organizer of everything- from Tshirts to meal tickets -she helped keep all running smoothly.

Don D. and Dinky Dao will send more info-I'm off to unload the truck and sleep.

Big John

On behalf of Athens Fish & Game Club, I would like to thank instructors Dond, Dinkydao, BigJohn and Mrs. Dond for making our first Appleseed a success. 

Notable were:  absolute silence in the classroom as Don presented history and brought to life the individual patriots of April 19, 1775.  To remember is to honor and Don certainly did that this Memorial Day weekend.

BigJohn's command presence on the line, and individual attention to shooters needs.

Dinky Dao's control of the line and easy way of personal interaction with shooters.

Mrs. DonD had registration under control and all the details that go with that job.

All shooters, some driving as far as Georgia to attend.  For making do with our improvised range and leaving the grounds better/cleaner than they found it.

As a result, club members are already looking at possible dates for a 2nd Appleseed, if not this fall, next year.

FANTASTIC!

Good to hear that the first Appleseed in Ohio was a success and that the Buckeye State is on it's way to being an Appleseed haven.

Did you hear that we have a third location in Ohio?  There is Canton/Minerva on June 7-8 and the new location at Gibsonburg, August 23-24.

You folks in OH will be needing an Instructor Course this Fall, to handle all your shoots

Great job on breaking the ice on Ohio, perhaps we need to import some Buckeyes to South Carolina and showum how it's done

Okay, that was the instructors take on it, now from the firing line:

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU RWVA for the Appleseed Shoot program.

THANK YOU Athens Fish and Game for holding *OHIO's* first shoot.

The weather was beautiful, the range and people were great, the instruction excellent.

The only way the weekend could have been better is if I had been more prepared (I'm getting a shooting jacket on order, M1s and ARs toss some hot brass   I was there with my brother.  We left with more knowledge and some areas we *definitely* need practice on.

Thanks again all (Dinky, Don, Big John)!

If Athens is hosting it again in the fall or next year, we'll both definitely be back!

- Wayne & Eric (cooks, but we're working on it)

We just got back late this afternoon, Monday, unloaded the truck and went out to eat. It was a long drive, but worth every minute of it. The beautiful new club house and grounds were terrific. But the best part was the gracious club members. They thought of so many things to accommodate us and contribute to our comfort. And one of the members even expressed and interest in becoming an Appleseed instructor. George T did a great job of selling Appleseed to the club and making preparations for the event. The club prepared a magnificent hot meal for us both days. Ralph James did triple service by baking some wonderful beans, shooting the Appleseed, and most of all, giving us a demonstration with his Brown Bess and other Revolutionary War accoutrements, as well as shooting the muzzle loader for us and letting others shoot it. This really brought the history lessons to life. The young shooters were especially impressed with this. Ralph was particularly blessed when his nephew, Matt Miller, was the first participant to shoot a Rifleman score. Not only did he get a Rifleman patch, but bigjohn generously donated a personal copy of Paul Revere's Ride to him, since he was the first one to shoot the score. Aaron Huling was the second and final Rifleman, shooting  Rifleman scores on both of the last two AQTs on Sunday. Congratulations to both of these excellent shooters.

We could certainly have used more instructors for this large turnout, but the shooters seemed to be very patient with the shortcomings and delays which this shortage produced. It turned out as well as it did because of the great job bigjohn and Dinky did. --- And did you notice the time at which bigjohn submitted his well written post?

We are all looking forward to a repeat performance at this wonderful club.

Quote from: jungman on May 26, 2008, 08:40:49 PM

The only way the weekend could have been better is if I had been more prepared (I'm getting a shooting jacket on order, M1s and ARs toss some hot brass   I was there with my brother.  We left with more knowledge and some areas we *definitely* need practice on.

Jungman,
        You were not the only one doing the "firing line squirm" over hot brass   ,there were several shooters sporting new "stripes" .
Yes, those jackets are not just fashion accessories ! They help protect your skin from brass,pad your elbows ,etc..

Glad you came and glad you got some helpful info! Keep practicing the 6 steps while dryfiring in the positions and the next Appleseed you will be surprised at the improvements !

Big John  

Athens was my first Appleseed.  I am greatly impressed with the instructors, the organization of the event, and execution of the shoot program both days.  My first Appleseed was "a drink from a firehose" on learning to become a rifleman, but now I know what to work on to get ready for my next Appleseed.

Thank you Athens Fish & Game Club for hosting this Appleseed.  Athens F&G is a first class organization and facility.

My biggest problem seemed to be going from standing to sitting without completely losing my NPOA during Stage 2 of the AQT.  I need as much of the 50 seconds to shoot the 10 rounds without having to first reestablish my lost NPOA from the prep period.

Let me tell you what works for me.

I find my NPOA for the first target.  I put my 8 round magazine at the toe of my left foot (so I can grab it easy with my right hand for the reload) and I put my empty chamber flag at the toe of my right foot.

Then when I sit down I "toe" up to the two of them and I'm good.  After some practice you get better at knowing just how far to "scootch" your butt around to get you onto the second target.

Many thanks to all the instructors! It was an amazing experience. Although I only shot marksman, the weekend added at least 50 points to my AQT scores, and gave me some drills to keep improving.

Did anyone take any pictures from the shoot?

--Len

I did Len. 

Got some great shots of George T and the club members' fabulous set up on the range, Dond giving history during lunch, and "the musket show and tell", to name a few  . I haven't posted them yet as I just haven't had time to sit down and write my after action report...

But my AAR is coming....

it is soooooo coming....

LOL!

DD

Thanks for everything!!!   It was a great learning experience.   I will be better prepared for the next shoot (stripper clips, mat, sling etc.).   I'm spreadin' the word about Appleseed!!


Doug