Project Appleseed

We had an outstanding 2 day event at Pioneer Sportsmen in Dunbarton, NH

Highlights:

• Fourteen safe shooters ranging in age from 11 to 81
• The three strikes and several DOM stories told with passion
• Three family groups: Boone with kids Gage and Knox, Mark with kids Clayton and Maeve, Shoot Boss' kids Kit, Bridget, Kevin and Bridget's boyfriend Ethan
• Five returning Appleseeders: Jon, Stacey, Brent, Dan, and Gunny
• Live fire demonstration of a long land brown bess by Paul P. in period clothing
• Four new Rifleman and six re-qualified Rifleman including two instructors earning distinguished: Dan (Range Dog) 244 and Micheal (Nightpoison) 246
• Two ARs on the line for shooting at 100 yards KD
• NINE instructors, including visiting cadre from NY (Cannibal) and MA (Seangn42)

The weather forecast for Saturday was 1-2" of rain throughout the afternoon, while it did rain, we escaped the worst.  A steady rain with occasional downpours did not put a damper on the event.  The shooters embraced the instruction and history and proved it with their results.  Thanks to Michael, Bridget and Kevin for helping set the range up Friday afternoon.  We employed some 3D printed target hangers, thanks Michael and Milo, on the silhouette stands and they worked perfectly. Mid morning Saturday we were treated to a musket for demonstration by Paul P. from Goffstown, NH.  Paul dressed in period clothing and shared his expertise on his musket and clothing. He fired off his musket and I know not only the students but also the cadre were impressed and thankful.  I mean we saw the flash and the shot and went down range and saw the three .70 caliber holes in the hits count target.  Thank you Paul and I hope to make a you a regular part of our events. In our instructional AQT, we had Jon re-qualify with 230 and minted Applecore volunteer Cannibal (blue hat Matt) as a new Rifleman with a 216.  Excellent job.  We closed out the day presenting William Diamond patches to Gage, Knox, Clayton and Maeve for their safety, engagement, teachable attitudes, and their improvements throughout the day. 

Sunday revealed completely different weather with a beautiful fall NH day. We alternated between AQTs and drills.  This resulted in instructors Dan (244) re-qualifying and Micheal (246) for the first time earning distinguished.  Congratulations to both of you.  Jon (231, 229, 235, 230, 233, 233), Brent (214, 215) and Kit (211) re-qualified, and the Shoot Boss got in on the action and shot a 220.  In this process we had three new Rifleman.  Awesome job to Kevin (231, 225), Bridget (212) and Stacy (219) on earning your patch.  You persisted and did a fantastic job.  Ethan, Dan, Boone and Mark, you are knocking on the door and your improvement throughout the weekend was evident.

Thank you to Pioneer Sportsmen for the support of Appleseed and thanks to the outstanding NH instructor corp for a very successful weekend.

If you have any pictures - please post them here

Matt NH