Project Appleseed

Another North Idaho Winterseed has been successfully completed.  First off, THANKS to all the folks (and Instructors) who signed up in advance for this shoot.  It takes significant fortitude to register (and not cancel) for a shoot in North Idaho the first week of January.  As luck would have it, as far as Winterseeds go, I cannot imagine better weather.  We had light damp snow most of Saturday and light dry snow most of Sunday. Temperatures ranged from upper 20's to low 30's, and there was no running ice water over the deck like we had at last year's Winterseed!   What a great way to shoot into the New Year!

Expected turnout was pretty good for the time of year as we had 14 out of 24 tickets sold.  Unfortunately, we had 2 last minute cancellations due to the flu that is going around. We had a very experienced group with 7 Rifleman and 1 previous attendee.  We welcomed 4 first timers into the group.  With a full cadre of 6 Instructors (SB, 3 RH, 2 IITs), we had an excellent student to instructor ratio.

Saturday shooting started with the first Hits Count Target, 4 shooters out of 12 qualified at the 400-yard silhouette, 5 Morgan Shingles, 3 cleaning the target.  We followed with the typical process of teach a standard, demo it, and shoot a square with the newly taught skill.  Shooters stuck with the fast pace and showed improvement with each square.
 
We shot two AQTs on Saturday and 6 of the 7 RM requalified.  Congrats to Kid Rifleman, K8, OutlawWalt, K-M.  John B., a returning Orange Hat also requalified, but I forgot to get his Forum name! We welcomed Gary to the ranks of Rifleman as he shot his qualifying score at his second AS clinic.  Last, but deserving a special mention-Grant earned a Distinguished Patch at his second AS Clinic with a 143 score.  Saturday ended with 3 shooters qualifying at 400, 5 shooters hitting Morgan's Shingle and 2 cleaning the Hits Count target.

Sunday's attendance was 3 less as those folks were scheduled one day participants.  We hope to see John B., John N., and Kevin S. at future events!  The morning day 2 Hits Count showed 4 at 400, 5 Morgan Rifleman, and 4 cleaning the target. Sunday included recaps of position steady hold factors, 6 steps of firing a shot, and Natural Point of Aim along with a mix of drills stressing Natural Point of Aim and transitions.  Two AQTs were shot before the lunch break.

Post lunch shooting started with a wake-up speed transitions and magazine change drills to get folks ready for the AQT sequence.  KidRifleman enquired about running a Speed AQT.  So, during the last two AQTs we ran the Speed version during the normal Stage 4 period.  This was safely accomplished as we had adequate RSO coverage, shooters wanting to run the Speed version were all multiple repeat RM, and were located in the same area of the line.  I seem to recall 2 attempted the first time, and 3 on the second run.  None managed to hit the RM threshold, but several were knocking on the door in the 200's.  Since all finished with approximately 1 minute left on the clock, we expect to to be running the Speed version again! 

Puddles requalified on Sunday, completing the Clan's 5 for 5 run for RM requal, with all Clan members  scoring multiple RM scores. As we wrapped up the AQTs we ended up with 8 WINTERSEED patches awarded, 1 of which was a first time patch!  Our first timer was Gary who also repeated on Sunday. Grant T. showed his Distinguished score on Saturday wasn't anything other than skill by running a bolt gun Sunday and scoring RM on 6 out of 6 AQTs!  HUZZAHS and Congratulations!
 
The final Hits Count target indicated 6 shooters qualifying at 400, 7 shooters hitting Morgan's Shingle and 3 cleaning the target and when polled all participants concurred their Hits Count Target showed improvement over the weekend.
 
The courage award goes to John N., who was running a stock 10-22 carbine with factory sights.  Runner up on the Courage award goes to Douglas with the AR red dot with and without the .22 conversion kit.  Douglas, I am sorry for not giving you much personal attention, but I was having a pretty bad tinnitus reaction to that brake. The Persistence award to my new friend Mary, who struggled with all kinds of malfunction issues on Saturday.  After an inspection of the rifle's bolt Saturday evening, Shoot Boss determined, the rifle needed a new bolt, so we checked out a Club loaner for Mary.  Mary was able to make headway with the different rifle and showed good progress throughout the day.  I expect to see her smiling face on the line in the future.
 
Thank you everyone (Instructors too) for joining us at this Winterseed event.  Not only did you get off the couch to hear about our country's heritage and our Founders struggles, but you tested yourself in less than favorable conditions.  As stated during the class, Winterseeds test your metal and your mettle.  While some of the metal may not have been up to task, you have all shown you don't lack in mettle.  Congratulations and I look forward to seeing you in the future. 

Please feel free to send me a PM or email if: you have any comments, would like 8.5 x 11" PDF targets, Dry fire scaled targets, Data Sheets, Reticle Calibration instructions, or any other information I can help you with.
HUZZAH!


 

Thank you eert for running such a tight ship. I can't remember a shoot that resulted in near universal improvement in such a short time as happened this last weekend. The hearty souls that braved the Winter elements were a part of that success, by bringing their existing skills, teachable attitude, and persistence, but your experience at running a rifle clinic really shined. I learn something from every Appleseed, whether shooting (as a participant) or not (as an instructor).
Wherever any one of us is on the Rifleman journey, keep working on your rifle craft. I never want to get to the point where I think I know it all. Everyone is encouraged to safely dry practice at home, hit the range to practice what you have learned, and return to a future event to further refine your skills. Many of you showed proficiency at the 25m rifle clinic, which concentrated on the fundamentals. Maybe it is time for the next step on the Rifleman journey to attend a Known Distance rifle clinic with your centerfire. Hint: September 14-15th at Fernan and a rimfire KD May 18-19 at the Shoshone range. I hope to see you all soon at a future Appleseed.

Thank you Eert for another amazing Appleseed, and a VERY fun winterseed! As my second winterseed, I had a blast and was happy to see new people at this event. Stayed nice and toasty warm with lots of drills and hot coffee, and the snowy view in the mountains was wonderful. Had lots of good input honing my skills, as well as trying new things- that speed AQT is something I want to practice lots and do again at an Appleseed!

Was very happy to see a distinguished patch be handed out, as well as so many rifleman patches. It was a blast, and I am already looking forward to the Saturday shoot and Patriots day shoot.

HUZZAH!

No matter how many Appleseed Events I attend, I always feel like I walk away with something new! Thank you Eert for yet another amazing event! Winterseed is by far my favorite event every year, and by the end of the weekend the camaraderie between everyone on the line is heart warming. Something about everyone warming their fingers around a propane heater while learning about the brave men that paved the way for our freedoms is incredibly inspiring.

I will most definitely be practicing the Speed AQT, and would love to shoot it again at the Patriots day shoot! And I've got my eye on a higher qualifying score! 

Thank you Eert, and thank you to all the instructors on the line!

HUZZAH!
 

Thank you Eert, and everyone else who helped to make this year's Winterseed so fun and productive! It's so satisfying to come away from each event with new knowledge about our history and improved skills.  GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Winterseed -- bbbbbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

and I thought we were cold this past weekend.

One day, I would love to earn a Winterseed patch.  I do think one is in my future. 

I really like the group warming their fingers around the heater.