Project Appleseed

Usually, this time of year, the magic gravel dust of Good 'Ol Bay 7 at the Clinton County Farmers' and Sportsman's Association range in Wilmington, OH has settled down for the long winter's nap, disturbed only occasionally by the rummaging of some random local deer or hungry squirrel. It's the perfect tranquil winter scene that Rockwell would be tempted to illustrate on a piece of canvas, eliciting feelings that only NRA regulation height shooting range berms can bring.

Some weekends roll by and there's chilly sunshine. Others perhaps some rain or, maybe, a bit of snow now and then. Enough to keep the summer soldier and sunshine patriot at home on the couch. And, as much as we try to bring them out, there are truly only a few who have the courage and fortitude to sign up for a Winterseed shoot in these parts and three brave souls did just that this weekend!

Sam, Katie, and Jeff stood up to the wrath of Mother Nature and joined members of the Greatest Corps of Rifle Marksmanship instructors on the planet at the soaked/frozen tundra of Good 'Ol Bay 7.

The skies opened up early and steadily Saturday morning, forcing us to retreat into the fantastic facilities we're blessed with here at CCFSA. Their hospitality couldn't be matched as we were given full run of the range and unlimited pots of hot coffee for the advancement of liberty.

Fortunately the morning Redcoats were still in winter quarters so there was no threat of a looming battle and we got down to some serious instruction. After a rousing First Strike the mats and rifles came out and we dry fired to our heart's content.

Just after lunch and a fabulous Second Strike the rain let up enough to venture out. We crushed some squares and shifted some hips until it was time for an AQT!


It had turned into somethin' wet and misty but there was no stopping Katie from claiming that elusive Winterseed patch with a 231 that warmed our hearts!


And what a surprise it was when we saw the gleaming snake of rain soaked bayonets form into a battle line as the Redcoats tried to advance on our position. It's a good thing we had Katie behind the sights as she cleared her's in convincing fashion and with that we called it a day!

The dull, grey skies Sunday morning just barely waited until we arrived at the range to start dumping that beautiful white blessing we were all hoping for. After all, it can't really be a Winterseed without snow, can it?


Thankfully we had decent shelter for review and practice so when the time came to retrieve our rifles we rested them on a cushion of powdery goodness! The redcoats quickly fell and the AQTs came out!


Katie was unstoppable and Sam kept at it with the persistence of a future Rifleman for the duration of the afternoon. The wind really started kicking as the day grew long but we toughed it out for another battle with the redcoats and reluctantly packed up our snow-covered and frozen gear to make for the comforts of home.


Special thanks to our Instructor Corps for this one. Owl1, Octopus, Longrifleman, and GoodOldFriend made it one to remember. As usual the members and board of CCFSA earned the title of The Greatest Range in Appleseed and our students Katie, Sam, and Jeff have the memories of a lifetime!

See you in the (warm and wonderful) spring!

Now doesn't that just make you wish you were there?

Thanks for having this event - It was seriously cold (and sometimes miserable), but well worth for that patch!

Great instruction and, as always, loved hearing the history.

That is one committed crew right there.  Great photos and words to share the weekend.  I look forward to joining you folks again some day.  I have never been disappointed by the quality of volunteers and attendees at CCFSA events.  I hope everyone got home and warmed up afterwards.  Brrrr..

This was a great winter seed. Enjoyed working with everyone and surmounting the obstacles. Katie was well prepared... bundled up like a tick about to pop. Sam did an excellent job. His first Appleseed was in 3 inches of snow! He was so close to making rifleman it hurt. Sam will make rifleman at his next Appleseed! Looking forward to working with you all in April.

A few more pictures.