Hudson Falls NY, Feb. 5 & 6 2011

[Another D.O.M.]

This was our second indoor 50' Appleseed event held at the Hudson Falls Fish & Game Club.  Using the knowledge we gained from the first we were able to streamline the process and this year it progressed considerably more smoothly.  Specifics should be contained in the IAAR once Josey Wales gets back home and has an opportunity to write that up.  We were able to efficiently switch between two groups of shooters (one group of four and one of five) on a firing line sized to accommodate seven total.  The system we used worked quite well and should pave the way for future indoor winter events accommodating many shooters.

Saturday began as bright and sunny outside.  There were five instructors including the SB Josey Wales, RHI nyrasgt, and IITs topcat, K-wolf and Another D.O.M.  We had a total of nine shooters, including three who traveled from the Rochester/Buffalo area in western NY and two first-time Appleseeders.  The instructors met early to discuss the most efficient way to switch between two groups of shooters on one firing line, and then we were off and running.

Instruction, history and shooting progressed very smoothly on the indoor pistol range.  As the day wore on, however, the weather conditions outside become much worse as the bright sunshine gave way to a heavy snowfall that soon changed over to sleet and freezing rain.  As the driving conditions continued to deteriorate, we decided as a group to cut the Saturday session short, but not before completing our first AQT string of fire.

Sunday morning the roads were only slightly better than the previous evening, but still eight of nine shooters from Saturday returned; and we had one additional Sunday-only shooter as well, keeping our group at nine.  We also picked up two additional instructors, RHI R1sgx2 and IIT Dakota30, who replaced our Saturday-only IIT topcat.

As was the case on Saturday, instruction progressed very well throughout the day despite the limitations of the indoor range.  We began with a review of safety/six steps/NPOA/etc., used squares targets for sight adjustments and drills, then jumped into AQTs.  All shooters showed improvement throughout the day, but more importantly they had a great time.

It is always a pleasure to work with my fellow NY instructors, and this event brought K-wolf into that group as well.  I look forward to watching his advancement within the NY instructor cadre and meeting him again along The Appleseed Trail.

Thanks to all, shooters and instructors alike, for giving up a part of your weekend to help save our nation!

Josey Wales has the photos - can't wait for him to add them to this AAR.

Next stop - indoor 25m one-day Appleseed at SaraSpa Rod & Gun club.  I can't wait...

[Josey Wales]

..Hudson Falls, February 2011..

[Josey Wales]

..Hudson Falls, February 2011..

[Josey Wales]

..Hudson Falls, February 2011..

[Josey Wales]

..Hudson Falls, February 2011..

[K-Wolf]

I had a great time for the first time instructing an event. I cant wait to do more to help out down the road and i plan on attending many more shoots. But help a guy out, we need to get some shoots out by buffalo way. these 5 hour drives are killing me haha. I want to thank all the other instructors that helped me figure out what i was doing for my first go at calling the line and for helping out Emily. I was glad to see that she got some extra help and she had a great time learning. Even though her brother Nick is going away for the Navy in March, she still plans on coming back to learn more. Thank you guys so much for making this a great experience for everyone!!!!

[VietVet]

 Nice Job Guys/Girls......Looking Good....
       
         You can see in the photos that this was a well run, nicely presented Shoot.
I'm sure the Shooters got the best from this team.

Hey Nick.....Can't take Calverton anymore?

[sgtrock]

I had a great time for the first time instructing an event. I cant wait to do more to help out down the road and i plan on attending many more shoots.

But help a guy out, we need to get some shoots out by buffalo way. these 5 hour drives are killing me haha.

Hey Kevin,,,,Hows the Botavia range coming along, Have you had a chance to speak with them yet???

I want to thank all the other instructors that helped me figure out what i was doing for my first go at calling the line and for helping out Emily. I was glad to see that she got some extra help and she had a great time learning. Even though her brother Nick is going away for the Navy in March, she still plans on coming back to learn more. Thank you guys so much for making this a great experience for everyone!!!!

[K-Wolf]

Hey Kevin,,,,Hows the Botavia range coming along, Have you had a chance to speak with them yet???



I took a bunch of pamphlets from Josey Wales and im planning on going to the next meeting to hand them out. As far as i know, they have showed interest in the program but lack motivation to get it going. they keep forgetting to bring it up at their meetings. Once i become a member and can go to the meetings, hopefully things will go faster. I'll keep on them and see what their plans are if they are serious about it or not.

[Josey Wales]

..K-Wolf, if you want a hand, get me the president, vice-president, treasurer, chief RSO, phone numbers and address to send off promotions folders for presentation.

[theadmiral]

Thank you so much for the pics Josey. I had a blast and learned a lot at this appleseed. I can't wait to come back state side and use up all my leave on Appleseeds.

[Josey Wales]

Thank you so much for the pics Josey. I had a blast and learned a lot at this appleseed. I can't wait to come back state side and use up all my leave on Appleseeds.

..Nick..
..It was my pleasure to serve you! You are going to serve us, The US of A and I thank you for that.. Good luck to you in all your adventures ahead.. Stay away from any knuckleheads you may meet..  Overcome, Adapt & Persist like all good Riflemen do!! I look forward to seeing you again some day and if you need anything just send the word and I mean that so do not be shy..
.......................Strength & Honor.....................Josey Wales............

[B9]

I took a bunch of pamphlets from Josey Wales and im planning on going to the next meeting to hand them out. As far as i know, they have showed interest in the program but lack motivation to get it going. they keep forgetting to bring it up at their meetings. Once i become a member and can go to the meetings, hopefully things will go faster. I'll keep on them and see what their plans are if they are serious about it or not.

K-Wolf,
We have a club member also working on this range. I will get you two together with contact info via PM.

[R1SGx2]

Hudson Falls, this was a great shoot under the watchful eye of Josey Wales, who pays very much attention to detail, and to ensure all runs well. The Instructor Corps here, all top shelf, knowledgeable.
Hudson Falls Club is a few miles up the road from the Lake Champlain Canal. The same canal that General (Gentleman John) John Burgoyne brought his troops down on their way to Albany, only to be stopped in Saratoga in September 1777 by General Gates. This area very much rich with history.
I was a Sunday only instructor, walked in Sunday morning and even with the snow and ice the day before, this program was on schedule. AND even with the bad weather conditions , like Rifleman, all shooters were on time and ready. All shooters were progressing nicely . Watching Emily returning with her target in hand looking at it, smiling, I know saying to herself,  I did this. Even the return shooters improved. Smiles could be seen around the range . Kevin and Sean, holding steady, remember to dry fire until the next shoot, Steady Hold Factors - NPOA-Six Steps. 
Was a feel good moment when Dina said "I guess I really don't know our history ".
Thank you.
The range accommodations were great for the shoot. AND now on the schedule is an outdoor shoot here in Hudson Falls May 21 / 22, 2011.
Special Thanks to Hudson Falls for allowing us there and to return in May.

[theadmiral]

I was able yo give away about a 1/4 of the pamphlets today at drill. Many people seemed really interested in going so hopefully I got a few people to come out to an event, or maybe get enough interest to get an event out by us.