Liberty Center, OH, AAR - October 25-26, 2025

[Third Degree]

The Henry County Sportsmen's Association facility in Liberty Center was the location for the latest Project Appleseed rifle clinic in Northwest Ohio. The Association's beautiful clubhouse was available to the students, but the group found little need for its shelter. The new clubhouse has entered the finishing stage of construction. Interior walls are now adorned with various wildlife artwork and many wall mounts. The entire venue was surrounded by vibrant fall colors of red, yellow and auburn brown. Seemingly untouched by the mid-summer drought.
 
The weather forecast of first frost for the recently changed season was on target. Students began to arrive at 8:00 a.m. and were treated to 25 degrees and cold feet. As the sun rose, so also did the temperature. By midday Saturday everyone had shed all of their outer layers, enjoying the sunny 53-degree warmth.
 
Our group of students included 2 who were previous Appleseed participants and one youth. All had preregistered. Our volunteer instructor crew included Headhunter (Austin) and Topper (Shane). This event served as the IIT IV demonstration for Topper, who faithfully presented the required Points of Instruction during the entire clinic. In addition to instruction, Topper managed safety as the Saturday Line Boss with Headhunter as Range Safety Officer. Following the delivery of the Pre-History story, the class began preparation for the first shots of the clinic.

With the first Red Coat target posted, the fire began at 9:25 a.m. With 3 students, 3 placed 3 hits on the 100-yard silhouette (100%) and 2 (66%) put their rounds on the 200-yard silhouette. One put their 3 rounds on the 300-yard shape, but no one cleared the target. The Red Coat is used as a skills pre-test/ post-test, but it is a challenge to clear this target.

The first of many "squares" targets replaced the morning Red Coats, signaling the start of an intense series of instruction on prone steady hold factors. The next opportunity for students to engage in live fire was to test their use of the newly taught procedures at the prone position.

The Green Practice AQT was posted at 12:06 p.m. and the group relaxed in the autumn sunshine for lunch and history, with a very detailed First Strike. By this time the temperature had risen to a comfortable 55 degrees with no wind.
   
The Green Practice AQT served as the first opportunity for students to experience locating their favorite Seated Position strategy, combined with more live fire. Just as the class was becoming comfortable with the seated position, magazine changes and "time" elements were introduced. Transitions from standing to seated added the fourth element to the challenge of firing an effective shot. In comparison to the seated instruction, the Standing Position instruction seemed like welcome relief.

The first AQT of the clinic was posted at 2:45 p.m. This was followed by a long break for the class to think through the instruction just completed and presentation of the Second Strike. The combination of trying new marksmanship skills with storytelling of those same skills used by Patriots on April 19th made history come alive.

The class engaged in the first AQT, resulting in some respectable scores. Jason M. posted a 191 while Braden T. achieved 155.  Both were very eager to try again, so AQT #2 was immediately posted.
 
Another break provided an opportunity to deliver the Third Strike and rest prior to the next live fire action. AQT #2 began at 3:30 p.m. This time, Braden T. repeated the score from the first try, but Jason M. achieved the coveted 210 score. Both Instructors verified Jason's target and prepared to administer the "baptism", at the appropriate time.

The Saturday afternoon Red Coat replaced AQT #3 and all was completed by 5:00 p.m.  With 3 students participating, 3 placed 3 hits on the 100-yard silhouette (100%), 3 (100%) put their rounds on the 200-yard silhouette, and 3 (100%) placed hits on the 300-yard silhouette. One (33%) hit the shingle.
   
Sunday, October 26 started out bright and frosty. Following a quick review of safety, the 6 steps to firing a shot and a redemonstration of the steady hold factors, the morning Red Coat was posted and shot by 9:30 a.m. Headhunter managed safety as the Sunday Line Boss with Topper as Range Safety Officer. With 3 students, 3 placed 3 hits on the 100-yard silhouette (100%), 2 (66%) put their rounds on the 200-yard silhouette, and 1 (33%) placed a hit on the 300-yard silhouette.
 
Squares targets were posted to perfect sight-in and serve as instructional support. Topper led the group through carding the sights, ball and dummy exercises, Rifleman's cadence and dance. With those completed, students posted the 4th (overall) AQT of the clinic.

From the moment the first stage of #4 was engaged, what had been a quiet no-wind experience turned into a heavy breeze from the northwest. Even with the added environmental element, Braden T. was able to repeat his best score from the day before (151).

AQT #5 was posted, signaling a lunch break and time for a Known Distance presentation. The KD instruction ended with a lively discussion about the Battle of Kings Mountain and the impact of Patriot experience with shooting both downhill and uphill. History lessons involving Dangerous Old Men were supplemented with the Appleseed Card deck. Students randomly selected cards to read aloud. The stories read highlighted the total involvement of everyone, including the wives that were left behind to form their own defense detail.
   
AQT #5 was shot, with Braden T. posting a personal best score of 178. Instead of immediately posting the next AQT, the students took on a fun shoot which involved the famous "Shooting Star" target. Each student engaged the Star with 20 rounds, to be fired in 2 minutes. The winner would be determined by the most hits on the Star. When the smoke cleared, the judges conferred and determined Braden the victor by a single hit. Jason M. was a very close second.

The balance of Sunday afternoon was consumed with firing on 3 additional AQTs. This rapid succession of targets was possible because of the small class size and the student's desire to improve scores. Braden T. started the rifle clinic with score of 151 and ended the event with 196. A rifleman is persistent. The highest AQT score of the clinic was by Jason, M., who recorded 210 and became a new Qualified Rifleman.

The Sunday afternoon Red Coat was completed and recorded by 4:20 p.m. With 3 shooters, 3 placed 3 hits on the 100-yard silhouette (100%) while 2 (66%) put their rounds on the 400-yard silhouette. All 3 shooters (100%) hit the shingle.
 
I want to thank all of the students for coming out and exhibiting a willingness to learn new skills. I want to encourage all of you to practice reading your targets to diagnose ways you can correct your technique. Congratulations to Jason M. for earning the patch and taking part in the ritual baptism.
 
I want to thank the Henry County Sportsmen's Association for accommodating Project Appleseed during 2025, which is our 25th anniversary and the 250th anniversary of the launch of the American Revolution. Many thanks to Topper and Headhunter for volunteering this past weekend. Congratulations to Topper on completing IIT IV requirements.
 
In Liberty,
Third Degree

[topper]

Wonderful weekend for Appleseed in Liberty Center

[topper]

Hits count and squares targets

[topper]

Getting zeros

[topper]

What's this?

[topper]

Refreshing

[topper]

Star winner

[topper]

William Diamond award