Piru CA, Appleseed Nov 15th/16th

[V]

Once again, California doesn't disappoint in making things interesting...

Piru CA is on the only freeway left open by the Sylmar fire so getting to the shoot is problematic for attendees and instructors. After lengthy diversions the crew arrives to set up and await our attendees to trickle in through major freeway blockages. Running late we eventually amass 7 attendees with 3 one day only attendees  as no-shows.

With the late start and early darkness at this time of the year we manage to squeeze the first days program in without dropping anything and have several promising shooters who if they can make it back on Sunday should be shooting close to if not at Rifleman standards.

Looking forward to tomorrow and hopefully some of todays no shows may be able to attend on Sunday instead assuming the fires don't spring up again overnight.

More news tomorrow.

Cheers
Phil "V"

[Junior Birdman]

   SO, Let's see.......We've endured wind, rain, snow, tornadoes, heat, mud, bugs, snakes, locked gates, lunfinished ranges, etc.  And now we can add fires!  The trusty postman has to deal with fog and gloom of night, but nothing compared to the RWVA shooters and Instructors!   

   Thanks for the dedication of the attendees and crew out there in CA! I see couch sales are plummeting in the state of California.    JB

[socalserf]

Another great weekend at Piru!
The bad was that the turn out was low.
The good news was that we had a tremendous instructor to student ratio!
The freeways were really a mess. It took awhile for me to get a detour that would work. Thankfully Bob210 knew the area and led me through the maze.
First off I want to congratulate DesertDog on acheiving Rifleman!!!!
Well done sir! Thanks for driving all the way down form Ridgecrest, and thanks for taking on the orange hat of the IIT.
We had four more shooters near the magic number, but couldn't quite put alltogether on the same AQT.
Congratulations also to "V", he earned his red hat and his green (shoot boss) hat! Wow, what an tiger! And by the way he ran it like an old pro.
We had one returnee who probly would have made rifleman but his LRT front sight was shifting in it's dovetail. LOCKTITE EVERYTHING!
We had a fair amount of wind, but I have read of hurricanes in Texas and exploding targets in Arizona. So no big deal.
One AR on the line had function problems that we attribute to blowing dust and  well oiled internals. Either dry lube internals or wipe most oil off.
For lunch we had inspiring histories from IITs.
I can't think of a better way to spend the weekend.

Good times among good friend.

[DesertDog]

Thanks Serf!  I was a great feeling to finally get it.  Alot of dry practice went into that score.

I look forward to becoming an instructor!

Also, whoever took the pictures.  If you could post them or send them through a PM.  I would appreciate it.

DD

[Francis Marion]

Desert D.,
Congratulations are in order! 
Practice and perseverence plus love of country and Liberty equals... Rifleman.
Hoo-ah.
 

[SavageShootr]

Fires, Freeway closures, Detours, jack-knifed truck on the detour route, so alternate detour. Then there was the matter of the winds that were fueling those fires. I looked up my notes from the IBC, Serf recalled from memory and gauged the wind, then f-stop took out the mind meter... what is that fancy word again for that device? anyway....

Congratulations to V for earning the Red and Green hats this weekend. You did a great job keeping things moving and therefore getting everything in on Saturday after the late start.

All of the Instructors are improving toward their own Hat promotions. I am looking forward to the next Appleseed already. Thank you all for coming out to spend the weekend amongst friends.  

Congratulations to DesertDog. I am certain he will be an asset to the program. He truly already had the heart and mind of a Rifleman and now he has the patch to go along with it. Welcome to the Instructor corps!!
Thank You for stepping up and taking on the Orange hat.

I want to thank all of the attendees for showing up through all of the road blocks (literally) along their way. Some of the folks who managed to get there had a 1 hour outing turn into a two to four hour trip. Another example of hearts and minds of Riflemen. It was truly an honor to meet all of you. Thank you being there.

Congratulations to D for cleaning the redcoat, including the 250 yard target, on the final redcoat target Saturday. That is some great shooting there girl. I enjoyed our talk after the AS on Sunday also. Thank You for coming out.

Congratulations to D's friend Rick for his almost perfect score on the redcoat target Saturday afternoon. He only missed the 250 yard target. I am sure D will never say anything about it to you.  

Thank You Don and Ash for persisting through the road block and getting there. It was nice to meet you both. Ash showed really great improvement on Saturday. Ash is cross dominate, making it that much more of an accomplishment. Way to go.

Several more knocking on the door with greatly improved scores over the weekend. Wally, Mark, Mike, Sam, Brian, Rick, D, and DesertDog all hanging in there (with that wind) and improving on Sunday(even with equipment trouble). Great job all of you!

What more can I say other than that it was an honor to be out there with all of you. Thanks again.  

~SS

[LayloPro]

Ahhhh, yes....another wonderful Appleseed....kind of like Forrest's Mom used to say about the box of chocolates....you never know what you're gonna get next...... ("Lt. Dang, I got ice cream!!") 

I'm still going thru the pix I took, (kinda like rifle shots, some are better than others, & I really prefer putting out the "V" ring shots, instead of some almost 3 ring, you know?).....If you PM me your regular email, I can go ahead & send you an entire clip of them....you decide which ones you like or don't.....

I'll come back to address this as I recuperate a bit more .....But as a 1st time red hat, I actually had a chance to get serious 1-on-1 time with a couple of our shooters, to try to get them their olive patches.....instead of really "running" the line, or worrying about messing up details while telling the history.....we've got some great IIT's that were working this end, & they really did an awesome job of it.....
.....our IIT's are getting to be "old hands" already in how to run this type event, & they are getting to know the drill, inside & out.....

As Serf said, we had a -great- Instructor to student ratio, and as usual, with "students" for me (one 67 yo fellow who is quite the guy, and a 49 yo Jr High teacher!) that listen, & followed instructions, they were really impressed that in such a short time, they could start shooting so well..... In fact, they were knocking so hard on the door, I thought they were gonna bust it down.....

But with an average 10-14mph "breeze" blowing, & our head-on gusts going up to 35-40 mph, we had a few "challenges" in keeping 'em in the black on standing, or keeping the grit & dust out of their eyes on sitting & prone.......my eye drop bottle got quite the workout there.....sure glad it was full!!

Bob presented V with his Redhat on Saturday morning, with the appropriate "Huzzah!" for him, then came back on Sunday pm to present him with his Green hat as well......He has certainly earned them, & has stepped up to the plate with a level of aplomb that is truly gratifying to see......Another Red hat brother!! Yay!!!

We had a long distance traveler that arrived Sunday with a true Rifleman glint in his eyes......Desert Dog comes from Ridgecrest (roughly on the other side of the state), & after a few disappointments at his home range, came to claim his patch......One look at him, & I knew, he didn't need me sitting on his shoulder, coaching......he was ready to get 'er done..... And he did!! Congrats, Eric!!!

OK, off to work now....I will be posting pictures soon, just gimme a minute or two here.....Cal7.62, do you have any ready for these photo hungry folks here?

Oh, wait, I do have one here that's ready.....I call this one "Something old, something new....." kinda looks like Fred's 1st Redcoat sum-up @ the target line.....

We'll be right back....
Laylopro

[Fred]

    Kudos to all for braving the traffic, delays, wind, dust, etc. (If you're out in the wind, blowing grit, squinting your eyes in the sun, or pulling up your collar to keep the falling snow off your neck, you must be at a western Appleseed. )

    V, big congrats for accomplishing what I think is a first in AS history: A Red Hat AND a Green Hat awarded in the same weekend. (Guess Bob spread the presentation out over two days, so you wouldn't have to carry those heavy hats on Saturday - huh? )

    From here the California Appleseed program is looking so good that by the time April 19th events roll around, we may have a lot of surplus CA Shoot Bosses wandering the country, looking for an AS to run...

    You guys may be wanting to up your projected 13 Appleseeds on that weekend to maybe 57 - one to represent each state in this great country.

[V]

  You guys may be wanting to up your projected 13 Appleseeds on that weekend to maybe 57 - one to represent each state in this great country.

I was thinking 58 - one for every county.

A level of government sorely neglected in modern times - about the biggest level of government a human can relate to and hence keep control of?

[Cal 7.62]

Rick
Ash
D
Sun A.M. briefing

[V]

So the story behind those redcoat pictures of D and Rick.

Our saturday morning "Shoot what you brung" redcoat gave the following figures
400 yrds zero
300 yrds 3
200 yrds 2
100 yrds 0
cooks     1
H/S        1

The afternoon of the first day brought us
400 yrds 2
300 yrds 1
200 yrds 2
100 yrds 0
cooks     1
H/S        2

But the truly remarkable thing was the presence of two Perfect Redcoats - 3 shots in every stage by D and Rick! D's included a cleaned H/S which Rick just missed. Clearly, these were two very good shooters who knew what they were about before attending. But they were both very definite that the tuition they had received had markedly improved their performance. Congratulations D and Rick.

In the future I will have to deploy a little known Course of Fire for the likes of these two shooters - The Minute Man Challenge.  Shoot a perfect redcoat BUT standing for 100, sitting for 200 and prone for 300, 400 and H/S - all in 1 minute with a mandatory magazine change.

D and Rick, you have your free redcoat targets, you have your Minute Man Challenge - go find a local range.

And let us not forget Ash's achievement there. Look at that picture. Missed a perfect Redcoat only by a misplaced but reasonable sized group on the 400. OK. Not bad but so what? Ash was cross dominant so switched to shooting left-handed that morning! Truly the spirit of the American Rifleman is just waiting to be unleashed in so many people.

With D and Rick shooting like this and Wally and Mark knocking on the door I was worried I hadn't laid in enough Rifleman patches! But the wear and tear of the transition stages began to tell over Sunday so our Redcoat counts went
Sunday       AM             PM
400            0                3
300            2                0
200            2                1
100            2                1
cooks         1                2
Perfect       0                1

Congratulations to DesertDog and thanks for stepping up to IIT and beefing up our Ridgecrest presence. Welcome aboard.

Mike and Brian were bedeviled by the dust conditions, did we mention the wind and dust in addition to the fires and smoke, and the resultant mechanical problems - you guys in the east shooting on green verdant pastures, you don't know how hard it is in California

As usual with Appleseeds it was difficult to get everyone to leave but once we started tripping over each other in the dark everyone reluctantly agreed to leave

I'd like to thank everyone for a great appleseed and making it so special for me.

Hope to see you all again on the Appleseed Trail.

Cheers
Phil

[LayloPro]

OK, another late night spent cleaning & developing hard digital film, sifting thru the mass to find the pix that truly tell the best story....I'm a firm believer in the "picture tells a thousand tales"......and what is in the background can be as important as the foreground.....
What is it Phil was saying?? "If you can shoot straight, than you are probably thinking straight..."? Works with pix as well....

Anyway, here are some, in a "Saturday / Sunday" event format....I'll probably have to post twice on that, but hey.....these are good....

Here we go....our weekend in pictures......
1) V getting his Red hat promotion
2) V using the laser rifle to show NPOA (Thanks JB!!)
3) V showing SHF for sitting
4) SoCalSerf showing SHF for prone
5) Ashley with her proof of improvement
6) Rick & D with their Saturday redcoats
7) Cameron clearing the line
Sunday clear the line

So, how was your weekend?
Laylopro

[LayloPro]

Hey again all!!
Here are some more pictures from our busy weekend....great student to instructor ratio!

OK, in order.....

1) Sunday AQT grind....with grit
2) final redcoat target
3) Sunday benediction
4) Great students!!....they listened, they learned, they got it!!
5) DesertDog achieving his goal....and stepping forward
6) How do you define persistence? What words do you use to convey it to others?
7) Stepping up in the path of the Rifleman, and helping bail.....
V is left to decide which hat to wear....so many to choose from.....in just one weekend!!

OK all, hopefully that will satisfy.....we have some more AS's coming up next month, since we know we won't be snowed in, we should have a pretty respectable turnout at them.....just have to remember to bring the suntan lotion......

yep, yep....just another reason to hate California........

Until next time.....peace, with honor.....

Laylopro

[Old Glory!]

Sounds like Piru had it's share of difficulties....OVERCOME....Rifleman-style.   

From the pictures, it looks like all sunshine, and a LOT OF HATS being administered.     That's a beautiful thing.

Congratulations to all!

[Fred]

    We have an instant Appleseed tradition that the orange hat is not discarded, but is passed on to a new IIT after you have put your name and "graduation" (to Red Hat) date inside the liner in magic marker.

    To inspire the newbie IIT to walk in the footsteps of those who have gone before.

    Now, who is to get V's hat?

    Those are some big shoes to fill...

     But we'll have someone to fill them...

[V]

    We have an instant Appleseed tradition that the orange hat is not discarded, but is passed on to a new IIT after you have put your name and "graduation" (to Red Hat) date inside the liner in magic marker.

Dang, they didn't tell me about the graduation date, I just put my name in.

    Now, who is to get V's hat?

DesertDog got my hat. Don't worry, it was washed and dried before hand. DD can you put the date in for me?

[V]

A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks.

[socalserf]

One of the best thing about a great weekend was V's closing remarks.

He said that if you learn to shoot straight then you learn to think straight and then you will grow straight.
(Something like it anyway.)
There was much more said,but this is what stuck in my mind. Very "Cooperesque".

One of our first time students said that his passion shined through, and I couldn't agree more.

[DesertDog]

    We have an instant Appleseed tradition that the orange hat is not discarded, but is passed on to a new IIT after you have put your name and "graduation" (to Red Hat) date inside the liner in magic marker.

Dang, they didn't tell me about the graduation date, I just put my name in.

    Now, who is to get V's hat?

DesertDog got my hat. Don't worry, it was washed and dried before hand. DD can you put the date in for me?

Thank you for all the reamrks.  As I said, getting V's Orange hat is better than a new one!  I look forward to passinf it down and getting V's Red hat   And I will date it!

[Camljr]

What a great weekend at Mt. Appleseed in Piru, CA. except for the wind, and the dust, and the EZ up blowing up over the top of "V's" big old van during lunch and history... Went up like a kite, but we were just below it and were hanging onto it for dear life. It didn't do any damage, luckily.

It was a pleasure to work with each and every one of the instructors and attendees... there are quite a few there that knew their stuff.

D and rick were very well versed in the shooting tradition. it showed, for sure. Desert Dog.. you have the soul of a true rifleman... and the passion for it that I am sure will be a benefit to all who are able to be instructed by you as a futre instructor with appleseed.

Wally persevered through equipment problems with an old borrowed rifle. and finally switched to a LTR and progressed to the point of knocking on the door of rifleman.

Mark, what can I say, this guy camped out Saturday night, and also has the heart I wish we all could have. He was right there at the end, almost making the rifleman score. he will return, I am sure, and we need him as an instructor... so He will make rifleman.

It was a good weekend... the instructor to attendee ratio was real good since it was a small crowd due to the traffic mess due to the fires....

I was especially appreciative of V allowing me the opportunity to call the line again... I felt a lot more comfortable there as the day wore on. I was able to do the history from story form, with only a few "peeks" at the paper to keep me on track.

All in all a great day with some repeat appleseeders, and a few new ones who have great potential...

Thanks to all for a great experience.

[Cal 7.62]

Fire!!!
Sunday's shooters
Another Rifleman forged on the anvil of AQT

[Cal 7.62]

An IIT is born
Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm pleased to present Shootboss V !

[voortrekker]

Strong work California!!!!!



Congratulations V and Desert dog!!!!!


It looks like everyone had a great time!!


Thank you very much for sharing the terrific pics too!!!   

[Cal 7.62]

What can I say? Is this a great way to save the country or what? It's one thing to attend an Appleseed shoot as a shooter and learn the heritage, tradition and marksmanship from the knowledgeable and friendly instructors while being surrounded by Americans like yourself who feel the same way about freedom and our country. It's quite another to be on the "inside looking out", so to speak. To know that "little old me " can help save the country by waking up the sleeping American inside those we teach and propagating the "seed". When D said she wanted all the instructors and IIT's to sign her Redcoat and thanked us for teaching her to shoot good and that the feeling she got from being at an Appleseed was one of  HOPE, all the trials and tribulations of the weekend disappeared. That's what made the whole weekend worth everything that went into it. Not just that but also:  V's earning 2 hats in one weekend, Eric making rifleman and putting on the orange hat, seeing return shooters Mike & Sam and Mark, Dan & Ash braving traffic and improving in their shooting, my friend Brian improving his shooting too (he also had a shotgun stuck in his face after following some bad google directions (i hope their not the ones on our flyer )), and last but not least, all the help and encouragement from my fellow bailers and instructors aboard the U.S.S. America.   

[webdancer]

I would like to thank all the instructors and IITs--volunteers all--for creating such a smoothly-run and enjoyable event; you brilliantly overcame everything California threw at you!

SavageShootr, from the moment we arrived, you always seemed to be "right there" with whatever was needed, packets for the safety briefing, Laylopro's eye drops, water, and advice. Thank you.  Socalserf, thank you for reaching into your own gear bag and loaning us magazines when ours failed. Camljr, thank you for the box of ammunition (because you were unwilling to accept so much as a dime in reimbursement, we were forced to "pay it forward" as two RWVA memberships). Thanks also for spending so much time coaching me (for a few days, I think I heard you whispering, "Dragin' wood, D.", in my sleep)  .  V, your poise and leadership were so profound that during one of the breaks, I asked Rick if you started the group. How surprised I was to learn that you were just stepping into your red hat! Congratulation on the collection of hats you received during the weekend, you wear the mantle well. Your love for and pride in your adopted country shown so brightly that you made me stand just a little taller. DesertDog, congrats on making Rifleman and stepping-up to the instructor corp. I wish you every success as you plant seeds back home.

I had wanted to acquire my long-gun stance and skills for years (though my friend Rick taught me to shoot a rifle, I usually found it a rather fatiguing and disappointing undertaking) and I admit to being skeptical when Rick told me he'd heard of something called the Appleseed Project, where someone could teach me exactly what I wished to learn.

What I experienced at Appleseed was an order of magnitude better than the best-case scenario of my imagination. Yes, it was that good. At the start of the first day, everyone shot "redcoat" targets using their own techniques (the instructors called it "shoot what you brung") to establish their baseline. Then we received top-flight instruction in how to shoot "by the numbers" (the mental ticklist of how to position, sight, and fire each shot). We acquired the fundamentals of safe, accurate marksmanship with ordinary rifles. No "race guns", expensive, specialized equipment, or experience necessary (bring whatever you have--but you don't need to have more than the basics). Regular rifles, inexpensive GI slings, and the simple, effective techniques that our forebears used to give birth to this nation, had us putting our shots where we wanted them when, at the end of the day, we again shot the "redcoats" to gauge our progress. The Appleseed system of clear, simple instruction and supportive coaching created a comfortable, no-fail environment for men, women, and children alike. Oh, and the event was ripping fun, too!

If that had been all, I would have been more than satisfied. But Appleseed is a brilliant case of "don't answer yet--just look what else you get!" At luncheon, we received instruction in the revolutionary history of our country. We heard about the daring youths, valiant women, and dangerous old men, who made possible the freedoms we enjoy today. Listening to our instructors, I heard the echo--perhaps for the first time--of the "shot heard 'round the world". The sacrifices and determination that purchased our liberty (long taken for granted and rapidly eroding) became real for me and, I believe, for my fellow students. I am an American revitalized and shall do my best to share with others what was shared with me.

In appreciation,
(D.)

[LayloPro]

Webdancer,

Thank you....not only for coming to our range with Rick, and trying!! .....but also, for listening....
(we do like to consider ourselves "rifle whisperers"....trust me, you'll be hearing that whisper in your ear every time you squeeze the trigger!! )
I am only saddened by the fact that I had to cover the left side of the line, instead of your side.....as it did not allow me the chance to spend any time with you guys.....our side was fun, but you guys had the redcoats to show where you were at...

SoCalSerf coined a phrase...."How do you know you are among friends? When you are at an Appleseed!" The folks that come to these shoots are literally the cream of the crop, & we are pleased to have you as another shining example of that.....You -GET it-!!

And even if you didn't shoot a Rifleman score during this weekend, we know you will in the future....and you are already aware of what the "7th step" of firing the shot is about....telling those in your circle of influence that they really need to check out Appleseed......

We truly look forward to seeing you again soon......

Laylopro

[SavageShootr]

Webdancer,

Welcome to the forum!!  It is nice to see you on here. 

I will see you out there again at Piru.

~SS

[DesertDog]

Great post D!  Thanks for the compliment.  I felt the same way after my first Appleseed.  There's just something about it that makes it special

[webdancer]

<snip> In the future I will have to deploy a little known Course of Fire for the likes of these two shooters - The Minute Man Challenge.  Shoot a perfect redcoat BUT standing for 100, sitting for 200 and prone for 300, 400 and H/S - all in 1 minute with a mandatory magazine change. D and Rick, you have your free redcoat targets, you have your Minute Man Challenge - go find a local range.

Called out by Shoot Boss V <yikes!>... I can't even clean the AQT yet and he's already dreamt up a new way to torture me. Talk about pressure. I'd better get some Febreze (not to mention Advil), because my carpet, shooting mat, and I are going to become very well acquainted. 

Laylopro, thx for the very kind words. The loss was ours, but we hope to get to know you and the other members of Team Appleseed, over time.

I'm sure you will be part of what makes CA "one to watch", DesertDog.

SavageShootr, you can see me at the Costa Mesa show Thanksgiving weekend. Would you mind giving me a PM or e-mail when you've a moment (I sent you an e-mail and I think it may have ended up in your spam folder)? Rick and I are both a go for Saturday morning, if you want us.

P.e.r.s.i.s.t.i.n.g,

[Camljr]

Webdancer,

I must say, it was a pleasure to work with both you and Rick, on your side of the firing line on Sunday.

Both you and Rick had good rifle skills when you arrived, that was apparent from the beginning...
And I was impressed with your perseverance through the time constraints, and the transitions, with you insisting
to do them, in spite of the transitions taking their toll...   

I remember my first appleseed, I dreaded getting out of bed the second day and dragging my aching bones out on Sunday morning... But I did it, and you did too D, because we both have the spirit and the persistence to do what it takes to accomplish a goal...

I was also impressed that you never gave up, and kept to the task. And on top of it all, had a positive attitude throughout the weekend. Both your persistence and your positive attitude will carry you far in life and Appleseed, and it was just a genuine pleasure to be around you.

Just wanted to give credit where credit was due... 

Now practice the transitions, dry fire, and we will see you at the next Appleseed... we need you to don the orange hat of Instructor, too!!!  And don't forget the seventh step.... Bring a friend to the next Appleseed. 

That is so cool that you want to come and spread the word about Appleseed at the Costa Mesa gunshow...
If things work out, I may see you there on Saturday... look forward to it!!