South Huntsville, AL (HISR) Oct 26-27, 2019 - AAR

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The inaugural Appleseed at Hobbs Island Shooting Range (HISR) didn't disappoint.  We knew it was going to be a great event when all of the registered shooters arrived on time despite a forecast of rain with 20mph winds.  Don, the owner of HISR, graciously moved us to a covered firing line for Saturday, which allowed us to continue after the rain and wind started.

We moved quickly into instruction Saturday morning to try to beat the approaching weather.  After the redcoat target we learned about sling use, the 6 steps of firing a shot, NPOA, and prone position with a few dry fire exercises thrown in to reinforce the instruction.  We refined those skills on squares then learned about IMC and how to interpret our targets.  We heard the first strike of the match from AH1Tom during lunch then got back to work.  We made it through seated instruction and drills in the afternoon then cleared the range before the rain started in earnest.  We hear the second and third strikes of the match and awarded William Diamond patches to our youth shooters before heading for home.

By Sunday morning the rain had moved on and we set up in one of the large pistol bays.  We started with a few exercises in prone to warm up then learned about standing position and started AQTs.  On the first AQT we had one among us that knew very well what he was about... Russell scored a 230!  This was his third Appleseed and he asked to take an Orange Hat before he left for the day.  He is also a member at HISR, so it was fitting that he became the very first Rifleman at this range.  Huzzah! 

During lunch KPUC/Chris shared some hardtack, beef jerky, and dried blueberries he had made while he talked about the food available to colonists.  We returned to AQTs and found two more Riflemen among us:  Elijah with a 226 and Kennedy with a 216.  Great work!  Elijah also requested an Orange Hat. 

All of the shooters made progress and several were posting scores that will soon get them to the goal of Rifleman.  John, you were so close; I'm sure you will get that patch soon.  Remember, a Rifleman persists! 

Thanks to all of the shooters and a special thanks to Don and Hobbs Island Shooting Range!  We are looking forward to many more events at this fantastic facility! 

Group photo:


EddieB and Attack Drone teaching prone:


On the line:






Elijah:


Kennedy:


Not sure who looks happier in this pic:


Mixed Metaphor getting his 25 shoot pin and KPUC his 10 shoot pin from Maximum Ordinate: