Coeur d'Alene Idaho, Feb. 4 and 5, 2023 WINTERSEED

[eert]

Winterseed Returned to Fernan Rod and Gun Club.  What a weekend.  Other than about 2 hours of sunshine on Saturday, it rained just about the whole time.  Temperatures started in morning just above freezing and peaked out at 40 Saturday and mid 30's Sunday.  The road and parking areas were basically an ice rink.  Judicious use of sand bags ballast from the SB's pick-up gave us some traction around the Bay and on the line.  The only other Appleseed I can recall with worse weather was the one we affectionately named the Aquaseed, the Columbia Falls June shoot from years ago.  But that didn't faze this dedicated group of shooters.  We had 10 pre-registered with one no-show.  Probably the best turn-out we've had here for a dedicated Winterseed event at this venue.

After a whole day of instruction, practice, and heritage we shot an AQT for score Saturday and tomabbkat (Tom F.) and Recert IIT Bald since Birth both qualified. Tom's score of 230 was the high score for the weekend.  Tom also cleaned the Saturday afternoon RedCoat.

The weather, as predicted, took a turn for the worse on Sunday as the rain picked up and the temps dropped a bit.  During set-up Sunday we moved the shooting positions to the far right side of the line where we had a little better drainage, and this was a good move for the shooters.  One student, Abby, was most appreciative as her spot Saturday seemed to channel most of the wet.  She is now known on the Forum as PUDDLES. 

Again, the weather still didn't stop these shooters.  Three of the shooters Cleaned the Sunday morning Redcoat, 4 on the shingle, and 5 out to the 400.  That signaled a good start! Lunch on Sunday included several of the Dangerous Dames of Revolutionary War short stories added to the traditional Dangerous Old Men stories.  After lunch, first timer George S. joined the ranks on new Rifleman on one of the early AQTs, and then followed by Dane (requal), later Walt, another first timer also earned the coveted Appleseed Winterseed Patch.  Sunday's AQTs went on with both Puddles and Kate knocking on the proverbial RM door, Michael slinging with his red dot AR, and Jenny really working on technique, but struggling with mechanical issues on the new Bergara.  We tried different mags, different ammo, but still she ending up with major feeding/jam issues.  Jenny switched to a loaner rifle, and though the group size was there, the zero was just south of what was needed.  All of you are so close, just keep up the solid work and you will earn the RM score soon enough.  Persistence matters! 

As the day wore on the instructor cadre joined the shooters on the line in attempt to earn the Winterseed Patch.  As we were getting ready to call the day, most of the instructors wanted another "shot" at the patch, so on we went, and most of the students kept at it.  I am happy to report the IIT cadre demonstrated they know what they are about, as all 4 IIT's requalified and earned a Winterseed Patch.  During one of these last AQTs, 553tnegA (Rhonda) also shot her qualifying RM score, earning the last Winterseed patch of the day, and stepping up to join the Appleseed Instructor ranks as an Instructor in Training.  As a side note 553tnegA has already updated her forum profile prior to my posting of this AAR!  In total, nine Winterseed patches were awarded.  Huzzahs to all!!! 

I hope to see you all on the line again.  I want to thank FRGC for supporting Project Appleseed and providing us with such great accommodations.  Thanks to all the Instructors and students, especially for coming early and staying late for set-up and take down.  I'm sure your wet gear is spread all over you house drying like mine is!

I have pictures of the WS patch presentations, so if you would like yours please PM me with your email and I will forward such. 

Please let me know if I can assist you in any way.

[Snow Snake]

Congratulations to all the students and instructors.A tribute to Appleseed perseverance.   

[P7]

Congratulations to all!  An event like this takes special dedication.  Sorry I couldn't be there!

[P7]

(duplicate deleted)

[Puddles]

It was an incredible shoot, led by a skilled and motivating shoot boss, eert! (Pat). There wasn't a moment where I stopped grinning from ear to ear. Thank you for passing on the history of our country, Appleseed has inspired me to do the same!

See you all at our patriots day shoot! That Patriots day Rifleman's patch is calling my name ðŸ'ªðŸ¼

-Puddles (Abby)

[553tnegA]

It was a great weekend for everyone! Despite the weather thinking it was an Aquaseed, not a Winterseed and multiple equipment problems, we all left with smiles on our faces and the desire for more!!

Looking forward to seeing you all again soon and getting my hubby(TGG Inc) out there for the Patriot's Day event!   

Until then, be safe & shoot straight!

[kid RM]

What an amazing event!!!!
The Weather was horrible, the roads were garbage,  Water ran down the line soaking through mats and drenching shooters, the thick icy parking lot did all it could to hospitalize attendees, the lunch room was 76 degrees on Saturday and 51 degrees on Sunday and it was just cold enough that if a mechanical devise could gum up, IT DID.

Now with all that said I have never been to a such an awesome event! The coffee was hot, The instructor cadre was amazing. They brought decades of experience and knowledge to strike a match in the hearts of each attendee.

This is my 3rd year of Appleseed and I have never witnessed an event with such high spirits and giant smiles.

The Shoot Boss is SECOND to NONE. EERT did an amazing job. He clearly demonstrated for two days that this is a deep rooted passion that begins in his heart.

Thankyou for all the efforts that made the 2023 Winterseed so Awesome.

[eert]

No comments on the new T-shirt color?

[553tnegA]

If the Purple shirt is what you are referring too, then it gets an A+++ from me! And now I have two of them! 

No comments on the new T-shirt color?