Port Townsend, WA - AAR - 19-20th July 2025

[CaptainRebop]

It was another fine weekend out on the Olympic Peninsula - made even better by getting to spend it with such a fine group of Americans.  16 folks from all over Washington and Oregon joined us at the Jefferson County Sportmens Association to learn about our shared history and heritage, and got to practice the longstanding American tradition of marksmanship!

We started the weekend by engaging out first Hits Count target.  There was a wide range of skills among this group, and while we had 3 people comfortably engaging (scaled) targets at 400 yards, fully 1/4 of our shooters were not initially able to score hits on the 100yd silhouette!  The instructor team had our work cut out for us.  Fortunately, we know what we are about!

Saturday was completely full of instructions - uncharacteristically low temperatures for the last month had everyone moving a bit more slowly, and while we finished an AQT one minute before the range went cold for the day, we did not get to follow up with another Hits Count target.  Shooters were instructed to take their AQTs with them and 'do their homework' by scoring their own AQTs, and more importantly by figuring out what their target was telling them.

On our single Saturday AQT, 3 people scored Rifleman!  Greg (210) and Zach (233) were both returning Riflemen showing that they had not lost their skills.  Paul (214) posted his very first Rifleman score on his very first AQT - a very impressive feat! 

Everyone must have done their homework diligently, because on Sunday morning we had 10 shooters hit the shingle!  This is certainly the largest number of shooters I've seen hit the shingle in a single Hits Count engagement, and possibly the highest proportion of shooters as well.  This was a solid start to a great day of AQTs.

Sunday's AQTs proved that Steven (220) and Drew (226) had come determined to beat their previous scores and chase a Distinguished patch.  I am also very pleased to report that Ryan earned his first Rifleman patch with a 212!

To make up for running out of time for a Hits Count on Saturday, shooters engaged the new "Parker's Revenge" target - to great effect!  One team scored a whopping 62 points (out of 75) in what is the highest-scoring target I have seen so far.  All of our shooters had been paying attention during our history presentations on Saturday, aiming their fire at the highest (point) value targets.  I've included pictures of all of these targets below.

Shooters, thank you for a great weekend.  I know you could have spent your weekend enjoying our beautiful Washington weather enjoying your liberty in any number of other ways, and I'm grateful you chose to spend it doing something that took work and determination.  This weekend you learned a little history and a little marksmanship, but what I hope sticks with you is the value of persistence.  Persistence in improving yourselves and in improving your community is what keeps our Tree of Liberty healthy.

A special thank you to Rowan - your focus, your attention, and your willingness to answer questions and recite safety rules was an inspiration to everyone at the event.  I know I'll get to hand you a Rifleman patch someday soon.

Thank you to JCSA for being an incredible host range!  We are so thankful to get to share the American tradition of marksmanship with our shooters in the gorgeous Port Townsend weather.  We were also thrilled to have Jay stop by and share with our shooters how they can get involved in marksmanship competitions and keep challenging themselves to improve!

EternalKnight09, Jamison, Manofwords, Mike AKA Bandaid, and tionico: Thank you all for being such a fantastic team.  It is always a privilege to work with you to inspire our fellow Americans to cherish the liberties we all enjoy in this country.

Pictures to follow!