June 12, 2004

O PIXELWIZ AND I HAD A BABY GIRL in early May, and that -- for some reason -- took precedence over my getting to the April and May High Country Cowboys matches. Go figure. But I managed to make it up to the "Shootout In The Holler" and there were not only a lot of shooters (52), but also plenty of folks I hadn't seen in quite a while.

June in the mountains can be beautiful, and this day was. Bright and sunny, and though perhaps a little warm in the afternoon (mid-80s), still a fine day to shoot. The match scenarios were based on the Kevin Costner western, Open Range, and I had a good time, even if I was woefully out of practice.

The crowd was split into three posses, and mine started on Stage Five.

Stage Five: The Outhouse
You'd think a little privacy would be in order when visiting the privy, but these varmints had no manners whatsoever. I decided to teach them some with my sixguns and opened up, alternating between a pair of targets with both guns. Stepping from the outhouse, I grabbed my rifle from the wheelbarrow and swept three targets with 9 rounds. Setting the empty Winchester down, I grabbed my shotgun to put 6 shells on 3 targets -- but shot them out of order and earned my second procedural penalty of the day. I don't think I've ever done that before. Not the best way to begin the day, but at least I didn't miss any targets.

Stage Six: You The One What Shot Our Friend?
In that case... Blam! I drew my sixgun with my left hand and shot three targets, 2-1-2. I had five targets to take down with the rifle, two shots each. Filling my right hand with my other revolver, I shot three more targets, 2-1-2, right to left. I missed once, though. The stage finished up as I blasted a pair of shotgun targets.

Stage One: That's Robbery!
We came into town to get our friend Mose, who was locked up in the local hoosegow. When the sheriff suggested a $50 fine for each of the "offenses," I shouted, "That's robbery!"

Through the left window of the jail I shot a pair of swinging targets twice each with my shotgun, left and right. Putting down the scattergun, I moved to the door and picked up a rifle to fire 10 rounds at 4 targets: 1 on the first target, 2 on the second, three on the third and 4 on the fourth target. Stepping to the right window, I used each of my two pistols on three targets in a Nevada Sweep. I was slow, but I hit all of the targets -- which was good enough for me.

Stage Two: At the Fence
There I was, minding my own business at the fence, when the bad guys jumped us. I pulled my pistol on put 5 rounds onto 3 cowboys, then moved left to the haybale where my rifle rested. I grabbed the Winchester and aimed at three targets downrange: a really big guy flanked by two little ones. I had 9 rounds, and put 1 on the first small target, 7 on the big'un, and the last round on the other small target. Setting down the rifle, I moved to the haybale at the right to use the shotgun six times on three targets. Things still hadn't finished, so I stepped back to the fence and put 5 more rounds from my second pistol onto three targets. Again, I was slow but hit 'em all.

Stage Three: The Bonus
Because we were ready for trouble, I was standing with my shotgun in hand, and was able to empty the two barrels quickly at the pair of scoundrels that foolishly showed themselves. Shucking the empty shells and putting the scattergun down, I grabbed the Winchester and after I accidentally double-stroked the lever and ejected the first round, I triple-tapped three cowboys on the edge of the woods -- and then spotted one more lurking back behind a tree. I pulled a .44 cartridge from my belt and fed it into the rifle. Bang! Ding! Well, that guy was a bonus, which would partially save my upcoming performance with the pistols. With the first pistol, I fired five rounds on three targets in a Nevada Sweep, from left to right. The second pistol was the same, except a change in direction from right to left. I managed to miss three shots with my revolvers. Bad show!

Stage Four: We Pay Our Way
I held the money bag in both hands, but when the action started I had to keep it secure or suffer the penalty (10 seconds). I drew my left pistol and shot three targets, 1-1-3, from left to right. Returning the emptly revolver to leather, I drew the other gun and shot the three again, this time from right to left. I moved to the rifle and shot 10 rounds at four targets, 2-3-3-2, but I got mixed up counting the rounds and earned a 10-second procedural penalty for my lack of concentration. Dang! The three shotgun shells I blasted at the targets to end the stage weren't enough to make me very happy about it. Not the best way to end my match, but that's how it goes sometimes.

And the numbers are...

Not the best performance I've ever put in, and the fact that I haven't been shooting much recently was very much in evidence. Still, you know what they say:

A bad day at the range is better than a good day in the office!