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Match Results
Guns of the Timberlands 2008
Guns blazing, steel clanging, possums hiding, people smiling, good food, music playing....and a great time was
had by all. This was Guns of the Timberlands 2008. This year's shoot was the best we've ever put on, and since
we've had some dandy shoots, that is saying a lot. This was our fourteenth shoot up here above Blue Lake at the
Simpson Range, and we had a total of 72 shooters attend. The Mad River Rangers worked hard to make sure
there were three fun-filled days of shooting.
People began showing up as early as Tuesday of the shoot week, pulling in a myriad of travel conveyances that
ran the gambit from huge Peterbilt motor homes down to a small back packing tent stuck off in the corner. It didn't
matter what you came to sleep in, there wasn't all that much time for sleeping with the busy schedule of events that
the Rangers had put together. The events began Thursday with side matches that included long distance pistol, rifle
caliber and pistol caliber long distance, speed derringer/shotgun, pocket pistol, a .22 mounted match (yes, I did
say MOUNTED...even if it was only Pinto Bean, the stick horse) and the Quigley bucket shoot. Thursday morning
there was also a Plainsmen three stage shoot that was very well attended.
Friday, after the 8am shooter's meeting, folks wandered down
the Pine Creek Trail to shoot the first five stages. The stages
were well-designed and had both close and large targets as
well as some little targets that challenged the shooters to
actually use their sights! We had scenarios set in bar rooms,
a Chinese laundry, a grave yard, a stock yard, and sitting by the
creek while panning for gold. There was enough variation
to keep everyone's interest and allow the shooter's a little creativity in deciding their own lines to start the stages.
One stage in particular was a real hit. Speedy McDraw and a few of his cohorts set up a stage dedicated to the
Possum boys. The Possum boys are Ukiah shooters that travel in a pack; not exactly like a coyote pack, but more
like a, well.....a possum pack! Where one goes, so go the others. And the Rangers made sure they felt right at
home when they rolled into camp, by setting out a little sign where they always camp that read "Possum Hollow."
After lunch on Friday we held two very popular side matches: the "Fly on the Wall" and "Shotgun Alley."
This year there were three categories for The Fly on the Wall: smokeless, Black powder and telescopic sights. It
has always proven to be a challenge to hit the "fly" out there at 560 yards, but a few managed to do it. Shotgun
Alley was a real spectator sport; the participants needed all their wits and skill to run the course of 26 targets that
included knock-downs, pop-ups and clay pigeons flying in all directions.
Saturday concluded the main shoot with the second of five stages and all the posses finished up in time to
wander up to the chuck wagon for a great lunch provided by Sylvia and her crew. After lunch, it was time for the
team shoot. Eight teams were chosen at random and began by knocking two can-filled plastic bags from the
clothes line, shooting those cans over the bank, and then knocking over what seemed like sixty steel silhouettes set
out at 50 yards. Once all the steel animals were knocked over a resounding "PIG!!" would echo through the valley
as the last remaining target...a steel pig set at 75 yards, would be the last to go down. The team shoot is one of our
most popular events and being on the winning team allows bragging rights for the year.
Come Saturday evening, everyone put on their best duds and settled in for the dinner, followed by the awards
ceremony. Kodiak Weasel and Kid Kneestone were the masters of ceremony and kept the evening rolling along at
a brisk pace. Awards were presented, and the conclusion of the evening was the drawing for the coveted Cimarron
1873 "Brush Popper" rifle that was won by Ace Faro. He was pretty darned excited to win and pumped every
Rangers hand in thank you for his luck.
Later that evening, most everyone moseyed up to Possum Hollow were the crowd was entertained by the
Salzadene Three, Cap Roundtree, Pack Saddle Slim, and Rico Kid that strummed guitars and mandolins and
sang until the cows came home. They were joined by Red Blaze on banjo and Red Rock Ranger, who brought their
own medley of tunes. Throughout the evening we played everything from traditional cowboy songs, a few golden
oldies, a few contemporary songs and one rendition of the ever popular "Chicken Song" (don't ask!!) and I think
everyone had a heck of a good time. The evening was wrapped up by Pack Saddle reciting a few cowboy poems.
All in all, I would have to say that this year's Guns of the Timberlands was a huge success. If people came to
have a good time...they did. If they came to shoot...they got the chance. If they came to see old friends and make
new ones......well, let's just say by Saturday evening everyone there knew everyone else. I don't think you can ask
for more than that.
Unitil we meet again....la vaya bien....Rico Kid
MATCH RESULTS:
