Trail Boss

Hope everyone has wintered well!  It is time to get ready for another Long Riders shooting season.

Our annual meeting was held the end of February.  Jeremiah Grimm was gracious to take minutes while Cactus Jack basked in the sun.  See the minutes later in the newsletter if you were unable to attend.

We have some exciting new things planned for 2009.  Raunchy Rick has some details in his newsletter article.

What else do we have planned?  Well, in case you did not notice, the website has changed (apologies to our friends without a computer).  Yours truly has been hard at work over the winter months devising and implementing the new site that you now see.  This should make it easier for the Vile Bunch to update information without the assistance of the webmaster (or webmistress as I refer to myself).  Please check things out and let me know how you like it or if you encounter any problems.

The only thing that is not currently available on the website are the scores.  We are only going to publish the current year of scores and well, we have not started shootin’ yet!  This new format may also allow us to expand features for the paying Long Riders in the future.

At the annual meeting, we displayed a free target from Action Target for discussion on new targets.  We voted to purchase some of these new portable targets to replace the pistol targets that are starting to cup.  They include a stand that can set the target at 2 different heights – low or high, and a round head.  The target is attached to the stand by 2 bolts behind the head.  The manufacturer has guaranteed the price he gave Nawlins and LPL in December.  The round-head target and stand is $95 and a shaped target (coffin, tombstone, buffalo, spade, heart, club, diamond, or cowboy) with the stand is $155.  These prices include free shipping and the heads are made of AR500 armored steel.  Raunchy Rick and Nawlins Kid took the free target out for a spin.  The results – no lead splatter with a .30-.30 at a 12 yard range.  Now that’s impressive!

At the annual meeting, a challenge was issued to the Long Riders members!  Elk Creek Ken started things rolling with a challenge to all club members to match his $50 a target (and he has already submitted it).  Next thing we knew, Laredo Kidd matched it.  Then people were offering to buy a new target for $95.

So here is the scoop on the challenges:

• contribute $155 for a shaped target with stand, and get an old target and an old stand (the LPL/NK challenge)
• contribute $95 for a target (head and stand), get an old target and an old stand (the “cast of characters” challenge)
• contribute $50 (the Elk Creek Ken and Laredo Kidd challenge)

If you cannot afford to buy a target or $50 challenge, we could use any contribution you can make!  If you cannot afford to spend the money this month, we will accept I.O.U.’s for payment later in the year.

We would like to wrap up the donations and get our order into the manufacturer in April, so please send any donations in to Calamity Janet as soon as possible.

See you out on the range!

LPL

Foreman

Greetings Pardners!

Well here we go again!  April is here.  So,  I assume over the winter, all your  “shooting irons”  have been cleaned and lubricated, your  ammo is loaded in sufficient supply to last  the entire shooting season and you have your boots polished and your cowboy “duds” cleaned.  Right?!

Speaking of clothing, we have been lax in the area of period dress.  Not that we aren’t already the best,  but this is something we need to work on.  It is understandable that a new shooter may not be able to assemble the proper attire immediately, but by the second season they should be able to do so.

We have some new things coming for 2009.

To make things better for the times when we have to shoot from the pavilion, we may have a 10×20 canopy that we can setup next to the pavilion which would give us three stations instead of two.

Also, along the same lines, we are going to purchase 10×10 canopies to be put up at all stages for those hot days.  These canopies can be used by the folks who don’t have gun carts with umbrellas.  To add available  “water holes” , we’ve  purchased a third 5 gallon water jug, so that we will have 2 water jugs at the firing line & 1 at the pavilion.

Raunchy Rick

Annual Meeting Minutes

Long Riders Annual Meeting – 2009 Recap (Held Feb 28, 2009)

Meeting called to order by LPL at 10:05 AM

29 members present

Announcements made by LPL
Meeting rules ready by LPL

2008 minutes read by JG
Heavy Bear motioned to discuss distribution of member list, deferred to later in meeting
Motion to pass – HB, second by Mebbe, carried.

Paymaster’s Report: LPL gave Paymaster’s report in Calamity Janet’s absence, including details on 3-day shoot fee. Additional details broken out for members to review if they wished to.

HB submitted idea to open 3-day to vendors and collect setup fee, tabled to later in meeting.

Motion to accept financial report by Rios, 2nd Lefty, carried.

Foreman’s Report: read by RR

Rios suggests “easy-up” canopies and to disallow carts under them unless raining. Rios gave sourcing and price info, BJs, $100 on sale, for Vile Bunch consideration.

Motion to accept RR report by Tombstone, 2nd by BH, carried.

Range Safety Report: read by NK.

Motion to accept by HB, second Tombstone, carried.

Scenario Hand Report: by JG
Motion to accept report by HB, 2nd by RR, carried.

Trail Hand Report: given by JG in GBH’s absence.
Motion to accept report by Rios, 2nd by Laredo Kidd, carried.

Newsletter Editor Report: given by JG in DN’s absence.

Motion to accept report by Badfingers, 2nd by RR, carried.

TG Report: read by NK
Motion to accept report by Mean Ole Dog, 2nd by Mebbe, carried.

Trail Boss Report: read by LPL

Motion to accept report by Rios, 2nd by Capt. Thomas, carried.

Break – Return 11:50

Elections: Current slate of nominees:

Trail Boss: LPL
Foreman, RR
Paymaster: C. Janet
Clerk: C. Jack
Safety Officer: NK

There were no further nominations from the floor.

Motion to accept slate as ready by Uncle Roj, 2nd Tombstone, carried.

Motion to cast one ballet for accepted slate by Laredo Kidd, 2nd Rios, Carried. Slate elected to board for 2009.

Old Business

Review of website impact shared with club, significant financial gains by using the website and other process changes. Income up, expenses down. No other old business.

New Business

Bylaws were checked regarding sending notices for annual meeting, bylaws read that notification is to be sent to mailing ‘or to another address on record with the club’, so e-mail notifications do no require a bylaws change.

Kickoff party: April shoot will have one, after 3 scenarios + long range. Tombstone motioned that Long Riders do this every year, second Laredo Kidd, carried.

Dues: $25 to renew, $35 after Jan 1 or for brand new member. Dues to remain the same.

Finances: Review of the last 3 years of financials discussed. 2009 projections and objectives also reviewed including focus on 3-day shoot and methods to increase revenue and decrease expenses. Options shared with members.

Lefty motioned to add a line item to 3-Day Application for photos for an extra $5 charge, second Mean Ole Dog, carried.

Mean Ole Dog motioned to put a checkbox on the 3-Day Application if a scenario packet is desired in the shooter’s 3-Day packet, HB second, carried. NO change to shoot fee structure for the 3-Day Shoot.

Targets: We are looking at options to replace cupping targets. “Evil Roy” target demo’ed for club. Laredo Kidd made motion to replace targets as Long Riders can afford them, at Vile Bunch’s discretion, 2nd HB, Carried.

Elk Creek Ken offered a $50 challenge donation to other club members. Laredo Kidd quickly matched it. Other members started to offer purchasing an entire target for the club.

The Vile Bunch offered: if a member pays $95 for a new target for the club, they get a free old target + stand. Several members signed up to do this: South Dakota Slim (2), Bum Thumb (1), W Clemnos (1), Lucky Dog (1), JG (1), Uncle Rog (1), Sandy Steele (1), Nawlins Kid (1), and LPL (1). After everyone who purchases new targets receives their free old target + stand, the Vile Bunch may offer old targets for sale.

Website: LPL is working on a new site that will allow easier Vile Bunch use and newsletter creation. Member accounts may be issued in the future, possibly allowing the membership roster to be viewed (with password protection). Tombstone motioned for LPL to see if members will allow sharing of phone info on site, 2nd ?? carried.

3-Day Caterer: had problems with food last year. Bum Thumb motioned to investigate alternatives, 2nd Fuller Beans, carried.

3-Day Shoot Theme Proposals: Famous Gunfights, Films of __ (pick an actor), Spaghetti Westerns, The Quick and The Dead… Motion for Famous Gunfights by Uncle Rog, 2nd Elk Creek Ken, carried.

Other: Elk Creek Ken requests more scenarios using derringer or pocket pistol, 2 stages per match, OK. Requirements for acceptability of pistol to be used discussed.

Swisher offers period “sign” displaying year, for use in group photos at 3 Day Shoot(for easier year identification). Capt. Thomas volunteered to assist Swisher.

Tombstone asked if we could track number of hits on the website.  LPL will investigate.

Motion to adjourn – JG, 2nd RR – Carried at 13:44.

Respectfully submitted by JG, substituting for Cactus Jack

Territorial Governor

Howdy,
I attended my first TG summit at the SASS convention in Las Vegas.  At the summit, there was a lot of discussion in revamping the Shooters, RO I and RO II handbooks.  They are posted on the SASS web sight. I recommend taking some time to review all the changes.
Here are some agenda items brought up for a vote at the summit.

1. The Modern and Traditional categories have been combined into one category. Go to the SASS online Shooters Handbook pg. 13 for complete details. The Long Riders will still use the Modern, Traditional categories.

2. The Ruger Montago non mounted revolver has  been approved. The non mounted version does not have the grip frame serrations.  The Super Blackhawk/Montago hammers are allowed on both adjustable and traditional revolvers except the  Bisley model.

3. SASS now allows ejectors on single shot shotguns.

4. All long guns staged horizontally shall be laying flat where at least the rear of the trigger guard is on the staging area.  All handguns must be staged with the entire handgun lying flat on the staging area.

5. Rule clarifications:

A. For Cap&Ball shooters. If a particular stage requires a one shot reload, the sixth chamber of percussion revolvers may be charged at the bench and then capped “ on the clock” either before the first round is fired or after the last round is fired.

B. Clarification for safe movement for shotguns. “Hammer FULLY down on an expended round”. “ Action Open, round round on carrier or in the chamber.

C. Clarification of the rule, “No gun may be de-cocked on the firing line except by pointing it down-range and pulling the trigger or while under the direct supervision of a staged officer” The penalty is a Stage DQ. The new wording will allow de-cocking at the loading bench to allow shooters to make corrections as necessary to be sure no round is under the firing pin and on a empty chamber.

6. All clothing and equipment MUST BE worn appropriately, how it was intended and how it would have been worn in the Old West or as seen in B-Western movies and Television.

7. Outlawed “ All clothing displaying manufacture’s or sponsors logos” Manufacture’s labels on apparel or equipment are acceptable.

8. Strict enforcement of the cross-draw holster. Wearing a holster more than 30 degrees is illegal and is a Stage DQ. The measuring for the 30 degree cant is the way the holster sits with the shooter in a standing upright position.

I will have a protractor at each shoot if a shooter wants to check there holster.

Respectfully submitted,
Nawlins Kid

Challenges –> $50 or Buy a New Target/Stand!

A challenge was issued at the Long Riders Annual Meeting in February!

Members volunteering $50:

• Elk Creek Ken
• Laredo Kidd

Members volunteering to purchase a target with a round head ($95 each):

• South Dakota Slim (2 targets)
• Bum Thumb (1 target)
• William Clemnos (1 target)
• Lucky Dog (1 target)
• Jeremiah Grimm/Grimm’s Better Half (1 target)
• Uncle Rog (1 target)
• Sandy Steele (1 target)
• Johnny Whitefeather (2 targets)

Members volunteering to purchase a target with a special head ($155 each):

• Nawlins Kid (1 target)
• Loco Poco Lobo(1 target)

If you would like to see these targets, please visit the following site:

Action Targets – Portable Cowboy Targets

If you would like to see your name in this special box or need to send your contribution in, please contact the paymaster Calamity Janet.