TURKEY TROT

What a perfect day!  For the first time in a long time the weather cooperated, there were lots of guns to shoot, and new friends to meet.  Okay, there were a few rogue turkeys and the old retired cat house lady stirred things up a bit, but the Wild Bunch stage certainly made up for it.  Judging by all the smiling faces, much less the whooping and hollering, it looks like we might have to do this again down the road.  We are glad all the Open Class competitors took things in stride (did you see all that smoke??) and hope the rest of you had as much fun shooting the match as we did putting it together.

The Indian River Regulators would like to say howdy to new shooters Slow Loading Katie, Patty Oakley, Zack McGee and Emile Tex. Welcome to our pistol packin’ friends from across the state-you folks came a far piece to try your hand at this gunfight-hope y’all come back soon!  It was nice to see all the spectators-hope we have some future cowboys out there!

We all give thanks to Quicksdraw Connie for her brownies.  A big muchas gracias to posse marshals Turkey Creek Red, Kid Hawkins, and Colonel Dan.  Tip of the Stetson goes to Malabar Man for providing the Sten, and to Maverick Milt for providing the 1911 and the pocket pistol.  Many, many thanks to Burt Blade, Law Dog, Utah, Bad Hombre, Hoss McCabe and La Gata Loca for helping set up (the range looked GREAT) and tearing down.  Thanks as well to the posse that brought their steel forward to the line-it really helped out.  Kudos to Utah for providing the stage designs and first suggesting the Open Class to the cowboy council.  CC Kid-you’re a life saver.

Pilgrim Cowboy Birthday Greetings:  Caloosa Kid, Cody Witt, Manatee, Rowdy Azell, Stumpy (nice going with the clean match), Vaquero Al, and Wolf Catcher.

COWBOY OF THE YEAR AWARD

By unanimous vote of the Indian River Regulators Cowboy Council, we are honored to announce that Utah was tapped as Cowboy of the Year for 2001.  Utah has worked tirelessly both as a council member and as a rowdy to improve our range, promote our matches, and has shown true cowboy spirit.  We are honored to have his support and his experience.  Congratulations and thanks for your dedication to our sport!

UPCOMING MATCHES

Reindeer Games in December promises to get all y’all warmed up and ready for the Last Stand in January.  It will also give you a chance to try out all those swanky new shootin’ irons Santa brung ya for Christmas.  Don’t forget: Titusville will be shooting the first Sunday in December and January, so’s nows your chance to get in some quality practice.

It’s that time of year again!  The Last Stand is coming up fast.  It’s the most cowboy fun possible packed into four rip-roarin’ days of cowboy excitement.  If you haven’t gotten your application in yet, do it fast!  If you don’t plan to shoot, come on out and visit with the vendors and just spectate.  It’s quite a show!  Look for the Indian River Regulators on Stages 2 and 4, and the Pocket Pistol/Derringer Side Match.  We’ll see you there!

COWBOY CLASS & R/O CLASS

We have resumed the monthly cowboy classes on the first Saturday of the month. Please contact Utah at (321)951-1223 or Turkey Creek Red at (321)728-7928. 

Kid Hawkins and Turkey Creek Red will have a Level II class December 15, 2002 at 9:00 in Orlando.  Cost is $25 and you must pre-register.  Please call Turkey Creek Red for details.

FROM THE PONY EXPRESS

Safety is always first and foremost.  Please remember Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club is a private range, and we have a lot of people shooting in areas you can’t always see.  Please do not handle your guns unnecessarily at your vehicle when transferring them to gun carts.  Be mindful of your muzzle direction.  Resist the urge to show off that new fancy rig until you are inside the action area in a designated safe area.  Observe the 10mph speed limit.  Please park in the open lot across from the registration area and NOT along the bullseye line.  Additional parking is available in the pistol practice area just south of Bay 1.  Parking inside the action area is limited to handicapped vehicles without trailers and Indian River Regulator Cowboy Council members.  Your support and consideration in these areas will make us better neighbors with out other shooting disciplines.

You know, it takes a lot of work for a fun, safe shooting day.  Everyone has something they can contribute.  Don’t let your posse marshal be the only one running the timer all day.  They are out here to have fun, too.  If you don’t know how to run a timer, we’d be happy to show you how they work.  The loading and unloading tables need attendance, times and scores need to be recorded, there is always brass to pick up, and there needs to be at least three spotters for each shooter.  Pitch in! It’s the cowboy way!

Visit us at our NEW website at http://www.indianriverregulators.com.  You’ll find scores, directions to the club, the monthly newsletter and exciting pictures to entertain you between matches.  Web Master Burt Blade has been instrumental in ramroding this enterprise and we hope it has made things a little more convenient for you.  

Remember, at the Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club, all juniors shoot free of charge.  This is an excellent way to get more young people involved in our wonderful sport.  If you know someone who might be interested in cowboy action shooting, please encourage them to attend the cowboy class and come join the fun!

Need cowboy stuff? Bullets, clothes, hats, reloading equipment?  John’s Precision Bullets and Byrds Western Wear have the solution to your problem!  By supporting them and other cowboy vendors, you support cowboy action shooting locally.  The Engravers will be back on the range in December and at the Last Stand in January.  If you didn’t get a chance to visit with these nice folks this month, please check them out next month.

Got comments? Suggestions? Criticisms? Got an idea for a stage?  WE WANT YOUR INPUT!  This is YOUR shoot and we feel this truly is an interactive sport!  You can write us, call us at (321)728-7928, or e-mail us at Ccoll28198@aol.com – even if you want to remain a “Ghost Writer”.  We members of the press know how to protect our sources.  And now you can visit us on the web at http://www.indianriverregulators.com.

GOD BLESS AMERICA  &  HAPPY TRAILS

Next Shoot:                   December 28, 2002 – Reindeer Games

                                    January 25, 2003 – Revenge of the Red Sash Gang

                                    February 22, 2003 – Queen of Hearts

                The Last Stand   January 9-12, 2003  State of Florida SASS Championship

                        See Night Train Kate for an application!

Registration opens at 9:00am, mandatory shooter’s meeting at 9:30am, shooting starts at 10:00am.  Cost is $10.00 per person.  All first time shooters with the Indian River Regulators must check in with safety officers prior to the shooter’s meeting (please register early so you can join your posse on time).

                   Visit our NEW website at http://www.indianriverregulators.com

Ghost Writers of the Purple Sage

1050 Grapefruit Road SE

Palm Bay   FL   32909