Friends, family and visitors

bowiemaker · April 03, 2011, 03:58:53 PM

I am new to NOCWS, just getting started, and I will attend my first match in a couple of weeks. I have been talking to friends about NCOWS and like me until recently, most had no idea there were cowboy shooting organizations.

My question is, how do most posses deal with visitors and spectators? I am sure various posses do things differently but in general are family and friends who might want to accompany a shooter and watch or just see why it is all about welcome if they are not in period dress or participating?

Deadeye Don · April 03, 2011, 04:19:10 PM

Yes, spectators would be welcome. They should bring some type of ear protection with them. Eye protection would not be needed as they will be back from the shooting line. The best thing to do is ask a member of the posse you plan to shoot with, but I am sure they would welcome you and your "spectators".

Where will you be shooting at? Oh, and welcome to the fun!

Major 2 · April 03, 2011, 04:24:13 PM

We ( I mean the ubiquitous We )

WELCOME them, be warned ...We (see above) will try to recruit them, convert them and often do hook them

Friendly is NCOWS middle name.

"They should bring some type of ear protection with them" + 1 for use mostly for when we miss "%&#*&^%$"

bowiemaker · April 03, 2011, 04:37:55 PM

I plan to shoot with the Johnson County Rangers and I am sure a lot of my questions will be answered once I attend a match and see how things are done.

But I was wondering how visitors were welcomed in general since I understand that NCOWS is about recreating the look and feel of the old west and visitors would not likely be dressed in period clothing. Also, my wife would like to go shoots and watch but has no interest in wearing the dresses or shoes from the period.

Will Ketchum · April 03, 2011, 05:20:01 PM

Most ranges have line that spectators are to stay behind.

I must disagree with our friend Deadeye. I strongly suggest everyone within a 100 yards of the steel targets wear eye protection. Several years ago a match director was talking to someone about 50 yards from the targets. He didn't have side shields on his glasses and a fragment came in from the side struck the inside of the lens and penetrated his eye. He had to have surgery and nearly lost his vision.

That range now requires side shields on safety glasses.
Myself I have been struck by lead fragments from quite a distance with enough force to penetrate my skin and had to be removed with a needle nose.. Most ranges have extra eye protection for spectators.

Will Ketchum

joec · April 03, 2011, 06:12:31 PM

Quote from: bowiemaker on April 03, 2011, 04:37:55 PM
I plan to shoot with the Johnson County Rangers and I am sure a lot of my questions will be answered once I attend a match and see how things are done.

But I was wondering how visitors were welcomed in general since I understand that NCOWS is about recreating the look and feel of the old west and visitors would not likely be dressed in period clothing. Also, my wife would like to go shoots and watch but has no interest in wearing the dresses or shoes from the period.

As another person new to NCOWS and the Johnson Country Rangers welcome. I'm also hoping to get squared away on the 16th if I can make it in time. I'm in Lexington KY and run a self storage facility here. I have the cloths and guns just need ammo and the correct gun rig which I'm working on now with Cliff Fendley. I'm hoping to put it all together by perhaps the second or third meet I can make. If you see me there I'm the one that wears a patch on my left eye which I also asked Cliff to give a try making if he can. I do love his holsters through regardless. Meanwhile all of my cloths and gun leather came from http://www.wwmerc.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=home as well as boots and hats.

Deadeye Don · April 03, 2011, 06:19:47 PM

Since you will be shooting with the very friendly Johnson County fellas, ask them what they would require for eye and ear protection for any spectators you will be bringing with you. I know we have had visitors at Modoc and as long as they are well behind the shooting line like sitting on the picnic tables, I would not be concerned about them based upon the layout of our range. Every range is laid out different, so you should ask at the particular range you are shooting at.

I agree with Major 2. They will likely try to convert vistors. Oh, and don't be surprised if someone offers to have you and your visitors try out their guns after the match is over with. Of course eye and ear protection would be needed on the shooting line.

Tjackstephens · April 03, 2011, 06:59:32 PM

I have shot several times with the Johnson County Rangers. With their lay out would recomend ear protection and eye protection. Have fun. Tj

jefff · April 04, 2011, 10:33:52 AM

eye and ear protection are required for everybody.also bring something to sit on during lunch as seating is limited.rifle racks are provided for long guns.there are no covered places so bring your own shade or rain gear.visitors are wecome pretty women preffered.jefff

Cliff Fendley · April 04, 2011, 12:05:47 PM

I'm talking my wife into coming as a spectator but need some help convincing her to shoot. She enjoys shooting but I don't think she's wanting to do it in front of others. I'll need some help from you guys making her feel comfortable.

Jeff, can you bring your 45 colt rifle for bowiemaker to use? My rifles are 44wcf.

Also wait till you see some of the big bowie knives he makes.

Pancho Peacemaker · April 04, 2011, 12:26:04 PM

Always greet visitors and spectors. If they want to dress period, that's great. It's not an expectation.

I'd recommend all clubs keep a handful of spare vision and hear protection (including junior sizes) on hand. We regularly have spectators show up. We'll allow them up to the line as long as they have vision and hearing protection on. We have a designated "hot zone" where no one can pass without protective gear on.

Interacting with spectators keeps us in a good light. It helps people realize how friendly this sport is and they feel more welcome to join.

I also carry some replica Republic of Texas scrip with our club info and my email stamped on the back. I pass these out at matches to kids and to interested adults so they have a way to reach us. If anyone is interested in doing similar, I have a source where I can get Texas and Confederate notes very cheap ($1.75 for 6 notes). I perfer not to deal in any of that Union paper.

Pancho

jefff · April 04, 2011, 01:13:31 PM

cliff , i will bring 45 colt rifle,running low on ammo so if he can bring some let me know.i am shure your wife will comfortable shooting with our group she can disscuss any concerns with the other ladys there.can't hardly wait its going to to be fun.jefff

bowiemaker · April 04, 2011, 01:46:14 PM

Thanks Jeff. I really appreciate it. I have pleny of 45 ammo.

Ol Gabe · April 04, 2011, 05:02:02 PM

FWIW...
P.P., Kind Sir,
I really am glad to read about your group providing eye/ear protection to visitors! I have always done it when putting on any event, CAS or other wise, and at my own personal expesne. It shows a positive effort to the visitor that 'they' are a welcome and protected visitor and that you as a venue producer really care about them being there! After all, an inexpensive bag of foam earbuds and a bag of eye covers only cost about $20 bucks and will save $1,000's of dollars in insurance claims!
Good on 'ya Pard!
Best regards and good shooting!
'Ol Gabe
NCOWS #925

Cliff Fendley · April 04, 2011, 05:18:23 PM

thanks Jeff, I'm running low on 44 ammo but I should have enough for my wife and I to shoot my rifle as long as we shoot 45 pistols. I need to sit down and load some ammo.

Cliff Fendley · April 04, 2011, 05:25:36 PM

You JCR guys realize the 16th is opening day of turkey season so will be missing opening morning. I'm going to loose it if we pop over that hill and there is a turkey strutting down by the creek.