NCOWS question

[Pawnee Bill]

To NCOWS Folk
I would like to ask a few questions about NCOWS
I've read the rules and all but would some one to tell me how the NOCOWS experience differs fromm that of the "other".
Tell me about the camping.
The bunch I run with is pretty hard core I have included a few pics so you can see the level we operate at.
Thank You
Pawnee Bill
SASS # 628

Me and the wife

A Few of the Pards



Our Camp EoT 88


just for fun

[James Hunt]

VERY nice photo's. GREAT looking saddle. Now to your question. In my opinion, and this is my opinion, NCOWS is made up of a varied group of folk, some who are there mostly for the shooting experience and some who are there mostly for the history and authenticity. But, the one common thread thru all is that we wish to do what we do in an historically accurate manner as close as we can do it as it would have been done between the close of the civil war and 1899. I happen to be in the authenticity camp. I know there are others that enjoy shooting the most. Having just returned from the our National shoot, I will tell you that authenticity types and shootists first ALL looked great, correct. It is a treat to walk thru a group and get a sense of what it must have felt like in the mid to late 19th century.

Other differences between us and SASS (you can identify the competition as far as we're concerned even though there was a time when you couldn't write NCOWS on their board) is that we encourage a variety of persona's because that is what the frontier was, a variety of people. Further you do not need to be a "shooting" posse to be a posse in NCOWS. Your group could only do re-enactments or camping, or historically correct "eating", or a ladies quilting bee, and still be a full fledged active posse. You simply need to participate at a regular level.

Camping, by all means. The Nationals I attended have had primitive camps, and in both instances the modern camping was not really visiable. You got to feel a little like you were "there" and not have it ruined because Hoppy or Gene wandered thru. Nothing wrong with Hoppy or Gene - just don't want 'em camp, on the street, or the shooting stages. They belong on TV.

Others will throw in their opinion but from looking at your pictures you would fit in just fine with us and we would fit in just fine with you. We're not big like the other guy's, but we are quality. And, while their organization is run as a private corporation, NCOWS is a member driven non-profit. You have a voice.

If it weren't for mounted shooting and NCOWS I'd just be...., I guess just another regular old guy. Instead I'm having as much fun as is allowed at any age. Join us.

[O.T. Buchannan]

James has given you some pretty good insight as to what we are about.  Don't get me wrong, there ARE those who put a greater emphasis on competitive shooting and who do quite well with it, but historical correctness (within reason) is a priority within NCOWS.  Like James, I am with the authenticity crowd, and at the recent National Shoot, I camped for the period, and slept on my bedroll....

An interesting note is that at this recent National Shoot, 85% of the participants were shooting blackpowder.  Also, the two most popular classes at the National Shoot were Working Cowboy, and The Originals...each of these classes utilizes only one revolver, and one rifle....

[Pawnee Bill]

VERY nice photo's. GREAT looking saddle.

James
Thank You for the thaughtful post. Matter of fact it was viewing the photos of the National Shoot that prompted to write you'll.
BTW the saddle is an original 1880's mexican skeleton rig I got it at the rocky mountian rendevoos in 1979.
The wife still rides it now and again but I have become old and soft so I now use a Jack Stewart California Ranger saddle.
Cheers
Pawnee Bill

[Pawnee Bill]

James has given you some pretty good insight as to what we are about.  Don't get me wrong, there ARE those who put a greater emphasis on competitive shooting and who do quite well with it, but historical correctness (within reason) is a priority within NCOWS.  Like James, I am with the authenticity crowd, and at the recent National Shoot, I camped for the period, and slept on my bedroll....

An interesting note is that at this recent National Shoot, 85% of the participants were shooting blackpowder.  Also, the two most popular classes at the National Shoot were Working Cowboy, and The Originals...each of these classes utilizes only one revolver, and one rifle....

O.T.
Thank you for the reply.
85% Black Powder well that sounds encouraging.
BTW I ain't seen the inside of a sleeping bag since 1971.
some more pics of the Pards




Cheers
Pawnee Bill

[Trap]

  Bill,
  Where does your bunch hale from? I know that a few NCOWS groups are really into period camping. We at the KVC (the K is for Kansas) Always camp 1870s style at our shoots. Somehow I don't believe you are near us but , there may be a NCOWS posse near you. Or you may be an NCOWS posse in the making.       jt

[Pawnee Bill]

  Bill,
  Where does your bunch hale from? I know that a few NCOWS groups are really into period camping. We at the KVC (the K is for Kansas) Always camp 1870s style at our shoots. Somehow I don't believe you are near us but , there may be a NCOWS posse near you. Or you may be an NCOWS posse in the making.       jt

Bill
We are in Northern Ca. in the S.F. Bay area
Cheers
Pawnee Bill

[Trap]

 
  I know there is an NCOWS posse near Bakersfield , and maybe another in California, not sure of their status. It looks like you could form a posse with the good folks you already have. Lots of benefits to being an NCOWS posse , and it looks like you'd be NCOWS kind of folks.

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Well Pawnee Bill,
Being Native American, I'm a might envious of that Jacket you've got on in that photo, any chance I could trade you out of it??? Just kidding of course.

Your group would make a nice fit in NCOWS, and I'm sure if you asked, one of the officers would be more then happy to send you information on NCOWS and how to form a posse, or visit the NCOWS web page.

We're in the process of forming a new posse in Michigan, in the talking stages of a new posse in Indiana and we had another from Kentucky join last year. The folks in these new posse's are all historically authentic minded in their thinking.

Bill, who really likes that jacket....

[Silver Creek Slim]

Great pictures, Pawnee Bill. Ya look like NCOWS folk ta me. 

Slim

[Pawnee Bill]

Well Pawnee Bill,
Being Native American, I'm a might envious of that Jacket you've got on in that photo, any chance I could trade you out of it??? Just kidding of course.


Bill, who really likes that jacket....

Bill
Did you ever go to the Rocky Mt. Rendsvoos I met a Fella named Bill Proctor there back in the 70's.
The Jacket was made by BoB Brewer a Metis Fella that use to live in Kalispell my wife made the vest.
I have checked out the websight and and seriously thinking about signing up.
Check this dude out he's from Michigan

Cheers
Pawnee Bill

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Pawnee,
One time...the old NAPR/NMLRA rondezvous just north of Thompson Falls Montana in 1979. Been back there Elk hunting several times...

Bill

[Pawnee Bill]

Pawnee,
One time...the old NAPR/NMLRA rondezvous just north of Thompson Falls Montana in 1979. Been back there Elk hunting several times...

Bill

Bill
Small world
That was the one I was refering to and yes I did meet you there.
Cheers
Pawnee Bill

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Pawnee,
Were you with a group there or family? I came out there with four or five indian buddies of mine and we stayed the whole week. The only person(s) I remember meeting out there was a fella by the name of Bob Schmidt that lives in Corvallis Montana and owned (still does) the White Buffalo Saddle shop specializing in mountain man and pony express saddles & he brought about 15 horses with him....thats where I spent most of my time. Man I was thirty two years old.....

One other painful thing I remember about that gathering was the stick ball games. Knowing that they were going to take place and that most of the players out there would use pine for their weapon of choice, we cut some pig nut hickory staves and seasoned them for a year, needless to say there were a lot of pine toothpicks and splinters left laying on the ground and in a few butts, the women were hell in that game.

Oh, and I do remember the pet rock with the chain attached.... The fella in the photo you put up I think is is Norm Trendall (spelling?) , if it is, he is from Ft. Wayne Indiana.

Bill

[Pawnee Bill]

 I wanna thank every one for there kind and timley responces.
A NCOWS Fella contacted me that just lives 20mi up the road so maybe we can get something going round here.
Pawnee Bill

Me Circa 1976