Anyone near Maryland?

[Memphis]

Hello all,

I've been browsing around the forums the past few days and all of this looks like a ton of fun. I have a mind towards historical accuracy and military history so I am particularly interested in the GAF as well as NCOWS. According to NCOWS's website, there are no Posses near me.

That leads me to my question for you. Are any of y'all near Maryland? I'd love to check this out in person some day. I don't mind doing some driving, but anything close is always a plus. Thanks in advance!

[Major 2]

" build one they will come "  

Maryland is a bastion of Reenactors , and with Virginia & Penn. full of both Rev. War & ACW types, I believe you'll find many like minded folks. You are also in the mitts of the North-South Skirmish Association http://www.n-ssa.org/index.php

Closest NCOWS , I think might be the Saluda Saddle Tramps in SC or the Johnson County Rangers in Ky.  

I faced the same dilemma, either wish for or start an NCOWS Posse'  - I chose to start one... took a bit of time & and persistence
but it paid off....

Start by reaching out to NCOWS ... how may we help ?

[Pitspitr]

Hi CB There are members On the East Coast in general and members in Maryland in particular, but as has been said if you want to do this with out driving a few hours you may have to start your own local club which can definitely be done. I'd suggest you contact US Scout, Bull Schmidt, or Charles Isaac. The last I knew Charles had set up a place where he went to shoot on his own but he's in the Carolinas (I don't remember which one). In the mean time consider coming to Nebraska next June for the Grand Muster. You may get some ideas  of how you want to set up your matches.

[River City John]

Welcome Crashing Bacon.

Major 2 has it right about NCOWS.

Our National Convention & Sale is being held down by Branson, MO come the 27-29th of March. Check out the website for info, www.ncows.org

New this year, and what is generating a lot of buzz, is the hosting Posse, The Double M Cowboys, is sponsoring a six-stage match on the 27th that quite a few members have signed on for. Great opportunity to meet and shoot, or just get a lot of helpful ideas, on NCOWS arms and clothing. There are always interesting seminars as well.

The GAF technically exists only on the internet as a "big tent" to harbor all those whose interest in military history carried over into determining the kind of shooting persona they've adopted.  Our big event is the Grand Muster, - this year June 27 - 29th in Nebraska. See the info at top of this forum.
Same sentiment as Major 2 expressed. GAF members are eager to help out those who are interested. We are unique in many ways, one of which is formal Postal Shoots that allow you to compete at any range in your local area using our standard targets downloaded at our website and under rules set forward.

RCJ

[Memphis]

I appreciate everyone's advice. I'm certainly not opposed to forming a Posse, although I would prefer to do so with some more experienced hands than myself. I haven't even been to a CAS match at this point, so I fear it would be the blind leading the blind! Hopefully some interested fellows will come out of the woodwork and we can get something going.

[Charles Isaac]

I'm right across the Chesapeake Bay from Maryland and shoot Krags in the local high power matches and even in the Eastern CMP Games at Camp Butner.

I made the trip to Nebraska from North Eastern NC for the '09 Muster and it was the best recreational shooting experience of my life. I hope to go this year too-great bunch of people to shoot with!

[River City John]

I made the trip to Nebraska from North Eastern NC for the '09 Muster and it was the best recreational shooting experience of my life. I hope to go this year too-great bunch of people to shoot with!

Excellent!

And all the Krag shooter's are rethinking their Main Battle rifle choice . . .

RCJ

[Delmonico]

Would love to see you again Charles, and I think Salt Crick Rick will make it this year again.

[pony express]

Glad to see you're still kicking, Charles! Hope you can make it out this year. Wonder how the race for 2nd place mislpec repeater will play out.....

[Pitspitr]

Wonder how the race for 2nd place mislpec repeater will play out.....

It sounded like Drydock and Ned Neiderlander are going to  shoot other classes this year so with Pony Express and Cpl. Chauffeur I was hoping for maybe a 3rd place. Now I'm hoping for an "also ran". 

Glad to hear you're considering it. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

[Drydock]

Dangit, nothing like the chance to go up against the Best!  At the very least, I'll RO or pick brass, just to watch him shoot!

[Delmonico]

Dangit, nothing like the chance to go up against the Best!  At the very least, I'll RO or pick brass, just to watch him shoot!

I might even get set up so I can come up and watch, I should have one or two helpers who can cover for a bit.

[Pitspitr]

I should have one or two helpers who can cover for a bit.

Yeah I have a couple of local boys who are expressing a desire to help you for the experience.

[River City John]

Oh Lord! Delmonico and his remuda of Little Marys.

It's not quite the same as having minions, but it's close . . .




RCJ

[US Scout]

Hi CB There are members On the East Coast in general and members in Maryland in particular, but as has been said if you want to do this with out driving a few hours you may have to start your own local club which can definitely be done. I'd suggest you contact US Scout, Bull Schmidt, or Charles Isaac. The last I knew Charles had set up a place where he went to shoot on his own but he's in the Carolinas (I don't remember which one). In the mean time consider coming to Nebraska next June for the Grand Muster. You may get some ideas  of how you want to set up your matches.

Some of us non-posse associated NCOWS members living in the MD/VA have tried to set up a posse in the past (more than once), but without success.  First off, we are scattered far and wide across the region, making it difficult to get together.  Secondly, we weren't having any luck finding a range to hold a match.  Everything was booked solid by other shooting clubs.  We also tried to recurit some new members but almost all said they didn't want to join until they'd been to a few NCOWS matches, which of course we were unable to hold.  Consequently, the idea slowly died, much to the disappointment of those who tried to raise a posse.

US Scout
Brig Gen, GAF

[Major 2]

"... Everything was booked solid by other shooting clubs.  We also tried to recruit some new members but almost all said they didn't want to join until they'd been to a few NCOWS matches, which of course we were unable to hold.  Consequently, the idea slowly died, much to the disappointment of those who tried to raise a posse."

Yep    I heard those and more.... but tenacity...paid off 

[Memphis]

Some of us non-posse associated NCOWS members living in the MD/VA have tried to set up a posse in the past (more than once), but without success.  First off, we are scattered far and wide across the region, making it difficult to get together.  Secondly, we weren't having any luck finding a range to hold a match.  Everything was booked solid by other shooting clubs.  We also tried to recurit some new members but almost all said they didn't want to join until they'd been to a few NCOWS matches, which of course we were unable to hold.  Consequently, the idea slowly died, much to the disappointment of those who tried to raise a posse.

US Scout
Brig Gen, GAF

Trying to find a place to shoot was the first problem that crossed my mind. In any case, I will be attending a clinic for new CAS shooters in March. Perhaps I'll be able to do some networking and find others that are interested in the possibility of NCOWS. FYI, I am in Frederick County.

[US Scout]

"... Everything was booked solid by other shooting clubs.  We also tried to recruit some new members but almost all said they didn't want to join until they'd been to a few NCOWS matches, which of course we were unable to hold.  Consequently, the idea slowly died, much to the disappointment of those who tried to raise a posse."

Yep    I heard those and more.... but tenacity...paid off 

I agree about tenacity, but back east here, we are losing ranges faster than we find new ones, and there is a lot of competition for the weekends.  I know of one club that lost their range but one of it's members donated some farm land.  When he died a few years later, the family wanted the land back for farming, so it was back to square one again.  It's a far different shooting environment here than further west.  Don't know about you, but I already drive close to 2 hours to shoot a Saturday or Sunday match.  Driving another 2-3 hours more to attend an NCOWS match would not be a monthly option. 

[Pitspitr]

It's a far different shooting environment here than further west.....Driving another 2-3 hours more to attend an NCOWS match would not be a monthly option. 

Yeah but then again out here we have to drive almost that far for groceries sometimes.  Still, I wouldn't trade you locations

[Delmonico]

Yeah but then again out here we have to drive almost that far for groceries sometimes.  Still, I wouldn't trade you locations

Camp Pitspiter is about 75-100 miles from the nearest Wal-Mart and Starbucks.