LISC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Long Island Sportsmen's Courier, Inc.

 

Community Newspaper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Old West On Eastern Long Island

By Tony Giammarino

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the first time, I had the pleasure of meeting and actively participating in a shoot with the members of the Shadow Riders Cowboy Action Shooting Club. Their event began with an early morning long range 200 yd. shoot for members that enjoyed shooting long range rifles of the period. Later, after a brief meeting of cowboys and cowgirls in a central area, we all received basic instructions in safety and shooting rules. In addition, a number of door prizes were given out to those lucky enough to have their SASS name pulled out of a hat. The time and location for each of five scheduled shooting scenarios was given and we all moved on to the first shooting area. At each area, we found a scenario created with enough reactionary targets to delight any recreational shooter. The elaborate setup was the result of the hard work of the club's President Mr. Joe Parkhill, better known to his fellow western enthusiast as Mayor Rusty Colt, a number of club members and the help of Mr. Frank Fellini who is the heart and backbone of the Pine Barrens Range.

`           Just before shooting at each of the five locations, Mayor Rusty Colt gave a detailed and exciting account of what each shooter was about to reenact. His extensive knowledge of the Old West most certainly lends itself well to his creation of life-like scenarios from the period. The Mayor is also one of the most knowledgeable people on Long Island when it comes to actually choosing which shootin' irons to buy for the sport. The rules and method for dealing with each target were explained, detailing the proper firearm for each target engagement. Although scores are kept, the atmosphere is one of fun and enjoyment amongst friends. All members were helpful, going out of their way to make new comers feel welcome and relaxed. Both male and female members did some impressive shooting at each of the stages. Each participant uses a shotgun, lever action rifle and six-shooter, or even better two six-shooters, of the period. What makes each of the scenarios even more exciting are the props, such as a wooden horse from which each shooter will engage targets, the period costumes and replica firearms from one of the most exciting times in American history.

            The Shadow Riders were formed to actively promote Cowboy Action Shooting in the Long Island area. The club is a SASS affiliate, holding its shoots at the Pine Barrens Range whose layout lends itself well to this and many other shooting disciplines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above: Lady Lassiter, aka Jeanette deBoves, is the Shadow Rider's Territorial Governor and another hard working dedicated western enthusiast. She is shown here drawin' on an array of targets. After engaging targets with her two six-shooters, she easily took down the remaining targets with her lever action rifle and shotgun. Lady Lassiter gave an impressive display of fine shootin' in both accuracy and speed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above: Bill Kelly, aka the Dublin Kid (l.) of Wiliston Park with his Sharp 45-70 rifle -- similar to the gun used by Tom Selleck in "Quigley Down Under." Eddie Finn, aka Mud Creek Ed (r.) is holding his 1895 Winchester 45-70. Both Bill and Ed participated in the long range rifle portion of the event conducted in the early morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shown Right: Kenny Messener of West Babylon proudly standing by his collection of shootin' irons that includes his long range rifle, lever action rifle(s) and stage coach side-by-side shotgun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shown Left: Mayor Rusty Colt shown explaining the shooting scenario (based on a actual historical event) to participants at the Shadow Rider's shoot at the Pine Barrens Range.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return Home

 

RETURN TO PREVIOUS PAGE