I think I'm catching the Southern Nationals Fever.

I've never attended before, but have been encouraged to attend my multiple folks. I think I've convinced myself to attend, and just need to work on the logistics. Please allow me to lay out my vision of how this will work - and I'm looking for suggestions on whether or not this would be a viable plan. I live in Festus, MO (about 30 miles south of St Louis).

Step 1 - take a day of vacation from my "day job" on June 4th. Drive to Winnsboro on Friday the 4th, arriving mid-late afternoon. I would intend to tent-camp at the range. Find a place to set up the tent, unpack my stuff, and relax - enjoying the fellowship and shenanigans of Friday evening.

Step 2 - participate in the SB silhouette matches on Saturday - more fellowship and shenanigans, go out to dinner on Saturday evening.

Step 3 - camp again at the range on Saturday night.

Step 4 - Shoot SB hunter match on Sunday.

Step 5 - Depending on the time of day that shooting concludes on Sunday, I will start driving home (approximately 9 hr trip) and decide if I can make it all the way back on Sunday night, or stop and get a room somewhere along the way, making the rest of the trip on Monday. (Monday would be another vacation day)

What time does the match typically "wrap up" on Sunday? It is mid-afternoon (2-3 O-clock-ish), late afternoon (4-5 O-clock-ish), or something else?

Any advice would be appreciated.

SteveM.

Camping probably is your only option right now, since rooms for this year began filling up last year!

If possible, plan to stay Sunday night and travel Monday. The weekend itself can be tiring, and that's a pretty good drive. The match may last until mid afternoon on Sunday, but David is trying to get things wrapped up sooner so those of us that need to work Monday (that's me!) can finish the match and still make the drive. I had to leave at noon on Sunday last year and I think he's still mad at me...

I came away with enough small, drawing prizes last year to almost cover the cost of the trip. True, they had more prizes than usual, many donated form the Florida gang, but it was a great match and a fine bunch of folks. You'll be glad you did it!

Plan on staying at least until 7 or 8 Sunday evening...the receipt prizes are worth it.
Also get in as early as you can Friday, understanding work does control some things but the Coon Ass team shoot is a blast.

Look forward to seeing you Steve.

Mary

Just out of curiosity, who gets to put up canopies behind the range? Is it FCFS or do you have to make reservations? How early do you have get there to get a spot?

Jetmugg,

you don't happen to know Vic and Cheryl Havlin do you? They run the National Mossberg Collectors Association and also their business of Mossberg parts (http://www.havlinsales.com/) out of Festus, MO.. They are fantastic folks and they really help us Mossberg collectors keep those old rifles in working order.

Sorry, I know that isn't related to the thread but I thought I would ask since Festus is a smallish town.

P14...it is FCFS, with a few exceptions...ie the Winnsboro tent. They start going up usually by Tuesday night/Wednesday with most of them up by Thursday night.

Innocent

I should add that the tents are well used by all, as typical to silhouette shooters, even if you don't have a tent or didn't get there in time to get yours up I ave never seen anyone thrown out of a tent (well maybe Pat S did to keep individuals from moving it again)!

Innocent

Trent:

No, I don't know the Havlins, nor did I have any knowledge of their Mossberg related efforts. Thanks for the info- I had no idea. I still have a secret yearning for one of the Mossberg military trainer rifles, however. Maybe I should stay away from the Havlins in that case. Once I have an interest in something, then find others with similar interests and a knowledge of where/what to buy, it is normally a short trip to the ATM machine for another wad of cash.

It's true that Festus, MO is a relatively small town. However, when you factor in neighboring Crystal City, we become the "Twin Cities", with much more international clout and prestige. We are trying for the 2022 Winter Olympics. If Vancouver can host, Festus/Crystal certainly can. Often, when folks hear about the Twin Cities, they assume Minneapolis/St Paul, when the really mean the greater metropolitan Twin Cities area of Festus/Crystal City.

Anyway - I've just about got my mind made up to attend the So. Nationals - aiming to arrive fairly early Friday afternoon. Will there still be a place available to set up my 2-man "Boy Scout" style tent?

SteveM.

Steve,
Come on...I'm sure we will find a place to put up a tent. Look forward to seeing you.

Innocent

Having made the trip back to MO from Winny several times (this will be year 15)...strongly suggest waiting until Monday moring to head back. Should also consider leaving Thursday instead of Friday (if at all possible). That way you can get your settings, enjoy the Coon Ass shoot (which I might add was won by 3 MO shooters last year, with the assistance of a temporarily relocated Irishman) and the great times to be had. Everything you might have heard about the Southern Nationals is no where near the truth. It's WAY better!!!

Everything you might have heard about the Southern Nationals is no where near the truth. It's WAY better!!!

this coming from someone who has had 39 shots of what??? Irish whiskey? To Kill Ya?


LOL see you team Kitty mate!

Innocent

You know I'm just as "innocent" as you are...but a proper answer to that question would go BTB.

Not just Team Kitty...Special Ops Division...Team Pretty Kitty

You know I'm just as "innocent" as you are...

Wow you caught up fast for someone who was still a junior in Milroy...LOL After all I am nearly twice your age and I bet I was...well I'll keep it clean.

Innocent

I was only a junior for one more year after Milroy! Far from it now though. I grew up with shooters...of course I caught up fast!

Jettmugg,

I could give you a lot of advice, but you should definitely try to arrive on Thursday and if possible, leave on Monday. We will definitely be through a lot earlier this year as we are expecting a full crowd for our Twentieth Anniversary. We will only have shoot-offs for first place in each class for the daily matches and do reverse animal count for all other places. We will do the same for the aggregate matches and shoot off first in each class and the gold, silver and bronze medals. We will have reverse animal count for everything else with the exception of the Junior awards and the other special categories.

We do not "save" or book tent spots as most of the prime spots are taken on Tuesday. We do have a 20"X20" circus-type tent that the Gun Club owns and puts up for anyone to use. It is in a good location. There will be no problem setting up a pup tent to stay in and we do have a shower facility, albeit only one shower! Our camper spaces and bathroom and shower facilities are only used one time a year at this match. We only have 41 members!

There is so much extracurricular activities and BS going on that the match is actually secondary.

Thanks to Chuck Deason and his sponsors last year, we did have a lot of extra prizes; however, we have exceeded anything that we have ever done and look forward to a great time for all. Although we are doing reverse animal counts, most of the "high $" prizers are going to be given away as door prizes.

Regarding a wrap-up time, we cannot answer that, but hope to be done by 6 - 7 each evening.