David, Nationally Ranked Frank, Chuck and Kitty and all other match directors.

I can't agree more with Davids request to start a thread on the Southern Nationals and actually all of the TriFecta matches. Without a doubt the Southern Nationals caters to juniors, as well as all new shooters. There are more awards given to juniors at the Southern nationals than any other match, and there are more awards to all the shooters at this tournament. I have never competed in a more smoothly run competition, and the food is certainly good. I'm not a beer drinker, but I do know where the 'other' cabinet is and have been known to carry a fifth of vodka in my pocket through the dinner line. My only complaint to date about this match is that some of the prizes that I have won are too big to carry back on the plane!!!! This is not a serious problem yet as David is willing to ship anything, although I have always managed to find someone driving from my state.
To date I have always won more in door-prizes and awards than I have spent in entry fees at this match.

The largest attended and greatest match in the US. Thanks David, Jerry and all the Winny club, the Franklin Parrish sheriff, his work crew and all those involved in the town that host a fantastic match.

Mary Watkins

During the civil war to have fought in a major battle was to have what they called "seen the elephant".

Today to have attended the Southern Nationals is to have "seen the elephant" to make all three Trifecta Matches.........well let's just say you have seen the circus come to town.

Each year I wait for the season to begin, it is a time to renew old friedships, make new ones and embark on many new adventures. Now with the Lords of the Bling, The barefoot pranksta and the Las Nalgus Rojas crew, this should be a year to remmember....like all the rest.

General Fido, or is that David's illegitimate twin brother?


I'm showing my age but that is The Barefoot Contessa to you sir!!

Innocent

I call'sem as I see'sem.

With all the activity, banter on steelchickens and rifle building going on, 2007 is going to be a great year for Smallbore Silhouette. We cannot wait to jump into competiton again. Four days to our local season opener at Coast Rifle and Pistol Club in Woolmarket, MS. Got to start sending those entry forms off for the big matches. I need more Leave time and more money to get to more matches.

Bobby R. Huddleston

Bobby,
Range is cleaned up and ready for Saturday, see ya there.

I agree 2007 will be a banner year. I'm encouraged to see all the new posters and would seriously encourage all reading this to make plans to attend the Southern Nationals at Winnsboro Louisiana. After you shoot a while and if you are fortunate to shoot at most of the major venues in the sport you will come away with some definate impression of this sport and it's people. I have been very fortunate in my life and career to be afforded the opportunity to travel and shoot these venues, all across the country from the NRA nationals (see my coverage of the smallbore nationals in the Dec Shooting Sports USA, shameless plug here) to the Sunshine Classic in Jacksonville Fla to the Conard Bernhard Cup in PeEll Washington and all points in between. Each venue represents something different to me. The Sunshine Classic in Jacksonville Fla is the "kickoff event of the season, being held in early April. That's where you will find Papa Bear and Mama Bear, Innocent and Coates, Chuck Deeson, and others too numerous to name. It's spring time for silhouette shooters, time to shake off the doldrums of winter and look forward to another season in the sun. A mere two weeks after that, if you can make the trip, the Conard Bernhard Cup in scenic PeEll Washinton is the next stop. All the way from the right coast to the left coast. The Cup, as it is affecionately known by those who attend, is named for Conard Bernhard, a silhouette shooter that I did not have the pleasure of meeting but by all accounts was a legendary shooter as well as spokesman for our sport. The Pacific Northwest, or more correctly the left coast, is the haunt of Dave Imas, Dr Dennis Dadian, up and coming shooter Jared Perry (Shot a perfect 40 in the first match of the nationals in Ridgeway last year) and a lot of other good friends and shooters. It is there that we southerners are reminded that winter is a harsher mistress in some parts of the country and that there is no way we thin blooded types can adjust in just a few days to the wet cold nature of the place. But it is a place of legends and dedicated silhouette shooters should make it at least once.

Then comes the Southern Nationals in the first week of June. Legend has it that David McLemore (Duckgumbo) holds it at this time because after that it is simply to humid for northern shooters to survive. 100 percent humidity, 100 degree temperatures, and 100 percent Southern hospitality. It is one of the few shoots that folks show up days in advance just to visit with one another. Located just 20 minutes and one speed trap south of Rayville La (White Gold Capitol of the South). I have affectionately began calling it "homecoming" as that is as close as you can come to that in our sport.

After Winnsboro comes the NRA nationals, usually held in alternating years in Raton New Mexico or Ridgeway PA. I like the Nationals, the trophies are made of polished granite. If you earn a piece of the rock it is yours to keep forever, as well as the memories that go with it. Once if a while the NRA will decide, just for grins, to hold the Nationals in Phoenix, AZ. If you have never shot in Phoenix AZ in July then you don't truly understand that God has a great sense of humor. It is a beautiful setting in the Sonoran desert, if they could only turn down the heat a little bit it would be just fine.

Last Major on my list is the Midsouth Classic held in September in Benton Arkansas. A few years ago the idea of the Midsouth Classic was born of a desire to hold a major in Arkansas and to tie the Sunshine Classic, Southern Nationals, and Midsouth Classic into what has become know as the Southern Trifecta. Frank Bray, Chiken George Rhode, and the other list of suspects have earned my undying respect for the hard work that they have put into this event to ensure it's success. And I really like the fact that it is just 2 1/2 hours drive from my home. And how can you not have fun at an event that is emceed by someone named Chiken George?

Every one of these event are memory and friendship makers of the highest sort. I have been priviledged to be a part of other sporting venues ranging from high school sports, SEC football, NFL football and Major League baseball. I have had the honor to visit and shoot with most, if not all of the best shooters in our sport of our time. This gives me a unique perspective that makes me qualified to say this. The sport of silhouette shooting is more family oriented and newbie friendly than any other around. I hope those that take time to read this will be convinced to look at their calendars and make it a point to attend at least one of these events. You won't be sorry you did.

John Neihouse
aka
Kitty

Kitty,
Good job describing the matches!! See you there.

Innocent Mary

Thanks Innocent,

But there is an international flavor to silhouette shooting as you know and are an active participant in. Why don't you give us your perspective about the internatational scene. I talked to Chris W. this past week and it sound like a lot of fun. Since my cardiologist is trying to put a "bookend" on my demise I intend to try to travel outside the USA and shoot this year. Things are a lot different at the international level according to what you guys that travel there tell me. Share with us.

Kitty

John,
I have not shot silhouette outside the US but I have competed smallbore position in NZ and I know they are planning big match there this year. Sean???? "1armoured" poster would be a good source for information on this match. I am trying to figure out how to deal with Coates and long term trip (at least a month) during his senoir year at high school over this one. Can hook you up with some great people on both islands so consider that one.

Mary

The Southern Nationals. The World's greatest Silhouette shoot !

Kitty, Mary,

It would be great if more US shooters spread their wings and promoted the sport of Silhouette shooting around the World.
Maybe we can get some US shooters participating in our Pacific Regional Shooting Championships, scoped rifle 4P, Benchrest and Silhouette.
Next one due in 2008.
Some pics from 2006;
http://www.ssaa.org.au/newssaa/noticebo ... ional.html

Apart from Mexico,
Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and more recently Europe, particularly Finland and France, have been shooting MS for some years.

Outside of the Americas, IMSSU rules 'rule' !

Here is their website;

http://surf.to/imssu

They are basically a subset of the older NRA rulebook.

Hunter rifles BigBore 9lb 4ozs Sb 7lb 11ozs,
and commercial sporting rifles pretty much in unadulterated form.

A trip to the Australian or South African Nationals is recommended,
Air, BB and Sb.
Australian generally beginning of October, annually.
The Irish are a great bunch to shoot with, but only Smallbore up until now.

If anyone is travelling to Aus, it's a good idea to visit New Zealand as well, (or vice versa) time permitting, and we'll put on a shoot for you.
We shoot Air and Smallbore only. Not many silhouette shooters left in our country of 4 million people and 40 million sheep. We had good numbers in the 1980's, but declining ever since.

IMSSU World Champs is a good shoot, depending on where it's held. The Winsteads can fill you in.
Each country has it's own Import/Export/Customs and Firearms regulations, so you need to do your homework well, and fill in all the forms.
Best maybe to do a bit of border crossing closer to home first, and see what it's all about.

Mary,
if you want to show Coates New Zealand, and do some serious silhouette shooting, best combine with a trip to the Aussie Nationals in Sept/October.
Best venues IMO are Brisbane Qld, Canberra ACT, Snowy River NSW, Batemans Bay NSW.
This year is in South Australia, which is not as popular, unless you want to drink lots of good wine !

Cheers,
and good shooting,

Sean in 'Godzone'

Sean,
Do you have dates for the Pacific Regionals in 2008 yet?
Mary

No, sorry, Mary, nothing finalised yet.

I would imagine that it will be similar date to last year's mid November.

cheers,

Sean

Sean,
Try to get information posted when it comes out, we might be able to talk some of the Yanks into coming down.
Do not take the term Yanks personal "youse guys" from AR, MS, and LA, or even GA, that is a Brit term.

Ciao,

Mary

Innocent,

I thought he talked funny, knew he was'nt from around here.