Gunfighter Gulch Internet Shoot
December 2014
It started off as a typically cold December morning until I noticed a cloud of dust and eventually heard the thundering sound of hoof beats in the distance. By late afternoon Gunfighters were riding into Gunfighter Gulch.
Duke, Carol and Johnny from the Shawnee Bandits of Ohio were the first to arrive and I was not surprised. They are family to me and I am an honorary badge carrying member of their club. They supported and promoted the Internet Shoot from it's inception in 2005. Both Duke and Carol are former OFDA International Chairmans and Fast Draw Champion title holders in the OFDAI and the WFDA. Johnny is fast with a gun and just as proficient with a spreadsheet. I was sure glad to see them knowing I would not have to manage this shootout by myself.
Next to ride into town was The Thunderbirds, the oldest continuously active Fast Draw Club in North America. Heading up their posse are founding members Den and Karen Robinson. Den was one of the first to help me with my mission to document the history of Fast Draw and it is my great honor to call them my friends. There is no one sweeter than Karen and I refer to Den as the Founding Father of Fast Draw in Canada. Few can equal what this couple has done to keep Fast Draw alive in North America. Den frequently crosses the border to compete in the United States. He was a member of the group of pioneers from the Western States and Mid West Fast Draw Associations that merged their organizations to create the World Fast Draw Association in the early 1970s. He was also a member of the club that inspired me to be a Gunfighter, The Valley Gunhawks of San Jose California. The Thunderbirds remain an extremely active club and have been hosting Fast Draw Championship events, Fast Draw demonstrations and Wild West shows for decades.
Out of the corner of my eye I see someone drawing a crowd. It is no surprise to me that in the middle of the gathering I spot my compadre Jon "Trickshot" Wilson from Trickshot's School of Fast Draw coaching two new shooters; getting them ready to meet their destiny. He has a passion for old west history, western movies and cowboy shooting sports. If it involves a single action Tricky will be there. He holds Champion titles in every major association that promotes the sport. He is tireless in his effort to share Fast Draw by repairing guns, teaching Fast Draw technique and putting on trick shooting and fancy gun handling exhibitions. He is known to travel far and wide for anyone who asks for his help. Rumor has it he was selected to go underground to compete in a no holds barred gunfight for an Ultimate Gunfighter title.
Suddenly I hear a ruckus coming from the Final Shot Saloon. Clint Felten owns the place and I know he wouldn't be pouring shots and beers before a gunfight. A professional Gunfighter himself, he strictly enforces Fast Draw's primary rule of "SAFETY FIRST" at all times. Entering the saloon I discover the cause of the revelry. I see my gunfighter family from Scotland has arrived. BJ Colt and his posse, The Gunslingers, are possibly the happiest bunch of people on the planet no matter what they are doing. Stewards of Fast Draw in the United Kingdom, The Gunslingers were formed in 2007 as the result of a merger between the Glasgow Gunslingers and the Scottish Fast Draw Association. Dancing and singing Highland Songs of Death with them is my Fast Draw brother Terry Campbell and his beautiful bride Laura. It's a sure sign there is going to be a big bash in the saloon after the gunfight. In the corner of the room are Minnesota's Fast Gun Gary Rosen, Ohio's Deadly Doc Hric, California's Top Gun Jon Rivera and Florida's Bear Claw Bob Ball sitting at a table quietly killing time over a hand of poker. My fear that I was throwing a party that no one would come to just went out the window!
I got back out on the street just in time to see the last riders tie their horses to the hitchin' post and realize it is almost time for the Showdown.
When the trail dust finally settled I found 36 Gunfighters standing in the middle of main street. It was clear they were itchin' for a gunfight and I am more than happy to oblige. Another chapter in the history of Fast draw is about to be written.
Duke, Carol and Johnny from the Shawnee Bandits of Ohio were the first to arrive and I was not surprised. They are family to me and I am an honorary badge carrying member of their club. They supported and promoted the Internet Shoot from it's inception in 2005. Both Duke and Carol are former OFDA International Chairmans and Fast Draw Champion title holders in the OFDAI and the WFDA. Johnny is fast with a gun and just as proficient with a spreadsheet. I was sure glad to see them knowing I would not have to manage this shootout by myself.
Next to ride into town was The Thunderbirds, the oldest continuously active Fast Draw Club in North America. Heading up their posse are founding members Den and Karen Robinson. Den was one of the first to help me with my mission to document the history of Fast Draw and it is my great honor to call them my friends. There is no one sweeter than Karen and I refer to Den as the Founding Father of Fast Draw in Canada. Few can equal what this couple has done to keep Fast Draw alive in North America. Den frequently crosses the border to compete in the United States. He was a member of the group of pioneers from the Western States and Mid West Fast Draw Associations that merged their organizations to create the World Fast Draw Association in the early 1970s. He was also a member of the club that inspired me to be a Gunfighter, The Valley Gunhawks of San Jose California. The Thunderbirds remain an extremely active club and have been hosting Fast Draw Championship events, Fast Draw demonstrations and Wild West shows for decades.
Out of the corner of my eye I see someone drawing a crowd. It is no surprise to me that in the middle of the gathering I spot my compadre Jon "Trickshot" Wilson from Trickshot's School of Fast Draw coaching two new shooters; getting them ready to meet their destiny. He has a passion for old west history, western movies and cowboy shooting sports. If it involves a single action Tricky will be there. He holds Champion titles in every major association that promotes the sport. He is tireless in his effort to share Fast Draw by repairing guns, teaching Fast Draw technique and putting on trick shooting and fancy gun handling exhibitions. He is known to travel far and wide for anyone who asks for his help. Rumor has it he was selected to go underground to compete in a no holds barred gunfight for an Ultimate Gunfighter title.
Suddenly I hear a ruckus coming from the Final Shot Saloon. Clint Felten owns the place and I know he wouldn't be pouring shots and beers before a gunfight. A professional Gunfighter himself, he strictly enforces Fast Draw's primary rule of "SAFETY FIRST" at all times. Entering the saloon I discover the cause of the revelry. I see my gunfighter family from Scotland has arrived. BJ Colt and his posse, The Gunslingers, are possibly the happiest bunch of people on the planet no matter what they are doing. Stewards of Fast Draw in the United Kingdom, The Gunslingers were formed in 2007 as the result of a merger between the Glasgow Gunslingers and the Scottish Fast Draw Association. Dancing and singing Highland Songs of Death with them is my Fast Draw brother Terry Campbell and his beautiful bride Laura. It's a sure sign there is going to be a big bash in the saloon after the gunfight. In the corner of the room are Minnesota's Fast Gun Gary Rosen, Ohio's Deadly Doc Hric, California's Top Gun Jon Rivera and Florida's Bear Claw Bob Ball sitting at a table quietly killing time over a hand of poker. My fear that I was throwing a party that no one would come to just went out the window!
I got back out on the street just in time to see the last riders tie their horses to the hitchin' post and realize it is almost time for the Showdown.
When the trail dust finally settled I found 36 Gunfighters standing in the middle of main street. It was clear they were itchin' for a gunfight and I am more than happy to oblige. Another chapter in the history of Fast draw is about to be written.
December 2014 Internet Shoot Results
The December 2014 Internet Shoot is dedicated to Ron Paul Duning
(1951-2012)
Yee Haw, Shoot it ALL!
(1951-2012)
Yee Haw, Shoot it ALL!
The Mr. Clean Award Winners for Hitting All 15 Targets
Den Robinson, Tony Wisen and Robert Ball
The Greased Lightnin' Award for the Fastest Shot of .211
Jon Rivera
The Can't Touch This Award for the Fastest Average of .306
Gary Rosen
For those of you who enjoy the granular detail here is the link to the spreadsheet.
Den Robinson, Tony Wisen and Robert Ball
The Greased Lightnin' Award for the Fastest Shot of .211
Jon Rivera
The Can't Touch This Award for the Fastest Average of .306
Gary Rosen
For those of you who enjoy the granular detail here is the link to the spreadsheet.
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