River Valley Outdoors

Sharpening shooting skills

He was a mean-looking gunslinger, fast on the draw, and anyone looking to be number one had better be able to shoot faster than him.

He went by the name of Slowhand, and when he pulled his six-shooters out and started throwing lead, many of us feared it was all over and done. When the smoke cleared, the steely-eyed Slowhand holstered his revolvers and cursed beneath his breath.

It was almost like being right there in Old Tombstone, except that this was a Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS) match at Capitol City Rifle and Pistol Club in Augusta, Maine, and we were so far East that we could almost smell the Atlantic. Slowhand was an alias for a contestant at the match; a made-up name that belied his speedy shooting skills.

Cowboy Action Shooting is considered by many to be the fastest-growing shooting sport in the country. The shooting events and rules are regulated by the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS), and with over 53,000 members worldwide, it’s plain to see that folks are taking this enjoyable sport seriously.

That’s the ironic thing about this shooting sport; about the only serious part of the shooting event is safety and putting the lead where it counts, the rest is pure fun. The veteran cowboy shooters are all out to have a good time, welcome new shooters, and will offer assistance to new shooters without hesitation. It’s not unusual for contestants to loan out there gear to “wanna be” cowboys.

The shooting events aren’t limited to male contestants. Many a cowboy has gone home with his spurs clipped after being out-shot by an aspiring Annie Oakley.

Why CAS

Sportsmen might question the need for a new shooting sport, and how it might help them in the field. Shotgunners have trap, skeet, and sporting clays to help sharpen their skills. Riflemen can enter benchrest competitions for practice. Pistol and revolver shooting competitions are varied and helpful for honing handgun skills.

Cowboy Action Shooting events combine all three gunning skills and spice it up with action. Shooting events are staged and timed, and this puts pressure on competitors. This pressure adds to the excitement and makes accurate shooting more difficult.

How does this kind of shooting practice help a sportsman in the field? When hunting game, our hearts beat faster because of the stress and excitement. Whether we are moving through the woods, climbing a hill, or just sitting stationary, the thrill of the hunt gets our hearts pumping.

Hunters know that it is essential to place a clean shot into a small area on the targeted game animal, and sometimes there’s only a small window of opportunity to complete this task. The challenge of shooting accurately under hunting conditions is simulated by the stressful nature of the competitive CAS sport.

Timed, CAS competition is suited perfectly as practice for hunting in the field. Shots must be fired quickly, accurately, and up close, similar to a hunting situation. The fact that short-range guns are used in CAS events makes the practice that much more suitable for simulating a hunt in the thick woods of New England.

SASS rules require that all firearms used in CAS matches replicate the type of guns used during the late 1800’s. Some folks use original arms, but replicas of this period work fine and are the same type of guns used for hunting in the Northeast; lever-action rifles (pistol caliber only), single-action revolvers, and double-barreled shotguns.

There are some exceptions to the types of firearms used in CAS competition, and it’s best to check with the SASS rulebook to find out about the ammo and firearm particulars. Their web site (sassnet.com) will give new competitors all the detailed information they will need to get started.

CAS Future

CAS is a rapidly growing sport, and continues to grow each year. Folks from all walks of life are signing up and having the time of their lives. Blue-collared workers and professionals alike are finding out that CAS events are just plain fun.

Once all the gear is purchased, the fee to play is much less than a round of golf. The fellow shooters are friendly, and often, whole families join in on the shooting fun and share gear to save costs.

Fun is the key word here. As a matter of fact, at my first CAS State Match in Falmouth, a George Strait song came on the radio as I pulled in to sign up for the event. At the time, it was a fairly new tune that goes something like this, “Cowboys like us, sure do have fun.” How fitting.Sharpening shooting skills

He was a mean-looking gunslinger, fast on the draw, and anyone looking to be number one had better be able to shoot faster than him.  
He went by the name of Slowhand, and when he pulled his six-shooters out and started throwing lead, many of us feared it was all over and done. When the smoke cleared, the steely-eyed Slowhand holstered his revolvers and cursed beneath his breath.  
It was almost like being right there in Old Tombstone, except that this was a Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS) match at Capitol City Rifle and Pistol Club in Augusta, Maine, and we were so far East that we could almost smell the Atlantic. Slowhand was an alias for a contestant at the match; a made-up name that belied his speedy shooting skills.
Cowboy Action Shooting is considered by many to be the fastest-growing shooting sport in the country. The shooting events and rules are regulated by the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS), and with over 53,000 members worldwide, it’s plain to see that folks are taking this enjoyable sport seriously.
That’s the ironic thing about this shooting sport; about the only serious part of the shooting event is safety and putting the lead where it counts, the rest is pure fun. The veteran cowboy shooters are all out to have a good time, welcome new shooters, and will offer assistance to new shooters without hesitation. It’s not unusual for contestants to loan out there gear to “wanna be” cowboys.
The shooting events aren’t limited to male contestants. Many a cowboy has gone home with his spurs clipped after being out-shot by an aspiring Annie Oakley.   
Why CAS
Sportsmen might question the need for a new shooting sport, and how it might help them in the field. Shotgunners have trap, skeet, and sporting clays to help sharpen their skills. Riflemen can enter benchrest competitions for practice.  Pistol and revolver shooting competitions are varied and helpful for honing handgun skills.  
Cowboy Action Shooting events combine all three gunning skills and spice it up with action. Shooting events are staged and timed, and this puts pressure on competitors. This pressure adds to the excitement and makes accurate shooting more difficult.  
How does this kind of shooting practice help a sportsman in the field? When hunting game, our hearts beat faster because of the stress and excitement. Whether we are moving through the woods, climbing a hill, or just sitting stationary, the thrill of the hunt gets our hearts pumping.  
Hunters know that it is essential to place a clean shot into a small area on the targeted game animal, and sometimes there’s only a small window of opportunity to complete this task. The challenge of shooting accurately under hunting conditions is simulated by the stressful nature of the competitive CAS sport.  
Timed, CAS competition is suited perfectly as practice for hunting in the field. Shots must be fired quickly, accurately, and up close, similar to a hunting situation. The fact that short-range guns are used in CAS events makes the practice that much more suitable for simulating a hunt in the thick woods of New England.  
SASS rules require that all firearms used in CAS matches replicate the type of guns used during the late 1800’s. Some folks use original arms, but replicas of this period work fine and are the same type of guns used for hunting in the Northeast; lever-action rifles (pistol caliber only), single-action revolvers, and double-barreled shotguns.  
There are some exceptions to the types of firearms used in CAS competition, and it’s best to check with the SASS rulebook to find out about the ammo and firearm particulars. Their web site (sassnet.com) will give new competitors all the detailed information they will need to get started.
CAS Future
CAS is a rapidly growing sport, and continues to grow each year. Folks from all walks of life are signing up and having the time of their lives.  Blue-collared workers and professionals alike are finding out that CAS events are just plain fun.
Once all the gear is purchased, the fee to play is much less than a round of golf. The fellow shooters are friendly, and often, whole families join in on the shooting fun and share gear to save costs.
Fun is the key word here. As a matter of fact, at my first CAS State Match in Falmouth, a George Strait song came on the radio as I pulled in to sign up for the event. At the time, it was a fairly new tune that goes something like this, “Cowboys like us, sure do have fun.” How fitting.