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Rootin’ tootin’ shootin’ event returns

Doug Ritter, the Boone Valley Ikes Event Coordinator walks the boardwalk along the store fronts of the Cowboy Town where the Good Time Shootin’ Event will be taking place Saturday.

“Cowboys and Cowgirls Rootin’ Tootin’ Good Time Shootin'” event returns to Boone Valley Izaak Walton Park on Sept. 29. The Ikes will host the event with proceeds going towards hunter’s safety courses, Pheasants Forever, outdoor fishing events, preservation of their cowboy town, and shooting events such as this one. The Boone Valley Ikes is one chapter of The Izaak Walton League of America.

“For nearly 100 years, the Izaak Walton League has fought for clean air and water, healthy fish and wildlife habitat, and conserving special places for future generations,” according to the Izaak Walton League of America webstite. “Today, the League plays a unique role in supporting citizens locally and shaping conservation policy nationally.”

The Ikes will be keeping the gun shooting event as accurate to the 1880’s as possible, according to Doug Ritter, the Boone Valley Ikes Event Coordinator, with two separate stages featuring 27 targets. Participants will shoot the different targets with seven different guns. There will be a bag of gold or a doll named “Missy” who will need to be rescued during this timed event. Ritter said this is a multi-staged competition with no time limit, but most people complete the course within 1.5 to 2.5 minutes. There will be a 5 second penalty for any missed shots during the competition. The fastest time will win the event.

Ritter said sign up will begin at 8:30 am, with a $15 entry fee, which includes .22 ammo. Shooting will commence at 9:30 am, weather permitting. Participants must be 18 or older to enter into the event. Lunch will be provided for $5.

Cowboy hats are required for shooting, but other cowboy period attire is also encouraged, such as a barkeep or a schoolmarm, any type of apparel lining up with the old west. Safety glasses and ear plugs are required when shooting.

“Bring your own single action revolvers, lever actions, colts, or double barrel coach guns,” said Ritter. “You can holster unloaded guns.”

Firearms and ammo are to be checked at time of sign up, with no loaded guns allowed, except in the areas that are staged for shooting. Rules and regulations are to be followed by all competitors provided by the Range Officer, he said.

There will be chances of winning a pot for the Three Person Team Stick Shoot, which requires a separate $1 fee for teams. There will also be a separate $1 fee to join a playing card shooting game, in which each participant will shoot six cards, with the highest hand taking the pot. A first and second place wood plaque will be awarded to the two lowest times in the event.

This is not a Single Action Shooting Society event, but strictly a fun way to shoot like a cowboy did back in the 1880’s, Ritter said. The park features a cowboy town with a jail, general store, bank, and even a cemetery set up with zombies that will be included in the targets during the actual event.

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