Shooting tourney includes cowboys, horses, Native dancers, medicine show

Turnout growing for E. Mountains event

EDGEWOOD — Out at Founders Ranch on Barton Road in the East Mountains, the crackle of gunfire has sounded all week as the Single Action Shooting Society’s End of Trail world shooting championships got underway.

The competitions, exhibitions and entertainment continue today and Saturday on stages resembling a small Old West town, with shooters running through a series of settings and targets, scored by speed and accuracy.

Events include Native American dancers, Syd Masters & The Swing Riders, mounted shooting championships, Posse Team Shooting, a Wild West Medicine show, costume judging, and poker tournament.

The SASS Mercantile & Museum, Belle Union Trading Post Open, Belle Union Saloon, and Antique Shooting Museum are open both days.

The End of Trail event, in its 36th year, opens its gate to the public both days from 7:30 a.m. to around 8 p.m. Entry fee is $5 for adults, children 12 and under free. For detailed information, schedules and directions, go to www.sassnet.com.

The competition began last weekend with participants in a class called Wild Bunch, named after the Sam Pekinpah Western film, said SASS President Gerald Baker, whose alias is Wildshot. He said the weapons used are from the time period of the film, which was just prior to the turn of the century and saw advances in gun technology. For example, pistols had clips and pump action was added to shotguns for faster reloading.

The class of shooting is relatively new, compared to the cowboy class that uses the kind of weapons used by original cowboys prior to turn of the

century.

The shooters had to complete 12 stages, firing four stages each day. Baker said times are increased for missed shots, much like how there are time penalties for knocking over barrels in barrel racing. Within the Wild Bunch class, there are a variety of divisions based on age, how the guns are handled and other factors.

Baker said the turnout for this year’s End of Trail is better than last year’s, with the Wild Bunch class growing in popularity.

Dave Kile of Arizona, alias Kid Rich, said he enjoys coming to the champions for the challenge of the shooting events. His wife, Shirley, alias Shirttail Beth, said she enjoys the Wild Bunch class better than cowboy shooting, but admits the guns pack a greater kick that she is still working on getting more used to. Both will stay the week to also compete in cowboy shooting events.

Since getting into the western shooting, Shirley Kile said she hasn’t had time for other recreational activities.

“I tell you what, it’s ruined my golf game,” she said. “This now takes up all my time.”