Perry County Cowboy Visits Lions
Cowboy Tuscarora Slim, also known as Clair Milliken, recently visited the New Bloomfield Lions Club to promote the Perry County Regulators, cowboys from the Ickesburg Sportsmen Association. As a member of the Regulators, Slim participates in cowboy action shooting. All guns used in these shooting matches must be original or replicas of guns manufactured before 1899. Eligible guns include single action revolvers, Winchester 97 pump shotguns, and lever action rifles. Most of the guns used by the Regulators are modern replicas.
Slim stressed that safety is the primary concern for all spectators and participants in cowboy action shooting. Shooters and participants wear safety glasses and ear plugs at all times. Scoring penalties are assessed against a shooter for any violations of safety rules. Shooters use all lead bullets and shoot at steel targets with a dirt backstop and space between the targets. There are also safety rules about the speed of the bullets that are used.
Cowboy action shooting is a family sport. There are different classes of shooters, primarily based upon the age of the shooter. These classes range from the youngest Buckaroos and Buckettes, to Cattle Barons, the oldest category. Within each category there are dress rules. Slim is a Classic Cowboy and he wears several items that are required by these rules, including vest, cowboy cuffs, watch chain, arm garter, spurs, and, of course, his hat.
Shooting matches for cowboy action shooters are judged on speed and accuracy. A 16”x16” target is used. Each match includes 6 stages, with requirements to shoot different weapons in different stages. Targets for handgun stages are at 7-10 yards from the shooter. Targets for rifle shooting may be up to 25 yards from the shooter. Slim reminded the listening Lions that, “No target is too big or too close that it can’t be missed!” The Regulators’ written handout echoes that truth, and adds, “It isn’t how good you shoot, it’s how good you look and how much fun you have!” For more information on the Perry County Regulators, go to www.perrycountyregulators.com.
The New Bloomfield Lions Club is a service organization. The Club provides funding assistance to New Bloomfield Boy Scout Troop 92, the New Bloomfield Library, and the Bloomfield Swimming Pool, as well as other local projects. The Club also maintains the pavilion and playground area near the swimming pool in New Bloomfield. The New Bloomfield Lions Club meets monthly, September through June, the second Monday of each month. For more information call 717-582-2602.