Lonesome Valley Regulators
by Kevin Lee McIver
Exciting Cowboy Action Shooting in
Georgia
The first Sunday of every month, a good
bunch of folks gather at a farm just outside Fort Valley, Ga., for some
old fashion cowboy shooting. Known as the "Lonesome Valley
Regulators" this group relives days long past in the true traditions
of the old west.
Garbed in clothing of the period, and
toting pre-1899 weapons, this group is much more than re-enactors, as they
not only sport the dress, but let their guns dance the tune of the long
forgotten gunmen.
The names alone rekindle the western spirit
of the frontier: Dead Letter Gil, Bonnie Blue Butler, Dancing Snake, Doc
McCaffey, Buckskin Berry, and the Pinkerton Man. At the invitation of
Piscataway Ray, one of the club's members, I spent an afternoon with the
Regulators. As I stepped from my truck, I could have been anywhere in
1880s America if not for the presence of a few modern horses (automobiles)
about.
As I walked up to find Piscataway Ray,
members of the club were gathering for a range briefing prior to shooting
-- they might look like a wild bunch, but safety is paramount. A good
thing since minutes later lead would be a flying.
Once we moved down to the range area,
participants prepared for the quick shootin' which commenced after further
briefings and organizing shooters into a "posse" of about 10
cowboys (and cowgirls) each.
It was here that I really noticed the
unique costumes worn by Regulators: from the fancy duds of a gambler, the
buckskins of a mountain man, the high-top boots and silver spurs of a
cowboy, the cotton dress of a tough-spirited frontier lady -- each and
everyone telling the story of the wearer.
This is a unique aspect of cowboy shooting
-- each person has an alias -- and most dress to become the persona of
their alias. In addition to the dress, the guns used by competitors are
also typical of the period -- cap and ball blackpowder, single-action
Colts, lever-action rifles, and double-barrel shotguns. And just as their
dress tell a story, so do the weapons used as this is also an important
part of being a cowboy action shooter.
The shootin' matches held by the Regulators
are quite interesting to watch. Set in four stages with a different
scenario for each, it takes not only some accurate shooting, but also some
quick thinking to ensure success. One stage saw the shooter sitting at a
card table. The shooter flipped a card from the deck, then had to shoot a
target outlined in the same suit (heart, diamond, etc.).
Another scenario had the gunslingers atop a
horse when he or she was accosted by "raiders". The appropriate
response to the challenge was similar to that of John Wayne in one of our
favorite westerns -- ride in guns a blazing -- pistol, then rifle, then
shotgun.
I didn't mention it earlier, but the beauty
of this sport is not fast draw (which is outlawed) but safe, accurate
shooting in a near-realistic scenario from the old west. Whether it be
saving a town from raiders, or defending your stake at a card game, the
scenario coupled with the weapons, clothing and spirit of the game make
this one exciting shootin' match.
If you're interested in watching an event,
getting into cowboy shooting, or even joining the Lonesome Valley
Regulators, you can contact Piscataway Ray via email at rhindle@sowega.net
or write him at: Ray Hindle, RR 4 Box 134, Buena Vista, GA 31803. One
thing is for certain, once you watch the action, you'll definitely want to
become a part of this great bunch of cowboys.
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