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I really enjoyed being the Range Master at Ides this year. Check out my blog about my last stage of the Florida State Championship this year. It was a doozy! https://actionshootingnetwork.com/blog/297/a-stage-in-the-life-of-a-range-master/

We can't wait to welcome all our guests this week. If you are available to help set up the range, we will start on Tuesday and continue on Wednesday. Come when you can and help where you are able. Contact Blazing Saddles to RSVP or for more information. Please be aware that this year's schedule is much different than years past. Side matches start Thursday and continue Friday afternoon, main Match Friday and Saturday mornings, Awards Ceremony Saturday evening, and then the Top Gun Shootoff on Sunday morning. The schedule is below. Downloadable and printable copy at the bottom of post. Please note the changes to Thursday's side match schedule. FYI – Parking on Thursday will be a slight challenge because of other range activities. Please be patient with our VOLUNTEERS dealing with parking. We will get you into a spot as quickly as possible, but it will not be the same area as in previous years. Ides of March 2024 Schedule (as of February 28, 2024) Tuesday March 12 8:00 am – Range Setup starts – help is welcome 8:30 am – 4:00 pm – Vendors may arrive and setup – provided proper paperwork submitted 8:30 am – 4:00 pm – Campers may arrive & setup – provided proper fees/paperwork complete Wednesday March 13 8:00 am – Range Setup starts – help is welcome 8:30 am – 4:00 pm – Vendors may arrive and setup – provided proper paperwork submitted 8:30 am – 4:00 pm – Campers may arrive & setup – provided proper fees/paperwork complete 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm - Registration – held in the main pavilion Thursday March 14 7:00 am – Range opens 8:00 am – 4:00 pm - Registration – held in the main pavilion 9:00 am – 4:00 pm – Vendors open 8:30 am – Wild Bunch Side Match – must pre-register 8:30 am – 4 Stage Warm Up Match – must pre-register 12.30 pm – Black Powder Side Mach – must pre-register 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm - Side Matches 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm – Man vs. Man Challenge Practice - between Stages 9 & 10 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm – Man vs Man Challenge Bracket (Open) – between stage 9 & 10 4:30 pm - Posse Marshall Walk Thru with Match Director and Range Master Friday March 15 7:00 am – Range opens 7:30 am – 8:30 am – Registration – held in the main pavilion 8:00am – 4:00 pm – Vendors open 8:45 am –MANDATORY shooters meeting – held outside Registration Clubhouse 9:15 am - 2:15 pm – Main Match begins - First 5 stages 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm – Team Stage Challenge – stage 9 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm – Territorial Governors Meeting - held in the main pavilion Saturday March 16 7:00 am – Range opens 8:00 am – 4:00 pm – Vendors Open 8:30 am – 1:30 pm – Main Match continues - Second 5 stages 4:00 – 6:00 pm – Social Hour with AWARDS – no dinner served ** - Elks Lodge - *2540 Dora Ave - Tavares, FL 32778-4976 Sunday March 17 7:30 am – Range opens 8:00 am – Cowboy Church – held in the main clubhouse 8:00 am – 12:00 pm -Vendors open 9:30 am sharp – Number draw and set up first round Shootoff brackets 10:00 am – Shootoff Begins Top Gun Shoot – Top 32 Overall Ladies – Top 8 Juniors – all (open to all Juniors 16 & under who complete the Main Match) Printable Schedule: https://actionshootingnetwork.com/event/387/the-ides-of-march-2024/

We have scheduled a Territorial Governors meeting for Friday March 15th at 4:00PM. We invite all TGs attending Ides of March to participate. SASS Advisory Board Member Santa Fe River Stan will be presiding. If you have any items you wish to get onto the agenda, please email them to The OTJ at TheOutlawTravisJames@gmail.com If you have something you wish to have discussed but are not a TG, please contact your TG to get the item on the agenda. See you in a couple weeks.

~UPDATE~ Ides of March 2023 - 2/26/2023 We are 18 days away from the 2023 SASS Florida State Championship! Application: https://actionshootingnetwork.com/event/357/the-ides-of-march/ THE CURRENT STATISTICS ARE AS FOLLOWS: 205 Registered Shooters 31 Shooters for Wild Bunch 109 Side Match Shooters 36 Head to Head Shooters If you would like to attend but still have not sent in your application, please do so ASAP! If you sent in your application and need to make changes to your registration, (i.e. need to pay for dinner at banquet, need to sign up for side matches, need to sign up for Heads-Up Challenge, etc) you can do so when you pick up your match packets. If you would like to support the SASS Scholarship Fund, please sign up for the Heads-Up Challenge or you can simply donate when you pick up your packet. CURRENT VENDORS HNR Gunworks info@hnrgunworks.com Mama Knows Best rachelgetsresults@hotmail.com Michael Sassone Knives elizabethhatfield55@yahoo.com Scentsy by Greta Dee neyowen@gmail.com Page Custom Knives snl.page@yahoo.com J&J Targets rockycreek1873@gmail.com Bullets by Chance art@schlaudraff.com Outlaw Bullets tecdac@gmail.com Bullets by Scarlett bulletsbyscarlett@gmail.com Florida Cowboy Co chris@parabellum9.com Ascending Night Photo ascendingnightphoto@gmail.com CURRENT SPONSORS HNR Gunworks - Door Prize Lady Pearl Sews - Door Prize Smart * and Sunshine Rose - Door Prize Wiggley Down Yonder - Main Match Renegade Roger - Lake County Pistoleros - Main Match Pat's Pawn and Gun - Main Match Page Custom Knives - Main Match Davis Financial - Main Match Florida Cowboy Co - Main Match Florida Cowboy Co - Side Match Scentsy by Greta Dee - Door Prize Polecat Joe - Stage Cracker Crew - Stage The Snowbirds - Stage Bullets by Chance - Stage SASS Florida - Stage Classic Leather Works - Stage Competition Electronics - Stage Bullets by Scarlett - Stage CSA Bullets - Stage Denham's - Stage Please support those who support us and in turn allow us to have a great match. See y'all in a couple weeks.

March 16th-19th, 2023 We currently have 190+ applications for the 2023 Ides of March. If you want to shoot but haven’t gotten your application to Greta yet, what the heck are you waiting for? Get it in ASAP! Application: https://actionshootingnetwork.com/event/357/the-ides-of-march/ Thursday Side Match Range Officers Needed Greta Dee is in need of ROs for side matches on Thursday March 16th. We need ROs for 1-hour shifts on the following side matches: Speed Rifle/ Speed Pistol Speed Shotgun Pocket Pistol/ Derringer Long Range – 100 & 200 yards Warm Up Stage If you are available to RO any of these side matches, please email Greta Dee at gretadee1@gmail.com and let her know when you are available to RO. SHOOTING FLIGHTS It has been determined that the Ides or March will be one Shooting Flight. That opens up Friday afternoon for more side matches. See below for the updated match schedule. S.A.S.S Range Officer 1 Class Canceled Due to lack of registrations (1 Shooter) the SASS ROI Class has been canceled. CATEGORIES Available categories are listed on the application. Categories must have a minimum number of shooters, otherwise, they will NOT be honored. JOSEY WALES – new this year. 4 pistols and shotgun – Pistols must be shot Duelist or Gunfighter style only. KING OF KABOOM CATEGORY RULES Real black powder or sub is allowed. All competitors must shoot their pistols two-handed (traditional style). Pistols and Rifle .40 cal and up - 200 grain and up - 25 grains of powder and up .38-40 cal - 180 grain and up - 30 grains of powder and up Cap and Ball - .44 cal round ball and up - 30 grains of powder and up Shotgun 1 1/8 oz shot, 60 grains of powder and up Double barrel and 87 shotgun only SASS SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER We will be offering a few options to raise funds: We will keep a bucket at registration – please consider donating a few dollars when you register. We will be having a Heads-Up Challenge shootoff side match, Thursday during side matches. The cost to compete is $10.00 for the day. You may prepay for this with your application, or you may pay when you register onsite. SIDE MATCHES Thursday, March 16th – 10:00 am - 3:30 pm – $10.00 fee and you can shoot all day – best time wins Awards will be given for: Speed Rifle Speed Shotgun Speed Pistol Pocket Pistol Derringer Long Range – 100 and 200 yards. Bragging Rights Only: Warm-up stage (no scores, practice only) Heads Up Challenge - shootoff side match Friday, March 17th – 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm Bragging Rights Only: Team Stage Challenge – Stage 9 Teams must consist of three shooters. Each shooter will shoot one string. i.e. Pistols, Rifle, or Shotgun. Shooter must physically tag the next shooter before they can touch their gun(s). Fastest Total Time Wins the Stage. Teams may shoot multiple runs as time allows. Spotters will be used. Team Shootoff – Between Stage 9 & 10 Teams must consist of three shooters. Each shooter will shoot one string. i.e. Pistols, Rifle, or Shotgun. Each shooter must take shotgun with them to their string. Shooter must physically tag the next shooter before they can touch their gun(s). Make ups must be made before tagging next shooter on their team **If you’re available to help RO a side match on Thursday, please note it on your application. If we don’t’have enough volunteers, certain side matches may be canceled. Volunteer for an hour! Wild Bunch 4 stage mini-match – Thursday, March 18th – 9am – $10.00 fee – you must pre-register REGISTRATION/PACKET PICKUP Thursday, March 16th – 9:30 am-4:00 pm Friday, March 19 - 7:30 am-8:30 am - Main Clubhouse at the Range CAMPING There is a limited number of DRY spaces available at the range. No water or electricity. We do have water available to fill your freshwater tank before you settle in. No sewer or dump station, so come empty. The nearest dump station is several miles away. You must pre-register and pay. We also need you to provide the size of the trailer/camper/etc. You may arrive on Tuesday, March 14th, and must depart by Monday, March 23rd. Please abide by this, as I’d hate to ask anyone to leave. Before paying, please verify with Greta (gretadee1@gmail.com) that there is still space available. RANGE RULE – NO ALCOHOL on the range at any time. MATCH INFO Scoring will be based on total time. 5 stages Friday and Saturday, March 17-18th – Top Gun shoot-off Sunday, March 19th. The dinner is not included in your match fee. There are a limited number of tickets available, please order/pay in advance. If you wish to attend the Awards but not have dinner, you may do so. Tickets will be given to those that have purchased dinner. Awards will be given out Saturday during the dinner. We will award a maximum of 5 deep per category. 6+ shooters, we will award up to 5th place, 5 shooters, up to 4thplace, 4 shooters, up to 3rd place, 3 shooters, up to 2nd place, 2 shooters, 1st place only will be awarded. Ides of March 2023 Schedule (AS OF February 10th, 2023) TUESDAY, MARCH 14 8:00 am – Range Setup starts – help is welcome 8:30 am-4:00 pm – Vendors may arrive and setup – provided proper paperwork submitted 8:30 am-4:00 pm – Campers may arrive and setup – provided proper fees/paperwork has been submitted WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15 8:00 am – Range Setup starts – help is welcome 8:30 am-4:00 pm – Vendors may arrive and setup – provided proper paperwork submitted 8:30 am-4:00 pm – Campers may arrive and setup – provided proper fees/paperwork has been submitted THURSDAY, MARCH 16 8:00 am – Range opens 9:00 am - 4:00 pm - Registration – held in main pavilion 9:00 am - 4:00 pm – Vendors open 9:30 am – Wild Bunch Side Match – must pre-register 10:00 am - 3:00 pm - Side Matches 10:00 am – 1:30 pm - Open Shootoff Practice - Between Stages 9 & 10 1:30 pm – Draw for Heads Up Challenge Brackets - Between Stages 9 & 10 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Heads Up Challenge Shootoff Elimination Tournament Side Match- Between Stages 9 & 10 4:00 PM - Posse Marshall Walk Thru with Match Director and Range Master FRIDAY, MARCH 17 7:00 am – Range opens 7:30 am - 8:30 am – Registration – held in main pavilion 8:00 am - 4:00 pm – Vendors open 8:45 am –MANDATORY shooters meeting – held outside Registration Clubhouse 9:00 am - First 5 Main Match Stages 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm – Team Stage Challenge – at Stage 9 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm – Team Shootoff Challenge – between Stages 9 & 10 SATURDAY, MARCH 18 7:00 am – Range opens 8:00 am - 4:00 pm – Vendors Open 9:00 am – Second 5 Main Match Stages 4:30 pm – Costume Contest Judging - At Elk’s Lodge: Town Lady, Town Gent, Couple, Cowboy (Classic), Cowgirl (Classic), B Western, Cowboy, B Western Cowgirl, Soiled Dove, Military, Young Man, Young Lady 5:00 pm – Elks Lodge opens for drinks 5:30 pm – Elks Lodge dinner 6:30 pm – Side Match & Main Match awards – Announcements – Etc – Door prize/raffles (must be present to win) ** - ELKS LODGE - *2540 DORA AVE - TAVARES, FL 32778-4976 SUNDAY, MARCH 19 7:30 am – Range opens 8:00 am – Cowboy Church – held in main clubhouse 8:00 am - 12:00 pm -Vendors open 9:30 am sharp - Draw Numbers and set up first round Shootoff Brackets 10:00 am sharp - Shootoff Brackets Start | Top Gun Shootoff (Top 32 Overall) | Ladies (Top 8 ) | Juniors (open to all Juniors 16 & under who complete the Main Match) HOTEL INFO Hotel information for Ides of March/FL State 2023. Check-in 3/16 and out 3/19. Contact the hotel and tell them you are with the Lake County Pistoleros. Microtel Inn and Suites by Wyndham - 9700 US Hwy 441 Leesburg, FL 34788 352-315-1234 The only available is a single queen at $99/night plus taxes. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites - Tavares 3601 W Burleigh Blvd, US Hwy 441, Tavares, FL 32278 352-742-1600 2 queen beds at $212/night plus taxes. Hampton Inn Leesburg - 9630 US-441, Leesburg, FL 34788 352-315-1053 2 queen beds at $249/night plus taxes https://actionshootingnetwork.com/event/357/the-ides-of-march/ Have you ever been in a CAS shootoof? Would you like to participate in one? Come out to Side Match Day Thursday March 16th & Friday March 17th 2023 at the Ides of March and you can. We are offering an open shootoff practice match where you can challenge anyone you would like. Just show up, challenge someone, and shoot it off with them. Round count will be 10-10-4+. We are also offering a few side match brackets as well. HEADS UP CHALLENGE Head-to-Head shootoff elimination bracket(s). Round Count 10-10-4+ per round. Each shooter will do a blind draw for a number before each round. Odds will shoot on the left and evens on the right. Shooters will pair with the next consecutive number. i.e. 1 vs 2, 3 vs 4, 5 vs 6, etc. An odd number of participants will result in a bye awarded to the shooter who draws the highest number. First shooter to knockdown all of their targets advances; minus any safeties, procedurals, etc. Brackets (i.e. Open, Ladies, Junior) will be determined by the number of participants. Team Shootoff – Between Stage 9 & 10 Teams must consist of three shooters. Each shooter will shoot one string. i.e. Pistols, Rifle, or Shotgun. Each shooter must take shotgun with them to their string. Shooter must physically tag the next shooter before they can touch their gun(s). Make ups must be made before tagging next shooter on their team SHOOTOFF SIDE MATCH SCHEDULE: Thursday March 16th, 2023 10:00 am - 1:30 pm - Open Shootoff Practice - Between Stages 9 & 10 1:30 pm – Draw for Heads Up Challenge Brackets - Between Stages 9 & 10 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Heads Up Challenge Shootoff Elimination Tournament Side Match- Between Stages 9 & 10 Friday March 17th, 2023 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm – Team Shootoff Challenge – between Stages 9 & 10 Get your applications to Greta Dee and make sure you check off the Heads Up Challenge Option. It costs $10 for the day and all proceeds go towards the S.A.S.S. Scholarship Fund. See y’all at The Ides!

OK, I know I've been out of the loop for a while (Life has been beatin' the ever loving He77 out of me this last year), but I come on here to the Wire to look for the thread about the Fabulous Florida Spring Fling and NOTHING? Seriously, I leave you guys on your own for 11 months and NOTHING? Well, there are only Three Weeks Left until the Hills of Fort White will be white with SMOKE and I for one seriously need the break that this series of matches provides! Haven't shot a match since May of last year, so I suspect I will be a little rusty (not that anyone will notice) but I'm planning on having a BLAST! Looking forward to seeing all of my Florida Pards as well, even that Waimea fella who sells them stolen bullets. Finally cracked open the ammo locker last week only to discover that I had all of about 3 rounds ready for the match (I eventually found about 200 more, but that ain't even close to enough!). Started inspecting and priming brass that very same night. Glad I didn't wait until the day before departure, like normal, because THAT would have been UGLY! Now if I can just remember to bring the right rifle... (For those of you that didn't see me kicking myself last year, I managed to grab my 38/40 rifle and not my .38. Needless to say, the .38 ammo didn't want to work too well. Lil was kind enough to share her rifle during the Darkness Falls and Dark Day matches and she brought my rifle back with her for the Ides. Still catchin' flak on that...and deservedly so. ) Been a very strange winter here in the Peoples Republic of Maryland, too warm, no snow, still feels like fall. Normally I'm talking about snow and ice and cold weather but nothing yet. Lil Feathers is hoping for a blizzard up here on the 15th so she can cancel her flight back and just stay down for the gap between Dark Day and the Ides. She just leaves me down there (supposedly to save the cost of the extra flights) but I think she likes the quiet of not having me around yelling at the massive pile of Tax Papers in my office. I'm heading down on the AutoTrain this year. Lil says I need to be getting more than 4 hours of sleep per night if I'm gonna drive that far by myself. I keep telling her that the ringing in my ears gives the voices in my head something to sing too, so I am never alone but she ain't buying it. Anyway, I will be arriving in Florida on the 9th and off to Dunedin, pick up Lil at TPA on the 11th and we drive up to Alachua on the 12th to get signed in and maybe even extricate the cart from back so I don't have to mess with that Thursday before the match. Looking forward to seeing everybody again, and I've got a hankering for some Fish & Chips at the Hideaway, too. Dogmeat Dad & Lil Feathers