Our November pitch-in dinner and camp out proved to be a fun filled event. Folks started arriving Friday afternoon, and several went to the range for a few hours of practice. The weather was great Saturday, 58 degrees and sunny. Saturday evening was a bit chilly, 38 degrees, but it was warm and comfortable around the campfire. The food was plentiful, and eighteen campers stayed the night. Many a wild and tall tale was told around the fire. 55 shooters showed up Saturday to hoop, holler, and throw lead down range. Nineteen classes were represented. Each scenario was in the form of a sweep, and there were only 11 procedurals for the day. The match ended leaving several categories with less than a second separating the top shooters in each class. Top Cowboy competitors were separated by .2 seconds. Annual winners for 49er, Modern, Traditional, Classic Cowboy, and Duelist competitors would be determined at the December match. It actually would be determined by who showed up, and how well each shooter did at the December match. Shooters in these classes were within .2 of a second to 1.1 seconds for their final scores of the year.

Congratulations to Calico Kim, Lorenzo Lain, Smokin Guns Gus, Flintlock Fields, and Redneck Rebel on their “Clean Match” for the day. Cary Kid made breakfast over the fire, and we sat around the fire for a while before folks broke camp to head home.

Happy November Birthday’s to: Brasso Lee, Copper Quincy, Flintlock Fields, Irish Dan O’Shootem, M’Bogo, Rattlesnake Annie, and Smokin Guns Gus.

Our December match was not provided with a great weather setting. A high of 42 degrees for the day, cloudy, with a brisk wind that made it feel like 27 degrees. Lots of takin’ the jacket & gloves on & off all day. The campfire at the Jail was a welcome gathering spot for many shooters throughout the day. 37 shooters showed up to battle the cold, and make their final attempt at getting the “gold” in their respective class. Scenarios were a mix of sweeps and combination target engagement. 13 classes were represented. Only 6 procedurals for the entire day.

Congratulations to Geronimo, Vaquero Hayes, Buffalo Bud Harden, Judge Mint Day, Long Horn Clem, Tombstone Diamond, Ohio River Gambler, and Flintlock Fields for their “Clean Match” for the day.

Happy December Birthdays to: Batjac Shootist, Bobby Two Jacks, Dakota Dan, Geronimo, Judge Mint Day, Peek-A-Boo-Jabu, and Ranger Horn.

Annual category awards were:
49er - 1st place Vaquero Hayes 2nd place Indy Kid 3rd place Fighting Eagle

B-Western 1st place Judge Mint Day 2nd place Dutchman Swart

Classic Cowboy 1st place Irish Dan O’Shootem 2nd place Ohio River Gambler 3rd place Snuffy John

Duelist 1st place Smokin Guns Gus 2nd place Bad John 3rd place Waco John

Elder Statesman 1st place White Hawk 2nd place Chief Old Timer

Front Cartridge Duelist 1st place Abu 2nd place Gibbon Bote Borrels

Frontier Cartridge 1st place Marshall Spencer Owen 2nd place Lorenzo Lain

Frontiersman 1st place Nomore Slim 2nd place Smiley

Gunfighter 1st place Max Montana 2nd place Jose Gigante 3rd place Hardscrabble

Ladies Traditional 1st place Bad Aim Girl 2nd place Calico Kim

Modern 1st place Redneck Rebel 2nd place Cumberland Drifter

Senior 1st place Too Slow 2nd place Tombstone Diamond 3rd place Rebel Bandit

Silver Senior 1st place Drew First

Traditional 1st place Clear Creek Slim 2nd place Red Dog West 3rd place Buffalo Bud Hardin

Top Cowgirl of the year Bad Aim Girl
Top Cowboy of the year Vaquero Hayes
Rookie of the Year Cumberland Drifter

Shooters Acknowledged for having five or more “Clean Matches” for the year:
Nomore Slim ----- 5
Flintlock Fields – 6
Redneck Rebel -- 7

Top Fifteen for 2007:

1. Vaquero Hayes  2. Indy Kid  3. Redneck Rebel  4. Max Montana   5. Cumberland Drifter
6. Drew First  7. Fighting Eagle  8. Nomore Slim  9. Judge Mint Day  10. Too Slow
11. Clear Creek Slim  12. Red Dog West  13. Jose Gigante  14. Buffalo Bud Hardin
15. Copper Quincy

Complete details of Season Standings and Category finals will appear on the final Season Standings report.

2007 has been a record setting year for Thunder Valley. There were 556 registered shooters for the year. Our monthly average for the number of shooters is 55.6 per month. Our membership has doubled since first opening in 2004. Thanks to folks for joining as members, and shooting on a regular basis, we were provided with adequate funding to complete planned projects, and make several improvements. Twenty-six new targets were added this year. Patio umbrellas were placed at each loading and unloading table to shield shooters from the heat of the sun and precipitation. The parking area at range level was leveled and stoned. A storage shed for range equipment was erected. A new riding mower was purchased for the range. An improved method of collecting and recording daily scores was implemented which allows final scores and awards to be completed in approximately fifteen minutes after the last posse finishes. We have had 8857 viewings of our Cowboy Action video at www.youtube.com . We will really have to work hard next year to exceed the goals which have been reached in 2007, but with your continued support and participation, “We will Endeavor to Persevere”, and meet the new goals for 2008.

An added “Thank You” to the officers of Thunder Valley: Graver, Abu, Jose Gigante, Fighting Eagle, and Vaquero Hayes. Your input of ideas, support, and continued enthusiasm has been instrumental in the development of the atmosphere of fellowship and brotherhood that is so often complimented at this range.

May each of you, and your families have a “Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year !!

Sincerely,
Redneck Rebel & Ellie Mae .