Ambush at Cavern Cove 2004

February 22, 2021

In 2004, Sawyer took over the reigns of directing the annual Ambush at Cavern Cove. This was the eighth overall edition of the storied match.

Held September 30 - October 3, the match again tried to pack as much fun as it could in four days. The 2004 Ambush at Cavern Cove would also again host the Alabama State Championship of Cowboy Action Shooting.

The match that year was themed as a "Tribute to the Founders of SASS," with each stage starting with a story about one of the members of the Wild Bunch. There were also three pages of the Shooter's Book filled with insightful biographies of each of the members of the Wild Bunch. The club would go on to receive the SASS Wooly Award as the 2004 top club in SASS. Coincidence?

In addition to all the accolades heaped upon the Wild Bunch, a couple of pages in the back of the book tell a detailed story of the history of the North Alabama Regulators as well. Also, of historical note, this is the last of the Ambush Shooter's Book made in the larger, full page format. Beginning in 2005, the books will be created using the half page booklet format we still use today.

Flipping through the Shooter's Book,I again find myself wondering when wearing a hat no longer became a SASS requirement, as It is again listed here as part of the "minimum dress requirements." If you are interested in learning more about current SASS dress requirements, be sure to check out the topic on our weekly series, The Firing Line.

There were some shotgun knockdown targets introduced at Ambush in 2004. Stages 2 and 5 both included knockdown targets and could be called Ambush's first 10-10-4+ stages. Stage 7 included a couple of shotgun swingers. The rest of the stages that year still included static shotgun targets. Round count included 100 Pistol, 100 Rifle, and 43+ shotgun.

Flipping through the Shooter's Book, you will see a lot of things done then that have fallen out of favor over the years like drawing cards to determine target engagement order, multiple 'bonus' targets, handing off guns during the course of fire, engaging the shotgun targets in a particular order, and, of course, the Mystery Stage.

We have just picked back up working on the Shooter's Book for this year's Ambush. Stages are being finished up and will soon be reviewed as we begin to make final preparations for the match. I sure hope that you can come and be a part of it, and make more great memories with us, on The Firing Line.