Ambush at Cavern Cove 2018

September 06, 2021

Held August 31-September 2, 2018, the 22nd Annual Ambush at Cavern Cove was a little confused. The cover of the Shooter's Book proclaimed it to be the 23rd Annual event, Even though the year before, it read the 21st Annual.



Regardless of how many Ambush matches they had had previously, the 2018 match was sure to be a doozy.

With 10 fantastic stages looking at famous gunfights of the west, the NAR crew was set to put on a heck of a show.



There were several new faces dotting the ranks of the NAR board of directors with President: Marshal TKD, Vice President: Barkeep Casey, Territorial Governor: Buck D. Law, Stage Marshal: Double Nickel, Range Marshal: Lickskillet Charlie, Awards Marshal: Scotch Before Noon, Treasurer: Water Snake, and Secretary: Drake Robey leading the way.

I would finally relent to years of badgering by Buck D. Law and agree to come help out NAR at the state match, splitting responsibilities of Range Master with Buck. The NAR board traditionally does a shoot through the week before the match. However, because of my previous bad experiences with shoot throughs at NAR, I was a little unwilling to put myself through that. I remember shooting that match on a posse headed by Anita Margarita and Jackalope. You will never find a more understanding set of Posse Marshals. As I had a radio in my hand most of the match, I never stuck around the posse long enough to really help out, as I was running from bay to bay assisting with what needed to be done. Some times it felt like I barely had enough time to shoot myself.

There are a lot more personal stories that I can tell about that match. But also know that I learned a lot, specifically in dealing with issues on the line.

And, if you don't know...SASS defines a miss as the failure to hit the appropriate target type with the appropriate firearm. If you need help with that, I suggest you watch the following video:



But, of course, everyone was at ambush that early September to shoot the Alabama State Championship. At the end of the day, everyone had a great time, the scores were tabulated, and the winners announced. Missouri Lefty won overall honors with Sidekick winning the Alabama State Champion. Dodge City Dixie again claimed the top cowgirl honors at Ambush with Alchemist Belle repeating as the Alabama Ladies State Champion.

Time is running short. As I sit here, enjoying my birthday cake and looking at the calendar, I am quickly reminded that I will begin setting steel 5 weeks from today. It also reminds me that the 2021 Ambush shooter's book will be released by then. Are you signed up and ready to go? I know most of the state of Florida is ready to defend their Trail Driver award from 2020. While I need to start wrapping up things for this match, it's time for you to get those applications in. I hope you do so that we have a chance to say hello on The Firing Line.

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