Montezuma Marksmen Match #4 Results - February 20, 2016

Thanks for another Great Montezuma Marksmen Match on February 20, 2016.  Fine Friends enjoyed fine weather and had a fine time!

Congratulations to Gordon for his 1st Place finish and to Bill for his 2nd Place time.  David, Leo and Tom rounded out the top five.  The total adjusted times of Leo and Tom were only a mere .17 apart!

Here is the link to the Practiscore page that has the scores:

http://www.practiscore.com/results.php?uuid=9d761728-429b-4750-b294-744c46273b47

We printed the Practiscore score to a PDF and converted it to a JPG and here it is in two versions.  (Additional graphics below the scoresheets shown here.)

Congratulations to Leo, Ross and Tom for finishing 1-2-3 Most Accurate!

Here are the total Points down by Stage:

And finally, here are the top five shooters for each stage:

Thank You so much for your $100 in donations for this match.  You generosity will help us finally get rid of the remaining worn out target sticks as well as resupply on paper targets and tape.

The next match is tentatively scheduled for March 19.  We are going on a 2-3 week (or longer) Road Trip.  If we are out longer than expected, we will have to reschedule the March 19th Match.

One other note worth mentioning, MM#4 was the 39th consecutive match we have staged without having to cancel or reschedule or delay because of weather!

THANK YOU!

MD Notes for MM #4 - February 20, 2016

MD Note Added February  19, 2016

We will be using  muzzle safe points as per IDPA Rules for this match.  The only safe way to have two Squads is if we significantly reduce the normal 180 degree plane down to a much smaller radius.

Here are the rules:

"2.9 Muzzle Safe Points.
2.9.1 If the muzzle of the shooter’s firearm points further up range than a “Muzzle Safe Point” the shooter will be Disqualified from the match. The shooter will be given the command “Stop.” The shooter will stop immediately, place the trigger finger obviously and visibly outside the trigger guard of the firearm, and wait for further instructions from the SO.
2.9.2 There are two types of Muzzle Safe Points used in IDPA. The CoF description will describe which type of muzzle safe point is used or if the two types are used in concert. One or both may be used on a single stage, however if no muzzle safe cones or flags are present on a stage, the default is the 180 rule.
2.9.2.1 A Muzzle Safe Point is a physical and clearly visible marker such as a traffic cone or stake in the ground with a brightly colored flag or marker tape attached."

Please also note to bring at least four mags for your pistol.  You will need four mags on one of the stages.  If you have a shot timer, please bring it, too.  Thank You,

MD Note Added February 18, 2016

Everything is ready for the Match.  All of the targets have been put together and the paperwork and Practiscore stuff processed.   If everyone shows up, we're going to have to shoot in two Squads.  If we have some "no shows" then we might reduce to one large Squad.

Note that The 'Long Shots" stage has been redesigned.  It is now two targets instead of three.  Why?  Well, it's going to make it  a LOT  faster and easier of we don't have to wait on a taper or tapers to go out 35 yards and back.   We have four targets for this stage.  Someone will simply take two taped targets out and  swap them for the "shot" targets.  That way only one person needs to go 70 yards Round  Trip.  The two shot targets will be taped during the next shooter's turn and used to swap out afterwards.

We really, really need to not linger looking for brass.  We can definitely speed up each match if we cut short the Brass Search and get back behind the firing line when the next shooter is prepared to "Load & Make Ready."

The weather looks fine and there hasn't been any precipitation here in The Verde.

Please be on the range no later  than 10 AM.

See You Saturday!   Happy Day & many Cheers, jp

MD Note added February 16, 2016

Well, it took three hours but the cowpies were cleaned up today from our shooting areas.

 Here is what a portion of Bay 2 looked like on February 8th, the day the cattle began to be herded to a different pasture.

 And here is the same area after we finished our task on February 16th.  Luckily, the  hot, dry weather dried out the droppings.

 Here's Bay #1.  I forgot to take a "before" photo.  It was a real mess.

About 15  wheel barrow  loads later,  things look pretty good in the bays.  We did not  clean the entire area, just the shooting areas--so be forewarned!


MD Note added at 4 PM, January 17, 2016

YES!  Larry's runner works!  Larry tested it for the first time Sunday afternoon, January 17 and it passed the test with flying colors.  Since the color contrast between the cardboard target  and the earth is minimal, we put a red "X" on the moving target.  It shows up better in the YouTube video here:

https://youtu.be/-g0hmuoNgeM

Congratulations, Larry!  We are all looking forward to shooting your awesome target on February 20!!

MD Note added @ 9 AM, January 14, 2016.

Many Thanks to Stage Designer Larry Messer for this 3-D video rendition of his Stage Design "My Pal Tueller" for MM Match #4.  https://youtu.be/rLzp3Dw791k

MD Notes added @ 10 AM, January 11, 2016

Club Dues Paid

Thanks to everyone who donated a total of $55 at MM Match #3 on January 9, 2016.  We  used the donations to renew our IDPA Club #633280 membership on January 10.  We felt it was an appropriate time to renew our dues since it was the 4th anniversary of meeting Jeff Brown back in Indiana.  If not for Jeff, Montezuma Marksmen wouldn't even  be an IDPA club!  So it was special to use the donations from the January 9th Match to make this renewal.  Thanks, Jeff!

Range Usage Update

On Monday, January 11, we contacted the US Forest Service Range Technician who works with the Apache Maid Ranch.  Our shooting range is located in what's known as the Beaverhead Flat East Pasture.  The  Range Tech confirmed that cattle are being turned onto this pasture on January 18 and will be there at least until February 2.   As usual, the Range Tech noted that some cattle may be turned into the pasture before January 18 and some may remain after February 2.

We purposely gave the ranching use of our shooting area a wide berth.  That's why the next match isn't scheduled until February 20th. By that time, it's fairly certain there will no longer be any strays wandering around in the Beaverhead Flats East Pasture.  We simply can't take a chance that we would stage a  match and suddenly have a stray bovine meander into our downrange area.  That's why we're waiting so long after the cattle are supposed to be out of that area.  It rarely works out that they all obediently leave on the date written  into the annual Range Management Plan.

Thanks for the match tear down

Ya'll did a wonderful job tearing down and helping pack up the match gear on January 9th.  VERY impressive and gratifying!  It took me about an hour to empty the match truck and stow away the various match gear.  High on the list of making this possible were several things:

1. Helping get the new shorty target stands back in their proper place in the truck
2. Stripping the cardboard off the sticks
3. Sorting out and stowing the rebar properly.
4. Having all hands help pass in various materials in the proper order

We greatly appreciate this new regime of post-match logistics.  Years ago when we began staging matches here in The Verde, it would often take me several hours to unpack and store match gear.  The de-rigging process after the January 9th match was the fastest ever.

THANK YOU!

Stage Designs for MM #4 - February 20, 2016

Stage Designs will be added as they are completed from time-to-time.

"The Six Pack" added February 15, 2016 @ 1 PM.

Here is a video showing the "New & Improved" Swinger in action:

https://www.facebook.com/My.Idaho.Shooting.Highlights/videos/1130573166975955/

(NOTE:  The steel will be at least 10 yards from P1.)

We are pleased and proud to announce an awesome Guest Stage Design by Larry Messer for MM Match #4.  Larry not only went the proverbial extra mile in the Stage Design but worked diligently for months to fabricate a genuine "line runner" target.  Of all the reactive and moving targets, the famous Line Runner is arguably the most popular Stage Design prop in The World of IDPA.  This is generally the type of Stage Design one sees in Tier II matches and above.  We are thrilled and grateful to be able to showcase Larry's handiwork at the February 20 MM Match #4.  The threat targets are shot in Tactical Priority which is also in numerical order in this graphical depiction of the Stage Design.  The steel activator is shot after engaging T3 so that the shooter then engages the Line Runner (T4) before moving on to engage T5-T6.  It is a Classic 18-round Stage with the extra added kicked of the Line Runner  element in the middle of the COF.  THANK YOU, Larry!

NOTE: Not only is Larry a Top Notch Stage Designer, but he also has the magical knack of rendering his Designs in 3-D video!  Yep, 'tis true.   Here's the rendition of this Stage: https://youtu.be/rLzp3Dw791k

Stage Design "Getting Kicked on Old 66" added at noon, January 13, 2016. (Edited & reposted @ 9 AM, January 14, 2016)

Here is one of our favorite stages.  Each time we conduct this Stage, it changes.  This is a somewhat new rendition of and Oldie But Goodie.  First off, all three initial targets are engaged with retention---two rounds each.  After moving to P2, the shooter must engage the next three targets with two head shots each.  One or more of these targets will have the head area reduced to the IDPA legal 18-square inches.  W haven't yet decided whether to include Non-Threat targets in this Stage.  You might see them and you might not.  OK, moving on, the final six targets comprise the Classic Crack Head Stage incorporated into this stage.  Consequently, you don't even see T7 until you have engaged T4-T6.
What happens here is that the gang splits into two groups of 3 and comes at you from different directions.  When the Gang Leader sees his troops wiped out, he becomes enraged , grabs a shield and charges you.  Since he is high on crack, your bullets are not fazing him.  So, the targets simulate someone running toward you while holding a non-threat.  You keep firing at him and he keeps running.  That is why the last shot must be a head shot.   Note that the head of T12 will be reduced to 18 square inches as per IDPA Rule.

Note also that Retention has been better defined in this Stage Design.  We found a correct definition of Retention in the PRG "South Mountain Showdown" 2016 Match booklet. Since we know that every aspect of all Stage Designs for this match have been reviewed and approved by a wide variety of IDPA officials, we feel confident that is a correct, acceptable definition of Retention.

Stage Design "Long Shots" added @ 10 AM, January 11, 2016.

As everyone knows, we enjoy designing "very" challenging Standards Stages. In MM Match #2, the "All In Your Head" Standards Stage racked up 290 Points Down! No one shot it Down Zero.  If there are few Points Down on a Standards Stage, then it wasn't designed "tough enough."  The "Long Shots" Standards Stage is in keeping with this challenging "tough enough" tradition.

First, we have reduced the round count to six.  Normally, our Standards Stages have a round count of at least 12 and sometimes 18. Since we plan on designing three complex Scenario Stages for the February match, we want to cut down on the total time it takes to complete the monthly Standards Stage.  Scoring and taping this short stage is going to take far longer than shooting it!

Luckily, IDPA allows targets up to 35 yards in Standards Stages.  This is the very first time we have actually used almost the full 35 yards.  No shot is closer than a theoretical 30 yards.  As we all know, it's "tough enough" to hit 25 yards while moving, let alone 30-35 yards.  Luckily, there are no FTNs allowed in Standards Stages so the worst anyone can rack up on this stage will be a mere 30 Points Down.  By comparison, the "All In Your Head" stage in early January had a theoretical maximum of 90 Points Down.

Many of us are generally capable of hitting a 35 yard target while standing still.  It's going to be "very interesting" to see how the results of this "Long Shots" Standards Stage stack up.  It's definitely a "Short But Sweet" and fun standards stage.

Here is the ALT Stage in case Larry is unable to attend and set up the line runner.

Results for MM Match #3, January 9, 2016

Tom C. strolls, shoots and savors some Texas BBQ.

Thanks to the eight hardy shooters who braved the early January elements to make Montezuma Marksmen Match #3 a success.  Thanks to all for "enjoying" so much single hand shooting in four challenging stages.

Congratulations to Tom C. for his blazing fast #1 time and also for being Most Accurate Shooter!  Way to GO, Tom C.!

Believe it or not, there were 457 total Points Down in this match!  And, yes, 290 of those points (63.4%) were recorded in the "All In Your Head" stage.  Perhaps next time, we should change match rules to be like a basketball or football game and say HIGH score wins!

Here are the Match results.  You can also see them on Practiscore via this link:

https://practiscore.com/results/15274

Here are the top three finishers for each Stage:

ANd here are the Points Down rankings

Above is a partial collage of some of the photos we used.  We put them on a dormant Facebook account.  You do NOT need to be a member of Facebook to view the photos via this link:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1108776279155644.1073741838.100000698462134&type=1&l=b10facd3d7

Thank You for your $55 in donations.  Your donations dollars this month will buy more target sticks, target tape and at least one more netted cover structure.  MUCH appreciated!

The next match will be February 20.

MD Notes for MM IDPA Match #3 - January 9, 2016

For the first match of the New Year, we begin a new practice--posting Match Director Notes early and often.  In past years, we have waited until a couple of days before a Match to post all of the MD Notes all at once.  Not only does this make for a difficult writing chore but it's also a WAAY Long Read for the participants and other interested people.

Whenever we add something to this page, we will put the date above the Note.  The most recent MD Note will be at the top.

WEATHER WATCH

It is beginning to look "iffy" for Match weather on January 9th.  We will keep you posted every day here on the blog.

We have made a Special Page just for watching this week's weather.  It is here:

http://montezumamarkmen.blogspot.com/p/wx.html

We think the road might be OK to use even if it is wet.  However, we won't stage the Match if it is actively raining (or snowing).  We will check the road condition on Friday afternoon.  If there is even a slight chance anyone would get stuck, the match will be called off.  It is far too early to call it one way or another but the weather trend is looking dubious, to say the least.

MD Note as of 11:30 AM, January 8, 2016

Here's the shooting order:

MD Note as of 3:45 PM, 1/2/16

We are finished with all the MM Match #3 prep work except for the paperwork and Practiscore stuff.
We almost forgot one of The Stars Of The Show!  The Bonomo Texas BBQ sandwich!  YIKES!  That would have been pretty embarrassing.

MD Notes as of 8 AM 1/2/16

We really need to gain some time in this and all upcoming matches. If we could gain 30 seconds per shooter, that adds up to 20 minutes a match.  If we could gain a full minute for each shooter, we're looking at a whopping 40 minute gain for the conduct of a match with ten shooters.

There are two easy ways to gain this much time:

First, the upcoming shooter needs to be standing on the firing line fully prepared to load and make ready..

Second--and this is the biggie--we need to clear the range much faster after the targets are taped and scored.  The search for brass is  adding quite a bit of time to the cycle of shooters in each stage.  Brass foraging needs to cease as soon as the last target taper is returning behind the  firing line. Please do not linger looking for errant brass.

Just by paying attention to these two simple actions, the pace of the match will move along in a much more efficient manner.

We appreciate your understanding of why we need to do this.  First, we haven't yet figured out to safely have two Squads.  Second, it's much more fun to have only one Squad.  But one squad of 10-11 shooters can take a lot of time to move through the Stages unless we move along efficiently.  Saving just 30-60 seconds per shooter will greatly increase the overall "fun factor" of the matches.

We're always looking for ways to streamline match logistics: before, during and after the event.  One thing that's always been very time consuming is sorting out the rebar after each match.  You simply wouldn't believe how long it takes to complete a seemingly simple chore.

Hopefully, we have devised a way to eliminate that aspect of post-match gear management.   All rebar is now color coded and needs to be stowed properly in the field after each match.  This will save me huge gobs of time when I get home.

The rebar pins (18 inches less) each have their own color-coded pipe.  Longer rebar needs to be tied into bundles by color.  The four hammers go into their own bucket with the lid firmly affixed.  We really appreciate your assistance in this particular task.  If I don't have to mess with the rebar after each match, my post-match gear sorting time could be cut by as much as 30%!

 Your donation dollars at work...We greatly appreciate your donations.  Your generous donations dollars truly make a difference.  This month we used your donations to buy extra hammers and assemble the color coded rebar pin holders and buy enough target sticks for 20 targets. We were also about to build four more cover/wall structures.

We first got the idea for these cover structures during the summer of 2014. Last year we built one such structure to see how well it would work in Stage Design.  It performed great.  So, as a result of your donations, we had enough funds to buy materials to make four more.  Now they will remain assembled and this will cut way down on setting up and breaking down the Stages.

The next items to buy will be rolls of target tape.  We've put several hours into shopping for target tape.  It turns out that the rolls of tape we use to cover holes in the targets is known as kraft flatback tape.  The "standard" that virtually everyone uses is made by IPG.  It is expensive and hard to find.  We've seen it sell for as much as $5 a roll.  We have lined up an alternative target tape and should receive a sample roll prior to the January 9th match.  While we have enough IPG tape for this match, we'd like everyone to use use the sample tape.  We need your perspectives and opinions as to whether the "new" tape will work as well as the  Old Standby tape.  If we can use the "new" tape, we will be able to get for $1.23 per roll delivered, a possible savings of 60% or more over the cost of the old tape.

MD Note as of 10:30 AM 12/27/15

Scenario Format Change

UDPL Stage Design Guru Steve Koski critiqued all of our Stage Designs for MM Match #2 on December 19th.  One recurrent comment was that our Scenarios were too long and wordy.  He strongly suggested trying to keep Scenarios to two sentences.  He said, "If they are longer, no one will read them."  We heavily edited the Stage Scenarios for the 12/19 match and, frankly, we really liked the new, smaller Scenario Format.  We are now striving to keep ourselves in compliance with "The Koski Two Sentence Rule (KTSR) "  All three Scenario Stages for the upcoming January 9th match are KTSR compliant.

MD Notes as of 7:30 AM, 12/27/15

The Match Theme: "You're In Good Hands..."

We would like to attempt to organize our Matches around a central theme each time.  So, this is our first attempt at doing so.  The January 9th Match is all about single hand shooting.  The Match Round Count is 54.  However, only 8 of those rounds are freestyle.  The remainder are with either the strong or support (weak) hand.  We have attempted to script in a variety of single hand shooting to challenge all IDPA shooter skill levels.  This match will be a good barometer of how well you can manage your single hand shooting.

"He's Got Fluffy"

We are delighted to announce an encore performance of that ever-popular, somewhat shot up, lovable canine, Fluffy!  Despite being hit several times at the Flagstaff IDPA last year, Fluffy has fully recovered and is ready to test his mettle once again.  The upcoming rendition of Fluffy is in honor of Jeff Brown and you can read about it on the Stage Design page:

http://montezumamarkmen.blogspot.com/2015/12/stage-designs-for-mm-idpa-match-3.html

Also, if you want to get an idea of just how Fluffy rolls, check out the little video on this March 2012 post:

http://ifyoushoot.blogspot.com/2012/03/hes-got-fluffy.html

YEA, Fluffy!

MD Notes as of  12/25/15 PM

BUGS WELCOME

Back Up Guns (BUG) both IDPA legal semi-auto and revolver are always welcome at any MM Match.  All MM Matches are designed to be BUG and Revolver Friendly.  Stage round counts are always configured with the six-round limitations in mind for both BUG and Revolver.

IDPA Rule 8.2.6.1 clearly and unequivocally states, "The Back Up Gun division is a required division for Tier 1 matches."  There is no ambiguity in this rule and that is the driving reason why we design our Stages to be BUG Friendly.  By definition, if a Stage is BUG Friendly, it is also Revolver Friendly.

Any BUG shooter will shoot the same MM Match as all other participants.

If you are not up to speed on what constitutes an IDPA legal BUG, please read the relevant rules relating to them. Those rules can be found in section 8.2.6 of the IDPA Rule Book.

Note that anyone bring a BUG to participate in an MM Match will have their BUG weighed, measured and checked to make sure it complies with applicable IDPA Rules. BUG shooter magazine carriers will also be checked for compliance.  It is the BUG Shooter's responsibility to know and follow the BUG Rules.

The Emergency Medical Supplies

One of our New Year 2016 Goals is to further refine the Match Emergency Medical Supplies.  While are have been confident our existing First Aid Kit would have provided adequate supplies for a first response to a Match Emergency, we feel we can and should do better.

Beginning on the January 9th Match, we plan to have on hand two units.  One will be a typical First Aid Kit for small cuts, scrapes and abrasions.  The other will be much more specifically put together to address a emergency trauma such as might occur while shooting firearms.

We invite our present and past Medical Professionals to assist in redesigning our Emergency Medical Supplies.

We would also like to prepare and have on hand a written Emergency Response Plan in case of a firearms-related accident occurring during a Match.  This plan will ideally specify the roles of each responder to such an emergency.  Prior to each Match, specific individuals will be assigned those roles according to their willingness and professional skills.

MD Notes as of 10:30 AM, 12/25/15

Stage Design posting change

Stage Designs will now be posted whenever any given design is in final draft form.  You can read more about it here:

http://montezumamarkmen.blogspot.com/2015/12/stage-designs-for-mm-idpa-match-3.html

New Shooter Position markers.

As all IDPA members know, it seems each club has its own unique way of marking or denoting a shooter position.  Methods range from angle iron and PVC pipe squares to orange paint, etc.   We have always used orange paint.  However, the paint tends to wear off after the 2nd or 3rd shooter.

Now we are going to give this small "fun hoops" a try.  The tubing diameter is small enough  that they should not present a tripping hazard.  The cheap plastic will definitely have more "give" and rigid angle iron or PVC pipe.

We plan to attach them to the earth with small aluminum nails and rubber washers.  We purchased these for $1 each at the Dollar Tree store in Cottonwood.

Stage Designs for MM IDPA Match #3 - January 9, 2016.

We begin the New Year with a new approach to publishing Stage Designs for each upcoming MM IDPA Match.  We will now post each Stage Design as we finish drafting the Design.  In past matches, we have waited until all of the Stages Designs were complete.  We then posted them all at once.

It is our hope that Match Participants and interested IDPA members will take time to provide comments and suggestions on each of the Stages Designs.  We want to make certain that our Stage Designs are IDPA legal.  Please  email your comments to happytrailsforever@gmail.com or simply use the comment function under this blog post.  THANK YOU!

NOTE Stage Designs are put up twice.  One format is small and the other is large.  Hopefully, one of these formats will work with your device. The most recent addition to this page will be at the top.  All additions and edits will be dated.

"He's Got Fluffy" added 12/27/15 @ 7:15 AM

"He's Got Fluffy" is a very special stage for me.  I owe the inspiration for this Stage Design to Jeff Brown.  Our January 9th Match is essentially the 4th Anniversary of the unforgettable January 2012 day I met Jeff at an IDPA Match in Atlanta, Indiana.  One of the most memorable stages in that match was based on a "real life" incident that took place near Indianapolis, Indiana.

Upon our return to Arizona, we set about replicating and refining the Stage Concept into what it has become today.  "He's Got Fluffy" has been stages numerous times here in Arizona, including once in a Flagstaff IDPA Match.  It has also been staged twice at our Idaho club.  So, it is with great pleasure that we stage "He's Got Fluffy" again in honor of Jeff Brown's awesome generosity and inspiring Match Director and Stage Designer Skills.

"Bonomo Texas BBQ" added 12/27/15 @ 7 AM

We shoot this Stage once each Arizona Season.  We vary the setup each time it is shot.  When Tom Bonomo was building our 1911 pistol, he said it had to have "Texas BBQ" grips.  Then he told a story about how no self-respecting Texan would ever go to a BBQ without the absolute very best grips he could afford to put on his pistol.  A Texas BBQ is unlike any other and truly brings out the best men and women from all around.  It also brings out food good enough to fight for.

"All In Your Head" added 12/27/15 @ 6:30 AM

This Stage is entirely Support (Weak) Hand only in three strings.  It is a Standards Stage and totals 18 rounds. A PE will be given if the shooter steps off the box at P1.

"Blown Cover" posted 12/25/15 @ 8 AM

The "Blown Cover" Stage Design emphasizes two fundamental IDPA skills: Strong Hand Only shooting and Tactical Reloads.  No target is farther than 10 yards, as per IDPA Rule: 6.19.

MM IDPA Match #2 Results

Many Thanks to the participants of Montezuma Marksmen IDPA Match #2 on December 19, 2015.  Congratulations to Gordon B. for his awesome 1st Place Finish.  And congratulations to David W. for his second place finish.

Here is the link to the Match results on Practiscore:

http://www.practiscore.com/results.php?uuid=4e2c6656-3968-4b87-a1a3-3b625a4a27aa

Additional Match details and photos will be posted within the next 24 hours.

In the above graphic you see a breakdown of Points Down  as well as the various penalties.

There are two rankings--one for Points Down and one for total "Penalty Time."

Names are listed alphabetically by last name. 

In the graphic below, the top three are listed for each stage.

After every match we photograph, we always realize we forgot to get a picture of everyone.

We will try to do better next time around and apologize to those we missed.