Illinois Cowboy and WB State Championship

llowa Irregulars are excited to present the 2026 Illinois State Cowboy Action and Wild Bunch State Championships scheduled from July 15-19, 2026.

ONLINE REGISTRATION: Our online forms allow up to 2 registrants per form. However, please note that if you’re planning to shoot both Cowboy and Wild Bunch you’ll need to complete both forms.

  • Click here to complete the Cowboy Registration Form.
  • Click here to complete the Wild Bunch Registration Form.
    • Please note, you can also download event specific information like Event Schedules, Camping, Dinner Cruise, and Host Hotel information by clicking on the appropriate links below.

PAPER REGISTRATION: Click here to download the Paper Registration Forms for both Cowboy and Wild Bunch, as well as the required waiver, and camping information. Follow instructions on the forms.

To see more information click the “Continue Reading” button below.

Continue reading “Illinois Cowboy and WB State Championship” →

Are Posse Requests Important to You?

What do printing your airline boarding pass at home before you leave for the airport and registering for the Illinois State Championship have in common?  

More than you might think.  

We work hard to honor Posse With Requests, and 90+% of the time we’re able to do so. But as the match gets closer, groups of like-minded shooters begin to form.  

Cowboy 1 wants to posse with Cowboys 2 and 3.
Cowboy 6 wants to posse with Cowboy 2.
Then Cowboy 84 wants to posse with Cowboy 6, who is now connected to Cowboy 2.  

See how that works?  

Before long, a single request can become a large interconnected group. We track those connections beginning with the earliest registered shooter.  

So what do boarding passes and match registration have in common?  

Answer: The earlier you register, the better your chances that we’ll be able to honor your posse requests—just like checking in early for a flight improves the odds that you’ll keep your seat and not get bumped.  Right now, we already have one connected group of 12 and two connected groups of 10 based solely on cross-linked posse requests. We don’t yet know the final posse size, but it will likely end up in the 16–18 shooter range.  

Once a posse reaches that limit, a new registrant who wants to posse with someone in that group may not be able to be accommodated. We handle these requests on a strict first come, first served basis, with preference going to those who registered earliest.  

Moral of the story:
If posse requests matter to you, get your registration in soon.  

——–  

ONLINE REGISTRATION: Our online forms allow up to 2 registrants per form. However, please note that if you’re planning to shoot both Cowboy and Wild Bunch you’ll need to complete both forms.  

  • Click here to complete the Cowboy Registration Form.
  • Click here to complete the Wild Bunch Registration Form.
    • Please note, you can also download event specific information like Event Schedules, Camping, Dinner Cruise, and Host Hotel information by clicking on the appropriate links below.  

PAPER REGISTRATION: Click here to download the Paper Registration Forms for both Cowboy and Wild Bunch, as well as the required waiver, and camping information. Follow instructions on the forms.  

2026 Illinois State Championship – July 15-19

There’s less than 90 days until the Illinois State Cowboy and Wild Bunch Championships begin. If you’re pretty sure you’re coming, do us both a favor and get that registration in. It’s helps us for planning purposes, and it helps you by taking one decision off your plate. If you’re not sure, give it a little thought (and then get that registration in).

ONLINE REGISTRATION: Our online forms allow up to 2 registrants per form. However, please note that if you’re planning to shoot both Cowboy and Wild Bunch you’ll need to complete both forms.

Click here to complete the Cowboy Registration Form.
Click here to complete the Wild Bunch Registration Form.

PAPER REGISTRATION: Click here to download the Paper Registration Forms for both Cowboy and Wild Bunch, as well as the required waiver, and camping information. Follow instructions on the forms.

In terms of the match, we’ll offering:

  • An 8-stage Wild Bunch Championship on Wednesday and Thursday
  • Side Matches on Friday,
    • Speed pistol, and shotgun w/Smokeless and Black Powder categories, pocket pistol & derringer, Shotgun Star, and featuring our always fun Running Buffalo.
    • We’re also offering Long Range Pistol & Rifle and 185yd Big Bore Side Matches, also, along with a new side match – the Board Cutting Team Event
  • 10 Main Stages, 6 on Saturday, 4 on Sunday Stage 8 will be an all-shotgun stage;
    • including the highly-acclaimed Illinois and Club Record Stage giving every competitor alloan opportunity to enter the record book by setting a new stage record in their category.
      • All competitors are eligible to set the Club record, but only Illinois residents are eligible to set the Illinois records.
      • Click here to see the current records.
  • An optional Saturday evening Dinner Cruise on the Mississippi River aboard the Celebration Belle.
    • Just imagine several dozens of cowboys, cowgirls, and family, dressed up in their cowboy finery, enjoying a pleasant summer evening on the Mississippi River. If you’ve not experienced a Mississippi River Cowboy Dinner Cruise, and are looking to add a bucket list experience, here’s your chance.

You can also download event specific information like Event Schedules, Camping, Dinner Cruise, and Host Hotel information by clicking on the appropriate link(s) in the right menu on our website.

Updates from the Illowa Irregulars

Our new 2026 shooting season begins soon. We hope you can join us on Sunday, April 19th for our Spring Match. Signup at 8:00am and Shooter’s Meeting at 9:00. The St Jude’s Ladies will be cooking, so come hungry and stay for lunch.

Following our 9:00am setup on Saturday, April 18, we will be conducting a New Shooter Clinic on Stage 1. Please spread the word to any new or potential shooters. Guns and ammo are provided, eyes and ears are the only requirements, and we can help with those items if necessary.

Also, after setup there will be a 4 stage Wild Bunch match.

We held a Range Cleanup Day this week and several willing souls pitched in to clean up the winter debris and organize targets and equipment. Some photos are attached for your enjoyment!

Count Sandor has made repairs and improvements to Stage 4 – much better!

You should check out Fat Boy Harley’s match this Saturday, April 11. The link is Here

Consider getting your applications in for the 2026 Illinois State match. Click HERE for more information.

Dust off your guns and shake out the winter!

Cowboy Rick