Today’s 11th, one week out from Illowa Irregulars’ Season Opening Cowboy Action Shooting Match, and the wait is over. As promised back in January when we kicked things off with Stage 1, today we’re releasing the entire matchbook containing all six stages.

Over the past three months we’ve methodically rolled out each stage, giving everyone a taste of what Popcorn Kelly and Lightning McQueen cooked up for our season opener. From the Earps’ warning to Ike Clanton to the Cowboys’ last stand at Iron Springs, the full Tombstone-inspired storyline is now laid out in one complete packet.

This match features six fun, well-thought-out stages shot across four bays, designed to keep things moving while still giving shooters plenty to think about. No gimmicks, no oddball targets—just solid, engaging stages with a memorable finale that lets each shooter choose their own path.

If you’ve been following along stage by stage, now’s your chance to see the whole picture. If you’ve been waiting to review everything at once, this is your moment.

Click here or on the Download button below to download the full April 19 Matchbook. Give it a look, load your ammo, dust off the guns, and plan to join us at Camden Mills next Saturday, April 19. We’re looking forward to seeing a line full of Irregulars—regular and otherwise.

Registration opens at 8:00 a.m. with a mandatory Safety Meeting at 9:15 a.m.

Our new 2026 shooting season begins soon. We hope you can join us on Sunday, April 19^th 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

👉 The Illowa Irregulars are hosting a “New Shooter’s Clinic” On Saturday, April 18, 2026 following match setup (about 10:00 a.m.). This will be held on Stage 1 of the cowboy range located at the end of the blacktop drive. Please advise any new or interested shooters so they can get a hands-on introduction to our Cowboy Game!

Cowboy Rick

Howdy, Cowpokes of the Midwest and Beyond!

As we head into the 2026 shooting season, we’d like to invite you to join us for the 2026 Illinois State SASS Cowboy and Wild Bunch Championship, to be held in Milan, Illinois, July 15–19, 2026.

🔥 REGISTER TODAY 🔥

Click here for all the details including how to register for the championship.

On a related note, we just published a Who’s Coming list. Click here or on the link in the top menu. It’d sure be great to see your name this list the next time we update it! We’ve saved a spot just for you.

We’ll have great stages, plenty of fun side matches, Wild Bunch on Wednesday and Thursday, an optional Saturday evening dinner cruise on the Mississippi, free pizza on Friday, and, of course, perfect weather (disclaimer applies!)

We hope to see you there!

Cowboy Rick, Match Director

The National Congress of Old West Shootists (NCOWS) will bring the sights, sounds, and history of the American frontier to the Quad Cities in late March 2026. For three days, the Old West will come alive as historical reenactors, cowboy shooters, and Old West enthusiasts gather for the annual NCOWS Convention.

Visitors will see participants dressed in authentic clothing from the 1865–1899 time period, creating an immersive Old West atmosphere throughout the event.

Old West Show & Sale

A highlight of the convention is the 50-table Old West Show & Sale, featuring vendors offering:

• Period clothing and accessories
• Antique and reproduction firearms
• Leather goods and holsters
• Books and historical materials
• Period collectibles and memorabilia
• And much more

The show is open to the public, and NCOWS membership is not required to attend.

Admission:
$5 per day (payable at the door)

Admission includes entry to the show, sale, and all seminars scheduled that day.

Show & Sale Hours

• March 27, 2026: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• March 28, 2026: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• March 29, 2026: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Educational Seminars

The convention will feature several informative seminars on Old West topics, including:

Friday – March 27

• 2:00–3:00 PM — Mountain Dulcimer: The American Instrument
• 3:30–4:30 PM — Pocket Watches

Saturday – March 28

• 9:30–10:30 AM — Surgery and Medicine in the Early Times
• 11:00 AM–12:00 PM — History of the Colt Revolver
• 2:00–3:00 PM — Scouts of the Plains – A recreation of Buffalo Bill’s first show business venture

Location

DoubleTree by Hilton
111 East 2nd Street
Davenport, Iowa 52801
Phone: 563-322-2200

Learn More

For additional information, visit: www.ncowsconvention.com

Contact:
John Hoker (aka Bear Tooth Billy)
📞 563-272-8001
✉️ jphoker@fbcom.net

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📄 Download the Event Flyer