Author: Illowa Irregulars

Illowa Irregulars’ April 19 Match – Stage 1

It’s bitterly cold outside right now but April, and Illowa Irregulars’ first match of the season, is just over two months away.  April’s Match Directors, Popcorn Kelly and Lightning McQueen, put together a gem of a match for us.  If you’re a regular Irregular, you’ll want to remain so.  If you’re an irregular Irregular this might be a match to consider attending. 

PK and Lightning designed a fun, unique match with a couple of twists.  The storyline follows the movie Tombstone.  The match begins with the Earps confronting Ike Clanton at Stage 1, warning him to stay out of trouble, and ends on Stage 6 with Wyatt and his posse chasing the cowboys culminating in a Final Confrontation.  Between these stages the theme follows key events within the movie.

With this being the first match of the season, they’ve made it easy on us as well – 6 stages shot across 4 bays to minimize moving between stages.  Stages 1 and 2 are shot on Bay 1 and Stages 3 and 4 are shot on Bay 5. Stage 5 is shot on Bay 9 and Stage 6 (the Final Confrontation) is shot on Bay 10. 

Suffice it to say, Stage 6, the Final Confrontation, is a stage we’re pretty sure has never been seen at Camden Mills or, for that matter, may never have been seen by anyone that shoots here regularly.  Don’t worry, there’s no trickery, Medusa, or odd targets, etc., and it’s as easy a stage to shoot as the others.  Curious?  You’ll just have to wait until we release Stage 6. 

Speaking of releasing stages, we’re releasing Stage 1 today.  Click here or on the Download button below to download it.  We’ll release Stage 2 in two weeks, Stage 3 two weeks later, and so on. 

Note: Each time we release a new stage the previously published stage will disappear and remain unavailable until it is released in the full packet on April 12th, one week prior to the match. If you want it between now and then, download it today! We’ll do the same with each coming release – replace the last one with the newly released stage.

April19_2026_Stage 1Download

2026 Illinois State Championship – It’s Never Too Early to Register

We’re quickly approaching the end of January 2026. From Illowa Irregulars’ perspective, it won’t be long until the Illinois State Cowboy and Wild Bunch Championships, scheduled from July 15-19. It’s odd to say, but July will be just around the corner. Do yourself a favor and get that registration in. We hit our shooter limit the last time.

Once again, we’re pulling out all stops to put on an outstanding Championship, including for the first time, an 8-stage Wild Bunch Championship match.

Of course, it wouldn’t be the Illinois State Championship if we didn’t include 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.

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 Illinois and Club Record stage allowing all competitors a chance to enter the record book by improving an existing score 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.

Registration is easy. We are now offering two registration options, Online and Paper, both of which allow you to register up to two people on a single form. Wild Bunch requires its own registration form.

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.

We know it seems early, but in reality, it’s not. Give it some thought, then get that registration in soon. Doing so takes that decision off your plate (you know you want to come) AND it helps us from a planning perspective. Click here for more information including camping and area hotel options, links to videos, etc.

Hot Off The Press: State/Region Realignment – Major Illowa Irregular Impact!

SASS just released its new regional structure. Make no mistake, it will have a major impact on Illowa Irregulars and the many Illinois/Iowans that shoot here.

While Illinois remains in the Midwest Region, Iowa moves to a newly created Plains Region. Additionally, effective in 2026, the Midwest Regional Championship will be held at Paradise Pass in Etna Green, Indiana with the 2026 Plains Regional Championship being held at Judge Parker’s Marshals in Van Buiren Arkansas.

See the updated Regional Map and Regional Championship location information below.

See the

For comparison purposes, here is the old Regional map.