March 19, 2023’s results are available on the Illowa Irregulars Scores page. Fourteen shooters came out to shoot on what turned out to be a frigid March day. Thankfully, we were indoors where it was warm, with hot chili and coffee in abundance! Everyone had a great time and were glad to get a chance to shake some of the winter rust off. It doesn’t get much better than that.

A few more reminders:

1. Saturday, April 1st is our annual range cleanup day. Bring your rakes, blowers, gloves, etc., but mostly your legs and arms and give us a hand making things presentable for the coming season;
2. Friday, April 7 is the first of our weekly Friday practices. Practice starts at 10:00 a.m.;
3. Tuesday, April 11 is the first of the newly organized Tuesday late afternoon practices. We will hold practice on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays each month April through October. Tuesday practices begin at 5:30 p.m.;
4. Sunday, April 16 is our first Monthly Match. Registration for our regular monthly matches begins at 8:00 a.m. with a Safety Meeting at 9:15 a.m. Shooters must be present for the Safety Meeting to participate in the day’s match; and finally,
5. Don’t forget to get your registrations in for the SASS 2023 Illinois State Championship. Click here for more information. We are now offering an online registration option (of course, you can still print and mail it in as well).

We are excited for the coming year and hope you can join us at some point along the way, or even better, at many points along the way.

All your friends at

Illowa Irregulars

January 21, 2023’s results are available on the Illowa Irregulars Scores page. Please note that the Overall and Category Match Results are in a single file. We had a good turnout for a cold January day – 15 hardy cowboys and cowgirls made it out to the range.

2023 began as 2022 ended, with Miss Shot and Foyster O’Rippy winning overall Ladies and Men’s categories.

OK, well the title may be a bit of hyperbole, but . . . we picked up the eight new 18”x24” and four new 24” x24” targets today for use next year.  Count Sandor is working them into the mix for the State Championship match scheduled from August 18-20, 2023.  Thanks to the Milan Rifle Club Board for approving the purchase as well as for supporting Cowboy Shooting in general.  We would not have the club and range we have if it weren’t for their support.   

Now, just a bit about the 2023 Illinois State Championship. 

First, we want to thank you for your supporting the 2022 State Championship (even if you couldn’t be here, we know you supported us in sprit).  We look forward to hosting it again in 2023 and hope you will continue supporting us and our efforts to bring Illinois a quality State Championship match.

Sponsorships:  Second, if you’re interested in sponsoring a Stage we still have a few available.  Of course, we have other Sponsorship opportunities as well.  You can download our Sponsorship Form here.  We appreciate the support. 

Registrations:  Third, we’ve well above 20 registrations already with more coming in weekly. It’s never too early to reserve your spot. Click here to go to our website’s Registration page.  Note that we have two registration options. 

1. Our traditional paper registration form; and,
2. A new online-registration form that allows payment by credit card. 

Please use one form per shooter (i.e., multiple shooters require multiple forms).   

Introducing the Illinois Record Stage:  Fouth, as we mentioned in our Christmas video, we are planning to introduce the Illinois Record Stage at the 2023 State Championship.  This stage will be set up as one of our ten official stages and shot during the championship match. 

This stage is similar to the World Record stage, but uses much closer target distances appropriate for use in a match.  Just as people are recognized as holding the “World Record” when they shoot the World Record Stage the fastest, we plan to recognize Illinois shooters who shoot the Illinois Record Stage the fastest as holding the Illinois State Record.  There will be an Illinois record set in every shooting category that has an Illinois shooter in it. 

We believe Illinois will be the first state to establish a State Record award, and that this will add a fun and interesting element to the Illinois State Championship.  Since this is the inaugural year, there will be a new State Record set in every category that has an Illinois shooter in it.  A lot of people will have bragging rights that they hold the state record when they return home, and have a nice pin to show for it!  There aren’t many “firsts” left in this world.  Here’s one you won’t want to miss.

While the state record can only be held by Illinois shooters, non-Illinois shooters won’t be left out.  All shooters, regardless of residency, can set the Illowa Irregulars Club Record, and will also receive a nice pin to show for it. 

I’m planning to produce a video in the coming weeks which will include the details concerning the award as well as the stage layout and description.  We will also publish the stage for all to see, and even set up and practice it if they wish. 

Feel free to forward this information to anyone you think might be interested.

Stay tuned.

Popcorn Kelly

This is a quick post to let you know we’ve posted a video photo retrospective of our 2022 shooting season. Click on the link below to watch it.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year as we close out 2022 and look forward to getting back together next year.

You may also click here to view the video.