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

See the Old West Come Alive – NCOWS Convention Comes to the Quad Cities

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


📄 Download the Event Flyer

2026 Illinois State Championship: UPDATE and ANNOUNCEMENT

Great News! Johnny Too Slow has offered to bring his Gatling gun for display and firing! This will be available for a fee of $25.00 for 20 rounds, or $50 for 40 rounds. If you’ve never experienced this, come join us and give it a try!

Applications are rolling in and preparations are under way for a stellar Cowboy Action Championship.

Consider joining us for more Mayhem On The Mississippi! Applications and match information can be found by clicking  here

Cowboy Rick and the Illowa Irregulars