ABOUT THE SPORT
What is Cowboy Action Shooting?
Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS) has been described in a number of ways from "The closest you’ll get to the old west short of a time machine" to "the most fun you can have with your clothes on."
Many of our participants grew up playing cowboys and Indians and imitating old west screen icons such as John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda. They watched Bonanza, Maverick, Wagon Train or maybe Cowboys and Aliens. They’ve adopted the personas of lawmen, gamblers, hired guns, farmers, and soiled doves and saloon girls.
While some shoot original guns from the 1800s, most shoot reproductions of guns like Colt’s single action revolver and rifles like the Winchester ’73 and ’66. Shooters wear costumes that make them look like Rooster Cogburn, Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp, Calamity Jane or Annie Oakley.
If you enjoy spending time with some of the nicest folks you’ll ever have the chance to meet and reliving your youth, or in the case of our younger shooters, creating a memorable experience with family and friends, cowboy action shooting is probably for you. It’s a wonderful family sport!
How to Get Involved
If you think Cowboy Action Shooting sounds like something you might like to try, we encourage you to stop by a match or contact any one of us for more details. We like to help new interested new shooters get started. Prior to purchasing your guns, etc. we encourage you to come to the club on one of our Saturday set-up days and have a look at our equipment. Just give us a call so that we bring it along for you to try out. Can’t make it on a Saturday? No problem. Visit a match. There is always someone ready to help you out and answer your questions. Before you shoot your first match you will need to select an alias. Perhaps you’ll select something that reflects your hobbies or other interests. Maybe it will reflect a place you used to live or have always wanted to live. Names of ancestors are also popular choices for your alias. Getting your guns, leather and clothing around can be costly and time consuming. We only ask that new shooters simply "cowboy up" as best they can. No t-shirts, ball caps or sneakers please. If you don’t have all the gear yet, don’t let that keep you from joining us. Someone is always willing to help you along the way.
About the Posse
El Posse Grande is the name given to the cowboy action shooting group sponsored by the North Mountain Sportsman’s Association located in Muncy Valley, PA. We offer six stages of shooting at each monthly match on a range that is fully dedicated to cowboy action shooting. We have a total of 10 shooting bays sporting false front buildings and large props, including a train, jail, general store and more. Our loading benches are covered, making it possible for our cowboys to stay relatively dry even on rainy days. We hold matches on the 4th Sunday of each month from April through October, and also on the 5th Sunday when there is one. The May match over Memorial Day weekend is our SASS Pennsylvania State Championship. Registration opens at 8:00 AM, followed by a shooter safety/informational meeting at 9:30 AM. Shooting begins at 10:00 AM and usually runs into mid-afternoon. For exact dates, please see the Schedule page. Visitors are welcome at all matches. March set-up and range maintenance occurs on the Saturday prior to each match from 8:00 AM - noon.