By Katie Ferraro-Creigh,
Contributing Editor
Photos by Greg Nevitt

Under clear blue skies, the Randolph County Ruckus at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex under construction near Sparta, IL, kicked off Aug. 28, 2005, right on time and with great excitement and anticipation. Billed and sanctioned by the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) as the Illinois State Championship, 300 shooters costumed in cowboy hats, boots, and leather rigs, posse'd up to kick off the first shooting match held at the complex.

The complex, expected to cost $45 to $50 million when it is completed next summer, will become the new home of the Amateur Trapshooting Association's (ATA) Grand American starting in 2006. By that time, The Prairie State Cowboy Action Shooting Association will have sponsored two state championship matches at the new Illinois Department of Natural Resources facility.

The three-day event included 12 stages where the pards and pardettes defended mining claims, fended off robbers, and rounded up ne'er-do-wells. Shooters also had to retrieve a pistol from inside a coffin and were required to navigate their way through a mineshaft, while shooting at targets.

Comments regarding the new complex were positive. Participants were impressed with each shooting stage being surrounded by high berms that have been allowed to reseed with natural grasses. While the main complex is still under construction, the Cowboy Shooting area was well organized and impressive, complete with tents to protect shooters from the blazing sun, and plenty of water on every stage. Although the bare-bones complex hardly was inviting-the group had to bring its own portable toilets, water and concessions-the setup met with enthusiastic approval.

Hotel accommodations in the surrounding area were at a premium; consequently, some participants brought self-contained campers, because electric, sewer, and water hookups are not ready. When completed, however, the Complex will have 800 RV bays, 600 of which will be total hook-ups (electricity, water, and sewer). The remaining 200 spaces will have electric hook-ups, with water and sewer services available.

This unique site is located near three airports and less than 50 miles from three metropolitan areas including St. Louis, MO. Visitors will have access to a variety of amenities from quaint local restaurants and shops, to the bustling activities of the St. Louis area.

When completed, the complex will feature a variety of activities for the avid sportsperson:

• 1500+ acres including 250 acres of water;
  
• 100 trap fields extending 3.5 miles;
  
• 2 sporting clay courses;
  
• Skeet;
  
• ATV demonstration area;
  
• Cowboy Action Shooting corral;
  
• Championship 3-D archery course;
  
• Permanent exhibitor building;
  
• 600 RV campsites with electric and water, and potential for camping jamborees accommodating 1000+ campers;
  
• Recreational center building. and
  
• Multi-purpose, multi-use recreational facility.

Rep. Dan Reitz (R-Sparta), who helped convince the ATA to choose Illinois over Las Vegas and Indiana, always has been a believer, and seeing shooters on the premises enlivened his outlook. He said he talked to visiting shooters and vendors without revealing his job and said, "People are just going, 'Wow. I want my events here.' This will be either great for me or I'll be unloading luggage in Cancun. But I've always had confidence in this project."

Sparta Mayor Randy Bertetto, in the forefront of lobbying to erect the Complex and bring the trapshooters to Sparta, said the revenue will be good for the region and that increased employment should follow in an area that has needed help since the decline of the coal-mining industry. "The study from Vandalia says the Grand American produces $14 million in tax revenue," Bertetto said. "I see us still retaining a small-town feel. It will create jobs, maybe some industries. We have a better chance than before it was here."

Mayor Bertetto, along with numerous clubs, organizations, and school groups from Sparta, spent long hours at the match doing whatever needed to be done, including emptying trashcans, refilling water coolers on each bay, picking up brass for resale, and directing parking and traffic. The community of Sparta has jumped behind the Complex like gangbusters and the CAS shooters were welcomed at every turn.

Perhaps the most amazing thing about the sampling of public opinion among shooters was the unanimity of thought at a site that was only a shell of what it is poised to become. "This is going to be world-class," said Evil Roy, aka Gene Pearcy, a 2001 SASS world champion and 2002 national champion from Durango, CO. "This is going to be one of the nicest places in the world. There is a real shortage of good shooting places. This is going to bring more money to this area than they can imagine."

Joel Brunsvold, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources director who has shepherded the complex from the idea stage, took a tour over the still-bumpy dirt roads. "I'm real proud Illinois has it," Brunsvold said of the Complex.

With the backing of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Brunsvold negotiated a move from Vandalia to Sparta for the ATA's Grand American shooting championships, the largest shooting event in the world. The first Grand American in Illinois will be in August 2006 and mark the official opening of the Sparta Complex.

Brunsvold said the goal is to play host to 270 event days a year that by 2009 or 2010 will yield between $50 million and $100 million in revenue.

Throughout all the hoopla of reporters, politicians, and dignitaries, the Cowboy Action Shooters went about their business of having fun and hitting targets. They were equally enthusiastic in meeting the public, taking every opportunity to meet and greet, as well as explain the rules of the sport.

Neighbors of the Complex were out in force and complimentary of the cowboys' friendliness. Ettie and Horace Tooba, who live a short distance from the range, said they hadn't heard any shots or noise and were eager to get to the front shooting line for pictures of the costumed competitors. At 83, Ettie has had to give up shooting because of her arthritis, but still enjoys hearing the volley of shoots and the "whop" from successful shooters.

As always, seeing old friends and making new ones is a highlight of any Cowboy Action Shooting match. One shooter in particular that is especially remarkable is Tenshot Tammy, aka Tammy Baxter, who is hearing impaired and yet is able to compete with the best. Since she can't hear the beep of the timer to start a stage, the Timing Marshal has to tap Tammy on the shoulder so she knows to begin. She was on her game at the "Ruckus," placing fourth in Ladies Traditional.

Leading the Junior Girls shooting competition, as well as Costuming, Pink Lady, aka Meranda Nudo, was at the top in both categories. She is a joy and delight to have on any posse and was quick to work whatever stage job was needed. In addition to being a hard worker, she is also a good shot. While her time isn't the fastest, she is deadly accurate. As she was told several times by more experienced posse members, "Achieve accuracy and the speed will come."

Pink Lady decided to try Cowboy Action Shooting after her father, Turquoise Tony, aka Tony Nudo, began shooting. They wanted to spend more time together and CAS seemed like the perfect fit. They participate in the Couple's competition, as well as Team shooting, and always have a good time. Tony is very careful to give advice only when asked and Pink Lady listens carefully, incorporating the tips she is given most successfully.

Overall winners of the Illinois State Championship were Bonnet Bonnie, aka Sharon Panozzo and Blazin' Billy Jack, aka Billy Hansen.

An interesting tradition of the Illinois State Match is "signing the rock." Alamo Kid, aka George Burns, started signing rocks some years back and has welcomed the shooters to join him. This time, Kid didn't have to import the rockit was "just kinda sittin' there," left over from the construction. A notice about signing the rock went up and many shooters left their "mark," in more ways than one, at the Randolph County Ruckus.

Kudos go out to the husband and wife team of Match Director Tequila Tab, aka Tab Bumgardner and Honky Tonk Harlot, aka Lisa Bumgardner, who was in charge of scoring. They, along with Just Wild Bill, aka Bill Brotherton, from Kirkpatrick Leather, the Main Match Sponsor, coordinated the match and vendors. Triple T, aka Tom Ellington, recipient of the "Spirit of the Game" award, was on his four-wheeler the entire weekend doing just about everything that needed to be done on the range. Back 40, aka Mel Gajewski, was the "delivery man" on his tractor, ferrying shooters from the parking lot to the range and back.

It was a true team effort with the SASS/CAS clubs of Illinois coming together to provide stages, targets, and scenarios. Pulling the match together on a range that was essentially non-existent was a huge undertaking and the SASS/CAS members of Illinois met the challenge beautifully. In this writer's opinion, the '06 Randolph County Ruckus Illinois State Championship will be even bigger and better-so if you live in Illinois or surrounding states, plan on being there. You won't be disappointed.