A small lament

[pawncop]

This year marks the end of a small tradition that I was happy to have a part in it.

For several years we celebrated Rugerfest here in Texas. Several of the events were held at the Tin Star Ranch outside of Fredericksberg. There are many fond memories I have of those events.

The last couple of years they were held at other ranges, and were less well attended as some of the original "pioneers" were not present.

I want to acknowledge Zane's hard work to try and keep this tradition going, but it was not to be. One person cannot carry this without assistance.

For those that were a part of this small tradition, I miss the fellowship, I grieve for those that have died, and I hope at some point, I hope the tradition can be reborn. It is definitely worth it.

 

[Jim Puke]

Sorry to hear that this has gone away...even for a little while. Maybe it can be restarted in the near future. There is a lot of competition for people's time, these days. The reason most of these things are attended by older folks is because they generally have more time than those working and raising a family.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Well,
Since I was the originator of the great gathering at Tin Star. I probably have the heaviest heart of all. What a shame Jim of Tin Star decided he didn't want us because of some Whiners.
It is really hard to have an event at a range with all there rules and other people their. We were allowed to make our own rules which we did. Just me but putting holes in paper doesn't match making big rocks into little rocks with BIG bullets. That was Tin Star along with rapid fire and CAS shooting having a contest between the bottom feeder Guys and me with a Hog Leg is priceless.. Oh yea the wives had a place to hang out also. Having the great facilities at the KOA was also a great attribute. For success it can not just be about the shooting. We had it all fer sure. A real shame it is past.
Yes a big thank you to Zane for trying to keep it going. It was a hard act to follow at Tin Star. I'm glad Zane was able to make one at Tin Star.
Thanks for the memories,

 

[contender]

While I wasn't ever able to make it to the Tin Star with that gang,,, the gathering was the inspiration for the East Coast Gathering. It's truly sad it couldn't continue. I enjoyed reading about the good times & the people. Losing Piper,,, well, I never met him,,, but felt as if I knew him just a little. Even if only as a kindred spirit.
One big difference between the Tin Star & our ECG.
I own the range & WE make our own rules.
So,, as always,,, my door is open,,,, and the range is there. Come October,,, we'll do it again!

PS; Love seeing those pics again Jim!

 

[Cholo]

I made the 2nd, 3rd and 4th. They were really some great times! Everybody got along. It was a shame to have come to an end

I believe that most of the threads/pics have been deleted over the years. It would take some time, but I'm sure I could locate many of the pics I'd taken. Who can ever forget finally breaking the big rock on the cliff :mrgreen:

Great times for sure! It's a large lament for me...

 

[gramps]

Thanks for the thread pawncop. Jim, I appreciate the pictures. I was there for the 4th year at the TinStar Ranch, since I was working in Del Rio, Tx at the time. It was a blast to say the least. I treasure the time I spent with the gang. Thanks to Zane for all he did to keep the tradition alive.
gramps

 

[pawncop]

FWIW, wife and I drove out to the ranch earlier this year. The entire operation is shut down. There is no advertising on the way in, the animals are gone, even the flag is missing. The website is no longer active, so sorry it appears totally done in.

 

[jussbad]

How about adding some names to the pictures? Always enjoy putting the face to the names we have on here. Sorry to hear the news abut the traditional get together going away.

 

[Cholo]

I don't know all the names, but here's the names of those who I do know. All are left to right:

Pic1) Slippingaway, gunslinger_hank, Piper, Wyandot Jim
Pic2) Karen Blair with Piper
Pic3) Wyandot Jim, his wife Pat, the owner of the Tin Star
Pic4) Piper and Wyandot Jim
Pic5) Karl, aka 737tdi, his wife, Bkat, Susie (Hank's wife), Hank
Pic6) Susie
Pic7) Motex and his wife
Pic8) Karl and his wife
Pic9) Jim, Piper, beagledog, Karl, Hank. Some names I don't remember
Pic10) Slippingaway, Jim, Piper
Pic11) Tin Star owner, Piper, Jim

 

[graygun]

FWIW, wife and I drove out to the ranch earlier this year. The entire operation is shut down. There is no advertising on the way in, the animals are gone, even the flag is missing. The website is no longer active, so sorry it appears totally done in.

Very sad to hear it's shut down,it was a super place to see,even if you weren't shooting. Much thanks to WJ for kicking it off and all the other related things. How quickly times and events go by! It was fun meeting and sharing times with all who attended.

After (owner) Jim's wife,Cherry,died in 2012,it seemed the process of decline began. As far as I know,Cherry's sons (step sons?) contested the will,and it led to this.

 

[jussbad]

Cholo
Thanks. Appreciate the names.

 

[737tdi]

Good times, good memories and good people. I sure miss it. And yes that was one tough rock. I put a bunch of .480 ruger into it and we all hit it with everything else. :shock:


Karl

 

[Cholo]

I think that it was Bkat that took finally it down with my .32 Long or something :mrgreen: Who knows how much energy it finally took to take it out. Damn, that sure was some fun! Slippingaway sure hammered it with some .454's. Taxbigdog tried his best with his 45-70! How far away was that rock? I believe it was 150+ yds., or more.

I hated that I forgot some of the names. Karl's wife's name is Judy and the Tin Star owner was Mickey. The pics are from the 1st meet that I didn't attend. I believe I can find some more pics of the next 3 meetings buried in my computer with some new faces. Those were some really good times shared with some great people! The rock was something where you had to be there to see just how hard we tried to bring it down. It reminded me of the scene in Pale Rider where the guy kept on smacking that huge rock with a sledge hammer and finally broke it in half to find the mother load of gold.

It was great to have gramps, aka The Pig Killer, at the final meeting. Those sure were some good times...

 

[Bkat]

I think that it was Bkat that took finally it down with my .32 Long or something :mrgreen:

It was me, but I did it with a head butt!
Bkat