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To all interested shooters!
YOU ARE INVITED…
The 31st Sgt. Alvin C York Memorial
March 23, 2024
The 30th Sgt. Alvin C. York Memorial Shoot will be held Saturday, March 23, 2024. This event's continued success is attributed to the competitors who graciously volunteer time and service in various responsibilities. For things to run smoothly, there are many tasks: shooter registration, preparation of the range, "running, scoring, and tabulating" targets, safety officiating of the range, and more. No matter how large or small your part, this tremendous volunteer force comes through year after year. FOLKS … THIS IS YOUR SHOOT!!!
Each year, many shooters honorably donate prizes, adding a wonderful camaraderie atmosphere. So please feel free to add something to the prize table.
The Sgt. Alvin C. York Memorial Shoot is designed after matches held by Sgt. York and his colleagues. Primarily a shooting contest, it is also a reenactment of the famous "Jim-town" shoots of years gone by. Please consider this when choosing clothing for the event and shooting accouterments such as shooting boxes and loading tables. It would be enormously appreciated if each of us would put a little extra effort into our clothing and accouterments, providing the best historical ambiance for the shoot! Prizes will be awarded for the best dressed in each of the following four categories. "Business/Sunday go-to-meetin" for both men and ladies and "Work/Everyday" clothing for ladies and gentlemen.
The York Shoot is held on Tennessee State property, and the display of alcoholic beverages will not be tolerated. Please be extremely discreet. STRICTLY ENFORCED, there will be no sales of alcoholic beverages permitted on Tennessee State property!
We are looking for a few volunteer Range Safety Officers. Also, any help scoring targets would be deeply appreciated. Please don't worry scoring targets is not all that tough and we can teach it to you in less than 10 minutes. You can reach us through the contact page.
Range Safety and Competitive Regulations
SAFETY FIRST!
A required safety meeting held at 7:30 AM Central Standard Time for ALL CONTESTANTS of BOTH RELAYS Before the first relay. All general practice Range Safety Rules are strictly enforced, by the range officer who is in charge! All range officers work under the direction of the Match Director, who is to be considered the Chief Range Officer.
1) Any act deemed unsafe by a Range Officer will be considered a violation of these rules, the competitor expelled from the range.
2) Obey Range Officer’s directions their decisions are final.
3) Range Officer decisions appeals must be only directed to the Chief Range Officer. However, the match will not be delayed or halted for such appeals.
4) Courtesy is required, rudeness will not be tolerated.
5) Competitors may NOT handle other's equipment without permission from the owner.
6) Direct questions about the range or equipment to the Chief Range Officer.
7) Categories are Adult and Youth. (Youth are defined as individuals under the age of 16 years old)
8) Youth must be supervised by 1 knowledgeable adult.
9) Contestants will not use intoxicating substances before or during the contest. No intoxicating substances, smoking materials, including vapor devices, will be allowed in the loading area.
10) No Rifles shall be used if ruled unsafe by the Range officer.
11) Rifles will be carried with muzzle up above the competitor's heads.
12) When range is closed, NO Rifles will be handled.
13) No loaded rifles shall be taken from the firing line.
14) A separate powder measure will be used to load Rifles.
15) Pre-loading for the next shot is forbidden.
16) No loaded rifle will not be left unattended.
17) Blowing down the barrel from the muzzle end is strictly forbidden.
18) Although hearing and vision protection are strongly encouraged, the use of these items will be determined by the individual contestant.
19) Eye and ear protection are required for youth contestant
20) There will be no practicing for the second relay during the first relay. Should an individual be found practicing
during the first relay, they will be disqualified.
21) Only one person may shoot a given rifle in each relay.
22) No one except registered shooters of the current relay, shooting coaches for juniors, shooter assistance for people with physical challenges, Range Officers, or authorized event staff should be within the loading area or on the firing line.
23) Range safety personnel must be present when misfires are being cleared.
24) Patched Round ball only.
25) Black Powder or approved Black Powder substitute only.
26) Front and rear sights must be fixed. The “sealing” of adjustable sights with substances such as wax, lead, or tape. to render them “fixed” is permitted.
27) No “in-line” firearms.
28) The contestant must support the rear of the rifle with no additional support. Nothing may be laid on top of the shooting mat underneath the shooting mat nor anywhere else to assist the shooter in supporting the rear the rear of the rifle.
29) No shooting gloves will be allowed in this competition. Gloves worn only to keep the hand warm will be permitted at the discretion of the chief range officer.
30) Physically Challenged Chuck Adapter (henceforth known as PCCA)
A) The use of PCCA will be strictly at the discretion of the match director.
B) The number of PCCA is limited and on a first-come-first-served basis.
C) All PCCA will be the property of and be provided on loan from the match director and reasonably identical.
D) Each physically challenged contestant will be issued one adapter to set their chunk on. The contestant must
support the rear of the rifle with no additional support.
E) A 5-gallon bucket is provided as a seat; other seat types will be considered at the match director's approval.
F) Each physically challenged contestant will be required to use a board runner to hang their scoring target.
31) Firing line space will be available on a first come first serve basis up to 100 spaces per relay.
32) When the firing line is declared hot no person shall be down range. Failure in the target area will not halt firing. The competitor's target will be measured at 2 inches.
TARGET STANDS: Please bring your own target stand. In the spirit of sportsmanship, these should be as small as possible not to take up excess space on the line. Not exceed 24 inches wide
RIFLES: May be either flint or percussion in traditional hunting or traditional target style. There is no limit as to weight or caliber. The rifle may not be equipped with a false muzzle. No in-line actions or thumbhole stocks will be allowed. All rifles must be inspected for conformance before the competition. Patched round ball only. 60 Yard range
SIGHTS: The front sight may be a blade, pinhead, post, or barleycorn. The use of Shaders is permitted. All rear open sights must be at least six inches forward of the barrel's breech end. They must have a "U," "V," or rectangular opening, as wide at the top as any part of the notch. Adjustable rear open sights will be permitted. However, no adjustment is allowed to the sites after the beginning of the competition. The adjustment screws will be covered with either wax or tape.
CHUNK / BARREL REST: There should be nothing that would confine the rifle "in place" on top of the chunk. For instance, if you use a sandbag, it should move freely on top of the chunk. If you're using a cant block affixed to your rifle, it should be able to move freely on top of the chunk. No double rest allowed the contestant's body must support the butt end of the rifle.
Scoring: Scores determined by measurement from the center of the hole where the ball passed through the target to the center of the X. Adding together the score of all ten targets to determine the total score, with the lowest total score determined the winner. The string ranking will determine supplicant places.
RELAY SETUP: A competitor's equipment is only allowed in the loading area during the relay within which they are competing. Second, relay competitors; do not place your equipment in the loading area before the end of the first relay. First, relay shooters shall remove their equipment from the loading area immediately after the last shot of that relay is fired. Ample time is given for second relay contestants to set their equipment. If you desire to put up a cover in the loading area, please place it in the back one half of the loading area. Please be considerate to other contestants.
Camping: Tent and trailer camping is available for free at the shooting grounds. When you set up your camp, please allow a minimum of 70 feet of clearance behind the loading area for emergency services access. This is a legal requirement. Please note!!! For liability reasons, no shooting activities will be permitted until the contest's time on Saturday morning. Please leave the grounds in good condition. It is preferred that you take your trash with you, otherwise place it in the provided receptacles, do not overfill. Camping will no longer be allowed within 150 feet of tree lines adjacent turn the tributaries. We have experienced flooding in the areas. At parks request will no longer allow camping in those areas. Fear not there is plenty of camping on high grounds. Please remember we are guest of the state of Tennessee. They are gracious hosts, let's be gracious guest.
Membership & Registration: You must be a member of the Alvin C York Memorial Shoot, to participate. Your membership registration of $40.00 covers both your $5 membership dues and your $35.00 shooting registration fee. Due to safety concerns, shooter registration must be limited to 200 shooters. Preregistrations must be postmarked no later than March 12, 2023; however, you may register at the shoot on Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00PM CST and Saturday from 7:00AM to 9:00AM CST. Checks should be made payable to "Alvin C. York Memorial Shoot."
VENDERS: Many of our members bring items for sale. This practice of "tailgating" is encouraged and appreciated. However, for insurance purposes, it has become necessary that we require all vendors (except for those consigned by the organizers) to be registered shooters, whether you choose to shoot or not.
All Sgt. Alvin C York Memorial shoot staff are volunteers. Please treat them with respect as they will treat you with respect.
Thank you for your cooperation and Good Luck.
Don't let the shooting get in the way of having fun.