With ribbet-rabbit rustlers and Camels run amok in Rope Burn City, the bounty collectors had their hands full of iron and fire protecting the fine denizens of the Cariboo.
Though lacking the characteristic clink of the spur-percussioned cowboy gate, the bounty collectors made up for the lack with fire, smoke explosions and perfectly timed quips to deal with the no-goodknicks sneaking in from Spuzzum to steal the prized pig or the outlaws skulking behind trees.
“You can’t skulk by me, you villains,” Big Nose Bob roared, slamming his axe into the chopping block, then drew his six-shooter with (non) serious intent.
His rifle roared and smoke and fire poured forth, but the villains weren’t vanquished yet. With the far skulkers scared and scramming, he moved onto his shotgun to pockmark the braver villains and then it was on to pistol work, skinning his smoke wagons and showing what he could do.
Thirteen brave souls joined The Rope Burn City Bounty Collectors last weekend to keep the Cariboo safe, braving overcast weather, the odd sprinkle and chilli with the kick of a black powder .45 Colt.
Like any hero, the posse members had names befitting their wild west antics, from Dead Man’s Hand, to Chicken Merango to Miss Cara Boo Belle.
After clearing the skulkers, they moved on to freeing Big Ernie, the Cariboo’s favourite hog and leaving the field of battle obscured by the fog of war, other ways known as black powder smoke.
The Bounty collectors started Saturday protecting Flaubert the Ribbet-Rabbit, a cross between a frog and a rabbit, from the notorious cad Charles Darwin, who planned to steal it and add it to his list of discoveries. Next up they cleared the trees of skulking villains then went on to protecting Big Ernie from bacon speculators.
After a busy morning, The Rope Burn City Bounty Collectors took a break for a launch of chilli and biscuits.
After lunch, the posse warmed up with some varmint shooting’ and finished off hunting the camels that infests Rope Burn City.
The weekend was rounded out by side matches on Friday and a steel shoot on Sunday.
The weekend, which is half dress-up, interactive theatre and skills competition, is put together locally by the Cowboy Action Shooters of the Quesnel Rod and Gun Club.
Posses across North America take part in similar Cowboy Action Shoots, with large, national meets taking place to find the quickest draw in the west.
This shoot welcomed a couple visitors, including a shooter from Ontario, who was in the Cariboo on vacation and joined in on the fun.
For information about the club contact the Quesnel Rod and Gun Club or go to the website at http://www.quesnelrodandgun.ca/category/cowboy-action-shooting.
