ABOUT THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF OLD WEST SHOOTISTS (NCOWS)
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Organizational Goals/History
of NCOWS / Governance /
The Shootist /
Annual Convention
NCOWS Competition /
Membership Information /
Membership
Application Form
Benefits of Forming a Posse
The National Congress of Old West Shootists was established to promote the sport of Western Action Shooting and to preserve the heritage of the Old West, 1865-1899. To this end, our organizational goals are:
To conduct and/or sponsor family-oriented Western Action Shoots and other activities appropriate to the Old West on national, regional, and local levels.
To encourage a high level of historical authenticity in weapons, clothing, and accouterments while participating in NCOWS-sponsored activities.
To engage in historical investigation to enhance our overall level of authenticity and increase our knowledge of the Old West.
To actively promote a positive public image of Western Action Shooting in particular, and of the safe and responsible use of firearms in general.
To establish a membership of like-minded individuals and Charter Clubs (Posses) to help the sport of Western Action Shooting grow and prosper. (Return to Top of Page)
The National Congress of Old West Shootists was founded in Iowa in 1994 by a group of dedicated western action shooters who had a background in muzzleloading, buckskinning, historical reenacting, and many other of the modern shooting sports. To this end we determined that our new organization would be different from existing organizations in a number of ways: we would insist on historical authenticity in all of our activities, we would not require that our members assume an "alias" (although they may if they wish), and we would be a democratically-structured organization, run by the entire membership.
Since its founding NCOWS has grown slowly but steadily, gradually gaining recognition from the shooting fraternity as a viable and significant organization. Early on there was some misunderstanding on the part of some members at least of The Single Action Shooting Society (SASS ) who believed that NCOWS had been founded in opposition to SASS . NCOWS' original aim was to operate parallel to SASS , doing what we could to promote the growth and development of cowboy/western action shooting which, after all, had been invented by SASS . Although we present NCOWS as an alternative organization to those who desire a greater level of historical authenticity and member involvement in governance than SASS provides, we encourage all of our members to support SASS as well as every other shooting organization.
Since its inception NCOWS has been a Charter organization of the National Rifle Association, and strongly recommends that every NCOWS member also be a member of the NRA. Our liability insurance is provided through the NRA. (Return to Top of Page)
The National Congress of Old West Shootists is governed by a Territorial Congress, or Board of Directors, consisting of fifteen Territorial Senators, elected by the entire membership to staggered three-year terms, and any number of Territorial Representatives, one elected by and from each NCOWS Posse for one-year terms. National officers are elected by and from within the Territorial Congress, and consist of the Marshal (President), Deputy Marshal (Vice President), Secretary, Banker (Treasurer), and Judge (Chief Range Officer), as well as the appointed office of Editor. These officers make up the Executive Committee. Territorial Senators and Representatives also appoint an official Delegate to sit on the Executive Committee.
One of the acknowledged benefits of NCOWS membership is the free subscription to The Shootist, NCOWS' official bi-monthly magazine, now in its sixth year of publication. The Shootist was the first magazine devoted entirely to Western Action Shooting, and continues to bring its readers a blend of Old West history, original fiction, "how-to" articles, reviews of new products, and much more. To find out more about it, click HERE.
Officers are elected annually at the NCOWS Annual Convention and Old West Show and Sale. The Convention has always been held in late winter / early spring. Check the Events calendar for news about next year's Convention.
Aside from the annual business meeting and election of officers, the weekend is filled with the events of the annual Old West Show and Sale, which draws dealers and vendors from across the country, and grows larger every year. (Return to Top of Page)
Participation in NCOWS-sponsored events does require some basic minimums in terms of weapons and clothing, which must all be authentic and preferably documentable to the period of 1866-1899. Complete details on approved weapons, calibers, clothing, and accouterments will be found in the NCOWS Tally Book, free to all members. Competition is in two weapons divisions: Black Powder and Smokeless, with further sub-divisions such as "Duelist" (must shoot revolver one-handed), "Shootist" (may shoot revolver two-handed), "Ladies," "Youth" and"Senior." For example, a shooter may compete in "Smokeless Shootist," or "Black Powder Duelist." "Ladies," "Youth" and "Senior" have no restrictions on propellant or whether the revolver is shot one- or two-handed. A new sub-division, "Pistoleer," is restricted in weapons and clothing to the period prior to 1872, and mandates the use of percussion revolvers shot one-handed.
We freely admit that we're rather strict in adhering to a high level of historical authenticity for participation in our events. We believe that the enjoyment of everyone involved -- participants and spectators is increased by maintaining an authentic visual appearance at our events, and we pride ourselves as much on our "look" as on our skills with historic weapons.
NCOWS Posses hold monthly or periodic events throughout the year at their own shooting facilities. Check the calendar for details
Membership Benefits:
The greatest benefit is in joining a group of good people interested in the same things you are. Additional benefits include:
The critically-acclaimed bi-monthly magazine, The Shootist, to keep you up-to-date on NCOWS events, news, new products, articles on weapons and clothing, poetry and fiction, and much more.
A discount on NCOWS-sponsored event registration and fees.
$1,000,000 broad-based liability insurance while participating in official NCOWS events.
An official NCOWS logo lapel pin and official NCOWS logo window decal.
A copy of The Tally Book, the official NCOWS rules and regulations, including full details on appropriate weapons, clothing and accouterments.
The opportunity to fully participate in a democratic organization run for western shooters by western shooters. (Return to Top of Page)
If you like what NCOWS is about, why not join us? It's easy to do. Just click on the "Join Now!" button at the top of the page.
Benefits of NCOWS Posse Membership
Representation in the NCOWS Territorial Congress (Board of Directors).
Each NCOWS Posse may elect one Territorial Representative (eligible for
election to National Office) to serve a one-year term to the Territorial
Congress. There is no limit on the number of times a Territorial Representative
may be re-elected.
Discount advertising rates for your events in The Shootist. One
free 1/4-page ad per year in The Shootist for
NCOWS-sanctioned events, plus free listing of all Posse events in The
Shootist and in the NCOWS Up-Coming Events Web page.
Reimbursment of liability insurance cost for the Posse's
NCOWS-sanctioned events. See By-Laws
for more details. Posse events must be approved by the Executive
Committee and published in The Shootist at least one month prior to the
scheduled event.
A Rebate of $3.00 on each new NCOWS member enrolled by the Posse.
A Charter suitable for framing.
Assistance on running NCOWS-sanctioned events
Opportunity to host NCOWS Regional Shoots
How to Form a Posse
How to form an NCOWS Posse – Step by Step
1st - Join NCOWS. - $ 35.00
* This gets you:
* The Shootist (6 issues per year) with:
- articles on CAS guns, Old West History and Western fiction.
- contact information
- Schedule of Events
* The Tally Book which contains the by-laws and rules of the organization, along with the approved and disapproved lists of guns and equipment.
2nd – Locate 12 like minded individuals in your area.
The Shootist contact information may be of help here. (A posse can be formed with as little as three members but must be expanded within a year to five. Twelve members is the minimum to be eligible for reimbursement for your liability Insurance.)
3rd – Formulate a set of by-laws for your posse.
(The NCOWS Tally-Book can be used as a “boiler-plate.”)
4th – Obtain a liability Insurance policy of at least a million dollars.
One option for insurance is the following:
NRA Endorsed Program
PO box 410679
Kansas City, MO. 64141-0679
Attn: Dan Hilboldt Phone # Toll Free 1-877-487-5407
5th – Submit your by-laws and roster to the Congress for approval.
Once approved, you are set.
6th – If your posse is to be a shooting group (rather than living history) you will need to find a range to hold your matches.
Here safety is the number one priority. You might look into any local ranges that you can borrow/rent/lease. You can start simple with targets; anything that is safe and legal to shoot at. (Don’t start out thinking you have to have shoots just like…..)
If you have any questions contact:
Michael “Books” Tatham – (816) 356-6844 Deputy@ncows.org
Deputy Marshall – National Congress of Old West Shootists