The Commanche Valley Vigilantes 

By:  Aimless Annie

In just two short years, an enthusiastic bunch of cowboys and cowgirls known as the Comanche Valley Vigilantes have built an authentic western town and one of the largest cowboy shooting clubs in the country to go with it. Their crowning achievement was the enormously successful annual match known, now and forever, as Showdown At Buck Creek. This inaugural event, September 17-19, had it all - 221 enthusiastic shooters, twelve masterful stages, stiff competition, a proper shotgun wedding presided over by Judge Roy Bean (SASS #1), a real pretend movie-type shootout for spectators, an inspiring cowboy church service, scores of vendors, a western art show, and delectable chuckwagon vitals.

But the story of a great match is the story of a great organization. Just 55 miles south of Fort Worth in the unassuming little town of Glen Rose, Texas, lies a full-scale, old-west town called Buck Creek. It was started by property owner and artist Doug Prine out of a personal love for history. Adding a cowboy shooting club was the brainchild of veteran competitor "Mesquite Jones" with able assistance from friend and longtime SASS member "Bad Image." Together they hammered out a plan with Doug Prine, who had begun building the original town. An adjacent range was laid out, more authentically reproduced buildings were added, and the Comanche Valley Vigilantes were born. Last year with the club on firm ground, Mesquite turned things over to current officers led by personable President "Knifemaker" and plans for a major annual match began.

"Showdown" had every sign of being a tremendous success, with as many as 33 people showing up at work parties in the treacherous Texas heat. Blessed with professional contractor "Reckless Rick" as construction leader, volunteers erected prop buildings better equipped than my motel room. Dedicated cowboy "Jess Good" dug every posthole by hand. Top shooter, "Spur Roberts" (an electrician in his other life) dug ditches and laid electrical lines to furnish all the conveniences of the 20th Century, laying groundwork for those confounded moving targets that went largely unscathed when I shot!

Opening ceremonies for anything worthwhile in the Lone Star State begin with a proper salute to our beloved country. Clad in appropriate uniform, a military platoon ceremoniously hoisted the flag, and the crowd followed respectfully with the Pledge of Allegiance. Following a solemn rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, a few words of welcome from Knifemaker, and a dutiful safety review from highly competent Rangemaster "Shadrach", shooters vacated Main Street and headed for battle.

Stage scenarios were conceived with a hint of devious intent, by CVV lifer and SASS Regulator, "Dallas Stoudenmire" and the hardworking but indescribable "Gunzilla." After a good many years shooting at a whole host of different events, it was energizing to come across such refreshingly inventive stage ideas. Dallas and Gunzilla had a wagon load of surprises and kept gamesmen from planning strategy in advance by waiting until the start of the main match to hand out shooter handbooks.

Competition was exciting, and the pace at which top competitors attacked this challenging course was swift to say the least. Lightning fast "Spur Roberts" was not only Men's Traditional winner but finished as over-all top gun. Ladies' Traditional winner "Squaw Creek Rose" raised the standard for women shooters by finishing 11th over all in a very fast field. "Ed Sieker-Texas Ranger" continued to dominate the Senior class in this part of the country and distinguished SASS Territorial Governor "Colt Law" smoked ‘em in the Frontier Cartridge class. Along with the usual shooting categories, the CVV's added a well-received new class called the "Drifter." It was made up of those participants who had never before shot an annual match of any kind. It was a great way to recognize and encourage these new folks.

Texans make no apology for inviting God to the party, and an inspiring Sunday morning worship service was held by preacher and club member "Justinuf" at the Mission on Buck Creek's main street. With the final chorus of "Amazing Grace", the guns came out and uproarious team events got underway. Team participants fought hard in pursuit of the coveted Buck Creek beer mug awards. Those who did not win one in the main match were looking to take home one of the coveted gold-inscribed mugs, and those who did win one were looking for a matched set. Whatever the motivation, nearly 100 cowboys and cowgirls stuck around for a very memorable time.

The CVV volunteers can be congratulated on their attention to detail at this superb gathering. Special (and discreet) kudos are most assuredly in order for two CVV ladies, "Miss Hattie" and "Buckskin Bunny" whose efforts all but eliminated the usual stiff quintessence of putrification with regard to sanitation facilities. In other words, they cleaned up the outhouses. Heck, they even hung pictures, provided "sweet smell-em" stuff and supplied moist towelettes. It's the little things, folks!

One of the most important citizens in the Old West community was the newspaper editor. The town of Buck Creek follows that legacy. The CVV newsletter publisher, webmaster, and all-around good citizen "Bad Image" was given unanimous credit as being the "go to" guy for any and all types of problems. Early townspeople simply had to fight fire, flood and pestilence. Bad Image had to organize cowboys! For his continuing efforts on behalf of cowboy shooting, he was awarded a Life Membership in SASS by appreciative club members.

Other townsfolk who came through in a big way were "Gunslinger" who helped those who won guns sort through the mountain of required BATF paperwork, and "Huricane" who worked herself to a frazzle doing everything required of the club president's wife and much more. The heroic efforts of scoring diva "Texas Lily" and her staff, along with the invaluable "Cowboy Count" scoring program designed by cyber-savvy "Evil R. Slade" allowed every competitor to have a complete copy of match scores in their hands by Saturday evening. It was quite a coup.

I'm of the personal opinion that when Texans joined the Union, they never really expected to give up the same amount of sovereignty surrendered by the rest of the country! Their republic was carved out of bloody battles and heroic local sacrifice. Texans put great stock in self-reliance and, to this day, believe strongly in self-determination. It is within this context that they welcomed, with open arms, one of their own, Houston-born Judge Roy Bean as their SASS liaison. A lesser emissary from the left coast might have considered this enemy territory. But the Judge was there to support the club, the game, and those who play it. Locals responded by showing up big in support of him and SASS™ in general.

Showdown at Buck Creek '99 was a rousing triumph and a tribute to another job well done. In the Old West, the success and growth of any new town depended on the spirit of its citizens. The Comanche Valley Vigilantes reflect that legacy. Their efforts have paid off in a big way to benefit their loyal members and their sport in general.

Author's note:  The Comanche Valley Vigilantes have a tremendous website which includes a "virtual" tour of Buck Creek. Don't miss it at: www.comanchevalley.org. 

This article was published in the Feb/March 2000 (Volume 3) issue of Shoot! Magazine.  Not all of the photos and captions that were originally printed with this article are provided here.  To order this back issue, please visit the Shoot! Mercantile.

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