October 3rd & 4th 2026 – 5 Dogs Creek Buddy Love Gunfighter Throwdown 2026 (results)

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A Dispatch from the Wild Frontier

Howdy Cowpokes, Gunfighters, Buckaroos, and Other Questionable Characters,

The dust has settled, the smoke has cleared, and the 2026 5 Dogs Creek Buddy Love Gunfighter Throwdown has officially ridden off into the sunset as another rip-roaring success!

First and foremost, we’d like to tip our hats and offer a mighty big THANK YOU to everyone who saddled up and joined us for the weekend. Whether you came to test your skills in the noble art of Gunfighter shooting or simply showed up to enjoy some lead-slinging, laughs, and fellowship, we appreciate every one of you.

This year’s Throwdown faced some stiff competition for trail traffic. Between the Old West Regional Championship and folks already hitching up their wagons for Land Run, there were plenty of places for shooters to point their horses. The fact that you chose to spend your weekend with us at 5 Dogs Creek means more than a gold nugget in a prospector’s pan.

The 2026 Top Hand Award

The festivities kicked off with the presentation of the coveted 5 Dogs Creek Top Hand Award. After careful consideration by the Top Hand Committee, the honor for 2026 was awarded to Bull McFearson in recognition of countless hours of hard work, dedication, stage building, problem solving, and all-around service to the club.

If every western town had a Bull McFearson, there’d be a lot fewer problems and a lot more shooting.

☀️ If It Was Any Hotter…

Despite the calendar insisting it was October, Mother Nature apparently misplaced hers and handed us one from July.

We welcomed 28 shooters on Saturday and 15 shooters on Sunday. The California sun came out looking to start trouble, but our shooters weren’t about to let a little heat stand between them and good times. Saturday’s two hardworking posses and Sunday’s determined posse pushed through a set of fantastic Gunfighter-friendly stages before the heat could melt the spurs right off our boots.

The Gunfighter Spirit Was Strong

The Gunfighter lifestyle was alive and well all weekend long.

Saturday

A remarkable 18 shooters either tried their hand at Gunfighter or continued shooting the way the Good Lord intended: one revolver in each hand and a grin on their face.

Top Male Gunfighter Whiskey T.F. Bottles (96.93)

Top Female Gunfighter Gunpowder N Grace (134.51)

Sunday

Not to be outdone, 9 shooters spent Sunday proving once again that two pistols are still the most effective way to solve most frontier problems.

Top Male Gunfighter Whiskey T.F. Bottles (105.74)

Top Female Gunfighter Gunpowder N Grace (151.85)

The Overall Gunfighter Showdown

The battle for Gunfighter bragging rights was fierce, with plenty of smoke, steel, and good-natured rivalry.

When the dust settled:

Saturday Overall

Whiskey T.F. Bottles
Ambs Aces
Rusty Shotgun

Sunday Overall

Whiskey T.F. Bottles
Dirt McFearson
Buddy Love

Not a bad weekend’s work for a bunch of folks voluntarily standing in the heat while making loud noises.

1st Annual Gunfighter of the Year

Following Saturday’s match, a secret ballot quietly circulated among those brave souls who proudly call Gunfighter their primary category.

After much deliberation, spirited discussion, rumor, speculation, horse trading, and at least a few questionable promises involving bourbon and brisket, votes were cast for the 1st Annual 5 Dogs Creek Gunfighter of the Year Award.

This prestigious title and buckle recognize not only excellence as a Gunfighter, but also dedication and service to the 5 Dogs Creek community.

It is our pleasure to congratulate the inaugural recipient:

Buddy Love – 2026 Gunfighter of the Year

May the buckle shine brightly and the bragging rights last forever.

The Great Dutch Oven Mystery

Following the official town council meeting, attention shifted to an equally serious matter: the Dutch Oven Cook-Off.

Unfortunately, an official winner could not be determined.

The judges attempted to perform their sworn duties, but the entries disappeared with alarming speed. By the time scorecards were located, every dish had been sampled, every pot scraped clean, and every crumb mysteriously vanished.

Based on the evidence gathered at the scene, we have concluded that:

Everybody won.

Case closed.

Special Thanks

A special thank you goes out to Buddy Love and Crew for writing and preparing the stages for the weekend.

The stages were fun, challenging, fast-moving, and designed with Gunfighters in mind. From the first beep to the last clang of steel, they delivered exactly what this match was meant to be.

We’d also like to thank every posse marshal, scorekeeper, timer operator, brass picker, setup volunteer, and kitchen contributor who helped make the weekend run smoothly. Matches like this do not happen without many helping hands behind the scenes.

Coming Up Next at 5 Dogs Creek

Don’t put those smoke wagons away just yet!

Saturday, October 31st (Winter Hours)

Office opens: 9:30 am

Shooters Meeting 10:15 am

Sunday, November 1st

Office opens: 7:30 am

Shooters Meeting 8:30 am

Stages By:

Bull McFearson

Whether you come dressed as a cowboy, outlaw, ghost, vampire, or just your usual ugly self, we hope to see you there.

So dust off your cowboy gear, practice those transitions, and join us for another weekend of good shooting, good friends, tall tales, and questionable life choices involving black powder and large quantities of steel targets.

Until next time…

Shoot straight, travel safe, and remember:

If you’re shooting Gunfighter, you’re never technically outnumbered.

Whiskey T.F. Bottles – Telegraph Operator 

 

September Scores – Back to School Match

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5 Dogs Creek – Back‑to‑School Match Results!

Well now, dust off your notebooks and sharpen your pencils, ‘cause class was officially in session this past weekend at 5 Dogs Creek. Teacher Gunpowder ’N Grace rang the bell, slammed the ruler on the desk, and sent every cowboy and cowgirl straight back to school—Old‑West style.

Our “curriculum” included such fine academic disciplines as:

  • Mathematics: Countin’ misses you swear you didn’t have.(lie’n, cheat’n, spotters!)
  • History: Rememberin’ how you used to shoot before that last miss.
  • Science: Proving steel targets do move when you glare at ‘em hard enough.
  • Physical Education: Sprintin’ between shooting positions like recess just started.
  • Detention: For anyone who earned it… you know who you are.

And boy howdy, did the students perform.

HONOR ROLL – TOP OF THE CLASS

Coyote Carson

Valedictorian of the weekend. Straight A’s in Accuracy, Agility, and “Ain’t Nobody Catchin’ Him.”

  • Saturday: 86.75
  • Sunday: 77.77 Rumor has it he turned in his homework early and the timer operator gave him extra credit.

SATURDAY – September 5th

The schoolhouse doors swung open and the learnin’ commenced.

Top Students:

  1. Coyote Carson – Teacher’s pet, but we ain’t mad.
  2. Big Bad Blaine – Didn’t miss a single question on the test.
  3. Ambs Aces – Mayor by day, straight‑A student by weekend.
  4. Whiskey T.F. Bottles – Extra credit for style and sass like the town wino with a snake in his boot.
  5. Saw‑Yer Wood – Passed every subject with flying colors.

Top Lady:

  • Gunpowder N Grace

Some students claimed their rifles were “acting up,” others blamed the wind, and one cowboy insisted his shotgun was “still on summer break.”

SUNDAY – September 6th

Day two of school brought fresh coffee, fresh cartridges, and a whole new set of pop quizzes.

Top Students:

  1. Coyote Carson – Still top of the class. Still suspiciously fast.
  2. Whiskey T.F. Bottles – Gold star for effort and execution, yet ended up in detention again, who would have thought it.
  3. Ambs Aces – Mayor continues to ace the curriculum.
  4. Sam Ootie – Smooth as a freshly chalked blackboard.
  5. Dutch Longhorn – Sheriff proved he can enforce the law and the lesson plan.

Top Lady:

  • Dustbowl Debbie

Special recognition goes to Wanderin’ Rose, who earned an SDQ so mighty the principal had to step outside and breathe into a paper bag.

NOTABLE CLASSROOM MOMENTS

  • Gunpowder ’N Grace collected enough misses to qualify for summer school.
  • Jailer racked up 14 misses on Stage 5 Sunday, officially earning the title “Most Likely to Need Tutoring.”
  • Bull McFearson turned in assignments so creative the teacher had to rewrite the grading rubric.
  • Mad Trapper of Rat River earned himself an Oscar for his outstanding and flamboyant performance in 4th period drama class. (Laurence Olivier would have been proud)

THANK YOU, STUDENTS OF 5 DOGS CREEK!

To every shooter, spotter, brass‑picker, timer‑runner, and innocent bystander who wandered too close to the chalkboard—thank you for making Gunpowder ’N Grace’s Back‑to‑School Match another rip‑roarin’ success.

Class dismissed. See y’all next month for more shoot’n’, more lead, and more stories that get bigger every time they’re told.

Keep your powder dry and your homework optional.

5 Dogs Creek Howler – September Edition 2026

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Attention all cowpokes, varmints, gunfighters, schoolmarms, and generally suspicious characters!

The September Edition of The 5 Dogs Creek Howler has officially rolled into town faster than a jackrabbit running away from Sister Sangria!

This month’s issue is packed fuller than a chuckwagon before a cattle drive, featuring:

Gunpowder N’ Grace’s Back-to-School Match Preview with enough frontier scholastics to make your old schoolteacher proud.

News from the Mayor’s office and the Sheriff’s desk, including upcoming matches, town council happenings, and enough shootin’ opportunities to keep your irons smokin’.

️ Campfire socializin’, potluck schemin’, and other reasons to avoid cookin’ your own supper.

A mighty interestin’ tale from Fordyce Beals about folks who made tools outta meteorites. That’s right… they were literally workin’ with star metal.

Another installment of “Wanderin’ Around with Utah Blaine,” ridin’ the trail with the legendary Rose Dunn.

Recognition of our clean shooters who managed to keep all their shots, firearms, and dignity pointed in the proper direction.

So hitch up your wagon, grab a cup of trail coffee, and settle in for some fine readin’. The September Howler is waitin’ for ya, and unlike a poker game with Dutch Longhorn, you ain’t likely to lose your shirt.

Scores – Saturday August 1st & Sunday August 2nd

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Attention, trail riders and trigger pullers! Sheriff Dutch Longhorn  finally returned from his midnight ride out to the range to retrieve the scores (but did he dress like Paul Revere and do it on horse back? we may never know.), and the results from this weekend’s matches at 5 Dogs Creek are now posted. Check ’em out and see whether you were a fast gun or just making noise!

Saturday August 1st. 2026

Sunday August 2nd. 2026

The August 2026 Howler Has Arrived, Pards!

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Howdy, 5 Dogs Creek!

The telegraph wires are hummin’, the dust has settled on Main Street, and the latest edition of The 5 Dogs Creek Howler has finally rolled into town.

Inside this month’s edition you’ll find:

  • A message from Mayor Ambs Aces
  • News from Sheriff Dutch Longhorn
  • August match details and upcoming events
  • The tale of the Hawaiian Cowboy and our upcoming Paniolo Match
  • Camping, clean shooters, club updates, and more frontier happenings

Whether you’re a seasoned trail boss or a greenhorn fresh off the stagecoach, there’s plenty of news, tall tales, and important range information waiting inside.

So hitch up your horse, pour yourself a tall cup of something cold, and grab a seat in the closest water’n trough for the August Edition of The 5 Dogs Creek Howler.

We’ll see y’all on the firing line!

Respectfully,
Whiskey T.F. Bottles

“Shoot straight, laugh often, and don’t let your horse read your score sheet.”

By Order of the Territory: The July Howler Has Arrived in a Thunder of Hooves!

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Citizens, Gunslingers, and All Who Dare Tread the Dusty Trails of 5 Dogs Creek—

Sound the alarm bells, rattle the spurs, and clear the streets… for the July 2026 Edition of The 5 Dogs Creek Howler has come roaring into town like a runaway stagecoach with the devil at the reins!

From the first crack of dawn to the last ember in the firepit, this month’s Howler is a full-blown frontier spectacle—packed tighter than a saddlebag stuffed with gold dust and tall tales.

Within its pages, you’ll witness:

  • The Mayor himself forging knowledge hotter than molten iron—revealing the ancient, glitterin’ secrets of California’s legendary golden trout
  • The Sheriff’s Log, where brave souls faced down targets so small they might as well’ve been fleas on a jackrabbit—and lived to gripe about it
  • The official call to arms for July’s Independence Day shoot, where steel sings, lead flies, and only the bold leave smilin’
  • A spine-tinglin’ yarn of one of the West’s most fearsome firebrands—a woman whose reputation could empty a saloon faster than a rattlesnake in a boot

There’s also word from Town Council, upcoming matches, and enough campfire camaraderie to warm even the coldest outlaw heart.

So don’t sit there like a tenderfoot waitin’ for the train—
Grab the July Howler now and drink it in like a long pull of frontier whiskey.

Because in these parts, news don’t just travel…
It HOWLS.

Yours in grit, glory, and gunpowder,

Whiskey T.F. Bottles

Scores , Saturday June 6th & Sunday June 7th 2026

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All you cowpokes, gunfighters, and desperados wanderin’ the digital frontier—circle up and lend an ear! The tally books have been counted, the brass’s been swept, and the smoke has finally cleared from this past weekend’s shootin’ iron extravaganza.

The official scores for the 5 Dogs Creek matches held Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 are now posted for all to see!

Now don’t go actin’ surprised if your name sits higher or lower than you figured—this here game has a funny way of humblin’ even the fastest hands west of the Pecos.

Weekend Highlights from the Range:

  • Coyote Carson rode tall in the saddle both days, takin’ Overall honors Saturday with a blisterin’ 91.26 and ridin’ herd again Sunday with 111.07.
  • Stampede Steve stayed hotter than a branding iron, keepin’ things clean and smooth on both days and never lettin’ the dust settle on his boots.
  • A mighty fine pair of Clean & Smooth runs each day—proof there’s still a few sharpshooters who can mind their manners while makin’ smoke.

From gunfighters to silver seniors, classic cowboys to grand dames, every soul on that range brought grit, laughter, and just enough friendly rivalry to keep things interestin’.

So hitch up your britches, mosey on over, and take a gander at them results. Whether you’re celebratin’ a win or plottin’ your revenge for next month, remember—

It ain’t whether you was fast… it’s whether you had fun burnin’ powder with friends along the way.

Until we meet again at 5 Dogs Creek…
Keep your powder dry, your sights steady, and your stories slightly exaggerated.