Havre shooters compete in 34th Annual Big Sky State Games

From Bullhook Bottoms Black Powder Club

Out of the Milk River Valley, over the mountains to the mighty Missouri and south over the Mussleshell on to the Yellowstone, all covered in bright yellow as this is the year of the sweet clover, six Bullhook Bottoms Black Powder Club members traveled to bring back the gold, silver and bronze from 37th annual Montana Big Sky Games in Billings July 20.

Making the trip south were Cliff Plum, Brad Bender, Tom Brown, Kathy Lynch, Bob Doney and Jim Griggs. Jim Griggs is the Muzzleloading Coordinator for the shooting event. Bob Doney was the range officer and Kathy Doney was the scoring and recording official.

The Big Sky State Games, comprised of Olympic Style events, originated in 1986 when 3,376 athletes participated in 12 sports. In 2018, 10,000 athletes participated in 36 sports. The Big Sky State Games rank number one in the nation in per capita participation. In 2019 there were 41 sports to participate in, though final competitor numbers are not yet available. To participate in the Big Sky Games one must be a resident of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota or Wyoming. Medalists from the 2017 and 2018 Big Sky State Games may paticipate in State Games Of America in Lynchburg, Virginia, Aug. 3-6.

Shooting conditions for the day were excellent with a slight breeze and temperatures in the mid 80s. Bob Doney shot a 50xx target in the 50-yard Bench Ag- gregate and followed up that with a high-scoring 25-yard target (46) and 100 yard target (48) to take gold in the event.

Aggregate events include three targets shot at 25, 50 and 100 yards in various positions offhand, cross sticks and bench. Event medalists for the three target aggregates were:

Women's Aggregate: Gold, Kathy Lynch, Havre, 94.

Benchrest Aggregate: Gold, Bob Doney, Havre, 144xx; Silver, Brad Bender, Havre, 126x; Bronze, Jim Griggs, Havre, 126.

One Gun Aggregate: Gold, Bob Doney, Havre, 119; Silver, Tom Brown, Havre, 115; Bronze, (tie) Roger Roebling, Dayton, WY, 107 and Jim Griggs, Havre, 107.

Senior Aggregate (62+): Gold, Bob Doney, Havre, 126x; Silver, Kathy Lynch, Havre, 121; Bronze, Jim Griggs, Havre, 111.

Percussion Aggregate: Gold, Tom Brown, Havre, 135x; Silver, Cliff Plum, Havre, 125; Bronze, Bob Doney, Havre, 122.

Flintlock Aggregate: Gold, Stretch Bohnet, Billings, 120x; Silver, Tom Brown, Havre, 109; Bronze, Kathy Lynch, Havre, 77.

Pistol Aggregate: Gold, Tom Brown, Havre, 162; Silver, Brad Bender, Havre 88.

Curley Wolf Event (One target 50-yards OH): Gold, Tom Brown, Havre, 41; Silver, Cliff Plum, Havre, 33; Bronze, Brad Bender, Havre, 32.

First Time Big Sky Games Shooter:

Brenchrest Aggregate: Gold, Cliff Plum, Havre, 125.

One Gun Aggregate: Gold, Page Wallis, Billings, 40.