Annual Big Sky State Games Muzzleloading Event held in Havre

Twenty-six shooters participated in the 35th annual Big Sky State Games Muzzleloading event held in Havre on July 11 at the Havre Police Department Shooting Range south of Havre.

With the COVID-19 raging in Yellowstone County, games Muzzleloading Commissioner, Jim Griggs was asked if the event could be held in Havre since most of the shooters participating in the past have been from north of the Missouri River. A portion of the 41 assorted events of the State Games will be held in Billings on July 17-18-19, several events have been cancelled or postponed due to the virus. There will be no parade of athletes this year and all participants and spectators will be required to wear face masks for health reasons, including runners..

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 Games rank number one in the nation in per capita participation. In 2020 there are 41 sports to participate in. To participate in the Big Sky Games one must be a resident of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota or Wyoming.

The event in Havre adhered to the State Games directive to wear masks and use plenty of hand sanitizer along with social distancing where ever possible.

This was the largest turnout for the Muzzleloading event that could be found in the records. Shooters attended from Fort Peck, Glasgow, Nashua, Marysville, Harlowton, Hardin, Great Falls, Hel- ena, Havre and Wyoming.

Griggs is the Muzzleloading Commissioner/Coordinator for the shooting event. Bob Doney was the range officer and Kathy Doney, Christy Owens and Linda Griggs were the scoring and re- cording officials.

The shooting conditions were excellent with temperature in the mid-80's and very little wind. Randy Root, Havre, posted a beautiful 50XXX cross stick target in the One gun Aggregate and took the Silver medal in the three target event . Pete Huseby, Havre, shot a 50 on the 50-yard Bench target and took the Gold medal in the three target Bench aggregate. Aggregate events include three targets shot at 25, 50 and 100 yards in various positions offhand, cross sticks and bench. Event med- alists for the three target aggregates were: Women's Aggregate: Gold- Kathy Lynch, Havre, 120; Silver-Cara Pinder, Nashua, 119; Bronze-Christy Owens, Havre, 113. Junior Aggregate: Gold-Clint Owens, Havre, 119. Senior Aggregate (62 yrs.): Gold-Mike Otterman, Fort Peck, 131xx; Silver-Steve Martin, Har- lowton, 129xxx; Bronze-Bob Doney, Havre, 127. Percussion Aggregate: Gold-Dick Hanson, Havre, 135x; Silver-Tom Brown, Havre, 132xx (tie); Steve Martin, Harlowton, 132xx (tie); Bronze-Bob Doney, Havre, 128x. Flintlock Aggregate: Gold-Mike Otterman, Fort Peck, 126; Silver-Dick Hanson, Havre, 109x; Bronze-Pete Huseby, Havre, 98x.

Bench Aggregate: Gold-Pete Huseby, Havre, 140 (tie); Gold-Kent Morehouse, Glasgow, 140 (tie); Silver-Brad Bender, Havre,137; Bronze-Jim Griggs, Havre, 135xx. One Gun Aggregate: Gold-Kent Morehouse, Glasgow, 131; Silver-Randy Root, Havre, 128xxx; Bronze-Steve Martin, Harlowton, 126. Pistol Aggregate: Gold-Tom Brown, Havre, 176; Silver-Dick Hanson, Havre, 159; Bronze-Pete Huseby, Havre, 150. Curley Wolf (1 target 6-bull, 50-yard offhand): Gold-Pete Huseby, Havre, 44xx; Silver-JR Moli- na, Hardin, 33 (tie); Silver-Tom Brown, Havre, 33 (tie); Bronze-Tom Griggs, Marysville, 31. 1st Time Shooter Percussion Aggregate: Gold-Kendall Griggs, Havre, 101. 1st Time Shooter One Gun Aggregate: Gold-Todd Owens, Helena, 104.

A special thank you from Big Sky Games Executive Director Liana Susott to the City of Havre for helping to host this portion of the Big Sky State Games 2020 in Havre.