NCOWS TERRITORIAL CONGRESS

Friends,
It has been my honor to be a part of such a great organization for much of my life, and to serve as an NCOWS Senator and on the Executive Committee. I am asking for your support for re-election to the NCOWS Senate.

Many of us know each other well, but for those who do not know me well, here is a little bit about myself.

I am originally from Greenfield, Indiana, and now reside in Ellettsville, Indiana. For the last ten years, I have worked in several roles for the U.S. Navy at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, in southern Indiana. I am a mechanical engineer by degree, from Trine University, and later completed a master’s in engineering from Purdue University while working. I will finish up a Doctor of Technology degree next year, also from Purdue. I married my wife, Samantha, in 2022, and we had our son Elliott in 2023. At the time I am writing this, we are just a couple of days away from welcoming our second son and becoming a family of four.

NCOWS and the shooting sports have played a very big part in my life from a very young age. I began reenacting with the Great Lakes Freight and Mining Co. posse in 2000 at The Train Robbery, which included a train-side shootout between the outlaws and the lawmen and always ended with a gun safety lesson for the kids in attendance. The folks involved in the Train Robbery were instrumental in my early involvement in the shooting sports.

I began a nine-year involvement in 4-H shooting sports in 2003. The club met weekly for practice and training year-round and focused heavily on proper shooting technique and safety. I specialized in precision rifle shooting and participated in numerous NRA three-position and offhand .22 caliber and air rifle matches during my years in the club.

Around the time I began shooting precision rifle with the 4-H club, I began shooting in NCOWS matches with Great Lakes, at which Working Cowboy became a favorite shooting class. I was a regular at most of the National matches in Evansville, Indiana. Since living in Ellettsville, I have attended the National Conventions and some matches at the Scarlet Mask Vigilance Society Posse.

Today, we stand at an important point – needing to grow our membership while holding true to the values that make NCOWS the best in the CAS business. There are so many things that make this organization special, such as our dedication to historical accuracy, our balance of shooting accuracy with shooting speed, and the camaraderie among our members. We have an incredible organization with incredible people, and I am excited to see where we will go from here. No matter the hurdles, I know we are ready for the challenges ahead and I hope to be able to contribute in any ways that I can.

I thank you for your vote.

Alex Ray

Howdy NCOWS members,

My name is Dan Borer aka Durango. I’ve been a member of NCOWS since about 2005. I’m currently serving as an NCOWS Senator of which my term is up. My hat is being thrown into the ring to run for another term. Our local posse is the Blue River Regulators in Nebraska. For the past ten years, I’ve served as Secretary/Scribe of the Blue River Regulators providing a monthly newsletter and being an active worker at our range.

Western action shooting attracted me because I have a fascination for the old west guns. Old side-by-side shotguns have always been a favorite of mine, so a few old Parker Bros SXS have followed me home. In addition, I’ve managed to collect a few old Smith & Wessons, several Colts, and even a few Winchesters. Several articles on these firearms were published in past issues of The Shootist magazine under my name.

Friends and acquaintences I’ve met at NCOWS conventions and national shoots over the years are the kind of folks I like to be around. These events are great places to meet people of like interest. Since joining NCOWS, I’ve attended most of the annual conventions and have been a vendor there multiple times. You won’t find a better group of wholesome people anywhere.

I support both the historical aspect of NCOWS and safe western action shooting in general. It would be great if we could get more young folks involved in our sport. I would like to see NCOWS grow and exist for many years to come. I ask for your vote and would be honored, once again, to serve as an NCOWS Senator.

Dan Borer
NCOWS #2924

Howdy:

I’m Dave Scott, better known to many of you as Irish Dave, and I’m asking for your support for reelection to the NCOWS Senate.

It was my honor and privilege to have served 10 years as your NCOWS Marshal, retiring from that position in 2016. Shortly thereafter I began my first term as an NCOWS Senator.

I’m a life member of NCOWS (No. 132) and the NRA. I’m a former member of the NMLRA and the Ohio Gun Collectors Association and a former officer of the Great Lakes Freight & Mining Co. NCOWS posse.

I am a lifelong resident of Hancock County, Indiana, and hold a Bachelor of Arts degree. I was a journalist for 21 years in daily newspapers, serving successively as a reporter and photographer, News Editor and Editor in Chief. Subsequently, I served 20 years as the executive director of the Hancock County Visitors Bureau, a 501(c)3 convention and tourism agency. I was awarded membership in the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels in 1986 by then-Gov. Martha Layne Collins. I’m a history buff, a period holster/leather maker and a bit of a musician/songwriter to boot. My long-time affiliation with NCOWS is one of my most highly prized activities.

I’m sure most of you know where I stand on the issues that face us, but in recap, let me reiterate my firm support for:
Authenticity.
Encouraging growth.
Fiscal responsibility.
Inclusion and opportunity but not at the expense of principle.

In closing, let me humbly say that I am proud to be an NCOWS member. I think this organization is founded on exactly the right kind of principles to enable historically minded individuals to enjoy the Old West experience in the company of other like-minded folks -- folks who tend to become more like family than friends.

We have a great outfit. I believe it can continue to grow into new parts of our country. But to do that we need to emphasize what we do best and work together to fix our imperfections.

I renew my pledge to work to represent all areas of the NCOWS experience; To make no decisions based on personal benefit, but only with the good of the organization in mind; To help foster co-operation and communication; To work toward greater authenticity and adherence to our principles; To work to resolve our faults and to present a positive image of the group; And to always be an advocate for NCOWS.

I thank you sincerely for your past support and confidence in me and humbly ask you to continue my term of service.

Have to go now. Time to make the rounds.

Jim “High Card” Kakavecos

I am Jim Kakavecos. You probably know me as “High Card”. I am the current Secretary of the Scarlet Mask Vigilance Society, one of Indiana’s posse. I’ve been part of our posse and in cowboy shooting for over 10 years. I have presented seminars on Faro and old west gambling and am part of the honor guard at the NCOWS Convention. I was event chairman when the NCOWS Convention was hosted in Indiana. I will be heading up the 2025 NCOWS Eastern Regional this year for the SMVS.

I am tossing my hat into the ring for NCOWS Senator. I believe we need written goals and plans in place to ensure the future of NCOWS and what it stands for. The written plans would include steps for growth in membership, financial stability, and event scheduling. Part of growth is to attract new, younger shooters through outreach and advertising. Growth will help strengthen NCOWS’ financial postion but we need to continue emphasis on cost cutting and monitoring our spending. I look forward to working with the Executive Committee and other Senators.

Howdy,

My name is John “Yuma Kid” Irons and I am seeking re-election to the NCOWS Senate. I have been involved in shooting sports most of my adult life. I am an Patron Life member of the NRA, Life Member of NCOWS, former SASS member, and currently Marshal of my local NCOWS posse, the Blue River Regulators.

I was first introduced to Cowboy Action Shooting in the fall of 1996 at a membership drive meeting for the former NCOWS posse, the Nebraska Territorial Rangers. I joined that posse and sent in an application to NCOWS the same day. Their first shoot was scheduled for the Spring of 1997. I had bought all my clothes, leather and guns before I ever attended my first shoot.

By the end of 1997, I and three friends had formed our own local NCOWS posse, the Blue River Regulators and held one or two shoots. I became the Territorial Representative and have been a continuous member of the NCOWS Congress ever since, either as a Representative or Senator. I am currently serving as the Editor of our organization’s magazine, “The Shootist”; prior to that I spent 7 years as the National Banker.

I have always enjoyed old west history and was drawn to NCOW immediately due to its attention to authenticity. I have always preferred doing it the way it was done back in the old west.

I would like to ask for your support in the upcoming election and would truly appreciate being able to continue to serve you as your NCOWS Senator.

Michael "Books" Tatham

I have been honored to serve this great organization in several positions over the last 20 years, pitching in whenever and wherever needed. I have worked as part of six convention teams and worked with the Match Directors on 16 National matches. I have been on the Authenticity Committee since 2006 and have done research and advised six different Judges. Having also served as Deputy Marshall and Marshall I am very aware of what is required to keep things running smoothly.

If it is the will of the membership, I would be honored to continue to serve this great organization as a Senator.