Project Appleseed - Northwest Region - ID, MT, OR, WA

10/13/2026

Project Appleseed exists because of its dedicated cadre of volunteers.

Every clinic, every story told on the line, every new R***eman and Pistoleer who walks away with sharper skills and a clearer sense of the history that still shapes us—none of it happens without the men and women who give their weekends, their expertise, and their energy to the mission.

Today we pause to celebrate one of those volunteers—someone whom their peers looked around and said, “That one stands out.” Not because they seek recognition, but because the work they do quietly multiplies the impact of everyone else on the firing line.

This month’s peer-nominated volunteer is Pookie, from Michigan.

His State Coordinator MI-Copperhead writes:

"Will is the kind instructor that Fred was thinking of when he wrote "if you see a need, step up and fix it." There is no job too big or too insignificant for him to do. Since becoming an Instructor In Training in January of 2019 he has worked one or more events in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin besides his home state of Michigan, even traveling from his home in south east Michigan to the center of the upper peninsula. Pookie is great at instructing, modeling, coaching, or telling history in his own style. By the completion of the Michigan Appleseed schedule for 2026, Pookie will have worked 15 events for the year.

As a Shoot Boss I can say that if I have Pookie signed up on my instructor roster I have my anchor established. If I could clone one instructor, I would want 5 of Pookie.

I fully expect to see Pookie in a Green Hat sometime in 2027. He will make a great Shoot Boss. He is already an outstanding instructor, person and someone I readily call a friend."

Huzzah! And thank you, Pookie, for your time, energy, and dedication to the mission of Project Appleseed.

Do you have a story about a special volunteer from a clinic you attended?

10/07/2026

Shooters, Center up! This month's marksmanship tip comes from Senior Instructor Prescott of Idaho.

We all know the value of dry fire. Correct practice dry equals better hits on target when it's time to put that practice to use at the range. Prescott has some drills you can do at home to maximize your success on the Appleseed Qualification Test. Repeat these drills regularly, and when you go to your next Project Appleseed 25m or Known Distance r***e clinic you'll be in strong shape to increase your scores and put you over the hump to R***eman, Distinguished Score, or the elusive 250 😎

Prescott Shares:

To help maximize your score on the Appleseed Qualification Target, dry-fire practice is especially useful for building consistency in the positions and transitions you'll use during an event.

For r***e dry-fire practice, focus on safe handling, consistent fundamentals, and measurable repetition. Here is a simple routine you can use to reinforce the skills learned at an Appleseed event.

Before starting any dry-fire practice, make sure the r***e is cleared and the practice area is safe. Clear the r***e using the first three steps of Making a R***e Safe.
*Remove all am******on from the practice area.
*Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and use a backstop appropriate for your setup.
*Ask other individuals in the household to stay out of the area while you are actively practicing dry fire.

At a Project Appleseed 25m r***e clinic, all of marksmanship fundamentals are taught. These include the Steady Hold Factors for standing, sitting/kneeling and prone, the Six Steps to Firing the Shot, and Natural Point of Aim (NPOA.) The Guidebook to R***e Marksmanship can be referenced as a refresher for these techniques.

During dry-fire practice, focus on these points during the session:
*Standing — Practice establishing your stance and allowing the sights to settle without unnecessary movement. Work on repeating the same body position rather than trying to eliminate every bit of wobble.
*Sitting/kneeling — Practice getting into the position consistently, including your sling setup and r***e support. Reset completely between repetitions.
*Prone — Build the same position repeatedly. Focus on sling and bone support, a relaxed body, and a stable sight picture.
*Position transitions — Practice moving between positions smoothly and safely. Emphasize repeatability rather than maximum speed.

Once you can perform all of the Appleseed marksmanship techniques consistently, it is time to build a dry-fire practice routine.
*Position consistency: 5–10 minutes. Practice mounting into prone, sitting/kneeling, and standing positions and settling into the same body position each time.
*Trigger/follow-through: 5 minutes. From each position, practice a clean trigger press while maintaining your sight picture immediately afterward.
*Position transitions: 5–10 minutes. Practice moving between your competition positions smoothly and safely. Emphasize repeatability rather than maximum speed.
*Timed repetitions: Once the fundamentals are consistent, introduce a timer for safe position-establishment drills rather than emphasizing speed alone.
*Reload/manipulation practice: Perform these drills only with an unloaded r***e and magazine, and no am******on present. Follow the specific rules for each stage of the AQT.

Record your results: Keep a simple log of repetitions, position, and what you noticed. This makes areas of improvement successes easier to identify.

Pick one variable per session to improve—for example, position consistency or trigger control.

Make a training log that includes:
*Position
*Number of repetitions
*What disturbed the sight picture
*Whether the trigger squeeze felt consistent
*One thing to focus on in your next session

For the Appleseed Qualification Tests, repeatable positions and transitions generally make better dry-fire objectives than simply completing as many trigger presses as possible. For more tips, visit https://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=72433.0

Come join us on the line at www.appleseedinfo.org/schedulemap!

***eMarksmanship

10/05/2026

Ninth Amendment — Rights Beyond the Written Page

The Ninth Amendment is a reminder of humility.
The Founders understood that no document—no matter how carefully written—could ever capture every human right. By including the Ninth Amendment, they acknowledged that liberty exists beyond what can be enumerated.

It reflects a deep trust in the idea that freedom is lived, not merely defined.

At Project Appleseed, we honor that tradition by passing on knowledge, skills, and history—because liberty endures through people, not paper alone.

10/01/2026

Appleseed is friend to all, enemy to none. Thanks for letting us know we are living up to that goal David!

10/01/2026

Enjoy the October Edition of "The Liberty Pole" Project Appleseed's monthly newsletter.

Full edition: https://bit.ly/TheLibertyPole10-26

To Subscribe: https://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoTheLibertyPole

09/25/2026

Two happy participants who earned R***eman patches this past weekend at the Jefferson County Sportsmen’s Association! To challenge your skills and learn the history of the beginning of the Revolutionary War, sign up for an Appleseed event in your area at appleseedinfo.org

09/24/2026

Our most sought-after clinic is the traditional 25M Marksmanship clinic. Guided by seasoned instructors, you will grasp the basics of r***e marksmanship.

Whether you’re picking up a r***e for the first time or are an experienced competitive shooter, everyone who attends a Project Appleseed event leaves transformed. Join us for an unforgettable experience filled with marksmanship, history, new skills, friendships, and inspiration!

09/17/2026

What an incredible weekend we had celebrating our country's 250th (observed) birthday at the Griffin Gun Club! Even with the heat index soaring over 110°, we the enthusiasm was contagious.

Throughout the weekend, we blended shooting practice with fascinating history discussions, keeping the spirit of our 250th celebration alive. Everyone had a blast and is already lining up for the next shoot! We can't wait to see you all again soon—keep up the perfect practice! 💪

09/16/2026

Is it truly the 16th ALREADY??

The clock is ticking, and we stand at the precipice of something monumental! We are charging through ' awe-inspiring mission to unleash an astonishing 10 MILLION shots fired as we this September! Each shot you log propels us toward our goal and unveils crucial grant funds for Project Appleseed and other noble endeavors.

— We demand to see your targets! Are you practicing? Engaging in fierce competition? Taking on the Pistolseed or Appleseed Qualification Test? 😎

Here’s the battle plan:

With any Mantis product, your shots will be automatically recorded. 💥 You can also manually log live or dry fire practice or competitions—yes, even archery!—up to 1000 shots each day at www.traintheworld.org!

Join forces with Mantis to elevate responsible fi***rm practice to new heights!

As our National Coordinator Cleveland declares, dry fire isn’t merely an Appleseed skill; it’s a LIFE skill! 😁

***eMarksmanship

09/14/2026

This week in history: The Battle of Harlem Heights

On the morning of September 16, 1776, General George Washington commenced drafting a letter to John Hancock, President of Congress. He wrote, "We are now encamped with the main body of the army on the Heights of Harlem, where I should hope the enemy would meet with a defeat in case of an attack." This strategic positioning followed the Continental Army's retreat to northern Manhattan after the significant loss at the Battle of Long Island in August.

Before Washington could complete his correspondence, an urgent alarm resonated throughout the camp.

For the rest of the story, visit https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/battle-of-harlem-heights

The complete text of Washington's letter to John Hancock can be accessed through the National Archives at https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-06-02-0251

After the Battle of Harlem Heights on September 16, 1776, General George Washington was disappointed that his men failed to execute his orders, but he had won his first battlefield victory of the war.