PANSAL 2021....Praying it happens, has anyone gone?

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Blackpaw

Blackpaw

Member
Apr 23, 2020
3,202
363
Idaho, United States
Okay I have never been to a PANSAL event which is a big hunting / pesting event and it is one of my biggest regrets, especially considering I am from Idaho, originally and PANSAL has had official events since 2004. Essentially, the main event is in April south of Boise, Idaho for a ground squirrel shoot. See link: http://www.pansalairgun.com/home

I have conversed many times with the founders, and I hope in Aprilish 2021 the event shall occur. Obviously this year like many cancelled because of covid 19. Hopefully as I said, 2021 will occur and it will also be a family reunion too for me because my cousin who I reconnected with through air guns will come up from Arizona, and me from Europe to put some squirrels as we get reacquainted after not see each other in decades (literally). And I hope to make some new friends along the way.

Also, I represent PANSAL in No WAY!!!, just hope to attend one of their events next year! If you have gone please give me your experience.
 
I don't recall which year I started attending the Pansal event but it's over 10+ years. I checked the older years in the Pansal site gallery to see when I started going but pictures can't be seen thanks to PhotoBucket's policy change made many years ago. My opinion of that move by Photobucket is not suitable for public display.



The Pansal site is actually about 40 miles west of Boise on public BLM land. The current site is used primarily because it allows space for RV's to park. One can go south of Boise and get into good hunting as well and many people do just that, but there have been cases of the Plague reported in that squirrel population at times. Since it's public land, it's used by people for many recreational uses and by a few low life individuals dumping their trash (there was actually a boat dumped there years ago). Those 4 wheeler's are also seen more often the last couple of years which is not too bad if they don't get crazy and damage the environment.



The Covid-19 (C-19) caused the 2020 cancelation and it's too bad because this section of Idaho had a very mild winter which hindered the growth of a yellow blossumed mustard weed that is similat to the C-19 regarding spreading. The weather was ideal and squirrels were up making it one of the best conditions for a gathering I have seen to date. After Idaho had the 'stay at home' order and closed many busnesses the area was crowded with shooters eager to get out since many were not working. I was tempted to wear an orange vest due to that (smile).



Many of the Pansal attendee's are in the C-19 high risk area for one reason or another (myself included), and it's not what many would call a large gathering. I would guess maybe 20+/- shooters in one day on a good year. When I first started attending one could easily go thru half a tin of pellets in a day but I noticed a drop in the squirrel population when a farmer started using a large chunk of land close by and I suspect he might be using his own methods of pest control. Also, when that yellow blossumed mustard weed appeared and has it's growth, just seeing targets can be an issue. That said, if mother nature is kind and the timing is right -- one can be kept busy all day.



If C-19 is not an issue, regardless of what mother nature does it's still a gathering of like minded individuals doing what they love and possibly shooting at things not readily available to them.






 
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I know what you mean and usually when it comes to my hunting and fishing I am not into crowds, but occasionally a powwow with other like minded people. You get to sharing the stories. I have traveled a lot and find there is always people to meet and chats to have which grow your experiences of who you are and what you know. I see PANSAL and similar events the same, doesn’t matter if it is a bench rest competition, or a group hunt. One of the reasons people come is to build bonds with others.
 
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OT but quite a few of us camp out for 3-4 days at our Airgunners of Arizona FT match location which is a beautiful spot up at 7000ft elevation.

Before and after the match we plink almost continuously with all kinds of airguns at steel and paper. Not varmint centered but plenty of commradery.

It's always fun!

Come hang out. Message me if interested. 
 
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I would love to come as would many of the Dutch I shot with yesterday at the club yesterday, but even though I am a US citizen, I have to have an “essential” reason to travel home to the USA. I don’t think Dutch customs would be too amused when I try to check in an air rifle with my luggage and call it “essential” for my trip to USA. Hopefully, I can come next year.
 
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I guess I should have also mentioned that other than shooting at live targets, there is always a bunch of other targets to shoot at plus a few contests.



The shooters often supply plenty of steel targets, and there is typically a paper target backboard set out at a given distance (often 50 yards). The last several years we have had a 'pop-shoot' where lolipops are set into a base set at 4 distances (ofter 12,24,36,48 yards) with a white paper backing allowing the shooter to see where they hit if the pop is missed. The closest pop is shot offhand and the remaining are any "field position" desired (no benches). The idea is the shooter with the least amount of shots to hit all 4 pops gets a prize. It's great feedback for what a pellet gun is doing and great for those just starting.



In 2019 we also incorporated an egg shoot contest with eggs set out at 60 yards but this contest you could use benches. There is no backing on this contest so unless you see the pellet a miss is a mystery. Like the 'pop-shoot' the shooter with the least amount pellets fired wins. If a shoot off is needed the shooter rotate one shot each until there is a last man standing.








 
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