The Project Appleseed marksmanship program started with rifle training in 2005. Its new pistol event is based on the same point structure and difficulty.

Shooters are challenged for accuracy and all shooting is timed for speed. Some drills are one-hand only and others require a speed reload during the course of fire.

On the first possible qualification target, shot on July 9, Anthony Erickson of Bullseyes to Badguys posted a score of 219. A patch is awarded to participants who shoot a 210 or higher out of a possible 250. Erickson’s lone qualifying score earned him the first “Pistoleer” patch to be awarded in Michigan.

Erickson was also given the nation’s first certificate of accomplishment issued for an Appleseed pistol clinic. On July 10, two other shooters from lower Michigan earned the “Pistoleer” patch as well.

Project Appleseed instructor Rick Tanis congratulates Kristy Plaswirth, who was the only shooter at a pistol clinic in Kingston to qualify on the “know your limits” target. She was the only one to place all five of her shots in the circle of her choice.

Bullseyes to Badguys instructor Amy Glasheen posted the only perfect target on the “hits count” pistol drill. At 21 feet, she shot 13 shots on four targets. The smallest target was only 3/4 of an inch in diameter.

Bullseyes to Badguys instructor Kristy Plaswirth was the only shooter to qualify on the “know your limits” target. She was the only one to place all five of her shots in the circle of her choice.

Other instructors attending were Carmen Hulce, Tommy Taff and Alexander Erickson. Also attending from the Iron Mountain-Kingsford area were Megan Arndt, Kala MacDonald and Jason Glasheen.

Erickson plans to attend again, attempting to be the first person in the country to qualify with a revolver.

Bullseyes to Badguys is also in negotiations with Project Appleseed in hopes of bringing its training to the Sagola Township Sportsmen’s Club in Channing.

Amy Glasheen posted the only perfect target on the “hits count” pistol drill, using her Glock 19 in 9mm.