October 3rd & 4th 2026 – 5 Dogs Creek Buddy Love Gunfighter Throwdown 2026 (results)

A Dispatch from the Wild Frontier

Howdy Cowpokes, Gunfighters, Buckaroos, and Other Questionable Characters,

The dust has settled, the smoke has cleared, and the 2026 5 Dogs Creek Buddy Love Gunfighter Throwdown has officially ridden off into the sunset as another rip-roaring success!

First and foremost, we’d like to tip our hats and offer a mighty big THANK YOU to everyone who saddled up and joined us for the weekend. Whether you came to test your skills in the noble art of Gunfighter shooting or simply showed up to enjoy some lead-slinging, laughs, and fellowship, we appreciate every one of you.

This year’s Throwdown faced some stiff competition for trail traffic. Between the Old West Regional Championship and folks already hitching up their wagons for Land Run, there were plenty of places for shooters to point their horses. The fact that you chose to spend your weekend with us at 5 Dogs Creek means more than a gold nugget in a prospector’s pan.

The 2026 Top Hand Award

The festivities kicked off with the presentation of the coveted 5 Dogs Creek Top Hand Award. After careful consideration by the Top Hand Committee, the honor for 2026 was awarded to Bull McFearson in recognition of countless hours of hard work, dedication, stage building, problem solving, and all-around service to the club.

If every western town had a Bull McFearson, there’d be a lot fewer problems and a lot more shooting.

If It Was Any Hotter…

Despite the calendar insisting it was October, Mother Nature apparently misplaced hers and handed us one from July.

We welcomed 28 shooters on Saturday and 15 shooters on Sunday. The California sun came out looking to start trouble, but our shooters weren’t about to let a little heat stand between them and good times. Saturday’s two hardworking posses and Sunday’s determined posse pushed through a set of fantastic Gunfighter-friendly stages before the heat could melt the spurs right off our boots.

The Gunfighter Spirit Was Strong

The Gunfighter lifestyle was alive and well all weekend long.

Saturday

A remarkable 18 shooters either tried their hand at Gunfighter or continued shooting the way the Good Lord intended: one revolver in each hand and a grin on their face.

Top Male Gunfighter Whiskey T.F. Bottles (96.93)

Top Female Gunfighter Gunpowder N Grace (134.51)

Sunday

Not to be outdone, 9 shooters spent Sunday proving once again that two pistols are still the most effective way to solve most frontier problems.

Top Male Gunfighter Whiskey T.F. Bottles (105.74)

Top Female Gunfighter Gunpowder N Grace (151.85)

The Overall Gunfighter Showdown

The battle for Gunfighter bragging rights was fierce, with plenty of smoke, steel, and good-natured rivalry.

When the dust settled:

Saturday Overall

Whiskey T.F. Bottles
Ambs Aces
Rusty Shotgun

Sunday Overall

Whiskey T.F. Bottles
Dirt McFearson
Buddy Love

Not a bad weekend’s work for a bunch of folks voluntarily standing in the heat while making loud noises.

1st Annual Gunfighter of the Year

Following Saturday’s match, a secret ballot quietly circulated among those brave souls who proudly call Gunfighter their primary category.

After much deliberation, spirited discussion, rumor, speculation, horse trading, and at least a few questionable promises involving bourbon and brisket, votes were cast for the 1st Annual 5 Dogs Creek Gunfighter of the Year Award.

This prestigious title and buckle recognize not only excellence as a Gunfighter, but also dedication and service to the 5 Dogs Creek community.

It is our pleasure to congratulate the inaugural recipient:

Buddy Love – 2026 Gunfighter of the Year

May the buckle shine brightly and the bragging rights last forever.

The Great Dutch Oven Mystery

Following the official town council meeting, attention shifted to an equally serious matter: the Dutch Oven Cook-Off.

Unfortunately, an official winner could not be determined.

The judges attempted to perform their sworn duties, but the entries disappeared with alarming speed. By the time scorecards were located, every dish had been sampled, every pot scraped clean, and every crumb mysteriously vanished.

Based on the evidence gathered at the scene, we have concluded that:

Everybody won.

Case closed.

Special Thanks

A special thank you goes out to Buddy Love and Crew for writing and preparing the stages for the weekend.

The stages were fun, challenging, fast-moving, and designed with Gunfighters in mind. From the first beep to the last clang of steel, they delivered exactly what this match was meant to be.

We’d also like to thank every posse marshal, scorekeeper, timer operator, brass picker, setup volunteer, and kitchen contributor who helped make the weekend run smoothly. Matches like this do not happen without many helping hands behind the scenes.

Coming Up Next at 5 Dogs Creek

Don’t put those smoke wagons away just yet!

Saturday, October 31st (Winter Hours)

Office opens: 9:30 am

Shooters Meeting 10:15 am

Sunday, November 1st

Office opens: 7:30 am

Shooters Meeting 8:30 am

Stages By:

Bull McFearson

Whether you come dressed as a cowboy, outlaw, ghost, vampire, or just your usual ugly self, we hope to see you there.

So dust off your cowboy gear, practice those transitions, and join us for another weekend of good shooting, good friends, tall tales, and questionable life choices involving black powder and large quantities of steel targets.

Until next time…

Shoot straight, travel safe, and remember:

If you’re shooting Gunfighter, you’re never technically outnumbered.

Whiskey T.F. Bottles – Telegraph Operator

5 Dogs Creek

Cowboy Action Shooters