The Territorials are the NMLRA’s outreach program to bring competitive shooting to its members locally.

Let’s face it: not everyone can make it to Friendship. This doesn’t mean you have to be shooting the center out of all your targets to participate. Even the best shooter has been known to pull a shot out into the white on a target.

Territorial match directors and competitors alike welcome new shooters to participate in the territorial program.

Nowhere else does the statement the more the merrier ring true. Don’t be intimidated by the words competitive or competition; really, we’re all a bunch of blackpowder enthusiasts looking to have a good time and shoot a respectable score – a score that can withstand the good-natured ribbing that is bound to happen around the campfire at the end of the day. 

I encourage anyone who is curious about the territorial program to contact Lonnie Vermillion a match director, or field representative in their area to find out more.

See below for 2025 Territorial Applications and Match listings. There are also some photos and articles from the 2024 Missouri and Ohio Territorials.

 2025 NMLRA
Territorial Information

For the Rifle & Pistol Match listing please click here.

For the Shotgun Match listing please click here.

2024 Missouri Territorial

NMLRA Territorial Shoot at Fort Osage Muzzleloaders
By Gary Zumwalt

 The 2024 NMLRA Missouri Territorial Shoot, held in April at Fort Osage Muzzleloaders (FOML), was the best-attended in more than five years. Thirty-five registered shooters, including five ladies and four juniors, shot 96 aggs and 327 matches. These competitors included people from not only Missouri but also Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

Lonnie Vermillion, chairman of the NMLRA Territorial Committee and one of the shooters attending the Missouri shoot, said the FOML Territorial is one of the best in the nation. "They run a very well-organized operation.  Their Range Masters are excellent and their scoring is highly accurate," he said. "They use a computer to record scores and print out scores for shooters.

FOML’s computer application was written by club secretary, Park A. Wood, and is being used by the Territorials in Oklahoma, Illinois and Alabama.

“The Territorial program is a very important and major outreach program of the NMLRA," Vermillion said. “Let's face it, most NMLRA members cannot go to spring or fall nationals at Friendship. The Territorials give members a chance to compete on a national level without having to travel far. National medals are awarded at Territorials along with recognition in Muzzle Blasts for the top ten in each aggregate.

“Territorials also give a club a chance to bring in new members. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned shooter, men, ladies, or juniors, there are several aggregates to choose from,” he said.

“I would like to encourage shooters to take advantage of the Territorials and support the clubs that host them, Vermillion said. “I often hear people say that muzzleloading competition is a dying sport, but if we don't support our clubs and attend these shoots, then we have only ourselves to blame.

“We need to encourage more clubs to think about hosting a territorial shoot and keeping our sport alive. I am always available to assist, answer questions, help plan, advise, or coordinate with any club that wants to host a territorial. I am here for you,” Vermillion said.

“The president and the board of directors have expressed to me the importance of the Territorial program and its continuance for future generations to come. Therefore, the Territorial program has 100 percent backing and support from the NMLRA.”

While Vermillion commented about not having to travel far to attend a Territorial, Gayle and Steven Noakes, shooters from Minnesota, drive a round trip of about 900 miles to attend the Missouri Territorial.  Gayle said they have shot at "probably"10 Territorials at FOML.

“They treat you so well,” she said.  “Everyone is so friendly and nice. And the range is better than others we've attended."

Another out-of-state shooter, Peter Sheets, who drives round trip about 700 miles from Iowa, has been attending FOML Territorial shoots since at least 2001. "FOML's Territorial are well set up, thought out, and very accommodating," he said. "I also like their hot lunch and free coffee."

In his comments at the Awards Ceremony, Richard Brinkman, FOML president, thanked the NMLRA for donating sets of books to hand out as people signed up. The books contained nicely bound and illustrated muzzleloading hunting stories and lists of muzzleloader records, a great addition to everyone's collection of muzzleloading information.

In addition, Brinkman thanked Schuetzen Powder Energetics Inc. for donating a case of black powder to be given to competitors. "It was greatly appreciated by the shooters," he said.  FOML's range is 40 miles southeast of Kansas City, MO, at 1637 NW 550th Rd, Kingsville, MO (works in GPS), just off US Highway 50. A simple search for “Fort Osage Muzzleloaders” on Google Maps shows the club’s range.  For information about FOML shoots or to subscribe to its newsletter, contact Richard Brinkman at rhb1950@outlook.com.

2024 Ohio Territorial

On May 31, June 1 and June 2 Ohio held its first territorial match in several years thanks to the Black Swamp Muzzle Loaders out of Findlay, Ohio. Last year some members of the BSML’s were sitting around the camp fire, while attending the Michigan Territorial match, discussed the possibility of holding a territorial match for Ohio the next year. The more they discussed, the more the possibility turned into reality. Since the club holds monthly matches the first Sunday of the month and a two-day match in the fall, they felt they had the back ground needed to hold a territorial match. The following day, a couple of members talked with Cari Jefferson, who ran the Michigan Territorial, about what was needed to run a territorial.

After returning home, Richard Dittman called Cari to get a little more information. He also called Lonnie Vermillion to discuss the possibility of holding a territorial match in Ohio with him. He was excited for the possibility of holding a territorial match in Ohio again. It would be the first time in over 15 years that Ohio would hold a territorial. At the following month’s BSML match, it was decided to go ahead[r1]  and submit an application. They decided to hold the match

the weekend of May 31st, June 1st & June 2nd.    Therefore, the planning and implication began.

On Thursday, May 31st, the club opened the range for campers to pull in and set-up and for those wishing to get a little practice in. The temperature was in the lower 70’s with a clear blue sky and a very light wind. Six people decided to take advantage of the extra range time along with two campers setting up.

Then on Friday, June 1st, the range opened up at 8:00 for signing in and allowed time for everybody to set up and get ready to shoot. At 9:00, Don Finkenbine, an Ohio NMLRA Field Rep called the firing line open. If anybody has been to Friendship and shot on the silhouette line, Don is the range officer and doesn’t need a megaphone to make himself heard. The temperature was perfect again in the lower 70’s, clear blue sky and no wind. We had 21 registered shooters from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Michigan taking part.

For the ease of posting and retrieving targets from the 100-yard range, Bill Bare had borrowed a John Deere Gater to take targets down and retrieve those shot. This not only saved time, it saved a lot of shooters energy. It was enjoyed by everybody. At 11:00 Sandy and Kevin Thomas opened up for lunch. Since this was our first year holding the territorial, we decided to keep lunch simple. They had hot dogs, chili dogs, brats, a verity of chips, and pop and water to drink. We had 1 junior shooting this day. Briley ended up not only shooting the juniors intermediate and unlimited youth matches, but she entered several other matches and took home several ribbons and medals. There were some other pretty good scores shot on Friday also. Both Leo Holmes and Justin Burk entered the offhand aggregate and shot a 47-0 at 25 yards and a 46-0 at 50 yards. Leo ended up beating Justin 172 to 165. The day ended at 5:00 without any issues.

The next day, Don opened up the firing line again at 9:00 with 13 shooters present. Throughout the day, additional shooters arrived, and by the end of the day we had 22 shooters. Saturday was another perfect day with the temperature in the mid 70’s, clear blue sky and very little wind.  This day also saw the arrival of 3 additional junior shooters. Two of these were from the Ohio 4H muzzleloading team. Issac and Austin both shot the youth intermediate match and they both took home some ribbons and a medal. Former NMLRA board member, Mike Thompson came down and decided to shoot his smoothbore rifle, which he said he hasn’t shot for several years. I think we need to question this as he had a very good 50-yard target, shooting a 46-1X. Unfortunately, he was beat out in the total score by Leo Holmes, an Indiana NMLRA Field Rep. who also took home the top gun award. Don kept the line in order again along with the help of Tim Stanford and John Brobst. Both Tim and John are also range officers on the silhouette line at Friendship. We had another good day of shooting, with only one shooter taking the walk of shame to blow out his barrel.

Unfortunately, the weather took a turn Saturday evening and it rained during the evening and early Friday morning. The temperature was a little chilly, around 60, but no wind. Don opened the range at 9:00 with 9 shooters present. Several new shooters arrived throughout the morning in spite of the weather. As it turned out, the clouds dissipated and the blue skies returned for a nice day of shooting. 

Later in the morning little Carter came to the match with his mother. He was 10 years old, had never shot a gun and was excited to try. Fortunately, Tim had his youth gun and supplies there. He got Carter all set up with everything he needed and explained to him what he had to do. Tim loaded the gun, walked Carter to the line, put the gun on a rest and positioned Carter in position. He pulled the trigger and the gun went off. I thing Carters eyes were the size of a pie and had a smile on his face. Unfortunately, the shot missed the target. However, he wanted to try again.  This time the results were different. The next two shots hit the target and he had the biggest smile you could manage. Tim gave him the target and we heard that Carter never shut up on the way home talking about what a fun time he had.

At 1:00, Don closed the range and the match was over. Richard tallied the scores and posted the results for everybody to review. There was only one challenge, and that score was corrected. Medals and ribbons were handed out to those present. There were 33 registered shooters who shot a total of 54 aggregates. We hope to see everybody back next year along with some new shooters.

We would like to thank the following people for making this shoot a success. Don Finkenbine: Head Range Officer, Tim Stanford and John Brobst as range officers, Kevin Silveus: registration, Sandy and Kevin Thomas for handling the food, Bill Bare for posting and retrieving 100-yard targets, Jeff Haney and Rich Hulsebus for scoring, and Richard Dittman for being Match Director and inputting the scores. We are looking forward to hosting the territorial next year and hope to see everybody back.