Sharp shooting standout

Jace Dysarczyk holds national and state titles for his shooting skills. CARLIE ADMIRE / FLORIDA WEEKLY

The wild, wild, west comes alive in Southwest Florida.

An 11-year-old cowboy recently showed off his sharpshooting skills by winning the Florida State Championship and Cowboy World Championship buckles for the 2024 Buckaroo shootout.

Jace Dysarczyk defended his state title for the third time in a row.

When Dysarczyk hits the range, he’s known as “Jace the Ace.” Everyone involved in the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) gets a nickname.

“We all have western range aliases. Mine is ‘Jace the Ace!” Dysarczyk said he got the nickname from his mom, who frequently called him “momma’s little ace,” and it just seemed fitting.

Members also dress up in true cowboy fashion to test their shooting skills with single action pistols, rifles and shotguns.

Their activity is called Cowboy Action Shooting.

“Yee-haw,” is the Gunslingers cry as they prepared to take on the targets.

“I found my people,” said Dysarczyk. “It began at a day at the Hansen Gun Club. I went there with my family. While there, a group of cowboys greeted us and began explaining what they do (with Cowboy Action Shooting) and told us come back the following weekend with a cowboy hat. So that is exactly what I did!”

The SW Florida Gunslingers meet at the Hansen Range and Gun Club. CARLIE ADMIRE / FLORIDA WEEKLY

The group members share a common interest in preserving the history of the Old West and competitive shooting in a “safe, fun, and family-friendly environment.”

Shooters follow along a setting, or scenario called “stages.” The shooters are judged on their accuracy and the order they hit their targets.

“We engaged targets in a certain order for time. Missed targets are a five-second penalty and slips of order is a 10-second penalty,” he said.

Although this isn’t Dysarczyk’s or the SASS, SW Florida Gunslingers’ first rodeo, they hope to expand the club, inviting other shooting and Wild West enthusiasts to join.

The international organization Cowboy Action Shooting was formed in 1987.

Jace Dysarczyk is known as “Jace the Ace” in the Single Action Shooting Society.

Members go beyond hunting, skeet or free shooting. They want to use their skills as an educational tool, teaching others about the history of the West including the use of props and sets.

Dysarczyk is now an official member of SASS as a Gunslinger of Punta Gorda. He’s considered a Buckaroo, which is for ages 8 to 13.

Dysarczyk has traveled across the country for tournaments. He’s won titles competing against other cowboys and cowgirls from as far away as Germany, France and Austria.

“I have competed in Kentucky, Georgia, Arizona and Texas. Certain places have moving targets, like in Ohio. A cowboy cutout will swing and you have to aim for it as it moves, or targets pop up further distance,” said Dysarczyk. He began in 2022, winning the Florida State Championship the same year.

In February, he traveled to Phoenix with his dad to compete against 660 shooters from 40 states and 11 countries.

Dysarczyk claimed his first Buckaroo World Championship, which he won by only missing a single shot out of the 240, placing the high 99th overall.

The SW Florida Gunslingers dress up in traditional western wear and target shoot among Wild West sets.

“A week later, we came back to Florida and went out for the Florida State Championship and won it again. It was my third time in a row,” said Dysarczyk. Winners receive buckles, tokens and other prizes.

Dysarczyk plans to travel to Sweden this July to compete

“As a parent, you could not find a better sport to be involved in. The cowboys and cowgirls we have met along the trail have become family. Buckaroos and Buckarettes are treated like royalty by the older members, as the future of the sport rest on their shoulders,” said his father and now club president, Jason Dysarczyk.

His father continued, “The SWFL Gunslingers are committed to growing the sport here for all ages, especially younger ones. We hope to grow the sport and our club and make it even better than how we found them, by receiving new members to come out and join us.”

New members are welcome to watch and join. They welcome people of all ages, including those with a history of shooting abilities as well as younger and first-timers. The Western team is always willing to assist with skills and equip shooters with apparel.

“We meet and shoot the third Saturday and fourth Sunday of each month from 9 a.m. to about noon, and usually finish with hot dogs,” said Dysarczyk.

Meets are held at the Hansen Range and Gun Club at 27700 Zemel Road in Punta Gorda.

“Grab your hat, boots, spurs and come on out with us!” said Dysarczyk. “It is a lot of fun and we will show you what to do!” ¦

In the KNOW

SW Florida Gunslingers

· Where: Hansen Range and Gun Club, 27700 Zemel Road, Punta Gorda

· When: Third Saturday of the month and fourth Sunday of the month

· Times: 9 a.m. to noon

· Info: www.facebook.com/ swfgunslingers

The post Sharp shooting standout first appeared on Fort Myers Florida Weekly .