Aaaaaaaand Boom! IDPA is hoppin' in New Hampshire. In what seems like the snap of the finger, but really was more like six months, the underserved IDPA shooters in New Hampshire have a thriving club and a hot new state championship. Three days spent on the range at the Pioneer Sportsmen Club this pst weekend proved that. Some 200 shooters entered the match which sold out within hours, which is like setting a land speed record when you're talking registration for a shooting match. The Granite State's championship had been dead the last two years, meaning it did not exist. But thanks to a hardworking bunch of guys, a supportive club leadership and a broader community eager to lend a hand, the match was resurrected and back better than ever. A lot of hard work went into the 2013 Smith & Wesson Live Free Or Die State IDPA Championship and it paid off. The most notable aspect of the match was visual. All 13 stages of the course of fire were covered in props, with the three stand out stages being a cemetery complete with 18 undead souls rising from their graves, a haunted house that was off-the-charts awesome in terms of pure fun, and an indoor range turned grocery store with aisles of packaged goods.

Some matches throw a blue barrel out on the range as a prop and call it a day. Not at the Live Free Or Die. Every stage was propped to the max, including this cemetery themed stage. There wasn't a single blue barrel to be found...mostly because the club prohibits them. Photo: P. Erhardt

These stages, and the entire course of fire, received rave reviews from shooters who have not been shy about declaring their return in 2014. Also of note was the amount of support this new match had. Despite no track record whatsoever, the Live Free Or Die was well supported by the industry. Smith & Wesson, as title sponsor, led the list of industry supporters which included Apex Tactical Specialties, Comp-Tac Victory Gear, iMarksman, RangeLog, Safariland and Taurus.

Among those competing were the guys from Ruger. The New Hampshire gun maker has been stepping up its game when it comes to supporting IDPA, especially in its own backyard. And not only did they compete, they also worked the match as staff. Photo: P. Erhardt

The match got 'home field advantage' with New Hampshire gun makers Ruger and Sig Sauer adding their muscle to the event - and literally in the case of Ruger which had some of its guys there not just competing but actually working. If you're familiar with the New England IDPA community then the Live Free Or Die would have seemed like the other big area matches as safety officers from other clubs were out in force, lending a hand to make sure this new championship got off on the right foot.

Michael Joffe of the Metro West Tactical IDPA Club, whose members, including Joffe, helped staff the match, takes aim through the car window on stage 4 of the 13 stage championship. Photo: P. Erhardt

These dedicated IDPA volunteers have a solid track record putting on quality matches and taking care of shooters. Smith & Wesson relies on many of them to help with their Indoor Nationals and their new Back Up Gun Nationals taking place in a couple weeks.

When not volunteering as a Chief Safety Officer, Dave Galante likes to recite the airline safety speech for fun..."If stage visibility is reduced, lighted strips along the berms will lead you to the nearest exit." Photo: P. Erhardt

Friendly, knowledgeable and seemingly tireless, these folks are the backbone of the sport in this area and delivered yet again. Finally, the match also represented the third and final test in the King of New England series. Sponsored by Apex Tactical Specialties, the series is designed to promote local participation in three matches, and by all accounts was a big hit.

Match Director Ken Lambert (r) presents Tom Yost with the King of New England trophies. The big one will feature all five names of the divisional winners with next years added, and the year after that and so on. The silver plate goes home with each. Both are thanks to Apex Tactical Specialties. Photo: P. Erhardt

Clubs hosting next year's Massachusetts State Championship, New England Regional and Live Free Or Die are expected to make the King of New England a key part of the marketing of those matches. Especially if they want Gene Gelberger (ESR), Dennis Doti (SSR), Dave Dolio (SSP), Mark Redl (CDP) and Tom Yost (ESP) to return to defend their crowning achievements as the 2013 Kings of New England.

All she's missing is a tiara and a scepter after winning the Queen of New England. Tara Lyon also won High Lady at the Live Free Or Die. Photo: P. Erhardt

...And of course they'll want to make room for the women. Though the percentage of women participating in local IDPA events is rather low, Tara Lyon's win in the Queen of New England contest might be just the ticket to help draw more women to compete, now that they know their own shooting accomplishment carries just as much weight as the men's.

IDPA is a sport based on real world scenarios, and as such is a very, very serious competitive discipline. Real serious. The uptight kind of serious...as you can clearly see. Photo: P. Erhardt

Chad Barber of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy stuffs another mag into his M&P. Barber took High Military at the Live Free Or Die, chalking up yet another accomplishment for the USCGA Shooting Sports Program. Photo: P. Erhardt

It wasn't just from the New England area that the match drew it competitors. A group of guys from South Jersey made the drive up to New Hampshire to take part in the first Tier 4 IDPA match under the new rules. Photo: P. Erhardt

Being match director doesn't count for much when you decide to mug for the camera. Make a ridiculous face and the next thing you know, you're featured in The Shooting Wire. You're welcome, Ken. Photo: P. Erhardt

- Paul Erhardt, Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network Got shooting sports news? Send us an email at info@shootingwire.com.