Cowboy Up at the End of Trail

The 2026 End of Trail wrapped up this past weekend at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, just north of Phoenix, Arizona.

End of Trail is the World Championship of Cowboy Action Shooting, governed by the Single Action Shooting Society SASS. The eight-day event drew approximately 700 shooters from across the country.

Cowboy Action Shooting began in 1981, hosting its first End of Trail in 1982 with just 60 shooters. Today, it ranks among the most popular shooting sports in the country.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Misty Ebersole—known in SASS circles as “Misty Moonshine,” her registered alias, as every competitor adopts one—who now serves as the sole owner of SASS. The organization was previously owned by a group known as The Wild Bunch, which founded and grew the sport. Ebersole was invited to join that ownership group and ultimately took over in 2020 as the original members retired.

We talked about the size and popularity of the sport. Yes, Cowboy Action Shooting is a three-gun discipline in which competitors use period-specific single-action revolvers, lever-action rifles, and double-barreled hammer shotguns.

According to Ebersole, SASS closed out 2025 with more than 50,000 active members. That number fluctuates between the mid-40,000s and low-60,000s depending on the time of year, reflecting the typical attrition and recruitment cycle of any membership-based organization.

The 2026 End of Trail saw solid participation, though it did not quite reach capacity—perhaps surprising given the economic headwinds of the past several years.

“What we found with the impact of the economy is not so much at our larger flagship events. We find more of an impact at the local level, maybe the smallest state championship matches or regionals,” explained Ebersole.

“They [competitors] are prioritizing matches differently. Maybe they're not going to six matches a year. Maybe they're only going to three now, so they're a little more choosy. We have been lucky in that we haven't really found a big impact on our major flagship events.”

End of Trail draws shooters from across the country, many of whom travel by RV. A designated parking area across from the ranges was filled throughout the match.

What makes SASS so popular, according to Ebersole, is its people.

“Your SASS membership almost becomes an identity. Originally, it was about creating an alias—you get to step out of the everyday world and become that person,” she said. “Here, we know everybody by their alias. We don’t care if you’re a brain surgeon or a garbage truck driver. It’s that escape.”

She added, “It’s also the most friendly, supportive, welcoming community you could step into. I’ve seen two shooters vying for a world championship title—one has his rifle break, and the other says, ‘Use mine.’ There’s camaraderie, friendship, and support. We’re family, really.”

Sportsmanship exists across all shooting disciplines, but at SASS events there is a distinct adherence to the cowboy ethos—one members genuinely take to heart.

The average age of a SASS member is currently in the low 60s, but the organization also sees many families competing together. Ebersole noted that three generations on the same firing line is not uncommon.

Much of SASS’s appeal lies in its flexibility in creating shooting opportunities for shooters of all ages. For older competitors, new categories continue to be introduced.

“This year, we added a Shootist category, Shootist and Lady Shootist, which is 90 plus. We're going to meet you where you are. We're not going to leave you behind,” noted Ebersole.

Part Shooting, Part Shopping

One of the overlooked aspects of End of Trail, and other major SASS events, is the volume of vendor support. End of Trail features a significant vendor row offering everything from firearms and leather goods to cowboy hats and apparel—plus everything in between.

Shooters rotate through four stages per day in posses—what other disciplines call squads—divided into morning, midday, and evening flights. When not competing, they’re typically visiting vendor tents or grabbing a bite from one of the food stands.

For shooters needing a fresh set of duds, several vendors offer apparel for both cowboys and cowgirls. Styles range from simple working wear to more formal period attire, depending on how one envisions their alias’s character.

Skilled craftsmen and women are also well represented among the vendors. For many, the cowboy lifestyle extends beyond the range and into everyday life.

It doesn’t take long at a major SASS event to realize that while competition sits at the heart of Cowboy Action Shooting, it’s the social nature of the sport that makes it so addictive.

Every shooting discipline has its appeal, but none quite match what you’ll find at End of Trail. Yes, a championship is being contested—but you might not notice at first glance. The role-playing, costuming, and camaraderie create fast friendships among people who may value the fellowship as much as the trophy.

If you’ve never attended a Cowboy Action Shooting match—especially a major event like End of Trail—you owe it to yourself to experience one. You won’t be disappointed.

– Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network