'Hiram's Rangers' Masonic Western Action Shooters

After twenty years of thinking I had my finger on the pulse and my ear to the ground (a startlingly vulnerable position to find oneself, to be sure), I just discovered a new group that's gotten sizable enough nationwide to be newsworthy. I never cease to be amazed at the boundless diversity of interests within this fraternity that manages to find enough kindred spirits to band together into a new and inventive Masonic group. 

Meet Hiram's Rangers. As described on one Facebook page, Hiram's Rangers is a Masonic club comprised of brothers who have a passion for 'The Old Bang 'N' Clang,' Western Action Shooters. To receive the degree you must be a Western action shooter, be clad in 19th century clothing, and preferably be attending an event associated with western action shooting. Much like numerous other smaller associative or informal Masonic groups, once you become a Ranger, you are empowered to transmit the degree to others who meet the requirements – sort of like the Turtles, or the Grand College of Memes. And, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention The Invisible Lodge for Master Mason magicians, or the National Camping Travelers for Masonic RVers.

Freemasonry attracts more than its share of brethren with an active interest in history, and within that group there are numerous Masons who engage in historical reenacting. There's the Sword of Bunker Hill, tied to the Revolutionary War period. There's the National Order of the Beaver degree (or "Buck Skinners' Degree”) for Masons who participate in historical Rendezvous as fur traders. The medieval Knight Templar group Levant Preceptory in Indiana grew in part from a Mason who heavily participated in the Society for Creative Anachronism. And there are countless others all over the country with various regional levels of awareness.

So if you're an active Western shooter and a Mason, ask around. Something tells me this will grow quickly.

(H/T MW Kenneth Roy, Jr.)