Let me start by stating that when I received the e-mail invitation from Sean Jerald’s to a “paintball war”, I really had no idea what to expect, and I certainly did not expect to find myself in a 1970 pinzgauer heading up Thumb Butte.

Now, in case you don’t know what a pinzgauer is, it’s a military all terrain truck that holds about ten guys in the back - and can go most anywhere. Trust me when I say it sets the mood for the day, these guys are serious about their paintball wars.

Sean Jeralds, our guide and host for the day, is known to Prescottonians from the many productions he has participated in on the Prescott Fine Arts Association stage, now called Prescott Center for the Arts. Let’s just say that the enthusiasm and excitement you see on stage, is pretty much what ya get when he invites you to go paintballing.

Now, Sean and his son Luke (now 21) have been paintballing on Thumb Butte since Luke was 14 and Sean before that. Needless to say, they have acquired quite the collection of Paintball Markers (or guns), Masks, Camo etc. Once unloading the pinzgauer, the ground was covered with containers of camouflage clothing, military ammunition boxes full of CO2 cartridges, markers, coolers of bottled water and of course the dreaded multi colored Paintball itself.

Before you start complaining about “eco” stuff, paintballs are completely bio degradable. (Which was one of my first questions too.) Shoot one, it explodes and washes away with water. Sean even noted that while he did not recommend it, you could eat the little colorful spheres. (I passed).

Who’s Playin’:

These guys get together every Saturday in some configuration or other. Today there were 12 including myself and my son Jacob. The rest of the guys were all Embry Riddle students. So, basically, three old guys, and these guys all decked out head to toe in camo.

Safety:

For something that at first appears so juvenile, these guys really take it seriously. Once the group was fitted for masks and the markers were sited, we spent a good amount of time discussing rules, the safe zone, plugs, surrendering etc. Basically reminding everyone to not be stupid and get an eye shot out.

The Goal:

… “put a paintball on a guy, before he puts one on you” responds Sean. So capture the flag it was. Basically, each team defends their base and flag (or horn), while trying to capture the other teams flag.

The Game:

This is where memories of “Fort” or “War” back home in Ohio came to mind. Prescott National Forrest is a perfect location to paintball. This area in particular has two large facing rock formations with a gully in between, essentially a North and South base.

The paintball war was on!

Ray Bedard, ERAU professor, and myself quickly formed our strategy, which was, quite simply, not to get shot. We were going to flank left, with me taking the lead and Ray covering my back.

“Ready” to which the North team responded “Ready” and the hill was covered with guys running in all directions for cover and opportunities, hiding behind trees and boulders as the air was filled with the “thumpft” “thumpft” of paintballs being shot, as we stealthly converged on our opponents base.

And our strategy worked… until Ray got taken out by a purple burst of paint, and I was left on my own in this unusual adrenaline rush. I was seriously concerned about getting shot, and very much wanting to “capture the Flag”.

As I came of the South side of the Moldore (the North camp), I quickly found myself gazing upon the Flag, (or siren) of the North camp. I should have realized it was too simple, but in my naïve warrior excitement, I made a run for it, leapt into the camp, grabbed the siren, raised it skyward, and turned it to press the button to sound my victory … when it happened. Three quick shots to the back, and my victory turned to defeat. Defeat made all the more obvious by the orange paint which covered my tan camo.

And my assailant? You guessed it. My son Jacob. Turns out the guys thought he would be perfect to hide in a little enclave of boulders and guard the siren. That’s how paintball is. Pitting friend against friend and father against son - but all in good fun.

The next few hours were spent playing Capture the Flag, Center Flag, Defense and Assault and ended with OK Corral. Where both teams face each other with thirty paces between, and begin shooting until there is just one man standing.

Now, Paintballing isn’t for everyone, and is certainly not your everyday activity, but what a great way to enjoy the fantastic weather and surroundings of Prescott. Thumb Butte is just an unbelievably beautiful area that offers so many types of recreation. Where else could ya find Horseback Riders, Mountain Bikers, Hikers and just bit further up the hill behind a big boulder… a dozen guys shooting at each other?

Thanks for a great day Sean! We had a blast, and I’m telling ya right now “You Gotta Do This!”

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