Bushwackers (paintball team)

Bushwackers, also known as OC Bushwackers, California Bushwackers and Bushwackers International, was an American tournament paintball organisation established in Southern California in 1984. Founded and captained by Ron Kilbourne, the team competed in national tournaments from the woodland era through the National Professional Paintball League (NPPL) professional seven-player circuit.[1][2]

The Bushwackers won the amateur five-player division at the 2001 Pan Am Las Vegas tournament and achieved multiple professional podium appearances, including second place at the 2008 NPPL San Diego event.[3][4]

History

Formation and early competition

The Bushwackers were established in 1984, according to a March 2005 interview with Ron Kilbourne published by the Los Angeles Times.[1]

The team was associated with Field Games, a Southern California paintball facility near SC Village, where Kilbourne served as team captain.

Former player John Coleman recalled joining the organisation around 1986 or 1987 through teammate Paul "Fridge" Mackay.

Coleman described the Bushwackers as operating multiple squads, allowing newer players to develop before progressing to the principal competitive team.[2]

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the organisation competed using pump-action markers before adopting semi-automatic equipment.

Kilbourne was also involved in discussions surrounding the formation of the NPPL in 1992, serving on a committee concerned with promotion and marketing.[5]

National amateur competition

The Bushwackers competed in major American tournaments throughout the 1990s.

At the 1996 NPPL World Cup in Orlando, Florida, the team appeared in the 10-man competition.[6]

By 2000, the Bushwackers were competing in the NPPL Amateur A division.

The team finished third at the 2000 Los Angeles Open and again at the 2000 NPPL World Cup in Orlando.[7][8]

At the Pan Am Circuit championship in Las Vegas, held from 28 November to 2 December 2001, the Bushwackers won the amateur five-player division.

The team defeated Xtreme Genesis and Kingman Factory Team in the final round, recording 194 points to secure first place.[3]

Professional competition (2003–2006)

The Bushwackers entered the NPPL Super 7 professional division in 2003 under the name Bushwackers International.

At the inaugural 2003 Huntington Beach tournament, the team reached the professional semi-finals after advancing from the quarter-finals.

Bushwackers International lost to San Diego Dynasty in the semi-finals and subsequently finished fourth following defeat by Naughty Dogs in the third-place match.[9]

The team achieved another fourth-place professional finish at the 2003 NPPL Las Vegas tournament, losing the third-place playoff to Russian Legion.[10]

Bushwackers International continued competing professionally during 2004.

At the Huntington Beach tournament that year, the organisation fielded Bushwackers International in the professional division and Bushwackers USA in Division 1.[11]

A March 2005 Los Angeles Times report documented three Bushwackers squads competing at Huntington Beach, including the professional team and a newly established Division III squad captained by Jason Jones.

The same report identified Kilbourne as an NPPL Rules Committee member and confirmed that the organisation also participated in the European Millennium Series.[1]

Later competition

The Bushwackers remained active in NPPL competition during the late 2000s.

At the final event of the 2008 NPPL season, held in San Diego, the OC Bushwackers qualified for the professional semi-finals.

The team defeated Tampa Bay Damage to reach the championship match against San Diego Dynasty.

Dynasty won the final, leaving OC Bushwackers in second place.[4]

The same event featured additional Bushwackers squads competing in lower divisions, including LA Bushwackers in Semi-Pro.[4]

The organisation's subsequent competitive history and final operating season have not been conclusively established.

Equipment and sponsorship

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Bushwackers players used equipment from several manufacturers, including Line SI, Aerostar and Worr Game Products.

John Coleman recalled that Kilbourne obtained a small number of specially engraved Line SI Bushmaster markers through JT USA around 1990.

The organisation subsequently adopted semi-automatic equipment as tournament technology developed.[2]

Notable players and personnel

Ron Kilbourne – Founder, captain and professional player. Also served on the NPPL Rules Committee.
John Coleman – Player during the late 1980s and early 1990s who subsequently worked at Carter Machine and DYE Precision.
Paul "Fridge" Mackay – Early Bushwackers player associated with the team's Southern California programme.
John Van Amburg – Early team member documented through surviving equipment and historical photographs.
Aaron Christopher – Former player later associated with Carter Machine.
Jason Jones – Captain of a Bushwackers Division III squad in 2005.[1][2]

In 2025, Ron Kilbourne was inducted into the Iconic Paintball Hall of Icons in recognition of his involvement in the Bushwackers and Southern California tournament paintball.[12]

Selected tournament results

Year	Tournament	Division	Result
2000	NPPL Los Angeles Open	Amateur A, 10-man	3rd [7]
2000	NPPL World Cup	Amateur A, 10-man	3rd [8]
2001	Pan Am Las Vegas	Amateur 5-man	1st [3]
2003	NPPL Huntington Beach	Professional 7-man	4th [9]
2003	NPPL Las Vegas	Professional 7-man	4th [10]
2008	NPPL San Diego	Professional 7-man	2nd [4]

References