Attendence at M/L Events

[bdhutier]

As a new guy to the scene, I'm torn on ML Clubs.

I'm madly in love the idea of traditionalism, and "primitive" methods, but have absolutely no interest in personas, or being P-C, or Daniel Boone lookin' stuff. I'd be all about shooting, camping, and/or hunting with fellow enthusiasts. But the whole idea of everyone pretending it's 1830 and having to fully dress the part, and you're looked down on if you don't have a period belt-thingy is a real turn-off for me.

I'm all about wearing the coat you made from the deer you took last fall, that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the guys who think you're a loser because, "your cast-iron skillet is a 13", and they only made 12" & 14" skillets between 1840 and 1844 in Noname, MO, and you're not P-C, blah, blah, whatever..."

I know a lot of people are into that kind of thing, and that's great for them. I'm not, and I think many of us 30's and younger crowd just think it flat out weird. That's what gives me pause when thinking about clubs.

If your standards are to bring: BP weapon of choice, powder, lead, water, bedroll, skillet, and your smile... let me know, and I'm there.

 

[chuck-ia]

Here in N.W. Iowa the most we have had is 17 shooters, back in the late 70s it was over 100 shooters. We have a shoot Sept.6, the way it is looking we will be lucky to get 15 shooters. Even including inlines. flinch

 

[paulvallandigham]

So, who appointed these " experts" to judge you? Let them make their comments, and LET THEM KNOW in no uncertain terms what you think of their opinions! ( Opinions are like- well, er :nono: -- noses! Everyone has one! :blah: :shocked2: )

Always consider the source of negative comments. I have used Steve Martin's " WELL! EXCUSSSSSSSEEE ME!" line more times than I can count to mock these folks, and will do so in the future, too.

I once set up at a small club rendezvous with my cast iron skillet, and some prepared food, to make Japanese-esque Stir-fry, including rice on the side which I cooked in a large pot over the fire. I like to put chunks of pineapple in my stir fry, and chunks of Apple, and Bell Pepper, along with the chunks of meat, and other vegetables.

Well, the aroma of what I was cooking brought people from all over the camp to see what I " Was cookin'". I got a few negative comments from the usual suspects :blah: :surrender: , and just told them, calmly, they didn't have to eat any of it.( I had made enough to feed the entire camp.)

Others stood around and discussed my recipe, while smelling the pineapple, and peppers, and one wife said, " Why don't we ever take better tasting food to these camps instead of the beans, and ham we always eat?" to her husband. He blushed, and couldn't find any good answer to give her.

When it was ready, I had extra dishes and plastic forks to provide to anyone who didn't have a plate or spork, and people joined us in eating my stir-fry. Pretty soon, the Naysayers were showing up to ask to sample my cooking. I just dished it out and waited for their comments.

One guy- the ringleader, broke the ice by saying, " Da*n! This sure does taste better than what we are eating!" Everyone laughed, including my wife, who was along on one of her very rare visits to my camping, and received compliments for the food.( She had NOTHING TO DO WITH putting the food together, or cooking it. But, she was Japanese-American, and, of course, they all thought she MUST be the one who prepared the food!)

So, please, don't let these "experts" bother you. The only time you have to meet their standards is when you are shooting a Seneca run, or some woods walks, where you lose points based on what kind of equipment you are carrying , or not carrying for the course.

I knew of ONE club that required all its members to be in buckskins to JOIN! The club disappeared within 10 years because no New members could afford to put together all the clothing and gear needed to meet their standards( custom made rifle, too, BTW.)

It takes only one person to stand up to these idiots, and you will find lots of friends all of a sudden, who agree with you, and admire you for standing up to these bullies.

Be that person--

and enjoy a local club. Someone like you will do MORE to attract new members than all those bullies combined. Remember, Evil succeeds when good people sit by and do nothing.

 

[tg]

"I'm madly in love the idea of traditionalism, and "primitive" methods, but have absolutely no interest in personas, or being P-C, or Daniel Boone lookin' stuff.'

Not intending any flame but I don't quite understand that statement, the traditional/primitive methods and such are hand and hand with period type gear, from the guns.projectiles and all the fixins, it is a personal choice what degree or level one takes it.I think the hardcore types who turn their noses up at what they see is less than perfect are a rarity, I have yet to meet one myself, our club has everything from the whole Montey PC outfits to the T shirts and blue jeans, PRB and open sights required the rest is optional.

 

[omarick1948]

As a new guy to the scene, I'm torn on ML Clubs.

I'm madly in love the idea of traditionalism, and "primitive" methods, but have absolutely no interest in personas, or being P-C, or Daniel Boone lookin' stuff. I'd be all about shooting, camping, and/or hunting with fellow enthusiasts. But the whole idea of everyone pretending it's 1830 and having to fully dress the part, and you're looked down on if you don't have a period belt-thingy is a real turn-off for me.

I'm all about wearing the coat you made from the deer you took last fall, that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the guys who think you're a loser because, "your cast-iron skillet is a 13", and they only made 12" & 14" skillets between 1840 and 1844 in Noname, MO, and you're not P-C, blah, blah, whatever..."

I know a lot of people are into that kind of thing, and that's great for them. I'm not, and I think many of us 30's and younger crowd just think it flat out weird. That's what gives me pause when thinking about clubs.

If your standards are to bring: BP weapon of choice, powder, lead, water, bedroll, skillet, and your smile... let me know, and I'm there.

I guess I am one of those weird over 60 muzzleloading guys and have been in several clubs, but I have never been in any M/L organization that thought that everybody HAD to be painted with the same brush! Bd, Muzzleloading always has been a family friendly pastime. Sounds like you had a bad experience with a flakey club or people somewhere along the line! Out here, at some of our bigger attended events, the people who want to have a more PC camp, usually just camp off to the side of the main encampment. They don't have to! They just want to, but know they can just about set-up anywhere they please! Same goes for the more modern camp (which is about 99% attending). Weird or not. some people enjoy stepping back in time and re-enacting some part of American history! We try to leave our daily regular life behind for a day or two and enjoy everyone's company and fellowship in a like minded atmosphere. Baseball and Football players look a little weird in those funny looking uniforms too! Jump in and enjoy the fun!...... Someday our kids might not have the chance to have the gun rights we now to enjoy!

 

Fred,
I see you are in N. Carolina and it would be quite a commute to central Ohio but we hold a 1 day show of traditional and antique muzzleloaders evry October in Newark, Ohio. We also hold a 2 day show in Marietta, Ohio every April. The shows are put on by The Association of Ohio Longrifle Collectors. Both are well attended and some arms usually find new homes. Check out our web site"AOLRC.org".
Mark

 

[Coot]

Clubs vary considerably and prior to joining ANY type of club, you need to do some research. What are the club rules and how rigidly are they enforced? Can you agree to live by the club rules? What are the club goals and do you support them? Is it a shooting club only or is it a hunting club? Is it heavy into reenactments? Is it traditional BP only or are inlines allowed? Is it period dress only at events or are jeans & tees welcome? One size does not fit all and one club might be a good fit while another is decidedly not. Two things never fit - when someone decides the club rules don't apply to them and then mouths off when someone tries to enforce the rules and when someone tries to create and enforce their personal rules rather than the club's rules. Look around - hopefully you will find a good fit!

 

[tg]

". Baseball and Football players look a little weird in those funny looking uniforms too!"

very well put,I find the head to toe camo crowd with all the scent bottles a bit amusing also.

 

[smo]

Here in S. Fl (Miami/Homestead area) I was just glad to find a club to shoot with. :thumbsup: We have 6 to 10 guys at our monthly match and have alot of fun. We shoot pistol,rifle & BPCR. But now the range is closed for re-modeling for the next three months so no mathces until it re-opens. :shake:

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

My son and I are members of two BP clubs. One is actually a league within a 600+ person private club here in central NJ. The league meets on the first Sunday for both a pistol and a rifle shoot. Some guys do the dress-up thing, most don't. The club's roster is growing and so is the league. We have new members getting hooked on black powder shooting. The league has divisions for both revolvers and single-shot pistols, as well as PRB and conicals (like a .58 Enfield, for instance)for the rifles.

Although we occasionally see an inline show-up, the owner of said piece is encouraged to buy or borrow a more traditional arm for the next match that he / she wishes to participate in. That keeps things friendly, but sends the message that the inlines really aren't a part of the league. NO ONE is told to go home...we are beginner-friendly, AND THAT IS WHY WE'RE GROWING!!

The other club that my son and I belong to is also expanding it's membership, and some of these folks are just around college age! In fact the newsletter "Smoke Signals" is entirely maintained by a really great 20-something year-old that loves black powder and all of the history surrounding it! This primitive-style pre-1840 club holds woods walks, novelty shoots, it's first-ever pistol shoot (Cap-N-Ball and Single-Shot)and has already held two on-site middle-school living history days, complete with rifle, bow, mortar and cannon firing demos!! Right on the school grounds!! We had about 18 separate "stations" set-up to demonstrate everything from drilling the troops to bead work to camp cooking, horn making, surgery, science, hawk throwing, you name it! I helped this year and was very impressed and PROUD of the people that make-up our fine organization! This year I'm even going to make the annual Rondy, my first ever!

As far as New Jersey is concerned, I feel that black powder shooting is a growing hobby, and the re-enacting portion of the hobby will also benefit.

Dave

 

My BP Club sponsres a 4H BP shooting program. Yo HAVE to get the youngsters invoved! They are our future!!!