Every now and then we need to poke a little fun at ourselves. Some of you may have noticed someone who has a particular interest in a shooting or hunting genre that may look down on others in the sport that don't necessarily share the same interest or passion.
I've seen traditional archers look down on compound archers or crossbowman. There are flintlock shooters that might act like they have some secret ability and Gnostic talent available to a chosen few. Handgun hunters pursuing dangerous game might look at the ubiquitous squirrel hunter as blasé.
A fly fisherman might die if he ever had to use a Zebco rod and reel. A deep sea angler may think that the only kind of sport fishing is on the ocean.
Sometimes it can get irritating but, in my experience, the aforementioned attitudes have been rare. Mostly, the rivalry between sportsmen of different persuasions has been good-natured.
As well all know, shooting a flintlock may be a little challenging; especially to someone new to the technology. Once we've mastered the ability to hit a target with a round ball out of something with a lengthy lock time we have every right to be proud. However, no matter how good we are at something we can always be humbled. That's why it's important to always share our love of shooting with enthusiasm and excitement.
I'm sure all of you know that but I felt like saying it anyway.
So if you have a friend or fellow club member who has just acquired a flintlock rifle or pistol attached is a humorous "certificate" suitable for framing. It is a fill-able and printable PDF file, that will hopefully, give everyone a good laugh.
Send me a PM if you would like me to customize it for your muzzleloading club or friends.
After the invention of the air drill silicosis rates soared among miners and sandhogs. The invention of the water fed hollow drill stem literally was a life saver.
I've shot about everything from BB guns to a 135 mm howitzer, including quite a few Class III weapons. The only folks I look down upon are those that try to take away my rights under the First and Second Amendments.
