Hope for the future

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

Just took a bunch of youth out for the 6th time. We agreed to shoot muzzleloaders every 1st and 3rd Thursday.

After several weeks of having them work up the scale on adjustable powder measures until they feel comfortable with the best load, and then adjusting their sights to zero; we finally got around to shooting something to score.

Yesterday we started off with the sitting position. The boys shot 5 shots at 50 yards. I then let them shoot a second target (5 shots) and they could choose which one to turn in.

Two brothers turned in a 29 and a 30. My 13y.o. son turned in a 21.

It will be interesting to see if they improve as the summer goes on.

 

[Grumpa]

Bless you for passing this on. Are they using flint or percussion?

Richard/Grumpa

 

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

Caplocks. These boys are intending to use these guns as their primary deer hunting weapons.

Some of these boys worked, saved, and purchased their own used Thompson Center Hawkens. Finding flintlocks of sufficient quality to use as a primary deer-getter and at a price a young teen can afford is tough.

I think I'll have to host some movie nights and show movies like Master & Commander, Last of the Mohicans, what else. . .

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

It sounds like you're off to a good start. :thumbsup:

 

[SgtErv]

That's good stuff. It's great that you're not only showing them that muzzleloading is fun, but that shooting them well is a much more gratifying experience than any other type of firearm.

Nothing fuels interest than an accurate shooting round!

 

[Rick Richard]

Maybe Jerimiah Johnson too.

 

[Patocazador]

I just got through reading "The Last of The Mohicans" and had forgotten that Natty Bumppo (Hawkeye, Longrifle) named his rifle "Killdeer".
Perhaps having the boys think up a good name like "Ticklicker" for their gun would occupy them. Sort of like homework. Have the kids vote on which name is best and have a small prize for the winner.

 

[will5a1]

Good for you, and I think the naming suggestion would be great to further their interest. Maybe have them make their own shooting bags? I'm so glad you have some young guys interested.

 

[Crewdawg445]

:applause:

Keeping the tradition alive is so important! However I won't hold it against you for using a capper!

 

[Tallswife]

Great job to you and the boys!

 

[Silky921]

It's so refreshing to hear stories like this. Keep up the good fight.

 

[RedFeather]

One suggestion on naming, let 'em choose it themselves. It will stick better. The T/C's were a fine idea. Good solid gun that will last until they want something nicer or bequest it to their grandkids. Always good to put them on the right path with the right equipment. Earning that equipment builds character on top of it. I say, good for you!

 

[fleener]

Good for you. You are making a good impression on those kids.

I used to host a father son camp out on my farm. Did lots of things including shooting ML.

Due to time we have not had one for a several years.

Those boys all graduated from high school this year and all of them are asking if we can have another camp out.


Fleener

 

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

Update:

Took 'em out tonight again. Today was kneeling position. The two brothers scored 35 and 32 at the 50 yard bull.

My son complained of getting slapped in the cheek and his knee was hurting. So it looks like I will have to take a rasp to the stock comb and see if I can resolve the cheek slapping.

Next shoot will be in July. I'm not sure if I want to skip the prone position since that is not something that is practical for Wisconsin hunting.

 

[don hepler]

Our club has taken a big interest in shooting BP. I was very surprised to see 15 shooters, just a couple of weeks ago. Although, only one youth was there, we are just getting started.

We have two women shooting, and maybe a couple more getting interested.

We shoot a lot of interactive targets, to keep it fun. We shoot balloons, clay targets, eggs, gongs.

Also, the women dress in traditional clothing and cook on open fire. We had hoe cakes and lemonade at one of our shoots.

When someone does something funny, like dry ball, they are awarded the "Sooty Finger" trophy. It must remain with them until the next shoot, where they can award it to the next person.

I am glad to see what you are doing with the youth. There are a lot of older people who have not had the BP experience, and we are going after all ages, if we see an interest. We are getting a lot of observers, and one meeting we invited the shotgun trap shooters over to our part of the range to let them shoot our flintlocks.

Good work, thank you, for what you are doing.

 

[Onojutta]

Caplocks.
I think I'll have to host some movie nights and show movies like Master & Commander, Last of the Mohicans, what else. . .

Don't forget The Patriot, and The Renevant...

 

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

Patriot, :grin: . Revenant, :barf: .

 

[Patocazador]

I just watched The Revenant last week after looking forward to it for quite awhile. It was boring and historically inaccurate. Even though there wasn't much dialogue, what there was was not suitable for kids IMO.

How does one win an Academy Award for grunting? :idunno:

 

[Heelerau]

My daughter and her partner are coming home from England in September. They were out for Christmas last year, I brushed them up on the air rifle, then took them to a mates farm to shoot muzzle loaders. My daughter only knows how to use my late fathers' Leman rifle, and her partner is keen to learn. I am hoping the lad will become a permanent fixture and he seems keen to learn all that I know. We all need to pass our blackpowder skills onto the next generation whenever some youngster shows interest; getting a bunch of kids like you did to get jobs and save for their own muzzle loaders then teach them to use them is magnificent !! More power to you mate.



Cheers

Heeler :thumbsup:

 

[Onojutta]

I just watched The Revenant last week after looking forward to it for quite awhile. It was boring and historically inaccurate. Even though there wasn't much dialogue, what there was was not suitable for kids IMO.

How does one win an Academy Award for grunting? :idunno:

Agreed, it wasn't the best movie but at least it might get someone excited about muzzleloading and frontier history. After all, Hugh Gruntsalot does carry what started out as a fine flintlock rifle from a reputable builder in PA, at least until it was sawed off by the production crew. :wink: