Load and fire
Sunday, May 27, 2007David Figura Outdoors editor
New York State Muzzleloaders Association president Eric Bratt says it's easy to get hooked on the sport.
"Once you smell the black powder, you have to come back," the 55-year-old pharmaceutical company worker said. "It's a disease - like golf or anything else."
This weekend, Bratt and other muzzleloader enthusiasts from throughout the state are shooting at the annual spring shoot and campout at the Elbridge Rod and Gun Club on Laird Road in Jordan. They started setting up camp Friday. Shooting competitions began Saturday and continue today.
Most of the shooting is taking place at the gun club's covered range. Competitors shoot standing up, off a bench rest, or by letting their weapon rest on cross sticks (a stand made by tying sticks together). Targets are situated 25, 50 and 100 yards away.
Many of the more than 40 shooters Saturday were using primitive (traditional) muzzleloaders. On those guns, the spark that ignites the gunpowder is generated by either a flintlock or a percussion cap.
(bpb)Bill Brookover, of Walworth, said by 2 p.m. Saturday he had loaded and fired more than 60 rounds that day. He decided to clean his gun and take a rest. He described "the kick" from a muzzleloader to be similar to a 20-gauge shotgun.
Kevin Swart, of Vestal, came to the competition with a rifle, but also brought a pair of pistols.
"These are reproductions of dueling pistols," he said, explaining one was a Le Page, the other a Manton.
Swart said he initially got into firing muzzleloading guns to extend the time he could deer hunt. State law provides for a special muzzleloading season, apart and in addition to the regular deer hunting season.
"And now the hunting isn't that much of a challenge," he said. "The challenge now is in the (shooting) competition."
Apart from the shooting, other activities this weekend include knife- and tomahawk-throwing contests.
"The kids just love that," Brandt said.
From about seven paces away, throwers aim for a playing card stuck to a block of wood. Hit the wood, get a point. Nick the card, get three. Split it, get five.
Tim Welch, of Elbridge, said the old movies often showed Indians throwing tomahawks.
"They never did that," he said. "The tomahawk was more of a hand-to-hand (combat) thing."
One of the contests featured a walk in the woods, where shooters took turns firing at a variety of targets. And to make things interesting, each location had a separate target for a tomahawk throw, which counted in the overall score.
Back at the range, Sharon Springs resident Donna Bonner was aiming at targets 100 yards away. She said she's been shooting muzzleloaders for about three years.
"I taught her and I'm proud to say she's better than me," said her husband, Bob.
David Figura can be reached at [email protected] or at 470-6066.
Sunday, May 27, 2007David Figura Outdoors editor
New York State Muzzleloaders Association president Eric Bratt says it's easy to get hooked on the sport.
"Once you smell the black powder, you have to come back," the 55-year-old pharmaceutical company worker said. "It's a disease - like golf or anything else."
This weekend, Bratt and other muzzleloader enthusiasts from throughout the state are shooting at the annual spring shoot and campout at the Elbridge Rod and Gun Club on Laird Road in Jordan. They started setting up camp Friday. Shooting competitions began Saturday and continue today.
Most of the shooting is taking place at the gun club's covered range. Competitors shoot standing up, off a bench rest, or by letting their weapon rest on cross sticks (a stand made by tying sticks together). Targets are situated 25, 50 and 100 yards away.
Many of the more than 40 shooters Saturday were using primitive (traditional) muzzleloaders. On those guns, the spark that ignites the gunpowder is generated by either a flintlock or a percussion cap.
(bpb)Bill Brookover, of Walworth, said by 2 p.m. Saturday he had loaded and fired more than 60 rounds that day. He decided to clean his gun and take a rest. He described "the kick" from a muzzleloader to be similar to a 20-gauge shotgun.
Kevin Swart, of Vestal, came to the competition with a rifle, but also brought a pair of pistols.
"These are reproductions of dueling pistols," he said, explaining one was a Le Page, the other a Manton.
Swart said he initially got into firing muzzleloading guns to extend the time he could deer hunt. State law provides for a special muzzleloading season, apart and in addition to the regular deer hunting season.
"And now the hunting isn't that much of a challenge," he said. "The challenge now is in the (shooting) competition."
Apart from the shooting, other activities this weekend include knife- and tomahawk-throwing contests.
"The kids just love that," Brandt said.
From about seven paces away, throwers aim for a playing card stuck to a block of wood. Hit the wood, get a point. Nick the card, get three. Split it, get five.
Tim Welch, of Elbridge, said the old movies often showed Indians throwing tomahawks.
"They never did that," he said. "The tomahawk was more of a hand-to-hand (combat) thing."
One of the contests featured a walk in the woods, where shooters took turns firing at a variety of targets. And to make things interesting, each location had a separate target for a tomahawk throw, which counted in the overall score.
Back at the range, Sharon Springs resident Donna Bonner was aiming at targets 100 yards away. She said she's been shooting muzzleloaders for about three years.
"I taught her and I'm proud to say she's better than me," said her husband, Bob.
David Figura can be reached at [email protected] or at 470-6066.
