First, I'll say I think the idea of a loading block with the patch and ball already "loaded" into it is a good idea for hunters to have.
That said, I'll agree with necchi, we tend to glamorize Indian raids, battles fought between army's and even groups of people defending themselves from other people (or critters) of all types.
In reality, these things were not common every day happenings.
The lone hunter, out trying to shoot something for food was more likely something that was more often the case and even this wasn't needed every day if a deer or other large animal was taken.
Speaking of a hunter during these times, even he would have little use for a loading block.
More typically, the hunter knows the area well so he knows where to look for game.
If the game is out of range for an easy kill, he would slowly work his way coming upwind to reduce the distance.
Taking very slow and deliberate aim he would shoot.
After the shot he would "mark" the last location where the game was standing in his mind taking note of anything such as unusual trees, rocks, cliff faces etc. and where they were relative to the marked spot.
He would then casually reload his muzzleloader making sure everything was done correctly.
Speed is not required here. Just careful reloading.
Only then, would he start to move slowly towards the place the game was standing when it was shot.
If the game wasn't within a few yards of the spot, he would then start to track it and he would continue to do so until it was found.
So what happened to the game while our old time hunter was casually noting things and reloading?
Most often, it has absolutely no idea what happened or where the shot came from.
It will start to run but will quickly slow down while it looks for something that is in pursuit of it.
If it sees and hears nothing it will slow down to study the situation.
About this time the effects of shock and blood loss will begin to take its tole.
Not feeling well, it will look for a place to bed down.
After it does, that is where its dead remains will be found.
(Yes, I know. There are always exceptions but this does happen, more often than some think.)
Notice how different this is when compared with the modern hunter who blasts away several shots at the game and then charges its last known location as if they were going into battle, paying little attention to the location and surrounding markers that can make finding it easy.
Speed of reloading is critical. Speed of the charge is critical.
The speed that all locational bearings become confused and rapidly forgotten?
I think that explains why much game shot by modern hunters is lost in these modern times.
IMO, hunters who choose to use old fashioned muzzloaders need to forget modern methods and hunt like their forefathers did.
Slowly, carefully and deliberately.
OK. Off the soap box.
That said, I'll agree with necchi, we tend to glamorize Indian raids, battles fought between army's and even groups of people defending themselves from other people (or critters) of all types.
In reality, these things were not common every day happenings.
The lone hunter, out trying to shoot something for food was more likely something that was more often the case and even this wasn't needed every day if a deer or other large animal was taken.
Speaking of a hunter during these times, even he would have little use for a loading block.
More typically, the hunter knows the area well so he knows where to look for game.
If the game is out of range for an easy kill, he would slowly work his way coming upwind to reduce the distance.
Taking very slow and deliberate aim he would shoot.
After the shot he would "mark" the last location where the game was standing in his mind taking note of anything such as unusual trees, rocks, cliff faces etc. and where they were relative to the marked spot.
He would then casually reload his muzzleloader making sure everything was done correctly.
Speed is not required here. Just careful reloading.
Only then, would he start to move slowly towards the place the game was standing when it was shot.
If the game wasn't within a few yards of the spot, he would then start to track it and he would continue to do so until it was found.
So what happened to the game while our old time hunter was casually noting things and reloading?
Most often, it has absolutely no idea what happened or where the shot came from.
It will start to run but will quickly slow down while it looks for something that is in pursuit of it.
If it sees and hears nothing it will slow down to study the situation.
About this time the effects of shock and blood loss will begin to take its tole.
Not feeling well, it will look for a place to bed down.
After it does, that is where its dead remains will be found.
(Yes, I know. There are always exceptions but this does happen, more often than some think.)
Notice how different this is when compared with the modern hunter who blasts away several shots at the game and then charges its last known location as if they were going into battle, paying little attention to the location and surrounding markers that can make finding it easy.
Speed of reloading is critical. Speed of the charge is critical.
The speed that all locational bearings become confused and rapidly forgotten?
I think that explains why much game shot by modern hunters is lost in these modern times.
IMO, hunters who choose to use old fashioned muzzloaders need to forget modern methods and hunt like their forefathers did.
Slowly, carefully and deliberately.
OK. Off the soap box.
