There is something to be said for the art of hunting with either a bow and arrow or a muzzleloader. Both require getting close to the prey and the skill to make the shot. Many hunters are turning to these two sports because they got bored with the scoped high powered rifle. Here in southern Pa we cannot hunt with centerfire rife. Many areas are shotgun only. These are open to bow and muzzleloaders. Many states now have Muzzleloader seasons. Some people are drawn to the sport because of its link to history. Some just like another season to be in the woods. Whatever your reason, welcome. There is an added joy to sitting in the woods holding a finely crafted muzzleloader or longbow. A successful hunt is that much more satisfying when done with a primitive weapon.
There are many pro shops in the Bucks County area to aid you in selecting the proper bow. A bow must be fitted to your draw length. This will also determine the correct arrow weight and length. This is VERY important for the bow to shoot accurately and safely. Don't over bow. You don't need more than 50 to 60 lbs. Unlike a compound the longbow requires you to hold the peak weight at draw. There is no let off. A bow that is too heavy will cause poor shooting form and result in poor accuracy. You can get started for a very nominal investment. Once you have your bow setup it is now time for you to practice. You can't hunt untill you can consistently hit the ten ring. Join one of the many sporting clubs to practice or get a target for your back yard. ALWAYS stress safety!!
This is probably the most important aspect of bow hunting. Only take the quartering away or broadside shot. This shot offers the best way to hit the heart lung cavity. All other shots are iffy and may result in wounded or lost deer.
STICK AND A STRING TRADITIONAL ACHERY SHOPPE, 531 Chestnut St, Perkasie, Pa 18944
A lot of folks get involved in blackpowder shooting by buying one of the many inexpensive guns offered in sporting catologs. Some jump right in and spend big bucks on a custom made longrifle. Some really junp in and buy parts and make there own. Whatever route you take beware, blackpowder is addictive. Please visit the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association website at http://www.nmlra.org/. Also visit Muzzleloader Magazine at http://www.muzzmag.com/default.html.
These are all the things needed to be a REAL Longhunter. Powder horn, priming horn, powder measure, pick, hunting pouch, knife and even a set of buckskins. This really adds to the fun of blackpowder shooting.
Stick and a String Traditional Archery Shoppe 531 Chestnut St, Perkasie, Pa 215-257-1006
Dixons Muzzleloader Shop,9952 Kunklemill Road, Kempton, Pa 19529 610-756-6271
Neshanic Depot, Route 611, Ottsville,Pa 610-847-5627
Here are a few locals showing off there hunting harvests. Enjoy and send your own pics in to see yourself here.
Barrel Forging - Gun Maker Displays, Rifles - Lock, Stock, Barrel and Furniture Makers - Horn and Leather Workers - Gun Flint Knapping - Engraving.
Seminars on Gun Making Craft Subjects - General Building Skills, Restoration, Photography, Selecting Wood, Flint Lock Tuning, Design and Creation, Rifle Architecture, Blueing and Browning, Patch Box.
Original Type Rifling Machines at Work.
Junior Work Shops in Horn and Leather.
Accoutrements category to include Sothern Bone Tip Horns and Shenandoah Valley Hunting Pouches.
For the Distaff Side - Seminars in Soap Making, Tatting and Button Making, Quillwork, 18th Century Medicine, Leather Goods Hands on Spinning, Colonial Lifestyles.
Friday - July 26, 2002 1:00 p.m. - Opening Remarks...................................................................Chuck Dixon 1:30 p.m. - Stock Scraping and Burnishing..............................................Allen Martin 2:30 p.m. - Hand Forging Pipe Tomahawks..................................................Bill Keeler 3:30 p.m. MOVE TO BARN - ACROSS ROAD, IN BACK 3:45 p.m. - Trade Beads of the Colonial Period.........................................Bob Winters Saturday - July 27, 2002 9:00 a.m. - Opening Remarks..................................................................Chuck Dixon 9:30 a.m. - Restoration of Antique Firearms.............................................Keith Casteel 10:30 a.m. - Traditional Stains and Varnishes.......................................Eric Kettenburg 11:30 a.m. - Gold and Silver Inlay in Steel................................................Larry Parker 12:30 p.m. - Screw Tip Horns for the Trade............................................Roland Cadle 1:30 p.m. - Firearms Photography in Color&Black&White..George Shumway & Brian Allen 2:30 p.m. - Construction of Leather Goods.........................................Speedy Hogarth 3:30 p.m. - Selecting Wood for Gun Stocks...........................................Wayne Dunlap Sunday - July 28, 2002 9:00 a.m. - Opening Remarks...................................................................Chuck Dixon 9:30 a.m. - Flintlock Tuning......................................................................Keith Casteel 10:30 a.m. - Gun Stock Stains......................................................................Bill Mende 11:30 a.m. - Rifle Architecture and the 3 X 5 Golden Mean....................Patrick Hallam 12:30 p.m. - Importance of Patch Fabric, Lubricants, and Cleaner.....Thomas DeCare 1:30 p.m. - Rifle Barrels and Barrel Making....................................................John Getz 2:30 p.m. - Introduction to the Art of Bag and Horn Making............Harry McGonical BARN - ACROSS THE ROAD, IN BACK Saturday - July 27, 2002 10:00 a.m. - Thing-A-Ma-Jigs and What-Cha-Ma-Call-Its...........Chris Truitte 11:00 a.m. - Knife Making 101..................................................................Joe Hess Noon - The Henry's of Boulton.........................................................Bob Newell 1:00 p.m. - Pistol Building ..............................................................Bill Kennedy 2:00 p.m. - Engraving and Carving ...............................................Mark Thomas 3:00 p.m. - The Basics of Felt Making - A Hands-on Demo .......Claire Moore Sunday - July 28, 2002 10:00 a.m. - Children's Everyday Clothing ...................................Sandy Thomas 11:00 a.m. - Design and Creationof Muzzleloading Gun Locks...Jim Chambers Noon - The Henry's of Boulton...........................................................Bob Newell 1:00 p.m. - Gun Stock Wood Selection.........................................Michael Barton 2:00 p.m. - The Basics of Felt Making - A Hands-On Demo.........Claire Moore Junior Workshops - Location To Be AnnouncedSaturday - July 27, 2002 12:30 p.m. - Leather Working...................Pete DobbsSunday - July 28, 2002 12:30 p.m. - Horn Working......................Josh Salisbury
Friday - July 26, 2002 1:00 p.m. - Opening Remarks...................................................................Chuck Dixon 1:30 p.m. - Stock Scraping and Burnishing..............................................Allen Martin 2:30 p.m. - Hand Forging Pipe Tomahawks..................................................Bill Keeler 3:30 p.m. MOVE TO BARN - ACROSS ROAD, IN BACK 3:45 p.m. - Trade Beads of the Colonial Period.........................................Bob Winters
Saturday - July 27, 2002 9:00 a.m. - Opening Remarks..................................................................Chuck Dixon 9:30 a.m. - Restoration of Antique Firearms.............................................Keith Casteel 10:30 a.m. - Traditional Stains and Varnishes.......................................Eric Kettenburg 11:30 a.m. - Gold and Silver Inlay in Steel................................................Larry Parker 12:30 p.m. - Screw Tip Horns for the Trade............................................Roland Cadle 1:30 p.m. - Firearms Photography in Color&Black&White..George Shumway & Brian Allen 2:30 p.m. - Construction of Leather Goods.........................................Speedy Hogarth 3:30 p.m. - Selecting Wood for Gun Stocks...........................................Wayne Dunlap
Sunday - July 28, 2002
9:00 a.m. - Opening Remarks...................................................................Chuck Dixon 9:30 a.m. - Flintlock Tuning......................................................................Keith Casteel 10:30 a.m. - Gun Stock Stains......................................................................Bill Mende 11:30 a.m. - Rifle Architecture and the 3 X 5 Golden Mean....................Patrick Hallam 12:30 p.m. - Importance of Patch Fabric, Lubricants, and Cleaner.....Thomas DeCare 1:30 p.m. - Rifle Barrels and Barrel Making....................................................John Getz 2:30 p.m. - Introduction to the Art of Bag and Horn Making............Harry McGonical
Saturday - July 27, 2002 10:00 a.m. - Thing-A-Ma-Jigs and What-Cha-Ma-Call-Its...........Chris Truitte 11:00 a.m. - Knife Making 101..................................................................Joe Hess Noon - The Henry's of Boulton.........................................................Bob Newell 1:00 p.m. - Pistol Building ..............................................................Bill Kennedy 2:00 p.m. - Engraving and Carving ...............................................Mark Thomas 3:00 p.m. - The Basics of Felt Making - A Hands-on Demo .......Claire Moore
Sunday - July 28, 2002 10:00 a.m. - Children's Everyday Clothing ...................................Sandy Thomas
11:00 a.m. - Design and Creationof Muzzleloading Gun Locks...Jim Chambers Noon - The Henry's of Boulton...........................................................Bob Newell 1:00 p.m. - Gun Stock Wood Selection.........................................Michael Barton 2:00 p.m. - The Basics of Felt Making - A Hands-On Demo.........Claire Moore
Junior Workshops - Location To Be AnnouncedSaturday - July 27, 2002 12:30 p.m. - Leather Working...................Pete DobbsSunday - July 28, 2002 12:30 p.m. - Horn Working......................Josh Salisbury
APPRENTICE - First Gun or One not having won a Ribbon. Categories: Basic Craftmanship and Conformation, First Gun, Best of Show. JOURNEYMAN - First Gun or a Prior Winner in Apprentice. Categories: Pistol, Engraving, Carving, Basic Craftmanship and Conformation. Best of Show: Contemporary, Traditional MASTER - Open Class or a Prior Winner in above categories. Professional Builders, No preturned stocks. All work done by entrant. Categories: Pistol. Engraving, Raised and Incise Carving, Patchbox. Best of Show: Contemporary, Traditional, Overall CATEGORIES and CLASSIFICATIONS to be announced Friday, July 26thSETUP Date for craftsmen - July 26th DEADLINE: For guns and accoutrements entered for judging will be 2:00PM on Saturday, July 27th Guns and accoutrements must remain until 2:00PM, Sunday July 28th to receive any awards.
APPRENTICE - First Gun or One not having won a Ribbon. Categories: Basic Craftmanship and Conformation, First Gun, Best of Show.
JOURNEYMAN - First Gun or a Prior Winner in Apprentice. Categories: Pistol, Engraving, Carving, Basic Craftmanship and Conformation. Best of Show: Contemporary, Traditional
MASTER - Open Class or a Prior Winner in above categories. Professional Builders, No preturned stocks. All work done by entrant.
Categories: Pistol. Engraving, Raised and Incise Carving, Patchbox. Best of Show: Contemporary, Traditional, Overall
CATEGORIES and CLASSIFICATIONS to be announced Friday, July 26thSETUP Date for craftsmen - July 26th
DEADLINE: For guns and accoutrements entered for judging will be 2:00PM on Saturday, July 27th
Guns and accoutrements must remain until 2:00PM, Sunday July 28th to receive any awards.
ANY ITEM ENTERED FOR JUDGING WILL BE PERSONALLY ENTERED BY THE BUILDER OR BY WRITTEN PROXY OF THE BUILDER.
Membership is free. Just send your name and adress to bcmountainmen@entermail.net