Southern Cross Free Trappers

Chook shoots his refurbished Remington, see our Christmas feature story. Photo by Kevin

Season’s Greetings from Around the Traps, our newsletter for members and black powder fun loving friends. The rifle in our picture and feature story should have made Christmas 1995 an unforgettable occasion. That didn’t quite work out. But today, the above snapshot by Kevin is your editor’s personal favourite of the month, and the accompanying lengthy story forwarded to Muzzleloader magazine explains why. Oh but first check out that beautiful stock timber!

Remington ER 1816 Commemorative Flintlock.

(It was the week before Christmas……)
Back in the mid nineties, whilst reading a popular Australian shooting publication, I came upon an eye-catching glossy advertisement for a flintlock rifle from Remington. “This limited edition replica will be produced for one year only, and available on special order through the Remington Custom Shop. Interested collectors and black powder shooters are encouraged to place orders early”

Wow, I thought, wouldn’t that be something special, as I looked at the colour picture of a fine long rifle. I read the complete advert again, and again. Later, when I had re-read the full ad for the umpteenth time, especially the line – “This is an authentic replica – lock, stock and barrel – of the first Remington rifle ever built” – I realised I was hooked, and knew that I had to have one of these Custom Shop specials.

The generic term “lock, stock & barrel” has come to be accepted as “the complete thing”, in this case encompassing those three components and everything else in a fine rifle, from the screws in the butt plate to the tip of the fore-end nose cap. So I just knew that Remington’s authentic replica flintlock was gonna be extraordinary special.

As we were already six months into the year, I cursed my late observation of the advertisement, and rushed to a helpful Melbourne suburbs gun dealer. He accepted my order with 10% deposit on the 1st July 1995, and would advise me just as soon as Remington’s Australian agents had shipping details. I settled down to wait it out.

Months passed, and my many phone enquiries all brought negative response. No gun and no word on it either. Nothing! 1995 became 1996 and I had grave misgivings about this order. Months later I was told that the Australian agents could not deliver, and I collected my deposit money – Oh, I was refunded alright yet most disappointed!

It was the week before Christmas ’96 when that same dealer phoned offering contact details of a guy in the States he said just might be able to help. Allowing for time zone difference, it was 2 am when I made my call, and within minutes learned that this U.S. mid-western dealer actually had six of these rifles in stock. Try to sleep on that!

It took a couple of days and a couple more late night calls to secure the transaction on one of those six rifles. Transfers and shipping arrangements were all organised by Christmas Eve and I was looking forward to a great New Year with a great new gun.

The rifle finally arrived in February ’97, some twenty months after first placing my original order. It looked great, all bright and shiny. I proudly took it home to get acquainted, and to read the accompanying literature and certificates containing the assurance that it had been made – “just the way old Eliphalet would have wanted it”.

A flint wrapped in leather was inserted tightly in the jaws, the frizzen closed, set the trigger, squeeze, and yep she sparks well. But wait, the trigger won’t reset. And that’s when my new troubles started! Cutting a long story short, examination revealed that the trigger sear was just a smidgeon too short and overridden by the triggers. My good friend, Bob Seip, an excellent tradesman toolmaker, came to the rescue, silver soldering and lengthening the sear bar about 1/8 of an inch.

On the firing line at the range, the gun was sparking and firing well, but then I noticed that closing the frizzen did not seal the pan, and a mere tilt of the rifle to get the priming away from the vent would cause all of the priming to fall out of the pan.

Cutting the long story again – examination revealed the periphery of the pan required a surface grind to level it. The frizzen itself was twisted slightly, and its axle hole was way off centre. Bob came to the rescue again with more of his toolmaker magic, for this lock and trigger set-up was decidedly not “the way old Eliphalet would have wanted it”.

But, I was forgiving of the Remington advertising spiel and could now enjoy shooting the piece without losing priming or having triggers snared. The barrel certainly shot as true as my tired old eyes could see. I even forgave Remington for the hex-slot screws through the ramrod thimbles into the barrel; well sort of – actually, I pretended not to notice!

Then one day the brass nose cap fell off into my hand. Hey, this thing just sits there held on with the slightest of spring tension. Surely old Eli would have had a rivet or a screw holding the brass cap to the maple?

A major disappointment was that the escutcheon plates were merely glued to the stock encompassing false “barrel” pins, yes, mere decorations serving absolutely no purpose. They do not secure the barrel in the stock in the traditional manner of original rifles! Some authentic replica! I still cannot believe there was anything so deceptive about any original rifle built by Eliphalet Remington.

The rifle never did match my expectations. In fact, I generally considered it an embarrassment to shoot it in company, but ten years passed before I finally spat the dummy over its tarnished pedigree. My good rendezvous friend Ian Convey, an aircraft instrument fitter by trade, offered to remake the rifle doing away with the hex head bolts through the thimbles, the fake escutcheon plates and pins and the dome headed brass patch box screws. This offer got me thinking of the Custom Shop gun I’d anticipated from Remington way back in 1995.

The John Twigg style lock by R.E. Davis

The lock selected was a John Twigg styled English lock by R.E. Davis. Unfortunately Ian had already made the iron furniture by the time the lock arrived, as there was a problem matching the Twigg to the original set triggers. After consultation with Ian it was decided he would build and fit a new single trigger, resulting in the trigger guard having just a little too much space in rear of the trigger. After a while I’ve gotten used to the aesthetics, and Ian’s single trigger has a light release which suits me just fine.

My original request had been for the poor boy look, with a grease-hole stock, no ram rod entry pipe of course, and without a nose cap. Ian heard that last bit and omitted the nose cap, but couldn’t stop himself from using a piece of scrap stock wood for a nice sliding patch box lid. After hand building some 30 rifles over the years, Ian’s experienced tone was recommending I reconsider excluding the ram rod entry pipe. I quickly agreed, and Ian hand made one matching the profile of the two front thimbles.

Being over 60 years of age, I had just one other request – to move that rear sight two foot further down the barrel. There was an alternative – to come up with a peep sight that would pass the criteria for the muzzleloader early season hunting in the U.S. While we don’t have such concessions here in Australia, it was felt that such a non- adjustable sight would be acceptable for all friendly range shoots, and a decided asset for any hunting here down-under, without transgressing into modern adjustable sights.

After a lengthy search of available books, magazines, internet and etc., Ian located an article he’d remembered from a 1994 Muzzleloader magazine on authentically styled peep sights. Ian’s interpretation utilizes a simple thumbscrew tapped into the tang. It blends easily into the overall pleasing lines of the rifle and allows fast acquisition of target with the ivory bead insert that Ian added to the front sight.

The original barrel was mirror-smooth in the bore with deep cut rifling, but it had several machining chatter marks on the top flats, so I asked Ian if the flats could be filed without losing the original name or serial numbers. Ian obliged once again and re-browned the barrel and all iron furniture to a nice plumb brown, before securing the barrel to the stock using genuine pins, as in the documented fashion of the era.

The barrel is now the only component retained from my original “replica” Remington. The Twigg lock by Davis throws great showers of sparks. The hand carved stock was given a little cast-off and enough wrist and forearm swell to sustain a life of knocks in the Aussie bush. The wood grain follows the wrist contours perfectly, and the natural light and dark contrasting colours flow in beautiful waves along the entire length. All iron furniture is one-off hand made and browned. Steel screw heads are all heat blued.

Thoughts of a poor boy rifle with grease hole were forgotten, and Ian’s finishing touches to the wooden patch box lid were a cast pewter finial, and to inlet five small studs representing the stars of the Southern Cross – a symbol denoting unity of cause, and the bonds of our primitive rendezvous club, the Southern Cross Free Trappers.

It’s rather hard to regard this rifle as a Remington any more, but at last it is something quite special; it’s now an honest and sturdy no-frills hunting rifle, and I like to think that finally it may be very close to Remington’s 1995 claim – “just the way old Eliphalet would have wanted it”.

Events 2010

2nd 3rd 4th 5th April. An Easter bunny and egg hunt at Bernard’s Cache, Caveat.

24th 25th & 26th April. Anzac w/end – serving seconds of rabbit pie at Bernard’s Cache.

12th –14th June. Queen’s Birthday long weekend – Winter Quarters at Bernard’s Cache.

17th – 20th September. Spring Rendezvous with friends at Beaver Creek, Whorouly. An extended single weekend – Friday 17th through to Monday 20th.

6th & 7th November. Melbourne Medieval Fayre and Tourney (MMFAT) at Berwick.

’Tis the Season…

Christmas time is extra special for families as we watch our children mature from year to year. We missed the kids at Rondyvoo this last September, so in this issue we’ve featured 2008 photos of our chillun’ having a great time doing kids stuff and enjoying rendezvous days. Plus we share a letter to all members from a friend in the USA. We hope you can take time to enjoy the read of our special Christmas bumper edition! And don’t forget to use the summer months to advantage revising gear or making new outfits for bigger and brighter rendezvous in 2010. A Merry Christmas to all.

Andrea forwarded this photo of John and William with Penny and the simple caption – Boys dog. It’s a favourite of mine too, but not because that’s my pooch waiting hopefully for scraps; it’s the memories of childhood it brings flooding back. Every boy dreams of camping and playing in the outdoors – tangled hair, a grubby face, real dirt behind the ears; socks, shirts and trousers that were all too briefly clean; pockets crammed with a folding knife and assorted treasures; thousands of questions to ask – that’s what kids do for a living! Every day is an adventure for boys and their dogs. Lewis and Clark were once young boys with that same zest for discovery.

Tattler

Mappo, aka Senator Festus T LaGarse, “running in Virginia, walking in Georgia” came across an abundance of prime beaver while “gallup-ing” among the northern hordes at MMFAT on Sunday 8th November. Keen to improve his polling he soon alerted the Trappers to the scores of beaver all hollering “Take me, take me”. This resulted in several Free Trappers and friends harvesting a haul of plews the like of Henry Frapp’s dying visions. What a coup for trappers representing the Club and for the disguised Frontier folk on that second hot day of the Medieval Fayre and Tourney.

John Willett and Indiana Baker with a cartload of friends. Photo by Kevin

Looking up Sam & Jake (A letter from Brad Randall, north Mississippi, thereabouts)

Howdy, I saw your website while looking up Sam & Jake Hawken on Google. I have to tell you, I’m impressed with your group. I suppose I had no idea that the folks Down Under even knew what Buck Skinners were all about. It looks to me; I will have to rethink the issue given what I saw on your web site. It looks really good and more importantly; it really looks and feels correct. I believe I would have fit right in well, except I suspect I talk funny to ya’ll being from the South and all.

I have been involved in smoke poles for over 35 years building and shooting them across the US, Germany, Canada and the UK. At last count I have built about 150 rifles and pistols. I built a Hawken gun for the American National Rifle Association. I have several in Europe, a few in Canada and the rest all over the US. I just came back from about 9 months in the UK and found a muzzleloading shotgun club there and had a great time knocking down clay birds. Well, and missing a bunch too but, it was a wonderful time.

I’ve done a lot of re-enacting of the American Revolution and American Civil War but, Buck Skinning is where my heart is. I spent about 20 years in the American Army and just don’t want to spend my fun time play soldier; especially when the guy in charge doesn’t know his head from a hole in the ground. I have also gotten to spend some time out in the Rockies going to Rendezvous, shooting, hunting elk, trout fishing and just standing around with my mouth hanging open in pure wonder at the beauty. I was out there one time in August, just outside of Yellowstone Park, and we got about 3 inches of snow. Yeah and I didn’t have my winter stuff either. Dang it was cold that night.

Anyway, I just wanted to say Howdy to you folks. I have attached a couple of pictures: one of my smiling face at a winter camp doing my best Davy Crockett, one of a flint lock smooth bore long gun I built and a flintlock pistol I have just finished.

Let me know how you folks are getting on. Maybe we can swap some, I was going to say lies but, let’s say stories. I don’t know ya’ll that well yet.

Oh, if you ever get to north Mississippi or anywhere near Memphis, TN, give me a call. I have a place to shoot and plenty of things to do it with. Also, one of the clubs I belong to usually has something going on most of the time.

Take care,
Brad Randall

Nov. 2009 Melbourne Medieval Fayre and Tourney (MMFAT) at Berwick.

Lisa with Nicholas and Nathaniel at the Club’s display at MMFAT while at the right rear Bob examines a butcher’s knife.

MMFAT
What a heat wave – Melbourne in November enduring consecutive days of 35+ C. Summer heat hit us all far too suddenly and proved damned uncomfortable for many re-enactors normally dressing in wool jackets and medievals in chainmail. Never-the-less the Free Trappers together with Bojo Canvas Products put on a good display and received lots of attention, keen interest and many compliments all round.

Thanks to Bob Ellis, Ron Davis, Jim Walker and Paul Sly for manning the display and to all and sundry friends who continually utilised my George Washington stool.

More on Remington?

1816 Remington owners or enthusiasts are invited to comment on our leading article by using the form at the foot of this newsletter.

Additional photos of that refurbished Remington.

Butt stock & patch box on completely refurbished Remington.

Showing original barrel, hand made side plate and simple rear sight.

Spectacles

When we engage authenticity we continually see two main items that we hesitate to tackle, probably due to their single item cost. Footwear is often mentioned in our Tattler column as we try to help with suggestions. Shoes, boots and even moccasins can be expensive if we are serious about portrayals – but they need not be!

The second item is eyewear and this can also amount to a considerable outlay in dollars, but need not. The prescription lens is not the most expensive part. Locating period correct frames can be difficult, although several Sutlers do stock modern-made frames in the styles of 18th & 19th centuries at modest cost. Then it is simply a matter of getting your Optometrist to fit prescription lenses and you are there.

Some points to remember if you are ordering new lenses for your period frames.

1. Bifocal spectacles were invented by Benjamin Franklin way back in 1760.
2. Sunglasses arrived much later – in fact 1929. Polarizing lens followed in 1936.

All this means that bifocal lenses in period correct frames are quite kosher for our rendezvous’ even if your persona is of the French Indian Wars period (also known as the Seven Years War 1754-1763). Sadly, your modern-framed polarizing lenses, whether bifocal or not, are simply out-of-place. So, if you are wearing modern glasses please remember to remove them for photographs so as not to be a spectacle in print.
http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/bifocals.htm
http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/sunglasses.htm

Simple Fare – a Minimalist Approach.

To protect our pre 1840 theme I have been striving to eliminate as much as possible using modern foods and packaging that require vital 21st C storage to protect health. I try to carry only gear that a trapper could carry on packhorses. Thus the esky or ice-box, all large storage boxes, fire irons, cast iron cookware, enamel ware and camp furniture are slowly being eliminated from my kit. It means less to pack, less to carry and far less to store at home.

I’ve listed a few thoughts and achievements for your consideration – First up storage; Contrary to the no box rule I do have a wooden Hudson’s Bay trap-box which has been converted into a tuckerbox/camp kitchen. It is of a size that could be carried on a pack horse and has been modified internally for storage convenience.

Contained in the box are :- 3 steel plates,1 wooden bowl, 2 forks, 4 spoons (brass, wood & horn), 1 small steel spatula, 2 tin cups, 1 horn cup, 2 small chains & hooks for use on a fire tripod (wood) a small steel frypan, 3 tin billys which fit inside each other, a tin can of candles, a tin can with soap & scourer pad and tin cans containing the following foodstuffs- Oatmeal, flour, tea, coffee, sugar, powdered milk, sultanas, dried apricots, pasta, brown rice, dried peas corn & carrot mix and 2 square cork stoppered glass bottles containing tomato sauce and bear (olive) oil. There is also a salt horn and two others containing ground pepper and chilli powder.

I admit that some of these items and containers are not authentic for the pre 1840’s. This is a problem that I am slowly fixing; e.g. instant coffee replaced with coffee beans, powdered milk and pasta could be eliminated and the sugar replaced with either honey or maple syrup. I have utilised friction fit lid storage tins with a few slip lid tins when I can find them. Square tins such as for Twinings tea or Milo are ideal as they are vermin and moisture proof. Remove any paint from the tins by using paint stripper and scratch the contents name on the lid. Slip lid tins are more authentic but harder to come by, but these can sometimes be sourced at Opportunity shops.

Fresh fruit and vegetables such as apples, potatoes, onions and carrots all keep well without refrigeration as are easily stored in canvas bags hung out of reach of possums.

In the past I have utilised a canvas covered esky which has contained ice, frozen meat and frozen bread. My new challenge is to eliminate the esky and all refrigerated foods. I shall achieve this by carrying home made beef jerky, salamis and other cooked meats; all of which can be stored in calico bags. Such meat products can be re-cooked into various dishes such as stews. While hardly gourmet fare ample variety can still be enjoyed. Fresh game meat will be utilised when available, and instead of store-bought bakers bread I shall have to cook damper.

The worn-out cliché “if they had of had it, they would have used it” approach is just a tired and poor excuse dampening the true spirit of re-enactment. They simply didn’t have Winnebago’s with refrigerators, TV and CD radios – these things ain’t fun!
“Don’t ya wanna have fun no more?”

Ian Convey

Fabulous recently completed cased pistol made by Brad Randall and the beautiful butt stock and lock of an earlier made fowling piece also by Brad. (see Brad’s letter above)

Brad says his blackpowder re-enacting club is similar to ours and Aussie Trappers can look them up on their website at www.hatchierunlongrifles.com

2009 Nov. 7th & 8th. 9am – 4pm. A popular annual event for re-enactors at the Old Cheese Factory, Berwick. We will be attending, dressing in period costume and presenting a static display, supported by Bob Ellis’ wagon and tents. All members are encouraged to come along either one or both days and to dress as your persona for our own camps. Melway Ref. Map 131 A 2.

Peter Hawkey is congratulated by club president – Ian Convey. Photo by Jim Walker

It was double success for Peter Hawkey visiting us at Beaver Creek this September for the first time. Peter is seen above receiving the president’s cup for winning the simulated Mike Fink challenge. He also won a cast iron Dutch oven filled with fresh vegetables for best results in the simulated Mountain Man hunt. Each contestant paid entry dues by placing one or more vegies in the pot for a winner-takes-all event. Peter had previously trekked in, carrying his shelter and all provisions for a one night camp.

Our week long rendezvous was blessed with all four seasons to test the most intrepid of Buckskinners. Early arrivals set up camp in warm Spring sunshine, almost summery conditions which remained through to Monday evening. A violent change brought Victoria the wettest September for years, borne on spectacular thunderstorms, followed by an icy hailstorm on the final Saturday. Beaver Creek did truly shine to that thin layer of hailstones!

No one is complaining about that rainfall which is much needed throughout the State. In fact, a big plus during inclement weather is that Skinners tend to congregate around the larger campfires or under the warmest shelter where communication is well oiled with some shared refreshment. Any Port in a storm…. or Muscat, or a smooth malt whiskey if you prefer.

Attendance was down to a hardy twenty, as illness, recuperation and family matters reduced anticipated presence by half. Nevertheless, a quick survey of participants indicated unanimous declaration of a great camp and continued support for primitive. It’s amazing how the harsher climatic conditions bring us all together and then remain fond memories for discussion in years to follow.

Glen and Anthea arrived early to set up camp in a brand new Bojo built tent; Glen had spent long hours making many camp comforts for trial within the canvas walls. Nice work Glen! Bob Ellis’ covered wagon must have got bogged in his driveway for Bob and Lyne set up camp in their large 22 foot tipi, a welcome attraction we had not seen in camp since our first Winter Quarters at Andrew’s old farm. A very warm welcome is extended to Anthea and Lyne who both camped over with us all for the first time.

Winners All.

Attending by regular invitation were Gary and Jenny Baker, Don McLean and Mappo all now from the newly formed Frontiers Group. Gary and Don had to leave early for Monday work, while Mappo stayed on a couple of extra days and Jenny waited for Gary to return the following weekend; when poor Gary had to walk-in quite a distance due to a fallen tree blocking the laneway to Beaver Creek.

Couples, Kevin and Robyn Norris and Colin and Myrtle Barrett found time to visit even though other circumstance prevented their camping over with us. Regular visitors Dick and Susan Schwer spent the day with us while Peter Hawkey set up a minimalist camp for a single night after winning a full week’s supply of vegetables.

Jeff and Katherine with 10 month old baby Elizabeth Jennifer visited and stayed long enough to attend our AGM but unfortunately couldn’t linger. Justin and Louise arrived with their tipi just as Bob and Lyne were leaving for a work day week. The opportunity to move into Bob’s already erected tipi was quickly accepted. The attraction and warmth of an internal fireplace made the big lodge a popular gathering spot for all those staying through the week.

Jim was another early arrival, then unfortunately had to keep an appointment in Melbourne early in the week but wasted no time returning to camp the second half. Murray and Ian broke camp on Tuesday, while Mappo, Justin and Lou set off on Wednesday after the first days of lovely showers. The more testing weather was yet to come!

Then, making a long weekend of the final days, John Morland, Ronny Davis and our newest member Tom Jefferies all arrived Wednesday and found time between the almost daily showers to shoot and also do a bit of hunting. Not even a rabbit was sighted but a walk with Old Smoke Pole is always stimulating.

Our hosts, Rolly and Jo paid us several visits and son Ben camped a night or two in Justin’s old wall tent. Needs a coat of waterproofing, don’t it, Ben? Special thanks to the Matheson’s for the continuing welcome to camp on their property. It has been rumoured that Jo hopes to find time over the summer to sew up some pre 1840’s garments for Rolly and herself. Getting Rolly into the funny clothes is another matter!

A sudden drop in temperature on the final Saturday accompanied by a sharp thunder and hailstorm proved invigorating. Sadly, all good camps come to an end all too soon!

Another Winner

Jenny Baker of the Frontier Living History Group won a cast iron Camp oven for best lady shooter in the Mike Fink challenge. Actually, Jenny achieved second place overall to Peter Hawkey after a shoot-off in this event. But get this – Jenny had not fired a single shot, rifle or musket, since our camp in September 2008. That’s a damn fine performance after 12 mths lay-off. Nice shooting and congratulations to Jenny!

President’s Perseverance Award

This is not an annual award, however, this year, after consultation with the Committee; Ian felt that the Club should follow the lead of other organisations supporting bushfire relief programs. Members would be aware that one of our own lost their home, guns, accoutrements and chattels, in fact everything, in the February “Black Saturday” fires.

We are delighted to be able to present John Morland with a 12 month subscription gift certificate for Muzzleloader magazine, as a modest start to rebuilding a library of entertaining literature. Enjoy the reading, John. The Club acknowledges the generosity of the publishers of Muzzleloader magazine for making this award possible.

Medicine Water

In 1824 James Beckwourth left this general description of the mountain man’s summer rendezvous.

It may well be supposed that the arrival of such a vast amount of luxuries from the East did not pass off without a general celebration. Mirth, song, dancing, shooting, trading, running, jumping, singing, racing, target-shooting, yarns, frolic, with all sort of extravagances that white men or Indians could invent were freely indulged in. The unpacking of the medicine water contributed not a little to the heightening of our festivities.”

There was mirth without dancing, running or jumping (except over a few puddles) at Beaver Creek, but most days we could hear Jenny softly plucking some beautiful tunes on her handcrafted mountain dulcimer. Medicine for the soul! Then on a couple of occasions we were further delighted when Jenny regaled us with a song a cappella.

Sweet music – Medicine for the soul. Photo by Ian Convey

Raffles and Auction

Our low attendance meant ticket sellers were hard to find, so the raffles have been held over. The wrought iron poker with ram’s head knob and the voyager cap with silver Celtic clasp are most desirable prizes, now we have also received a beautiful hand made drop sleeve shirt in a traditional floral print.

With fewer numbers we lacked any bidding rivalry of last year during our fun auction. This was a trifle disappointing as the Club exists on our generous support of raffles and auctions. A couple of nice items saved the day so all in all we netted about $100.

Tattler

After days of wearing sopping wet moccasins, someone was caught-out early morning slipping across to the out-tent wearing those damned elastic-sided mocs. Doh! Well chooks don’t have web feet!

It’s only hail – no reason to abandon a good fire. Photo by Jim

Mountain Man Hunt

Our simulated hunt course was orchestrated by Glen Mitchell and Bob Ellis. They had so much fun doing so that they have requested to run another impromptu challenge next year. There were 15 possible scoring stations, four involving beaver traps, six small game animals for the taking, one hostile, and one thanksgiving turkey. Time taken would separate any otherwise level scores. Peter, although a clear winner was not the quickest, but then the slowest mountain man timed was a close runner-up on points. Now there’s a hint for ya – Hunt slow, look sure – Aim small, hit more!

Justice

Clive and Veronica Brown share this lyrical dissertation on justice done in the past. I’ll admit its eloquence tickles my humour also, but I do stress we’ve no ill-feelings toward sheep-herders, so – if you think Judges these days are getting soft when sentencing prisoners, you’d be right if the following is taken as the criterion:-

This is claimed to be a verbatim transcript of a sentence imposed by a Judge in a federal district court in New Mexico, U.S.A. in 1881.

“Jose Manuel Miguel Xavier Gonzales, in a few short weeks it will be spring. The snows of winter will flee away, the ice will vanish and the air will become soft and balmy. In short, the annual miracle of the years will awaken and come to pass, but you won’t be there.

The rivulet will run its soaring course to the sea, the timid desert flowers will put forth their tender shoots, and the glorious valley of this imperial domain will blossom as the rose. Still, you won’t be there to see.

From every treetop some wild woods songster will carol his mating song, butterflies will sport in the sunshine, and the busy bee will hum happily as it pursues its accustomed vocation; the gentle breeze will tease the tassels of the wild grasses and all nature, Jose Manuel Miguel Xavier Gonzales, will be glad but you.

You won’t be here to enjoy it because I command the Sheriff, or some officers of the country, to lead you to some remote spot, swing you by the neck from a knotting bough of some sturdy oak and let you hang until you are dead.

After then, Jose Manuel Miguel Xavier Gonzales, I further command that such officers retire quickly from your dangling corpse; that vultures may descend from the heavens upon your filthy body, until nothing shall remain but the bare, bleached bones of a cold-blooded, copper-coloured, blood-thirsty, throat-cutting, chilli-eating, sheep-herding, murdering son-of-a-bitch.”

******
And in case anyone wishes to burn a candle for Jose Manuel Miguel Xavier Gonzales, Jim Walker forwards this make-it-yourself recipe he discovered in an old 1933 diary.

To Make Tallow Candles
For every 2½ lbs of clean mutton tallow use ½ lb alum and ¼ lb beeswax. Dissolve the alum in a little warm water. Then put in the tallow and beeswax. Put in a large pot on the fire and stir well together and then run into candle mould. Soak the wicks in methylated spirit overnight. To make them burn evenly brush them over with varnish.

Candle Safety – Standard 10” candles should be cut in half before using in lanterns. Wood framed lanterns can be severely damaged by the flame from too tall a candle.

Annual General Meeting 19th Sept.

Our AGM was held at camp during the Saturday afternoon. The minutes have been circulated to members via post. There was one change to the Committee as Kevin Norris had requested to be relieved of duties – Paul Sly was elected to fill the vacancy.

Club Committee 2009 – 2010

President – Ian Convey, tel. 03 5367 8450
Vice President – Bob Ellis, tel. 03 5796 2753
Secretary – John Fowler, tel. 03 5753 4455, Email chookster@vfowler.com
Treasurer – Murray Convey, tel. 03 5346 1086
Committee – Paul Sly, tel. 03 5435 3557
Committee (Safety Officer) – Jim Walker, tel. 03 9723 5868

Dick Schwer and Peter Hawkey bid farewell to the Beaver Creek camp. Photo by Jim

Tree of a Kind!

What to do with a huge slab of Murray willow, thought Ian? Oh, I know! I’ll pick on Chook’s fancy Remington with the fake barrel pins until he gets so cheesed off that he begs me to restock it for him. Worked didn’t it? That slab was milled down into three nice stock blanks. So pleased with the refurbished Remington was Ian that he had to use a second blank to make a nice half stock 54 cal for himself. Then there were two!

After the February bushfires, Ian heard of the disaster to the guns stored in John’s safe. Nothing left but burnt barrels and ashes. Could he make a phoenix gun – turn that third blank into a nice rifle for John, restoring it with the original lock and furniture where possible? The lock was sent to Allan Vaisham of Green River Rifle Works in South Australia, for restoration, retuning, and with a rehardened frizzen. On its return Ian inlet the lock, hand made a patch-box and side-plate, fitted the restored furniture to that third chunk from the tree, completing yet another very nice workmanlike rifle.

Sounds simple, when condensed to a few words, but I’m sure it took many hours of skilled effort to convert that slab of tree into a three of a kind, coming up with 3 Aces!

Three of a kind. Photo by Ian

Events

Melbourne Medieval Fayre and Tourney (MMFAT) Nov. 7th & 8th. 9am- 4pm. A popular annual event for re-enactors at the Old Cheese Factory, Berwick. We will be attending, dressing in period costume and presenting a static display, supported by Bob Ellis’ wagon and tents. All members are encouraged to come along either one or both days and to dress as your persona for our own camps. Melway Ref. Map 131 A 2.

Richard Snape on the game trail along Beaver Creek. Photo by Kevin.

You’ve waited all year for this…

Sept 19th/20th thru to 26/27th Primitive Rendezvous at Beaver Creek, Whorouly.
Take a break from the mundane and live the past eras of your dreams. Main events are Sat 19th / Sun 20th when Glen & Jim will guide for a Mountain Man Hunt, but why not add a full week of relaxing camp life among friends below that big old Mt Buffalo?

Please note – Vehicles are not to venture past the designated parking area unless unloading/ loading during set-up on arrival and departure. Need directions to our Rondyvoo? Contact the secretary or any Committee member.

R’voo Auction and Raffle

We plan another fun auction of donated items, so please bring any surplus-to-need items to support Club coffers. We have already received a very nice leather Civil War pouch and several other treasures so be ready with your gold or promissory notes when you hear the auctioneer’s call. “I’ve got the gold, Pa!”

Glen Mitchell and Noel Collinson have kindly donated towards our two fund-raiser raffles to be drawn at Beaver Creek Rendezvous. Tickets a steal at $2 each on that beaut ram’s-head fire-poker raffle, and a mere one dollar will have you in the running for a classy French-Indian wars era woollen voyager cap with solid silver Celtic clasp.

Club Library

Members are reminded to return any borrowed books or magazines for exchange at Rendezvous. New members are directed to Richard Snape, our Librarian, who holds a nice variety of literature relating to black powder firearms, rendezvous how-to, Longhunters, Mountain Men and etc. for easy loans at modest Club fees.

Reminder Notices – Licences

Please ensure you carry your current firearms licence whilst travelling to and attending rendezvous.

Annual General Meeting

3.30pm Saturday 19th September at Beaver Creek R’voo.

Council of Muzzleloaders

The Free Trappers attended our first meeting as a member of the Council of Muzzleloaders in June where discussions highlighted lifting the profile of Black Powder sports as a priority. The delegates resolved to request and man a display table at the 20th Eureka Collectable Militaria Fair held on 11th July.

Attending this Fair were Murray Convey, representing the Western Districts Muzzleloaders, Jim Walker, representing Seymour Black Powder Club, and John Fowler representing the Southern Cross Free Trappers. All three arrived early as display table set-up was allowed from 7am and the Fair opened to the public from 9.30am till 3.30pm.

In spite of the absolutely foul weather of high winds and constant showers there was an excellent turn out by the public, and the three delegates were kept busy all day with various enquiries about the activities of the respective Clubs, about black powder guns and other paraphernalia we had on display and the sorts of events we enjoy.

At least one new member for Western Districts resulted from out attendance. Also, a few dormant and or former club members of both WDML & SBPC expressed intent to return to black powder having perceived a general resurgence of interest illustrated in our photo displays.

The full benefits of our attendance may take time to become apparent, however Jim, Murray and John all agreed that the Council of Muzzleloaders presence had been a very worthwhile promotion. It was felt that the Council should make every attempt to profile the fun of black powder sports with displays at other regional arms fairs.

Feral Goat Hunt

Toward the end of July I was on a “longhunt” for goats in scrubby bush country near Narrandera NSW. The weather was cool and showery so I decided to adopt an early 19th century hunter look rather than my mid 18th century persona. The woollen trousers and high top boots were just “the ticket” for this foray.

The country here is heavily treed with Murray pine saplings and very similar to that about Millmerran for those lucky enough to have visited the Rendezvous’ there. The saplings here are so thick in parts that the only way to see any distance was to kneel down to peer below the foliage, virtually at ground level. After about one hour of stalking on foot I had bagged one nanny goat but I was keen to take another as this hunt was for meat for two families.

Another hour and a half passed slow stalking and low level squinting through the pines before I could account for the second goat. Another nanny and also in very good condition! By early afternoon the two carcases were cleaned and dressed ready to pack out. The hides were salted down and rolled up ready for tanning at a later date.

Both animals were butchered into fine cuts, now safely packed in the freezer, awaiting those special occasions when such delicacies are truly appreciated and the hunt is relived – the meal and the story shared with good friends. One is promised to Jeff and Katherine but both are very soon for the dining table. The two goats were taken with my Pedersoli Jaeger .54 cal rifle. The load was 55 grains of 2Fg, a 10 thou patch and a .530 ball. Distance for both shots was approximately 40 yards.

Feel free to share my story in our newsletter; hopefully I will rendezvous with you all at Beaver Creek in the spring. See you around the traps, Le Reynard.

Pro-Pelle-Cutem – Motto of the Hudson Bay Company, meaning for a pelt, a skin.

Millmerran July 2009

After 2 full days of shared driving, in Bob Ellis’ Jeep wagon, we arrived at Millmerran Township on Monday 6th July, where we bought supplies before heading out 20 kms to the SSAA range at Captains Mountain. Bob and I set up camp in the designated primitive area and observed the very good amenities established about the range by SSAA Qld. There were only 8 or 9 primitive camps, whereas most of the competitors were camped nearby in caravans or modern tent complexes.

The next important chore was to procure sufficient firewood for the next six days and with the help of Mick Taylor and his son we spent the next hour or so cutting wood. At 5.00pm we heard a load explosion- a simulated cannon shot fired to signal the end of the day’s events. It also announced the opening of happy hour at the “Forbes Emporium” bar where all profits were to subsidise the main BBQ on Saturday night.

Trading Post at Millmerran July 2009. Photo courtesy Richard & Lorraine.

Daily at 7.00am that cannon signal boomed life into all the camps. After breakfast on Tuesday morning Bob and I registered at the trading post – we were competitors 96 & 97 and were listed to shoot the Seneca Run (a walk through shoot) at 2.30 on Thursday. We spent the rest of that day wandering about, visiting other campers, checking trade blankets, yarning or just plain loafing.

Wednesday morning was more visiting, trading, loafing and yarning until about 11.30 when everyone donned their best Buckskinners / muzzleloader clobber and drove to the Millmerran tourist information centre housed in a fibreglass tipi on the outskirts of town. Then with police escort and pipers playing, we marched into town along the main street, where the Mayor welcomed everyone with a fine speech.

The shooters then assembled in lines at the town square while the cannoneers fired a salute. After which all shooters fired a blank volley salute and then a rolling volley. After the smoke had finally cleared most folk dispersed to check out the market and various shops, and then adjourning to the pub for a beer and lunch. It was a heartening sight in the pub to see all the folk in period costume with their firearms resting against the bar wall. As it should be! After lunch everyone slowly drifted back to camp.

The next 2 days were spent shooting events, trading, yarning and observing the way the shoot/rendezvous worked. Bob and I did reasonably well in the Seneca and fair to middling in the rest, Bob doing a lot better than me. Saturday was the shotgun events and you needed 40 shots to compete in them all.

Saturday night saw everyone dressed in their finest clobber for the presentations, bush dance and BBQ. Bob was awarded the prize for best primitive camp for his covered wagon. The night was bloody cold but well provided for by the week’s happy hours.

Best Primitive camp at Millmerran 2009 National Rendezvous. Photo by Bob Ellis.

Early Sunday we packed up and left for the two day journey home. All up it was a thoroughly enjoyable week, in which we drank too much, ate too much, traded (spent) a lot, and had lots more fun. In summary I think that the Millmerran rendezvous is a very well organised and run black powder shoot. I recommend that you try to go at least once to experience this unique event.
Ian Convey… X … His mark

We are all travellers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we can find in our travels is an honest friend. R. L. Stevenson

Gun Powder

Black Powder was not initially known or described as “black” powder. Prior to the advent of modern so-called “smokeless” powders the black stuff was quite simply called Gun Powder. Early in 1823 while setting off to rendezvous with the Trappers, three of William Ashley’s men were accidently killed when their wagon loaded with 300 lbs of gun powder exploded. Be alert – Safety with gun powder is no accident!

Ned Kelly Heritage day at Beechworth

Attending on August 8th were Colin & Myrtle, Kevin & Robyn, Chook, Bob & Lyne and extended family. The idea was simply to loiter about Bob’s Bojo Canvas Products’ tent display pitched on the old police paddock, and simply talk re-enacting and black powder stuff with any interested tourists. Robyn’s brand new outfit was much admired by all and seemed to fit in perfectly with the Beechworth Court toffs giving poor Ned a hard time of it. Earlier, pitching tents at 7am with white breathe, frozen hands and a crisp frost caused a few grumbles but the day turned pleasantly warm and droves of questioning visitors looked us over. All-in-all it was a wonderful festive day and great publicity for us.

Tattler

Spring fashion excitement – We’ve revamped our hard-copy newsletter frontispiece to coincide with our new-look website. Vernon has enhanced our site with a little foofaraw and vermilion, so to speak.

Glen Mitchell pushing onwards to Rendezvous

Where you can push your own barrow, light the primitive fire within, and really live your chosen persona. Camp among the truest friends at a truly primitive rendezvous – from Saturday 19th Sept. through to Sunday 27th Sept. Main events Sat/Sun 19th/20th Sept.
Relax and relive the past for a full nine days or just do the weekends.
Lots of challenge shoots planned plus our mountain man hunt. Knife and Hawk competitions; Participants should make every attempt to comply with our “Guidelines” for personal apparel, all shelters, camp cooking, and camp furniture. You should bring at least 20 litres of drinking water in period suitable containers (or covered if necessary). Trade Blanket items should also conform to our Primitive themes.

Note: Our Rendezvous is not an open event, visitors seeking invitation should contact any of our Committee who will provide directions to campsite and other relevant information, and assist with finding suitable loan apparel (if required) for any new chums.

Paul Sly (Le Reynard) – a good sportsman with his bag limit of 2 Black duck taken with his
12ga flintlock on Fri 8th May, the final day of the 2009 season.

Welcome! I’ve dug deep into some old files for this edition’s feature article; I know you won’t mind a little serious dialogue on our sporting patrimony. – Back in the early 1990′s when Bosnia was a hotspot of conflict, a robust discussion on duck hunting occurred at my workplace lunch table. It caused me to pen a few lines about the word “sport” which were printed in a SSAA sub-club newsletter; lines I now re-present here as they remain topical with hunters and discuss a danger still relevant to all true sportsmen.

“Sportsman’s identity stolen!”

Have you, like me, been on the receiving end of criticism and condemnation for your shooting and hunting sport? Each duck opening we are confronted with a familiar minority of a bigoted and poorly informed anti-hunting fraternity claiming that duck hunting is not sport; therefore hunters cannot be sportsmen or sportswomen. Their false agenda is maintained year after year and the ripples continue throughout the whole year for deer hunters, fishermen and other game hunters.

The rhetoric often used by these animal-liberationists / conservationists is that since the “defenseless” game pursued is not armed similarly to the hunter there can be no sport. No doubt they would all refer to the time-weary conflicts in the Middle East as “sport”. Small diversions, old chap! More in-depth discussions with these individuals will usually reveal them to be ardent anti-gun campaigners, with no stake, little real interest, and even less knowledge, of viable farming or of sound wildlife conservation practices.

Harassed by these jibes, I turned to my Collins Gem pocket dictionary for support. Alarmed at what I read, and beginning to doubt my heritage, I turned next to my office copy Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary 7th Edition 1987. The definitions of both books failing to extinguish my vexation are quoted:-

Collins Gem, 1992 Edition

sport.

n. amusement, diversion, entertainment, frolic, fun, game, recreation.

sportsman.

n. one who engages in sport; a good loser.

Australian Concise Oxford, 7th Edition, 1987

sport.

n. 1. amusement, diversion, fun.

2. pastime, game, outdoor pastime, e.g. hunting, fishing, racing, cricket, football.

sportsman.

n. person fond of sports, person who behaves fairly and generously.

The latter, at least, does mention hunting and fishing under the second series meaning of sport. I was not yet satisfied but maintained faith in my forty-to-a-classroom limited education. I went home and reached for my Concise Oxford 1982 Edition, also for a handy Pocket Oxford 5th Edition 1975. A quick study of these and the writing of this short article became paramount to my agenda. Here is what I discovered:

The 1982 Edition

sport.

n. 1. amusement, diversion, fun. 2. pastime, game, outdoor pastime, e.g. Hunting, fishing (etc, as for the 1987 Aust. Ed.)

sportsman.

n. person fond of sports, esp. of hunting etc; person who behaves fairly and generously.

Notice that this reference “esp. of hunting etc.” has been omitted in the 1987 Aust. Edition. Now you can see the cause of my alarm. Here the word “especially” is of necessity abbreviated to “esp.”, however its significance diminishes with that reduction, then eventually is lost and omitted in the most modern reference work. Let’s delve further into the history of the words sport & sportsman.

The 1975 Pocket Oxford under sport refers to “good sport” being a “good bag when shooting” a sportsman is “a person fond of hunting and such sports”. Therefore a “good sportsman” is one capable of filling his bag. There is no mention of cricket, football, etc., and nothing of being a good loser. Being a sportsman of 1940′s vintage these earlier definitions better fitted my schooling days; however I do not wish to take anything from cricket or football games or for that matter the Olympic Games.

My last ready avenue of information was my treasured, giant size Shorter Oxford English Dictionary 3rd Edition 1933. An extremely large volume containing 2500 quarto pages covering the history of the general English vocabulary for over one thousand years from the days of King Alfred 849-899A.D. to the 1930′s.

In this volume sport, sporter, sportful, sportless, sporting and sportsman definitions would almost fill an entire A4 page of fine print: Far too much for this brief article, but the pertinent definitions with dates of first appearance are:-

sport.

1440. 1. Pleasant pastime, amusement, diversion.

1653. 2. Pastime afforded by the endeavour to take or kill wild animals, game or fish.

1863. 3. Participation in games or exercises, esp. those pursued in the open air.

Notice the later definition referring to open air “games” was recorded some 210 years after the hunting of wild animals (game) definitions. The definition of sportsman in this edition was straight to the point and confirmed my long held belief and understanding. I quote this in full…

sportsman.

1706. 1. A man who follows, engages in, or practices sport; esp. (especially) one who hunts or shoots wild animals or game for pleasure.

1848. 2. U.S.A. gambler, betting man.

1894. 3. One who displays the typical good qualities of a sportsman.

So there you have it – The word sport was fitted to hunting and recorded in English literature at least 350 years ago. The word “sportsman” was used to describe those engaged in hunting in Oxford English at least since 1706; this clearly precedes all modern level-playing-field games or sports that commercial interests have popularised on radio and television.

The 1933 Oxford makes no suggestion of a sportsman being a good loser. That only appeared in the Collins 1992 edition.

A good loser? Be buggered! I’m not about to lose my sport to muddied name-calling when sportsman “especially” refers to hunters. This is not a game; English is a modern language and is constantly being revised. Don’t let these non-sporting anti-gun fanatics make a trophy of our sporting heritage or of our descriptive name; the name we “fairly and generously” share to more recent “pleasant pastimes”.

We should take every opportunity to educate any audience with the original Oxford English definition of a sportsman – A person fond of sports, especially hunting of game for pleasure.
John Fowler

At our May turkey hunt, Murray casts .54 cal round ball over the camp fire coals. Photo by Jim

The Sport of Kings

About the same time I wrote the previous article I contacted poet Bill Burke seeking permission to print his fine poem in a deerstalkers newsletter. It’s a truly marvellous poem, one that I’ve read many times, having had a copy attached to my fridge door ever since. I’m sure Bill won’t mind me once again presenting his fine words – to all of our “Around the Traps” readers.

Hope for the Hunter

“Have you ever pushed tired legs on the long, long walk
On the trail of the timid deer?
Spent sweat-drenched hours in the final stalk,
Till at last you found him near?
Have you noticed the beauty that’s in your sights
As so carefully you aim?
Then realised that you have the skill,
Knowing you’ve won the game,
Rose to your feet, foregone the kill,
Yet found that the thrill’s the same?

Have you ever stood in the chilly lakes
In the dark before the dawn?
And watched in wonder as life awakes,
And the world becomes reborn?
Have you shot your bag in the morning light?
Have you noticed the wingbeats slow
As they come to you in weary flight,
And in pity let them go?

Have you ever waded the wild clear stream
When the cold bit your legs like a knife?
Have you thrilled to the trout of an angler’s dream
As he fought you for his life?
Have you looked in the eye of your beaten prize
With the death-fly in his jaw?
Have you let him go, to your own surprise
So that he may fight once more?

If you’ve ever done any or all of these things,
Can remember without regret,
Then you’ve earned your place in the sport of kings,
And there’s hope for the hunter yet…”
Bill Burke.

Hunting for pleasure

When a Sportsman ventures into the field “hunting game for pleasure” we are not suggesting that the single act of shooting (squeezing the trigger) is the pleasure. Indeed it is often a moment of sadness!

The pleasure lies in the preparation and anticipation of the hunt, the actual hunt, which might take hours or even days, and after the quarry is taken there is pleasure in preparing the meat, the cooking and eating of game harvested by our own efforts.

It can be likened to the pleasure a gardener obtains preparing his soil, sowing the seed, watering, tending to weeds, harvesting the vegetables and the cooking and eating of fresh home-grown produce. Store-bought foods simply don’t provide such pleasures!

Our cover photo is a self portrait by Paul on closing day for the 2009 duck season. Paul has filled the daily bag limit of two Black duck, and yes, that is the Green River Rifle Works 12 bore flintlock made by Allan Vaisham with which Paul is enjoying good sport. Wild duck when roasted in cherry brandied sauce with roasted potatoes, carrots, onions and pumpkin, with garden-fresh minted peas, all washed down with a glass of your favourite beverage is a feast fit for any king – You won’t get a finer meal.

World recession

Even Around the Traps has been affected by the world economic woes, now that colour printing ink cartridges cost more than a whole new printer. We’ll try to maintain our content volume but the splurge of colour photos may be reduced in future issues. Of course, the full screen “Rondyvue Colour” impact can still be enjoyed by accessing our web site. http://freetrappers.org.au/newsletters/

This time, like all times, is a good time, if only we know what to do with it. H. D. Thoreau

Trade goods displayed on Glen’s barrow receiving plenty of attention. Photo by Anthea

Events

August 8th for Colonials – a Ned Kelly Heritage Market tent display, Beechworth. Police paddock behind the Old Beechworth Court House. 9am–4pm, a one day only publicity display. Dress early Colonial – similar to the Gold Rush event of Easter 2008.

Sept 19th/20th thru to 26/27th Primitive Rendezvous at Beaver Creek, Whorouly. Take a break from the mundane and live the past eras of your dreams. Main events are Sat 19th / Sun 20th when Glen & Paul orchestrate our Mountain Man Hunt, but why not add a full week of relaxing camp life among friends below that big ol’ Mt Buffalo?

Need directions to our Rondyvoo? Contact the secretary or any Committee member.

Notice to all members

Annual General Meeting 3.30pm Saturday 19th September at Beaver Creek R’voo.

Re-enactment Speaking

One day at May camp Jim and Murray both handed me different copies of Mountain Man speak – “The Language of R’voo” and “A Glossary of Mountain Man terms and Expressions”. Some good stuff for our newsletter, they said. All good stuff gleaned from the internet, but personally I have difficulty catching onto some of the terms which appear decidedly 20th century. That said, I figure to include some of these explanations as little gap fillers to our regular articles.

Cache

A safe place, often hidden, for storage of food and other supplies

Hivernant

A man who had the experience of wintering over in the mountains a year or two, and no longer a greenhorn. They were also known as “Winterers”.

Lonesome Louie & Fast Freddie first appeared in Muzzleloader magazine.

Tow

Unspun flax used for cleaning firearms; also used as tinder.

Trappers Butter

Marrow from the leg bones of large animals.

Tattler

Just mentioning those things that seem to transgress the most without pointing the finger – Elastic sided moccasins, particularly after a little rain when the side seam Mocs get soaked, eh Jim? But our president noticed a few other anomalies such as a plastic dinner plate – doh! Stainless steel cooking utensils, and enamel wares – Really, Bob! But plastic bags disguised as buffler bladders – That just won’t wash Ron!

Drop sleeve shirts, drop front trousers, drop everything and order your Longhunter & Mountain Man apparel early for rendezvous. Discuss your authentic styled costume requirements with Rachel Convey (trading as 19th Century Fleabag) tel. 03 5346 1086

Vale

Sadly, we report the passing of Keith “Old Injun” Hansell on 26th May 2009. A black powder shooter and rendezvous enthusiast for many years, Old Injun was a scribe for the earlier Pine Mountain Long Rifles group in Queensland, and a driving force establishing the bi-annual rendezvous at Millmerran. In younger days Keith and wife Maureen were regular visitors to Victorian rendezvous. At the recent Seymour Alternate Farming Expo the Free Trappers displayed this poster of Old Injun and Glen Mitchell taken along the banks of the Carboor behind Glen’s farm on one such visit. It was Keith’s favourite photo. Our condolences go to Maureen and family.

Old Injun and Glen Mitchell checking the creek banks for sign.

Winter Quarters Camp, Queen’s Birthday weekend, June.

Congratulations to eight members of the Free Trappers group who have now winter camped in the Highlands four or more years in a row. Louise and Justin Fletcher, Bob Ellis, Chook Fowler, Paul Sly and Jim Walker each have attended all five winter rendezvous, while brothers Ian and Murray Convey have done the past four years since learning to read “Come to Popo Agie” signs. All eight receive the club Hivernants award. Waugh!

A special thank you to Jim, who before leaving our May Turkey Hunt camp set to with chain saw and cut a heap of firewood ready for Winter Quarters. We decided to locate our camp on a great new spot – a small plateau overlooking the Painted Pony Plains and sheltered from the vicious southerlies carrying snow to the high country.

The wet weather forecasts did not deter hardy Trappers who had chosen to arrive early on the Friday adding time to the scheduled long weekend. Paul & Chook were first to arrive, then Jim, Bob and John. Murray and Ian made it around midday after some unscheduled repairs to Murray’s maverick mule. Their appreciative thanks go to the Romsey Garage sporting gents for their generous helping hand.

Ron Davis arrived on Saturday, an invited guest known already to most of us, and particular of the company he keeps; this pilgrim can cook good rabbit too. Ron soon became our newest member and we look forward to him and Mary sharing more shining times with us. Extra canvas shelters seemed to be all the go as we weathered low cloud and frequent short showers.

It was lean times for the hunters with a couple of foxes being sighted but none taken. No matter! Just poking about in the scrub with cow’s knee protecting one’s flintlock is reward enough. A fox pelt or a fresh rabbit is a bonus.

Last to arrive in camp were Justin and Louise with little 4 year old Rohmi. Their cosy Voyager tent was quickly erected in time to ward off more rain squalls. Rohmi on his second Rondyvoo was clearly enjoying the outdoors with Trapper mates, camp tucker, warm fires, the rain and the puddles, stories and a favourite song – Yo ho, little fishy!

Jim got busy sighting in his brand new Lyman trade rifle while Ian was trialling a .53 cal barrel he had recently restocked. A .520″ round ball mould ordered from Dixie Gun Works arrived just in time to knock up a batch of pills for the weekend. We did not have a clear winner for our Missouri Boat Ride shoot. Paul looked a cert but Murray was throwing out a hot lead challenge, however no one sent that ferryman down the rapids. We’ll just have to continue this one when next we rendezvous.

The close weather saw the group sheltering often, sharing a hot cup and telling tall stories about past hunts or shoots. Oh, but we did get in plenty of fun shoots just the same. A toast to everyone who made the most of our traditional Winter Quarters camp and shoot event – in rather more challenging conditions than past years.

A tall story, no doubt!

Bed-time stories…

Robyn readies to stir the pot as a storm gathers on the horizon. Photo by Kevin

Another warm welcome to Around the Traps! And can you sense the wonderful aroma of camp fire cooking wafting from the Dutch ovens in our cover picture? It makes my mouth water whenever I recall those wonderful tasty and nutritional marrow-bone soups and stews prepared in outdoor traditions, where the anticipation and fresh air adds keenness to one’s appetite while thoughts get lost in the depths of glowing coals.

Bone Marrow

http://westonaprice.org/food-features/503-bone-marrow.html

Snippets from an article by Sally Fallon, president of the Weston A. Price Foundation – for wise traditions in food, farming and the healing arts.

Traditional peoples who consumed large animals did not ignore the marrow hidden away in the bones; in fact, they valued the marrow as an extremely nutritious food. Weston Price provides us with a good example: “For the Indians living inside the Rocky Mountain Range in the far North of Canada, the successful nutrition for nine months of the year was largely limited to wild game, chiefly moose and caribou. During the summer months the Indians were able to use growing plants. During the winter some use was made of bark and buds of trees.

I found the Indians putting great emphasis upon the eating of the organs of the animals, including the wall of parts of the digestive tract. Much of the muscle meat of the animals was fed to the dogs. It is important that skeletons are rarely found where large game animals have been slaughtered by the Indians of the North.

The skeletal remains are found as piles of finely broken bone chips or splinters that have been cracked up to obtain as much as possible of the marrow and nutritive qualities of the bones.

These Indians obtain their fat-soluble vitamins and also most of their minerals from the organs of the animals. An important part of the nutrition of the children consisted in various preparations of bone marrow, both as a substitute for milk and as a special dietary ration”

Cultures such as the Native American or Mongolian might have eaten the marrow raw — which can be extracted in one long, cohesive cylindrical piece with a well-placed tap on a femur bone.

Very little information is available about the nutritive qualities of bone marrow. Some commentators insist that bone marrow provided a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids in traditional diets. Bone marrow is likely rich in vitamin K and other fat-soluble nutrients, but tests to determine a range of nutrients in bone marrow remain to be carried out.

One writer describes two types of marrow, one type from the lower leg which is soft “more like a particularly delicious cream in flavour” and another from the humerus and femur that is “hard and tallowy at room temperatures”.

Modern westerners are not used to eating bone marrow, and its dark colour can be unappetizing to view. A solution is to simply spread marrow on toast and cover it up. If you are making beef broth using marrow bones, or beef shank stew or osso buco (Italian-style veal shanks), remove the marrow from the bones when the broth or stew is ready and spread on toasted sourdough bread — it spreads like butter; then sprinkle generously with salt and cover with finely sliced onions and capers — you’ll be eating something very delicious while feasting your eyes on white (or red) onions and green capers.

This can be served as an hors d’oeuvre before the main course. (Note: to prepare capers, rinse off all vinegar and then thoroughly pat dry.) Another wonderful garnish is chopped parsley mixed with capers, thinly sliced onion, olive oil and lemon juice.

Many chefs recommend soaking the marrow bones (cut 2-3 inches in length) in cold water, changed several times, for 12-24 hours. This process makes the marrow turn a pale creamy pink colour instead of the unappetizing grey. After the soaking, cover the bones with cold water, bring slowly to a boil and barely simmer for about 20 minutes. Scoop the cylinder of marrow out with the handle of a small spoon. You can then slice the marrow and use it as a garnish on meat, or add it to blended soups.

The Rocky Mountains are the marrow of the world. Del Gue (Stefan Gierasch) from the 1972 Sydney Pollack film Jeremiah Johnson starring Robert Redford.

We had a suggestion to feature members’ “Favourite Fotos” in The Traps, but haven’t seen any entries for a little while. No matter, we’ll just have to feature the editor’s favs of casual moments about camp. Check out the bewdy of Colin No-Mocs in this issue. Do you have a photograph that you’d like to share with fellow members?

Photo by Paul 2/5/2009

May Turkey Shoot at Bernard’s Cache

Jim arrived early Friday 1st May and had the coffee pot bubbling along while the weather forecast suggested a little rain. Ian and Murray followed soon after and set up camp so quickly they were rewarded with the task of latrine building. By evening seven pilgrims were enjoying the central fire but with a watchful weather eye. Bob, Chook, Ian, Jim, John, Murray and Paul were enjoying an early start to the weekend. Glen trekked in for the day only on Saturday, while Justin had escaped from a town late Saturday arvo with a new mule packing his trusty Harpers Ferry and Voyager tent for a single overnight bivouac.

That forecast of a little rain was quite correct – we had a little rain to start the weekend, very little; not even enough to adjourn to canvas shelter. The farmers want a lot of rain! Actually Saturday, Sunday and Monday were all beautiful warm autumn days, but with rug-up fire-warming clear starry nights. Saturday’s main event was the simulated Turkey Hunt with some very wary turkeys requiring the most practised calling to coax them out of the covering timber.

With Ian pulling all the strings Paul had expert vocal calling technique while Glen tried a magic store-bought caller. Everyone participated with vocals and after lots of weird-sounding gobbles, some pan flashes and a few wobbles, Chook was deemed winner on the day, luckily, as he had forgotten to bring the turkey plate prize. Glen and Paul had now run out of time and had to leave camp Saturday evening.

Sunday had the group in serious load development testing. Justin, looking for all-the-world like Del Gue’s handsome twin, found the mark with his 1803 Harpers Ferry flinter. Using reduced loads he plastered a cluster of holes in a plywood porker. Murray did his best to behead the old Beaver Creek gobbler while others picked on dried bones and a sow porker. Bob and John had to depart the scene on Sunday for work commitments on Monday, but Ian received good sign up on Mating Rock to stay on a bit longer.

So Ian, Jim, Murray and Chook all enjoyed one more evening camp-fire before breaking camp in the late morning. Everyone agreed it had been a superb weekend cut too short by other commitments. But our Winter Quarters camp is only a few weeks away so planning can extend the fun till then. We hope you can rendezvous with us.

Upcoming Events

Plan now – Our 5th Annual Winter Quarters Rendezvous 6, 7 & 8th June Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend at Bernard’s Cache, Highlands-Caveat.
Camping on the plateau overlooking the magical Painted Pony Plains, challenging the winter chills and beating them off with roaring campfires, smoking flintlocks and apple pie. Winter Quarters can be as comfortable as any season. Prove it to yourself!

9th Millmerran Black Powder Muzzleloading Open Rendezvous from Saturday July 4th thru to Saturday July 11th. Hosted by SSAA (Qld) Inc. Fees are $35 single or $65 family (2 adults & kids). Plus a $5 per night camp fee. Sorry, no dogs allowed.

August 8th for Colonials – a Ned Kelly Heritage Market tent display, Beechworth. Police paddock behind the Old Beechworth Court House. 9am–4pm, a one day only publicity display. Dress early Colonial – similar to the Gold Rush event of Easter 2008.

Sept 19th/20th thru to 26/27th Primitive Rendezvous at Beaver Creek, Whorouly. Come for the two weekends or camp right through for 9 days of spring rendezvous fun. Mark your calendars now and watch for further information in our next edition.

November 28th & 29th a Time Line Camp, at Campbelltown, Tasmania. Do we have any pilgrims keen for this event? Please advise the secretary if you might be a starter!

Bemused onlookers, Richard & Lorraine observe “No-Mocs” Colin kicking up heels. Another photo by Kevin.

Council of Muzzleloaders

Following our Vol 15 report of receiving invite to submit an application to join with the other black powder clubs of Victoria in this administrative body, that application was made and accepted, giving us access to Government and politicians via the Shooting Sports Council of Victoria. We will provide two delegates to attend meetings and our Committee has already introduced suggestions to invigorate this management level of our sport.

Tattler

Bob Ellis and Ian Convey will represent the Southern Cross Free Trappers in July at the bi-annual SSAA National rendezvous held at Millmerran Queensland.

Needing to use a mobile phone to advise loved ones at home that an extra day was absolutely necessary, Ian needed to locate an area of signal reception. Jim scouted ahead and guided Ian to a spot, recounting past connection opportunities at a place now known as Mating Rock. (Rules 3 and 6 were quoted repeatedly about the camp)

‘Tis rumoured that a certain flint and round ball enthusiast was so impressed upon learning the daily Minie-ball production capacity at Woolwich Arsenal that he saluted Mr Parker in a recent western chronicle. Hale Parker!

Annual subscriptions were due on 31st March. Just a few still outstanding! Please forward your cheque or money order to Murray as soon as you possibly can. Paid up members will receive a new membership card with the expiry date 31/3/2010.

You have done well to keep so much hair… Photo by Jenny Baker

I told my Pap and Mam I was coming to the Western Districts “Wet to the Arse” shoot on 15th & 16th August. They says: “Son – That creek is for animals an savages and likely to chill your bones to the very marrow, and there ain’t no asylums for the crazy ones! See that you pack along plenty of shrub.”

Our website http://freetrappers.org.au continues to serve our members, as well as to showcase us to the world. The site generates an automatic monthly report telling us how many visits have been made for the month and from which countries, plus other data gathering.

As one would expect, the majority of visits to our website are home grown Aussie hits, followed then by the U.S.A., the U.K., and Canada. We welcome all these pilgrims, the universal Longhunter and Mountain Men enthusiasts who have come far to chew the fat and digest the marrow of the world.

(Lonesome Louie and Fast Freddy first appeared in Muzzleloader magazine.)

The Club wishes to acknowledge donations from several readers who have enjoyed complimentary editions of Around the Traps. Your support is truly appreciated.

Courtesy of Glen Mitchell, we’ve a nice ram’s head fire poker to raffle. Tickets $2 each on sale at Beaver Creek Primitive Rendezvous in September. Successful knife and hawk competitors choose Pioneer Forge blades and axes. Contact Glen the blacksmith to order your hawk today. Glen and Anthea Mitchell phone 03 5729 5564

Contributing articles most welcome. All correspondence and enquiries to John Fowler, 252 Pini Lane, Mudgegonga 3737. Email chookster@vfowler.com Tel. 03 5753 4455.

Rendezvous with us – bookmark Around the Traps http://freetrappers.org.au/newsletters/