Southern Cross Free Trappers

Bogged down with your weekends? – visit www.timelinefair.org.au/about-fair/

Welcome to another read of Club doings. Not that we program a great deal during the warmer weather following our traditional September Rondy. Early November saw us at Berwick again for the annual Time Line event that has superseded the former MMFAT event at this site. It seems that the November timing does little to encourage re-enactment activity dressed in capotes or military woollens. As per last year we once again sat about in shirt sleeves suffering extreme sultry heat and high humidity.

The Bob Ellis photo above captures visiting friends Andrew Kemel and Keith Hendry chatting with Chook and Jim and all trying to keep cool in spite of the oppressive weather. It’s obvious our wagon driver is also feeling the heat and we do apologise for that nylon tent and the car in the background – the modern end of the Time Line.

That said – this two day event does bring lots of re-enactors together for some great fun as well as the chance to see what the adherents of the many other eras are up to. Like many groups, we have members who cross-over to other eras, such as combatants of both sides in the Napoleonic wars, Viking groups, Medievalists and of course members of the North and of the South of the American Civil War era. So it’s a wonderful chance to catch up with all these nice folk.

Also in November, Jim Walker represented the Trappers at a meeting with Firearms Licensing Branch held at Dandenong instigated by Jenny Baker with Senior Constable Steve Foster. The agenda mainly dealt with imitation firearms for re-enactors – so not applicable to our activities. Jim suggests our camp knife and tomahawk usage is not affected by Department regulations as they are not designed primarily as throwing weapons but as camp tools. Jim informs that the full schedule of controlled weapons as approved by Licensing Branch will be published shortly.

We have listed our 2012 main happenings on our Events page, so right now might be a good time to book holidays for any extended weekends or even a full week next September. Members will also find enclosed with this newsletter a copy of the Minutes of our AGM together with the full financial report as presented at the AGM.

Two nice powder horns made & scrimshawed by Ian Convey. The flat horn at top features the Australian Brolga in flight, lower horn depicts an early whaling scene.

Powder Horns – another DIY project by Ian Convey

Most all muzzleloader shooters prefer a powder horn over a flask of later era. Some modern horns are commercially made by cheap labour overseas and are not too authentic either. So how about making your own, the old timey way (or close enough) so that the style of horn suits your persona and or firearm and preferably both.

First of all, obtain a suitable cow horn. Some folk seem to think “big is best” but when you think seriously about it – Do you really need to tote that much black powder about on your person for a casual day’s shoot? If not, why not choose a smaller horn that won’t be as heavy to lug around, meaning you will be less fatigued when you take that all important shot to secure next week’s table meat.

Once you have selected a horn, clean it up by removing all scaly and flaky bits of horn. I use a Farrier’s rasp for this, also to rasp out any dents, bulges and cracks. Holding the horn securely whilst you work on it can pose some difficulties. I use leather pads and wooden wedges to steady the work in my vice. I also use a tapered wooden mandrel that I place in the vice and jam the butt of the horn onto it.

Start by measuring the length of the inside cavity of the horn using a piece of firm wire; transfer that measurement to the outside of the horn and cut off the tip after allowing for some solid horn for forming a spout. Next drill a ¼ inch hole in the centre of the tip right through to the cavity. Then open this hole out to almost the finished size you require, usually 5/16 or 3/8 inch, and then taper it with a tapered reamer – if you don’t have one of these you can use a rat-tailed file turning it anti-clockwise to taper the spout.

Now that the horn is hollowed all the way through, gently heat the wide end with dry heat (I use an electric heat gun). You can use a fire (very carefully) or place it in an oven (the smell might get a bit obnoxious). A last resort is to boil it in water, though this method can take about 12 hours to dry hard. Heat until the end of the horn is soft enough to squeeze it with your gloved fingers. Now push in a bottle neck or suitable jam jar to make the end round. Let it cool and harden – about 20 minutes.

Remove the bottle and measure the internal diameter of the horn, then make a tapered wooden plug about 3/8 inch thick to fit. You can turn it on a lathe or cut it out by hand and sand it true. Gently try the plug for fit but don’t jam it in – you may have to push it out with a bent piece of steel from the spout end. The plug should go past the end so when in place excess horn is filed or sanded off.

Heat the end of the horn again and insert your wooden plug – make sure it is square and tap it in so that it is a snug fit. That’s how the originals were done – no glue! Make a line around the circumference of the butt end of the horn to correspond with the centre of your plug. Divide the line into the number of fastening pegs you wish to use – I use eight! Drill undersize holes to take wooden pegs (matches etc.). Point these pegs and coat with glue (hide glue for authenticity) or PVA not bloody epoxy and tap pegs into undersized holes to secure the end plug.

To finish the outside in the original way just scrape the horn with a sharp knife – I use a Stanley knife and support the blade with my thumb. When you have scraped it to a relatively smooth finish you can complete the task with sand paper and steel wool. Now file in any grooves and add brass staples for straps. Make a plug for the spout from a piece of ½” dowel and turn a taper in a lathe or a vice mounted drill (use a file and don’t forget safety first – always have a handle on the file.) The tapered plug could also be filed by hand or even whittled with a favourite knife.

To enhance to appearance and life of the horn I rub in a 50/50 mixture of linseed oil and kerosene then wipe dry. DIY scrimshaw is another topic we might discuss here if there is sufficient interest. Meanwhile, when storing horn products it’s wise to have some moth balls in the cupboard which seems to stop insects eating holes in the horn. Till next time – watch yer top knot. Ian

Ron Davis & Bob Ellis at the WDMLC “Wet to the Arse” shoot 2011. Photo by Ian Convey.

Pleasure in pathless woods

Ian Convey, getting all poetic-like forwards these lines – “There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture in the lonely shore, There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in its roar; I love not man the less, but Nature more…..” George Gordon, Lord Byron, 1788 – 1824. (Lines also featured at the start of the movie “Into the Wild”)

Flint and Steel

Murray Convey forwarded this series of photos taken with a high speed digital SLR camera by Les Lockland of Warrnambool. Murray is firing his 54 cal half-stock with an L&R lock and we see the flint scraping white hot metal chunks from the frizzen, the powder flashing in the pan through the vent and igniting the main charge.

Absolutely lovely photographs! Take a real deep breath as you view them – With just the slightest bit of imagination you can actually smell that lovely sulphurous black powder smoke….. Well, it worked for me! Then I had to fetch my McCoy out of the gunsafe for a little fondle.

Murray’s flinter sparking up. Photos by Les Lockland

Fire in the hole!

Sniff here ^ Arr, glorious!

From way up North

No, no, not Alaska! Just a pleasant drive past Sydney! Old Woods Runner, Keith Burgess of the New England region of New South Wales advises he has a new book and primitive skills DVD available. Details of both items can be found on Keith’s blog http://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com
See also Old Woods Runner’s group active discussion forum at http://eighteenthcenturylivinghistory.freeforums.org/

Correction

A sense of justice compels me to apologise for mistakes in our previous newsletter. Featured in our hard copy news and web gallery were a number of photos taken by Benjamin Barraclough which I had inadvertently credited to John Sultana, when it is Ben and Michelle who are the photographers in the family. Credits of the web gallery shots have now been amended. Thanks to Ben for the nice camera work.

All smiles – Katharine & Michelle Barraclough. Photo by Ben Barraclough.

Kick Start at Pioneer Forge

Glen and Anthea Mitchell are having another New Year’s get together at their home / forge in Carboor. Glen calls it a “Kick Start” which makes me wonder if he spends too much time on an Ag bike or if he misses the football during the summer. He’ll probably “kick my butt” for being a smart-aleck here.

Seriously though, Glen and Anth would love to have members and friends spend the weekend of 7th & 8th January milling around their outdoor barbecue area, sharing some good tucker and a few glasses of Shrub or other favourite beverage. Bring a plate and any special thirst requirements.

It is a wonderful time to relax with friends under the many North American shade trees in the Mitchell’s garden. No need to dress primitive – unless that’s all you possess, but bring your Trade Blankets or any new toys (Christmas presents?) or your musical instruments and be ready for some fun. There is plenty of room for camping over on Saturday night and Glen promises to cook the toast on Sunday morning.

’Course if you had ordered your new hawk early enough this would be a good chance to collect it in person as I hear tell Glen has been busy hammer and tong at the forge.

To help with catering please phone Glen or Anthea on 5729 5564 or email glen@pioneerforge.com.au if you’re coming or if you have any special requirements..

This Dave Doran cartoon first appeared in Muzzleloader magazine. We are indebted to Bill Scurlock of Muzzleloader for permission to reprint Dave’s cartoons. Me thinks that looks like a dinkum Pioneer Forge hawk about to be used on Fast Freddy’s top knot.

Season’s Greetings to All

Club president Ian Convey and the Trappers committee wish members and all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday season with a wonderful New Year with plenty of shootin’ and re-enactment camping and Rendezvous.

East End, Sutler’s Row.   Pencil sketch by Charlie Timma.

September Shining Times!

Congratulations to all who attended our September Rondyvoo. You were each an important part of the largest Primitive Rendezvous seen under the Southern Cross for many a long year. With seventeen truly primitive camps it was easy to step back into a time zone of pre-1840.

Over 30 participants, adults, teens and younguns had all made best efforts to dress correctly in the various styles of our chosen era – it was in fact a magnificent endeavour. Time and time again were heard voiced comments along the lines of “It’s just like the good old days” no doubt referring to our many perceptions of the 1838 Rendezvous at the junction of Popo Agie and the Wind River.

But this was Beaver Creek, Whorouly, Victoria. Down Under! And those attending had answered our Vol. 33 newsletter appeal for greater numbers of Trade Blankets. Nigh on everyone put out a Trade Blanket; with exceptionally fine efforts made by Jenny and Gary Baker with their Grand Portage Trading Post and by Bill Lincoln’s travelling Sutler’s Store covered wagonette all the way from Sydney town.

The anticipation of Trade Blanket bargains is an exciting facet of Rondyvoo. Displayed blankets are great people-mixers as folk move from one blanket to the next exchanging greetings, a hand shake or a hearty back-slap, or a joke like “I thought you were dead” and always, always, seeking that elusive bargain. Our featured pencil sketches by artist Charlie Timma invoke the spirit of Alfred Jacob Miller and are a true pre-1840 style of illustration of the Rendezvous life we attempt to emulate.

Norrisville Trading returns to Beaver Creek.   Pencil sketch by Charlie Timma.

Friday the 16^th September saw most Buckskinners / Longhunters arrive to set up camp and by evening we had a large circle of camp-fires with rising blue smoke wafting into the clear night air. The weather was simply perfect for camping and would remain so for the next three days.

Mild to warm sunny days and clear crisp evenings when folk gather, fires are stoked, a few songs sung and many stories (some short, some tall) are told. More campers would arrive on Saturday and several guests (moderns) had arranged to visit us over the weekend as well. We always welcome such opportunity to introduce new chums to our kind of fun.

Saturday morning at Beaver Creek. Photo by Anthea Mitchell

By Saturday morning the entire camp was in a frenzy of trade blanket bargaining, so it took some effort to rustle up contestants for the several shooting challenges. A card-sharp Blanket Shoot finally got under way with a dozen gambling on their flinters, their skill and perhaps Lady Luck. Peter Hawkey and Charlie Timma both held good cards but were finally trumped by the late run arrival of the fox, Paul “Le Reynard” Sly.

Our traditional Mountain Man hunt was once again in the scheming hands of Bob Ellis and Glen Mitchell. But, this time, the devious duo led everyone “up the creek” instead of the usual go-with-the-flow beaver waters. The event is scored based on the number of game targets seen and successful shots taken from within a limited and defined area and it is also timed as an additional method to separate any tied scores.

Dick Schwer loads while adjudicators Bob and Glen keep a tight score sheet.  Photo by Anthea.

The entry fee is to place a suitable vegetable in the cane basket which, along with a full size Turkey Plate, forms the winning prize. We have yet to ask the winner to cook up a vegetable stew for the whole camp. It could happen! Anyway the top hunter of the day is given privilege to draw a name from the hat for a winner of the coveted Club prize.

As in real life hunting, slow and steady, is usually the best way to success. Without mentioning names here, it is interesting to note that the two lowest scores were attributed to the two fastest times. Conversely, the high scorer, Le Reynard, once again, was only 15 seconds short of the slowest time. That particular drawn out timing went to our happy-go-lucky Sutler who was no doubt worn and weary from the 500 miles he’d travelled just to get to rendezvous. Or perhaps it was just those super comfy wooden clogs that slowed him down?

Billy Lincoln – hunting with a blunderbuss? Well, don’t ya wanna have fun no more? Photo by Anthea.

After lunch we held our Annual General Meeting, guests were invited to sit in or otherwise attend their own devices. Like a good captain Ian steered a tight ship and the meeting business was soon over (apart from the usual blather from Chook). All Committee were available for re-election and there being no further nominations, all were re-instated as previously.

Following the AGM a team Stake Shoot challenge was issued by Kevin. Jenny Baker quickly accepted the challenge and soon recruited Ian, Hawkey and husband Gary. Backing Kevin were Ron, Paul and Charlie. After numerous shots at their resilient stake, hanging, clinging by a mere thread, Kevin’s team proved victorious and then took great delight in helping to cut the opposition to shreds.– All this fun just to win two jars of confectionery all-sorts to share around the evening fires. But, oh, the prestige!

Charcoal burners only.   Photo by Ben Barraclough

Meanwhile, Paul and Lisa’s young lads were skinny dipping in the creek between the simulated beaver dams, whereas Michelle’s older, more mature younguns merely splashed and waded in a befittingly dignified teen fashion in the refreshing waters.

Ian was keen for a Candle Snuff Shoot (where the shot must extinguish the flame but not injure the candle). This was conducted in twilight so that the flame could be easier seen and that the evening Happy Hour following it would not be too delayed. Everyone enjoyed the challenge while Jim notably blew out the flame, smashed up the candle and buried it, all in the same shot. Ian won the event with his 20 gauge smoothbore. It is strongly suspected that he had previously trained especially for this event!

Paul “le Reynard” Sly was asked to draw a winner for our main Club prize. We had purchased a fine Glen Mitchell tomahawk deemed a most suitable accoutrement for the purpose. And the lucky winner, the late arrival, by the skin of his teeth you could say, was Justin Fletcher. Seated at the main campfire later on, Justin regaled us with some fine renditions of our favourite John Williamson true blue Aussie songs. Later Louise combined in a duet with Justin singing a lovely Lakota Indian chant.

Knife and Hawk champion Ron Davis retrieves his deeply buried hatchet. Photo by Ian Convey

In the morning Dick Schwer asked Ian if a Knife & Hawk event could be arranged. Dick did! Ever obliging, Ian said “Sure thing! You organise it Dick, that way you can make it so that Dick’s rules apply.” And so it was! Now with no word of a lie I can say that lovely Lyne Gray scored better than Charlie Timma, John Sultana, and, wait for it…. and better than her man – Bob Ellis. True as here I write! Dick’s Rules, remember! But it was Ronnie Davis who outscored all contestants with an unbeatable throwing session with both his hawk & knife.

Lastly we held a 45 yard Gong Shoot. An attractive and handy little woven bag hand-made and donated by Jenny Baker would be up for grabs. Hotly contested as it was, this final challenge was concluded with an admirable win by Peter Hawkey.

Peter wins the hand-made bag donated by Jenny. Photo by Ian Convey.

Glen and Anthea Mitchell donated a tent “door prize” if I can call it that. Names were drawn from the nearest tattered hat – The lucky campers were our very newest members – Michelle Barraclough and John Sultana. A small hand-made leather and fabric carry-all wallet made by Jenny Baker was included with the bottle of fine wine. A warm welcome to the Free Trappers is extended to John, Michelle and family.

John Sultana in action at the hawk block.  Photo by Ben Barraclough.

Unfortunately, weekends seem all too short and Sunday saw many camps mostly reluctant to pack away and leave. But leave they must and yet Monday was a superb day of idyllic warmth and sunshine. It was left to Glen Mitchell, Bob Ellis, Ian Convey, Jim Walker and the Chookster to seek a little shade and relax quietly throughout Monday while recounting the pleasures of the weekend and discussing future plans.

Sincere thanks to Rolly and Jo and family for country hospitality. We left nothing behind, save for some excess firewood, neatly stacked, and a few patches of flattened grass. After a perfect long weekend it rained heavily sometime late Monday night. As Veronica and Clive lamented when they were unable to attend – “Well you couldn’t have ordered better weather for a September Rendez-vous if you’d tried!”

Absolutely!

September 2011 shining times. Photo by Glen Mitchell

Beechworth’s Ned Kelly and Harry Power bushranger festival.

The weekend of 6^th & 7^th August was not kind to the Beechworth townsfolk or tourists; but only because the weather was mainly cold and wet or vice versa. The hospitality of the region was just as pleasant as ever. Bob Ellis and I had arrived early Friday afternoon to set up our tent display in support of the Beechworth Historical Re-enactment Group. Every year these fellows escort poor Ned into the stone courthouse to face charges of murder – it’s the stuff of legend.

We had a glorious afternoon to erect the tents followed by a pleasant evening spent chatting quietly and sipping a brew by our campfire. We are indebted to the “Prisoners on the Run” who had kindly supplied us a welcome and ample stack of firewood against the wall of the old police stables. This was handy to the formed fireplace beside our tents and the spot that we would call home for two days.

Glen Mitchell arrived to add weight to our presentation on Saturday. The rain had commenced sometime overnight, but could not dampen our spirits. As for the other kind – we managed to keep them securely corked until happy hour that evening.

A rainy day in Beechworth.  Photo by Bob Ellis.

From under the cover of the canvas awning of Bob’s wagon we were witness to some fine re-enacting of Ned, the constabulary and the town judiciary. Bob and I both awarded our personal “best camp” and “best re-enactor” to Andrew Swift of the Harrietville Miners Association. Andrew was portraying an unlicensed gold prospector, who’d staked a claim right there in the police paddock, of all the dashed silly places. You can guarantee the Joe’s roughed him up a little. All in the name of having fun, of course!

Regardless of weather, it’s a great weekend at historic Beechworth and an excellent opportunity to practise persona styles, or simply soak up the tourist atmosphere. We’ll be back there next August! It’s great fun; hope you’ll join us at next year’s festival.

Home Comforts

Whilst reading a back issue of Richie’s magazine – The Backwoodsman, I noted the following – “In some opinions the way people camp they may as well stay at home because they’re trying to take all the comforts of home with them.” Now that is not to imply that anyone should stay home, only to leave some of the comforts behind. Remember – Less is best! And a whole lot easier when it’s time to pack for home.

All the necessary comforts? Charlie Timma thinks so! Charlie’s camp photo by Lyne Gray.

See more Rendezvous photos in our Gallery.

Three hawks by Glen Mitchell blacksmith of Pioneer Forge, Carboor, Victoria

Its time to relegate the duck swamps to another season, we can now start to thinking about Beaver Creek and the pleasures of Spring Rendezvous. Pleasures like camping with friends in open spaces with that big ol’ Mt. Buffler on the distant horizon; renewing acquaintances with folks not seen since last Spring; whooping it up with just enough throat oil to dampen your last inhibitions; while trading and Trade Blankets always stir the blood as we all like a good red-hot bargain.

A warm welcome to all readers as we commence our seventh year of operations and prepare for our fifth Rondy on the Beaver Creek. Lately your Committee has heard several grumbles about insufficient trade blankets so we are batting it right back to members to get busy with your handcrafts on genuine pre 1840 style goodies. We certainly agree that trade blankets have been getting mighty scarce at our doings lately.

So how about a big effort to lay out more trade blankets this Spring? I don’t know of one Buckskinner who doesn’t enjoy a bit of horse trading around a blanket. It is hoped our photo of Glen’s fine hawks might inspire others to bring their handiwork to trade! Need help to get motivated – read our Club president’s DIY column for good hints. And remember, if you missed more than one rendezvous you were thought to be dead!

Now put Bill Tyler out of mind and give some serious thought to making our 5th camp at Beaver Creek a trade fest – and simply the best yet. Powder horns and scrimshaw always draw interest; I’m personally in the market for another candle lantern and always looking for more ample clothes – that is clothes of ever more ample dimension.

Glen is sure to be fetching some fancy hawks and knives, fire irons, trivets and such; Murray will have beautiful tanned skins and Peter has some very well made camp chairs. There’s much to be done and so little time and there’s no worth in flogging a dead horse – so what can you bring to trade?

Speaking of Mt Buffalo, which I wasn’t really, (but just mentioning it to stir the blood) I’ve noticed a bit of snow on our leeward side lately – that’s about as close as we get to camping ’neath the Shining Mountains, but we can dream and get a taste for it by camping wonderful on Beaver Creek, loose and free as a bird, just like Dick Summers.

Dick who? You may well ask! Read on and hear the Mountain Man speak in this novel passage contributed by Club president Ian Convey.

I seen most of it. Colter’s Hell and the Seeds-kee-de and the Tetons standin’ higher’n clouds, and north and south from Nez Perce to Comanche, but God Almighty, there’s nothin’ richer’n the upper Missouri. Or purtier. I seen the Great Falls and travelled Maria’s river, dodgin’ the Blackfeet, makin’ cold camps and sometimes thinkin’ my time was up, and all the time livin’ wonderful, loose and free’s ary animal. That’s some, that is.” “Lord God” “A man gets a taste for it”

So said the fictional character Dick Summers, the hunter, to Boone Caudill and Jim Deakins in A.B.Guthrie’s novel – The Big Sky. Staples Press Ltd., England 1947.

Annual General Meeting

Once again our AGM is scheduled to be held at Beaver Creek rendezvous – Saturday 17th September 1pm. To expedite proceedings we have attached Bob Ellis’ treasurer’s report herewith so that all have time to digest our current status prior to the meeting.

Blanket Shoot (Everyone wins)

Part of the fun at Beaver Creek in September will be a Blanket Shoot so please bring along an entry item appropriate for our time frame. Handmade items are most suitable and a nominal value of between five and ten dollars is suggested. Yes, everyone wins!

Personals

Congratulations to Jeff and Katherine Clarke on the safe arrival of baby Charles on Friday 5th August, weighing in at 3.15kg, red hair and blue eyes – a real Viking Longhunter and a strapping brother for Ellie. Katherine and Charlie both doing well. Jeff is quite understandably very proud to have a fine son.

Jim’s wounded leg has completely mended, thanks to Medicine Woman. A few days of hospital doctoring, the knife, a bit of minor sewing up, and lazing about with one leg elevated was all it needed. Jim had nothing to do but dream of exploring the Tetons to get firmly back on his feet, but now he’s back to gathering firewood again.

Bojo’s and the Free Trapper’s banners on display at Millmerran July 2011. That’s Bob’s tent in the scrub.

Millmerran 2011

Three members of the Trappers were among a strong Victorian contingent travelling north to sunny Queensland. Ron Davis, Bob Ellis and John Morland all made the 1300 kilometre trip to camp in the Primitive section opposite our new banner that Bob had hurriedly commissioned just two days before leaving.

Quite a few members of Seymour Black Powder Club also made the trip. Victorians did well competitively and a great time was had by all; the days being pleasantly warm and the evenings freezing as usual – the night temperatures down around -5C.

We havened yet heard all the stories that emanate from such large rendezvous’ but we’re bound to eventually. Meanwhile our intrepid Trappers all feature in Tattler.

On the Pewter Trail with Glen

Well, morning to y’all folks! After being long hen-pecked by that old chook, about it being time some other folks done put pen to paper and contributed to what we consider to be the best primitive newsletter down under. Well I got to feeling sorry for the Old Chook cause it isn’t a lot of fun, month after month, coming up with the goods, but the old Chookster does a good job. (Aw, shucks, cut the bulldust! – Ed.)

The old-fashioned skills of our pioneers have always interested me. After thirty years of blacksmithing the idea of working with a different metal like pewter had been with me for a considerable period. Pouring pewter into a mould couldn’t be all that different to casting round ball, but spinning pewter is a whole new game. The idea of producing tankards, porringers & other fine colonial wares by combining the spinning, casting and soldering of pewter stirred my pioneering spirit.

After trawling the net on numerous occasions I discovered the website of Thomas & Patricia Hooper of ASL Pewter in the USA. The Hooper’s website features a marvellous array of period style fineries. www.aslpewter.com I followed-up, making contact by email and subsequently a direct phone call, having a most enjoyable conversation with Patricia, which resulted in my ordering their “How To” DVD “Introduction to Pewter Smithing”.
The DVD arrived in the morning post just 12 days later, so I called an early lunch break to learn the basics of pewter smithing. It’s so inspiring to watch an artisan at their toil. Thomas works through several projects, explaining things as he goes, like how to set the disc for spinning, lube, speeds, use & positioning of tools. He also covers a little on making the forms to spin over them and about using the lathe.

Then Pat does a segment on the casting side of things, from spoons to porringer and tankard handles. Pat illustrates the cleaning up and getting pieces ready for Thomas to solder together. All through Pat & Thomas are explaining things like the casting temperature, how hot you need your soldering torch, best tip size to use. I would really recommend to anybody thinking about having a play with pewter to get hold of a copy of their DVD.

Patricia and Thomas Hooper

Thomas and Patricia operate their foundry together with a retail/ wholesale shop in Louisiana on the banks of the great Mississippi river. Many of their moulds date back to the mid 18th century / early 19th century, some from the former Bucks County Pewter business in Pennsylvania.

In 2003 Pat began engraving some of their pieces with “wriggle-work” an early folk art style for which she has received awards. The Hooper’s were also selected as Pewterers for the HBO mini series featuring the life of founding father John Adams for which in excess of 500 pieces of pewter were supplied, earning end credits in the film. By the way, I found the John Adams story well worth watching also.

I remain delighted with my contact with the Hooper’s and well satisfied with their “How-to” DVD of basics for which I give full praise. ’Till next time, Glen Mitchell

Do It Yourself says our Club President

Continuing from our previous episode, once you have some basic tools, you will need materials from which to make stuff. Here, the main thing to remember is the materials NOT to be used, i.e. chipboard, MDF, plastic, aluminium and anything else invented or discovered after the 1840’s. Wooden projects should be fastened with dowels and glue, black steel nails, copper nails, brass pins and etcetera.

Screws used for either wood or metal should be of black steel with straight slots; no brass screws and no Phillips head screws. I should mention that screws with straight slot heads are becoming exceedingly difficult to buy new, so if you can’t make them, you may have to scrounge, while hoarding any you might come across in your efforts.

Next, I’ll suggest a few projects, meanwhile – watch yer topknot! Ian

Cold Feet? Try the Sutler’s Store!

Following up on past comments about footwear I received a call from Dick Schwer in South Australia advising that Bill Lincoln had stock of sturdy straight-last shoes. This info might help those who don’t take too kindly to moccasins. In addition Bill can supply such necessities as breeches, trousers, drop-fronts, cutlery, tin cups and more.

Bill will be visiting us at Beaver Creek this September and may be able to fetch along any special requirements you might need. Why not give him a call? See a comprehensive list at http://corpsutler.tripod.com/index.html or for further details contact Bill Lincoln –mob 0411 422 144 or write P.O. Box 227, St Peters NSW 2044.

22nd Eureka Collectable Militaria Fair July 9th 2011

Commonly referred to as the Ballarat Gun Show – this was the third year the Free Trappers had combined with Seymour Black Powder Club and Western Districts Muzzleloaders under the Council of Muzzleloaders banner. Our modest display of black powder arms, accoutrements and other trappings is our continued effort to “sell” black powder fun and club membership to the wider shooting public. Ian, Jim and Chook took turns at answering queries from the many interested visitors.

Chook and Ian (not quite collectables) at Ballarat. Photo by Jim.

In all, well over 600 persons attended, several faces recognised were Don, Kelly and Cody from Western Districts and Bruce and Harry from Seymour, all stopping by for a catch-up chat. Our allocated table adjoining Roger Mowbray’s Stock Lock Arms heavily stocked trading tables featuring everything from flintlocks and accoutrements to new fangled magnums and related stuff ensured a high volume of passing traffic.

Along with other re-enacting groups among the other 130 trading / display tables were our friends from the Frontier Living History Group. Jenny and Gary Baker were dressed up as if it were 1762 following the French Indian war. They received honourable mention in the Ballarat Courier reporting…..

Everything is hand sewn, Mrs Baker said about her clothing and other items the couple had on display. There were no sewing machines back in that time period so I don’t use them so it’s historically accurate.

Tattler

When a duck ducks! Eh, pardon? You will remember our story in Vol 31 where Bob and Jim shared the credits for taking a single wood duck. Well, Jim later confided that he believed that duck had in fact actually died of fright as the two charges of shot whistled on by. For not a solitary pellet was found in the carcase. Oh, and it really was by far the best wild duck I’d ever tasted.

T’was a colder night than average at Millmerran and Ronny Davis had a few sips of fire water before lighting the pot belly stove in his tent. On his knees with flint and steel he thrust the bird’s nest into the stove then rested his weary head against his bed. Seems he fell asleep as if in prayer to be rudely awoken shortly after with his backside reflecting the heat of hades just inches from that pot belly now roaring with life.

After a leisurely Millmerran breakfast Bob Ellis and John Morland were pondering morning wash-up when the inspector/best primitive camp judge happened into their camp. Noticed immediately were a modern dishwash sponge and an aluminium billy/kettle standing out like the proverbials. Doh!

Recreating the American Longhunter: 1740 -1790 by Joseph Ruckman.

I had not been aware of this small soft-cover booklet from Graphics/Fine Arts Press until recently when Glen Mitchell loaned me his copy at our Easter rendezvous. At only 60 pages from introduction to colophon, the book is instantly and easily readable with much thought provoking discussion contained within just five main subject areas, viz – Introduction; the identity of the Longhunter; the clothing of the Longhunter; the weapons of the Longhunter; the Equipment of the Longhunter.

So impressed was I with Joseph Ruckman’s work that I had to order my own copy (and one for Ian who had also been reading Glen’s copy – over my shoulder). A wealth of debate will be found in this volume – at only US$9.95 plus postage. Imagine my delight when the two copies arrived – signed with best wishes by the author.

Here are just two notations from this little treasure trove – If you want to portray a believable Longhunter, you should know something about farming. And Returning to my original point about foot travel, “trekking” on foot can hardly be considered a typical 18th century activity for woodsmen. To understand the basis of these comments and to study more about recreating the American Longhunter you could do much worse than spending a few dollars to order your own copy. You can order direct from the author at http://cathyjohnson.info/bookpages/longhunter.html

Presentation hawk by Glen Mitchell

Next Events

September 16th – 19th

Our traditional Spring Rendezvous weekend extended from Friday 16th through to Monday 19th. Traditional primitive fun, shoots, mountain man hunt, blanket shoot etc. Don’t ya wanna have fun no more? Come to Beaver Creek!

November 5th & 6th

Time Line Festival at the Old Cheese Factory, Berwick. A weekend display camp in the heart of Melbourne’s eastern suburbia. Your chance to show them Flatlanders what Longhunter and Mountain Man fun is all about.

Time Line Festival at the Old Cheese Factory, Berwick. A weekend display camp in the heart of Melbourne’s eastern suburbia. Your chance to show them Flatlanders what Longhunter and Mountain Man fun is all about.

Le Reynard with 2 grey teal taken with a 12 ga W.C. Scott & Son original percussion muzzleloader.

Once again we do the rounds of our traps, the burrows and the duck ponds, yet beaver remains mighty scarce. A warm welcome to all readers as we rug up against Victoria’s chilly winter weather. Many thanks to Paul (Le Reynard) Sly for contributing our feature hunting story. We certainly appreciate the input of members sharing their black powder experiences and hunting stories.

Game Food and Firewood

On an autumn morning that promised to be bright and sunny I felt the urge to harvest some game birds to stock the home freezer. I also felt it time to take out my 12 gauge original percussion shotgun made by W.C. Scott & Son of London. Attaching a trailer to my Ute would allow me to fetch a load of firewood and hopefully double the productivity of the day. I would hunt along a creek that is near my old home further north. There would be ample firewood to gather and hopefully a chance to bag a brace of ducks for the pot.

Helping me to collect the firewood I’d have my two young sons, Nathaniel and Nicholas. After a nourishing breakfast and rather slow preparations we finally headed off by mid morning.  Soon after we arrived at our destination we spotted a good sized mob of grey teal flying along the creek. But first the chores, as we set to filling the trailer with good dry firewood. Then it was time to get serious and do some hunting.

After busting a few caps to dry out/clear the nipple of oil, I poured 2¼ drams of 2F black powder down the barrel, pushed down two 3mm over-powder wads with the ram rod until seated on top of the powder, put in 1¼ oz of number 4’s and finally pushed down a thin over shot wad to sit on top of the shot to keep everything in place.

With loaded gun set safely on its half cock notch and the boys under strict watchful guidance, we headed off along the creek to see where that mob of teal had gone. We proceeded quietly – well, just as quiet as two energetic young lads loose in the bush might be. Then, some 250 yards ahead of us, we observed a small mob of ducks lift off above the far side bank. Damn it all, I muttered to myself, thinking we had made too much noise. But no, not the case, the disturbance had been caused by another bush user driving nearby and spooking the birds.

Encouraging my sons, we hastily got behind some cover, kept quite still, waited and watched to see what those ducks were going to do. As the birds were beginning to circle around, more and more teal were lifting off the water to join them until there appeared to be three separate large groups in the air. The closest mob out to my front was moving from my right to left. They dipped down out of site and rose up again immediately on my left.

I brought that ancient single barrelled smoke-pole up to my shoulder, selected a leading bird and touched off the shot. Through the large cloud of grey/blue smoke billowing out in front of me I could see that my bird was tumbling down, with another teal following it in a nice downwards spiral that ducks do towards the ground. It seems that as I fired another teal flew up beside my targeted bird and was caught in the edge of the pattern. A 200 percent success rate shot is most pleasing.

Satisfied with the morning’s sport and the spot of good luck, I thought it a fine time to quit while ahead with two plump birds in the bag. Although that gun is over 100 years old it’s a great pleasure to take out on a hunt. With the firewood stacked at home and both teal cleaned, dressed and in the freezer, thoughts drift towards a cosy fire, ducks roasting in the slow cooker until dinner, then served piping hot with mushroom sauce.
Le Reynard

Two happy young lads learn about the food chain.

The ups and downs of rifle shooting

This is the lowdown – Remember that, “the lowdown”! Well anyway, that’s how I remember how to aim when shooting at a target that is significantly either uphill or downhill from your shooting position. It all has to do with apples, Newton, Einstein and gravity but the necessary adjustment is the same – uphill or down – the lowdown is to aim low down from your rifle’s normal point of impact at any given distance!

Just how much lower is an interesting assignment to figure out for each individual firearm and for various gradients? Now you need no more excuse to just get out there and do some experimental shooting. Oh, and be sure to make it fun!

We recommend English black Brandon flints by Will Lord trading as Beyond 2000bc.

Winter Quarters

The Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend in June has become our traditional Winter Quarters camp. Just why we refer it that way I don’t know. Several members still call it “Rondyvoo” and perhaps they are correct. Yes, its winter in Victoria but June 10th through to the 14th had an air much more like autumn than mid winter. In fact the weekend climate was most decidedly, well, in a word – salubrious! 

White canvas, blue skies & black powder spells FUN!  Photo by Ian Convey

Jim, for once, was not first to arrive and light the campfire. In fact Jim would not be attending at all – he being laid up with a massive haematoma after a firewood gathering mishap causing a terrible blow to the shin. It was Ian first to arrive to pitch camp on Friday morning, followed by Bob, Chook, Murray and Peter. Four others – John Morland, John Maccioni, Glen Mitchell and Justin Fletcher all arrived Saturday and it was a glorious day, the weather just perfect for doing what we love doing.

It was only a week earlier that the first snows of winter had laid promise for a grand ski season and perhaps that’s why other members chose not to attend our Winter Quarters. But we did it yet again – turned on glorious fair weather for the intrepid winter campers. Sadly you others missed a long weekend of cloudless blue skies, cool bracing mornings warming to temperate sunny afternoons and wonderful toasty evening campfires with guitar picking, strands of song, ballads and much story tellin’.

Ian had concocted a little test of woods skill commencing at the knife and hawk block. Our well used and battered knotty pine French/Indian warrior was divided into five scoring zones ranging in difficulty and rated 1-5 with any miss automatically scoring a 5. These numbers were then transposed to the next skill segment of shooting at simulated vermin with the lower numbers applied to easier, closer targets, while higher numbers applied to the more distant, smaller feral animal silhouettes.

Several members have difficulty in the concept of throwing away a hawk or knife that could be better utilised if retained in the hand. This showed in their scores – 5 throws for five 5’s and five complete misses at that! We won’t mention any names other than that of the most successful chucker – John Maccioni.

The second segment consisted of five steel animal silhouettes set up at different locations ranging from about 15 yards to about 50 yards. The silhouettes were a sitting rabbit, a running rabbit, a squirrel, a fox and a pig. Here it was John Morland out-pointing the rest of us, in spite of him having to take all shots at the distant fox. John was rewarded with a bottle of wine and asked to draw a name for the hand-woven powder horn strap kindly donated by Jenny Baker. With odds at around 8 to 1, would you believe, a delighted John drew his own name from the hat! Club thanks to Jenny.

Cooling our heels in the shade.  Photo by Ian Convey

We spent the afternoon resting and yarning in the shade thrown outside of our log shelter, marvelling at the mild winter weather. A firewood harvesting chore occupied the later part of the afternoon as the sun dipped toward the horizon and clear skies hinted at a chilly evening to come in the Highlands. Pushed for time as we hobbyists usually are, it was out with Bob’s petrol axe and into a couple of standing dead Stringy-barks. No time for period niceties on firewood for a three day long weekend!

Late in the afternoon Murray took his .54 cal for a short hunt along an old trapping line. Trappings were poor and the uneventful follow up early next morning suggested that the rabbit calicivirus had decimated the small game for the time being.

Sunday being a day of rest for all religious folk, our fervent hunters took their rest casually plinking away at silhouetted targets, burning the black stuff, muttering praise to whatever gods when a distinctive clang recorded a solid hit. Ian and Justin spent a pleasant afternoon playing their guitars, jamming together, swapping songs, chords and riffs. John Maccioni was still shaking off another Melbournian wog whilst sawing wood during a private siesta in his tent.

Bernie and Judy left the dogs to guard the horses and arrived after dark. Bernie quickly set to preparing another fine damper to be shared and smothered with Judy’s fine home-made jams. Justin and Ian entertained with music and song, while others told stories or lies. We soon drank up John Morland’s winning bottle of booze and one or two others as well. Judy said our smoke free fire was simply the best we’d had. Hey, Winter Quarters is for fun!  

Monday morning saw the plinkers still praying for better accuracy before decamping, Ian took a quiet afternoon hunt hoping to flush a fox but game proved mighty scarce. That evening it was just Ian and I yarning quietly at the campfire. The club has some future work to attend, building a higher hearth for the shelter fireside, applying some protective oil to the pine flitches and of course there are always firewood chores.

Our thanks to Bernie and Judy for the privileges we all enjoy so much.

A watched kettle remains quiet – “Nothing wrong with quiet!”

“Do It Yourself” says our Club President

There are times when we barely have sufficient material to fill our modest newsletters. In the past I have contributed several DIY articles, so, as space permits and lacking other suitable articles of substance I will continue with this series on crafting your own muzzleloading gear.

Being raised on a farm I learned that when things could not be readily purchased, either unavailable or simply too expensive, then you made it or modified something else to do the job. You did so by using resources on hand – fencing wire being an all-time favourite fall-back. So anyway, I tend to be a DIY tight arse (no comment -Ed).

Most muzzleloading shooters make at least some of their own shooting and camping gear. Then there are those that “will one day” make those moccasins or powder horn etc. With this brief treatise I hope to encourage the “will one day” person and  maybe give a few ideas to those already crafting their own gear (OK, I’m encouraged -Ed).

Before we can make anything we need some tools. Some folk think that you need expensive fancy power tools to create craftwork masterpieces – nothing can be further from the truth. Just look around at any antiques, most were crafted with only hand tools while any “power” tools that they did have were mainly foot or hand powered. Whereas factory produced products may have employed water or steam power.

Begin by acquiring a few basic tools and only buy what you need or can use. Look around for quality tools which will stay sharp longer and won’t break easily rather than buying cheap inferior junk. To keep costs down I mostly buy second-hand tools at flea markets, junk shops, garage sales etc. Most hand tools found this way are of better quality as junky tools of their era would normally have been trashed years ago.

Ian’s DIY workshop

Older tools, which pre-date modern plastics, have wooden handles and are made of carbon steel which holds an edge better and can be heat treated. Let’s face it – a 60+ year old carbon steel wooden handled chisel or screwdriver (turn screw, if you must) made here in Australia, England or the USA looks far better and lasts much longer than the plastic-handled cheapies churned out of Asia.

The one power tool I feel you should have is an electric drill. Of course a hand drill will suffice however a fine quality hand drill is probably dearer than most reasonably priced electric drills these days.

Another way to acquire tools is to make your own – wooden mallets, soft face hammers, scrapers, knives, scribers, straight edge and inletting chisels, wad punches – all these and more can be made by using scrap wood, old files, old hacksaw or cross-cut saw blades, scrap steel and brass etc. You might make a particular tool for a one-of specific task, whilst others will satisfy numerous jobs and last for many years. 

Next, I’ll talk about materials and fasteners, meanwhile – watch yer topknot! Ian Convey

Club Calendar – Don’t ya wanna have fun no more?

July 9th

The 22nd Eureka Arms and Militaria Fair at Ballarat. Saturday one day only from 9am until 3.30pm the Council of Muzzleloaders representing the Free Trappers, Seymour Black Powder Club and Western Districts Muzzleloaders will attend a promotional display table. Adult entry $7, free if you wear complete Trapper/Longhunter outfit. 

August 6th & 7th

Leap into the future at Beechworth’s Ned Kelly Festival. Shuck off those pre-1840 duds and embrace time travel into the 1870’s and 80’s. Join all the fun at historic Beechworth and camp over on the Police paddocks right behind the Courthouse where the wounded Ned will re-hear the charges against him. Streets of period style tents planned. Be in the thick of the weekend’s re-enactment festivities and country fair. Contact Bob Ellis for further details.

September 16th – 19th

Our traditional Spring Rendezvous weekend extended from Friday 16th through to Monday 19th.  Arrive early to be assured of a place in the Mountain Man hunt. – Where? -  Why, Beaver Creek at Whorouly, of course!

November 5th & 6th

Time Line Festival at the Old Cheese Factory, Berwick. A weekend display camp in the heart of Melbourne’s eastern suburbia. Your chance to show them Flatlanders what Longhunter and Mountain Man fun is all about.

Sundown at Winter Quarters 2011.  Photo by Ian Convey.

Victorian Anti Duck Hunting Protestor found Guilty

Field & Game Australia Inc. following up on previous front page media reports of a female injured in the face by several shot pellets on Opening morning, provided us the latest outcome on that incident.

A female anti-hunting protestor has been found guilty in the Magistrates Court at Morwell (6/6/2011) on the following charges;

1. Entering into the water of a specified hunting area before 10.00am.
2. Hindering five hunters.
3. Using noise producing equipment in a State Game Reserve to the unreasonable inconvenience of another person (annoying hunters by blowing whistles).

The offences occurred on the opening day of the 2010 season at Dowd’s Morass State Game Reserve near Sale. The protestor was found guilty on all 3 charges and fined $750 and ordered to pay court costs of over $120, she now has a criminal record.

This is the first time that a person has been found guilty of hindering a hunter under 58 E of the Wildlife Act 1975 and sends a strong message to those who choose to break the human safety legislation.

Antler, Bone or Horn? Choose from a selection of fine quality primers available from Eddy Benc. See our Trading Post Advert.

Hello! Once again we do the rounds of our traps and welcome all members and readers; with a special welcome to our newest members Eddy Benc and Peter Convey. Both are no strangers to black powder. Peter, from the Western Districts, featured in our May 2008 newsletter while Eddy hails from South Australia and is remembered by those who rendezvous’d at Pine Ridge with Glen Mitchell some 30 years ago. We also had the pleasure of Eddy and partner Elsa’s company at our 2011 New Year barbecue. Eddy comes ready to trade so check out the little gems pictured above – now don’t drool on your laptop!

April was a busy month for your committee. Following constitutional lines we did some position trading within ranks. Giving an overworked Murray a break from the Treasury we imposed on Bob to take over that role, moved Jim into Vice President with Murray occupying Jim’s former slot as Ordinary Committee member. We hope Murray feels more special than ordinary though, and thank him for his job well done.

In the several weeks leading up to our Easter rendezvous we were suddenly made aware of governmental proposals to amend the regulations governing the storage and transportation of Black Powder. This resulted in frantic efforts to get you all to sign petitions to WorkSafe to protect our supplies and suppliers from these completely unworkable proposed new regulations becoming law. Many thanks to all those who forwarded the prepared submissions or who wrote or emailed their own submission.

Peter and Murray Convey set up camp at Caveat. Skins & chairs for trade!

Club Events and Camping Calendar

June 11th – 13th.

Queen’s birthday long weekend. Our 7th Annual Winter Quarters encampment in the central highlands – Bernard’s Cache, Caveat. Don’t sit at home, cold and miserable, join the congenial Buckskinners around roaring campfires, snug and dry in our open-faced shelter, sharing some shrub and a yarn or a song. Learn to tell the time by the Southern Cross. Gaze at the stars and the Milky Way or fall asleep to the soft tune of refreshing rain on stout water-proofed tents. Awake to glorious sunny winter mornings, coffee, bacon and eggs and the best of friends at the cooking fires.  All fun novelty shoots, a solid throwing block, a permanent creek and a beautiful secluded place to Rondyvoo – Come to Bernard’s Cache

July 9th

The 22nd Eureka Arms and Militaria Fair at Ballarat. Saturday one day only from 9am until 3.30pm the Council of Muzzleloaders representing the Free Trappers, Seymour Black Powder Club and Western Districts Muzzleloaders will attend a promotional display table. Adult entry $7, free if you wear complete Trapper/Longhunter outfit. 

August 6th & 7th

Leap into the future at Beechworth’s Ned Kelly Festival. Shuck off those pre-1840 duds and embrace time travel into the 1870’s and 80’s. Join all the fun at historic Beechworth and camp over on the Police paddocks right behind the Courthouse where the wounded Ned will re-hear the charges against him. Streets of period style tents planned. Be in the thick of the weekend’s re-enactment festivities and country fair. Contact Bob Ellis for further details.

September 16th – 19th

Our traditional Spring Rendezvous weekend extended from Friday 16th through to Monday 19th.  Arrive early to be assured of a place in the Mountain Man hunt. – Where? -  Why, Beaver Creek at Whorouly, of course!

November 5th & 6th

Time Line Festival at the Old Cheese Factory, Berwick. A weekend display camp in the heart of Melbourne’s eastern suburbia. Your chance to show the Flatlanders what Mountain Man fun is all about.

Paul and Jeff ready Nathaniel & Nicholas for a long hunt.

Ballooning Spider Moon

Autumn and the Easter holiday weekend is a fabulous time of the year. There is always so much happening and so many choices of things to do. But our smaller dedicated group of black powder burners had only one thought; that was to rendezvous around the nearly completed burnt-pine shelter at Bernard’s Cache.

Built from pine flitches salvaged from the 2009 bushfires, the shelter needed only some gap stopping where the summer sun had shrunk the timber and cold winds might now whistle through to chill the bones in winter. What better time to complete this task than the lovely warm sunny days of autumn?

Once again Jim was first to arrive and pitch camp, followed this time by Bob and Lyne getting there early to erect the big 22 foot tipi. When the Chookster arrived late Thursday afternoon the elements displayed threats of rain despite the fine weather forecasts, so it was up with the wall tent smartly in the darkening skies. You can bet Jim had the main campfire burning brightly, the dark clouds blew away, a whisky bottle broke out and a wine bottle was passed around.

Good Friday dawned cool, clear and bright and the grass, much longer than at previous visits, was very wet with heavy dew. Morning coffee at our shelter never tasted better. After breakfasting it was time to get on with chores. Bob and Lyne were hard at work stopping up the cracks in the shelter. Bob was measuring each plinth and doing the fastening, while Lyne did all the cutting and sawing. Thanks to Bob and Lyne we now have a fine draught free shelter.

Lyne’s a deft hand with the axe

Meanwhile Jim was cutting into a stand of dry dead timber, knocking up a vast pile of firewood. When hauled into camp, Lyne also showed deft wood splitting skills with Bob’s straight hickory handled period style axe.

But where were the Convey brothers – Murray and Peter? We had expected them to at least help with the chores. Peter would be attending his first camp with us and is now our newest member. Seems Murray assumed directions and took a wrong turn leading them quite a ways from the main trail. No, I wouldn’t suggest Murray was ever lost – but he did admit to being fearsome confused for a while there.

Well the brothers eventually cut sign, found the right path and made it to camp. Jeff also made his first visit to Bernard’s Cache and instantly fell in love with the place.

Paul with his two lads, Nathaniel and Nicholas, arrived on Saturday for the day only. Both youngsters were impressively dressed in period costumes hand sewn by Paul and it was obvious throughout the day they were enjoying a marvellous time, as boys do.

Trialling the evening fire from under the shelter those first nights indicated a need to draw the hearth closer in, so the next morning was spent locating and hauling suitable large rocks. Peter’s stonemasonry skills came to the fore and with help all around we soon had a new fireplace reflecting lovely warmth into the very depths of our shelter.

It still being duck season, Bob and Jim decided to take the smooth bore flinters for a walk to check out the farm dams. The wily ducks saw them coming and took off for the next waterhole. Bob and Jim persevered and at the next dam they each got off a shot – at the same time – at the same duck! Shades of Jeff and Paul’s story last edition.

Bob & Jim display the wing patterns of their Wood Duck.

Jim gutted and plucked that Wood Duck and slow roasted it in the Dutch oven with some apple and onion. Bob said it was the best wild duck he had ever tasted. I said it was the best wild duck I had ever tasted; as providence would have, I managed to score a goodly portion. Thanks Jim – (Eat your heart out, Janine).

The scent of plucked wild duck lingering in the air drew the attention of a fox well after dark. Peter & Murray were awoken when the red dog rattled some pots while searching to steal a meal. Long gone are days when a loaded gun was kept handy for such occurrence, so Peter articulated two words that it should depart our camp hastily.

Next day, Jeff set up an interesting little challenge shoot using some rabbit head cut-outs as make believe Hostiles. In modern terms it might have been called a “3 position shoot”, but with one foot in contact with a position marker. Basically, that meant a standing shot, a kneeling shot and a difficult lying-on-your-back shot taken over a log.

Two of the “Hostiles” were at 25 yards, one at 50 and one at 55 yards. We formed up in three teams of two for this timed event. Murray and Peter were first up while the rest of us watched and gave advice on how it should be done. Chook and Jim were next and promptly forgot their previous good counsel. Last up were Bob and Jeff who heeded no advice, routed the hostiles and galloped home to win in the shortest time.

Results: Bob & Jeff – 5 minutes; Murray & Peter – 9 mins 20 sec; Jim & Chook – a full 15 minutes. Now this little exercise simply illustrates that older blokes have more endurance when it comes to making the fun last longer.

The whole of our extended Easter break (Jim & I stayed on until Wednesday arvo) was blessed with wonderful weather – light breezy, warm sunny days reaching 24°C with crystal clear and cool evening’s ideal for staring into campfire flames and allowing for appreciation of comfortable warm woollen bedding.

In those light breezes one could observe the silvery webs of tiny spiders ballooning on gossamer threads gliding and bucking as might a Chinese kite on a broken string; some attaching to tent poles and even to the crown of Bob’s tipi poles. The sun’s rays shimmered on the morning dew on these threads like many gleaming jewels of any regal tiara or crown, while a waft of smoke told of stirrings within the tipi. Pure magic!

By Monday evening we were down to the foursome of Bob, Lyne, Jim and I at the after dinner fires. We decided to make some music and had a pleasant sing-along. Lyne particularly enjoyed this and said later that this was the very best evening for her. Oh, but she quickly added that Bob’s kept promise to do all the cooking chores was her greatest incentive to come camping. Ladies love camping – now there’s a title for Waylon Jennings.

The following day we spent some efforts on a general tidy up of the area, burning much bark rubbish and stacking firewood. At evening it was just Jim and I cooking an early dinner. No sooner had we finished our meal when our hosts Bernie and Judy arrived at our camp. They’d brought a picnic hamper of barbecue meats and a bottle of red Ned to share. We had a good chin wag about anything and everything and of our camp development achievements of which we are all pleased and proud.

Our thanks go to our hosts Bernie and Judy once again. We look forward now to our Winter Quarter’s camp over the June long weekend. Hope to see you there! Chook

Trading Post

For Sale – Lee bullet moulds .440 round ball; .445 round ball; .575 Minie ball; Lyman model 310 reloading tool for 44 WCF/44-40 plus small quantity black powder loaded 44-40 ammo; Brass mould with handles .45 Colt 271 grains; Lyman Ideal .38 Spl mould; 2 x 32/20 Win moulds; Lyman Ideal .38 Spl one shell resizer. Contact Murray for super special pricing deals. Ph 03 5346 1086.

Priced to sell – Parker Hale .451 Volunteer $550 phone the Chookster 03 5753 4455

Powder measures, bone or antler, choose from above photo; Fine powder horns with beautiful scrim work; superb antler and bone priming horns; also woven sashes and leg ties, contact Eddy for pics & prices. eddy550@tpg.com.au or phone 08 8268 2620

Empire Day

Many of us can still remember it – no doubt with a fondness for the fun and free life it represented. Remember when, to celebrate the day, kids at all schools were given a lapel pin featuring the flags of both the U.K. and Australia, signifying the bonds and origins of Australian settlement and of our constitutional sovereignty.

Back then schoolboys and girls could freely purchase fireworks in any town across the nation. The fun was second only to the November Guy Fawkes bon fires, crackers and rockets. Over recent years May 26th has slipped by uneventfully but some still lament the passing of an era – that time before laws discouraging fun became the norm.

Tattler

Ms Tattler made particular note of the prevalence of elastic-sided rubber soled boots appearing whenever the grass is long and wet. Obviously some extra study and attention to proofing moccasins is needed, but perhaps a change of persona allowing more weather resistant authentic period footwear is your answer?

Ballooning spider

(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) Ballooning is a term used for the mechanical kiting that many small species of spiders, (usually weighing no more than 1milligram) use to disperse through the air. Many small spiders use gossamer or especially fine silk to lift themselves off a surface or use the silk as an anchor in mid air. The very fine silk used for ballooning has been called “gossamer” since 1325.

A spider or spiderling after hatching will climb as high as it can. The spider then stands on raised legs with its abdomen pointed upwards. This is known as “tiptoeing”. After that, it starts releasing several silk threads from its abdomen into the air, which automatically form a triangular shaped parachute. The spider can then let itself be carried away by updrafts of winds, where even the slightest of breeze will do. Most rides will end a few metres later. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballooning_(spider)

Bob & Chook at Time Line Fair 2010