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| 1. The Prairie Long Rifles was formed in 1979 by a group of people from the Salina area. They wanted to stay with a primitive mountain-man and fur trade era (1776 to 1865). The members picked the club name and logo. We then drew up rules and by laws, and incorporated. It was the purpose of this group to promote muzzle loading as a hobby and a sport. It is our goal to teach people to safely use muzzleloaders and to have fun doing it. |
| 2.
The high points of a rendezvous is getting together with other clubs and
individuals to:
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| 3. That depends on each individual. Over all the costumes and gear are very accurate. But sometimes in this modern era we have to make substitutes. You also have to keep safety in mind. This hobby is like most, the longer you do it the better you get. Over the years I personally collected a small library of books. Club members share their research with each other. At club meetings we try to have someone come in and give a talk or demonstration on subjects relating to our period of time. |
| 4. One of the great things about muzzle loading is that it is a family activity. Women and kids are just as involved as the men. There are shooting events for the different age groups of children Boys and girls shoot together on the youth level. Women usually compete with women. My family has been involved as long as I have. My two sons’ were 4 and 9 when my wife and I started. Now as adults they are still very active in the sport. We all work to make our costumes and gear. But it didn't stop there. We set up our site, fixed meals, and packed everything up together. We enjoyed setting around the campfire each night. It has been an activity that has kept my family close. |
| 5. Well there are always shooting contests. These range from shooting paper targets to shooting playing cards. All shooting events are conducted in a safe manor. All safe-shooting rules must be followed at all times and there are range offers on duty to see that they are followed. There are scorekeepers to keep track of shooters scores as they shoot. In addition to shooting there are several other popular contests such as knife and hawk throwing, pancake cooking and eating (a couple sees how fast they can start a fire with flint and steel, cook a pancake, and eat it), and the mountain-man walk. The mountain-man walk uses all the skill that a mountain-man would need; shooting, setting traps, carry maidens in distress, fight bears and Indians, and start fire with flint and steel. |
| 6. Some of the activities and opportunities that we get involved with historical reenactments are doing parade, setting up primitive camps at fairs and festivals, giving talks and demonstrations to schools and other community groups. We also do safety talks on the muzzle loading guns and black powder. |
| 7. Storytelling is always important, whether it is and old story or a new one, it is the highlight of a campfire. Everyone (from very young to the very old) enjoys setting around sharing and listing; the perfect end to a good day. |
| 8. Just about any thing you want can be cooked at your camp. Most people like to cook simple so there is more time to spend doing other actives. When a club hosts a rendezvous it often prepares the Saturday evening meal. We try to stay with period of time food for the main dish, such as hardy stews and beans. We try to use game meats as often as possible, but sometime we use beef or pork. Each club member then brings a non-traditionally dessert to top off the meal. This evening meal and the campfire that follows is the heart of the rendezvous. |
| 9. I don't know what more I can say except that the club has a great time and that I enjoy being a part of it. |
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Written
by Barbara Long
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