Fall Lineup
Note From The Editor
October is my favorite month for a number of reasons. My birthday is in October. In my part of the world the nights are cool and the days are warm. The trees are beginning to wear their scarlet and orange draping. The woods are warm and comfortable. But best of all, hunting season is beginning. Around here we kick off with squirrel season. Foxes and greys, each a challenge in its own right, whether you are using rifle or shotgun.
Fall is a great time to enjoy your local club shoots. Most clubs are finishing up with championship matches, feeds and general "get togethers." For new shooters this is one of the best times to get involved with a black powder club and meet new people. Most experienced hunters are starting to focus on their coming hunt and are usually happy to share their experience and knowledge. It is also a great time to get your family involved. I do not know any black powder clubs where the spouse and kids aren't welcome. In fact most clubs really appreciate their participation. Get out and enjoy the weather and the fun.
This issue of Blackpowder Journal will help get you ready for the fall. Denny Vasquez, from Texas; USA, will share his experiences hunting deer in Texas. Jim Reed, our correspondent from New Zealand, will get you started with a Schuetzenfest, a traditional German event, report. On the "How To" side we have a product review of the new Black Mag Powder and timely articles for the muzzle loading hunter.
For my part I'm spending my early fall getting ready for our deer season. For me that means eight weeks of weekend squirrel hunts and getting my gear together for the main event. This year I will be taking a new rifle. A .50 caliber, swamped barrel, flinter based on the early Pennsylvania rifles. For the last couple of weeks I have been working up my hunting load. I did have some ignition problems but these were resolved with some minor gunsmithing adjustments. Now she thinks she a percussion cap rifle and I'm not going to let on that she is anything else.
Here is hoping that your fall is successful, happy and safe.
Editor, Blackpowder Journal