Rendezvous Cool? Or more like Rendez-lame?

[Andrew Wilson]

Everyone on here is a major gearhead. But how about gear from the 19th century?

As a living history exercise, I think it's great.

It's a goal of mine to kill a coyote 19th century style using the Hawken I built with my grandpa. So, once a year, I dress up in authentic 1830 gear and set out into the woods. I'm close enough to the national forest that I don't even have to use my truck. It’s fun for me to experience the challenges trappers might have faced, little things, like how trappers kept the blast cap from falling off the nipple of the lock? Or how did they manage to get around in footwear that has no tread? Even if it’s just for a day, you can learn a lot about history.

One time, I emerged from the woods right in front of some Chinese tourists on a hike (the national forest by my house is the most visited in the world). They were shocked and unsure whether they were seeing a ghost or a theme park attraction. We stared at each other, and I gave a little wave and kept going. Hopefully, I scared them back to their country.



Anyone else fuck around with rendezvous?

 

[smb0120]

Awesome. I just spent the weekend in PA for flintlock. It completely changes your perspective on historical hunting and the early American wars - Revolutionary and Civil. I peg the chance of getting a deer still hunting in the woods with a flintlock at like 5%. Damp day? Guns not going off. Deer right in front of you? Did you already fill your flash pan? If so, probably not going off.

Stand hunting would be significantly easier but we have fun walking the woods all day trying to get a shot off. This year I had a perfect opportunity with three doe walking straight at me (I was standing against a tree). While they were at 50 yards I pulled the set trigger to prepare with the intent of letting them get a little closer. I move my gloved finger up to the main trigger in the tight handguard and boom....lead ball flying over their head. That trigger is LIGHT. One doe was confused and ran straight at me within 10 feet and then stopped behind me. No way to reload so we stared at each other until she walked away. It was the first time I found myself wishing I had a bayonet.

I cannot image fighting a war with those guns. There is no fast way to clear it if you have a charge not go off and a ball stuck in your barrel. Not to mention keeping your powder dry enough through all weather conditions and on the march. There had to be a lot less shooting than the movies show us.

Regardless of the odds of hunting success I will always enjoy grabbing a beautiful flintlock and hitting the snowy Alleghenies.

 

[wburns]

I hunt with my Hawkins. Shot my mule deer buck this year with it. Only one in our group to get a deer. Rest were using CVA in lines. Man did I give them shit.

 

[Andrew Wilson]

Awesome. I just spent the weekend in PA for flintlock. It completely changes your perspective on historical hunting and the early American wars - Revolutionary and Civil. I peg the chance of getting a deer still hunting in the woods with a flintlock at like 5%. Damp day? Guns not going off. Deer right in front of you? Did you already fill your flash pan? If so, probably not going off.

Stand hunting would be significantly easier but we have fun walking the woods all day trying to get a shot off. This year I had a perfect opportunity with three doe walking straight at me (I was standing against a tree). While they were at 50 yards I pulled the set trigger to prepare with the intent of letting them get a little closer. I move my gloved finger up to the main trigger in the tight handguard and boom....lead ball flying over their head. That trigger is LIGHT. One doe was confused and ran straight at me within 10 feet and then stopped behind me. No way to reload so we stared at each other until she walked away. It was the first time I found myself wishing I had a bayonet.

I cannot image fighting a war with those guns. There is no fast way to clear it if you have a charge not go off and a ball stuck in your barrel. Not to mention keeping your powder dry enough through all weather conditions and on the march. There had to be a lot less shooting than the movies show us.

Regardless of the odds of hunting success I will always enjoy grabbing a beautiful flintlock and hitting the snowy Alleghenies.

Man, you are getting some really practical lessons in history. I've made the same mistake with the set trigger on jack rabbits. Here in SoCal, we do not have a muzzleloader season (though there is a particular zone). So I've been trying with varmits. Dudes in the past must have lived day and night with their pieces and probably knew little things that we do not.

 

[Andrew Wilson]

I hunt with my Hawkins. Shot my mule deer buck this year with it. Only one in our group to get a deer. Rest were using CVA in lines. Man did I give them shit.

That is so cool, the old ways win! What part of the world was that in?

 

[wburns]

That is so cool, the old ways win! What part of the world was that in?

New Mexico

 

[smb0120]

I hunt with my Hawkins. Shot my mule deer buck this year with it. Only one in our group to get a deer. Rest were using CVA in lines. Man did I give them shit.

Congrats on the success with the Hawkins! In-lines are pretty damn accurate and reliable. Mine shoots tight groups with Hornady .50 XTP's. I usually in-line hunt in OH, but besides being a single shot its not all that different than rifle season. PA still keeps the special late season flint-lock only which is a whole different ball game. I may need to get a percussion to use in OH as it would be a fun in-between the flintlock and in-line.

 

[Ron Dan]

Everyone on here is a major gearhead. But how about gear from the 19th century?

As a living history exercise, I think it's great.

It's a goal of mine to kill a coyote 19th century style using the Hawken I built with my grandpa. So, once a year, I dress up in authentic 1830 gear and set out into the woods. I'm close enough to the national forest that I don't even have to use my truck. It’s fun for me to experience the challenges trappers might have faced, little things, like how trappers kept the blast cap from falling off the nipple of the lock? Or how did they manage to get around in footwear that has no tread? Even if it’s just for a day, you can learn a lot about history.

One time, I emerged from the woods right in front of some Chinese tourists on a hike (the national forest by my house is the most visited in the world). They were shocked and unsure whether they were seeing a ghost or a theme park attraction. We stared at each other, and I gave a little wave and kept going. Hopefully, I scared them back to their country.

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Anyone else fuck around with rendezvous?

I think this is cool as hell. Would love to see some of the best lessons you’ve learned over time

 

[Rjohnson.307]

The original 1838 Rendezvous site is very close to where I live, every July they hold a Rendezvous at the site. I don't actively participate, just visit.

I do own a very high quality custom built 58cal Hawken flint lock, my goal is to kill an elk with it one of these days. I have also trapped alot of Beavers on the Wind River which gives you a so real feeling of trapping in the footsteps of mountain men.