Muzzle Blasts

We're under lockdown in Indiana due to COVID19, please see NMLRA.org/covid19 for updates on how this affects the NMLRA. (4/2020) 

This week we’re talking with James Fulmer. James is a staff writer for Muzzle Blasts, a past president of the NMLRA, and an avid muzzleloading hunter. We sit down with him to talk about turkey hunting and muzzle loading shotguns. We’ve got some technical tips in this week’s episode, but James also shares some great hunting stories you won’t want to miss.

James writes in Muzzle Blasts Magazine each month, subscribe today to read more of James’ stores and travel tales from the world of muzzle loading. 

Find out more about the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association at our website - NMLRA.org

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Muzzle Blasts Podcast

A special thanks this week to the guys at Primitive Pursuit for sponsoring the podcast! Primitive Pursuit was founded in 2017 to be an outlet for learning experiences as a traditional bowhunter.

We couldn't have this conversation, the podcast or anything here at the NMLRA without the support of our members. Everything we do is made possible because of their generosity. Thank you.

Find out more about being a Member

We're under lockdown in Indiana due to COVID19, please see NMLRA.org/covid19 for updates on how this affects the NMLRA. (3/2020)

This week we are talking to author and historian John U Rees about his new book on African Americans serving in the Continental Army, but that's not all, we head down several interesting rabbit holes on period footwear, recreating Continental Marches and much much more.

A native of Bucks County, born in the year of the Hungarian uprising, and currently living in Solebury,  Pa., John Rees has written over 150 articles and monographs since 1986  on various aspects of the common soldiers' experience. He focuses primarily on the War for Independence and American soldiers’ foodways.

In autumn 2019, John published his first book, "They Were Good Soldiers’: African–Americans Serving in the Continental Army, 1775-1783 (From Reason to Revolution)". The role of African-Americans, most free but some enslaved, in the regiments of the Continental Army, is not well-known; neither is the fact that relatively large numbers served in southern regiments and that the greatest number served alongside their white comrades in integrated units. 

A self self-proclaimed obsessive researcher, many of John's articles are published online and accessible for free, if you are interested in hearing more from John, please check out the links to his work in the show notes below. 

Listen to this episode on youtube

Shop Johns Book on Amazon

John's Blog - Full of updates from John's Book.

A Full List of John's free to read articles 

John's Scrid page - More free articles to read

The latest from John's Blog

John U Rees on Instagram - @Quixot1777

Fort Ticonderoga.org

Brigade of the American Revolution

100 Best American Revolution Books of all time

Find out more about the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association at our website - NMLRA.org

Muzzle Blasts on Instagram 

NMLRA on Facebook

NMLRA on Youtube

Muzzle Blasts Podcast

A special thanks this week to the guys at Primitive Pursuit for sponsoring the podcast! Primitive Pursuit was founded in 2017 to be an outlet for learning experiences as a traditional bowhunter.

We couldn't have this conversation, the podcast or anything here at the NMLRA without the support of our members. Everything we do is made possible because of their generosity. Thank you.

Find out more about being a Member

We're under lockdown in Indiana due to COVID19, please see NMLRA.org/covid19 for updates on how this affects the NMLRA. (3/2020)

Today we're talking with Nate Bailey of BarebowHunters.com. Nate is a traditional archer and lover of all things traditional. His family was among some of the first pioneers to make the trip west, setting up a shop to service wagons and tools for those that would later come on the Oregon Trail. 

Nate started Barebow Hunters, Nate wanted to encourage and support traditional archers. Barebow Hunters strives to return to the roots of bowhunting by learning, sharing and living traditional bowhunting. 

Seeking more time in the woods hunting anything he can and wanting to extend his reach, Nate recently completed a Traditions Hawken kit. We talk with him about that process and more in this weeks episode of the Muzzle Blasts Podcast. 

Follow Nate on Instagram

Subscribe to Nate's  Youtube Channel

Watch Nate's Traditions Kit Build video series

Find out more about the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association at our website - NMLRA.org

Muzzle Blasts on Instagram 

NMLRA on Facebook

NMLRA on Youtube

Muzzle Blasts Podcast

A special thanks this week to the guys at Primitive Pursuit for sponsoring the podcast! Primitive Pursuit was founded in 2017 to be an outlet for learning experiences as a traditional bowhunter.

We couldn't have this conversation, the podcast or anything here at the NMLRA without the support of our members. Everything we do is made possible because of their generosity. Thank you.

Find out more about being a Member

This week's episode comes straight from our time at the 2020 Horn Fair with the Honourable Company of Horners. Listen as Carl Dumke, Master Horner, gives a wonderful presentation on the European Powder Flask. This hour long presentation is packed with information and history on an often overlooked subject. 

Carl Dumke is a self-taught artist, woodworker, sign maker, and hornsmith with the Honorable Company of Horners (HCH) guild. Over the past fifteen years, he has studied artwork extensively across the United  States and Europe.

Traveling throughout Western Europe he gained an appreciation for Renaissance and Gothic art, which is mirrored extensively in his early work. Upon returning to the United States, he studied arts of the trades at Colonial Williamsburg and began concentrating on styles associated with early American history.

He opened Grinning Fox Studios in 2006 and, fascinated with fledgling art in America, began to focus on 18th- and 19th-Century  tavern and trade signs. In 2008, he became a member of the HCH and started studying hornsmithing and scrimshanding (scrimshaw), advancing to Master in 2014.

Dumke’s work has been featured in various publications and has won numerous awards throughout the United States and Europe. His wares have been featured in the Abby Aldrich Folk Art Museum at Colonial  Williamsburg and in historic homes in Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Valley Forge.

Watch the video of this presentation

Read Carl's "Master Horner" profile from the Honourable Company of Horners here

Grinning Fox Studios 

The Honourable Company of Horners

Join the Horn Guild

Watch our videos from the 2020 Horn Fair

Find out more about the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association at our website - NMLRA.org

Muzzle Blasts on Instagram 

NMLRA on Facebook

NMLRA on Youtube

Muzzle Blasts Podcast

A special thanks this week to the guys at Primitive Pursuit for sponsoring the podcast! Primitive Pursuit was founded in 2017 to be an outlet for learning experiences as a traditional bowhunter.

We couldn't have this conversation, the podcast or anything here at the NMLRA without the support of our members. Everything we do is made possible because of their generosity. Thank you.

Find out more about being a Member

Get 10% at the NMLRA store using the code "Podcast10"

This week's episode is brought to you by Muzzle Loader Magazine. Since 1974, MUZZLELOADER has been the leading magazine devoted to  traditional black powder hunting and shooting. Each issue is jam-packed with articles on hunting, shooting, gunsmithing, do-it-yourself projects, living history,  American history, book and product reviews, and much more!

We're talking with Daniel Howell this week. Daniel has been involved in rendezvous out west for many years now, but in adult life has transitioned into studying and living by "primitive skills". A woodworker by trade, Daniel has continued to travel back in time, so to speak, re-learning what our forefathers and mothers lived by. 

Daniel is from the western US, so we get into some of the history and differences between what he studies, versus what someone like me from east of the Mississippi river studies. We talk about the skills and craft behind muzzleloading, as well as its history in the United States and how muzzleloaders went hand in hand with skills like foraging, woodworking, blacksmithing and more. 

Links to topics discussed

Folk Craft Revival 

Daniel on Instagram

The Folk Craft Revival Podcast

Daniel's Suggested Resources for any newcomer

Find out more about the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association at our website - NMLRA.org

Muzzle Blasts on Instagram 

NMLRA on Facebook

NMLRA on Youtube

Muzzle Blasts Podcast

A special thanks this week to the guys at Primitive Pursuit for sponsoring the podcast! Primitive Pursuit was founded in 2017 to be an outlet for learning experiences as a traditional bowhunter.

We couldn't have this conversation, the podcast or anything here at the NMLRA without the support of our members. Everything we do is made possible because of their generosity. Thank you.

Find out more about being a Member

Get 10% at the NMLRA store using the code "Podcast10"

This week's episode is brought to you by Dixie Gun Works. Dixie Gun Works and their annual catalog have been a staple for black powder enthusiasts for generations. Find out more at Dixiegunworks.com

We stopped by the Samson Historical booth at the Conner Longrifle Trade Fair and Antique Arms Show to sit down and chat with Abbie and Casey Samson about how their business has changed over the past 10 years and what they are seeing in the living history communities. Samson historical is a division of Samson Family Leather, having originally started in the 1970s, we're now in the 3rd generation of Samsons helping supply living historians and reenactors with accurate clothing, gear, and accouterments. 

Links to topics discussed

Samson Family Leather LLC

Samson Historical 

Reliving History Magazine

Samson Historical Updates and Discussions

Colonial Market Days

Koh-Koh-Mah and Foster

Mississinewa 1812

The Feast of the Hunter's Moon

The Kalamazoo Living History Show

Townsend's

Eagle Talon Traders

We'd like to thank Abbie and Casey for coming on the show, it's been great to follow their efforts to keep living history alive and well. 

Find out more about the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association at our website - NMLRA.org

Muzzle Blasts on Instagram 

NMLRA on Facebook

NMLRA on Youtube

Muzzle Blasts Podcast

A special thanks this week to the guys at Primitive Pursuit for sponsoring the podcast! Primitive Pursuit was founded in 2017 to be an outlet for learning experiences as a traditional bowhunter.

We couldn't have this conversation, the podcast or anything here at the NMLRA without the support of our members. Everything we do is made possible because of their generosity. Thank you.

Find out more about being a Member

Get 10% at the NMLRA store using the code "Podcast10" 

This week's episode is brought to you by Dixie Gun Works. Dixie Gun Works and their annual catalog have been a staple for black powder enthusiasts for generations. Find out more at Dixiegunworks.com

Today we’re talking with Eric Ewing about his traditional leatherwork and how he got into the traditional craft, hunting and more. He's always been interested in history, in part thanks to his Mother and family love of classic movies. Eric Graduated from the Manhatten School of Fine Arts in 2002 and wasn't sure where to take his skills. he painted off and on for many years, but nothing really stuck. In 2013 he created his first bag, a copy of "The Virginia Bag" as featured by Wallace Gustler. As of 2020, he's made 200 bags. 

It was great to hear about his work, but also everything he's trying to do to encourage young makers to improve their work and get out in front of people. He organizes critiques and helps introduce new artisans to older ones they might be intimidated to approach. Eric's work varies from piece to piece. One may be a lovely gentleman's pouch, and the next a rough cut homespun bag with a coonskin flap. Last year he was the subject of a Contemporary Maker Portrait on the Contemporary Makers Blog by Art and Jan Riser.

Follow Eric on instagram for updates on his work, hunting trips and more  @forest_and_fowl

We’d like to thank the CLA Show as well as Art and Jen Riser for their work to promote traditional craftspeople through the Contemporary Makers Blog. 

Find out more about the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association at our website - NMLRA.org

Muzzle Blasts on Instagram 

NMLRA on Facebook

NMLRA on Youtube

Muzzle Blasts Podcast

A special thanks this week to the guys at Primitive Pursuit for sponsoring the podcast! Primitive Pursuit was founded in 2017 to  be an outlet for learning experiences as a traditional bowhunter.  The  truth is, someday’s it will throw you to the wolves.  However, when the  gap is closed and you’re finally able to take your shot, it’s all worth  it.  Everything comes together.  Though we’re relatively new to the  game, we feel it is our duty to help those that may go through similar  successes and failures.   We truly believe traditional bowhunter’s are  among the best hunters in the world.

We couldn't have this conversation, the podcast or anything here at  the NMLRA without the support of our members. Everything we do is made  possible because of their generosity. Thank you.

Find out more about being a Member

Get 10% at the NMLRA store using the code "Podcast10"

This week's episode is brought to you by Dixie Gun Works. Dixie Gun Works and their annual catalog have been a staple for black powder enthusiasts for generations. Find out more at Dixiegunworks.com

We're joined by Mike Beliveau to chat a bit about muzzleloading history, media and his own work in the field. Mike has been writing for Muzzleloader and Gun Digest Magazines for several years now, but you probably know him from his youtube channel "Duelist 1954". Mike was skeptical of making videos, but ever since his start in 2011-2012, it's become the thing he's most known for. 

It was great to have Mike on, he talks not only about his own work, but his personal history in shooting sports, from tv shows as a kid to his first gun, competitive shooting, trekking and more. Mike has done it all over the years and I really enjoyed hearing about it, I think you will too. 

Links to topics discussed- 

Duelist 1954 Youtube Channel 

Mike's York County Rifle Build Series

Duelist's Den Facebook Page 

Mike's work at Real World Survival

Mike's work at Tactical-Life

Muzzleloader Magazine articles featuring Mike's work

We'd like to thank Mike for coming on the show, please check out his work, subscribe to his youtube page and like his Facebook to show him some support. 

Find out more about the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association at our website - NMLRA.org

Muzzle Blasts on Instagram 

NMLRA on Facebook

NMLRA on Youtube

Muzzle Blasts Podcast

A special thanks this week to the guys at Primitive Pursuit for sponsoring the podcast! Primitive Pursuit was founded in 2017 to be an outlet for learning experiences as a traditional bowhunter. 

We couldn't have this conversation, the podcast or anything here at the NMLRA without the support of our members. Everything we do is made possible because of their generosity. Thank you.

Find out more about being a Member

Get 10% at the NMLRA store using the code "Podcast10"

This week's episode is brought to you by Burr Oak Knives from Mark Nevling,  

Today we're talking to NMLRA Board of Directors Member and former NMLRA Secretary Colton Fleetwood. We saw Colton testify last week at the Indiana State Senate committee about Senate Bill 9, concerning liability insurance and gun ranges. It's not all serious in this episode, we also hear about what it's like being a young competitive shooter using muzzleloaders over modern firearms. 

The NMLRA has been involved with black powder safety for clubs, facilities, and events nationwide for many years now. We hope Senate Bill 9 to be the next step in standard-setting legislation to make it easier for Americans to train safely with their firearms. 

Senate Bill 9 Synopsis: Target shooting. Provides that a person who goes to a shooting range that: (1) is certified b ya nationally recognized shooting organization; and (2) posts and maintains signage concerning liability; for the purpose of target shooting does not have an assurance that the premises are safe for that purpose.

Read about Indiana Senate Bill 9 

Find out more about the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association at our website - NMLRA.org

Muzzle Blasts on Instagram NMLRA on Facebook

NMLRA on Youtube

Muzzle Blasts Podcast

A special thanks this week to the guys at Primitive Pursuit for sponsoring the podcast! Primitive Pursuit was founded in 2017 to be an outlet for learning experiences as a traditional bowhunter.  The truth is, someday’s it will throw you to the wolves.  However, when the gap is closed and you’re finally able to take your shot, it’s all worth it.  Everything comes together.  Though we’re relatively new to the game, we feel it is our duty to help those that may go through similar successes and failures.   We truly believe traditional bowhunter’s are among the best hunters in the world.

We couldn't have this conversation, the podcast or anything here at the NMLRA without the support of our members. Everything we do is made possible because of their generosity. Thank you.

Find out more about being a Member

You asked and we made it happen, this week we're talking to Mark Humphries of the Black Powder Maniac Shooter Youtube Channel! Mark started his youtube channel in 2016 after helping his daughter make a video for a class project and he's not looked back. In this episode, Mark tells us about his personal history with muzzleloading, his New Year's Day shoot and what it's like to make videos on youtube. 

Mark's 2020 New Year's Day Shoot Video

Mark's 2019 New Year's Day Shoot Video

Mark's NMLRA Video Playlist

Like Mark's Frock? Get yours from Timberline Traders today - Contact Bob and Sherry at 941-276-0215; or email [email protected]

Abe's General Store

We'd like to thank Mark for his support of the NMLRA. Mark's videos have shared not only the NMLRA with thousands of new members, but have also done a great job at spreading safety principles to new muzzleloading marksmen all over the world. 

Find out more about the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association at our website - NMLRA.org

Muzzle Blasts on Instagram

NMLRA on Youtube

Muzzle Blasts Podcast

A special thanks this week to the guys at Primitive Pursuit for sponsoring the podcast! Primitive Pursuit was founded in 2017 to be an outlet for learning experiences as a traditional bowhunter.  The truth is, someday’s it will throw you to the wolves.  However, when the gap is closed and you’re finally able to take your shot, it’s all worth it.  Everything comes together.  Though we’re relatively new to the game, we feel it is our  duty to help those that may go through similar successes and failures.   We truly believe traditional bowhunter’s are among the best hunters in the world.

We couldn't have this conversation, the podcast or anything here at the NMLRA without the support of our members. Everything we do is made possible because of their generosity. Thank you.

Find out more about being a Member