Anyone been out?

[Adam Helmer]

skeet,

You are right, the Mountain Men would have used Polaris Rangers and inlines, IF they had been available. In the era 1820-1840, Rangers were not available so they walked , rode horses,or paddled a canoe while carrying flintlocks and percussion arms.

Some folks like to experience "a similiarity of conditions" by dressing in Hudson Bay coats, carrying flintlocks or percussion sidelocks and make their campfire by using flint & steel (wood matches were invented in 1828). Many folks are reenactors and have brief hunting seasons to live by the old ways. I believe it is fair to have a flintlock-only deer season for 3 weeks. Our PA archers have six weeks in the fall and three weeks after Christmas for archery, concurrent with flintlocks.

Firearms are constantly improving, but that is not what I choose to use after Christmas in the big woods. I "tune" my flinters and enjoy our special season.

Merry Christmas.

Adam