MICHIGAN STATE MUZZLELOADING ASSOCIATION

NEWS LETTERJULY/AUGUST 2011

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

The 2011 Michigan Rifle and Pistol state shoot is in the books. It was a great shoot with 71 entrants enjoying a beautiful week to compete. Congrats to Matt Crum, winner of the Michigan Agg. Matt recieved a handsome custom built knife as the first place trophy made by Bob Elka. The full list of winners will be available on the MSMLA website shortly. This years and past years are on the website so please check it out. Thank you Eric for all your work on the website and at the shoot printing scores. Your work makes it so much simpler for many others. This year we honored Guy R. Smith with induction into the Roy Keeler Society for a lifetime of support to the sport of muzzle loading. This was a well deserved award as all of the Keeler winners have been. We have many other people in this state worthy of this award so if you know of someone please send their name and resume to Bob Elka. I would like to thank the Grand Valley Cap and Ballers club and their working staff for all of their work. The club grounds, ranges and club house were fantastic. The kitchen crew fed us very well and claim they can somehow improve next year. Thanks again, the food and service were fantastic. The ranges were very nice and we are looking forward to shooting there for the next two years. At the annual summer meeting we elected some new officers. I would like to welcome as president, Randy MacInnes. As vice president, Jim Brotherton. As treasurer, Marti Maddox. Returning as secretary, Jenny Sanders. The three board directors elected to a three year term are, Russ Anderson, Ron Smith, and Lyle McGregor. Thank you to these people and to the others who ran. This organization is run by volunteers and we all can take a turn to help. The same thank you goes out to all the people who took turns as line officers and in registration. If just a few more shooters step up and take a turn everyone could be down to one turn. I want to give a special thank you to Ron Smith for work above the call of duty. Ron kept everything ready on the ranges and ran all over the club to be

of help when ever and where ever he could. Thank you Ron and congrats on winning the cross stick agg for a forth time in a row. All that work and great shooting also. A reminder that the Michigan State Shotgun shoot is coming up August 19 - 21 at the Gun River Club. The shooting is a lot of fun and as at every shoot, a little extra help is always welcome. I have been there the last 2 years and had a ball. Plus as a reminder, several shotgun shooters came to help us with the rifle and pistol shoot and never competed. We as rifle and pistol shooters should honor them by helping out so they can compete as well. A thank you to our raffle prize makers, Len Graves for the rifle, Janet Tessman for the shooting bag, Rick Lorenzen for the powder horn, and Lyle McGregor for the knife. This made a great package that we sold approx 3500 tickets on. We wish to congratulate the winner, Mr. Bob Anderson on his prize. I know he will enjoy and use all the items in this package. This is my final presidents’ letter so thank you for reading my ramblings and for all of your support over the last 2 years. See you at the range soon.

lyle and diane

THE VICE PRESIDENTS REPPORT

Hot-humid-but no wind describes the State Shoot. Congrats to all the winners and to those who shot 50's. Marty Maddox shot her first 50, good for you Marty!! Our guest Dick Thorn from Ind. shot two 50's and Matt Crum also shot two 50's Lots of high scores due to the good conditions. The shoot is now just a memory. We have a new Vice President, Jim Brotherton and Randy MacInnes is once again the President. Marty is our treasurer and also in charge of registration. Lyle and I were elected to the Board Of Directors and a new face on the board is Russ Anderson.Joe Valentin. and Wayne Lamson worked with the kids and we all owe these two a huge thanks. The rifles etc. were furnished and some very long days. Thank you Joe and Wayne!!! Hopefully the juniors will put this experience to the test as I did, 5 years ago I was a junior (ha) but I sat in on Wayne's class and wish I could remember everything that he told us how to shoot x-sticks. However I remember just enough to be the winner of the x-stick aggregate four years in a row, Thank you Wayne

This week it’s off to Pennsylvania for a territorial shoot, then Ohio, Ill., Mo. and then probably the last one in Kansas. Hope I can continue winning the x-stick aggs. The VP, articles will now be written by Jim Brotherton, so I will be saying farewell. Keep Looking UpRon Smith

MSMLA STATE NEWS LETTER

At the summer meeting the association voted to have the state news letter as a free publication to all members and prospective members. Doing it this way will keep everyone in the state informed on what is going on with your association and to help promote other events from the local clubs in the state of Michigan.

So feel free to send a copy on to a friend or if they would like to have me send them one have them e-mail me and let me know at rbfern@triton.net.

Those of you that want a hard copy will cost $10.00 per year. This just takes care of the postage and the cost of printing.

THE GRAND VALLEY REPORT

The Grand Valley Cap n Ballers would like to say thank you to all of the competitors who attend the State Shoot last week at our Club. Our members worked very hard to prepare the ranges and campgrounds for this event. I think we did a great job. I hope you agree. The weather could not have been better. Sunny skies during the day and cool nights were just right for shooting and camping. Perhaps that's why attendance was up a little this year. As always there were a few minor glitches, but I’m sure they can be corrected before next years’ event. We are looking forward to 2012 and working again with those dedicated people of the State Association who setup and conducted this years’ event. If you were unable to be here this year, please plan ahead to so you can join us next year.

Jeff Terrell President GVCB

BROKEN LOCK

Greetings: This is just a gentle reminder that Broken Lock Muzzle Loaders have changed the DATE of our fall shoot. Not in October anymore (the dates are printed on the state schedule) It will be held on 23 - 24 - 25 of September. Hopefully the weather will be better. This year we are having Holland's Hog and Catering do our cooking. If you have been to Howard City's shoot you know what a great job they do. We are looking forward to seeing everyone then or sooner to our three CHUNK GUN Shoots June 4th. July 23rd. ( WOODSWALK on the 24th.) and the State Championship on Aug.20 & 21st . Take care and enjoy the summer. Eric D. Lau

OVER THE LOG

Greetings fellow black powder shooters. I hope you are having a good summer and getting in some shooting fun? There has been two Over the Log matches so far this year .Dennis Priddy and the members at Grand Valley Cap and Ballers had their first match .Although it was a small turn out I think Dennis and the other members have the ability to make it grow into a good shoot. Broken Lock was the second host this year and the turn out was less than we anticipated everyone had a good time .There were some real good targets shot at both matches a .008 measurement at the first shoot and John Konkol, from Bay City, had a .006 & .007 measurement at Broken Lock. The next LOG SHOOT will be at Broken Lock on the 23 rd. of July and on the 24 Th. a WOODS Walk. So come out and get your feet wet .You don't have to have a dedicated chunk gun to make a good showing just ask Dennis when he shot at his range. He just finished an off hand rifle the day before and shot a few rounds to adjust the sights and the next day came out and had a very good string measure. If you are looking for a good chunk gun Jim Kelly, from St Louis Mi., has a Don Ward made chunk gun for sale. His contact number is 989 - 681 - 5698 or jckelly@chartermi.net I believe he wants $450.00 for it. Thanks for your time and hope to see you on the firing line. Eric D. Lau

I am pleased that at 81 + years, I can still do it!!!

Hope to see you this summer, some where, some time!!

Illah Pratt

TIMING IS ALMOST EVERYTHING by Serge Bourdeaux I parked the truck about 5:15a.m. And got my hunting gear and trade gun together for the short walk into my blind. By 5:30 I'm settling down in my chair after setting 3 decoys onto their stakes about 20yds. Out to my left side of the blind. Early light is coming on now by 5:45. Near 6 or so I can actually see him in a tree about 100yds. To the East- I use the binos to confirm it's him by the long beard hanging from his breast. Around 6:15 he finally gobbles once and I respond with my push pin box call with three hen yelps. I can't see or hear any hens yet, while on my previous scouting trips here, they were quite vocal just before fly down. Anyway, toward 6:25, down he comes on a glide and wings flapping as he brakes for a landing not forty yards from me. WOW! Is this for real? Am I dreaming or what! So this old gobbler is very cautious now- he sees the decoys to my left and he is a little to my right, and being I'm a lefty the barrel is almost pointing toward him. As he makes his way slowly toward the decoys I ever so slowly move the barrel over to the next window of the blind and a open area of the woods. Now it looks like

he's about 25 yards out and he's past some trees and into open view. My flint 20 gauge trade gun primed with 7F powder did its job on my largest gobbler ever- about 24lbs, 1 1/4" spurs, and a beard 11 1/4" long. Now it's only 6:30 and I'm walking up to my gobbler after about one hour in the woods on opening day May 3, 2010. A big THANKYOU goes to Gary Noblit from Jonesville for letting me use his trade gun at the Hillsdale Rifle Club shoot in September 2008 in the trade gun match which kindled some very serious interest in getting my own. After that shoot I had accumulated a few parts for a future trade gun, when I happened to stop at Spring Brook Trading Post in February 2010 and owner Bill Hammond had a new left handed 20 gauge flint trade gun hanging on his shelf built by Don Ward. Well now, the timing couldn't be better since I had a unused raffle rifle and I was ready for a smoothbore. And with help from Norm Blaker and John Sawdy for the finer points of putting together a load of shot, and Paul Griffith for tweaking my lock, barrel, and front site, I was setup for a turkey challenge.

CHICK-OWA MUZZLE LOADER TRAP SHOOT

It was a beautiful Saturday to have a shoot. It was questionable in the morning but we listened to the weather man and for once he was right.

The Novice match was won by Ed Henson with his flinter hitting 8 birds out of 10. Second place went to Cody Brewer and third place went to Colin Brewer.

The highlight of the event was two perfect scores on the 10 yard line. Well when it came to shoot offs it was between Dennis Sitzer and Bonnie Fernwalt. They ended up 35 yards behind the trap house and Bonnie broke her bird putting her in 1st place.

Then to make things worse, she had tied with her husband on a match and they ended up 35 yards behind the trap house and she ended up beating him. I bet that was a long ride home!

Chic-Owa put on a nice shoot and fun was had by all, thanks to Mike Macinnes and his wife Aren for the wonderful meal. Those that didn’t make it sure missed out on a lot of fun.

THE BRIDGEPORT FUN RENDEZVOUS

Our second annual rendezvous was a great success. We doubled the size of the event this year. We went from 11 camps to 20 primitive camps this year and went from 28 attendees to 60. The 2 days of novelty shooting was a great hit with people competing in flint, percussion, trade and pistol. This year we had 20 people venture out on the 20 target 3-d course and 24 on the knife and hawk walk. The boy scouts served breakfast both Saturday and Sunday for the campers. They made an fine meal and no dish chores for me. The bake sale had lots of yummy things and some came back for the pot luck from those who were too busy competing to cook in the afternoon. We had a great selection of wonderful food at the pot luck and it was definitely and meal not to be missed. After the meal we had ice cream that was provided by one of our hard working club members. We also had ice cream at the awards ceremony. We hope you can find time to join us next year for a fun weekend of shooting and camping.. Primitive camping and dress are encouraged but not required. We only require that you have a good time.

lyle and diane

2103 – 101ST AvenueOtsego, Mi. 49078

269-694-4749 cell 269-370-0919

GOEX, SCHUETZEN & SWISS BLACK POWDERPERCUSSION CAPS, FLINT

LOSS OF A LOVED ONE

Chuck Thornton’s wife Sheri passed away Monday June 20th. They plan a small family service on Wednesday. Chuck is a member of the Pine River Long riflemen and the Midland Sportsmen’s Club. Chuck Thornton's address is 3601 E. Letts Rd, Midland, MI

UPCOMING EVENTS

JULY 24BROKEN LOCK WOODS WALK ALMAJULY 23OVER THE LOG SHOOT BROKEN LOCK – ALMAJULY 23 – 24 LADIES RIFLE FROLIC GRAND VALLEY CAP N BALLERSJULY 30 BLANKET PRIZE WOODS WALK POWDER HORN COUNTY MUZZLELOADING GUN CLUB

AUG 4 – 7 FRONTIER SHOOT 50th GRAND VALLEY CAP n BALLERS™ AUG 14 WOODSWALK DETROIT SPORTSMEN CONGRESSAUG 12 – 14 Columbiaville Primitive Rendezvous COLUMBIAVILLE SPORTSMAN CLUBAUG 13 BLANKET SHOOT WHITE RIVER MUZZLELOADERS

AUG 19 – 21 MICHIGAN STATE SHOTGUN CHAMPIONSHIPS GUN RIVER SKEET &

TRAPAUG 19 – 21 GREAT LAKES HISTORICAL/EDUCATION RENDEVOUS FREELANDAUG 20 – 21 OVER-THE-LOG STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BROKEN LOCK - ALMAAUG 21 CENTERFIRE PISTOL WOODS WALK DETROIT SPORTSMAN CONGRESSAUG 26 – 28 25TH ANNUAL RENDEVOUS BENZONIACOLUMBIAVILLE FALL LEAGUE AUG 4-SEP 8 ML RIFLE, PISTOL, TG, LT BENCH & BP CARTRIDGE

SEP 2 – 4 NMLRA SKEET TERRITORIAL GRAND VALLEY CAP N BALLERS™SEP 3 – 4 FALL SHOOT @SCOTIA RANGE LAINGSBURGSEP 10 – 18 N. M. L. R. A. NATIONAL MATCHES FRIENDSHIP, INDIANA

SEP 16 – 18 SEPTEMBER SHOOT HOWARD CITY

SEP 18 .22 RIFLE WOODS WALK DETROIT SPORTSMAN CONGRESS

SEP 23 – 24 WOODSWALK DETROIT SPORTSMEN CONGRESS

SEP 23 – 25 BROKEN LOCK SHOOT ALMA

GRAND VALLEY CAP ‘n’ BALLERS

CHUNK GUN SHOOT

SATURDAY AUGUST 27, 2011

$20 ENTRY FEE

9 AM

15 SHOT MATCH

UNLIMITED AND OFFHAND GUNS

Prizes – gun powder and components

A meal will be provided. Dish to pass optional.

Contact Dennis Priddy

517-852-0939 dennislpriddy@yahoo.com

FRONTIER SHOOT

GRAND VALLEY CAP N BALLERSMUZZLE LOADING GUN CLUB

AUGUST 4, 5, 6, 7, 2011

RIFLE, PISTOL, PRIMITIVE, SHOTGUN TRAP

COME TO THE SHOTGUN RANGE AND SHOOT AN ORIGINAL SHOTGUN RESTORED

BY GEORGE ROBERS AND YOUR NAME GOES IN THE HAT FOR A DRAWING OF THE GUN

AWARDS SATURDAY NIGHT ALONG WITH DOOR PRIZES.

TRADERS WILL BE ON SITE

TRADER BILL FROM SPRING BROOK TRADING POSTMIKE EAGER FROM COMPONENTS PLUS

OTHER TRADERS

EST 1990

Black Powder ShoppeOwner

whammond88@hotmail.comWilliam F. Hammond9024 E Spicerville Hwy.Eaton Rapids, Mi 48827 517-663-3115

MSMLA TRAP CHAMPIONSHIP

The MSMLA Trap Championship will be held at Gun River Skeet & Trap. They have plenty of trap fields and also an air conditioned club house with large windows facing the trap field. If you think it may be to hot, don’t give it a 2nd thought, come and join us as it will be cool inside.

Meals and refreshments will be available. Camping will be available in the area. Just give Dave a call at 269-694-9843 or if you want to travel about 20 minutes you may stay at the Grand Valley Shotgun Range. You can call Ron at 616-836-5760.

AUGUST 19, 20, 21, 2011FRIDAY 9 A.M. – 6 P. M.

SATURDAY 9 A.M. – 6 P. M.SUNDAY 9A. M. – 1 P.M.

GUN RIVER SKEET & TRAP620 11TH STREET

PLAINWELL, MI. 49080

Congratulation to Guy R Smith for being voted into the Keeler Society. Guy R well deserves this award. There will be a write up in the next issue. Sorry I didn’t have it for this issue.

WE NEED NEWS

Thank you to all that sent news in for your news letter. It is with your articles that make the news. Keep them coming.

Ron

MSMLA16808Peach RidgeKent City, Mi. 49330