Living historians run the spectrum from casual, once a year buckskinners to serious historians who do extensive research and who take time and pay attention to the smallest details of the persona they are portraying. To do it "right" requires time and attention to detail. As living historians we emulate the ways of our forebears. We recreate their gear and using it, and try to recreate the life of bygone days.

Mark Preston has a passion for horn work and scrimshaw. At Shinin' Times Powderhorns he creates one-of-a-kind contemporary engraved powderhorns that honor the old traditions yet acknowledge our times. Always striving for perfection in the execution of the architecture, as well as the art, it is his goal to produce for the re-enactor of exceptional taste, or the discriminating collector, an heirloom quality piece that will serve the his clients now and evoke their memory in generations to come.  Personally, I think his craftsmanship is beyond measure! To view more of my Hallo Bay Horn, click here.  To view more of Mark's impressive work (galleries): click here.   

-Clint Hlebechuk, CIM President

Big THANK YOU to Scott Lehman

* Flint Knapping: Clint will have some flints on hand

Alaska State Muzzle Loading Association calendar of events 2010/2011

have been added to our CIM calendar.

If you have an event that your club would like added,

(muzzleloading only)
please send us a smoke signal 
and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Introduction to Tomahawk Throwing
was held on October 2^nd

It was a fun time for all CIM members, families and friends to learn tomahawk throwing. Even with the cool rainy weather, which didn’t dampen the pioneer spirit of all those who attended, we had a great time sharing stories over hot coffee and cocoa during rain showers ~ and then resumed throwing knives and tomahawks whenever the rain let up. We would like to say thank you to Clint & Simyra for hosting the event.    

UPDATE:

Running Boar Range
and the
"Win a Trip to Alaska Sweepstakes"

by Keith Bayha

On September 12 last the three year fund raising campaign to finance the building of a running boar range at Friendship came to a close.  With the help of 352 participants we met out goal by raising $10,795.

The winning ticket was drawn at the membership meeting in the barn at Friendship before over 75 witnesses.  The winner is Jason Sprenger of Felton CA.  He is looking forward to planning and then taking his dream vacation to Alaska.  He received a $3000 check and will be planning to include the week of activity based out of Homer AK made possible by contributions of services [listed on the back cover of the July and August issues of MuzzleBlasts] recruited from local suppliers by NMLRA members,  Clint and Symira Hlebechuk, owners of Hallo Bay Bear Camp.

Work has already begun on preparing the site selected for the running boar range with brush clearing , earth moving work and grass seeding expected to be completed yet this fall.  The site is up-slope from the barn, between the primitive range and the woods walk.  If all goes as well, we expect to have it ready for use at the National Spring Shoot in 2011.

And since 55percent of the tickets were bought by people residing west of the Mississippi River, we plan to use any excess funds to assure that we continue to have the running boar matches at Ben Avery Range in Phoenix.

Here are some pictures taken at the Muzzeloader Gun Course at the Anchor Point shooting range on Saturday, August 28th (thank you Sara for the photos).

This all day class consisted of a shooting test and written test in order to be certified to hunt with a Muzzeloading gun.

In the Newspaper:
Muzzleloaders take aim: Certification class offers participants portal to the past
By Tony Cella | Peninsula Clarion  click here