SUMMIT STATION - Jim Fulmer has been around the world promoting muzzleloader shooting and hunting, as well as the living history depicting the pre-1840 lifestyle of Americans from New England and the Southern Colonies to the Rocky Mountains.
A past president of the Indiana-based National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association and current vice president, Fulmer has rubbed shoulders with the likes of European heads of state to United Nations delegates, furthering the cause of these antique firearms. Still, the Hamburg resident believes the future of these unique one-shot firearms for hunting and shooting depends on the recruitment of new shooters.
Doing its part in the recruitment aspect of the equation is the Blue Ridge Rifles Muzzleloader Club, a self-supporting organization founded in 1976 located off Route 183 south of Summit Station along Coon Club Road. A member of the NMLRA and the Pennsylvania Federation of Black Powder Shooters, the 22-acre club is the site of the Eastern Pennsylvania Rendezvous and Muzzleloader Shoot, scheduled this year Thursday-Monday, May 22-26.
With 22 acres comprised of both wooded areas and open fields, there is plenty of space for both primitive and modern camping and other activities, including a Saturday night bonfire, trade sessions and games for children and adults. Highlighting the event is three days of competitive shooting Friday-Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., each day for all types of pre-1840 type rifles, smoothbores and pistols.
Most of the matches are five shots at 25 yards, including the smoothbore match sponsored by Cabela's Hamburg store and the women's match sponsored by Bass Pro Shops Harrisburg store.
While celebrating the past as a non-profit, educational organization by promoting our nation's history, BRR has an eye on the future of the sport. Through grants from the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association and the Schuylkill County Sportsmen's Association, it will hold a juniors match for those 16 and younger without changing registration and target fees.
"Some kids are a little shy and may be hesitant at first, but once they shoot a muzzleloader, most can't get enough," Fulmer said. "From my personal experience, people just don't give kids enough credit for being anxious to learn about these rifles that they've seen in movies and television programs.
"Like any shooter new to the sport, it's important to supervise them when loading and handling muzzleloaders, but most like the idea that they're building the 'bullet,' so to speak. They feel a real sense of accomplishment after measuring out a powder charge, seating a patched-roundball load and having the rifle go off and hit the target."
For youngsters who have never shot a muzzleloader, BRR has rifles and the necessary shooting supplies available for use. A range officer is available to act as a coach for youngsters not accompanied by an experienced adult shooter.
As there is no charge for the five-shot, 25-yard match, which has unlimited re-entry, there is no reason to shoot a "practice" target. At last year's Memorial Day shoot, a junior who was a first-timer scored high enough on their first target to place third among the three prize winners.
"Having the grants from the writers and the sportsmen's association has resulted in - as we hoped - more juniors taking advantage not having to pay to enter the match and buy targets," club president Gerard "Fig" Newton of Pottsville said. "As a result of kids coming down to shoot for the first time, some of their parents who have never shot a muzzleloader have had the opportunity.
"If someone doesn't own a muzzleloader and wants to see what they are all about, they can borrow a rifle and shoot a free target at the beginner's bench with the help of a range officer. This has created a lot of interest and developed some new shooters, so this year over the Memorial Day shoot we've come up with what we're calling the 'Greenhorn' match.
"This will be a 25-yard, five-shot match with unlimited re-entry. To enter the match, however, the one requirement is that it's exclusively for competitors who have never won a shoot prize at one of our events."
Novice shooters will find that because muzzleloader shooting is a laid-back sport, it easy to make friends and get help. Every shooter on the firing line can relate to the day they were full of doubt and anxiety, and most are more than willing to share what they have learned and get a junior or "greenhorn" started in a safe direction.
For more information on the Eastern Pennsylvania Rendezvous and Muzzleloader Shoot at Blue Ridge Rifles Muzzleloader Club, access the Facebook page at Blue Ridge Rifles, Inc., Muzzleloader Club or contact Nancy Newton at (570) 429-1188 (days) or 570-628-0576 (evenings).