Ethan Yazel is the Bob Ross of Muzzleloading

    

    Ethan Yazel is the Bob Ross of Muzzleloading? Simply put, he's about the nicest, most welcoming guy in the hobby. He accepts you wherever you are on the journey and he seeks to help you be the best version of that you can possibly be. Whether he's giving you muzzleloading tips or making a video about how to up your game if you want to attend slightly more juried events he's just there, ready and willing to help. 

    And then there's me....if Ethan is Bob Ross, then I'm, well, I don't know, but there was a moment that brought to my attention that the tone of this blog can be a little...well, lets just say I don't hold back maybe when I should. I was sitting across the fire from a gentlemen I had never met. The fire was low so he and I couldn't quite make each others face's out. Once the fire was stoked up he says "OH, it's you! I'm glad I didn't wear my walnut dyed shirt this weekend." At first I thought I had offended this fellow, but he assured me that he didn't take it that way. That rather than thinking me a big jerk, he thought of me as just very serious in my approach. Nevertheless, it made me a little sheepish. So I wanted to go on record and clear up a few things. 

    I do a very specific type of reenacting, with a very specific focus. Some call it "progressive". What that means in simple terms is high attention to detail and documentation. I spend time with others of like mind and so the focus of this blog is on how to do this type of reenacting. How to get your kit to a level that brings you into that fold and gets you invited to such events. There are ALL kinds of sub hobbies and levels within the broader hobby of muzzleloading and reenacting. I strive for a kit that I could defend in a court of law. By that I mean, everything is backed up by documentation in triplicate from a variety of sources and not just vague "well this works" or "well they'd have probably had this or done this". It's just what I like. It's the thing that brings me the most joy when I really feel like I have nailed the look, the gear etc. So, if you feel targeted or called out by anything I post, please know that it isn't personal, that there are MANY other options to enjoy history and the woods and shooting and all and that this blog is focused on a very specific part of the broader hobby. 

Rob Parks being stoic

     This past weekend was a weekend dedicated to opening the door, encouraging those on the path and above all enjoying some time around the fire, in the woods and on the range. Ethan hosted a very fun, accessible and friendly event with plenty of time for conversation. I am very happy that I got to go and be a part of it. 

    I shot in the woodswalk, hit the small targets, missed the big ones. No idea. I guess I only took half of  Mels advice. I aimed small but I missed big. Then at about the 14th target, I got a ball stuck about 6 inches down. It would NOT go. They tried everything and finally a heavy metal rod managed to push it down after the air could not. Never had that happen before with an unpatched ball. Overall I only managed to hit 3 targets. That woods walk is no joke. You better have a gun you've really sighted in cause it's a bear. 

Our fearless leader laying out the blanket prizes 

    I brought the shop and managed to do a little business while I was there. Was happy to be able to provide some last minute items for people in need of a good fire steel or a kettle. 

      
I was really happy to have recently found some good cured bacon at a local grocery store and so I tested that out for the first time and it was really good. Just wrapped it up in a beeswax linen and it kept really well. 

  One of the things I really enjoyed about this weekend was the reverence and respect that was so evident from Ethan and others for the work of the forbearers. There were so many mentions of old articles from Muzzleloader featuring the exploits of Mark Baker, old historical trekking articles from On the Trail, reminiscing about events long gone. Ethan really has a passion for keeping that sort of thing alive and well and I'm really hoping we can get him out to one of our immersion events. I can't help get nostalgic for that stuff as it was the era I grew up in and cut my teeth on. 

    Just a few things in closing this post. I'm working on some new articles. Eileen has more coming down the line for The Petticoat Mess, and the Shirttail Mess is hosting another Immersion event in the spring so stay tuned for registration and details on that.