I Love Muzzleloading Historic Trekking Weekend
Event Details
Last Updated 5/21/24
November 1-3, 2024
NMLRA Primitive Range
7436 S. Co. Rd. 575 E, S Friendship Rd, Friendship, IN 47021
Join Ethan from I Love Muzzleloading for a weekend of historic trekking, traditional muzzleloading, and more.
This is the first event like this I’ve hosted, please be patient. I will update and amend the event as needed. Suggestions are welcome.
(You are welcome to arrive at your leisure through the weekend, you do not need to attend the whole time, or only arrive on Friday.)
This event welcomes all skill and gear levels
Pre-1890 gear/clothing is encouraged but not required. If you only have a modern tent and equipment, please come! This will be a great learning opportunity for everyone.
I (Ethan) will be camped in my late 18th century clothing and equipment.
Weather can be fickle, feel free to bring a traditional craft project to share and or work on during the weekend.
Blanket trading is welcome
The event will be a relaxed trekking weekend, focused on education, camaraderie, and marksmanship. We will camp, shoot, hike, talk, eat, and most importantly, have a good time.
You will need to bring your own provisions including food and water. Potable water is available on-site, but many choose to bring their own. If you don’t have enough food, the Friendship Tavern will likely be open. The nearest town & gas station is a ~20-minute drive.
The ILM Historic Trekking Weekend will be held at the NMLRA Primitive Range. The Primitive Range is south of the main firing line/commercial row, across the creek, near the NMLRA Main office.
Depending on the number of attendees, we will make camp near the blockhouse, or 1/4 mile behind the blockhouse in the woods.
Modern restrooms/showers are available in the NMLRA Primitive Range, concealed in the hill as a “bunker”. There is a single portable toilet near the blockhouse, but please understand that it can be a considerable walk from our “behind the blockhouse” campsite.
Vehicles will not be permitted in the camp during this event apart from set up/tear down and emergencies.
Event Costs
$10 for NMLRA Members (Includes 3 paper target matches, paper matches will have re-entry)
$45 for non-NMLRA Members (Includes 1 year NMLRA Membership and 12 issues of digital MuzzleBlasts) (Also includes 3 paper target matches, paper matches will have re-entry)
NMLRA Membership allows us to use the 500+ Acres of property and host muzzleloader matches at the event
Event Timeline
Friday, November 1, 2024
7am-12pm Ethan will complete camp/range setup by placing signs directing you to the camp and key locations
12pm - ? Event registration; Attendees will need to register with Ethan. Attendees can make camp & explore on their own. Primitive Range will be open for plinking on silhouettes.
Saturday, November 2, 2024
8-12pm Event Registration; Attendees will need to register with Ethan. Primitive Range will be open for targeting shooting/plinking.
8-Dusk Woodswalk open
2pm Trek up the hill; Range will close. Depending on weather/group fitness level we will trek up the natural hill and hike back. Our goal will be to get to the top of the hill and survey the forest.
~7pm Range Open or we can chill at camp
Sunday, November 3, 2024
8am Morning Trek based on group interest, or we can do an open range time
1pm Awards; Meet at the Blockhouse
Marksmanship Matches
Due to the number of people interested, it is not safe for us to do a group squirrel hunt during the event. In leu of the group hunt, I will have 3 paper targets available that embody the spirit of a squirrel hunt. As well as metal silhouette targets and the NMLRA woodswalk. If there is interest, we can throw knives and tomahawks as well!
Please bring a ~$20 blanket prize for the “overall” 3 target score.
If you or your company is interested in sponsoring a prize, please get in touch with Ethan Yazel.
Each registrant will receive 3 targets (1 of each) at registration to shoot at their leisure during the weekend. Re-entry targets may be purchased for $2 each through the weekend.
Paper Target matches will pay out cash prizes for first place in each target. If we have enough attendance, we will open up pay-outs to 2nd and 3rd place. I’m just not sure how many will attend.
Weather
Weather this time of year can be FICKLE, please prepare accordingly! You will likely need blankets and warm clothes. There is no shame in sleeping in your car, but you will have to walk from camp to your car, cars will not be permitted in the camp during the event except for in cases of emergency.
If we are rained out, we will take group trips to the covered firing line and shoot there.
Part of the fun of trekking is embracing the weather. Unless there is an act of god level storm, we will continue with the event.
