2020 St Lawrence Valley Primitive Snowshoe Biathlon
Join us for the St Lawrence Valley Primitive Snowshoe Biathlon on March 7-8, 2020 at the St Lawrence Valley Sportsman’s Club in Ogdensburg, New York. If you’re suffering from cabin fever and are up for a challenge, come to the St Lawrence Valley Primitive Snowshoe Biathlon and match your black powder shooting and snowshoeing skills against some of the toughest competitors in the North East – or – take it a little slower as a woods walk.
Participants are encouraged to wear historic clothes covering 1750 to 1812. Fort de la Présentation was one of a handful of French colonial forts in New York State. Forsyth’s Rifles from Ogdensburg re-enacts a U.S. Army regiment posted in Northern New York during the War of 1812; from the French and Indian War period, they portray a unit of French marines.
Those hardy souls participating in the Snowshoe Biathlon will run a one and a half mile course, stopping at each of 5 stations and firing 2 shots; at the 6th and final station, there’s an optional tomahawk throw. Runners or woods walkers using a traditional muzzleloader will complete the course on traditional wood-framed snowshoes.
Three Divisions: Primitive Rifle, Primitive Smoothbore and Modern In-Line. Competitors in the primitive divisions must run the course on traditional, wooden snowshoes, while in-line shooters have the option of using wooden or modern snowshoes. Snowshoes must be carried if there is light snow cover.
The St. Lawrence Valley Primitive Snowshoe Biathlon is modeled after the popular Smugglers’ Notch Primitive Biathlon and is one of several biathlons scheduled across New York and New England each year.
A modern class will be open to shooters using in-line muzzleloaders and modern snowshoes. All shooters must use firearms with open sights.
The St Lawrence Valley Primitive Snowshoe Biathlon is sponsored by the Fort La Présentation Association and Forsyth’s Rifles.
Hours: Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 AM – 2:00PM.
Location
St Lawrence Valley Sportsman’s Club
25 Sportsman’s Club Road
Ogdensburg, NY 13669
For More Information: Fred Hanss, Chairman: Email fhanss@twcny.rr.com
What is a Primitive Snowshoe Biathlon?
Primitive Snowshoe Biathlons, unlike modern snowshoe biathlons with olympic-style target rifles and cross-country skis, involve the use of muzzleloading rifles and snowshoes. Eligibility for overall prizes is limited to single-barrel traditional style muzzleloaders – no in-lines or optical sights – and traditional wood-framed snowshoes, although modern equipment users are welcome to participate in separate competition classes. In the primitive spirit of the event, and in the interest of fairness, the use of round-ball ammunition is requested. Period dress is definitely encouraged, though not required.
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next St Lawrence Valley Primitive Snowshoe Biathlon the first weekend in March in Ogdensburg, New York.
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