Project Description
Muzzleloader Associations & Organization Links
Crazy Crow Trading Post offers this list of Buckskinner, Mountain Man & Blackpowder related links to help you in your search for information about clubs, associations, history and related topics. Inclusion in this list does not represent an endorsement by Crazy Crow, although we do try to be selective – and reserve the right to do so.
National Muzzleloader Associations & Related Organizations
American Longrifle Association
To the members of the American Longrifle Association, history is something to be relived. The American Longrifle Association (A.L.R.A.) is an organization designed for those people who want to do more than only read about the early years of our country’s history. It is an organization that encourages its members to experience the lives of common colonial people. Our members represent a diverse group of people from wide range of places and occupations throughout the American Colonies. Hunting Scouts of the Ohio river valley, Settlers in the Carolina’s, Militiamen in New England, a printer from Williamsburg and even sailors from the east coast are but a few of our member’s choices.
An association of individuals dedicated to the preservation of the traditions and ways of our nation’s greatest, most daring explorers and pioneers, the Mountain Men; to the actual conservation of our nation’s remaining natural wilderness and wildlife; and to the ability of our members to survive alone, under any circumstances, using only what nature has to offer.
Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums
ALHFAM is the museum organization for those involved in living historical farms, agricultural museums, outdoor museums of history and folklife and those museums – large and small – that use “living history” programming. Website includes Living History Links, a list of more than 80 international sites.
Coalition of Historical Trekkers
We are dedicated to the preservation and study of the pre-1840 frontier people in America by means of literary research and experimental archaeology. We are historical trekkers, which is to say we are experimental archaeologist, involved in one or more eras of the historical time frame from 1600 to the year 1840. This is accomplished by experimentation in wilderness situations, using firearms, clothing, and accoutrements, authentic to those used by the early frontier people here in America.
Contemporary Longrifle Association (CLA)
The Contemporary Longrifle Association (CLA) was organized as an association of contemporary muzzleloading collectors and artists. This association recognizes the scope of collecting as traditional muzzleloading longrifles, pistols, fowlers, their accoutrements and related objects handmade after the mid-twentieth century. The CLA sponsors the annual The Contemporary Longrifle Association Show & Meeting each August in Lexington, Kentucky.
National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA)
The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association exists to promote, support, nurture, and preserve NMLRA’s and our nation’s rich historical heritage in the sport of muzzleloading through recreational, educational, historical, and cultural venues such as match competition, hunting, gun making and safety, historical re-enactments, exhibits, museums, libraries, and other related programs.
Honourable Company of Horners (HCH)
The purpose of The Honourable Company of Horners is to promote and preserve the knowledge of horn working, including educating its members and the public about horn working and its history. The HCH has hundreds of members and publishes a newsletter called The Horn Book, which comes out three times per year. Their annual meeting is held the first part of March every year. If you are interested in horn working or collecting and would like to know more about the HCH, consider attending one of these meetings. They are open to the general public.
National Rendezvous and Living History Foundation (NRLHF)
NRLHF is dedicated to making our National Rendezvous the best events in the U.S. We are a democratic foundation with elected delegates and Board of Directors. See our website for further information on your foundation, including links to chapter websites and event information. NRLHF is working to see more and better competition, seminars , kids events, etc. If you have suggestions ,contact your event delegate. We need your help to make this foundation work ,so get involved!
National Rifle Association (NRA)
The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights, and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection of hunting and self-defense in the United States. The NRA sponsors firearm safety training courses, as well as marksmanship events featuring shooting skill and sports.
The Northwest Territory Alliance (NWTA) is an American Revolutionary War reeanctment organization located in the American Midwest. We have over five hundred members from states as far west as Iowa, east to Ohio, north to the Canadian border and south to Tennessee. The NWTA is a non-profit educational organization that studies and recreates the culture, lifestyle, and arts of the time of the American Revolution, 1775-1783. We strive to duplicate the uniforms, weapons, battlefield tactics and camp life of the era as accurately as possible.
Alabama State Muzzleloading Association
Dedicated to the promotion of the safe and responsible use of muzzle loading firearms for hunting and target shooting and to the preservation of the history of early American firearms.
Alaska State Muzzle Loading Association
The Alaska State Muzzle Loading Association is a statewide organization that provides, encourages and actively supports a direct and continuing means for responsible use, ownership, collection, trade, sale and display of muzzle loading firearms and all other associated items of historical and current interest. Although ASMLA has no shooting range of it’s own it cosponsors the Alaska State Rendezvous and the Alaska State Shoot and NMLRA’s Alaska Territorial match. Most of Alaska’s muzzle loader and living history clubs are affiliated with the State Association, which plays a lead role in representing our interests in the political arena.
Grouse Creek Muzzleloader Association
The Grouse Creek Muzzleloader Association strives to preserve the heritage of the black powder weapon through use during black powder shoots and educational programs. The Grouse Creek Muzzleloader Association is a family oriented organization who actively participates in historical reenactment of the pre-1840s fur trade era.
The Arizona Cactus Cappers is a muzzle loading gun club, one of the many user groups that sponsor matches at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility. We are a charter club of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA). We use their range rule book for our shooting matches. We hold scheduled matches every third Sunday of the month on the small-bore range at Ben Avery Shooting Facility located at I-17 just west on the Carefree Highway.
The Big Horn Mountain Men (BHMM) organization is dedicated to promoting interest and understanding in the art of buckskinning, and the legal and safe use of muzzle loading firearms. We engage in educational, social and charitable programs beneficial to the community. BHMM encourages membership in the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA) and the National Rifle Association (NRA). The BHMM holds a monthly black powder shoot at a local range the first Sunday of each month at 9:00 am. The monthly business meeting is held after the monthly shoot. The BHMM also sponsors a Rendezvous each year in the San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear, California.
Sponsoring the Annul Hart Canyon Rendezvous, Rocky Mountain Fur Trade “Period” Encampment.. Starts 2nd Saturday in April. Same time each year. Located 1 1/2 hours northeast of Bakersfield, California.
San Diego County Muzzle Loaders
San Diego County Muzzle Loaders black powder shooting club. Website is updated on a regular basis. San Diegans are fortunate to have a muzzle loading match almost every weekend, within a reasonable driving distance. Matches are held in Dulzura, El Cajon, Descanso & Escondido on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Sunday of the month, respectively.
Club activities include a monthly muzzle-loading rifle and pistol match, tomahawk and knife throwing matches, barbecues and free overnight campovers. In addition, a three day “Rendezvous” is held on the 2nd weekend in July and our annual “Turkey Shoot” is in November.
Bell’s Fort Free Trappers and Muzzle Loaders
Pueblo, Colorado – Bell’s Fort Free Trappers and Muzzle Loaders is a family-oriented club that strives to learn, teach and explore traditional muzzle loading shooting through pre-1840 living history. Club activities offer you the opportunity to learn about this little known time in history, “The Fur Trade”. We educate and make possible the experience for all who would like to learn about life during the Fur Trade era. We hold an authentic pre-1840’s Rendezvous each year to re-enact and teach about the ways of the past and the hardship of the Mountain Men and explorers who found their way across the wilderness to seek out life, adventure and walk the unspoiled ground of the Western / Southwestern frontiers.
South Platte Valley Historical Society
The South Platte Valley Historical Society has a mission to preserve the history of the South Platte Valley area and the historic site Fort Lupton, an adobe fur-trading post built in 1836, with facilities dedicated to education, historic interpretation, and improvement of the local economy.
A Chartered Club Of The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association. The Florida Frontiersmen are a group of men and women who have banded together to preserve the skills of our first settlers, pioneers and mountain men in their use of muzzle loading firearms and the equipment and accouterments that accompanied such use before 1840. We endeavor to promote and maintain high standards of safety, sportsmanship and good fellowship, together with the historical appreciation of the era and equipment.
The Jefferson Longrifles is a Muzzle Loading Rifle Club located in Florida, made up of individuals who subscribe to the principles of the National Rendezvous and Living History Foundation and the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association. Club members hold regularly scheduled meetings once a month, along with muzzle loading rifle and primitive archery matches. Club members also conduct special education programs for civic and youth groups, hold outdoor field activities and participate in historical events throughout the year. These include re-enactments, rendezvous, hunting trips and social get-togethers.
Southeastern Cultural Society
The Southeastern Cultural Society was founded in DeLand, Florida in August of 1999 as a successor to the Florida Indian Reenactment Society (FIRES). Its purpose was to be an information exchange for those persons interested in the native peoples of the southeast during the historic period, 1700 to 1850, with a focus on the mid 18th and early 19th centuries. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the native peoples of the southeast, during any period, however most of our discussions are based in the historic period. Current membership includes: Reenactors, Trekkers, Experimental Archaeologist Historians, Academic Researchers, Living Historians, Black Powder Enthusiasts, Historic Archaeologist & Anthropologist
Blue Ridge Mountain Men is a muzzle loading club established in 1973. This is a traditional black powder club founded on the philosophy of preserving the traditions of the early pioneer and mountain men. We have a variety of different types of shooting matches each year – novelty matches, silhouette matches, all kinds of paper targets, and a woods walk. We are the host club of the NMLRA National Territorial Matches for Georgia. You do not have to be a member of the club to participate in the events. So bring the family and come see all the things that we have to offer.
Brushy Creek Muzzleloaders is located in Lenox, GA.Charter member of NMLRA. Monthly shoots, annual rendezvous.
Founded in 1952 for the purpose of “Preserving for tomorrow the pioneer arms craftsmanship and skill which bore freedom and liberty”, the Kickapoo Muzzleloaders Club is a family oriented muzzleloading club which sponsors and hosts a wide variety of events at its range near Bloomington, IL.
Kansas Muzzleloading Association
KMA’s purpose is to encourage cooperation and communication among recreationists, historians, living history artists, craftsmen, publishers, sportsmen, muzzleloading enthusists, and others engaged in the sport of muzzleloading, to hold competitions and exhibitions, and to promote the historical study of the period 1654 to 1890, through the authentic recreation of living historians.
Flint Hills Muzzleloaders
The Club is located near the town of Florence, Kansas. The property lies between the Cottonwood River and Doyle Creek where it is said that Indians once camped. The club’s purpose is “preserving our heritage”, and to teach children how their forefathers lived; to promote good sportsmanship; respect for other hunters and their property and the care of and respect for weapons.
Kaw Valley Muzzleloaders – Manhattan, Kansas
Kaw Valley Muzzleloaders has been providing Buckskinners & Muzzleloaders with a warm fire to call home for more than 20 years. Our main goal is to promote the sport of muzzleloading and to preserve our American heritage. We provide black powder shooters and others with an interest in the pre-1840 lifestyle a place to gather for friendly competitive shooting andgood conversation.
High Plains Regional Rendezvous Association
High Plains Regional Rendezvous Association consists of a five state region including Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Each year the Association holds a Primitive Rendezvous in one of these states.
Kansas Traditional Muzzleloading Association (KTMA)
The Kansas Traditional Muzzleloading Association (KTMA) was formed in 2003 to fill a void in Kansas Muzzleloading. The organization was formed at the grass roots level by the very people that felt traditional muzzleloading was not being supported and recognized at a state level. These Kansans organized and created the KTMA to preserve, protect and promote the traditional heritage of muzzleloading.
Prairie Longrifles – Salina, KS
Muzzleloading club based in Salina, KS. Sponsors annual Wild West Days in December, and Fall Rendezvous in October. See website for photos and event details.
Dedicated to preserving the heritage of the American longhunter by holding monthly competitions (3rd Saturday) for black powder shooting and tomahawk & knife throwing. Serving the states of Virginia, Maryland, & North Carolina.
Grand Valley Cap ‘N Ballers
Grand Valley is a chartered club with a rich and interesting history. It was started over forty years ago on approxmitely 30 acres of land in northern Allegan County, Michigan. Each year, Grand Valley’s calendar is full of activities for both shooter and non-shooter. For those that just enjoy the camaraderie, there are parties and cook-outs. For the die hard shooters, there is the monthly (first Sunday) shoot. Every month, no matter the weather conditions, there is a club shoot.
Lansing Muzzleloading Gun Club
We are a family oriented shooting club. We have a very safe rifle and shot gun range. We also have a trade gun woods walk. The club also offers a concession stand, electrical hook ups for the more modern style campers, and a separate primitive camping area. The Clan hosts three open shoots a year in June and September in conjunction with the club’s main range shoots, and a free standing winter woodswalk in January. At the spring and fall shoots primitive camping is available with free firewood and a community campfire in addition to those at your own tent. Come and join us.
North American Voyageur Council
Founded in 1978, the North American Voyageur Council is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting interest in the canoe men and women of the fur trade. It is made up of groups of brigades, those who are dedicated to reenacting the life of the voyageur, and individuals interested in learning more about the history of the period of the fur trade in North America.
Twin City Muzzle Loading Club, Inc.
We are a non-profit organization striving to promote interest and participation in the collection, shooting and building of black powder firearms. Located in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, we sponsor a number of shoots and events, all intended to encourage participation in the activities and lifestyles of those who originally shot black powder firearms.
Step back in time before 1840 and partake or fix your eyes upon some blackpowder shootin, hawk & knife throwin, fire startin, primitive campin and country fried cookin. We are a living history and muzzleloader club that represents early Colonial to 1840 time period. We promote historically accurate clothing, weapons, skills, and crafts of the period. We are a family oriented club.
Fort Hill Ramrods – Hillsboro, MO
The club encourages organized rifle and pistol shooting among citizens of the US, with a view toward a better knowledge on the part of such citizens of the safe handling and proper care of firearems, as well as improved marksmanship. It shall be our further object and purpose to futher the development of those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team play and self-reliance which are essentials of good sportmanship and the foundation of true patriotism. Monthly meetings & shoots; annual rendezvous.
Membership is open to reenactors of all eras. We’re interested in any and all historical periods. From the Renaissance to World War II or any time in between, we’d be glad to have you join us. Besides our annual events & our special projects, we meet at the Florissant Branch of the St.Louis County Library, on the third Wednesday of each month. We love our American history. We enjoy helping others understand our American history. We want to preserve our local, state & national history, including buildings, books, tools… well… ANYTHING of historic value!
Meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm at the Winery in St. Charles, Missouri. Monthly shoots: Held the 3rd Sunday of each month unless changed to avoid conflict with other activities. Period Clothing is required within one year to become an active voting member. Membership in the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association is required within 60 days of application for membership.
The 1st/Royal Regiment is the oldest Regiment of Foot in the British Army. Often times it is referred to as “Pontius Pilate’s Body Guard”. From 1757 to 1763 the Royal Regiment fought in North America during the French and Indian War. In 1757 the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Foot saw action during the capture of Louisburg in 1758 and the French surrender of Montreal in 1760. After Montreal, the 2nd Battalion 1st Foot was sent to the West Indies, seeing action in Dominica in 1761 and taking part in the capture of Martinique and the Spanish citadel of Havana in 1762. The Royal Scots were also known as “First of foot, right of the line and the pride of the British army”.
Our muzzle loading organization was founded by a handful of individuals in 1975. From the start, we have been a family organization fully involved in shooting blackpowder guns and pursuing and practicing the daily skills utilized by our forefathers in the early days of our country. Eastern Platte Muzzleloaders has developed a beautiful area about 30 minutes south of Omaha, just 4 miles south of Murray, Nebraska. Our primitive wilderness facility holds a 54 position muzzle loading range for both fun and serious competition. There are 25, 50 and 100 yard shooting lines for both rifle and pistol, as well as smoothbore guns shooting patched round balls. Our shooting range is called “Thunder Valley”, the reason for the name becoming evident when the shooting starts. There is also a place to practice with a bow, or to throw a knife or tomahawk.
Fort Atkinson Muzzleloaders was informally founded in 1970, dedicated to the sport of muzzleloading. We shoot traditional muzzleloaders and have special matches for inline muzzleloaders as well at our shoots. In 1979 we moved to our current location on the banks of the Elkhorn river by Winslow NE. We have 40 acres total with 15 acres used for camping and shooting. We have lots of shaded camping as well as plenty of water and firewood available. We hold 2 shoots a year, 1 in the Spring and 1 in the Fall, as well as our Annual Gun Show. The club meets the 3rd Sunday of each month at the range, March through November and in Fremont the months of January and February.
High Plains Regional Rendezvous Association
High Plains Regional Rendezvous Association consists of a five state region including Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Each year the Association holds a Primitive Rendezvous in one of these states.
United Nebraska Muzzleloaders Association
Promoting the sport of Muzzleloading, Buckskinning, History of the Fur Trade, and the safe use of blackpowder in the Great State of Nebraska.
New York State Muzzle-Loaders Association
For the past 25 years the New York State Muzzleloaders Assn. has been “dedicated to the continuing support of Black Powder Events, People, and Legislation.” Overall we have 35 affiliated clubs throughout the state. If you’re not in one of these affiliated clubs, don’t worry, you can be an individual member, or have a membership as a family. YOU DON’T NEED TO BE A MEMBER TO ATTEND OUR SHOOTS. We have 5 major shoots throughout the year, the first one being the “Primitive Biathlon” which is also our newest shoot.
James River Black Powder Club
Dedicated to preserving the heritage of the American longhunter by holding monthly competitions (3rd Saturday) for black powder shooting and tomahawk & knife throwing. Serving the states of Virginia, Maryland, & North Carolina.
High Plains Regional Rendezvous Association
High Plains Regional Rendezvous Association consists of a five state region including Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Each year the Association holds a Primitive Rendezvous in one of these states.
Plainsmen Black Powder Club – Fargo, ND
The Plainsmen Black Powder club was chartered in 1972 having a goal of promoting the safe use of black powder guns for fun and competition. Today, we keep this goal foremost. It is a family oriented activity with a growing membership. As a club, we sponsor our own shoot and rendezvous in May. The rendezvous is a re-creation of a pre-1840 camp set up to trade with the mountain men and voyageurs of yesteryear. We have other enthusiasts who travel to compete with us from Canada and across the states of Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and even some from across the USA.
Ball & Arrow Primitive Weapons Club
The Ball & Arrow Primitive Weapons Club was founded in 1974. The club is primarily made up of muzzleloader and archery enthusiasts, but we also provide facilities for the use of modern firearms. Our club moved to its present 60-acre location in Roswell during the summer of 1978. The club maintains 25-yard, 50-yard, 75-yard, and 100-yard shooting ranges on which the use of all firearms is welcome. The club also has an archery range, tomahawk/knife throwing targets, a picnic pavilion and a log-cabin clubhouse used for club events and meetings.
Forest Hills Black Powder Brigade (Oregon)
We encourage family participation at all of our shoots and functions. Our shoots are held on the third Saturday of every month, rain or shine. We alternate between paper, novelty, and trailwalk shoots. We use Flintlock & Percussion muzzleloading rifles, trade guns, pistols, and shotguns. We also have Hawk and Knife throwing competitions. All shoots are with patched round ball and open iron sights only. Among our other activities, our club sponsors two Rendezvous at the Ranch, and a Mountain Man Trade Show in Hillsboro, OR.
We hold a rendezvous and black powder shoot once a year, the end of April. Our average attendance has been 700 participants. Sutler area is open to the public every day. Primitive area is open to the public on Saturday only. Events include shooting matches, seminars, hawk & knife, primitive archery, woods walk, “expedition”, highland games, & children’s activities.
Carolina Po-Boys Muzzleloaders
Monthly club shoots are held every second Sunday except May, then 1st Sunday. Shooting Begins Early, 9 A.M. with a break around lunch, and finishing up early after lunch. Many members join at the club on Saturdays before the regular second Sunday shoot for fun shoots and additional shooting activities as well, so come and join US! Road Kill Stew is always on the menu! Club Membership is not required for Monthly club matches.
The Charles Towne Long Rifles is a black powder muzzleloading rifle club. We primarily shoot traditional style flintlock and percussion rifles, muskets, and pistols. Established in 1965, we lease a private 100 yd. range located in the Francis Marion National Forest, 25 mi. north of Charleston, SC. Monthly shoots are held on the last Sunday of the month unless it interferes with a holiday (Nov & Dec, sometimes Easter, etc.)
Dacotah Territory Muzzle Loaders
The Dacotah Territory Muzzle Loaders (DTML) was established in 1979 by four individuals who loved camping, fishing, canoeing, and black-powder rifles. The DTML is a non-profit, social organization. While there are individual members, the club has always encouraged family membership. Rendezvous (defined as a pre-1840, fur-trade era gathering) can be a wonderful, peaceful, and educational vacation for all family members.
High Plains Regional Rendezvous Association
High Plains Regional Rendezvous Association consists of a five state region including Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Each year the Association holds a Primitive Rendezvous in one of these states.
Muzzleloaders of the Black Hills
The activities of the MLBH can be enjoyed by all members of the family, such as shooting, hawk & knife throwing, primitive camping and the Black Hills Rendezvous. Monthly shoots are held the third Sunday of each month (April – September).
Texas Muzzle Loading Rifle Association
The Texas Muzzle Loading Rifle Association is made up of the finest folks you can find and we are always interested in having new members and their families join and shoot with us. We have events for young and old alike. There are 3 main events sch