SHOOTING SAFETY

First, a short anecdote: I almost gave up muzzleloading after attending my first primitive shoot some 16 years ago. Of the dozen or so "old-timers" present, almost half of them had suffered some sort of shooting-related disability. One fellow hand lost a hand, another had a glass eye, a third was in a walking cast after shooting himself in the foot attempting to "quick draw" with a Walker revolver, and another sported a pair of hooks where his hands used to be. I was told that all of these injuries were the direct result of mishandling black powder.

The moral of the story is that black powder shooting can be dangerous and accidents DO happen. Use common sense at all times.

PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING:

• Treat every gun as if it were loaded. Have your muzzle under control at all times and keep it pointed down range.
• Use ONLY Black Powder in muzzleloading firearms. Modern gunpowder generates much higher pressures and can burst your barrel, injuring you or anyone nearby.
• Make sure your firing mechanism is clean and the firearm is functioning properly before loading and that your load is firmly seated on the powder before pulling your trigger.
• Drop your rammer down the barrel to be sure it is empty (it should "ping") before your first load and after your last load of the day.
• Wear ear and eye protection when shooting -- even if it's not authentic.
• Never drink alcoholic beverages while shooting or hunting.
• Be VERY CAUTIOUS of a misfire, hang fire or flash in the pan. Your gun is still live and can still discharge even after several minutes. Keep the muzzle pointed down range and wait one full minute before repriming and trying again. If you still have a misfire, pour water down the barrel (keeping hands and face well clear) before attempting to pull the load. (I once had a hang-fire while hunting in damp conditions that sizzled for a full 30 seconds before igniting the main charge -- spooky)
• Never smoke when shooting or hunting and be very cautious with powder horns, measures and related shooting accessories around fire or open flame. Always replace the plug in your horn before firing.
• Be sure of your target and know what is down range behind your target. When hunting, know where the other members of your party are and NEVER fire over their heads -- even if they drop and tell you to!
• Keep your muzzle up and clear of your hunting partners and NEVER take the field with your weapon at full-cock. Only go to full-cock after the game flushes. (Several people, including myself, have experienced accidental discharge because a twig, blade of grass or sudden jar tripped the trigger. This may seem an inconvenience but a missed bird or two could save someone's life!)
• As The Society of 18th-Century Gentlemen has no control over your actions on the shooting range or conditions in the field we cannot be held responsible for accidents -- THINK before you shoot and use common sense at all times.

YOU are responsible for the safety of yourself and those around you!