Hunting with a Longrifle

[eagle24]

The last month or so I have been reading Mark Baker's "Pilgrims Journey" vol. 1 & 2.  I am wrestling with how period correct I want to be when I hunt with the longrifle.  I'm not ready to go with period correct clothing head to toe (especially the toe part), but I am wanting to ditch my badlands backpack loaded with all sorts of modern conveniences.  Folks, I gotta admit,  when I step into the woods with my flintlock, I am one disorganized greenhorn.  I can't seem to find anything fast, I can't get comfortable with where to put things, and I sure do miss all the pockets on my backpack.  So here are my questions.  What's in your hunting pouch? and where/how do you carry everything else for a day in the woods?

[greybeard]

For hunting I like a loading block with 5 patched balls ready, powder & measure, short starter
Also a sharp knife just in case you know. 2 extra sharp flints and a turn screw.
If you use up the 5 balls and don't have a deer you should spend more time at the practice range.  Travel light Bob   (could be I forgot sumpin)

[BrownBear]

I keep things in the bag to an absolute minimum, just so I don't have to dig.  I have a 2-ball loading block, but keep a couple of spare balls and a little strip of patch and a spare flint in a small pocket on the back panel.  My flint tools go there, too.  I have a little upright sleeve at one end of the bag for a short starter, but if I'm using a rifle with a coned muzzle, I don't even carry that.  In real tight brush I even dispense with a horn on the bag straps and put a little "day" horn in the bag.  I have a powder measure attached to the strap on my horn and dangling into the bag, or just loose in the bag if I'm using a day horn. Thasit. 

Extra stuff either goes in my coat pockets or a haversack.  If I'm hunting a remote area I carry a pretty good sized haversack with survival gear and food, plus a blanket rolled and tied on top. 

But that shooting bag is pretty sacrosanct.  It's reserved for the bare minimums to pull off a couple of follow-up shots in the rare circumstances where I need them.

[whitebear]

Put in your bag what you think that you will need.  Now make a list of the contents and when you use something on a hunt or woods walk make a mark beside it on the list.  After a few outings start checking  what you actually use, what still has possibilities and what is just extra weight.  Start eliminating the extra weight.

Put everything in a place in your bag and leave it there until you get used to it being in a specific place.  You may find that something just doesn't work for you where it is, if so move it around and start over getting used to it being there, soon things will feel right and you will find items without having to look or dig for them.

Attach a cord (strip of leather, cloth or whatever) to the bag strap that is long enough to hang inside the bag but not so long that it rest on the bottom of the bag and adds to the clutter that will inevitably be there.  On this strap put a powder measure on the bottom, make a small ball starter and add it above the measure, you may want a vent pick or nipple pick on top.  The idea is that you can grab the cord and find the items need to reload by feel and in the order that they are needed while you keep your eye on the game animal that you shoot at. 

[northmn]

While I have too many guns and like to have a bag just so I can grab it and go, I could easily carry all my hunting gear in a coat pocket.  I no longer use loading blocks because I do not really see a need for "quick" reloads in the woods.  I do carry a bag full of cleaning patches, some wet and some dry for my squirrel gun, but for a deer rifle I just carry about 4 ball and precut patches, a short starter, a powder measure set where I want it (good case for making one) extra flints and a handy tool that has a screw driver, knife etc on it, a small powder flask and a priming horn.  As I have to take blood presssure meds I can carry a lot in the empty pill bottles (someday may need to take along a kid to open one of the things)

DP

[Codger]

The method I use is nearly identical to Whitebear's. If memory serves me correctly, I first read of this in an article by John Bivins in Rifle magazine.
Been quite some years ago.
In addition to the leather lace with powder measure, little short starter ( think small wood drawer pull with a 1/2" brass peg) and a vent pick above this. In the bags front compartment a few loose ball and a small flat primer horn. Rear compartment turn screw, 2 extra flint, a ball puller, and a bit of extra patches. Bullet board with 2 patched ball. All bags are set up the same way for match shoots or hunting. adding or subtracting amount of ball etc. as needed. What ever method used Make it a habit to avoid confusion.
Don

[roundball]

"...I can't seem to find anything fast, I can't get comfortable with where to put things, and I sure do miss all the pockets..."

I was like that when I first tried to get set up...finally accepted that the more traditional bag & horn approach apparently just "wasn't me".
For decades I'd worn upland game vests as "equipment vests" stocked with all the things I like to have with me out hunting...binocs, drag strap, flashlight, raingear, food & water, etc, etc, etc.
(for the world a more convenient version of a backpack)

But couldn't make that work with a bag & horn...tried a belt bag with the vest and that was overkill and in the way...finally decided to dedicate a front vest pocket to my BP stuff and that was that.

[bob in the woods]

I don't change what's in my bag ie I don't leave things behind, because they are all in there for a reason.
Combination turn screw, pliers, and knapper. small oiler [bear oil]  small tin of tallow/beeswax, spare flints and leather,tow and jag, screw to pull a load, spare set of lock springs and a spring clamp, [ I broke a mainspring once....ended the hunt. Small bag of balls, strip of lubed patch mat'l, small tin of char and a leather and linen strap to be used to carry my rifle out if I am dragging a deer., These things don't take much room. Tied to the back of my bag is my cow's knee, and on the strap is a powder measure ,and vent pick. In a pocket is a bullet board with 5 balls, I always carry a knife, and my powder horn. If weather demands, I'll have a blanket [ use it to sit on if nothing else]  and my leather canteen.[It's quieter than my copper one]  With my tincup on my belt, I can stay out all day or even overnight if I have to. This all sounds like more stuff than it really is. My leather shooting bag is only about 6in x8 inches, and it is by no means stuffed full.

[doulos]

I guess you guys would laugh if you saw how much stuff I carry. I havent been out hunting without a backpack for quite some time. The only time I dont use it is when I  know I'll only be about a couple of hours. I carry all my stuff to reload in my coat pockets. But extra clothes, water, deer drag sled and other things in my back pack.

[eagle24]

Couple more questions in no particular order.
Do any of you carry a bag in addition to your hunting pouch?  like maybe a haversack?
Do you carry any type grease for waterproofing around the frizzen and pan?
Regarding short starters.  I can start a ball in the muzzle by hitting it with the butt of my knife, but not without putting a flat spot on the ball.  Will this have much affect on accuracy?  I'm going to do some testing at the range and see for myself after hunting season.  Right now, I'd prefer to spend what little off time I have in the woods rather than at the range.

[RonT]

I have a seperate bag set up for each of 4 frequently carried rifles.  A 2 ball loading block, short starter,metal tins for flints and tools, a roll of pre lubed patching (ticking), a strip of wiping cloth,and a ball bag with ~dozen balls, and primer horn in each.   
My bag for my .375 smoothie has a day horn.
R

[Daryl]

Last time I went out moose hunting with the ML, it was -56F and a bit chilly , even had to wear gloves and a scarf that day.  2 days later, it was 32 and sunny.  When it was -56, couldn't see the sun for the ice crystals - beautiful but brisk on the cheeks and nose.

In camp before leaving for the day, I had loaded the rifle with mink oiled patch and a .684" RB over 165gr. 2F.  I had 6 paper ctgs. in my parka pockets, 3 on each side and leather disk cappers in both upper pockets. More ctgs. existed in the box in the truck, if needed. Luckily, the truck started.

Of course, I had a large belt knife and T-handled bone saw on my belt along with a short Gerber steel for touching up the blade's edge if needed.

No bag, no horn - not needed.

Up here, a parka, hat, scarf and gloves are just fine PC wise.  The PC police aren't out when it gets chilly, aniway's.

[BrownBear]

Up here, a parka, hat, scarf and gloves are just fine PC wise.  The PC police aren't out when it gets chilly, aniway's.

Ain't that the truth!!!!!   

May it ever be so.

[Curt Lyles]

Greg,

Here’s my setup for squirrel hunting.  I think the most important part is keeping your powder measure, pan brush and pick on a thong so you don’t have to dig in your bag for them.  I use a loading block always, and a short starter once in a while (ramrod works just as good.)  I carry a little leather ball bag with as many balls as it will hold …. after all - they don’t weigh much.    The loading block has a strap on it so that you can pull it out of the bag without reaching in.  My pouch has a little pocket at the top of the back panel where I carry my priming tool with 4F powder in it.  The rest of the contents is a tow worm, ball puller, game carrier, a tin of grease, patches, some of Rich Pierce’s Missouri flints, and a forged screwdriver.  Not much room for a whole lot else.  A knife is attached to the back of the bag.  My powder horn goes on my left side, my pouch on my right.  I don’t prime with my main horn – for safety reasons.  I also carry a haversack with a big knife, small hatchet, length of rope (always), clean rags, half a roll of T.P., and whatever goodies my wife baked the day before.  

Squirrel hunting has been my best teacher for learning to use these flintlock rifles.  And those squirrels are mighty tasty.  

[roundball]

Noting the size of those knives and that axe...all I can say is you must have some big ole squirrels up your way !!
 

[Buckscoshooter]

Prety much in the same vein/identical as Greybeard. Keep it simple and lite in the woods.

[blunderbuss]

i use cartridges with the bullet end tied made from brown paper sack.To load I just tear the ball off and turn it over an use the paper that is around the ball as a patch it's quick and I don't need allot of stuff.
 I hate to be the one that brings this up but, you may thank me later, toilet paper is a must. I had a friend that forgot his and used leaves turns out they were poison oak leaves. I carry an old WW2 gas mask pouch for things not hunting related water, lip balm,food etc. 

[Glenn]

I've always used pre-lubed / pre-cut cloth (cotton or linen) patches with round ball.  What I've always done when hunting is I kept the patches in a 35mm film canister in an effort to keep any lube odor contained as much as possible.  Still, deer eventually point their noses my way but I know the scent is not as profound.

The film canister, shot (round ball), capper, powder measure, and a couple of small tools are the only items in my possibles bag.  I'll wrap some of them in a clean bandanna sometimes to contain the noise also.

This has always worked for me.

[alsask]

 I river hunt with a canoe.  I have to admit the only thing close to "period correct" would be my flinter and powder.  I wear full cammo, Alberta hasn't required any red or orange in 30 years.  Generaly it is at least a 3 day trip so of course a person has to take a lot of gear and food.

[longcruise]

While I carry a powder horn and shooting bag, that's about as close as I come to HC or PC.  I dress in just about anything including cammo.  But never wear any blue.  Never, ever!.

Shooting bag is minimalist and holds some balls, some wiping patches, some grease or "dry" lubed patches, some caps, a very short short starter, a nipple wrench and a lost patch retriever.

The day pack is the opposite.  It's loaded with stuff that I may need and nothing that I've ever not needed.  Knives, matches, set of four high quality elk size game bags, rope, a tent stake, compass, maps, ibuprofen, a sweater, TP, game calls, water, some food, some non-scented clorox to purify water if needed, some plastic bags for field dressed small game, camera  and a pair of gloves.

[Jerry V Lape]

Items carried in shooting pouch for my rifle only.  Loose balls, 4 pre measured powder charges in plastic containers, short starter, patchknife attached, strip of prelubed patching, priming horn, spare flint in a leather slip.  My backpack has normal load of survival items, layered clothing items, signal whistle and mirror, fire starter (egg carton segments full of saw dust and wax).  Canteen cup and canteen.  Lunch and spare half pound of trail mix should I stay out over night, game bags, large plastic trash bags.  LED head lamp with spare batteries, map and compass, Leatherman tool.  Camera in my shirt pocket, and cell phone. 

[hanshi]

Since my hunting outfit is camo that's what I usually wear.  I also have a couple of brown, canvas upland coats (one dates back to the early 1960s) and occasionally wear them, too.  I use to just carry balls, patches, short starter, pre-measured powder in my pockets.  But for a good while I've been carrying it all in a shooting bag.  A backpack with all other stuff resides in my pickup during the season.  So bag, horn and flintlock is as HC/PC as I get in the woods.

[blunderbuss]

Usually it's warm, that must sound strange to you northern fellas,at the first of the season so I hunt hard don't like cold even kinda. I have a lawn chair on a long hill out in the mesquite country west of San Antonio. I generally wear what ever I drove up there in.  I pulled up some hog wire and every year I just cut some brush and stick it in the wire until I can just see over it. A little dirt road runs along the top and splits off.That's where my chair is in the fork. My furthest shot is about 60 yards so I eather use my Jaeger or my ML shotgun I like the idea of that second shot.. I'm about 100 yards from the cabin.
Most always carry a Colt .45 SA 7 1/2 in barrel. That's not for deer but the huge Russian pigs that rome the area,or the illegals coming in from Mexico.One can become the hunted real quick. Basically you need to know how to load fast that means cartridges even for the shotgun.

[Glenn]

Usually it's warm, that must sound strange to you northern fellas,at the first of the season so I hunt hard don't like cold even kinda. I have a lawn chair on a long hill out in the mesquite country west of San Antonio. I generally wear what ever I drove up there in.  I pulled up some hog wire and every year I just cut some brush and stick it in the wire until I can just see over it. A little dirt road runs along the top and splits off.That's where my chair is in the fork. My furthest shot is about 60 yards so I eather use my Jaeger or my ML shotgun I like the idea of that second shot.. I'm about 100 yards from the cabin.
Most always carry a Colt .45 SA 7 1/2 in barrel. That's not for deer but the huge Russian pigs that rome the area,or the illegals coming in from Mexico.One can become the hunted real quick. Basically you need to know how to load fast that means cartridges even for the shotgun.

You're in a great area out there.  Much better than the 1-3 deer counties of east Texas.  If I ever get a chance to get on a good lease around Junction I'm going to jump on it.  Last time I was there the deer were in the Wal-Mart parking lot at about 9:00 PM at night eating popcorn that folks had placed there for them.  I had to drive around them even.  Not that big in size but that is a 5 deer county. 

Went inside Wal-Mart and walked around and kept seeing something real small buzz by on occasion.  Just couldn't figure out what that was.  Got to the register and was paying then all of a sudden something buzzed right between me and the cashier (but a bit over our heads) and I finally asked what the $#*! that was.  It had a flutter to it but speed like an F-15.  She just laughed and said that was the "Hill Country Air Force".  I guess right when I reached to scratch my head on that one she explained that it was some bats that got in the store and made themselves at home there.

Real interesting place.   

[blunderbuss]

I hunted in Frier or Freir Texas which ever I didn't like it .The wind never stopped blowing it came from the same direction for three days hard and always.The critters weren't that overly friendly eather every thing had fangs or tusks javalina hogs and  rattlers longer than me .Cactus about 50 different variety. Talk about long shots you could see tomorrow coming