Unit 5: Primitive Hunting Equipment and Techniques

wheel lock ignition

1500s ignition system where when the trigger is pulled, a coiled spring forces the rough-edged steel wheel to spin against a piece of iron pyrite, creating sparks to ignite the powder in the priming pan

repeating firearm

1835 a series of percussion locks and barrels on a rotating wheel (cylinder) to allow a rapid succession of shots (Paterson revolver). With a single hammer and trigger, multiple shots can be fired without reloading

- bowsights - instinctive aiming

2 main methods for aiming bows

- the round ball - the bullet - the shot

3 types of projectiles for muzzleloaders

- discharge into suitable backstop - CO2 discharger to clear barrel - remove the breech plug and simply push the projectile and powder out the back of the barrel (modern inline muzzleloaders)

3 ways to unload a muzzleloader

Fg FFg FFFg FFFFg

4 granulations of black powder

- shaft - fletching - arrowhead - nock

4 parts of an arrow

history of actions

Actions were developed to allow shooters to load cartridges and shotshells at the rear, rather than the muzzle, end of the barrel.

When the chamber round is fired, it produces sparks that could accidentally ignite loads in another cylinder(s). Therefore, be sure to protect each load in the cylinder with a coating of grease to prevent sparks from entering the open end of the other cylinders.

Chain firing muzzleloading revolvers can be dangerous.

Smokeless powders can cause serious injury if used in muzzleloaders.

Don't use modern-day smokeless powders in black powder firearms for muzzleloaders.

The legend of Robin Hood romanticized the longbow.

Early bows were "C" shaped. When shooting these bows, the archer would pull the string with a ring held around the thumb. The early longbow was 5-6 feet in length and was usually made of yew.

2+ ft long

Egyptians used bows shorter than a man's height, with arrows

pitting

Firing a muzzleloader leaves a corrosive residue inside the barrel that reduces accuracy and causes

If the CO2 discharger fails, consult your owner's manual for proper procedures to unload your firearm safely.

If your muzzleloader has not fired in 30 seconds, re-prime the pan and try again. Wait another 30 seconds. If the muzzleloader still fails to fire, use a CO2 discharger to remove the projectile and powder charge.

It initiated the first U.S.-sponsored tournament in 1879.

In 1879, the National Archery Association was founded.

Wait until you're ready to fire before you prime or cap a muzzleloader.

Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Do not lean over, stand in front of, or blow down the muzzle.

For rifles, position the butt on the ground between your feet. You should be facing the underside of the barrel. The muzzle should be pointed upward and away from your body. Never work directly over the muzzle.

Loading or charging a muzzleloading firearm presents some special concerns because it requires the muzzle to be pointed upward.

They also present greater risks.

Muzzleloaders take significantly more knowledge to operate than modern firearms.

European settlers brought their skills to America and contributed to the development of bows and arrows in the U.S.

Native American Indians were America's first bowhunters.

from sparks as easily

Substitutes are not recommended for use in flintlocks because they may not ignite

In the mid-1800s, gunpowder, the projectile, and the primer were put together into a single housing that could be loaded quickly.

The percussion cap also paved the way to the self-contained ammunition we have today—cartridges and shotshells.

this will prevent debris from falling down the barrel and blocking the touchhole

When a muzzleloader is unloaded, place your ramrod or loading rod in the barrel before leaning the firearm against a good rest

Use great caution until all parts of the broadhead have been found.

While dressing bow-killed game, remember that the broadhead may remain in the animal.

crossbow

a bow with a rifle-like stock that shoots bolts or short arrows

anatomy of the compound bow

a bow with many styles, but they work basically the same way; wheels and cables attached to the limbs make it easier to hold at full draw (pulled completely back) and able to propel an arrow faster than either a longbow or recurve bow

nocking point

a certain point on the bowstring where arrows are nocked

into the shooter's wrist or arm

a cracked arrow may cause the shaft to shatter on release and be driven

replaced

a cracked or broken nock can be

muzzleloader

a long-sleeved shirt is advisable when shooting a

- horn - flask - or container

a loose spark or glowing ember in the barrel can cause the powder to explode, so do not load a muzzleloader from a

1/4 inch

a nocked arrow should be positioned above the arrow rest on the bow handle

shot pellets

a projectile for muzzleloaders designed to spread, just as with today's shotguns

bullets

a projectile for muzzleloaders preferred for hunting because they are generally more accurate at certain ranges

round balls

a projectile for muzzleloaders used mainly for target practice but also can be used for hunting

discarded

a shaft that has cracks or breaks should be

nock

a slotted plastic tip located on the rear end of the arrow that snaps onto the string and holds the arrow in position.

nocking point

a small brass band to mark the correct position for nocking the arrow

bowstring

a strong cord with a loop or pocket at each end that fits over the limb tip of recurve bows and some longbows

middle of the cord, and flex the limbs

after the bowstringer is attached to the tips, stand on the loose

instinctive aiming

aiming that is more versatile than the bowsight method. You simply look at the intended target with both eyes open and release. You adjust the aim for different distances by instinct developed with practice. Instinctive aiming takes longer to perfect than the bowsight method, but it eliminates much of the guesswork from shooting under some hunting conditions

a strait, stable flight

allowing your fingers to slip quickly away from the string, the arrows will have

covered quiver

always keep broadheads in a

JUDO point

arrowhead point designed with spring arms attached to catch in grass and leaves, preventing arrow loss; used for "stump" shooting and small game hunting

fish point

arrowhead point that is long, barbed or spring-loaded arrowhead that spears fish and secures them until landed with an attached line

blunt point

arrowhead point used for small game hunting and some types of target shooting; made of steel, hard rubber, or plastic

bullet point

arrowhead steel point used for target shooting and small game hunting

field point

arrowhead steel point used for target shooting and small game hunting

- potassium nitrate (saltpeter) - sulfur - charcoal

black powder is made of

mechanical (expandable) blade broadhead

blades are retracted close to the ferrule before the shot. Upon impact, the blades expand to expose the cutting edges

- right angle to the target - feet shoulder-width apart

bow shooting position

40 yards or less

bow shots are usually limited to

1950s and 1960s

bowhunting did not really take off until the

mechanical (expandable) blade broadhead

bows rated 50 pounds or more need this because most require additional energy to open upon penetration

blood vessels

broadheads kill by cutting

which creates a safety problem if they are handled carelessly

broadheads must be kept razor-sharp for hunting

never nock an arrow or draw a bow if someone is in front of you

carry arrows in the nocked position only when slowly approaching game

- longbow / stick bow - recurve bow - compound bow

common bow types

- broadhead - mechanical (expandable) blade broadhead

common types of arrowhead broadheads

- bullet point - blunt point - field point - JUDO point - fish point

common types of arrowhead points

- wood arrows: cracks and splinters - aluminum arrows: creases, dents, or cracks - graphite arrows: crushed sidewalls on fiberglass

damage to look for in arrows

ramrod

determine if the gun is already loaded by checking the barrel with a

2 locks, one for each barrel

double-barreled guns usually have this many locks

matchlock ignition

early 1400s ignition system where when the trigger is pulled, a lighted wick is lowered into a priming pan located next to a vent hole drilled into the closed end of the barrel. When the priming powder ignites, it lights the main charge

percussion lock / caplock

early 1800s ignition system where priming compounds inside a metallic foil cap were placed over the vent hole. When the hammer strikes the cap, the resulting spark ignites the main charge

lighted wick or match

early firearms were loaded by pouring black powder and shoving a projectile into the tube from the muzzle end, and then igniting the powder using a

When priming a flintlock, pull the hammer to a half-cock position and open the priming pan cover. Check your flint, making sure the setting is tight and properly adjusted. Insert a vent pick or fine wire into the barrel's touchhole to make sure the opening is clear. With your pan primer, fill the pan about three-fourths full of FFFFg powder. Close the frizzen and pull the hammer to full cock when you're ready to fire the shot safely. After firing, place the hammer in the half-cock position and swab the barrel to remove sparks that might be inside

firing a Flintlock Muzzleloader

When you're ready to fire the muzzleloader safely, place the percussion cap on the nipple. Be sure that your surroundings and your backstop are safe. Then aim and fire

firing a Percussion Lock Muzzleloader

anchor point

follow through with bows by keeping your drawing hand at the

Fg

granulation of black powder, a coarse grain typically used in cannons, rifles larger than .75 caliber, and 10-gauge shotguns or larger

FFFg

granulation of black powder, a fine grain typically used in smaller rifles and pistols under .50 caliber and smaller shotguns

FFg

granulation of black powder, a medium grain typically used in larger rifles between .50 and .75 caliber, 20-gauge to 12-gauge shotguns, and pistols larger than .50 caliber

FFFFg

granulation of black powder, an extra-fine grain typically used as a priming powder in flintlocks

blackpowder

gunpowder is now called

rifles

guns that most muzzleloaders commonly are

broadheads cutting blood vessels

hemorrhage is the result of

3 fingers

how many fingers draw a bowstring

moving it up or down the bowstring

how to fine tune the nocking point

- Percussion Lock Muzzleloaders: Slip the discharger over the nipple - Flintlock Muzzleloader: Place the discharger against the touchhole

how to use a CO2 discharger to clear the barrel

primitive hunting arms: - muzzleloader firearm - bow and arrow - crossbow

hunting arms sought as collector's items and used for sporting purposes

left

if you are right handed, when the arrow is nocked and the bow is raised, the cock feather points to the

the bow

incorrect stiffness will cause the arrow to fly erratically and inaccurately. The arrow, regardless of shaft material, must have the correct stiffness to match

the double-barreled muzzleloader

it's critical to avoid putting the two loads down the same barrel when loading

off target

keep your bow arm pointed directly at the target after the release. If the bow is jerked on release, the arrow will fly

flintlock ignition

late 1600s ignition system where when the trigger is pulled, the hammer holding a piece of flint falls against a steel cover (the frizzen) sitting over the priming pan. The hammer knocks the cover out of the way, and the collision of flint and steel causes sparks that ignite the powder in the priming pan

anatomy of the recurve bow

limbs curve back away from the belly of the bow, which can provide more power in a shorter bow than the longbow

calibrated powder measure

load a muzzleloader directly from a

muzzleloaders

load only one charge at a time for

Measure out the proper amount and type of powder using the calibrated powder measure. Replace the powder flask's cap, and swing the flask to the other side of your body. Pour the powder into the barrel from the measure. Tap the barrel to make sure all powder falls to the breech end. Center a lubricated precut patch over the muzzle. You can lubricate the patch using a manufactured lubricant or using saliva by placing it in your mouth. Lay the ball on the patch with the sprue or flat side up, if the ball comes with this feature. Then seat the ball and start it down the barrel using the short starter. Use the longer ramrod to push the ball the rest of the way, making sure it's seated well on the powder charge. Push the ramrod in short strokes, gripping it just a few inches above the muzzle. If you use longer strokes, you might accidentally snap the rod and injure your hands or arm. Your ramrod should be marked to show when the ball is properly seated over a specific load, such as 70 grains of FFFg powder.

loading a muzzleloader

400 yards, more than 200 mph

modern bows can shoot arrows up to

percussion cap revolvers

modern revolvers stem from

- wood - fiberglass - aluminum - carbon

modern shafts are made of

2 triggers, allowing the shooter to fire each barrel separately

most double-barreled guns were designed with how many triggers

pure lead

most projectiles for muzzleloaders are melted as cast from

- matchlocks - wheel locks

muzzleloader locks that are more expensive, heavier, less reliable, and harder to load

- flintlocks - percussion locks

muzzleloader locks that are typically used for shooting competitions and for hunting

in-line muzzleloader

muzzleloader where a primer or a percussion cap is placed on the nipple or breech plug. An ignition system that is in direct alignment with the bore of the firearm causes the cap to ignite the black powder charge, and the gun fires

- pistols - revolvers

muzzleloading handguns can be

actions

on early/primitive firearms, locks played the role of modern-day

cock feather

one of the feathers of fletching that is a different color, the others are the hen feathers

- muzzleloader firearm - bow and arrow - crossbow

primitive hunting arms

dry fired

releasing a string without an arrow nocked; it transfers energy back to the limbs instead of the arrow

- Many states have laws which limit the use of crossbows. - Never travel with a loaded, cocked crossbow. - Like conventional bows, the crossbow is limited to short-range shooting.

rules of crossbows

side-by-side

shotgun muzzleloaders can have either a single barrel or double barrels joined

shotguns

smooth-bored muzzleloaders

hang fire

sometimes a muzzleloader will not fire immediately when the trigger is pulled

1. Measure powder charge. 2. Pour measured powder down barrel. 3. Place patch and ball on muzzle. 4. Tap ball into barrel with starter. 5. Take out ramrod. 6. Ram ball down barrel. 7. Be sure ball is completely seated. 8. Clear vent hole with pick if necessary. 9. On flintlock muzzleloader, pour powder into pan and close frizzen. 10. On percussion lock muzzleloader, place cap on nipple.

steps for loading a muzzleloader

1. Check for load and swab bore dry. 2. Open breechblock to install cap/primer. 3. Point in safe direction and close block. 4. Clear channel by firing cap. 5. Drop in powder or pellets. 6. Place bullet in muzzle. 7. Use starter to push bullet into muzzle. 8. Use ramrod to seat bullet completely. 9. Open breechblock. 10. Install cap or primer. 11. Close block and put on safe or fire.

steps for loading an in-line muzzleloader

bowstringer

stringing a bow

- Pyrodex - Clear Shot

synthetic substitutes for black powder that can be used in muzzleloaders

muzzleloader

term given to early firearms because they are loaded from the muzzle or open end

fletching

the 3+ plastic vanes or feathers on an arrow. It creates wind drag and also can cause the arrow to spin similar to a rifle bullet, providing stability and accuracy in flight

fouling

the buildup of residue, which makes loading difficult

anchor point

the corner of your mouth, your cheekbone, or your chin

brass or cast iron

the first firearms were tubes closed at one end, usually made of

shaft

the long spine of the arrow. As an arrow is released, this bends before straightening in flight

compound bow

the most popular bow for both hunting and target shooting

black powder

the only type of powder that should be used in muzzleloaders

arrowhead

the point of the arrow

anatomy of the longbow / stick bow

the traditional bow has straight limbs that form an arc when strung

double tears

this allows you to change strings by stepping on the string being replaced first and on the new string second.

recurve bow

this bow is popular because it's smooth and quiet

a bow press

this is used to place and hold tension on the limbs, allowing the strings to be changed

an armguard

this protects the inner part of the bow arm during release as the string snaps back. This prevents the bowstring from hitting loose clothing and also helps protect the arm if an arrow breaks during release

a mechanical release

this snaps onto the string and is pulled back with the shooting hand. The archer pulls a trigger to release the string

bowsights

to aim bows, work best when the distance to the target is known. For instance, when hunting from a tree stand or blind, you can measure the distance to the area where you expect the game to appear. Then it's a matter of lining up the appropriate sight pin on the target. In hunting situations where it's hard to know the exact distance to the target, bowsights may not work well. The key to using bowsights is to practice judging distances.

moist patch of cotton

to avoid fouling, after each shot taken, swab the barrel with a

special wrench

to cover the blades, while a broadhead is being tightened on an arrow, screw on broadheads with a

1. Grip the bow handle firmly in the left hand, but don't squeeze. 2. With your bow arm straight, raise the bow to a point that your arm is parallel to the ground, while simultaneously drawing the string back to your "anchor point" with your shooting hand.

to draw the bow

15 yards

to ensure accuracy, most bow shots are taken at

- Grasp the arrow between the thumb and index finger of the right hand (if you're a right-handed shooter). - With your left hand, hold the bow parallel to the ground about waist high, string toward the body. - Lay the arrow shaft on the bow's arrow rest. - Align the slot in the nock with the string, while making sure that the cock feather points up (while the bow is parallel to the ground). - Pull the arrow back until the string snaps into the slot.

to nock the arrow

- wear 3 fingered gloves - wear finger tabs - use mechanical releases

to protect the three fingers that draw the bowstring, archers

the end of each table

to replace compound bow strings, you must use a bow press or have double tears at

3000 B.C.

use of the bow and arrow is recorded as early as

a haul line

use this to raise a bow and quiver into a tree stand to avoid serious injury

broadhead

used primarily for big game hunting. The number of steel blades it contains may vary. The only arrowhead that may be used for big game hunting is the broadhead. It must be solidly built and always razor-sharp. Many states have laws governing the minimum diameter and number of cutting edges of the broadhead used to hunt big game

white smoke

when black powder ignited, it creates a dense cloud of