MIKE PHIPPS of Munising prepares to shoot his muzzle loader during a competition of the UPMLA Rendezvous last summer. Most participants dress in pre-1840's style to fully experience and appreciate the pioneer days. Children attend with parents and family members, also dressing and competing in the spirit of the event. Guests are welcome to attend, free of charge, and may try their hand at muzzle load shooting or purchase handmade crafts of wood, wrought iron, leather, etc.

by Nancy Besonen

Ever wonder what the living was like back in the pioneer days?

Head on out to the Ottawa Sportsmen's Club on M-38 in Baraga July 14-17, 2011, for the 35th annual Upper Peninsula Muzzle Loaders Association (UPMLA) Rendezvous. There you can both see and experience first hand the true pioneer spirit, celebrated each summer by participants of all ages.

The UPMLA is an organization devoted to preserving the history and tradition of muzzle load shooting. Its members embrace pre-1840's lifestyles and survival skills, dressing the part and practicing at monthly meetings held year-round, then competing with one another each summer at rendezvous sites.

Men and women dress in the style of the day—buckskins, home-spun skirts, moccasins—then compete for fun and bragging rights at mostly muzzle load shooting, with some other events thrown in just for fun.

Rendezvous participants erect lodges on the Sportsmen's Club grounds of hide or heavy fabric—though more modern tents are welcome as well. Quite a few sell wares they craft throughout the year, including artistically wrought iron, wood carvings, leather items and more.

Many bring their children along for the weekend, and the youngsters follow their parents' lead in taking the Rendezvous to heart. Clad in loose tunics and pants or long skirts that flap in the wind, in soft moccasins or just plain barefoot, the children run and play, relax and learn pioneer crafts from the many artists populating the campgrounds at the Rendezvous.

Guests are welcome to tour the Rendezvous free of charge throughout its duration, and are encouraged to take an active role in the fun-filled weekend.

Men and women may try their hand at shooting muzzle loaders, or may simply kick back and enjoy the fun as Rendezvous members engage in pioneer-style competitions sure to amuse all.

There are tomahawk and knife throws for both sexes and almost all ages. On the lighter side—but not literally!—women participate in a frying pan throw, while men heft 20-pound hammers to see who can go the longest distance. Good-natured banter is a time-honored tradition, fueling greater efforts and much laughter from both sides.

This summer's Rendezvous opens this Thursday, July 14 with a Long Bow competition from 1-3 p.m., Distance, 3 p.m., and Duel at 6 p.m. On Friday there's a Smoothbore (no rear sights) shoot from 9 a.m. to noon, Hawk & Knife throws from 1-3 p.m. and Pan & Hammer throws from 3-4 p.m. A woods walk is held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday starts out with the Shoot from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by a Youth Shoot at 12:30 p.m. The day comes to a satisfying end with the Pot Luck Dinner at 6 p.m., business meeting and registration for Sunday's Woods Walk at 9 a.m.

The Woods Walks feature teams of three to four people who take turns traversing a course rigged with pre-1980's obstacles, including wildlife decoys and other pioneer days-style wood and road hazards. To learn more about the group visit its web site at www.upmuzzleloaders.com. Better yet, head on out to Rendezvous July 14-17.