Our hobby is not inexpensive, folks, and with OTC traditional black powder "entry rifles" only available from three manufacturers (Traditions, Lyman, Pedersoli)..., it's even tougher to get started. ADD to that..., 8 years of poor economics, and esoteric hobbies such as ours tend to wane.
So over the next four years, IF the economics are improved, we might have a
window of opportunity to pass on to future generations what we have been blessed to experience.
We need to
consider how to get the next group involved in shooting and "primitive" camping. We need to..., dare I use some buzz phrases ..., check our messaging and modify it for the "market", and we need to educate ourselves to that line of thinking. Gone are the days when
Daniel Boone and
Davey Crocket were on TV sparking the interests of the youth of America. Sad, but true.
We need to reach out to Scouting, Venture Crews (an offshoot of Scouting) and Royal Rangers, and hold events where the scouts may attend and see and try the food and the guns. ALSO see if you can find a Scouting or Royal Ranger event near you, and if they would allow you (or members of your club/group) to do a demonstration of some sort. Remember the phrase "
Leave No Trace Camping", research that so you know what the folks looking at that concept mean, and see how we can demonstrate how what we do dovetails with that idea. ( For example moccasins leave less impact on the environment than vibram soled boots.
) Think about
selling the idea that DIY clothing coming from natural fibers is better than gortex and nylon bought over the counter, and DIY shelters (like oil cloth) not having petroleum based products which is also better for the environment.
Be ready, IF you get the chance, to talk about the guns and rifles and hunting, to point out how we help the deer to thrive, and use the whole deer not just the meat (antler knife handles, powder measures ..., leather for bags, etc).
Think about doing some sort of skills demonstration in the next school year
so the field trip comes to the school, though you may be limited in what you can show...., depending on the politics of the school district. Some schools will like the less expense (like FREE) for you to come and do a show and tell.
Know any young vets? ALL of the young guys that I have met in the last year that are now doing this hobby, are under 30 years old, and are combat vets. The laid back atmosphere of black powder living history, and the fact that the rifles are so different from their M4,
helps them. How about some wounded vets?
Look if this hobby dies, we can blame it on ourselves, especially if we don't try to preserve it. (imho)
LD