This weekend marks the inaugural Primitive Rendezvous in Joliet, which features a muzzleloader shooting competition, pelts and other hunting spoils for sale, and music played on instruments made of rawhide.
And, while poring over boxes of deer legs or hammering a bullet into your muzzleloader, there’s plenty of time to shoot the breeze.
“I’ve been here since 7 a.m. and I haven’t done anything but talk,” said the booshway, or organizer, Micah Snodgrass, who goes by Smoothgrass when rendezvousing.
Micah Snodgrass is photographed in front of his tent at the inaugural Mountain Man Rendezvous in Joliet on Friday, June 7.
Two miles down Joliet-Fromberg Road, Rangemaster Brian Buck, a former Green Beret, was at the range, teaching rookies how to load and shoot muzzleloaders.
“I got hornswoggled into this,” he said. Soon after, a first-timer hit the target not too far from the center.
“That’s pretty good for your first time shooting black powder,” Buck said.
Doyle Parker of Red Lodge prepares to shoot a muzzle loader during the inaugural Mountain Man Rendezvous takes place in Joliet on Friday, June 7.
The muzzleloader contest costs $20 to enter and has three divisions, with prizes that Buck refused to reveal. Novices are not only welcome but encouraged.
“We’re spreading the knowledge around ‘cause if
