Rapt Attention to Trail-Cam Images

After a long, hot day of work at the hunting lease about two weeks ago, some of the members gathered in the cabin to look a trail-camera photos on a laptop. We're eagerly awaiting the hunting season this fall. There are a lot of does and some pretty good bucks showing up on the images. Shown here from the left are Jacob, Tom, Trey and Mo. Brian is there too, but he's hidden behind Trey and Mo. 

Bill Scurlock

Clay Smith Pouch and Horn

Though I've had this pouch and horn, both made by Clay Smith, for a while, I didn't get them paired up, with straps on the bag and horn, until last Friday. There will be an article on one of Clay's "trade rifles" in the September/October issue. You can contact Clay at [www.claysmithguns.com].

Bill Scurlock

Shinin Times Valley Rendezvous–Wisconsin

MUZZLELOADER recently received a couple of images from last year's Shinin Times Valley Rendezvous in Lynoon Station, Wisconsin. The booshway was Andy "Red Bear" VanSickle, shown at left in the lower photo, presenting a one-year subscription of MUZZLELOADER to Ed Anderson.

Bill Scurlock

Mike Taylor Quilled Pouch

I almost left this quilled pouch made by Michael Taylor out of my posts about this year's CLA auction. This quilled brain-tan bag is also in the live auction on Friday, August 20th, in Lexington, Kentucky. You can contact Mike at [www.michaeljtaylor.com].

Bill Scurlock

Jacob Shooting

Yes, it was hot last week. Not as hot as this week, though. But son Jacob pulled out the Steve Davis iron-mounted .54 and did some shooting. He will be home this fall, still going to college, but plans to deer hunt at our lease. Therefore, he is practicing. He did pretty well this day, and the afternoon before,

but still needs the practice. We all look forward to having him at the camp this fall.

Bill Scurlock

Clay Smith Copper Candles

Noted gunmaker and craftsman, Clay Smith, has been making these copper candles this year. I got a couple of them after the Fort Frederick trade fair. These fit perfectly in the socket of my candle lanterns, and they never burn short. You fill the copper container with liquid paraffin, and light the wick. It will burn for about 4 hours.

I don't know that there are any original lamps just like this, but blown glass peg lamps, burning whale oil, work the same way and date back to at least the early 19th century.

You can contact Clay at [www.claysmithguns.com] or email [claysmith@cox.net].

Bill Scurlock

Tomahawk by Frank House, Ian Pratt and Joe Seabolt

This reproduction of the Jacob Fraiser tomahawk, made by Frank House, Ian Pratt and Joe Seabolt, is part of the 2010 CLA live auction at the annual meeting in Lexington, Kentucky, on Friday, August 20th. You can contact House at 859-707-5429, Pratt at 303-658-4049 or Seabolt at 513-722-4321.

Bill Scurlock