Lack of younger shooters?

[granth]

Drawing in a new shooter is not easy. Muzzle loading is a very small niche hobby within another hobby (shooting sports, hunting, etc.). You need to find a person not only with a draw toward fire arms and shooting sports, but one who wants to move into this relatively small niche with an even steeper learning curve. I've taught loading, shooting, and cleaning to a variety of people (range open house, Women on Target, muzzle loader club matches, etc.), and if you get 1-in-20 to return as a regular, you're doing OK. If you get 1-in-10 or 1-in-15, you're doing well. You have to go out and engage with people ready to try it, and then be prepared to only succeed a small percentage of the time. But you still do it because it's the right thing to do for our sport.

That's a very good way to look at it. I might try to invite one of my buddies to a rendezvous one of these days

 

[deerstalkert]

for the last 70-80 years the gun oriented media (magazines, movies, hunting shows) have been an arm of the manufacturers. sponsored by the big 3 or 4 producers the emphasis was on the new, current, golly gee wiz bang.
prior to WW1 BP was still prevalent. even many muzzleloaders were still in use putting food on folks tables. when the boys came back from using the new wizbang military weapons, and surplus wizbangs were available most muzzleloaders went over fireplaces.
my first rifle was BP fed, but was not a muzzleloader.
the revival of muzzleloaders came about because a few fellas were nostalgic and recognized a niche they could fill.
still the gun media only paid passing attention to muzzleloaders. there was just more money available from winny, remmy and Savage for pimping their products.
during the various wars of the 20th century young men were exposed to the current technology of the wizbang weapons used. History was no longer taught in schools. most youngsters just haven't a clue as to the Evolution of firearms.
I am certainly NOT directing this at you, even as old as I am i hadn't a clue for most of my life as to the evolution of the gun. Hadn't a clue about such things as a matchlock or wheellock.
I fear without a more aggressive marketing of the Black Powder experience in the mainstream gun media, we will stay static at best, or pass into extinction at worst.
I have introduced maybe 10 of your generation to Muzzleloading. Only 1 that i can recall has kept it up.
Sorry, at 16 i suppose you are technically a second generation removed from the one referenced!
just my take.

 

[granth]

for the last 70-80 years the gun oriented media (magazines, movies, hunting shows) have been an arm of the manufacturers. sponsored by the big 3 or 4 producers the emphasis was on the new, current, golly gee wiz bang.
prior to WW1 BP was still prevalent. even many muzzleloaders were still in use putting food on folks tables. when the boys came back from using the new wizbang military weapons, and surplus wizbangs were available most muzzleloaders went over fireplaces.
my first rifle was BP fed, but was not a muzzleloader.
the revival of muzzleloaders came about because a few fellas were nostalgic and recognized a niche they could fill.
still the gun media only paid passing attention to muzzleloaders. there was just more money available from winny, remmy and Savage for pimping their products.
during the various wars of the 20th century young men were exposed to the current technology of the wizbang weapons used. History was no longer taught in schools. most youngsters just haven't a clue as to the Evolution of firearms.
I am certainly NOT directing this at you, even as old as I am i hadn't a clue for most of my life as to the evolution of the gun. Hadn't a clue about such things as a matchlock or wheellock.
I fear without a more aggressive marketing of the Black Powder experience in the mainstream gun media, we will stay static at best, or pass into extinction at worst.
I have introduced maybe 10 of your generation to Muzzleloading. Only 1 that i can recall has kept it up.
Sorry, at 16 i suppose you are technically a second generation removed from the one referenced!
just my take.

I get it, I'm just worried that there won't be enough of my generation to keep up this amazing sport. I just wish more people my aged liked it as much as I do!

 

[deerstalkert]

I get it, I'm just worried that there won't be enough of my generation to keep up this amazing sport. I just wish more people my aged liked it as much as I do!

as do I , as do I!
in my time of your age, i could get away with wearing a coon skin cap! doubt you would get the girls doing it today.

 

[tom_in_vt]

I’m guessing that a lot of the younger kids are into tactical rifles and shooting. I’m going to introduce my kids to muzzleloaders and sss if I can’t plant a seed. Something like a woods walk/shoot should be a decent way to make it fun.

 

[kyron4]

I just got into BP shooting in my late 40's. Been shooting all other types of firearms since I was a teenager. It took so long for me because I just didn't know anything about it , didn't know anyone who shot them, and frankly was scared just to jump into it blindly.

I think with BP shooting you really need a mentor to get you started. So much more to learn than just loading a .22 in the magazine and shooting. Things like what kind of powder ? how much powder ? what kind of bullet ? , how do I clean it, ? etc.

I watched a lot of videos, read a lot of articles, and did all the research , and was still nervous on my first shot, thinking for sure I missed something or did something wrong and was going to blow my face off; because it was new , different and I was self taught and on my own.

Mentoring people is the key to keep the sport alive in my opinion.

 

[COTNTOP]

It is hard to get a person started into firearms that was raised without one in hand. The progressive movement has been more effective than we think. The progressives know their day is very near and we will not be here in their way.

 

[dave951]

I get it, I'm just worried that there won't be enough of my generation to keep up this amazing sport. I just wish more people my aged liked it as much as I do!

Weellllll, a group of us old codgers have already realized this is a huge oncoming issue and we've decided to do something about it. That's why we've started up our instructor program to get more certified muzzleloading instructors available for youth shooting sports programs. This problem was a long time developing and it won't be solved overnight. So far, we've been working in Scout camps instructing in muzzleloading and working to get other like minded black powder enthusiasts certified and on a firing line in a youth organization somewhere.

This problem will not solve itself, especially when many in our sport are selfish with their time and expertise. I say that because if you are not working in some way on solving this problem, you're part of the problem. BP shooting in general has been declining for years and we can hash over the reasons, but it really boils down to one thing- we have not been taking responsibility for teaching kids and have abdicated that critical role to "institutions of education/indoctrination" and are reaping the results.

 

[TexiKan]

I agree that what sparked our interest in the hobby tended to be television and movies at that time. However, going beyond that spark to active involvement is a step most do not take. For some like me, that interest was always there but committing to purchasing the gun and all necessary were more of a matter of the right opportunity for me as a young adult. No one helped me find the equipment or figure out a way to afford it.

One thing for sure,the same reasons we became interested in the hobby may not be the same for potential shooters. Too often a one time introduction may spark an interest yet few will assist in moving beyond that stage to actual ownership and participation. There is no urgency or timeline and without a goal, those interests may wane and others could become more obtainable and satisfying.

 

[Okie Hog]

Welcome to the muzzleloader forum. Glad that you became interested in muzzleloaders; it's a good sport.

i'm on several boards that have muzzleloader forums. As you previously noted most muzzleloaders addicts are old men, some are cranky old men. i'm 83 years young: The generation before mine experienced the entire great depression, they looked at my generation with distain.

i've instructed young folks in muzzleloader shooting as related to hunting, two stayed with it. One funded his college education by trapping and selling wild hogs. He's a Special Forces officer today.

There's nothing all that complicated about learning to safely shoot muzzleloader, it ain't rocket science. It's better to have a mentor but it's not required.

 

[Kansas Jake]

Traditional black powder shooting is hard to get into for someone. When was the last time you walked into a business that sells ammunition or firearms and saw a traditional muzzleloader? Caps are currently non-existent and even black powder substitutes aren’t common. Now if you want to play golf or go fishing how much trouble do you have finding equipment? This is the first obstacle.

Say I find a gun and equipment, where do I go to shoot? Most indoor ranges don’t allow them. The closest outdoor public range to me is at a state park and has been closed from covid and then planned renovation 2 years and may not be open till next year. I would have to drive 50 miles one way to shoot. I live in a rural state but in many areas farmers and ranchers no longer are excited about someone just coming out for target practice let alone hunting. Couple that with the loss of habitat due to modern farming practices.

I’m not blaming anyone, just making an observation.

So far I haven’t even mentioned school shootings or politics.

I don’t have a easy answer. I have 6 grandkids and none have much interest in grandpa’s old time affliction. Several like to shoot occasionally but are involved in other sports and activities.

 

[Rum River]

I get it, I'm just worried that there won't be enough of my generation to keep up this amazing sport. I just wish more people my aged liked it as much as I do!

Very glad you're excited about this sport.

Here in Minnesota I coached the muzzleloading discipline for the local 4-H Shooting Sports organization.
Try checking with your local 4-H organization, you may find others that feel as you do.

Good Luck!

 

[Rawhide67]

It’s not just young people, it’s people. The negative traits assigned to young people are also traits that anybody might have in their character. I believe it comes down to fear. When I was growing up, I was encouraged to climb trees and make fires. Go out on my own and whittle something with a pocket knife. The kids take our lead. We are the problem. Give them a Playstation and they stay out of our way. It takes effort to get a kid outside and others around us are encouraging kids to sit on a couch with a device too. What would get kids interested, is another kid on Youtube blasting some pig targets like Blackpowder Maniac is doing for us old guys.

You went and did it again Ponderosa, now I have to agree with you, again.

Both my sons shoot, just not black powder stuff. I've tried to get both interested in hunting, without success. Too much effort with too little reward, at least in their eyes. I suspect that our current world full of gadgets and gizmos offers more instant gratification and stimulation that burning black powder.

 

[Kane]

Hello, everyone. I posted a similar topic in the Member's only forum and I think it would get more traction here. So I am 16, and I have noticed the lack of young shooters in this sport. I'm relatively new, but so far I have had a blast. I've observed that the majority of BP shooters are in the older demographic. Why do you think this is?

You ain’t alone man, I’m 18 and have been trying to be involved in muzzleloading since I was 10. I’ve always been a huge history nut and this is the most fun sport in my opinion. Just us young guys can’t let ourselves get lazy and let it die.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

You ain’t alone man, I’m 18 and have been trying to be involved in muzzleloading since I was 10. I’ve always been a huge history nut and this is the most fun sport in my opinion. Just us young guys can’t let ourselves get lazy and let it die.

If you're near Maryland, I can give you some help.

LD

 

[59sharps]

To many parents are anti gun. My granddaughter who lives with me will not talk about guns hunting and shooting outside the house Because of the fear the her friends would not be allowed over the house if their patients knew. Even when we go out to eat she keeps her voice down or tells me not to talk about our trips. This may change some for we are moving to our weekend home out in the country this summer.

 

[smo]

Hopefully some of the younger generation that we all have introduced to the sport will return somewhere along their journey in Life..

All we can do is hope..

I was at a small camp last Saturday 46 total in attendance.. Of which 6 were under the age of 13… 2 are regular’s. The bug has already bit them…

Air Gun sports are on the rise, so hopefully that will create more shooters in general.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Hello, everyone. I posted a similar topic in the Member's only forum and I think it would get more traction here. So I am 16, and I have noticed the lack of young shooters in this sport. I'm relatively new, but so far I have had a blast. I've observed that the majority of BP shooters are in the older demographic. Why do you think this is?

Well others I'm sure will have similar observations. You have a wave of black powder enthusiasts, that hit in the mid 1950's with TV and a big screen movie from Disney, Davey Crockett series.
That was followed by Fess Parker (who had played Crockett)..., in the TV series Daniel Boone, which ran from 1964-1970. Then there was the movie, Jeremiah Johnson in 1972.

So a lot of entertainment revolving around rifles, flintlock and caplock. PLUS you also had the era of the "Spaghetti Western" , which often were set at a time when the characters were supposed to be using cap-n-ball pistols, but used cartridge revolvers, BUT some of the films did use cap-n-ball revolvers, and that got noticed too. The fact that companies in Italy were producing them helped a lot.

All the guys and gals that got interested in muzzleloaders as "kids" back then are now in their 60's or older.

Then you have the kids who got interested during the Bicentennial celebrations, like myself. That was only a few years after the above shows and movies, and we had a lot of experienced shooters to help us along. We are rapidly approaching our 60's as well.

My Daughter is 28. She and her husband are interested in Living History, and black powder, but she started coming out at the age of 5 in 1999. My son is younger, and he's not interested yet.

There is a pirate craze right now. NO IDEA why other than Pirates of The Caribbean and Black Sails, but that's getting some younger people into flintlocks. The local Renn Fairs have "pirate" weekends even though The Golden Age of Piracy was after the Renaissance..., I don't care if it makes people look into flinters, right?

LD

 

[Sean E Bug]

at 29 I am still on the young side. I think one of the problems is most people are under the impression that black powder is a big hassle to deal with. most seem to think that loading takes forever and that cleaning is a huge ordeal that will suck up the day after your range trip. the other is that it is seen as a relic of the past held onto by old nostalgic men scared of the future. one thing that gives me hope is that things like hand tool wood working are seeing a resurgence, meaning more people are seeing a value in being able to do things themselves with some simple tools. That an investment in a quality item might serve them well for the rest of their life. many involved in the sport enjoy the arts and crafts nature of it and that you can make things personalized to yourself. in the day and age of the latest no hassle, easy to use, consume your life technology muzzleloading only offers the chance of developing patience, discipline, self expression, or beauty.
what really needs to be done is to focus on the fun and let the history and other virtues develop naturally. invite friends to shoot with you, let strangers take a shot or two, and shoot fun targets.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Hello, everyone. I posted a similar topic in the Member's only forum and I think it would get more traction here. So I am 16, and I have noticed the lack of young shooters in this sport. I'm relatively new, but so far I have had a blast. I've observed that the majority of BP shooters are in the older demographic. Why do you think this is?

I started a thread awhile back…to see what others here are doing to bring new shooters into the fold.
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/next-generation-smoke.143981/There are few young, next generation, shooters because the current participants do nothing to bring new shooters into this sport.