Page 41 - ODO 2024 JanFeb online version

Centuries-old outdoor traditions and pio-
neering American history remain alive in mod- DON P. BROWN/ODWC
ern times thanks to groups such as the Cross
Timbers Primitive Society.
The group’s members, currently about 15 or
20, share a love and fascination with primitive
firearms, especially the flintlock rifle. Usually
once a month, they will gather their “neces-
saries” and meet up at group-built private
shooting range near Lexington for a friendly
muzzleloader shooting competition.
Such was the case last fall as the Society put
on a fairly elaborate contest featuring plenty
of interesting targets.
Former Society officer Neil Keyes helped
organize the day’s event.
“For me, the best part, the main purpose,
this was a traditional-style muzzleloader shoot,
Neil Keyes and Clayton Grubbs line up the targets, in this case plums.
which means everybody was shooting a type
of rifle that 200 years ago was all that was
available to our ancestors.” “For me, the best part, the main purpose, this was a
These primitive firearms fans will say that traditional-style muzzleloader shoot, which means
there’s a special enjoyment and satisfaction that everybody was shooting a type of rifle that 200 years
comes with ramming gunpowder and a metal
sphere into a long barrel, cocking a piece of ago was all that was available to our ancestors .”
flint into position, taking aim, and then unleash-

DON P. BROWN/ODWC

The Cross Timbers Primitive Society, with a few guests, gather for a group photo at a muzzleloader tournament in September. From left are Neil Keyes, Dee
Kelly, Cholee Talley, Bennett Talley, Clayton Grubbs, Jordan Grubbs, Steve Shoreland, Cliff Sikes, Wayne East, Rick Cox, and Roger Miller.

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