The Surprise Valley Smokepoles are a diverse group of folks from Modoc County, California. More than just a black powder shooting club, the Smokepoles practice living history, buckskinning, primitive camping and trekking. We try to emulate the lifestyles of those that came before us...
We host rendezvous out in Nevada, on places that have not changed since the days of the early pioneers. Sometimes, we have events right on the original Applegate trail. Men like Kit Carson and John C Freemont traveled through these sites in 1843. However, the pioneers that came through here in the 1840's were not the first white people to come through this part of the country. In the late 1820's, Peter Skene Ogden, and a group of trappers, explored this very part of the United States. Some of our members, choose to portray the men of this time period. Others like to portray the Longhunter period between 1760-1770. Our group encompasses a time period between 1750-1850. We try to dress, eat, shoot, and live as similar to these individuals as possible. Living history is a work in progress, and a constant learning process.
The Smokepoles invite anyone interested in these time periods to join us! We want more youth in our club, and we also want more women to become members. Membership is only $20 a year for individuals, and $30 a year for families. We meet the second Saturday of the month, and usually host a shoot that same day. Besides traditional black powder shooting, we are also into primitive archery. We usually have an archery competition the weekend after our meetings. There exist only a few restrictions. Only traditional black powder firearms may be used. Open sights and patched round balls may be used. We accept flintlocks, smoothbore muskets, and percusion weapons. Cap and ball revolvers are welcome as well. We do not allow modern in-line muzzleloading firearms. The restrictions for archery are less stringent. The only restriction being on the use of compound bows.
Come out and join us! We are always looking for new members. If you like to camp, eat good food, and enjoy good conversation out in high desert, in a primitive way, come out to one of our events! Our members all have something to offer, and there is a lot to learn. That is all part of the fun. And fun is what we try to have at all of our events!
We host rendezvous out in Nevada, on places that have not changed since the days of the early pioneers. Sometimes, we have events right on the original Applegate trail. Men like Kit Carson and John C Freemont traveled through these sites in 1843. However, the pioneers that came through here in the 1840's were not the first white people to come through this part of the country. In the late 1820's, Peter Skene Ogden, and a group of trappers, explored this very part of the United States. Some of our members, choose to portray the men of this time period. Others like to portray the Longhunter period between 1760-1770. Our group encompasses a time period between 1750-1850. We try to dress, eat, shoot, and live as similar to these individuals as possible. Living history is a work in progress, and a constant learning process.
The Smokepoles invite anyone interested in these time periods to join us! We want more youth in our club, and we also want more women to become members. Membership is only $20 a year for individuals, and $30 a year for families. We meet the second Saturday of the month, and usually host a shoot that same day. Besides traditional black powder shooting, we are also into primitive archery. We usually have an archery competition the weekend after our meetings. There exist only a few restrictions. Only traditional black powder firearms may be used. Open sights and patched round balls may be used. We accept flintlocks, smoothbore muskets, and percusion weapons. Cap and ball revolvers are welcome as well. We do not allow modern in-line muzzleloading firearms. The restrictions for archery are less stringent. The only restriction being on the use of compound bows.
Come out and join us! We are always looking for new members. If you like to camp, eat good food, and enjoy good conversation out in high desert, in a primitive way, come out to one of our events! Our members all have something to offer, and there is a lot to learn. That is all part of the fun. And fun is what we try to have at all of our events!
