For those of you interested in the hobby of Buckskinning and Black Powder, I would HIGHLY recommend the BOOKS OF BUCKSKINNING I thru VIII.  These books have been my "Bible" for many years. Each time one comes out, I buy it. There are many, many books that will give you good advice and what to do and not to do, but these, in my opinion, cover the most material for the money.  For clothing for women, add in Tidings of the 18th Century, by Beth Gilgun.

        Go visit a local Rondezvous or Shoot in your area. Look around... talk to people. My Daddy used to say that the only dumb question is the one you don't ask. So... don't be dumb, and go ahead and ask questions of the participants. No one will think the less of you for asking about items or how something is done or made. If you are serious about getting into this hobby, you will find that people are more than willing to help you. In 1988, I didn't know a darn thing (some say I still don't), and had to ask. Everyone was great in helping this Pilgrim.

        OH!!! Most important of all... When you go to your first event as a "day visitor", LEAVE YOUR CHECKBOOK AND CREDIT CARDS HOME!!!!  I'm very serious about that. The absolute worst thing you can do is "impulse buy". Trust me... I did it myself.  You will end up with the most gawd-awfull collection of junk, and none of it "correct."  There are some events that are more "period correct" than others, and you WILL be told about your errors. Sorry to say, not everyone is friendly in telling a Pilgrim where he has erred. I could spend several paragraphs telling you where I made mistakes, but I'd probably run out of room on the Server before I was through. As they say... STOP (and see what is going on), LOOK (at what others have done) and LISTEN (to advise from the "old timers"...).

        When you decide you are ready to leave sanity(?) behind and start Buckskinning, the first thing you should do is find some books on the era you want to portray.  Do you want to do Long Hunter (1750ish-1790ish), Revolutionary War (1770-1780s), French and Indian War (1755-1763 or so), Mountain Man (1790-1842), Fur Trade (1600s to the 1842),  War of 1812, Lewis and Clark (1800-1810), Rogers Rangers, etc... (Hey... I never said this was gonna be easy.) ...and the list goes on. Try not to keep switching eras... it can get expensive!!  Again, trust me, I know.
I did it.  There were Hunters, Trappers, Voyagers, Explorers, Craftsmen, etc... etc... Pick an era that you like, or even a "trade" that you like. I know many, many people who do nothing but the Ronnyvous circuit and that is their living.  Shirlee Pfeil (The Bushwoman), makes probably some of the best period correct clothing.  "Cotton" has his own "General Merchandise" store. Tom Stearns is retired, but is a Master Leathersmith, and makes great leather products, Rick Haven has the Heritage Clothiers shop, and on and on... Since this is somewhat of a "specialty" hobby, items can be expensive, but this is all over. Prices are not "set", but everyone pretty much charges the same price forthe same items.

        Most of the events have a "modern" camping area if you only have a "tin tipi". I strongly recommend that you do the first few events using modern facilities... a motor home, camper trailer, modern tent, etc...and modern gear, if you already have it. This is your best bet if you are still "scoping it out" and trying to decide. If you are a man, by yourself, then a 10x10 canvas tarp, some rope and stakes, a drop cloth (waterproof) for the ground, and a few blankets, and you are ready to start. Once there, you can get everything else you need if you have decided on what/who/when you want to be, at the 'Vous.  After you decide these things, then look for a tent. You can frequently pick up entire "setups" at a Ronny from someone who is moving up to a larger tent.  I have 3 tents (see what I mean?).  The Mouse and I just bought a new 13x13 Markee from Al Levins at Spring Valley Lodge. Why? *chuckles* We needed a bigger and easier to set up tent. I also have an 8x5 wedge, a 10x12 Bell wedge, and a 10x10 tarp.  The length of the event dictates what tent we use, and whether or not the Mouse goes with me.

        WARNING WILL ROBINSON!!!  Stay away from the "granite" ware. That is the blue, black, or green speckled stuff... That did not come into existence until after 1850. If you are doing Civil War, this is fine... before 1850 time, NOT!!!  Again, trust me, I did this. The more appropriate is either pewter, tin or wood bowls, plates, cups, etc... Also, forget the fancy glass or lead crystal wine goblets unless you are doing Boston, or some place like that. Very rarely, if ever, would that have been on the Frontier.  The same with eating utensils. Horn or wooden spoons are ok... but leave the good silver at home. The same goes for the fancy silver knife and forks. You usually carry a knife with you... it'll do for cutting your meat and such. Forks? Just about any 3 pronged fork will do for civilized people. Cast iron, copper, or sheet steel for cooking utensils. Tinware, copperware or stoneware for cups and bowls. Coffee pots were either copper or tin. All of this can be picked up from either various catalogs (see my LINKS page for some of the vendors) or at the 'Vous.  Local Goodwill Stores, Thrift Shops, eBay (yep. that's what I said), yard and garage sales, can also net you many items.  I have found pewter plates, bone handle J. Russell Green River knives and forks, Williamsburg Salt Ware mugs, old shirts that modify nicely, etc... Ya just gotta look... and its a lot cheaper too...

        When I do my Long Hunter presentation, I carry everything on my back or belt. I use a 10x10 tarp, 4x7 ground cloth, folding skillet, a few tent stakes, some rope, a nesting tin pot set, a tin cup, wooden bowl, horn spoon, fork, squirrel cooker, a pouch for my fire kit, my possibles bag, haversack, 'hawk and 2 knives, small camp hatchet, salt and pepper horns, jerky, parched corn, cornmeal, coffee, dried fruits and veggies, powder horn, priming horn, smooth bore gun, 2 blankets, and a spare shirt or two. Oh, and the usual shaving gear and personals for hygiene. Even in the woods, ya can't be forgettin the Charmin!!  With my luck, I'd grab a leaf, and it would be Poison Ivy!!  Ewwww....!!!! NOT my idea of a good time!!

        Okay, I got side tracked. Basically, all you need to start, for a family, is a good tent the right size (you can sometimes buy entire setups for $500... and that includes everything... tent, iron, etc...), a means to cook and stuff to cook with, a couple of candle lanterns, bedding (which you already got at home), and clothes. As I said, the clothes are always available at a Ronny. One of the best is Bushwomans. Just don't spend a fortune until you know what/when you want to be. Your basic shirt, pants, hat, and mocs, boots or shoes for the men, and for the ladies, skirt, chemise, bonnet, and mocs or shoes are all you need to start. You can easily get started for less than $1000 total (including the tentage) and that is on the high side estimate. Look around and be frugal. I can not emphasize this too often. Check Blanket Traders at a Vous. You can frequently find used clothing and such that is perfectly acceptable and still has lots of good use in them.  The same for blankets... You DO NOT have to go out and buy new Whitney 4 point blankets!! There are plenty of great used items available that will serve you for many years.
 

            Since they frown on getting fresh meat the old fashioned way at Ronnyvous, a cooler will be a necessity.  This will be for the milk, eggs, meat, beer, etc... Most of the Ronnys have ice service every day or so that comes right by the camp. BUT... be sure to either keep it hidden in the tent, or covered with a blanket.  Panther Primitive sells canvass cooler covers real reasonable. I either keep it in the tent, or a blanket over mine. Not quite as obvious that way. Try to bring food that needs little or no preperation. Jerky, parched corn, cornmeal, dried fruits and veggies, etc... You can make a great stew from jerky, dried veggies and cornmeal, with a little salt and pepper. When the Mouse goes with me, we set a much BIGGER camp and I do eat better. The above listed fare can get old after a few days. Then it is time to take bowl in hand, and go to other camps... get a sorrowful look on your face, and maybe drool a little as you look at others food... usually works!! A note here... I am kidding about the last part!! *grins*  You will have undoubtedly made friends at the Ronny, and will frequently be invited to partake of grub with others... Show good manners and bring something to the fire with you... a vegetable dish, desert, beer or wine, bread, etc.... This is usually much appreciated.

            Coffee can be done in several ways. You can  A) buy the green coffee beans and roast them over your fire, crunch them up and add them to the coffee water,  B) put them in a small muslin bag (after they have been roasted and ground) then into the coffee water, C) buy the beans pre-roasted and grind them up and use the pouch or add direct to the water, or D) cheat and use the Maxwell House pouches!!  I surely do hate eating "snuff" when I am drinking coffee. Good camp coffee is a pure pleasure to sit and enjoy.  Now, a friend of mine, Jimbo Carter, makes something he calls coffee. Personally, I would not go that far and classify it as that.. #3 lube oil, heavy crude, or just plain ???? makes more sense.  One cup of that stuff and you are wired all day!!! ...and I thought mine was strong!  I am a retired Navy Chjief, and we though we had strong coffee in the Chief's Mess... NOT!!  Jimbo's is stronger....

            When I started out, I had been shooting BP for about 15 years, so I had a somewhat period correct T/C Hawken in .50 cal. A final warning about going to your first 'vous... LEAVE THE WALLET AND CHECKBOOK HOME!!!  Trust me, you will buy WAY more stuff than you need, and be sorry for it later.  You can spend anywhere from $100 for a used gun, all the way up to $3000 for a custom made one.  Granted, there is no such thing as too many guns, knives, or such, BUT... when you are starting out, don't bankrupt yourself. Pick up a GOOD, key word here, GOOD, rifle or smoothbore. You can do this for as little as $200-$400 for a good used peice. You can get a Great Plains Rifle by Lyman (one of the best starter guns going) for about $375 or so new if you shop around. Check out www.auctionarms.com on the internet. Click on the BLACKPOWDER section and see what is available there. I have purchased some great buys there. Go to a local 'Vous and look around at what is available, but DO NOT run out and buy the first thing you see that you think you "might" like. You can end up with $500-$3000 tied up in a firearm, possibles bag, possibles, and the like, and then find out you absolutely HATE shooting Black Powder. Oops... now what? You MIGHT get half your money back selling the stuff. Here again, talk to others and look to see what they are shooting. If you go to a local shoot, and ask someone if you can shoot their rifle or smoothie.  See which type and what caliber and make you like best. THEN and only then, look seriously at buying a firearm.

            To sum up the last several paragraphs, remember the following... 1) go to several 'Vous or shoots in your area and see what they are like. 2) look at other camps before you decide what/when you want to portray. 3)  LEAVE THE MONEY HOME when you first go so as not to "impulse" buy alot of junk!!  4) When you do decide on what you want to do, shop around for the best prices. (you can frequently pick up like new used items from a trade blanket for very reasonable prices)  5) Research your personna and try to be as period correct as possible. 6) ...and most of all..... ENJOY!!!!  This is a tight Brotherhood you are getting into and they take care of each other.  There are a few idjits out there, but thankfully, they are very few and far between.  Welcome to the fire, Pilgrim... *smiles*