Buckskinning includes rendezvous primitive camp, dress, clothing, powderhorn accoutrements and research of a pre-1840's lifestyle for historical preservation. Buckskinners share an interest in developing the characteristics of honesty and good fellowship within our communities. This is a foundation of True Patriotism.
Rendezvous are gatherings of those who are involved in Buckskinning. All items of gear, food,
clothing and firearms are closely portrayed as possible in the pre-1840 period of the fur trade era.
Powderhorn Clan Members from Left to Right
Ed Dotter- President/ Booshway
D.D. Dotter
R.L. Monts- Range Officer
R.O. Ackerman- Secretary/Scribe and Treasurer/Purser
A.T Sewell
E.B. Buscher
R. Jones
J.H. Hanny
L.A. Cole
W.T. Johnson- Vice President/ Segundo
We wish to thank Kathy Dore for sending us this historical photo with description.
Jon (Packrat) Pack is pictured discussing camp set up with the school children in Chino Valley AZ.
Your support and generous donation will fund our mission of preserving history and supporting communities. The Powderhorn Clan Inc.is a registered Non Profit organization tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
# 83-2928629
May 19th/21st three intrepid Powderhorn Clan members set out on a canoe trek of Walnut Creek, Flagstaff, Arizona territory to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Powderhorn Clan. Beerbill and I rendezvoused with Lightng and Max on the east bank of the creek early Friday morning. There was so much snow over the winter that Walnut Creek has burst its banks. We loaded our gear into two canoes and set off to find a camp site on the west bank. We headed south until we came upon to what turned out to be the prefect camp site. We unloaded and beached the canoes. We set up our camps and got a fire going just as a thunderstorm rolled in. The rain lasted into the early evening. We found the area offered a good supply of gas wood pine and downed oak. We had enough coals in the morning to get the fire going again. Camp was quite comfortable. We stayed relatively dry, and our rain gear kept us dry. I had the chance to try out my new fishing rig I built. I tried using a cricket as bait. I did not catch anything. Lightng brought a crawdad trap. In three days he did not catch anything either. Beerbill and I both could see crawdads in the water. They just did not like the trap. Saturday afternoon I paddled two, or three miles further south on the creek. There is so much water in Walnut Creek, you would swear it’s a lake. We all explored the landscape around our camp. I found a couple of mountain man toilets complete with paper dispensers. I climbed the ridge behind our camp. It was difficult until I found the elk game trail. Then it was much easier. The weather was in a monsoon type pattern, the afternoon it threatened to rain. Saturday afternoon the wind picked up and seemed to keep the storms to the east of us. We did have a quick shower Saturday night. Sunday dawned with heavy fog surrounding us. It quickly burned off as the sun came up. After breakfast we packed up camp and loaded the canoes. As we launched my canoe, I heard rocks scrap the bottom. As we pulled away from shore, water appeared in my canoe. We quickly landed, unloaded and beached my canoe. There was a crack in the bottom where the rock had penetrated. While I worked on a fire, Beerbill and Lightng set about collecting pine pitch. Beerbill had a tin can in his kit. We melted the pitch and some bee's wax. I made some patch material out of dish towel I had borrowed from my wife. We patched the inside then the outside of the canoe. We were not sure how long the patch would hold, so the plan was to cross to the east bank some 800 yards away and land the canoe. Lighting and Beerbill would then continue to where we had picketed the horses and wagons. They would bring them up to the ridge above the creek where I had landed. We would then haul everything up to the horses and wagons. The patch was working so well, that we decided to continue to where we had left the horses. We made landfall without incident. Unloaded and stowed our gear and headed home. Buscuit/Viejo Malo
In 1904 a dam was built on Walnut Creek creating what is now Lower Lake Mary. Named after Mary Riordan. Later another dam was built creating Upper Lake Mary. Our original plan was to put in at the lower lake dam, paddle to the upper lake dam, portage that and continue on south. The lakes are so full that there is close to ten miles of navigable water. There is a levee break on the west side of the lower lake causing quite a bit of flooding. Due to parking issues at the lower dam, we decided to put in at the upper lake boat landing. The only complaint I have about camping on this lake is the constant road noise.
The Powderhorn Clan hosted the Rocky Mountain College at the Antoine Leroux Rendezvous. No Damn Fun and his son Robbie (Son of Fun) did a great presentation. This year's topic Primitive Bow making and Tillering demonstration covered the basics and answered questions.
I received a note from a fellow Buckskinner recently. He recalled that I had talked about a bag mold for my .62 cal Nock flintlock around a PHC campfire last year. He recommended that I contact Larry Callahan in Missouri. I prefer to make my own gear or purchase from a craftsman. I like the personal connection to each item I carry as it reminds me of the way it was in history. I emailed Larry through his website. Larry called me the following day. We had a nice discussion about trekking in the Rocky Mountains and the Arizona Territory as well as future canoe treks in 2021. Larry recommended a .600 cal. mold but I explained that since I would be out on the trail a .595 would be preferred so as not to be too tight. I could use a .15 or .20 patch and limit the stress on my wiping stick. Larry agreed to make the mold for me in his forge and also said he would make me a set of bag pliers that could grip my wiping stick if ever needed. I mailed off a check for payment and waited with excitement. 10 days later I received a package from Larry with a ball mold, pliers and a personal note from the master craftsman himself. I appreciate his work as a craftsman and will use it on the trail. Larry can be contacted through his website http://www.bagmolds.com , by phone or snail mail. See you on the trail.
Anasazi Free Trappers hold a rendezvous annually outside of St. George Utah at the end of April. The Powderhorn Clan members will attend this event. Hope to see everyone there.
http://anasazifreetrappers.org/
PHC has been notified that this event is scheduled April, 2024.
PHC is in need of an editor for the Powderhorn Newsletter. The Newsletter editors in the past have been colorful characters from various backgrounds. The Newsletter Editors responsibility is to get the information out to the members. The newsletter can be done on a fruit computer or can be drawn by hand with personal artwork, either will be appreciated. Contact me by email- tkrawhide@gmail.com for additional info.
Happy New Year fellow Clan members. A quick note, yes I am looking for a walk in rendezvous site. This walk in will be in the style Many Trips established many years ago. You can take in as must gear as you want. You can make as many trips as you like. No driving in and dropping your gear. Keep your cooler in you vehicle and leave camp to “make meat” at your vehicle.
I am also looking around for a location for the Joe Walker rendezvous. Any help would be appreciated. In May expect a canoe trek.
Also, remember that we are doing a mountain man show and tell at Ft. Verde State Park March 16th and 17th. I will be on post around noon of the 15th to set up. Please let me know if you plan to attend.
Thank you!
Biscuit/Viejo Malo aka Iratus Biscoctus
email- biscuit@thepowderhornclan.com
Our members will be heading out to explore our public lands when the snow melts in a few weeks. Our members meet up at designated locations throughout the Arizona Territory and other wildlands west of the Missouri. There will be a few primitive treks and at least one canoe trip adventure. Biscuit and the boys from Northern Arizona will likely be on the water in canoe by May. Contact Biscuit email-
if you're interested in joining the adventure.
Greetings campers,
It's getting close to rendezvous time again and meeting up with old friends and making some new friends. We're excited about our upcoming fifth annual Paiute Mtn. Rendezvous and looking forward to seeing you all again, I know we'll all have a good time as we stuff this year. For your convenience I've attached a flyer and a pre-registration form, if you have any questions feel free to give me a call. Hope to see you in April
Ron Price, Booshway.
805-746-3234,
possum1731@gmail.come adventure before us. Just Say Yes and go!
A monthly shoot is scheduled at the PHC Ashfork range 1st Saturday each month 9am. The Powderhorn Clan has a long history of shooting muzzleloaders and hosting events for all to show up and display their skills. PHC Shooters gather to set up PHC targets for a sponsored shoot. Contact Rick (Egg Man) email- chiselheaded@aol.com or the Segundo Beer Bill for assistance email- w.w.owen356@gmail.com