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Show Section B Wedneaday, October 13, 1QQ& Sun Advocate Dale Prws, 6, Salt Lake City, gets into the action by helping cut firewood to warm the mountain men at the muzzleloaders gathering. Over 50 muzzleloaders gathered at Pinnacle Peak for the shooting competition Saturday and Sunday. Return of the fountain len Some 50 muzzleloaders gathered at the Bookcliff shooting range at Pinnacle Peak Saturday and Sunday in trapping furs and beaver hats to relive the good ol days of the fur trade era. According to Larry Williams, president of the Bookcliff Muzzleloaders, the original rendezvous were held once a year so the trappers could trade furs with the Indians for other supplies. He said they also met to drink whisky, race horses, wrestle, gamble and obtain sexual favors from the Indian women. Williams said todays rendezvous are for all ages and religions, and are held mainly to enjoy shooting competitions and wear the traditional dress of the fur traders. All of the rifles used at the rendezvous are replicas of the fur trade era with no scopes or peep sights. We encourage other shooters to challenge us using their own scopes and peep sights, but weve never been beat yet at 25 feet, Williams said. The Bookcliff Muzzleloaders hold rendezvous every April, October and December. Williams said there is usually a rendezvous held somewhere in Utah every week. Story and photos by Rick Egan Bill Davitt, Meadow, wanted to get a "bird's eye view" of the targets at the shooting competition. Kenneth Cupp, Richfield, takes careful strokes to pack gun powder in the his early 1800 black powder rifle |