HARKING back to the pre-Old West era, the Rendezvous event pays homage to hunters, fur trappers, explorers and pioneers who opened up much of the frontiers of North America, Africa and Australasia during the Golden Age of muzzleloading firearms from 1500 to 1865.

Recreating a time which included the North American fur trade, the American Civil War, the Eureka Stockade and the Australian Gold Rush, competitors don period-inspired dress and fire their muzzleloading guns at reactive metal targets representing game animals typically hunted in the era.

The concept of Rendezvous comes from the era of fur trappers in North America, where trappers, pioneers and mountain men would hold an annual meeting with traders at a pre-agreed location and date to trade furs and skins for supplies or money, share stories, swap gossip and compete in competitions over a few days.

Following the decline of the fur trade the original Rendezvous events became less and less frequent from the 1840s, and had ceased almost completely by the time of the US Civil War from 1860-1865.

Their modern revival is similar to Single Action Shooting matches, in that competitors adopt the dress and style of the era – be it as a grizzled mountain man, far-ranging fur trapper, gold prospector, Civil War soldier or pioneer settler – and use period firearms in a range of competitions including Turkey shoots, Gong shoots, Ladies and Junior events and Shotgun events. There are also competitions for knife and tomahawk throwing.

Competitors may use original or reproduction blackpowder firearms from the 1500-1865 period and must be within the spirit of the event being contested – for example a smoothbore Japanese Matchlock Arquebus would not be appropriate for a Hunting Rifle event.

Projectiles must be cast or swaged lead/lead alloy, and only commercial black powder or Pyrodex may be used as a propellant.

Queensland Rendezvous events are held several times a year with State Championships held on the May Day long weekend. An Open Rendezvous is held at the SSAA Captain’s Mountain Complex near Millmerran every other year.

Camping and trading is as much a part of the Rendezvous experience as the competition events, and participants are encouraged to get fully into the spirit of the event by using period-appropriate camping equipment and accoutrements as well.

A copy of the rulebook is available here, and for more information contact Discipline Chair Don Robinson on 0428 986 070 or email rendezvous@ssaaqld.org.au

Further Information

  • Discipline Chairman:
  • Don Robinson
  • Phone:
  • 0428 986 070

Rule Books*

* May be shot Subject to Range Approval. Approved firearms must still comply with Qld State Laws & Regulations.

National

Rendezvous Events

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