Rendezvous Report: Malahat Marauders Easter Rendezvous

Missing the ALL the easy novelty targets only to split the card stings slightly... (Especially using a .40 Cal Flintlock)

It would seem like just yesterday that camps were struck, and trappers hunkered down for the long winter. However the spring thaw has come and the first Rendezvous of the season has come and gone and it did not disappoint.

                Located at the Victoria Fish & Game club, atop the scenic Malahat on southern Vancouver Island, the Malahat Marauders played host to the inaugural Rendezvous of the 2025 season. While day shoots have been going on all winter, the first 'vous of the season was cause for celebration. Trappers were in for a treat and a surprise this year as Boushway "Squeaky" took a spin on the traditional format that many of us were used to and presented a new, interesting and exciting way that was designed to engage those new to the world of sporting black powder & rendezvous but did not bore veterans of the sport.

                At the shooters meeting Friday morning, everyone was broken into teams of 4-5 with each team having a mix of veterans and pilgrims, this was to not only help the pilgrims get familiar with events they may not normally get to take part in but also have everyone interact with others outside their normal circle. I think we are all familiar with the age-old practice of getting together with the same group(s) of friends at each rendezvous and taking on the day’s events with little consideration for those outside our normal social groups. The events were broken into different stations with two days of events planned. Day 1 saw everyone take on Slingshots, Archery, a fun Hawk & Knife challenge for the non-shooting events as well as Rifle, Pistol & "Squirrel" targets and a mini cannon group challenge. Implements were offered by the Bousway for those who may not have access to some of the tools required for the various events so everyone could participate in all the events.

                I had originally planned only to attend the event as a day shooter however when I found out that the shooting scores for the team would be spread out over two days (and through some loving bullying by good friend D.S.) I was convinced to stay the night and shoot the next day. (Many thanks to the M.M. for letting me crash on the couch in the Clubhouse) Day 2 started with a very common sight for the South Island, overcast and a light fog as trappers set out to tackle the 22-shot course laid out on the range in the morning. We took on the classic novelty targets in the afternoon, ranging from a card cut to charcoal, wind made for already challenging targets more challenging. The writer can attest as of the 7 different novelty targets, he missed the 6 easiest ones, only managing a single point by splitting the playing card seen at the top of this article. Afterwards we were treated to the return of the classic "Hydro Shoot" where everyone is paired up in teams of two, one shooter using a rifle to shoot a tin can filled with water where a smaller can, usually a tun can is placed on top. The hydrostatic shock of the round ball impacting the water filled tin can would launch the smaller can into the air (in theory) where the 2nd shooter, armed with a scatter gun is required to take a shot at the flying can. Each team would shoot twice, with each team member getting to shoot the rifle and shotgun respectively. The combined number of holes in the small tin cans would be added up to determine the winner.

Unfortunately, prior commitments would see the writer being forced to depart early from the Rendezvous after the Hydro shoot, missing the pot luck supper and Black Powder Trap event held on Sunday morning.

                I would like to extend many thanks to "Squeaky" and the amazing group of volunteers who put on this event. It was a surprise to be sure, but a welcome fresh take on a Rendezvous. The focus on getting the new members engaged in the events they normally do not get to partake in was a very nice touch.

The next Rendezvous is with the West Coast Rangers in Port Alberni, on the May Long Weekend, May 17-19th.

Keep your powder dry until then.

Tracker.