So, what are we saying? Flintlocks have become too expensive to continue to maintain this traditional season?
Our traditional flintlock season is too unique to put a dollar sign up as an obstacle. When my grandson was approaching hunting age, I wanted him to join his Dad and myself during the Pennsylvania Flintlock Season. I turned to the Dixie Catalog and ordered the Dixie Scout kit, and built my grandson's first flintlock! It ain't beautiful, but it is a tack driver, and we hunt together now in January.
It would be a travesty to allow our State's last remaining truly special season to dissolve into meaningless, because flintlocks are simply too expensive! Sell a modern rifle or shotgun and buy a kit. Take your time, keep all power tools in storage, and enjoy building a flintlock in the style of Beck, Bonewitz, Dickert, Haga, Angstadt, Beyer, Eister, Sell, and any of the many, many other exceptional Pennsylvania gunsmiths. There is a pretty definite chance yours won't turn out as a match for these builders, but who cares! You've made an honest attempt to recreate an historical firearm, and one you'll be proud to tote come next year's flintlock season.
Pennsylvania is where this Country's best flintlocks were created. The Game Commission realized the importance of our flintlock heritage, and saw fit to provide a unique, one-of-a-kind season to honor this special firearm. It is open to everyone and must be maintained.
Buy one, or build one, but please continue to support Pennsylvania's Flintlock Season, a season that plays a non-roll in our State's deer management program. This is not a "resource" season, it is a, "touch history" season.
