Three summers after the 21st World Muzzle Loading Championship was held in Batesville, a smaller group has organized the Pacific Zone Muzzle Loading Championships at the same place, Tri-County Coonhunters Lodge, July 9-13.

Gary Crawford, Middletown, Va., vice president of the Muzzle Loading Association International Committee Pacific Zone, which includes all countries except those in Europe, points out by e-mail, “After the tremendous reception we received from the Batesville area people in 2004, how could we not return?  The genuine warmth exhibited then made such an impression on the competitors from the other 27 nations that all wanted to return soon. 

“Unfortunately, the schedule is set for at least three World Championships in advance, so the earliest and best opportunity we have is with the Pacific Zone matches this year. 

“While much smaller in scope and format, they still represent the desire by our USA team to have the true face of America represented by the town and people of Batesville.”

About 70 male and seven female competitors ranging in age from 14 to 75 plus support personnel will converge on the area. Thirteen Hoosiers will arrive here, including Mark Burch and Robert Pence, Liberty; and Robert Howard, Aurora. 

Aimed at targets will be flintlock muskets, rifles, pistols and shotguns;  percussion rifles, pistols and shotguns; and   matchlock smoothbore muskets and pistols.

After two practice days, 17 regular, three youth and 20 team matches will take place Wednesday and Thursday, July 11-12, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday, July 13, from 8 a.m. to noon. Crawford reports the public may come and watch free of charge.

Zone Championships are held in odd-numbered years and World Championships in even-numbered ones, according to the Web site www.usimlt.org. Scores from the Pacific Zone and European Zone meets will be used for the final selection of competitors for the next World Championship, which will be held in Adelaide, Australia, in late August 2008. In 2010 the destination is Portugal and in 2012 Pforzheim, Germany.

Area hotel, campground and restaurant owners may notice an influx of customers during the period, says the U.S. International Muzzle-Loading Team captain. Some muzzle loaders may even arrive earlier to participate in the National Rifle Association Blackpowder Matches at Friendship July 6-8. 

Crawford says, “We thank the people of the Batesville area for their hospitality and for creating a wonderful venue ... We wish more could be here, as in 2004, but travel costs and governmental regulations have deterred many zone members from attending. 

“Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have conducted similar matches in their locales and sent the individual scores to us for inclusion in the championship calculations. 

“The Japanese were unable to secure permission from their government to bring their firearms out of their country.  We're still awaiting final word from several Latin American teams.”

Debbie Blank can be contacted at (812) 934-4343, Ext. 113; or debbie.blank@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com. To comment on stories, visit batesvilleheraldtribune.com.