Being that I've pretty much given up going to the range until the weather cools a little, I find my mind wandering to various muzzle loading related subjects. Last night I remembered that a year ago when I was researching the Ten Laws Of Muzzleloading I came across an obscure reference to the gods of muzzleloading. So I began delving into various deep,dark and little known reference materials (in the back of my mind) looking for more information on these ancient mythical beings.

It seems there are ten gods of muzzleloading - four major ones and six minor ones. I've been able to identify most, but not all of them. Their names seem to be a mixture of early German,old English and archaic French. I may or may not have them spelled right. Here's what I have so far.

The four major gods are:

1. Chutengood -The happiest and kindest god. May he smile upon you.

2. Dribaldzit - The god of inattentive loading. He seems to visit every shooter sooner or later. Causes laughter by fellow shooters.

3. Mizzfyre - (The only female god.) A fickle god. She often shows up for reasons unknown. Causes profanity by shooter.

4. Stukdarod -An irritating being who seldom appears in damp or moist conditions. Frequents dry bores. May cause detachment of critical parts of a ramrod.

The minor gods I have been able to identify are:

5. Losdascru - This one likes to hang around shooters who disassemble locks, sights and triggers. Has been know to end shooting sessions.

6 & 7. The twins Titegroop & Loosgroop - Although twins, they are not identical and seem to have the habit of appearing in alternating sequence. One of them should be welcomed by shooters, but my references do not indicate which one.

8. Outabuks - Visits just about every shooter sooner or later. May cause a deficiency in the shooter's supply of bullets, powder, caps, etc.

9. ?

10. ?


As you can see, my research ended with identifying only eight of the ten. If any of you know the other two, please help me complete the list.

(New forum members who are not familiar with the Ten Laws Of Muzzleloading may want to check out this post: http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2282396&mpage=1&key=ten%2claws&a mp;#2282396)
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Found another one:

9. Daspringisbroken -Usually appears at the most inopportune time.Has been known to cause an end to a hunting trip. Possibly the most hated of the group.

Found the last one, I think. (Some say there are actually twelve, not ten.)

10. ShotdarodDowndarange - Said to cause consternation on the part of the shooter and hilarity on the part of bystanders.

you are really deep my friend... Seldom have I witnessed such insight into the world of place powder.

Although today I had a new one appear.. damitiflinched - this nasty little rascal shows up when you have one of the greatest shooting groups of your life going, just to let you know that you're not perfect.

HOT DOG Cayugad, I think you found number eleven! Clearly there are more than the ten that I thought.

Damitiflinched it is. I knew that buggerwas around, just didn't know his name. Some say that if you repeat his name three times in a very loud voice he will go away. I don't know if that's true, or a silly myth though.

Number 11 visits me 3 0r 4 times per range trip. number 8 is always with me[:@]

Have you noticed that only two, Chutengood and Titegroop, are benevolent? The rest are stinkers. Maybe if someone can identify #12 it will be a nice one.

How about Lookiedatmoa - This is a very rare muzzleloader God, but when he does feel the need to visit you, it makes all the rotten days on the range a vague memory. Photographs are necessary when he visits.

You hit it againCayugad.Rare indeed!In fact, I don't think he knows where my rifle range is located.However, having faith and hope, I do believe we should accept Lookiedatmoa as the twelfth and finalgod of ML.

All in favor say AYE!

By the way - next time you see him give him my regards and send him South.

you should add #13 dammitimissed The god of Murphy's law for hunting or target shooting......(in corey's case missing the whole target...)
Jess