Blast From The Past Muzzleloaders Teach Pioneering Skills To Raise Money To Fight Cancer

Tony Martin sounded like a golf pro giving a beginner some pointers.

“It’s really important that you follow through with your arm,” he said, demonstrating.

But that was no 5-iron Martin was holding.

It was a tomahawk.

He sighted down the blade, took a step, and flung the axe through the air.

THUNK! The blade sank into a log.

Tomahawk-throwing was one of several frontier-era contests Sunday at the Coeur d’Alene Muzzleloaders “Take Aim Against Cancer” charity shoot.

Organizers expected to raise $500 to $1,000 for the North Idaho Cancer Center in Coeur d’Alene.

“It’s a very unique way to raise funds,” said James Faucher, director of the Kootenai Medical Center Foundation, which helps fund the cancer center. He said the money will be spent on cancer education and speakers.

The event was in memory of club member Gary Getchell, who died of cancer three years ago. Getchell, a longtime black powder fan, was cremated in his buckskin jacket. His ashes were scattered in a field where the group has its annual campout.

“Out of all the causes, we just felt this one touched us,” said Linda Shorb, one of the organizers.

“I’m trying to say ‘Gary, we miss you,”’ said Shorb’s husband, John Shorb. “Through what we’re doing today, maybe we’ll save somebody else the heartache of losing a friend.”

Behind him, gunfire boomed across the old Navy rifle range, as 45 competitors shot black powder rifles, threw knives and hurled tomahawks.

Iron silhouettes of animals clanged as bullets hit them. Some of the competitors wore old-fashioned buckskin and moccasins. One family brought a tepee.

“It gives you a taste of what it was like then,” said John Shorb. “Of course, we’re sampling off the fun part of the plate. We don’t have the bad food, starvation, giardia and diphtheria. And we can shoot at something without it shooting back.”

For Martin, the fun is teaching people to throw knives or tomahawks. Going to various black powder shoots and local celebrations, he figures he shows about 1,000 people a year how to throw. And there’s never been a serious injury, he said.

“Last year in Wallace, I had 150 Girl Scouts come through at one time,” he said. “A guy had to have some patience, believe me.”

He also taught it to a group of Japanese tourists, and to a couple in their 80s.

“He couldn’t take the step, because he had a cane,” Martin recalled.

He can throw the “‘hawk” behind him, underhand, overhand, three at a time, and one in each hand. Each time, they stick in the wood. Sometimes, from 20 feet away, he uses playing cards as targets.

“I never use people (as targets),” he said, chuckling. “I’m not that good.”

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