Handmade components like these are used to build a flintlock rifle worthy of being a collector's item.

The cold and snow mark the winter solstice and the start of the holiday season. It also is the favorite time of the year for black powder hunters.

The sporting arm of choice is the flintlock muzzleloader rifle, which has served American hunters since colonial times.

The pioneers depended on flintlocks for food and protection, and no settler would think of heading into the wilderness without old "Bess."

Many a man was known by his prowess with a flintlock rifle as a functional tool, but they also became works of art created by skilled craftsmen who performed intricate inlays and carvings.

Hundreds of years later, hunters, shooters and collectors still reflect the tastes of men from a bygone time in choosing their favorite rifles and styles.

One thing is for certain: It still must perform as a primitive rifle to be used during the post-Christmas deer hunting season. No scopes, no primers, no cartridges and no repeating shots at a running deer (unless you get lucky).

Many of my friends carry T/C Hawken Flintlock rifles in the 50 caliber. Other popular calibers are the .54 and .45 size barrels. The larger the caliber number, the larger the projectile.

Traditionalists mold their own lead balls and they always are just a tad smaller than the muzzle of the rifle.

For example, a .50 caliber rifle would shoot a .490 sized round ball. The reason for the smaller ball size is that you must allow some space for the cloth ball patch that seats the ball snugly against the loose black powder load.

Interestingly enough, for something so simple, there are many nuances to learn to become a proficient shot with a black powder rifle.

Settlers used them for everything from squirrels to bison, as well as battlefield weapons. Your aim had to be true and you'd better get that rifle reloaded quickly, especially if you faced dangerous foes or angry beasts. Three shots in a minute would be considered a significant and respectable feat in the 1700s.

I have been on many deer hunts with a flintlock rifle and have been both successful and at other times looked down-right foolish.

Most of the time, you have all your boys around when you are burning powder and whiffing at a seemingly easy target, prompting good-natured whooping and hollering.

Unfortunately, the early settlers couldn't afford to whiff on game or waste precious resources like powder or lead. They knew their rifles capabilities well and it wasn't just a holiday season hunt.

I'm always struggling with the flash of the pan powder near my face when I fire the rifle. With the flintlock, a piece of napped flint strikes down on a steel plate to produce an ignition spark. The sparks shower down on a small pan of fine gun powder, which flashes upon ignition.

The flash travels through a small hole in the base of the rifle barrel and then ignites the main charge of powder. This causes an internal combustion explosion and the hot gasses expel the lead projectile.

The weather can cause problems for the flintlock hunter. Rain and dampness are the enemies of the rifle.

The term heard in the old movies as frontiersmen departed was "keep your powder dry." Wet powder won't ignite, and once it starts to clump, your hunt is over.

If there is cold, dry weather, flintlock season can be a great time to have the woods to yourself and a last chance for the elusive whitetail deer.

Don't let the term primitive rifle fool you into thinking that it can't do the job. With practice and in the hands of a proficient shot, there can be venison in the stew pot tonight.

Jay E. Hewitt is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle.