Nashville to Southern California...on horseback.

[VillainOfNash]

A friend and I are currently in the planning stages of putting together a cross-country horseback trip from Nashville to Southern California (www.villainsofnash.com). San Juan Capistrano to be exact...our goal is to donate at least 3 horses to Bethany's Gait (www.bethanysgait.org) a ranch that works with troubled youth and kids from broken homes.

 

We plan on making the trek next April and have high hopes of filming a documentary about the trip, as well as a book deal after the fact about why people don't actually step out and follow their dreams. We are also planning a motorcycle trip back as the "flip-side" or view of the modern day cowboy.

 

I'm trying to pass the word around and gain as much knowledge, understanding, sponsorship, and general wisdom on all things related to the trip...all of which is out of my current field of depth.

 

Our goal is to carry a rifle, preferably a Winchester lever action...as well as a single shot revolving pistol apiece. I need to know much more about everything involved with those guns, as well as what kind of regulations/stipulations would ensue as far as carrying that sort thing across all states west of TN.

 

I also, am trying to see what kind of response their might be from clubs, private sponsors and exchanges to donate either guns, ammunition, or raise support to pay for hunting licenses in each state we cross, as we will be camping and hunting and fishing to supply our food from what we can't have donated from the Jerky and Trail Mix companies we're currently pitching to.

 

Regardless, I appreciate your time and would love to hear any feedback you migh have...stories of what you dreamt of being when you were young, what you've experienced in your pursuit of your dreams, gun knowledge, trail knowledge, and words of encouragement or questions are all more than welcome.

 

Thanks,

-Kyle Norwood

[Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L]

Look at the SASS clubs in your state to meet with folks - maybe they can help with advice and whatever - good luck...

 

http://www.sassnet.com/clubs/Clubs_list.php?state=Tennessee

 

GG ~

Edited July 19, 2013 by Gunner Gatlin, SASS # 10274

[Shaky Molasses, SASS 20549]

An amazing journey to take in the 21st Century. I hate to be the one to mention this, but hunting what you need to live on will be plenty hard, what with hunting seasons and non-resident hunting licenses and what-not! I hope to read about your adventures, including the red tape and legalistic hurdles you need to overcome, before the first step is taken!

[Madd Mike #8595]

legal hunting as mentioned will probably not work well, unless you are willing to eat stuff that falls under small game / varmits, understanding hunting regulations for several states will be like a college class with lots of homework, nothing printed now days seems to be easy to understand

 

If you put the trip together, be safe, and have fun on the adventure

[grizzly killer ,sass life 14516]

something you might want to think about, in april most if not all hunting seasons are closed. might be able to do some groundhog or prarie dog, or something like that. you would have better luck taking a fishing pole and trying to catch your supper.

[The Shoer 27979]

Here is something you need to think about with all your logistics.

A wild horse will travel/rome 20 miles in a given day, a domesticaed horse might travel a mile ( unless riden daily). On your adventure you will probably average about 5 miles an hour. It is over 2000 miles from TN. To Cal, that is a very looooong walk for a domsticared horse and about 6 or 7 weeks of saddle time for the rider. I hope both horses and riders are training for this adventure

[THE CALHOUN COUNTY BA]

There will be no hunting at that time of the year. May not be legal to carry guns in most of the states you R going thru.

It will be HOT going thru western states this time of year. Your horse will need plenty of water, may not

be available for many miles. You will have to make arrangements all along your travel route.

Not a trip to take lightly.

I made a motor cycle ride in 1976 from Columbia, SC to LA 6 days there and 6 days back. Enjoyed

every mile.

 

Have a great trip

CCBA

[Sodbuster Brown]

One thing keeps poping up in my mind. If you plan to hunt on this trip are you going to hunt on public land or private. As a land owner I would be a little peed if someone just showed up on my land and camped and hunted for a couple days. But if someone asked permission I'd be less upset but still a little untrusting toward you because I don't know you. Just something to think about.

[Madd Mike #8595]

Here is something you need to think about with all your logistics.

A wild horse will travel/rome 20 miles in a given day, a domesticaed horse might travel a mile ( unless riden daily). On your adventure you will probably average about 5 miles an hour. It is over 2000 miles from TN. To Cal, that is a very looooong walk for a domsticared horse and about 6 or 7 weeks of saddle time for the rider. I hope both horses and riders are training for this adventure

consider a back up horse, horses will need a day off or two, let alone possible injury

I have done a lot of real wilderness horse travel, what can go wrong, usually does with long miles, day after day

[S. Quentin Quale, Esq. SASS 9953]

 

Interesting project, but weapons are way down on your list of priorities.

 

First, your riding skill. Can you ride a horse for a day without soring its back? This is a fair question, 'cause a lot of folks I see can't.

 

Second, what type of horse will you be using?

 

Third, how will you support the horse (and yourself) on the trip? You won't find many livery stables or blacksmith shops along the way.

 

Fourth, what is your knowledge of and skill at long distance riding?

 

Fifth, have you done the math on how long this will actually take?

 

Beware of myths and legends. The Aussies recently looked at brumbies and how much they traveled in a day. They found that the average was something in the area of 8 miles per day.

 

A domestic horse in a 50 min. lesson (with 20 min. of warmup and 15 of cool down) will travel between 7-9 miles.

 

The domestic horse will also be carrying a human and tack; the brumby won't.

 

This suggests a good domestic horse should be the choice.

 

The U.S. Cavalry had a standard of traveling 25-35 miles per day with full equipment (the load on the horse running 230-250 lbs). Depending upon terrain, climate, etc. this pace could be maintained for several days, then a rest would be required. The Remount standard was a TB type horse, 15-16 hands, 900-1100 pounds. Cavalry tack was light in weight and the average trooper small of stature.

 

Spend some time researching the Cavalry's way of riding and covering ground.

 

An excellent source of information for the modern horseman is the Long Riders Guild http://www.thelongridersguild.com/

 

The world's record for distance on horseback is held by three Brazilians who rode six Mangalarga Marchador horses around the circumferance of Brazil. The trip was just under 14,000 miles. They took 2 years and one month to make the trip. They averaged about 16 miles per day. The men were 64, 66, and 67 when they began. Tough old birds, what?!?!?!

 

I've met this fellow. http://www.joeguylongrider.com/ He's a bit full of himself but is a good horseman and he has done some long rides. He could probably be of assistance if you can get to him. That's not always easy.

 

This could be an intersting trip but could also kill a number of horses if not done correctly.

 

Good luck in your planning.

 

SQQ

 

.

[Ace_of_Hearts]

Just a suggestion................

 

Why don't you try some shorter rides in the next year and learn the obstacles you will be facing before you try to eat the elephant!

 

April can present you with some very unsettled weather in the West, and May in the Southwest can freeze you in Flagstaff and fry you in Kingman. And long stretches of nowhere in between.

 

The hunting seasons are all closed along the way and Jackrabbits are not GOOD EATS no matter how you boil/broil/fry/roast them.

Most western state have laws that frown on you discharging a firearm anywhere near a paved road. How to carry those firearms will be a small obstacle compared to the logistics of outfitting this exposition.

 

A covered wagon trip would be easier to plan and more comfortable, but not as much fun. You would be driving a rolling billboard loaded with supplies and sleeping accommodations and shelter.

Edited July 20, 2013 by Ace_of_Hearts

[Alabama Kid]

I don't know jack about horses but I've done a lot of walking and military survival stuff. Be prepared to eat at a restaurant or change your lifestyle. People who live off the land don't always eat and people who can't read the terrain or a map will not have water.

 

I'm assuming you don't know much about state self defense acts. Every state is different. I do know that you can easily and safely carry an unloaded rifle in just about every state in the country. The killer is city laws might not agree with state laws. In most places the rifle must be out of reach and ammunition stored separately.

 

Unless you have unlimited funds or poach, hunting is not an option. It's not impossible to get permission but even tv survival people have to jump through hoops to trap and hunt animals out of season. Fishing is easier than hunting and can prove to be more reliable depending on location.

 

If you take the trip bring fishing gear and for greater success fish small ponds. Even wild ponds hold fish and are easier to fish than the best trout or catfish rivers.

 

I don't think you could do the trip without a pack horse or two.

 

I would love to make a trip like that but not anywhere near this time period or a hardtop road.

 

I also hate to says this but you need to know, I will shoot poachers on sight and so will my friends. I have friends in just about every state and we aren't the only ones protective of our land. Not only did we bust out butts to buy what we have but we put blood sweat and tears into it. I'm a farmer after my regular job. The wildlife is mine to eat or view. It doesn't belong to me but you can't kill it on my property without permission.

 

I hope you can make the trip happen. I will do what I can to help once you get things worked out. If you want to raise funds you might want to create a nonprofit to prove to us and the government that you are serious about what you are doing (the film and book can be for profit if you work the details out correctly. I suggest a good CPA who deals with nonprofit research groups).

Edited July 20, 2013 by Alabama Kid

[Griff]

Good LUCK, you're going to need it in spades.

 

Thru much of 1974 & into late 1975 I was part of a group trying to organize a wagon train from CA to Wash, DC for the Bi-Centennial. Horses, wagons, & vehicle support was not an issue. Getting permission to travel with stock on highways was, and on private property just impossible in far too many instances. A couple of states that forbid it were cooperative given the nature of our quest. BUT, a couple were not. Arranging camps on both private & public lands were also very problematic. I had a corporate sponsor, and even with their legal dept. helping to obtain permits it became a "mission impossible."

 

I wanted to participate in 1995's Great American Cattle Drive, but work interferred. Contact these folks on guidance on how to obtain the necessary permits/permissions to undertake such a trip. At least they were sucessful, we weren't!