In Seezyn Podcast

Ep 61: Ohio Man Kills Maine Bear with Homemade Flintlock Rifle

Mike Hemby/Holden Gilmer Season 1 Episode 61

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating story of Tom Winland, a dedicated craftsman and hunter from Dresden, Ohio. Tom recently fulfilled his dream of hunting a Maine black bear using a .54-caliber flintlock rifle that he built himself, modeled after 400-year-old technology.

Tom shares his journey of crafting the rifle, which required over 200 hours of meticulous work, from chiseling intricate designs into the maple wood stock to perfecting its functionality on the range. We discuss the unique challenges of hunting with such a historic firearm, including keeping gunpowder dry in Maine's wilderness.

Listeners will hear about the adrenaline-pumping moment when Tom spotted and successfully harvested a 295-pound black bear—a trophy he proudly achieved with his handcrafted rifle. Tom also talks about his passion for preserving historical methods,  and how his family contributed to this extraordinary hunting adventure.

Join us for this inspiring story of skill, determination, and the deep satisfaction of achieving a once-in-a-lifetime hunt in a truly unique way.

Featured Topics:

  • Building a .54-caliber flintlock rifle from scratch
  • Challenges of hunting with historical firearms
  • The Maine bear hunt experience at Dead North Adventures
  • Tom’s passion for history and craftsmanship


Contact In Seezyn Podcast

Engage with us on social media:


Email us at: Mike.hemby@treezyn.com

Shop Treezyn Camo at: https://treezyn.com/

  • Nothing stings like a WASP: Save 20% on WASP broadheads with code ISP2025 at www.wasparchery.com
  • DeerAge: Save 20% at Deerage.com with code ISP20
  • NiceTargets: Save 25% on Targets using code SEEZYN25 at www.nicetargets.com
  • Rax Game Lures: Check out their lineup of attractants and cover scents at Raxgamelures.com