Category Archives: Living History

“Oh What a Beautiful Morning!”

Posted on October 7, 2017 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

“Snapshot Saturday”

Posted in Grouse hunt, Hunting Camps, Living History, Snapshot Saturday | Tagged Black powder hunting, Dennis Neely, historical trekking, Mountain Man, National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, Native captive, North West trade gun, Northwest trade gun, trade gun, traditional black powder, traditional black powder hunting, traditional blackpowder, traditional blackpowder hunting, Traditional camping, Traditional Woodsman | 2 Comments

An Existence Based on Survival

Posted on October 6, 2017 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Silence invoked a peaceful solace. Snowflakes drifted. Subdued yellows backlit the oaks and cedars on the far hill. A broken-over sedge grass leaf, brown and wispy, twitched. On the west side of the big swamp, out in front of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Deer Hunts, Living History, Skills | Tagged Black powder hunting, Dennis Neely, historical trekking, Mountain Man, National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, Native captive, North West trade gun, Northwest trade gun, traditional black powder, traditional black powder hunting, traditional blackpowder, traditional blackpowder hunting, Traditional Woodsman | 3 Comments

Relying on Constant Self-Evaluation

Posted on September 25, 2017 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

A solitary gray head appeared. A young wild turkey stretched its neck, then cast inquisitive glances side-to-side in the deep prairie grass. The petite bald head disappeared in the shadows. Here and there a grass blade twitched. A bronze-feathered shape … Continue reading →

Posted in Clothing & Accoutrements, Living History, Turkey Hunts, Wilderness Classroom | Tagged Black powder hunting, Dennis Neely, historical trekking, National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, Native captive, North West trade gun, Northwest trade gun, trade gun, traditional black powder, traditional black powder hunting, traditional blackpowder, traditional blackpowder hunting, Traditional Woodsman | 5 Comments

A Tolerable Discomfort

Posted on August 23, 2017 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Close-growing, arm-sized slash oaks grew to the north and south. Tall red cedar trees and older oaks lined the edge of the big swamp. A small cluster of cedars protected the steep hill’s crest. On that cold, odorless November morning … Continue reading →

Posted in Deer Hunts, Living History | Tagged Black powder hunting, Dennis Neely, historical trekking, Mountain Man, National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, North West trade gun, Northwest trade gun, trade gun, traditional black powder, traditional black powder hunting, traditional blackpowder, traditional blackpowder hunting, Traditional Woodsman | 2 Comments

“Morning Colors”

Posted on July 1, 2017 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

“Snapshot Saturday”

Posted in Hunting Camps, Living History, Snapshot Saturday | Tagged Dennis Neely, historical trekking, Mountain Man, National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, North West trade gun, Northwest trade gun, trade gun, traditional black powder, traditional black powder hunting, traditional blackpowder, traditional blackpowder hunting, Traditional camping, Traditional Woodsman | Leave a comment

“That won’t work on an actual hunt…”

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

First light ushered in a volley of musket fire. The muzzle blasts, five in all, echoed up and down the River Raisin. A minute or so later, a second unsettling exchange erupted well to the north—four shots, a pause, then … Continue reading →