Category Archives: Skills

“The Art of Treeing”

Posted on June 3, 2017 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Posted in Skills, Snapshot Saturday | Tagged Black powder hunting, Dennis Neely, historical trekking, 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 | Leave a comment

“Replenishing Supplies”

Posted on May 27, 2017 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

“Snapshot Saturday”

Posted in Skills, Snapshot Saturday | 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 | 2 Comments

Beyond the Northwest Gun’s Effective Distance

Posted on April 27, 2017 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

A wheezy snort foretold of a deer’s approach. Although hushed, the distant cough-like blow traveled from the north island, up the rise and into the humble cluster of thorny bushes that grew tight around a tall oak tree. For any … Continue reading →

Posted in Deer Hunts, Muzzleloaders, Research, Skills | 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 | Leave a comment

It’s All Based on Experience

Posted on February 10, 2017 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Grayed, brittle branches offered scant cover. That red cedar tree toppled eastward many winters before; a heavy wet snow uprooted it. Back then the boughs were thick and lush and provided a formidable palisade. A few judicious whacks with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Deer Hunts, Skills, Wilderness Classroom | Tagged 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 hunting, traditional blackpowder, traditional blackpowder hunting, Traditional Woodsman | 2 Comments

Thank Heaven for Time Traveling

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Geese rose from the River Raisin. Three became nine, then fourteen. The broken string winged south, then swung east. None spoke or looked about as they flew. The bottomland, the gentle west-facing hillside and the white ash tangle held nary … Continue reading →

Posted in Deer Hunts, 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, trade gun, traditional black powder, traditional black powder hunting, traditional blackpowder, traditional blackpowder hunting, Traditional Woodsman | 6 Comments

“…in case I miss…”

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Stars faded. To the east, a warm orange glow back lit the dark shapes that lined the hardwood ridge. A serene silence marked the calm that greeted first light. The air smelled clean and fresh and cool, invigorating to one’s … Continue reading →