Category Archives: Stories

A Different Sort of Still-Hunt

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

A fox squirrel chattered, up on the ridge and to the southwest. Yellow maple leaves spun and rocked and tumbled. Sunlight bathed the tree tops; shadows carpeted the forest floor. The night’s chill lingered. Melted frost pitter-patted from the old … Continue reading →

Posted in Deer Hunts, Scenarios, Wilderness Classroom | Tagged Dennis Neely, historical trekking, 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 | Comments Off

Seeking a Friendly Puddle

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

A cloud line angled southwest to northeast. To the northwest, the sky was clear and deep blue. Overhead the moon’s last quarter shone bright through a break in the dark grey clouds. The canoe slipped silent into blackish water. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Duck hunts, Persona, Wilderness Classroom | Tagged Black powder hunting, Dennis Neely, historical trekking, 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 | Comments Off

Which Way to Go?

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Tiny silver orbs festooned the tickle grass. Looking like a cloud on earth, the expanse shimmered in the morning’s soft light. Keeping to the shadows, my elk moccasins skirted the tickle grass for fear of defacing God’s magnificent artwork. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Living History, Scouts, Worth thinking about... | Tagged Dennis Neely, historical trekking, Mountain Man, North West trade gun, Northwest trade gun, trade gun, traditional black powder, traditional black powder hunting, traditional blackpowder, traditional blackpowder hunting, Traditional Woodsman | Comments Off

No Present Danger

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

A doe’s ear twitched. She shook her head, then dropped it to the trail. Her shiny black nose sniffed side to side. With a start, her head rose up. She looked to the south, then took two steps forward. Her … Continue reading →

Posted in Deer Hunts, Scenarios | Tagged Dennis Neely, historical trekking, Mountain Man, 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

“Msko-waagosh ndizhnikaas”

Posted on August 13, 2014 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Snowflakes cling to the trade blanket’s crimson nap. The woolen shell is more white than red. The black stripe is a pale gray, a nothingness hue that matches the firmament. The Northwest gun’s lock nestles against my right elbow, tucked … Continue reading →

Posted in Deer Hunts, Persona | Tagged Dennis Neely, historical trekking, Mountain Man, 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 | Comments Off

Trees Don’t Grow Bigger…

Posted on August 6, 2014 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Darkness ebbed to an overcast calm. Wool-lined winter moccasins stepped and paused eastward—the object of that crisp November morning’s still-hunt was the nasty thicket in hopes of bringing fresh venison to the pot. Thanksgiving of 1795 was a week off. … Continue reading →