Category Archives: Wilderness Classroom

“Absorbed in Another Time”

“Snapshot Saturday”

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Finally Hanging Canvas

The Northwest gun leaned against a small red oak, its girth the same as a brass kettle that trades for five beaver pelts. The open-topped, Ottawa-style shot pouch hung from the muzzle, as did the bison powder horn. Two steps … Continue reading

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In a Heartbeat…

Curled, brown oak leaves clung to twigs. The dead top’s branches pointed up the steep slope: the splintered base rested ten paces from the keg-sized trunk. Halfway up from the fork, a natural, man-sized indentation offered respite. A few acorns … Continue reading

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“Maybe It’s Your Eyes…”

“Hhuuttt,” the soft, subtle cluck sounded closer. A pitiful sigh oozed from frustrated lungs. A warm, pleasant October sun hugged a distraught woodsman as he sat back against a solitary cedar trunk. The sweet scent of drying corn perfumed the … Continue reading

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Fording the Pigeon River

“Old Turkey Feathers” held no charge. With hammer down and frizzen up, the Northwest trade gun’s tarnished-brass butt plate squished into the soft, wet sand. Msko-waagosh, “the Red Fox,” settled to his haunches, using the smoothbore’s forestock more as a … Continue reading

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Breechclout How-To Added

The step-by-step instructions on making and decorating breechclouts are well underway. Be sure to check them out under the “How-To” section in the site’s navigation bar. The discussion starts with a heavily documented introduction to the clout as it relates … Continue reading

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‘Hawk Bit Guard “How-To” Added

This week’s post started out as a discussion about how I came to the decision to make a leather bit guard with a Native American influence for the Long Lake ax, rather than the more elaborate Alexander-MacKenzie-style sheath and shoulder … Continue reading

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Maybe This Evening…

Reluctance entered the meadow. The frontier wife glimpsed the young doe’s snout first. Ears moved slow, front to back. Its head dropped, and only the whitetail’s shoulders remained visible. It took a step, then another. Its head popped up and … Continue reading

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