Category Archives: Wilderness Classroom

There is Always One…

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Bright sunlight shone on bronze feathers. The wild turkey hen had nary an inkling that supposed danger lurked so near. She stood upright and in full view at the edge of a sandy rut. The deep prairie grass, up the … Continue reading →

Posted in Scenarios, Wilderness Classroom | Tagged Black powder hunting, 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 Woodsman | Comments Off

Two Thumbs Up for Natural Wadding

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Black powder tumbled to the breech. Tamara tapped the brass measure against the muzzle of her chiefs-grade trade gun, the “Silver Cross,” as she always does, making sure every last granule of her modest turkey load made it down the … Continue reading →

Posted in Muzzleloaders, Wilderness Classroom | Tagged Black powder hunting, 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

Msko-waagosh Waited in Ambush…

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Oak leaves sprouted a few days ago. The maple and wild cherry trees are well ahead, almost complete. The lone shag-bark hickory to the north sports leaves the size and shape of a half-grown cottontail rabbit’s ears. Ahead and to … Continue reading →

Posted in Turkey Hunts, 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 | 1 Comment

“Laying the Ridge Pole”

Posted on April 11, 2015 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

“Snapshot Saturday”

Posted in Hunting Camps, Snapshot Saturday, Wilderness Classroom | Tagged Black powder hunting, 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

Bits and Pieces, Here and There

Posted on April 9, 2015 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

A brilliant sun did little to warm the cedar grove. Mid-morning rays created shoulder-wide golden paths, east to west, up and down the gentle slope. I paused beside a purplish-black-barked wild cherry tree. My gaze danced upon the greyish, winter-weathered … Continue reading →

Posted in Scouts, Wilderness Classroom | Tagged Black powder hunting, 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 | 2 Comments

“Making Split Shot”

Posted on March 28, 2015 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

“Snapshot Saturday”

Posted in Snapshot Saturday, Wilderness Classroom | Tagged Black powder hunting, 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

A Strange Mix of Frustration and Elation

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Five Canada geese winged northwest. Silent, the black-necked grey ghosts flew in a lopsided wedge, three birds to the right, one to the left. Stroking hard and steady, the geese left little doubt as to their destination: the lily-pad flats, … Continue reading →