Category Archives: Worth thinking about…

“Never Been Outdoors!”

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Stars sparkled in a moonless heaven. Wool-lined moccasins whisked through the fluffy snow. Years ago an ice storm tipped a good-sized cedar tree to the south, just shy of the ridge crest. I paused there to adjust the four-point scarlet … Continue reading →

Posted in Clothing & Accoutrements, Living History, Worth thinking about... | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on “Never Been Outdoors!”

The Powder Horn Blew Up!

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

“I was very fortunate,” my friend said. His voice betrayed the emotional aftermath he was trying to contain. “You heard the powder horn blew up? I always stress safety. I can’t believe it happened, but it’s got a lot of … Continue reading →

Posted in Clothing & Accoutrements, Safety, Worth thinking about... | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

What’s That Bird?

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Standing corn bordered the swale hole. Tall cottonwoods flourished in the outer edges, amongst the sedge grass and raspberry tangles. The oldest tree, at the swale’s southernmost tip, was dead. Two upper branches tented against the trunk. Slabs of bark … Continue reading →

Posted in Pheasant Hunts, Worth thinking about... | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on What’s That Bird?

A Joyous Chorus of Hound Music

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Seven woodsmen trudged up the long grade. The blazed trail cut through a young, regenerated forest. At seventy paces, the tight-growing maples, beeches, cherries and oaks looked like an impenetrable gray palisade. Before the first pause, the ragged column strung … Continue reading →

Posted in Rabbit Hunts, Wilderness Classroom, Worth thinking about... | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on A Joyous Chorus of Hound Music

Feeling a True Kinship

Posted on February 9, 2013 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

A fox squirrel’s bushy tail flicked, then vanished. A black oak’s welted bark pressed hard against the hunting shirt’s linen shoulder. The tail reappeared, head-high, on the backside of an arching red oak, then disappeared. A slight breeze rustled what … Continue reading →

Posted in Living History, Squirrel Hunts, Worth thinking about... | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Feeling a True Kinship

“Remember the Raisin!”

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

A stiff southwest wind riled the unfrozen River Raisin. Small flocks of Canada geese loafed on the south bank, in the lee of the gusts. Now and again a goose honked while others rested their heads on their backs. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Persona, Scenarios, Worth thinking about... | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on “Remember the Raisin!”

An Unmistakable Badge

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

A fine buck’s fresh blood stained the leggin’s top. Dark burgundy-colored spots, flung in a tussle with a young tom turkey a few days earlier, dotted the front of my linen hunting shirt. Reddish-brown blotches marked the shirt’s dirty hem-fringe. … Continue reading →

Posted in Clothing & Accoutrements, Deer Hunts, Worth thinking about... | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Content in My Invisibility

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Raindrops plopped on canoe shaped leaves, yellowish and faded. As the droplets struck, small dust clouds arose from old hoof prints on an earthen doe trail. Hook-shaped turkey leavings, dry, hard and brittle, rested here and there along the path. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bear Hunt, Research, Worth thinking about... | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments