Tag Archives: Dennis Neely

A First Outing

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

A good-sized black ant ran along my bare thigh, then took refuge inside my buckskin leggin. Its pace slowed, tickling its way to the left, then to the right, just above my knee. Three times it tried to move farther … Continue reading →

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Plus or Minus Three-Tenths

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Few options remained. Daylight dwindled. Longer strides struck a balance between due care and a swift advance. With each footfall, the day’s tensions eased. The hasty still-hunt followed a well-used doe trail through a small stand of aromatic red cedar … Continue reading →

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If I Bargain Hard

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

The smell of blooming lilacs filled the air. Now and again the fluffy clouds hid the mid-afternoon sun. When it shone, the spring rays warmed my back to the point of sweating. The propane burner uttered a constant, dull, whooshing … Continue reading →

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“Wait a while…”

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

The River Raisin beckons. To the south, the flooded ribbon looks silvery blue, to the north a dull, brownish gray. The broad lily-pad flats seem the dividing line. The air smells of spring’s greening, fresh, clean and leafy. A red-tailed … Continue reading →

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Who Are You?

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Tiny waves raced to the puddle’s shore. A southwest wind dislodged another drop from a nearby maple branch. More waves followed the little splash in a puddle no bigger than a nice buck’s bed. Catkins hung from a poplar tree. … Continue reading →

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Hacked Away Years Ago

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

Morning sun reflected off the tiny creek. The shiny silver band curled close to the big swamp’s edge, then disappeared in the matted canary grass. Unseen cardinals whit-sued to the south, this side of the watering hole. My moccasins crested … Continue reading →

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“Okay, Junior…”

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Dennis Neely: Traditional Woodsman

“Gob-obl-obl-obl-obl-obl!” “Kla-whoosh-BOOM!” Silence hung over the clearing for as long as it took the white, sulfurous stench to drift down range and dissipate.  Before I got close, there was no question the fourth turkey was dead. I knelt beside the … Continue reading →

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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 →

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