Old Time Advice for Hunters

With hunters in the forest and field in search of game, we share this old time advice for hunters, and others who travel in the backcountry...

 

“Every man who goes into Indian country should be armed with a rifle and revolver, and he should never, either in camp or out of it, lose sight of them. When not on the march, they should be placed in such a position that they can be seized at an instant’s warning; and when moving about outside the camp, the revolver should invariably be worn in the belt, as the person does not know at what moment he may have use for it.” – Cpt. Randolph B. Marcy, U.S. Army, “The Prairie Traveler”, 1859

“[The trapper] should provide himself with a good sharp axe, and hatchet… an oilstone being carried in order to keep the various tools in good repair; an auger, saw, and some large nails are also to be desired, and a small parcel containing needles, thread, pins, scissors, etc., will be found indispensable. “Cleanliness is next to Godliness,” and there are no more luxurious necessities in camp life than a piece of soap and a clean towel. For light it is advisable to carry a supply of candles, or a lantern with a can of oil… Each trapper should be provided with a stout jackknife, pocket compass, and a supply of matches, a number of these being always carried on the person to provide for the emergencies to which the hunter is always subject. One of the party should carry a double-barreled shotgun and the other a rifle, or both may be combined in a single weapon. A revolver is also a desirable acquisition… A good supply of fishing of fishing tackle is almost indispensable, and with these valuable equipment the young trapper may defy the wilderness with all its hazards. With his traps, gun, and rod, together with his store of provisions, he may look forward to a larder well stocked and may calculate on an appetite which will do it justice.” (Gibson 1881)

“In considering the hunting unit for knapsack trips we must use a special gun of general utility and light in weight. Stewart Edward White has the right idea when he states in The Forest: "During the summer months in the North Woods you will not need a rifle. Partridges, spruce hens, ptarmigan, rabbits, ducks, and geese are usually abundant enough to fill the provision list. For them, of course, a shotgun is the thing, but since such a weapon weighs many pounds and its ammunition many more, I have come gradually to depend upon a pistol. The instrument is single shot, carries a six-inch barrel, is fitted with a special butt, and is built on the graceful lines of the 38-calibre Smith & Wesson revolver. Its cartridge is the 22 long rifle, a target size that carries as accurately as you can hold for upwards of a hundred yards. With it I have often killed a half-dozen of partridges from the same tree. The ammunition is light. Altogether it is a most satisfactory, convenient and accurate weapon and quite adequate to all small game." Mr. White likely refers to the Stevens make of gun. My personal preference is the Game Getter of two barrels each, single shot, one barrel handling the 22 long-rifle cartridge, and the other, a 44 bullet or shot cartridge. No hiker should hit the trail into a country where there is a possibility of getting fish without at least an emergency fishing kit short rigged lines, hooks and minnow hooks, the barbs cut down with a file one half. For more serious fishing the kit will be governed by the species one is after...” (Fordyce 1922)