Fifty Years a Hunter and Trapper: Autobiography, experiences and observations of Eldred Nathaniel Woodcock during his fifty years of hunting and trapping.Woodcock, E. N. (Eldred Nathaniel)
General
Fifty Years a Hunter and Trapper: Autobiography, experiences and observations of Eldred Nathaniel Woodcock during his fifty years of hunting and trapping.
Woodcock, E. N. (Eldred Nathaniel)
Hunting; Trapping
There was a rap at the door about five o'clock in the morning and on
going to the door, I found two men with a lantern; one man of middle
age, the other a young man. There had just been a fall of snow of
about four inches, and the men were going onto the Cross Fork of
Kettel Creek, deer hunting. They had stayed at a farm house on the
other road and had started from this house between three and four
o'clock in the morning. Seeing a light in the office, they thought
they would come in and stay until daylight.
The old gentleman inquired what I was doing there. I informed him
that I was trying to trap a little. He said that he should not think
it would pay me, but if I could catch a fox it would be different, as
he had seen several tracks along the road by the light of the
lantern. He also told me that he had a recipe for making fox scent,
that was a dead sure thing, and as I lived so far from his place, I
would not be liable to interfere with his trapping, he would knock
off one-half his usual price and sell me a recipe for five dollars.
I said I would see what luck I had while they were gone, and it might
be possible that I would buy his recipe when he came back. He said,
delays were dangerous, and that I was losing the greatest opportunity
of my life, that he might not come back that way. I thanked him, but
told him I would chance it.
It was now daylight, and as the hunters stepped outside they noticed
the carcass of a wildcat, and I told them if they would step to the
corner of the building, they would see what I got yesterday. They did
so, and gazed for one second at the pelts, then the older of the two
said, "Come, Charley, let's be going," and they left without even
bidding me good morning.
Comrades you do not know how I enjoy your letters as given in this
splendid magazine, especially so this winter (season of 1905-6) as I
have not been able to trap. But I have no kick coming for this is
only the third time in fifty years, but what I have been able to be
out with the traps and gun.
I know that the readers of the H-T-T would be pleased to read
articles from old veterans. The H-T-T has about reached the height of
perfection so far as the trapper is concerned. There is none of the
high top boot, fashionable, corduroy suits and checkered cap business
about the H-T-T. Success to all.
* * *
Boys, you know how we all like to gather around a camp fire and talk
over our hunting and trapping experiences, of how we caught a certain
mink, fox, coon or bear, or how we killed a certain deer. So while we
are out fishing I thought I would like to have a chat with the
trappers. And boys, all you who have not camped out for a week and
had a good time fishing, do not know how much you have lost,
especially those who need the care of a doctor.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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