Here's something to think about. Mark Baker and others have done a fine job of teaching us all not to carry so much foofaraw when we go "woods runnin" Not to disagree, but I'm wondering how often Mountain Men and Long Hunters traveled like that? Seems to me that if a man was going to the woods for an extended period he'd be lookin' for a new homestead, trappin' furs, or hunting for large amounts of meat. In any case, he'd probably have more gear and a canoe or horse to carry it as well as bringin' home the results of his trip. What do you think?

for a "scout", MB is right on...as you suggested, most longhunters/mtnmen had horses-you need something to gear in and hides out...most folks don't "do" the horse thing due to cost/liability...but, it doesn't hurt a fella to get out with only what he can carry...

Pvt. Potts I have just finished the latest book on the life of daniel Boone. It described in detail his numerous trips into the wilderness. As you are probably aware Mr. Boone made his living to a large extent as a Longhunter( hides etc.) According to the book in most instances he had horses ect along on these expeditions. Read the book you will enjoy it. yours arkansawwind

If I’m out hunting for the day I carry just enough for 4 or 5 shots a couple of tools and a ball puller. The rest is back at the truck. I believe the mountain men and long hunters might have had a base camp or had packhorses with them......B Staley

And to add to the list, the voyageurs up north each personally got to carry a tiny bit of personal things, were given one or two blankets, a shirt or two, and trousers, and that's it. But the North canoes carrying the trade goods also carried saws, axes, medicinals, booze enough to last most of the winter for the staff and make the trading go smoothly, dried peas or beans and salt pork, or going the other way pemmican, rope, cooking gear for the staff, shovels, horseshoes, nails, etc. etc. etc.
They built stockaded fur posts, usually, and then often went out individually or in teams "en derouine" which is to say they sledded or horse-packed trade goods out to the native villages to trade where the action is.

Dick

As other have said, for extended trips [hunts, scouts, expeditions, etc] generally pack animals were used--even wagons--and don't forget that boats were a chief means of long distance travel in the early days. Alot of stuff could then be carried--read L&C's account of all the stuff they started out with. The lone hunter or scout often did travel light, and at times afoot. I have extensively read JJ Audabon's writings of his explorations and adventures in the 1810-40 period--he often went far across country [100s of miles] with almost nothing but his art kit and a double shotgun. He often mentions sleeping out with no shelter or even a blanket and having no fire kit save his flintlock. He once came into western NY at the end of a "trek" nearly 'naked' because he had used up his linen shirt making patches for his gun! He was embarrassed to go into a inn and buy food..

P.S., many early hunting accounts mention that the hunter carried nothing but his gun and ammo and a knife.

Mike R, You're right about Lewis and Clark. According to Lewis' journal and description of how the boats were loaded, the keelboat alone weighed 21 tons! The replica that the State of Iowa has weighs app. 8 ton s, empty. For a short scout I think most of us do carry too much gear.

Right on, well you'd need a good quantity of pack animals to carry the supplies out, and to pack the furs or skins back in. Traveling light is for scouts, and for war, not for longhunting or trapping. Some areas they went down the rivers, and some in by horses. A wagon would probably get ya killed on a longhunt. To big, to hard to maneuver where no roads exist, and too noisy. Indians didn't like longhunters much.

LD

Hey Pvt. Potts,

While you posted this topic in February, I'm reading it in March, with my newly made knapsack on my back. I did my last trek in February with my blanket in a Ranger Roll and my kit in a haversack. Never again.

After 12 years in the Infantry and 15 years now out, my idea of "survivability" enters into my concept of traveling "light". I would rather pack a little heavy and be prepared for nearly every contigency, rather than see what I can do without.

I could leave the house right now and live for a week with what I've got in my pack. Add my shootin' pouch, horn and rifle, and I could live indefinately. I would miss the wife and kids but...

The point bein', while at one time I had to memorize all 19 of Roger's Rangers Standing Orders, (I still remember #1: Don't forget nuthin'!),travelin' light only does ya' good if your mission doesn't call for anything more. You have to pack for survivability and mission accomplishment.

In these days when freedom to keep and bear arms, freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of opinion and freedom of religion, are on the brink of being lost to Americans, having a pack stocked and ready to go isn't a bad idea, (Roger's Rangers Standing Order #2 ...and be ready to march at a minutes warning.). It only takes a few more items to pack for a sustained survival trek than for a weekend in the woods.

Pvt., if you are ever lookin' for an old soldier to do some seriouse trekkin' with, drop me a line here in central Iowa.

Will Ghormley
1050 25th Street
Des Moines, IA 50311

515-979-7725
willghormley@mchsi.com
www.willghormley-maker.com

Will

I think the appropriate part of a trapper/scout/longhunter traveling "fast and light through the woods" would be when the sixty of them had a base camp and a couple/few would go up a drainage, set traps, maybe stay overnight, check traps and come back to the base camp for the next drainage.

In short they are part of a larger organization/group working together, but doing short forays 'fast and light.'

Sparks

And remember, in the good old days, you could take a blanket, your gun and shooting pouch, fire-making gear, some jerky and some dried peas or oats or wild rice or pemmican, and shoot whatever animal crossed your path, cut out the loins and tongue and leave the rest to rot, and be on your way. Can't and don't want to travel that way now. Those weren't really "good old days" they were desperate, "make-do as best you can" days.

Dick