I hear tell that “living history” is a much-diminished endeavor these days. That may be true in comparison with the days when Rendezvous was all the rage or when Civil War reenactment was at its height. But there’s some really fine work being done by individuals out there on the frontiers of the interwebs. None better than The Deerskin Diary.
The proprietor of this Youtube Channel is working hard to step into the moccasins of an 18th Century scout/spy. He notes that his modern-day career involves tracking skills, which allows him to work the thread of Continuity & Persistence backward. That’s pretty cool. He’s launched a new series on tracking that is well worth our time. I led it off here with his examination of the kit of a scout/spy. His kit and his actions are not speculative; this feller has done a deep dive into the primary sources to securely anchor his work in what is known of the period. Really excellent stuff.
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Craig Rullman scouted up this podcast episode with one of the true elite of modern Frontier Partisan warriors, a man in the class of Simon Kenton and Samuel Brady, Jack Hays and Ben McCulloch, PJ Pretorius and Paddy Mayne.
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Tribal whale hunting as a cultural tradition is controversial.
NPR reports:
The decision on a proposed Makah whale hunt is getting closer. The federal government has issued its final environmental impact statement. It recommends a ceremonial hunt of up to two or three gray whales per year. But the final decision can’t come for at least another 30 days.
The Makah tribe originally made this request in 2005. The tribe is located in the northwesternmost corner of Washington State, on the Olympic Peninsula.
“That’s a very long time ago, to be going through administrative process to exercise a reserve treaty right. It’s very long time to wait,” said Makah chairman TJ Greene.
He was a volunteer on the police force after the tribe killed one whale in 1999, then faced so much scrutiny and lawsuits that they had to stop.
Two years ago, an administrative law judge recommended approval for a traditional subsistence hunt, following a five-day hearing in Seattle. Chairman Greene says the tribe will only do what they feel is best for the species.
“In fact, our treaty is the only thing that can really help these whales in the future in our perspective, you know, because there’s a legal obligation of the federal government to honor those reserved rights, and to make sure that those stocks are healthy,” said Makah chairman TJ Greene.
David Wrolson says
My end of the trapline.
Reading Jim Shockey’s new book-“Call Me Hunter.” It has, possibly, the strangest preface of any book I have ever read.
It is a book about the art world. I am a little ways into it and very intrigued.
Oh, and if you haven’t yet-you really really need to read Hunter’s “Bullet Garden”-it is classic Hunter and you may not like where he takes the story-but you really really NEED to read it.
I am serious-put it at the top of the TBR pile.
JimC says
I am taking this as mandatory. I’m on it.
David Wrolson says
“Call Me Hunter” is a mystery based in the art world-but it is our world too-the Metis, Saskatchewan etc, Just fun shout-outs from Shockey to the outdoor and hunting/nature world and I am expecting more of such as I move into the second half of the book.
JimC says
Looking forward to this… eventually. That TBR pile is tale and SOMEBODY just insisted that I move a particular book to the top…
David Wrolson says
Jimc>>>”Looking forward to this… eventually. That TBR pile is tale and SOMEBODY just insisted that I move a particular book to the top…”<<<
I understand life and work and all that but you are on the clock-I will spoil it for you if you wait too long-LOL. I have waited long enough. Seriously, I am like a kid on XMAS morning.
JimC says
Hah! Well, it should be in hand tomorrow, with a little reading time in the cards.
Quixotic Mainer says
I just finished a book by Ab Taylor on the “Step by Step” tracking method. I have played with some of it while doing some deer hunting, but haven’t gotten to try out the tracking stick concept yet. Trailing lore is something I can’t ever get enough of!
Matthew says
Watched the podcast with John McPhee. That was interesting. He came across as a somewhat rough guy which is how you expect a Delta Force operator to be. You don’t want some one overly sensitive in the role. Still, he came across as humble in someways.
Ugly Hombre says
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaHhWxWhJ9M
Just found this on Jack Carr’s “Danger Close”. A fantastic Stephan Hunter interview imo.
The best interview of a famous author that I have ever seen. Down to earth, common sense old school American- Stephan Hunter.
The old Army,- how to survive day to day “just be there”. The change and fall of our American free press, down fall of the film industry, political foul winds, guns…
Should be in print hard copy- maybe it will some day.
Great job Mr Carr.!
JimC says
How did I miss this? Thank you. Carr does a good job, mainly because he has a capacity many hosts don’t — to shut up and listen.
Ugly Hombre says
Very welcome! I really enjoyed it- by far the best interview of a writer I have ever seen.
One or two- maybe three too many beers at the enlisted club and the PFC getting fish hooked by a barbed wire fence.Haaaaa ha! Ha! fantastic! Then the venerable .38 Super. Screen play writing and more.
Down to earth no jive and no pretense. Hungry for more of Mr. Hunters conversation via “Danger Close.”
One night in Taipei- we had taken a Med Evac flight to Taipei Air Station walk about got lost went in a bar filled with girls clad in Qipao. Got drunk on Taiwan beer lost in the dark looking for the base, had to creep into a construction site to discharge nuisance.
Just missed the sleeping night watchman. Woke rudely- he chased me down the street with a Dao. I was spry then and smoked him even though its hard to run when you are scared chitless lost and laughing.Maybe been the Taipei brig or P.I. haircut if he caught me. lol!
Ah youth the fun and wacky adventures of peacetime G.I.’s
Mr Hunters story was great bet he has a lot more “Not for release”, sad probly will never get to hear them. Good stuff!
Matthew says
Here’s some videos for you. You linked to the first ones video on how drover’s survived in 16th century Scotland. This one is on staff fighting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv3ROAi7TFk
There is also the Dry Creek Wrangler School. While, a lot of his videos are on horsemanship. He also gives life advice including some that can be hard to take.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dry+creek+wrangler+school
Ugly Hombre says
“Stephen Hunter is a great shot!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIdDnoSnBo8
Addendum: It seems Mr. Hunter shoots good- but strikes out…
lol!