March 31, April 1, 2005
Last Spring some
of us went to the Colonial Trade Fair at Ft. de Chartes. We had
discussed doing a scout at the fort for a while and it finally
came together this last April. I talked to Darrel Duensing,
the site director and Bob Jurgena who was the bourgeois for the
event and secured permission. We set off late in the afternoon and
headed over the levy.
L-R, Dennis Burk, Ted Baker, Bart
Riegel, Bryan Everhart, Scott Staten, Mike Huggins
We went
through an old field and the woods till we hit a canal that led to the
Mississippi River.
Almost there!
Almost there!
Up river
Down river
Scott and Mike scout to the South. Dennis and Bart make some noise.
After reaching our destination we explored the shore looking for sign, but found none. Some of the fellows shot some blank loads. It made for interesting echoes in the river valley. We then proceeded to move back inland to set camp. Wood was gathered, a fire started and dinner cooked.
Home while on the trail.
Supper.
As a few of the guys haven't spent time near a big river, we watched the river traffic and discussed what it was like back when the fort was active. Flasks were passed and pipes lit. We talked of the day and the rest of the event. Made plans for future camps.
We awoke to the sounds of turkeys gobblimg. We didn't have to leave our blankets as we used wing bone calls. We started to get responces and had one coming in. However he spooked and we arose to camp chores. A good start on the mourning.
Scott rekindles the fire. Packing up.
Bryan hitches up his pack. Dennis and Ted prepare for the trail.
We made our way back to camp having enjoyed our night out and looking forward to spending time visiting friends, merchants, the farkle table and the tavern. We agreed to do a scout again at next years(2006) trade fair. Up or down river? Who knows which way we'll head then.
If you get the chance to do a scout while at an event it adds to your experience. Remember to check with your hosts to make sure that your hitting the woods does not interfere with their event. The trade fair is a juried event and is held the first full weekend of April every year. It is sponsored by the Chasseurs du Datchurat (Hunters of Datchurat). They're a group of historical re-enactors that recreate the lives of the longhunters of the Illinois country an Spanish Louisiana from the middle 1760's to the middle 1770's. Here's a link to there website: http://www.chasseurs.homestead.com/Chasseurs.html
Scott and Mike scout to the South. Dennis and Bart make some noise.
After reaching our destination we explored the shore looking for sign, but found none. Some of the fellows shot some blank loads. It made for interesting echoes in the river valley. We then proceeded to move back inland to set camp. Wood was gathered, a fire started and dinner cooked.
Home while on the trail.
Supper.As a few of the guys haven't spent time near a big river, we watched the river traffic and discussed what it was like back when the fort was active. Flasks were passed and pipes lit. We talked of the day and the rest of the event. Made plans for future camps.
We awoke to the sounds of turkeys gobblimg. We didn't have to leave our blankets as we used wing bone calls. We started to get responces and had one coming in. However he spooked and we arose to camp chores. A good start on the mourning.
Scott rekindles the fire. Packing up.
Bryan hitches up his pack. Dennis and Ted prepare for the trail.
We made our way back to camp having enjoyed our night out and looking forward to spending time visiting friends, merchants, the farkle table and the tavern. We agreed to do a scout again at next years(2006) trade fair. Up or down river? Who knows which way we'll head then.
If you get the chance to do a scout while at an event it adds to your experience. Remember to check with your hosts to make sure that your hitting the woods does not interfere with their event. The trade fair is a juried event and is held the first full weekend of April every year. It is sponsored by the Chasseurs du Datchurat (Hunters of Datchurat). They're a group of historical re-enactors that recreate the lives of the longhunters of the Illinois country an Spanish Louisiana from the middle 1760's to the middle 1770's. Here's a link to there website: http://www.chasseurs.homestead.com/Chasseurs.html