The Missouri Trekker
The Coalition of
Historical Trekkers
Missouri Chapter
Jan.-Feb. 2007
Message from the President
E Board, Territorial Govs, State Reps and general membership.
I just spent the weekend at the North Dakota State Muzzleloaders trade fair
and on Saturday morning Paul Ellenbecker called for a ND COHT Chapter
get together. We had great fellowship and I will let Paul tell you about any
news and stories that came out of this event.
I am writing to ALL of you to make you aware of several things.
1st. When I took over office I told you that I would give you all a "State
of the Organization" message come the end of January. I have yet
to receive the requested information so I can make a intelligent message.
2nd. Paul Ellebecker - NC Terr. Gov AND Editor in Chief HAS received
the hardware from Dan to put together the TTG on line, however, he is struggling
with learning some of the language codes to get it on line - so I ask all of
you to be patient. Paul understands the need for timely communication
throughout all our members and feels quiet bad about a copy not already out. He
assures me that he is working on it and will get one out in the relatively
near future. Once set up it will come out on set time frames. More
will be in the Presidents message later.
3. Our membership director "Wart" has a new computer -- however,
he discovered it did not come with all the hardware or programs to open his
files on the COHT membership, so he is patiently waiting for Dell (I think
it was Dell anyway) to get him the programs so he can down load this info to
access membership records. Due to this glitch, there has been a delay
in getting out the ballots for you to vote on treasurer. AS soon as he
gets his hardware the ballots will be sent out and / or access can be done
via email... We will work together to make sure the "turn around" of
the ballots in your hands to they need to be back on such and such a date isn't
quite as short as the last Presidential election!
4. Last night I received a email from Dan Lambert, our Communications Director
and WebMaster. Come December 31st his term is up and at this time he does not
plan on running for reelection. His reasoning is work and he is up to
his A** in alligators and is having a heck of a time trying to drain the swamp! I
can respect that! Dan spends a lot of time on the road with his work
yet he has managed to keep the web site going and helping all of us computer
illiterate folks figure out how to get here and here and here. Often,
Dan’s personal
messages are timed in at 3 , or 4 or 5 a.m. after a full days work,
or just before he leaves for work. Dan has 11 more months of this position
yet but I want YOU ALL to be thinking about how you can be a asset to this
organization and possibly volunteer to take on this position.
AS I stated, this is not the Presidents message, that will come later but it
is open communication to each and every one of you to let you know of
some of our status as of Feb. 19th - 07. I would appreciate Each of the
State Reps and Territorial Govs - and even you - the general membership - to
take some time and make sure all members NOT ONLINE get this communicae.
YMH&OS,
Rooster
COHT President
Trapper Killsmany and Myself on the Winter Trek in Hercules Glades near Devil’s
Den
Tentative Schedule For the National Gathering at Ft. Osage- Sibley MO.
Tuesday, April 17th.
Early Arrival and setup. This is the earliest that they will allow folks to
be there.
The fort is closed on Mondays that time of year.
Wednesday, April 18th.
Early Arrival and setup.
Thursday April 19th.
9:00am-4:30pm, Observation Walk- Below Fort
2:00pm, Meet at Tavern for canoe scout.
Friday, April 20th.
9:00am-4:30pm, Observation Walk- Below Fort
10:00am, Blacksmithing- Dick Underwood
1:00-3:00pm, Shooting Match, Scott Staten
2:00pm, Bob Dorian's presentation on Field Fortifications.
3:30pm, Kate Johnson- Persona Devolpment
5:00pm, Members meeting
7:00pm-?, Tavern Night
Saturday, April 21st.
9:00am-4:30pm, Observation Walk- Below Fort
8:30am- 12:00pm, Safety meeting/Tactical. Meet at the Tavern
1:00-1:45pm, Barbra & Dennis Duffy
1:00-3:00pm, Shooting Match, Scott Staten
5:00pm, Potluck Dinner/ Auction to follow
8:00pm- 10:00pm Period Dance with Barbra & Dennis Duffy http://outoftheordinarymusic.com/
Tavern open after the dance
Sunday, April 22nd.
Pack up and travel day.
Reports on Winter activities
We had a couple of events this winter in Missouri and although the participation was pretty slim I had a good time. I guess some people are smart enough to stay inside when it’s 5 degrees outside. I had mentioned to a coworker that I was going camping over the weekend in January. She thought I was nuts, but I explained to her that it was the best time of year. No ticks, no chiggers, no other people to bother you and that fire really feels good in this weather.
I had planned a trek in Hercules Glades over Christmas break and it got down to being just me and with rain predicted I decided to reschedule so we ended up doing it in late January. Trapper Killsmany joined me and we had a good trek and overnight. We packed into the Devils den area set up camp in a rock overhang and then went scouting for any meat we could find. Squirrels were scarce and rabbits non-existent. So we ate what we brought. Got pretty cold that night so I heated up a rock, wrapped it in a piece of blanket and brought it into my bedroll. That rock really helped with the chill as it got down to 5 degrees that night with a little bit of wind. We had also built a reflector fire in the front of the overhang. The next morning we went hunting again and again no luck. We packed up and headed out and as I was feeling pretty worn out before we made our creek crossing, I gave Trapper my camera just in case he need to “document” my crossing. He went on ahead and crossed while I picked my route through the rocks spread out across the creek. Trapper had no problems and had made the second crossing before I got started. I started across and got to a nice flat rock where I could change feet and just as it was going so well the world suddenly tilted on its axis in the most unfortunate way. Poor Trapper could hear me splashing and complaining but he was behind some brush and could not get the picture. I was however mostly unhurt (gun broke my fall, …glad I brought the ugly one) but I was wet left shoulder to left heel. After I got righted I took the next crossing in stride. That is I waded. (see below)
Made it out and still had enough in me to check another trail before leaving.
The second event was an 18th century hog hunt in the same wilderness area. Trapper organized this one and had quite a number of people lined up from north and east until the blizzard hit them and he got a lot of cancellations. (Oh mother nature, you cruel mistress) Anyway he was pretty disappointed but Tom Hansen and I talked him into at least doing an overnight with us at the spot. Those who cancelled really missed out. Trapper had really put a lot of work into getting things ready. He had done a lot of scouting and talking to the forest service to get in the area where hogs were working and had even built a little brush shelter in the best place. If you did not know it was there you never would have found it.
We packed in and set camp late morning and then hunted the afternoon. We saw some old sign but no hogs. Most people in the area hunt them with dogs to drive them out and horses to catch up. We just had our feet. Got back to camp and had dinner. I feasted on grub and old Tom decided to try an acorn. There were quite a few of them around and Tom was toying with the idea of making acorn flour at home sometime. So when one popped in the fire and came rolling out at is feet, he looked at Trapper and said “so how do I eat this” ? Trapper looked him in the eye and said “first you put it in your mouth, then you chew” So Tom did. It was a true Kodak moment, I’ve never seen Tom’s face make that shape before. For those who have never eaten roasted acorn, don’t try it. They are really high in tannic acid and as bitter as anything can get. And… you might just break your face trying to spit it out!
Had a fair night, would have been better if the wind had laid down a bit but Tom’s new Wilde blanket kept him from freezin’. We set out again after breakfast to find some hogs and once again we found sign, but no hogs. This sign was fresher although still a day old. The rooting marks had frozen overnight but did not appear to have frozen more than once.
Pointing out hog sign
This was really pretty country and we never saw another person while we were there.
Trapper and Tom “Posing” for the kill shot that didn’t happen.
Notice the ice, see it was cold!
I want to thank Trapper again for doing so much work and putting up with this slow old fatboy. Tom and I really had a good time and if you all ever get the chance to hit the trail with Trapper do it. He is a really good woodsman.
Upcoming Events
Strother Freetrappers Winter Camp and Shoot
Mar. 2,3,4
Usually a few COHT people here. It’s a family thing with some kids games,
black powder shooting and a bit of primitive archery.
Contact me- at tstuba@aol.com
1st Sante Fe Trails Plainsmen
Spring Fever Rende near Overbrook KS
Mar. 17-18
Strother Freetrappers Spring Rende and State Team Shoot near Holden MO.
Mar. 30-April 1st.
Barren Fork Territorial Spring Rende
Gainsville MO
April 12-15
Coalition Of Historical Trekkers National Gathering
At Ft. Osage
April 19th-22nd
Many of these events are listed on Talking Bears Web site. www.talking-bear.com
See you at the National!
Tracy “Fawlsin Creek” Smith