Montanan/Dakotan: 2015 FUMLA Winter Camp

The following is transcribed from my field journal. There are typos, misspellings and editings as there would be for transcriptions of other period journals. This entry is from FUMLA Winter Camp in January of 2015

WINTER CAMP – CHARBONNEU CREEK
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015
     My daughter Signe came with me to winter camp. It was her turn. In preparation for what could be colder weather I made a small hooded capote from a drab blanket scraps with red melton welting. It’s big on both the girls so we should be able to get a few years use out of it for all three kids. I’d also made a small wolf eared cap from blanket scrap as well for Garrick that we brought along. Signe had her trade dress, mocs and wool leggings. She also had some additional clothing depending on how cold it got.
     It had been unseasonably warm all week so the ground was rather damp. In the past kids who were along for the camps at the cabin along Charbonneau Creek would sleep in the loft. I decided we would do that as well. Next time, provided it would be less wet, Signe and I would sleep outside.
     We met up with Taylor and he followed us to the site. This was his first time to winter camp.
     We arrived and hiked into the site. We found Rod, Dave F and Tod were there. Tod had

arrived several hours earlier and had set up a small fly for his camp.
     I unpacked the gear and got the loft situated for Signe and me. It had been some years since the loft had been slept in. There wasn’t a lot of room for me to move around due to my size so Signe was a big help in getting things laid out properly. Monk, one of our Canadien brethren, arrived a bit later.
     Amid the candle-light this evening I made a rabbit stew in my lidded copper trade kettle for Signe and myself. We had enough rabbit to let everyone try some. The general consensus was that it wasn’t all that bad. To my pallet it can have a flavor and texture similar to a thanksgiving turkey.
     Conversation this evening brought up memories of past winter camps and their discussion. Rod shared some recollections from a book written by Frank Linderman called “Montana Adventure.” Linderman had done some trapping in the 1880s or so in Montana and went on to be a state legislator. That was the first book of the evening that I decided I must add to my library being as I as well am a Montana boy. Another book that got brought up was “West of William H. Ashley.” As I understand it is considered a great reference that one keeps going back to. This will also be added to my library.
     Discussion was also had on the Indian Wars as it is very applicable to this area, Fort Buford being not too far from where we were currently encamped.
     It had been a full day for me so after a while I climbed up into the loft with Signe, she to the inside and myself closest to the edge. After having been dozing for what I assume had been close to an hour I was awoken to Signe nudging me. “Daddy?” “What Signe.” “I have to go to the bathroom.” So much for having taken care of that before we went to bed.

WINTER CAMP – CHARBONNEU CREEK
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015
     Slept fairly well during the night. Discovered Signe moves a lot in her sleep. She said she stayed warm. Rod was gone by the time we got up, off to take care of the cows. Breakfast was flatbread and cheese. Tod made some hominy with black walnuts that he shared with the party. It wasn’t bad. A found it to be a hearty meal.
     Taylor saw what was likely a large muskrat in the water and we clamored to see it from the steep bank. With the ground and snow melting a person had to be careful where they stepped lest they find themselves in the creek.

     It rained off and one later in the morning and afternoon. Despite that, Tod , Taylor and myself went off on a short scout to follow the creek and see what sign we could find, rifles in tow. I had brought along my single spring muskrat trap made by Allen Harrison. Rod had said that after he had gotten the beaver back in October that the muskrats had taken over.
     We found recent bird tracks in what was left of the snow and the mud. After some debate we concluded the particular bird was likely pheasant. Came across some coon tracks as well. There was a place along the creek with bones spread out from a cow that had died probably a year past. Several places along the way we came to temporary streams from the melting snow that creative short “falls” down the bank that poured into the creek.
     My moccasins and feet were completely soaked and freezing. With addition of my wool leggings to my regular clothing, my legs and the rest of me was comfortably warm. I didn’t seem to notice my feet quite so much since the rest of me was fine. The leggings were doing their job well.
     Finally we made it to the dam. While there appeared to be some sign for muskrat, there

didn’t appear to be any recent enough sign to convince me to place my trap. Oh well. Another day. We decided take the overland route back to the site instead of following the creek back. Lots of good discussion and an enjoyable short scout.
     For lunch, more rabbit stew, and I set to roasting a rabbit leg. Kim arrive with Brynja to visit for a couple hours. This was their first time to the cabin. Brynja really like the rabbit.
     I started working on my version of the striped bag seen in AJ MILLER’s “Trappers Bride”. I was able to get red ticking, though, not quite the right material. I’ll try to find a better option later on. I will need to put a button on it and a strap at a later time. I was pretty happy with how it turned out.
     Mike Casler came for a spell as well. As I understand it has been some time since he had been out to the site. We all had some good conversation and then Tod, Mike and I conversed for a while. Mike talked to us about how his recent research had been coming along and some of the interesting things he’d discovered. ...
...Mike departed later. Kim did as well, taking Signe home with her. Signe was sad to leave. Now I have to find a time to take Garrick out with me.
     Tod and Taylor had to leave late afternoon.

     Rod returned as it was beginning to be dark. It had taken much longer than he had expected and said that they’d had problems with a cow.
Supper was roasted beaver and roasted buffalo that I shared with what was left of our small party. Jerry Lassey stopped out for awhile, along with Briana, Christian and Anders.
     Played three games of cribbage with Dave F. It was good to play again. I won two of the three games. At the conclusion of the third game I crawled into my bedding, lulled by the candlelight, and slept.

WINTER CAMP – CHARBONNEU CREEK
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015
     I was up first this morning, followed by Rod. I had to leave right away this morning so I

mantied my gear and hiked it back to the truck, coming back a final time for my rifle, pouch and horn. I noticed that the creek was easily five to six feet higher this morning! It was a good thing I hadn’t set my muskrat trap! I would have going home without it if I had!
     I said goodbye to the party and hiked back to the truck. Rod was about to head out, too, to go check the cattle. We said our goodbyes and parted ways. I look forward to being out on the ground again this spring.
-- Leifer