Just wondering...

[Dryball]

Suppose you were living in a littls cabin in Kentucky around 1820 and you decide to go for a day of squirrel hunting. Your kinda out in the boonies, nearest neighbor 15 miles away. Now, what might you be carrying for that days hunt? What size shootin bag. what will you carry in it? Your rifle is a .32 Poor Boy...and so are you. Your gonna be gone all day, so what about eats and clothing also?

Ned

[Ironwood]

What time of the year is it?   There were no seasons back then.  Folks had to take game year round. 

[Dryball]

Late May.

Ned

[bull frog]

Hey Ned, whats a shooting Nag?

[Dryball]

Why you, bull frog....you sometimes shoot....and you always nag.

Ned

[Ironwood]

Bull Frog... sounds like a worn out ol' horse.   

[Oldnamvet]

Haven't gone squirrel hunting since I was a kid --------but---remembering what I had back then and what would be needed way back then I would guess::
Rifle, ball, powder, patches, extra flint, gun repair kit (screwdriver, ball screw, patchworm), drinking water, jerky, knife, jacket and hat, extra socks (I always managed to get my feet wet somehow), fire starter (never know when you need that), and a bag for carrying the squirrels.  I always tried to travel as light as possible with only the absolute needed items.  Back then it was a .22, canteen, crackers, slim jims (yuk), and a sack.

[Chaffa Hosa]

OK it's 1820, I'm in kaintuk, and as fer as I know it's me, a wife and a couple of kids, no one else for 15 miles in any direction, and I'M POOR.
Some how I traded up on a 32 cal rifle (I should have a larger caliber smoothbore) but we need some meat. I'd dress for the weather before leaving, rifle with shooting supplies, my good knife, maybe some form of dried meat and hardtack, water will be drank from the creeks and springs as needed (I did it in the 1960's they did it in 1820), this would be a hunting for food trip, not just skwerils, so anything will be hunted, shot and brought home to feed the family.

I am skeptical about a fire kit, or many supplies of any kind being carried, if I have a flinter, I have a fire kit.

I, by no means want to offend anyone with the fire kit comment, it's just, if I'm traveling light and need a fire I would gather tinder, put my small prime charge of powder on it, and and drop some sparks from the lock. 

[Dryball]

Thanks, Jerry. Whether you agree with Jerry's summation or not.....personally I do...this is the kind of post I want to see. Well thought out, using the info I post as a starter, he came to a logical conclusion....maybe not THE logical conclusion, but A logical conclusion. There are many ways to approach this question and I would love to see some more of your answers. Thanks,

Ned

[Oldnamvet]

I guess I would want to save the rifle flint and powder.  A small piece of flint, steel, and some char is minisclue in weight and space.  The rifle and flint would be a good backup.  I always like to have a backup on critical things.  That is why the extra rifle flint.  When I hunt, even in woods I think I know, I always carry 2 compasses.  One in the pocket and one pinned to my coat.  I'm anal that way -- just my personality.  Drives people nuts sometimes.  If I am carrying a small communication radio -- I have a couple extra AA batteries as well.

[Dryball]

Anal can be life saving...backups are the best way to go...when you can afford them. This feller we're talking about can barely make ends meet so he needs to carry tools that will do more then one job. His family may only have one flint and steel fire starter among them...if he takes it, what about them? What would you have done in the same situation as our imaginary hunter? Remember, he's poor to the point of just the bare necessity's. I really want your thoughts on this matter...as I said, there are more ways then one to accomplish the same thing.

Ned

[david32cal]

Ned, here is what i carry along now on my squirrel hunts other than my rifle of course and a leather canteen of water. i'd like to think it would'nt be to much different then as now, maybe a fire makin' kit if i planed on bein' out more than a day.

[Dryball]

Not sure what all of it is....could you describe each item a bit?

Ned

[david32cal]

well starting with my bag and knife wich is kept in a sheath attached to the back,clockwise,neck knife and sheath,giant safty pin on a leather thong for carrying squirrels,next to it is my patch tin with mink oil lubed patches,directly above it is my antler powder measure and squirrel whistle wich is mounted in a piece of antler,panbrush and pick wich is tied on to my horn strap,next to the horn is my rawhide ballbag with a few extra balls,flint wallet with screwdriver a knapping hammer and extra flints and ball puller(used that more than once),next to it is my ballboard and shortstarter and pan primer. that about sums it up.

[Dryball]

Thanks David!

Ned