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How the Mountain Men Hunted Big Bucks

How the Mountain Men Hunted Big Bucks

By: Cody Fongemie 

How the Mountain Men Hunted Big Bucks

Sitting crisscrossed on the floor in front of my Papa’s recliner, my eyes glued to the screen for the two hours of run time watching Jeremiah Johnson. Did six-year-old me think the mountain man’s way of life was cool? Of course! I spent that winter “exploring” the woods around my house with a toy musket like a mountain man.

Years later as I carried a rifle up a draw at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains, I wondered how the mountain men of the frontier hunted the mule deer that roamed the frontier. How and why did they go after them? What did they use to get them? I asked myself all these questions, got into the books, and brought all I learned here to teach you a thing or two. 

The tools of the trade. 

Gear and clothing are a huge part of how we hunt today. We have it much better than the Mountain Men when it comes to quantity of selection and design but our end goals are much the same. Ultra-light wasn’t a thing, so every item they carried had to serve a purpose and be reliable. No one item was more purposeful than their rifle. The rifle of the day was the iconic Kentucky or Pennsylvania-style “long rifle.” These firearms required careful loading with powder, patch, and ball and were slow to reload, meaning accuracy was paramount. Mountain Men took great care in maintaining their rifles, as a misfire or malfunction in the wilderness could be disastrous. 

Along with their long guns, Mountain Men carried cutting tools. Hunting knives and tomahawks/hatchets were equally essential, serving many purposes, from skinning deer to crafting tools. Often made of high-carbon steel, these knives were prized for their durability and sharpness. Mountain Men used traps for small game, but when it came to hunting mule deer, they relied entirely on their rifle.

Like us, we don’t start a hunt without getting the right clothes for the job. The Mountain Men were no different. Their garments were often made by hand from various animal skins, with buckskins being the most common. They provided warmth, durability, and a natural camouflage. These outfits blended seamlessly with the environment, allowing hunters to move as undetected as a human could at the time through forests and meadows.  

Understanding the Wild 

One of the biggest reasons the Mountain Men could stay out in the frontier’s wilds for years at a time was that they knew how to stay alive. They understood the environment and learned the habits of the animals in the wild. Their knowledge of these wild places was intimate. They knew that deer frequented specific game trails, water sources, and feeding areas, and they often positioned themselves strategically to intercept the game. 

Tracking was a critical skill. By studying tracks, scat, and rub marks on trees, hunters could determine the size, direction, and recent movements of deer. They also paid close attention to wind direction, as a deer’s keen sense of smell could betray a hunter’s presence long before he was seen. Seasonal behavior was another factor in their success. Mountain Men understood that bucks were most active and vulnerable during the rut. Similarly, they knew where to find deer during harsh winters when food sources were scarce. 

Hunting Techniques 

With that understanding of the land and the animals on it, Mountain Men perfected various techniques to bring down game. In the early years of western expansion closing the distance on mule deer and other critters was a bit easier than it is today or even than it would be a few years after easterners and their rifles stepped onto the landscape. Mule deer and other game had little reason to fear these new arrivals.

That soon changed, and new strategies were developed. One of the most common was spot-and-stalk. This involved scanning the terrain for deer from a high vantage point or open area before quietly approaching within shooting range. Stealth was essential, as even the slightest noise or movement could alert the deer and cause it to flee.

A Lasting Legacy and Lessons for us today. 

The old saying “Legends never die” fits the Mountian Men perfectly.  They were hunting either for furs or just to survive in the vastness of the West. We can only imagine the size and quantities of the mule deer they saw. It’s crazy to think about, and I envy the number of games and the adventure. 

Their exploits have undoubtedly impacted our American culture and shaped how we hunt. The legacy of the Mountain Men lives on in our modern hunting practices. We can still learn a lot from how they knew the land. Next time the weather is awful while waiting for that buck and you’re thinking about calling it quits, channel your inner Mountain Man and stick it out. You might just get a shot at your dream buck. 

Good Luck

Good luck this winter and remember to send any success pictures or stories from the field to [email protected]. You could be featured on our website or in our magazine. If this article or any of our articles have helped you become a better hunter or conservation steward, become a member of the Mule Deer Foundation or Blacktail Deer Foundation for only $35 dollars a year. Click here to join: https://muledeer.org/product-category/membership/

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Cody Fongemie @Fongeinthefield

Born and raised in New England, Cody developed a deep appreciation for American history and adventure from a young age. His love for the outdoors led him to become both an avid outdoorsman and a dedicated writer on related topics. After studying in South Carolina, he enlisted in the Air Force, where he is currently serving. Outside of his military duties, Cody enjoys hunting, fly fishing, and sharing his experiences through his writing. He also works to connect the military community with the outdoors through non-profit initiatives.

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