North Dakota Hunting

Lewis & Clark’s Exploratory Successes Came With Preparation, Diversity, Hardship, and Luck

admin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:21:30 +0000

The American explorers, Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, knew long before they left on their westward 1804 Corps-of-Discovery exploratory expedition that the success of their journey depended on their careful preparation beforehand and the experience and readiness of their crew. During that epic 28-month journey from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean and back, they roughed it through the unexplored northwest wilderness via the Missouri, Columbia, and smaller rivers, and the Rocky Mountains. They met and, in most cases, befriended 50 Native American tribes along the way. They also faced multiple dangers and hardships daily. To make that hazardous 8000-mile round-camping trip alive, they needed healthy, skilled crew members and sufficient supplies and luck to do it successfully. Four of their accomplishments are listed below.

1. They made their way to the Pacific Ocean and back with only one loss of life, apparently to appendicitis.

2. They informed the Native American tribes met on the way of their new U.S. leadership, and bartered with them for food, survival, peace, and future trade.

3. They discovered and documented 300 new plants and animals.

4. They kept hand written journals of their journey, and made numerous maps of it.

Much of their success can be summarized in the following five areas.

1. Preparing for the expedition (experience, training, and supplies)

2. Diplomacy among the Native Americans

3. Diversity and teamwork

4. Exploratory river route taken

5. Making it back alive.

1. Preparing for the expedition

* Spearheaded by President Thomas Jefferson, the expedition was a government-sponsored military project that took many months of advanced preparation and training together with the gathering of large amounts of supplies. Thus, when the expedition departed from the St Louis area in May of 1804, it comprised three large armed boats carrying 30-tons of supplies and more than 30 skilled crew members, mostly soldiers. The soldiers were dressed in military uniforms and regalia. Their supplies included food, water, bedding, baggage, clothing, 21-bales of gifts for the native tribes, and much equipment for navigating, camping, hunting, fishing, cooking, trading, blacksmithing, constructing (two winter forts), doctoring, writing, map-making, exploring, and defending themselves. The expedition had ample manpower and supplies to start the trip.

* Lewis and Clark were healthy, seasoned, highly capable leaders. Before departing, Lewis received extra training on astronomy, medicine, and natural science in Philadelphia.

* The selected crew members were disciplined, rugged outdoors-men, trained for failure, success, and dealing with the wilderness and the unknown.

* Unexpectedly, the Louisiana Purchase occurred just before the expedition departed. Thus, except for the northwest Oregon region, the corps explored the Louisiana Purchase as a new section of their own country.

2. Diplomacy among the Native Americans

* Most of the northwestern tribes were friendly. They were receptive to future trade with the U.S. for modern wares and hunting equipment. As a result, the corps enjoyed many councils, gift exchanges, peace-medal presentations, marching parades, pow-wows, feasts, dances, demonstrations, and outdoor games with these tribes.

* Yet, on the way northwest, a large South Dakota tribe wanted ransom for river passage. But their level-headed chief kept it from going too far, which prevented a heated argument early in the trip.

* During their sub-zero winter encampment in North Dakota, a large agricultural tribe nearby traded their stored dried corn for the expedition’s blacksmithing and medical skills. This corn gave the expedition a more balanced diet than the wild game alone.

* Further west, a large mountain-plains tribe provided the expedition with a guide, horses, and several human pack carriers for their climb over the Rocky Mountains. These provisions were made even though the tribe itself was starving, and was eager to go find meat at the time.

* On the other side of these mountains, another powerful tribe wanted to kill the weary expedition for its guns and plunder. But, an old woman there who had been treated well by the whites earlier in Canada intervened. She saved them. This same tribe then fed the cold starving expedition who had been eating everything from candles to colt meat during their late-season mountains passage.

* During their return from the Pacific and while waiting for the mountain snows to thaw, the corps earned their keep with a large friendly tribe by medically treating the old and ailing tribespeople there. In one case, a completely paralyzed old chieftain began to move his limbs after the corps gave him daily steam-bath treatments.

* Throughout the entire journey, the native tribes gave the expedition geographical tips, directions, rough maps, food, lodging, support, and services. They lodged their horses, and taught them how to burnout and use log canoes.

3. Diversity and teamwork

* As rugged woodsmen and, in some cases, half-breeds, the crew members had diverse abilities. They worked well together. They were scouts, hunters, sharpshooters, guards, fishermen, boatmen, boat/canoe makers, horsemen, soldiers, blacksmiths, gunsmiths, repairmen, trappers, campers, hikers, carpenters, traders, fiddlers, entertainers, cooks, tailors, negotiators, salt makers, nurses, and interpreters (English, French, Spanish, Indian, and signing).

* The presence of a woman, Sacagawea and her baby son, among the corps was a sign of peace to the tribes along the way. This fortunate situation prevented many potential conflicts with the tribes met. Sacagawea was the cool-headed wife of one of the hired interpreters. She was also an excellent gatherer of wild edibles and part-time guide. Additionally, she turned out to be the sister to an important tribal chief, the one who gave the expedition the horses and guide for crossing the mountains. Toward the end of their return journey, Clark wrote to her interpreter husband, “Your woman…diserved a greater reward for her attention and services on that rout than we had in our power to give her.”

* Clark’s personal slave, York, was tall, strong, and personable. The plains tribes and their children admired him greatly. He, along with Sacagawea, became highly important members to the expedition.

* Lewis’ black 115-pound Newfoundland dog, Seaman, guarded their night camps against wolves, bison, and grizzlies.

4. Exploratory river route taken

* The expedition’s route was far enough north that four armed companies sent out by a southwestern Spanish governor to find and stop them, never did.

* Much of the route was done on rivers and waterways, which gave the expedition a clear pathway to follow with minimum surprises, except for the strong turbulence of the Missouri River and the difficulty of crossing the Rocky Mountains. Yet, they were able to boat and canoe these rivers, and to cross the Bitterroot Range on horseback over known native trails.

* This route also allowed the Corps to see and experience firsthand the West’s vast native cultures, endless masses of game and wildlife, and lush pristine vistas in all seasons.

5. Making it back alive

* The expedition overcame endless hardships and close calls daily. Such hardships included lack of privacy, sickness, boils, sores, accidental injuries and knife/gunshot wounds, falls/spills, biting insects (many), poisonous snakes, thorny plants, bad weather, extreme temperatures, violent storms, hail, flooding, getting lost, stress, starvation, exhaustion, aches, pains, encounters with wild carnivorous animals (bears), depletion of trade goods, and potential death.

* After crossing back over the mountains on their return trip, the expedition divided into four groups to explore certain sections near two rivers, the Marias and Yellowstone. This temporary division spread them thin. All or any of these smaller groups could have been wiped out without the others knowing what had happened to them. Eventually, however, they all regrouped successfully on the Missouri River.

* When the corps made it back to St Louis, they were in dugout canoes and one boat, wearing buckskins, and “looking like Robinson Crusoe’s.”

In summary, when the expedition returned to St Louis in September of 1806 to the surprise of everyone, the welcoming crowd was ecstatic. By that time, most of the U.S. had thought the corps had died or vanished. No one had heard from them since the spring of 1805. Thus, after their return, many speeches and celebrations took place in St Louis and elsewhere. Lewis and Clark were appointed the Governor of the Louisiana Purchase and the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, respectively. Also, Lewis, Clark, and their crew members received sizeable land grants in Missouri for their successful journey.

Much of the corps’ success can be attributed to their being diversely well-prepared for that long dangerous journey, and to their ability to work well together while making their own luck along the way. They also had ample supplies to start with, which allowed them to adapt to their changing situations routinely, and to overcome the numerous hardships they encountered.

By: J Delms

South Dakota Pheasant Hunting – How to Make Your South Dakota Hunting Experience a Success

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:05:48 +0000

Believe it or not, one of the most important kinds of hunting is South Dakota pheasant hunting, and is something that many people try and do at least once in their hunting careers. Even if you don’t live in the state, it’s worth a trip or two to try it out, and I think you’ll probably return again and again.

Here is some information on South Dakota pheasant hunting in order to help you get started as quickly as possible. The fist thing you obviously need to know about is a hunting license, as it’s the foundation of any hunting expedition.

Regardless of whether or not you live in South Dakota, you can buy license via the internet for smaller game, and the only requirement is that you have a credit card to make the purchase with. in addition, you can buy these from agents anywhere in the state.

However, if you do live in the state of South Dakota and will be hunting yearly, you will need to purchase a new license every year. If you don’t reside in South Dakota you will need a no resident license, which will run you about one hundred dollars, and is valid for ten days, and must be separated into two separate hunting trips.

This obviously makes choosing the time of year critical, because pheasant are out stronger at some times than others, and find out when the best time for the area you are going is.

So where are the top South Dakota pheasant hunting locations? The number one place I’d recommend is Rock Creek Cattle Ranch, which contains thirty nine thousand acres of hunting land for pheasant (obviously) and in addition, turkey and grouse. This is in southern South Dakota, and is certainly one of the top places in the whole state to go.

Another location you might consider is R and R Pheasant Hunting Lodge, in middle South Dakota, which has eighteen grand acres just for hunting pheasant, and nothing else. While there are many top notch South Dakota pheasant hunting, I’d recommend you start out your search with these two, and branch out from there, if need be.

By: Jimmy Harris

Canada Goose Hunt – North Dakota Fall 2008

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:42:34 +0000

7 guys going to college go out and kill a limit of early season canada geese. My buddies’ shooting skills weren’t too great but they got better towards the end. One guy learned the hard way not to bring his 20 GA. along when you’re shooting honkers! —Wide Open Waterfowling—

2008duckseason

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:56:21 +0000

Duck hunting in Minnesota and North Dakota, 2008. … Hunting “Duck Hunting” “Minnesota Hunting” “North Dakota Hunting” “Goose Hunting”

Quail Hunting

admin — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:55:50 +0000

Quail hunting is not a pastime that normally attracts a lot of attention, although it has a popular following in many parts of America and Europe. Also known as one part of upland hunting, quail hunting involves the use of shotguns to bring down the bird.

Quails are normally medium sized birds from the same family as pheasants, and are prized by hunters. In a typical situation dogs are used, either to make the birds leave their heavy cover, or to retrieve birds that have been hit by pellets. Quail hunting will therefore involve an open space, alongside the heavy cover. It is the open area that hunters will stand waiting for the quails to try and make their escape.

There are a number of states that actually get a large financial boost from quail hunting, states like South Dakota, as well as many rural areas of the United Kingdom. All of this though generally goes unnoticed, and unpublicized.

The sport hit the headlines in 2006 when Dick Cheney, the U.S. Vice-President shot a Texas attorney when they were both out hunting quail. In February 2006, Cheney and Harry Whittington were at a ranch in Texas in order to take part in some hunting. A period of upland hunting has already taken place as the day made its way into the evening. The group of hunters was looking for a bird that had been downed already. As the search was being undertaken, another bird flew from cover, and Cheney took a shot. Whittington was hit by a couple of hundred pellets from the shot.

There are many rules that should be followed during organized quail hunting, not least of which that it is always the shooter’s responsibility to ensure that it is safe to shoot. Other rules, like no alcohol during the shoot and the wearing of orange safety gear, are also normally strictly followed. The most important rule, however, is to make sure that it is safe before shooting. In the Cheney incident this obviously wasn’t followed.

Quail hunting may not be to everyone’s liking, but it is a popular hobby for many people. This popularity is especially widespread in America although there are strong hunting areas in the United Kingdom and other areas of Europe as well. Although in these latter two areas the anti-hunting lobby has had an impact in the number of people taking part in the hunt.

By: Katie Appleby

North Dakota Hunting

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:27:39 +0000

North Dakota Devils Lake Duck Hunting drahtar drahtaar

Adrien, leo + dakota’s hunting trip.

admin — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:16:37 +0000

a joke on Adrien, leo + dakota’s hunting trip.

Another what should I get my boyfriend for his birthday question?

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:42:16 +0000

So, I know this is the same question you’ve all read and been asked a million and a half times, however, there’s a twist:
My boyfriend is turning 19 and lives ohhh about 1,300 miles away (try North Dakota). That means that picnics, naughty things, concerts, dates, movies, restaurants, and basically most of the traditional things are all out of the picture. He was supposed to be spending the Thanksgiving break and his birthday (right after) at my house, but airfare got too expensive. He tells me not to get him anything but Obviously I’m going to get him something, and not socks.
I also have to be able to ship it for less than hundreds of dollars. I mean, I’m spending $200++ going to see him for Christmas, but I need to get him something else too, not too expensive.
He’s into hunting, aviation (big time), and riflery, and kinda sports… I dunno. Ideas? I know this question’s hard but I need help!
P.S. I also have to be able to buy it (I live in a very rural place) within the next week to be able to send it to him on time.

Wisconsin native–please answer. When to go to Wisconsin?

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:06:12 +0000

I have a goal to go to all the lower 48 states. I have left Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota. I was thinking about going spring/summer. Is there anything particularly great that it might be worth planning my visit around?

I’m not into hunting and fishing. I’ve met several people from Wisconsin that mentioned drinking in Milwaukee. But I thought if there was something like an azalea festival or a big lawn festival that was really worth going to, I don’t have a specific month set to visit. Anytime I’m not likely to get snowed in works for me.

When would you visit Wisconsin?

More Bizarre Laws From Around the USA

admin — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:42:04 +0000

Foolish Food Laws

Here is good new in today’s economy! In both Tennessee and West Virginia it is legal to gather and consume road kill. Wait, did that say road kill!! Do they mean those little animals sleeping on the side of the road? I am not really sure…road kill…grocery bills..which is worse?

I am sure you have all heard of New England Clam Chowder. This is different from Manhattan Clam Chowder which has a tomato based sauce. In case anyone is wondering where Massachusetts stand, here it is…it is illegal in Massachusetts to use tomatoes when making clam chowder. The only state where white is so important you can’t make red chowder!

Pickles can be notorious (don’t forget the Dill inger gang), so don’t eat them in Trenton, NJ on Sundays, it may be as illegal as robbing a bank! People from Connecticut know how to tell a real pickle from a fake. A pickle is not officially a pickle unless it bounces. Keep in mind that if your pickle doesn’t bounce do not, I repeat, do not throw it in the street in Trenton, NJ. It is illegal to throw a bad pickle in the street in Trenton.

Nutty Nature Laws

Our government is starting to confuse itself with God. Texas has started a program that gives grants to political subdivisions to modify and change the weather. I did not know we could do this! Do you think they can modify my weather to match Hawaii’s?

I wonder who gets the fine when the Arkansas River rises higher than the Main Street bridge in Little Rock. God or the Governor?

Some states tell mother nature what she can grow and where. In Maryland thistles are illegal to grow in your yard. Hard enough, but you can at least cut them down. Pueblo, Colorado has deemed it is illegal to allow dandelions to grow within city limits. I searched through hundreds of photos of Pueblo and did not see one dandelion! I guess the dandelions learned their lesson! (I sure wish the thistles would.)

Minnesota passed a law stating that all areas where mosquitoes incubate and hatch are public nuisances. Did they say the whole state is a public nuisance? Minnesota is known as the “land of 10,000 lakes”…the word minnesota means water in the language of the Dakota Indians. Do you think there is any place in that state mosquitoes are not incubating and hatching??

How about in Utah, where it is illegal to cause a catastrophe. Here is the law:

Utah: 76-6-105. Causing a catastrophe.

(1) Any person who by explosion, fire, flood, avalanche, collapse of a building, release of poison gas, radioactive material, or other harmful or destructive force or substance, or by any other means, causes a widespread injury or damage to persons or property is guilty of causing a catastrophe.

(2) Causing a catastrophe is a felony of the second degree if the person causes it knowingly and a class A misdemeanor if caused recklessly.

Enacted by Chapter 196, 1973 General Session

Now I understand some of that, but how can you cause a flood?! What other harmful force, Godzilla? The part of this law I really love is that it is a felony if you cause a catastrophe knowingly, and a misdemeanor if caused recklessly. What happens if it was an accident? Do you have to do some type of community service? I can hear the court case now. I’m sorry sir, I forgot to close the gate behind me and Godzilla just followed me out.

I think California has it right. Here is a law that gives! In California sunshine is guaranteed to the masses.

Wacky Weapons Laws

There are some things in life that should go without saying. Such as detonating nuclear devices, who would possibly think this may be OK? Why do so many states have laws about this? Does this mean it is allowed in all the places that don’t specifically mention it?

Marlboro, MA has a law against detonating a nuclear device in the city. I suppose step over the city’s boundary it is suddenly fine to do?! Chico, CA clearly defines the penalty for detonating a nuclear device in their city. You will be fined $500…what?! I wonder who is alive to fine you, or separate your dust from the others for that matter. At least in Utah it is illegal to detonate a nuclear device in the entire state…I guess they never paid attention in history!

Nuclear devices are one thing, but think of this deadly weapon…the dreaded silly string! I know, I can hear you all wailing in fear…not the silly string, p-p-please, not the silly string! Yes, just like you, these places also fear the dreaded silly string. Marlboro, MA makes the cut again! The two other cities you can feel silly string safe are Southington, CT and Mobile, AL.

Now, how many of you feel an overpowering need to carry a gun to church with you. Sure, in this day and age you read about people opening fire on a church now and again…but does this really make it appropriate to carry your own. In at least 3 states in the Union the answer is YES! Massachusetts states all men must carry a rifle to church on Sunday. They do not state why, but hunting is illegal on Sundays there.

Maine and South Carolina state you must bring your shotgun to church in case of an Indian attack. Is that Indian as in India…or Indian as in Native American??? What year are these states living in? In 1792, Columbus sailed the seas of blue…are you living in these states…do you even own a shotgun?

Some states just make you wonder why…why did they feel the need to put these laws in the books. Take Billings, Montana where it is illegal to bring a bomb or rocket to the city council meeting…note to self…never join the city council in Billings.

Who knows what goes on in Destin, FL?! In this city you may not shoot off a torpedo in a park. Interesting…note number 2…never go to the park in Destin!

My favorite? North Andover, MA where it is illegal to use a space gun. And I thought we only had alien problems in Roswell, NM! Why do you suppose it is illegal to use “space guns” in this city. Do they have a deviant alien population, space gunning people down in the streets?

Silly Smiling Laws

Anthony J. D’Angelo said, “Smile, it is the key that fits the lock of every body’s heart.” Apparently it is also the key to staying out of jail in Idaho where a person must smile before they go out in public. Wait honey, I’m not ready to go yet. I haven’t put on my smile.

In New Jersey you may not frown at a policeman. This must be why people smile and say thanks when they get a ticket. I’d rather be in Michigan. A man may not scowl at his wife on Sunday in Michigan. I bet lots of men go to jail on Sunday’s. Imagine…Honey, here is the chores list…But I was watching the big game…Is that a scowl I see on your face…911!

Tombstone, AZ does not say you have to smile, or that you have to frown for that matter. Tombstone just wants to guarantee everyone is on the same playing field. The law states that it is illegal to smile unless you are missing at least one visible tooth. No, no, wisdom teeth don’t count. They prefer one of the obvious, right up front teeth where others will notice. The only time you can have a fully toothed smile is if you happen to be under 18 years of age.

Bernard’s Township, NJ is one happy place. The town has been declared a “Frown Free Zone”.

By: Kari Poulsen