About Me and The Trail Discoveries
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About Me and The Trail Discoveries
About the Author and mapped trail discovery
I am not a professional Archeologist. I also am not a writer. So please forgive me for writing errors. I do have a strong passion for History. I have been researching the native peoples that have lived in our area of Northern Lower Michigan for well over 20 years at the time of this printing 2024. In over 20 years of having to self teach myself on how to fumble through and sift through the mountains of data in all there different forms in many different locations. 1000’s of hours, 1000’s of miles and 1000’s of my own dollars. One day I drove 400 miles round trip to the History Center in Lansing Michigan to search for survey maps of our area. I located two 1850 survey maps that had been digitalized for preservation. These two maps had been folded up and placed inside the surveyors’ pocket field notebooks. They sat folded up inside those books for about 170 years.
Apparently they evaded the eyes of previous researchers. This is ware I located the two native trails named (Indian Trail) and (Pack Trail). After studding the mapped trails and seeing ware they traveled. I thought to myself. All my life I have been trapping and using a compass hound hunting raccoon, bear and bobcat both day and at night in the thickest and darkest swamps that we have here and in the Upper Peninsula. of Michigan. I wanted to see if there was any trail left to see.
So off to the woods I went, armed with a copy of the mapped trail, compass and my G.P.S. tracker to see what I could find. After locating the section lines and needed section corner. I could see there was no trail. That was long gone, But I could locate the natural narrow path that the buried trail would have to be in. Luckily there was not very much wiggle room for the trail inside this first one mile narrow path or I might have given up. For the first mile the path is obstructed on one side with a steep ridge and the other side a thick wet thicket. In between this is a fairly flat open transition area about 100 feet wide at its widest point. Bingo! Using a map, compass, G.P.S. technology, effort and dedication like a detective to figure this out. Down the rabbit hole I went and the hunt was on. Now in this book, I am sharing what I found with you.
A two week harvest of fur ready to be shipped to the auction house. From top to bottom, 143 muskrat, 4 Beaver, 8 Lbs. Beaver castor, 16 Mink, 2 Coyote, and 24 Raccoon.
Me doing predator control work on a cattle ranch. This Coyote has eaten his last calf.
Awards from North American Fur Auctions
I’m glad to state that I have achieved these acclaimed awards from North American Fur Auctions which are world-class and recognized for their stringency in the fur industry. Please remember that only the best and extremely carefully treated skins get to be included into the top lot offerings of millions of similar offerings from worldwide locations.
These two awards were given to distinguish that two grades of raccoon pelts from my area were sold in two different auctions on the same day. They represent not just the fur itself but also the craftsmanship, skill, and years of experience I’ve dedicated to mastering the art of trapping, snaring, and hunting. My techniques, equipment, and commitment to precision reflect the expertise required to excel in this field.
Hear From History Lovers
Honest Testimonials
Through my research, I’ve built a community of curious and appreciative readers. Their testimonials celebrate our shared journey into Michigan Archaeology.
