American Frontiersman

The quintessential frontiersmen were those imbued with the new “American Spirit” who pushed the envelope, and the frontier, from one ocean to the other as they brought to its finest form, what we call the art and science of frontiersmanship. This spirit is alive and well 200 years into our nation’s history as our master practitioners offer timely and timeless articles on wilderness, survival, the land and the techniques that have been honed through generations. From good blades and even how to make them; frontier techniques for building hasty or permanent shelter, foraging, staying fed and making a living; making and getting the most from frontier tools; wilderness and survival medicine for staying healthy or repairing broken health; even primitive archery and manly-man recipes, the American Frontiersman celebrates the land offers timeless tips for self-reliance.

EDITOR’S WELCOME

American Frontiersman

A GRAND ERA • Behind Grand Portage, the original center of the great American fur trade

GRAND ORTAGE TODAY

WAGONS HO FOR SANTA FE! • Reviving the early experiences of the men behind the wagons on the Santa Fe Trail

FRONTIER COLT SAA • Antique gun ownership is sweeter when you know some of your gun’s history

REBUILDING HISTORY • American Mountain Men save 234-year-old log home of REVOLUTIONARY WAR VETERAN

FREE - STATE FIREPOWER • Diving into the muster roll of John Brown’s free-state Kansas Territory militia

WINCHESTER'S MODEL 88 • Remembering the 20th century’s most revered lever-action

The RAREST MODEL 88

PO’ MAN’S RIFLE SLEEVE • Save money and space—make your own mountain-man longrifle case

BURNING FOR YOU! • Bushcraft your own coal-burned containers in the tradition of the Native Americans

HUNTER’S HAULER • Build your own Trapper Nelson-style BIG-GAME PACK BOARD

PACK BOARD POINTERS✔

Leather craft A Classic Canteen • Who needs plastic when you can make yourself a classic leather canteen?

SWEET 16? • A look back at some interesting Native American HUNTING METHODS

Then & Now

FARMING

CATCH MORE CATS • Bobcat Boss Lesel Reuwsaat shares some solid, time-proven strategies

All Out On OTTERS • Master the fine art of funneling so you can land more fur

TANNING TUTORIAL • Move over brain tanning, it’s time to learn the ancient art of alum tanning

Front - Stuffers & Feathers • Take a muzzleloader out into the field for some unique bird-busting satisfaction

A CROSS TO BEAR • HUNTING APPALACHIA with Sig Sauer’s Cross bolt-action rifle

SIG SAUER CROSS

BOG GOODIES FOR HUNTERS

MUSEUM ALACHI OF APPALACHIA • Bringing the past to life in the most authentic way

THE CORE FIVE • Primitive skills expert JAMES GIBSON shares tips and techniques in five critical areas

GIBSON’S CORDAGE CONSIDERATIONS

MUZZLELOADER MAINTENANCE • 10 tips for cleaning your rifle so it goes bang when you want it to

Muzzleloader Cleaning Glossary

Meet the Amazin’ & Blazin’ ÜBERLEBEN • The camp-tools company that specializes in bringing the heat

THE DO-IT-ALL POT

CHAINSAW REHAB • A step-by-step guide for the frugal, mechanically inclined homesteader

SAFETY+FIRST • Please note that these tips are not a substitute for proper training in the safe use of a chainsaw or for reading and becoming familiar with your chainsaw manual.

GEAR BAG • New and noteworthy range and trail stuff

COOKIN ’  BY CAMPFIRE • Unleash your primal side for darn good grub

FISH TACO TIME!

DEER STEW FOR DINNER • An AF reader shares a hearty recipe that’s...