Requirement #14 of the American Mountain Men

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Gabe the Shootist

14. Must be able to converse using Plains Indians hand talk. The 200 words on page 64 of Tompkin’s book “Indian Sign Language”, will be used as a basis for conversation. To complete this requirement, you must demonstrate your ability to read the signs for 50 words, as well as to give the signs for 50 words.

This requirement is optional for advancement to Bossloper and mandatory for the Hiveranno degree.

Dennis R. Leonard with Todd Glover and Gene Hickman have compiled a book of signs that is in common use now. It compliments and expands on Tompkin’s book.

It is my goal to become fluent enough to carry on a conversation in sign language. I don’t want to cram at a rendezvous and put all of these signs into my short-term memory, only to have them fade away before I can make real use of them. I think a person should speak the words while making the sign. This would help beginners to learn the signs and help learn another language if conversing with a different language speaker.

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Requirement #13 of the American Mountain Men

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Gabe the Shootist

13. Must be able to cook a meal of meat using only the meat, fire, a knife, and materials found in nature.

This requirement is optional for advancement to Bossloper and mandatory for the Hiveranno degree.

This requirement can be easily accomplished during your Aux Aliments du Pays. It is what we do. We live off of the land.

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Requirement #12 of the American Mountain Men

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Gabe the Shootist

12. Must have spent at least five days traveling on foot, snowshoe, canoe, and/or horseback. One method or a combination may be used. Bullboat may be used in place of canoe. You are expected to gain as much distance as possible. This trip must be under primitive conditions, taking nothing that would not have been available to the mountain man between 1800-1840. Period weapon with accoutrements and knife must be along.

This requirement is optional for advancement to Bossloper and mandatory for the Hiveranno degree.

It is my opinion that it takes at least 7 calendar days to complete most 5-day trips. Unless you are travelling close to home, a person needs to have additional days for travelling to and from your site.

“You are expected to gain as much distance as possible.” This portion of the requirement seems to be lost on some people. When I did my first trip, what time I had out of the canoe or setting up camp was spent hiking the canyons along the river. Someday, I would like to get in my canoe and just paddle for 5 days to see how far I can actually go.

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Requirement #11 of the American Mountain Men

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Gabe the Shootist

11. Must be able to show ability to tan or Indian-dress hides.

This requirement is optional for advancement to Bossloper and mandatory for the Hiveranno degree.

While putting together your clothing and kit from Requirement #1 you will need Indian-dressed hides. (Commonly called brain tanned) This requirement will give you a hide to use for moccasins, leggings, shirt or coat. I have found the book Deerskins into Buckskins to be an invaluable resource.

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Requirement #10 of the American Mountain Men

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Gabe the Shootist

10. Must be able to start a fire in wet, as well as dry weather, using flint and steel or fire drill using tinder and wood found under natural conditions.

This requirement is optional for advancement to Bossloper and mandatory for the Hiveranno degree.

Keeping track of all the fires you start at your camps throughout the year should fulfill this requirement. Learning to start a fire is one of the most common and important skills you will need in wilderness survival.

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Requirement #9 of the American Mountain Men

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Gabe the Shootist

9. Must be able to properly field dress (clean and skin) a game animal under primitive conditions.

This requirement is optional for advancement to Bossloper and mandatory for the Hiveranno degree.

This simple requirement is at the heart of wilderness survival. The ability to use the game we hunt and trap.

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Requirement #8 of the American Mountain Men

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Gabe the Shootist

8. Must be able to demonstrate the ability to properly pack a horse, canoe, bullboat, or a man for distance travel under possible adverse conditions.

This requirement is optional for advancement to Bossloper and mandatory for the Hiveranno degree.

Again, the best way to demonstrate these skills is to do them. This requirement should be fulfilled on your 5-day trip. (Requirement #12) This requirement asks you to demonstrate “the ability to properly pack” one of the above listed methods of transportation. If you can demonstrate all of them so much the better.

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Requirement #7 of the American Mountain Men

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Gabe the Shootist

7. Must be able to demonstrate ability to track man or animal under natural wilderness conditions.

This requirement is optional for advancement to Bossloper and mandatory for the Hiveranno degree.

The best way to demonstrate a skill is to do it over and over. This requirement can be demonstrated at each hunting camp and every time you set a trap. I was taught to track animals as a child by my father and grandfather. It is a skill I’ve used and honed over a lifetime in the woods. If you don’t have someone to teach you in person, I will recommend the following books.

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Requirement #6 of the American Mountain Men

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Gabe the Shootist

6. Must be able to demonstrate trapping ability using steel traps, snares, and traps made from natural materials found in the area. As many states do not allow the use of some, or any, of these traps, the actual taking of game is not required, although it is suggested where possible and legal.

This requirement is optional for advancement to Bossloper and mandatory for the Hiveranno degree.

When possible and legal, traps can be set at every camp. It really isn’t a trapper’s camp without traps. Each state has different laws concerning traps, sizes and styles, etc. Be aware of the law.

Learn the technique needed to take furbearers in your area, the different sets, lures, and scents

Trap courtesy of Bill Bailey
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Requirement #5 of the American Mountain Men

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Gabe the Shootist

5. Must be able to demonstrate the skills needed for primitive survival in the wilderness of his area and must be willing to teach said skills to other members when requested by a Party Booshway or Director of this Association.

This requirement is optional for advancement to Bossloper and mandatory for the Hiveranno degree.

The best way to demonstrate the “skills needed for primitive survival in the wilderness of his area” is to do them in primitive camp. Over and over. Most of these requirements are not “a one and done” thing. This is what we do, over and over again.

When requested to teach said skills at a camp, whether individually or at a college, we do it.

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