Eating Wild - Buck 'Tails' and Fishing 'Lines'
Folks enjoying the Eating Wild Program at the West Newbury Hall - Photo taken by John Marsh
With Gary Moore moderating, the Newbury Historical Society hosted an evening of shared stories to celebrate Newbury’s hunting and fishing traditions. There were plenty of buck “tales” and fishing “lines” offered up in the W. Newbury Hall, but these stories were not about trophies. Rather, we heard how the skills for putting wild game on the table were learned from parents and grandparents and are now passed along to the next generation. Many spoke of that coveted rite of passage – finally being old enough to go to deer camp.
Gary Moore spoke for many in saying that bagging game or netting a fish isn’t required for a successful hunt. For some, like bird hunter Walt Cottrell and bear hunter Butch Spear, it’s more about working in partnership with their beloved dogs. For others, it’s the chance to teach their kids to be self-reliant and responsible. For Gary, it’s the outdoor solitude, listening to the birds and squirrels – and reading a good novel while leaning against a tree! As for Valerie Putnam, her most memorable and successful fishing trip was the day an eagle dove over her head to snatch a large trout from the water in front of her.
And there were plenty of chuckles. Young hunter Cody White’s deer bolted when shot but circled back to drop beneath the deer stand. Ron Enos told of bird hunting with buddies who kept missing the birds flushed by a most competent Labrador retriever. Finally, in disgust, the dog simply leaped and plucked the next bird from the air himself. Talked into an early morning hunt, Harold Carleton got his bear… but missed his afternoon pre-op appointment for critical surgery.
A sense of ethical responsibility ran through many narratives. Young hunters Margaret and Gwyn Williams told of spending two days tracking a wounded deer, with no question of giving up. Veteran hunter Chip Spear, though unable to attend in person, sent his code of ethics that includes taking no more than needed, respecting the land and landowners, and leaving no litter behind.
The program ended with generous samples of homemade pies made with venison mince and locally gathered berries. Walt Cottrell displayed his library of wild game cookbooks, and donations were collected to benefit “Venison for Vermonters,” an initiative by the VT Fish & Wildlife Department to collect, process, and distribute illegally hunted game and salvageable roadkill for families in need.
Finally, perhaps under the category of “Ripley’s Believe It or Not”, check out the historical newspaper clipping and photo about two deer shot with one bullet by Don Putnam, back in November of 1964.
Display Table at the Eating Wild Program at the West Newbury Hall - Photo taken by John Marsh
