History Afield
History Afield

Author: Robert C Willging

Publisher: Wisconsin Historical Society

Published: 2012-08-22

Total Pages: 204

ISBN-13: 0870205706

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Stories of sportsmen past come to life in History Afield, an account of the many and varied sporting pursuits that are part of the Wisconsin tradition. Author and outdoorsman Robert Willging shares more than two dozen tales of Wisconsin sporting history, highlighting the hunt for waterfowl, upland birds, and deer; trout fishing in wild north Wisconsin rivers; and recreating at early Wisconsin lakeside resorts. Anecdotes of fishing exploits on our plentiful waterways and presidential visits to northern Wisconsin reveal a unique slice of sporting culture, and chapters on live decoys and the American Water Spaniel demonstrate the human-animal bond that has played such a large part in that history. Tales of nature’s fury include a detailed account of the famous Armistice Day storm, as well as the dangers of ice fishing on Lake Superior. These historical musings and perspectives on sporting ethos provide a strong sense of the lifestyle that Willging has preserved for our new century. Featuring first-hand interviews and a variety of historic photos depicting the Wisconsin sporting life, History Afield shows how the intimate relationship between humans and nature shaped this important part of the state’s heritage.

Every Root an Anchor
Every Root an Anchor

Author: R. Bruce Allison

Publisher: Wisconsin Historical Society

Published: 2005-04-13

Total Pages: 128

ISBN-13: 0870203703

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In Every Root an Anchor, writer and arborist R. Bruce Allison celebrates Wisconsin's most significant, unusual, and historic trees. More than one hundred tales introduce us to trees across the state, some remarkable for their size or age, others for their intriguing histories. From magnificent elms to beloved pines to Frank Lloyd Wright's oaks, these trees are woven into our history, contributing to our sense of place. They are anchors for time-honored customs, manifestations of our ideals, and reminders of our lives' most significant events. For this updated edition, Allison revisits the trees' histories and tells us which of these unique landmarks are still standing. He sets forth an environmental message as well, reminding us to recognize our connectedness to trees and to manage our tree resources wisely. As early Wisconsin conservationist Increase Lapham said, "Tree histories increase our love of home and improve our hearts. They deserve to be told and remembered."

The New Sport of Minkenry
The New Sport of Minkenry

Author: Joseph Carter

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2014-07-02

Total Pages: 242

ISBN-13: 9781500400668

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Mink are famous worldwide for their luxurious coat of fur, and yet most people know very little about them beyond their use as clothing. Even trappers, naturalists, and fur farmers, those who should know mink best, typically know only one side of the mink... their bad side. Those who do "know mink" will tell you how extremely aggressive and blood thirsty the mink is, and truth be told, they aren't that far off. But there is a different side to mink that very few have seen. This book not only tells how the art of Minkenry began, but more importantly, it is a step by step guide to those wanting to train a hunting mink. In this book I share how to tame, train, and properly care for this very intense little predator, the North American mink. Though still in its infancy, the sport of minkenry has been spreading thanks to the information sharing power of the Internet. First started in the western state of Utah, there are now minkeners springing up across the United States, and even as far away as the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries! As there is a growing need for a "how to" manual on the art of minkenry, this book was written specifically to fill that need. Minkenry is a very challenging sport, and is definitely not for everyone! Though highly intelligent, and surprisingly affectionate, mink are also very high-strung and stubborn creatures. They typically use their intelligence to work against you, far more than they do to work with you. Though not an adventure for the faint of heart; falconers, hunters, trappers, and other sportsmen worldwide, are being drawn to the art of minkenry with a pioneer's spirit. They have the desire to become part of something that has never been done before! If you yearn to experience the challenge of hunting with an aggressive, high strung, truly wild animal; then join us and become one of the pioneers in the new sport of minkenry!

Bright with Silver
Bright with Silver

Author: Kathrene Sutherland Gedney Pinkerton

Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing

Published: 2019-11-22

Total Pages: 436

ISBN-13: 1839740485

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Bright with Silver, first published in 1947, it has been nearly sixty years since Kathrene Pinkerton wrote Bright with Silver. This study of the famous Fromm brothers and their endeavor and persistence to breed a very rare and valuable type of fox would become a landmark history of American entrepreneurship. The simple beauty and elegance of the silver fox would be the fulfillment of the brothers' struggles to build a fur breeding empire. The story of the Fromm brothers that Pinkerton provides is a classic study of ingenuity and stick-to-itiveness that for so many years became a trademark of these four brothers. The intricate and complex history of their endeavors began with growing ginseng. This included intense observations of the plant that would provide the conditions, which eventually yielded abundant harvests that resulted in the necessary cash to start their fur business. Of course, the main story of Pinkerton is how the dreams of a perfect silver fox culture had overtaken the Fromm's possessions, thoughts and lives. The continual endeavor to find the right strain for their silver fox breed and their devotion to medical research that would ease the ravages of disease that could plague these precious animals would be the story that Pinkerton does so very well. It is without doubt that these four brothers, Walter, Edward, John, and Henry brought to the central Wisconsin landscape a business enterprise that played a large part in the economic development of this part of the state. Their story has all the ingredients of imagination, creativity, and great business sense. This edition brings back the story of the Fromm brothers that has been long gone, and sorely missed from the Wisconsin literary scene. Included are 32 pages of photographs.