Found Native Hunting Grounds
TEMJ 20315 - Wildlife Tracking, White-Tailed Deer, Native American, Game Trail, Stone Wall, Rub Marks, Hunting Perch, Serpent, Centennial Watershed State Forest, Ceremonial Stonework
Greeting Fellow Earthmonks,
Happy New Year! Can you believe it, 2024 is here? My New Years resolution for 2024 is to help you (re)learn to (re)read the book of nature.
Many of you who subscribe to this journal are close to nature and already know how to read nature and the landscape. You may have visited your favorite woodland numerous times, over many years. In this case, you may make the claim, “to-know” that piece of land. How well do you know it?
Moreover, the land will reveal itself to you over time in many different ways. For example, the same piece of land can be experienced in all four seasons, and in each season it will reveal something new to you. Nature is ever changing and unfolding.
In this journal entry I write about a revelation I had at one of my favorite CT state forests. While I was practicing my wildlife tracking skills I had a “big reveal” about the land I was standing on. Specifically, the wildlife tracks lead me straight into a Native American hunting story. I hope this story inspires you to get outside and find some of nature’s best untold stories.
The Greatest Story Ever Written
Many consider classics like "War and Peace," "To Kill a Mockingbird," and "One Hundred Years of Solitude" among the greatest stories ever written. However, personal preferences play a significant role in determining what one might consider the greatest. What genres or themes are you interested in?
Nature is a profound source of inspiration and wisdom. Its beauty, complexity, and interconnectedness offer a unique narrative that has captivated countless minds throughout history. Observing and appreciating nature can be a deeply enriching experience. Nature is filled with stories with a full range of emotions. Nature tells stories through its ever-changing landscapes and phenomena, reflecting a myriad of emotions. From the tranquil sway of trees in a gentle breeze, echoing a sense of peace, to the roaring intensity of a storm, mirroring the power and turbulence of our emotions. The rhythmic ebb and flow of tides mirror life's cycles, evoking feelings of continuity and change. Nature, in its diverse expressions, becomes a canvas where we find echoes of love, joy, sorrow, resilience, and renewal. However it is Nature that is filled with some of the greatest stories ever written.
Long ago humanity was very literate in reading nature. Over the centuries our literacy (reading nature) has declined. Think of the untold stories that we are missing and will never be told because we have become illiterate to nature. Indigenous peoples have known about Nature’s stories for centuries and they keep the stories living by using oral traditions. Indigenous people from North America often speak about how stones can tell some of the oldest stories known to humanity.
In this journal entry I will share with you a story which uncovered on a piece of land near where I live. It involves a bunch of stones, wild life and Native Americans.
The World of Wildlife Tracking
Wildlife tracking involves reading the subtle language of nature. It's a skill that requires observation, awareness, and an understanding of animal behaviors. Tracks, scat, marks on vegetation, and other signs become the pages of a natural storybook, providing insights into the lives of the creatures that inhabit an area. Developing this literacy allows one to uncover the hidden narratives of the wild and connect with the environment in a deeper, more meaningful way.
Since 2022, I have been working on developing my wildlife tracking skills. I've joined a group of like-minded individuals, and we meet up once a month to practice. I must tell you, wildlife tracking is deeply rooted and resonates within all of us. For many of us, these skills lie dormant. However, like riding a bike, our wildlife tracking skills come rushing back if you spend time rekindling them. In future Earthmonk journal entries, I will write about our group and our adventures.
With the onset of cold weather here in Connecticut, most large mammals kick off their mating rituals, and the deer population in CT is no different. This story begins with me following a white-tailed deer game trail that I encountered on a hiking trail in Centennial Watershed State Forest.
A wise old woodsman once told me that the most exciting things happen off the hiking trail. This story is a good example of his wisdom. Tread lightly whenever you go off trail.
Mating Behavior of White Tail Deer
White-tailed deer, native to North America, exhibit fascinating mating rituals during the onset of cold weather. Dominant bucks, fueled by hormonal changes, become more territorial. They mark their territories using scent glands located on their foreheads, leaving behind a musky scent on vegetation, a process known as rubs. Additionally, bucks create scrapes by pawing the ground and urinating in these areas to attract does. The game trails they establish play a crucial role in this ritual, acting as corridors for communication and movement. As the rut intensifies, bucks engage in sparring matches to establish dominance and gain mating opportunities, showcasing the intricate and dynamic nature of their mating behavior.
Venturing into Centennial Watershed State Forest, I followed a compelling game trail, winding through the open landscape and some dense thickets of mountain laurel. This path, marked by the intricate dance of white-tailed deer, revealed its significance as I stumbled upon five distinct rub marks on small saplings lining the trail. Each mark bore witness to the territorial nature of bucks, leaving an indelible impression of their mating rituals in the heart of the forest, a silent testimony to the dynamic behaviors of these majestic creatures.
The Serpent Wall
While traversing the game trail, my attention was drawn to an isolated stone wall, a unique feature amidst the woods. Unlike typical walls set by early Europeans for pastures or crop protection, this one was distinct— it was only about 90-100 feet long. Most European structures are polygons (rectangles or squares) used to enclose areas. This stonewall was unusual, it was straight.
Moreover, it caught my eye, because it was terminated with a large rock resembling the head of a diamond-shaped serpent. In addition, I noticed several large voids in the body of the stone wall which is indicative of native ceremonial stonework found elsewhere in the state. The native stonework’s alignment added intrigue, running south by southwest (201 degrees). This ancient marker hinted at a bygone era, inviting contemplation about its purpose and the tales it might hold within the heart of Centennial Watershed State Forest.
Reading the landscape became a convergence of wildlife tracking and Native American culture as I examined the placement of the serpent stone wall. Positioned strategically, it seemed designed to guide game between the marshland (east) and a rock outcrop or ridge (west). The game trail I discovered aligned with the serpent wall’s intention. The game trail I found ran alongside the western side of the serpent stone wall, keeping the prominent elevated rock outcropping further to the west of the game trail. The serpent stonewall subtly directed the movement of wildlife, diverting them to the right, where the hidden cover of the rock outcrop awaited—a harmonious blend of the natural landscape and indigenous wisdom etched into the terrain of Centennial Watershed State Forest.
The Hunting Perch
As the narrative unfolded, the serpent stone wall's orchestration of white-tailed deer along the game trail I stumbled upon became a focal point. It skillfully guided these creatures toward a sequence of elevated rock outcroppings. My curiosity drew me to explore the most prominent outcrop, where two captivating features awaited discovery. The first, a sizable crack generously filled with small stones, mirrored Native American stonework practices—an embodiment of their belief that such crevices served as gateways or portals to the underworld. Many of these cracks found in rocks are secured with makeshift locks of stones to prevent the spirits of the underworld entry.
The second feature revealed itself as a meticulously crafted hunting perch, complete with a stone seat and table top. Positioned strategically, this perch served as an observation point, commanding a view over the game trail I had uncovered. Beyond that, it afforded a panoramic perspective of the northern, eastern, and southern realms—an advantageous vantage point, strategically positioned in what could be aptly described as the forest's hunting grounds, the designated "killing zone."
Conclusions and Theories
While speculative, I am convinced that the serpent wall, the game trail, and the rock outcropping are integral components of an ancient hunting ground. This conviction parallels my thoughts, which I had during a visit to Hartman Park in Lyme, CT. Here I viewed native stonework that was part of a three-way game trail and it intersected with an elevated rock outcrop. This idea has stayed with me and it jumped to the forefront of my mind while at Centennial Watershed State forest.
I propose that Native American stonework served both practical and ceremonial functions, possibly blending the two. Moreover, I theorize that classic stones on a boulder, a common native stonework feature found here in CT, might have had an accounting purpose. In the case of hunting, the stones might have been documenting the game taken in the nearby hunting grounds. “This area is a productive hunting”, and here lays an accounting. Small stones representing smaller game and large stones representing larger game.
Disclaimer
In this exploration, I deliberately withhold the precise location of the serpent stone wall, valuing the preservation of its historical integrity. Resolute in my commitment to ethical exploration, I refrain from collecting or disturbing any artifacts, ensuring the site retains its historical context. I take only pictures and record GPS coordinates which meticulously document the site for archaeological and historical records.
My intention is to engage with local authorities, including historical societies, tribal councils, and archaeology departments. If the site proves of Native American origin, respecting tribal sovereignty is paramount. I am eager to collaborate with tribal members, especially those overseeing cultural resource departments, to collectively safeguard and preserve this significant heritage. My endeavors are rooted in a profound understanding and appreciation of our interconnected history. Please feel free to leave me a comment below or email me at Earthmonk@duck.com.
Trails End
We have made it back to the trailhead, back to our vehicle. Thank you for getting this far down the trail and for reading The Earthmonk Journal. If you like what you have read, please subscribe to the journal. As the trail concludes, the Earthmonk's invitation to subscribe resonates, extending an opportunity to further explore the marvels of the natural world. It is free and it is a great way to learn more about nature, and support me and my work.
Do you know someone else who would enjoy this journal, please share it.
Otherwise please feel free to leave me a comment below.
- The Earthmonk
Love stone walls. Fun to imagine the whys, whats and hows the serpentine came into being.
Thanks for sharing. I am guessing you are aware of Robert Thorson's wonderful book "Stone by Stone," about stone walls. I look forward to learning more from you.