Le Coureur de bois (Woods Runner)

[squbrigg]

Back when Canada was young and the fur trade was the only industry on the continent, young French trappers would head off into the forest to trap le castor (beaver) for the growing demand in Europe. They were called "le coureur de bois" or "woods runner" and made a name for themselves in the New World. The English controlled much of the North of the country , the Hudson's Bay Company, and often hired them to work for them. They also employed them as "voyageur" or paddlers for their big freighter canoe's bringing furs to market or supplies to the trappers or posts.

I haven't given this trapper a name yet, but he wears the typical red touque of the coureur de bois and his garments are made from deer hide and his knife handle the antler. He must have been living with one of the Native tribes, perhaps a Huron or Cree, and wears a spotted eagle feather on thong decorated with blue trade beads. He is also bald, I guess he was worried some of the opposition tribes might try to lift his hair, so deceided to foil the enemy.

Good practice.

Bob

[tucker1931]

Bob, that'a a great depiction of an early Canuck trader, well done indeed.
Cliff

[Lonewolfcarver]

Nicely done, appreciate the history behind it.

[Irishman]

Not only did you share a very nice carving, I learned something about our Canadian history.
Patrick

[gene-messer]

great job Bob .. I really like this one ...

Gene

[Robert Cahill]

That is a really nice carving . I also enjoyed the history. Thanks for sharing

[Orygoner]

The history of the fur trade in North America is one of my passions. Can't seem to pass up a book on it or a visit to some historic fur trade fort, etc. We love to canoe the border route area of Quetico Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. So... your post really caught my eye.

Your "woods runner" looks good. Lots and lots of scenes/poses in which to depict these guys. :-)

[squbrigg]

Thank you all for the positive comments, they always encourage me.

It is funny how life works! I struggled over the trappers mustache, I considered cutting it back to a more reasonable size, and even though I finished it, what I considered "exaggerated", I was happy with the overall look. I say "considered it exaggerated" until yesterday ....... when I saw a gentleman at the grocery store who could have passed for a twin brother to the carving. If anything, his mustache was even grander than our trapper subject, I swear! I really wish I had my camera with me, I would have asked him if I could take his picture! Even the nose was right! Darn! I had never seen the guy before, so it wasn't something lurking in my sub-concious, the trapper was pure immigination. Maybe my carvings are beginning to come to life, something like that new movie out about reading the book that comes to life?

Bob

[Iowa Carver]

Good story Bob and carving. Your last post makes me laugh, better keep an eye on those boys!

Corey

[CarverFromNoWhere]

Excellent work Bob and I like how you have the back story .
Carl