Bee Hunting: A Book of Valuable Information for Bee Hunters: Tells How to Line Bees to Trees, Etc

In Short

This book serves as a technical manual and memoir dedicated to the pursuit of wild bees. Drawing on decades of experience in the mountains, the author outlines precise methods for "lining" bees—tracking their flight paths—to find hidden honey stores in the wilderness. Beyond the sport, it functions as an instructional bridge between the rugged tradition of bee hunting and the modern, scientific practices of apiary management. It remains a valuable historical artifact for those interested in natural history, rural American life, and the evolution of sustainable beekeeping.

The Story

The narrative begins in the mountainous regions of the author's youth, a landscape he describes as an ideal habitat for wild bees. Over forty years of wandering these hills, the author develops a deep intimacy with the habits of the insect, eventually transforming from a solitary, secretive hunter into a mentor who shares his techniques with others. He moves from the early, trial-and-error days of his childhood to mastering sophisticated methods of luring bees with bait, identifying their flight lines, and uncovering their nests in hollow trees or rocky crevices.

A central thread of the book is the author’s evolving philosophy regarding the ownership and treatment of wild bees. Early on, he admits to a youthful selfishness, wanting to keep his findings private and resenting any other hunter who might stake a claim to a tree he had discovered. Through experience and the influence of an older, wiser mentor named Ike Ward, he learns that the true value of the pastime lies not in the honey itself, but in the skill, patience, and community involved in the hunt. He chronicles specific expeditions with Ward, detailing how they worked together to track elusive colonies that had baffled the local community for years.

The arc of the book ultimately shifts from the hunt to the harvest. The author argues that simply cutting down a tree to seize its honey is destructive and short-sighted. Instead, he details a meticulous, original method for "transferring" the bees into movable-frame hives, ensuring the colony’s survival and future productivity. This transition marks the end of the hunt as a mere extraction, elevating it into a form of conservation and responsible agriculture. The final portion of the work places these individual efforts within the broader context of the American bee-keeping industry at the turn of the 20th century. He celebrates the invention of the movable-frame hive and the contributions of pioneers like L. L. Langstroth, ultimately encouraging the reader to move beyond hunting and establish their own thriving apiary, thereby participating in a sustainable, scientifically grounded, and financially rewarding vocation.

How It Unfolds

The formative years The author recounts his early life in the mountains, framing his lifelong obsession with bee hunting as a profound connection to nature. He establishes the foundational challenge of the hunt: learning to read the flight patterns of bees to navigate the dense, timbered terrain.

The art of the hunt The narrative progresses into technical instruction, explaining how to use baits and scents to draw bees into the open. He illustrates how the hunter carefully observes the insects' movements to establish a "line" that leads directly to the nest.

Lessons from the master The author introduces Ike Ward, an elder hunter who teaches him the importance of observation and the ethics of the woods. Through their joint expeditions, the author learns to look beyond the obvious, finding colonies in the ground or in unexpected, small scrub bushes.

The technique of transfer The book moves from the wild forest to the practical hive, presenting a method for safely relocating bees. The author argues that if the hunter does not intend to manage the colony for long-term health, they should leave the tree standing entirely.

The industrial future The final chapters shift to the business of modern beekeeping, noting the economic impact of the industry. The author concludes by providing clear steps for the reader to acquire equipment, start their own colony, and transition from a hunter into a professional apiarist.

The People

John Ready Lockard serves as both the narrator and the subject of the book's evolution. As a young man, he is driven by the thrill of the chase and a possessive instinct over his findings. As he ages, he becomes a patient teacher who values the survival of the colony over the immediate reward of a honey harvest. His primary foil and mentor is Ike Ward, an older, seasoned hunter who embodies the wisdom of the mountains. Ward serves as the catalyst for Lockard's maturation, teaching him to look at the landscape with a discerning eye and to abandon the "spirit of selfishness" that plagues the inexperienced. Together, they represent the transition from the rugged, individualistic pioneers of the 19th century to the more deliberate, scientific beekeepers of the early 20th century. The reader also encounters the ghost of Father Langstroth, an inventor whose technological contributions to the hive fundamentally change how humans relate to the insects, shifting the focus from accidental discovery to careful stewardship.

In Its Own Voice

"I will confine myself in this work to the subject of Bee Hunting, believing it to be one of the most fascinating and beneficial of pastimes."

The author explains his intent for the book, setting the tone of a dedicated practitioner sharing his lifelong passion.

"There in plain view were the letters I. W. The spirit of selfishness then showed itself."

Lockard reflects on the moment he found a bee tree he had tracked himself, only to discover it had already been claimed by his mentor, Ike Ward.

"If we hunt bees merely for what honey may be in the tree and leave the bees to perish from starvation and cold, it were far better, from a moral and financial point of view, to let the tree stand."

The author summarizes his core ethical argument regarding the responsibility of the hunter toward the wild colony.

What It's Really About

The book explores the tension between exploitation and stewardship. While it begins as a guide for harvesting honey, the core argument is that the hunter has a moral obligation to the bees they track. The text asks: can a pursuit rooted in the wild, rugged traditions of the frontier coexist with the scientific, commercial demands of modern agriculture? Lockard concludes that it can, provided the hunter treats the bee colony as a living asset rather than a natural resource to be liquidated. Underlying this is a deep respect for the "book of nature," where the hunter’s primary reward is not the honey, but the intellectual and physical health gained from observing the intricate, often hidden, habits of the natural world.

Why Read It Today

Readers with an interest in natural history or the history of agriculture will find this work fascinating. It offers a clear, unvarnished look at an American past where one’s success depended on an intimate, tactile knowledge of the woods. There is a distinct rhythm to the prose that reflects the patient, observant nature of the hunt itself. However, a modern reader must be prepared for the book's context; it is a product of 1908, and its technical advice—particularly regarding the use of certain chemicals or the handling of bees—is historical. The author’s writing style is direct and honest, occasionally punctuated by the colloquialisms of his time, which might be challenging for those unfamiliar with the rural dialect of the era. The most compelling aspect remains the author’s genuine, infectious enthusiasm for the outdoors. It stays with you as a reminder of a time when the boundary between human civilization and the wild was not a wall, but a point of interaction that required both skill and, ultimately, a sense of ethical responsibility toward the creatures we seek to manage.