Camping at Cherry Pond

In Short

This memoir captures a simple, rugged excursion into the Adirondack wilderness, where two friends—the author and his companion, Bige—attempt to sustain themselves through traditional still-hunting. While the primary objective is to secure venison, the endeavor repeatedly results in an empty larder. Through a series of observational adventures involving local wildlife, the narrative shifts from a hunt for sustenance to a celebration of forest life. It remains a classic of outdoor literature because it elevates the failures of the hunter over the successes, favoring observation and companionship above the kill.

The Story

The narrative begins at the Cherry Pond Camp, where the author and his friend Bige face a domestic crisis: their food supply has dwindled to a monotonous rotation of flapjacks, syrup, and onions. The lack of fresh meat is a point of professional pride, as a return to the nearby lodge empty-handed would invite ridicule from the staff. Despite their hunger, the two men strictly adhere to the ethics of "still-hunting." They reject the easy, illegal shortcuts of jack-lighting, choosing instead to match their wits and patience against the keen senses of the forest’s deer population.

Their days are defined by long, taxing treks across Panther and Eagle Mountains and hours spent waiting on runways, yet the deer remain elusive. The woods are noisy with the rustle of autumn leaves, and every encounter results in a missed opportunity or a vanishing white tail. The camp itself serves as the anchor for their journey; it is a self-built, open-front lean-to that they have maintained for over a decade. The story details the meticulous construction of this shelter, from the discovery of a reliable spring to the engineering of a balsam-bough bed that rivals any indoor furniture.

As the meat famine persists, the men decide to take a break from hunting to explore the nearby Otter Pond. Here, they encounter a black bear gorging on wild cherries and spend a long, fascinating afternoon observing a family of mink and a colony of industrious beavers. The author gains a deep appreciation for the beaver as a "pioneer civil engineer," noting the animal’s efficiency and cleverness in manipulating the environment. The beaver’s ability to outwit the humans—leading them away from their lodge—becomes a highlight of the trip, far more memorable than the hunting they abandoned.

Finally, driven by the persistent craving for protein, the pair makes one last, desperate attempt at dawn. Using a "still paddle" to glide through the morning fog, they track sounds to the mouth of Fox River. Expecting to find a buck, they instead witness a tender, playful scene of a doe with two fawns. Caught in the beauty of the moment, the author finds himself unable to fire. He watches the scene until the family vanishes, returning to camp empty-handed but strangely unburdened. The final resolution comes not from a deer, but from a fortunate encounter with partridges on a nearby road. With a satisfying meal of roast partridge, the author realizes that the true value of the camp lies in the quiet, undisturbed rhythm of the wild.

How It Unfolds

The meat famine The story opens with a humorous assessment of a dwindling pantry, where onions and flapjacks have become an exhausting staple. The men contemplate their lack of success in the woods while weighing the social embarrassment of returning to the lodge without venison.

The code of the hunter The author outlines the rigorous self-imposed rules of still-hunting, which emphasize fair play and the deer's natural advantages. Every attempt to track or drive game is met with the rustling of dry leaves, which alerts the deer long before a shot can be taken.

Building a home in the wild A detailed look at the construction of their lean-to reveals the deep, multi-year history of the camp. The author describes the engineering of the spruce log structure, the cooling spring water, and the ongoing battle against porcupines that seek to consume their furniture.

The wisdom of the beaver The excursion to Otter Pond provides a masterclass in natural history as the men observe beavers at work. The author marvels at the complex canals, storage methods, and architectural prowess that demonstrate the beaver's role as a landscape architect.

The final confrontation The climactic morning hunt in the fog leads to a standoff between the rifle and the deer family. Instead of the expected violence, the encounter transforms into a moment of reverence, leading the men to walk away without pulling the trigger.

The People

The author and Bige serve as the primary subjects, presented as a complementary pair of seasoned woodsmen. Their friendship is defined by a shared sense of humor and a mutual respect for the wilderness. The author acts as the observer—the one who records the details of the camp’s architecture and the intricate behaviors of the mink and beavers. He is a thoughtful, contemplative man who finds it easy to trade his hunter’s instinct for a photographer’s eye.

Bige is the pragmatic, capable partner who operates the "still paddle" and serves as the primary guide for their excursions. He is the one who initiates the plans and manages the logistics of their meals, yet he is just as susceptible to the beauty of the woods as his friend. Together, they are not portrayed as conquerors of the land, but as guests. They are both changed by their shared experiences; by the end of the trip, they have moved away from the "perversity" of craving a balanced ration of meat and toward a state of contentment with whatever the forest provides. Their bond is strengthened by the shared silence of their failed hunts and the shared laughter of their encounters with nature.

In Its Own Voice

"The bear will gorge himself on these cherries, and he is no conservationist."

The author reflects on the destructive habits of the black bear during the wild cherry season.

"The beaver was the pioneer civil engineer of the American continent."

This observation summarizes the author's admiration for the complex dam-building and canal-digging activities he witnessed at Otter Pond.

"As I let the hammer down and removed the cartridge from the barrel, I was conscious of a sense of relief that nothing had occurred to disturb the pleasant relations of the happy family."

After watching a mother deer and her fawns from the riverbank, the author experiences a profound shift in his perspective on hunting.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is an exploration of the shift from an exploitative relationship with nature to a collaborative one. While the men arrive as hunters, the text argues that the "human animal" often craves a balanced ration not just of food, but of experience. The central tension is between the societal expectation of being a successful provider—bringing home "meat"—and the individual’s desire for connection with the living forest. It examines the distinction between the "mean advantage" of modern tools and the respectful, difficult labor of the woodsman. Ultimately, the book is about the grace found in letting go of one’s original intentions when the beauty of the world makes those intentions feel small or unnecessary.

Why Read It Today

Readers who find comfort in the slow, rhythmic pace of the outdoors will find this a deeply satisfying read. It captures the specific, sensory reality of camp life—the smell of the campfire, the chill of the morning fog, and the specific labor required to make a life in the wilderness. The prose is clean and unpretentious, reflective of a time when outdoor writing focused on the environment rather than the ego of the traveler.

While the text occasionally reflects the period's attitudes toward hunting and the "American" nature of wildlife, it remains remarkably grounded. Some readers might find the lack of a traditional, action-packed plot surprising, but that is precisely its charm; it is a book about waiting, watching, and being present. It is a perfect companion for anyone who feels the weight of modern complexity and wants to spend a few hours in a quiet, hand-built lean-to. The feeling that lingers is one of peace—the realization that the most successful trips are not measured by what is taken from the woods, but by what is witnessed within them. The book provides a refreshing reminder that the wilderness is not a place to be conquered, but a place to be understood.