Woolaroc Traders Rendezvous – Spring 2021

“We can’t schedule TAB that weekend! That’s the week of the Trader’s Rendezvous!”

There’s almost nothing I love more than learning something new about something I thought I had all figured out. At the Texas Association of Buckskinner’s Deep Winter rendezvous we were discussing potential dates for our spring event. While the winter and fall dates are set (last weekend of Jan and last weekend of Oct, respectively), the April event date is more fluid – based on where Easter falls on the calendar and other considerations.

I had overheard one camp talking not wanting to miss the “Trader’s Rendezvous” in OK, and I ducked under the canvas to learn more . . .

Weeks later and 9 hours up the road from Central Texas, I set moccasin’d foot on the beautiful grounds of the Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve – the former private hunting ranch of a scion of the famous Phillips oil family. The Old Man and I had made the trip together, and stared jaws agape at the herd of elk that greeted visitors to this beautiful wildlife preserve.

The facility houses a permanent “mountain man camp” complete with tipi and wall tent, the site being used for educational trips for local school kids and the occasional rendezvous or rifle frolic. One of these events – the Trader’s Rendezvous – occurs twice per year (Spring and Fall) and has been going on for well over 30 years.

There is certainly something special about having an event with a bunch of period traders in one location. I came prepared – list in hand – to do some outfitting of my rendezvous crew. I was able to get moccasins for my eldest son, a capote for my second youngest, get a line on a new dress for my daughter, and even found not one, but two new vests to replace one I’d lost in an unfortunate washing machine incident.

Not only did I run into some camp friends from my neck of the woods, I saw some old friends I hadn’t seen in years. It was a fine opportunity to meet some new traders and get a line on some gear and options from a different part of the country.

Despite all of the fantastic possibilities for acquiring some new plunder, I found myself even more excited to see everyone’s camps and set-ups – and get some new ideas on how to improve and class-up our rendezvous “big camp.” There was a very similar camp to my own, albeit with a great awning, which we have been needing to add to our list for some time.

Bucskinners are always keen on showing their individuality. This shows up in their choice of impression or dress, armament, and especially their camps. This event was no exception and from tipi to wall tent, all manner of canvas was on display.

There is also no shortage of cool cooking set-ups and fire irons to be seen. One camp had a fair approximation of a “bare bones” traditional mountain man camp, and some of the more well-appointed camps featured elaborate camp cooking set-ups to rival the best of the open-range style cook sets. All in all, I got some great new ideas for things to try out at some upcoming camps and weekend events.