Bear Claw, 59, keeps the traditions of the mountain men alive by living primitively in North Idaho. (Photo Steve Hanks, Lewiston Tribune)
by Jennifer K. Bauer
jkbauer@inland360.comHARPSTER – High in the mountains of northern Idaho lives a man who followed his heart back in time.
“Bear Claw,” he says, introducing himself with a firm handshake.
His long salt and pepper beard tails off into a braid below which hangs a necklace of bear claws. He’s dressed in worn buckskin leggings and a shirt that hangs to mid-thigh. A hand-hammered silver buckle secures a leather belt around his waist. An 1800s cap and ball revolver hangs at his side, along with a powder horn and knife.
“I live this life ‘cause I can’t dream this well. Thank you, Lord; it is something,” he says about being a modern day mountain man in the backwoods of Idaho.
Bear Claw takes a seat at the dining room table of his friends and neighbors, Jim Fuller and Dixie Lynn, who live across the canyon from his one-room cabin at the edge of Blacktail Butte outside Harpster. Last summer, Lynn helped the National Geographic channel arrange to feature Bear Claw in its new TV series “The Boonies,” premiering Tuesday, about people existing off the grid. A small crew followed him for several months, recording his day-to-day
A National Geographic videographer follows Bear Claw and his horse, Rainbow, while shooting scenes for “The Boonies” last summer outside Harpster. (Photo Dixie Lynn)
life while he lived in a tepee.
Bear Claw pushes up his sleeves to reveal simple geometric tattoos surrounding his forearms like cuffs.
Ask him how old he is and he’ll answer, “59 winters.”
He explains how he slowly shed the trappings of modern society over the course of his life.
Born in Wisconsin, the youngest of 10 children, he grew up close to nature on a couple hundred acres, he says. He caught the mystique of the mountain man in high school, in a movie theater showing the 1972 film “Jeremiah Johnson.” Based on Idaho author Vardis Fisher’s novel “Mountain Man,” the movie features a wisened outdoorsman named Bear Claw who mentors Robert Redford’s character who is green to the ways of the wild.
“I saw Bear Claw and I knew exactly what I’d look like when I got older,” he explains.
He thought all the mountain men were dead until 1988 when a girlfriend suggested they go to a rendezvous at Prairie du Chien, Wis., a place where tribes traditionally went to trade. At rendezvous people dress in authentic period clothing and keep fur trade-era traditions alive.
Bear Claw’s cheerful smile softens his grizzled mountain man exterior. (Photo Steve Hanks, Lewiston Tribune)
The girlfriend didn’t last but the rendezvous habit did. He started dressing like a mountain man when he wasn’t at one and became a member of the fraternal American Mountain Man Association.
“My family was always trying to get me to dress normal, whatever that is – no fun,” he says.
For 19 years he worked at a muffler factory. He drove forklift for 18 years. He moved to Idaho a decade ago to learn long distance horse travel at the invitation of a rendezvous friend, Conan Asmussen of Kamiah.
“He said he had a winter camp. Jump in the truck and you’d be family,” Bear Claw says.
Asmussen, his father Hans, mother Gail and Bear Claw were featured in a National Geographic photo spread in 2015 while at a rendezvous in Montana, which is where the show’s producers learned of his lifestyle.
Bear Claw has lived primitively the last five winters. He hauls water from a neighbor’s house where he keeps a freezer full of meat from hunting. He makes things by hand, brain tanning his own hides. He trims horses and does other jobs for neighbors. He always carries his guns with him, including a replica of an 1800s-era flintlock rifle with a dragon emblem that producers of “The Boonies” filmed him shooting in slow motion.
The modern day mountain man explains how his flint lock smooth bore rifle produces a spark to ignite the powder charge behind the lead ball and patch. (Photo Steve Hanks, Lewiston Tribune)
“It sure makes me feel more comfortable. I do. I really do,” he says about carrying his guns. “I live by myself out in the middle of nowhere. There’s a lot of wolves, cougars and bears.”
Bear Claw isn’t completely untethered from modern day life. His lungs are weak after years of factory work so he cooks with a gas grill and uses a headlamp at night instead of fire. Once in awhile he’ll ride his horse, Rainbow, to church but he’s more likely to ride in a tin wagon – mountain man speak for automobile. He travels to the settlement of Jawbone Flats to purchase supplies at the big store, which means he goes to Costco in Clarkston for the essentials. There isn’t much he needs, “vinegar, salt and lead,” and maybe some tea.
When Lynn and her husband want to communicate with Bear Claw they park their vehicle sideways in front of their garage. After he spots it, it takes him an hour and a half to ride his horse over. He’ll use their computer. He plans to watch the Super Bowl with friends.
Bear Claw’s possibles pouch contains period-correct tools, like this compass. (Photo Steve Hanks, Lewiston Tribune)
“Now, that’s a game I like to watch,” he says, recalling last year’s infamous ending.
He calls himself a happy hermit. A couple gals have come and gone, he says, but that’s OK.
“It’s not an easy life but I love it.”
He finishes his tale with a word of advice.
“If you let your horse take your feet or your eyes where your heart wants to be, you will pretty much have fulfilled all your dreams.”
What: “The Boonies”
When: Premiers at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19
Where: National Geographic channel
28 Comments
Lois Gardner
We knew Gary when he was in Viroqua, WI. Always friendly, pleasant memories of him. So good to read this article and ‘see’ him again. I hope the show will be played again. We would love to see it.
Bear Claw
Good lord it’s good to hear from you and Glenn. I certainly enjoyed you folks in the old days and had a great time with Glenn’s hounds. They were awesome. Please reply to this address. : djlynn@wildblue.net for Bear Claw (Gary)
Serena Byers
I love this show. I hope to see more. I find it very interesting .
Bob Thelen
Bearclaw was a dear, dear friend for many years when we were in our late teens and early 20s.He was even in my wedding! It is so awesome to see his current adventures. I have no problem believing that he is happy beyond belief. It just seems right for him.
Bear Claw
Dear Lord it’s great to hear from you Bob. Hope this finds you alive and well. We certainly had some grand times heading to La Cross in the old days. Are you still on the farm milking cows? Please reply to this address: djlynn@wildblue.net for Bear Claw (Gary)
Kyle helgeson
Hey bear claw Kyle Helgeson here. Had no clue where you have been since we went elk hunting last. I was in the kitchen and I recognized your voice on tv , swear to god I about tipped over. Awesome to see your doing what I know you love! Digging out all my pictures to show my boys. What a boatload of good memories! Hopefully see you again in the future, take care.
Travis
Man to live in the footsteps of this man would be an honor. The simple things in life are so important but yet forgotte. My hat’s off to this man. May mother nature guide him and keep him safe.
GENE MARTIN
Love this show!I also was struck with Mountain man fever but I t was back before Jeri ah Johnson came out.I would read books on Kit Carson,Jim Bridger,Davy Crockett,Ralf Edwards who was I triduced to me by a n ook my older brother read and told me about how this little man established a homestead and all his adventures.Oh goll y what we’re the other guys???Jeb Stuart,Jedidah Smith,I use to go out by mysekf in Louisiana and take my dog down the railroad tracks at nite pretending I was a mountain man lols.I grew up too quick and soon women entered my life ..if only I knew what I know now! ; )) I still have ambitions to do some back packing at least one day and just take in at least a week of solitude but in the mountainted (Bayou country is hard to enjoy and water is always dirty and muddy lols..oil n gas have done left their mark unfortunatell …..
Rob
I love the show, Bear Claw has inspired me to study and get inti the history of the pre 1840 trappers and mountain men. I’ll be getting my first flintlock this summer and going rendezvous as well, (The Santa Fe Trail and Uncompahgre Free Trappers Happy Canyon)
Loretta
Hi Mick , your special sister here , I think about you often too . I’m glad your happy . I miss you . So enjoyed watching you on TV , Love You 💙 Retta
Michael Hrivnak
Hello Bear Claw,
Thank you for sharing your life, and dreams, that most of us will never realize! I, for one, enjoy waving as the rest of the world passes me by. I do not “fit” in this world of today! An artificial world, with artificial people living in it now. Congratulations for trying to turn back the hands of time! Watch your top knot.
Michael
Nena Beye
Some think I am crazy, but would love to live the life you are doing. Even though I am female, my grandfather showed me many things. How to hunt, and dress out game, the value of a good horse and dog. He showed me how to look for food of all kinds. What to use for medicine. How to tan hides, make tools and so much more. My grandfather never called me by my real name like the other grand kids, he always called me Dude. I never knew why but I sure miss him. Love the show and how things should be done with good values and manners. I am 58 now, but if I was younger I would love to try to apply all my knowledge and brave raw nature. Wish you all the best, God bless and good health.
Big fan…. Nena
Darlene Summerfield
Love to watch bear claw am going to Idaho in August have been in those mounains but want to go again and look for bear claw. LOVE YOU BEAR CLAW YOU BE CAREFUL OUT THERE ANS LISTEN FOR MY BULL HORN
Ashley
I am from the westby/coon valley area in Wisconsin. My family rendezvoused a few years and my dad still has his one poler. I think I remember bearclaw winter camping with my dad at the ski jump years ago. Glad to see life treating you well. Rendezvous was always my favorite past time!
Jelly
Bear claw is awesome……lived in nyc all my life & watching him on the show always calms & soothes me
Roger
Bear claw I meet you at several rendezvous you probably don’t remember me it’s good to see your doing well keep your powder dry.
Eric
I enjoy the show, Glad to see another season.
Walen
My sister came to visit me this weekend and we got talking about shows that we love to watch and she told me about Bear Claw, and I said I love that show, she then then told me he is from Viroqua Wisconsin as we are. I was floored she then told me he use to date Coni Morrison. If he is from there you know he is a great guy. Good luck to you my fellow Viroquian
Dave Taylor
Great show. Would like to meet Bear Claw some day. May Creator be with him always.
bill honea
love the show, often thought of doing the same. got married at 26 and just turned 70. would still love to try it for a while, but think my wife and 5 kids would really think i lost it. what the heck, i might thy it. maybe not so rugged as Bear Claw..may the Good Lord bless you bear claw. a friend at heart.
staffordbob31@gmail.com
Love the show, would love to try a year outside the grid.
Cynthia
Bear Claw, you live a wonderful life and respect Nature. If only more people could be like you! When I want to see some Good people, I sit and watch Boonies. One of my favorite shows was when you were turning 60 and went to the Big Trees to celebrate because it was a special place. I believe you and your father had been there. The large trees that remain are so majestic. I went to San Fran once and all I wanted to see was the Redwoods. May YAHWEH keep you safe.
uli
Starting the year 2018 with a movie about Bear Claw (I was strolling in the internet), I was deeply impressed by this man. I’m a little bit older, nearly 65 winters 🙂 and I’m grounded in my daily work and life in Germany, but in this case I would say this man reached a lot of confidence. God bless him on his way.
JOHNNY OBIER
Bear claw I have watch every episode on your show. My Nmae is Johnny and seeing all the land you live on made me want to move to Idaho . I currently live in Louisiana. When I lived in Missouri I was in a Muzzleloader Club and we re-enacted yeah 1800s trapper a mountain man I so much wish to get back to it. The mountains where I always want to live. Some day I will get back to it and get to Idaho. You sir are an inspiration. I truly admire you living the way you do.
Larry sheldon
Well Hello Gary .. I was wondering what ever happen to you.. I wasw talking to Dan .T today about you .. He told mew about the Bear claw.. I would guess you remember going coon hunting with Chris O. when we was in our teens …. bowhunting over to portage as well.. Take Care ..
steve g
Bear Claw, I have tons of respect for you and the other people on Boonies. I have always wanted to do what you are actually doing. They called me Grandpa all through grammar school cuz I’d stare out the window dreaming of the mountains. I read “Last of the Mountain Men” which was about a guy living in your area and doing what you do who finally died in the “70’s or ’80’s. After him I thought that was it. NO more Real Wild Men. Then I see you on TV two days ago. It made me so happy. God Bless you Bear Claw and all the other people living off the grid. Some day I want to join yall.
Amanda
Bear claw I hope you are well and going strong in these trying times. Well wishes from Nashville,TN
Diane Whitney
I started watching the show on National Geographic The Boonies and was so overwhelmed watching those who went off the grid. In a way I envy you. I feel trapped living in Houston Texas near a city I have never enjoyed and most of the time I feel out of place with the world as I turned my cable off in 2016 so don’t keep up with the news as I probably should and why it took this long for me to see this show. I am turning 55 this year and when I watched you Bear Claw I was so impressed with the way you live. You truly are in touch with God’s country and fearless. I long have felt I should have been born in the 1800s and always consider myself a Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie which is my favorite show of all time. I would love to wear a prairie dress all the time with my ropers and in 2019 I started a trend at church wearing outfits that look vintage. Someone must have seen me as now all the malls have the same styles. Growing up in Littleton, Colorado from age 5 to 14, I would sit on my porch and stare at the Rockies. Watching the show helped me escape reality for a just little while to the mountains. I hope Bear Claw you are still doing well and I am sorry about your lungs. Is there a way of sending you a handwritten letter to the nearest town? I think we should go back to doing that. Love and Respect from your new friend, Diane Whitney