Fifty Years a Hunter and Trapper Autobiography, experiences and observations of Eldred Nathaniel Woodcock during his fifty years of hunting and trapping.

A seasoned woodsman recounts more than fifty years of life on the trail, sharing the rugged routine of setting steel bear traps, dead‑fall snares, and fox logs across the Allegheny mountains and farther south into the pine‑filled valleys of Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. His narrative is grounded in plain, trustworthy language, offering vivid snapshots of cold‑morning campfires, loyal dogs like Prince, and the quiet patience required to outwit wary game. Readers hear the clink of his handcrafted traps and feel the hush of a forest at dawn, all filtered through the seasoned eye of a man who still loves the chase despite rheumatism and a tired heart.

Beyond adventure, the memoir doubles as a practical guide. Woodcock’s observations on trap design, seasonal patterns, and early conservation concerns provide timeless insight for modern hunters and trappers. Illustrated with his own sketches, the book blends personal anecdote with useful technique, making it a compelling listen for anyone drawn to the old‑world craft of wilderness pursuit.