The Great Outdoors: Discoveries of All Types

Part of my enjoyment of being outdoors, whether it’s hunting, fishing, boating or exploring, is what I encounter while I’m there.

Sometimes the find is what nature has left behind, such as a deer antler, wild turkey feather, coyote track or bear scat.

But there are occasions when the discovery is man-made and it often is a look into the past.

A little more than a month ago on Thanksgiving weekend, I was doing some scouting for deer season on State Game Lands 244 when I ended up finding what I later found to be a piece of equipment that was probably used in an oil drilling or exploration effort.

The object was stamped ‘Moser Mfc. Co., Kane Pa., PAT Nov. 25, 1912.

I am not well-versed in such equipment, but I texted a photo to a friend of mine, who is treasure hunter of sorts.

Since Kyle Lake, located near Falls Creek in Jefferson County, was drained last year, John has been out there with his daughter and metal detector, finding all sorts of things, including a diamond engagement ring.

He did a quick Google search and found that the company was organized in Kane in 1912.

They were listed in a 1922 book titled ‘International Petroleum Register: An International Annual Directory and Statistical Record of the World’s Petroleum Industry.’

When I looked them up, an ad in the book identified Moser Manufacturing Company as makers of patented specialties, such as various types of casing heads, anchor trees, close-up casing clamps, reels for measuring lines, extra heavy flange unions, derrick anvils and anchor packers.

While my limited research didn’t reveal exactly what I had found, it was nonetheless, pretty neat.

And not surprising, either, with the proliferation of oil and gas exploration and production that helped build many area communities and still continues today.

As I continued my scouting trip, I found another item, but of a much more recent vintage – a camouflage metal bucket with a lid that a hunter had used to wait out a big buck.

A little further on, I could hear a flock of wild turkeys calling to each other. That perked up my ears since it was the last day of the season.

I never did run into the turkeys, but I saw several deer as I snuck through the woods.

As it turned out, I never did hunt deer in that specific area.

But I nearly tagged a nice buck nearby a few weeks later. He had just enough wiles to prevent me from getting a good shot, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.

But, those forays afield have always provided finds that are interesting windows into how our ancestors made their livings and provided the fuel that powered an entire nation.

To plan an outdoor adventure in the Great Outdoors Region, go to visitpago.com.

“The Great Outdoors,” sponsored by the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors, is a weekly blog by exploreClarion.com’s Scott Shindledecker. Plan your next outdoor adventure at VisitPAGO.com or call (814) 849-5197 for more information.