... back in the 1830’s or so. I know I couldn’t.

We are to old to apply they did not live long back then! LOL

...easily...and thrived...Liver Eatin Johnson and Hugh glass would have been my bootshine boys lol

Probably not.

...Indian reservations would currently be WMA’s had I been a mountain man

Maybe

You'd have to stick to them southern mountains where it's warm, lol.

...I sleep in my chest freezer les

I'd like to think so, however; the older I get I find myself really enjoying central air and heating, indoor plumbing, hot water on demand and big, giant, fluffy rolls of good toilet paper! Not to mention electricity, refrigeration and modern medicine. I would like to get me an original .58 Hawken for the wall though.....

I'd say yes, but you never know until you're in that position I guess. Personally, while I do enjoy the comforts of electricity, running water, etc, I don't see them as necessary. I think our world has gotten away from how we were supposed to live... simple. I'll admit I've gotten away from that big time as I sit here on the computer talking with a bunch of trappers on the internet.

Savell, that is some funny stuff

I have camped and trapped in bad weather. Most of those early America beaver trappers were part of large groups. A few lived with and married into Indian families. A few worked in a team of 2-3-4. They were tough before they went west. Early 1800's life in American cities was no cake walk. Life in rural America was a constant struggle. Lots of babies and kids died. The ones that made it to 14-16 years old were tough. Rural kids already had the skills and knowledge to be able to eat only what they could kill and forage.
Knew how to make shelters build fires tan leather and make clothes.
Natural selection was definitely at work in those days. Only the smart and healthy lived long enough to go west and trap. Only a few even wanted to try.

kinda makes one fearful of the future we're currently layin the groundwork for...

had we been born back then yes we could of done it.

I'm sure there's a lot of bones out there that were once a wanna be mountain man.

No, but I would have invented the first pizza oven, micro brewery in area, and opened a bar that served good beer and pizza. And, you all that want to try being mountain men can bring your finished pelts in I would have been a "fair" buyer even if you just wanted to trade for some beer and pizza. Would have love to run the business that bought the hides, even the town bank, too.
Jim

More realistically I'd like to be on one of these survival shows where they leave you out in the middle of no where and then hope you come crying home to momma in 36 hours.

Can you imagine Savell on Alone or him and Matt Jones teamed up on Naked and Affraid. lol.

Most certainly, 8 to 12 hours a day. I believe we are living just how we are supposed to now however. People with God given talents invented all the comforts we have now and I intend to take advantage of it all.

The old saying is You do not miss what you never had .Our ancestors did not concern themselves with having to pay the cable tv bill ,the electric bill or the replacement cost for a new microwave .In those days the daily needs where the daily priorities .Food, water, shelter where what those living in the wilderness required .But it was the same for those living in the more settled areas at that time For about 10 years I would tent camp to archery hunt deer It was rugged compared to most modern day living conditions .But we had a heater for the tent ,propane lanterns ,coolers filled with ice and modern day food supplies .One year for about 7 days straight the day time high temp was in the 20's and the morning low was 10 t o 12 degrees .But we where prepared for it .The old mountain men that made it where prepared for it .The ones that where not prepared for it soon return home or failed to live through it . I really enjoyed those 10 to 14 day deer hunting trips because all I needed to concern myself with was being prepared to hunt each day .The bills where not showing up in a mailbox ,the phone did not ring, and the washing machine did not break down .I think I could have done it but I also know is those days if you made a mistake in judgment it might have been the last mistake you made

camera girls would all be pregnant by the time the 3 weeks was up

If I lived in 1830, I think I could definitely live like a mountain man. But in today's time it would be harder to live that way. Having a dentist with a shot of Novocain to fix a rotten or busted tooth would be a comfort too hard to pass up. Also there was a time in my life where I probably would have died had there not been modern medical treatment and drugs available to me.

But if I was actually living in 1830, I would be thrilled to live and die like a mountain man. Although I'd prefer to be a scout, explorer, Indiana fighter like Kit Carson.