The Smith boys were all hunters. Vancouver Island was thick with deer, so there was never a year when the larder wasn’t stocked with canned venison. They could bag a deer in the woods behind the farm. No wonder the Depression seemed to pass them by. The most famous duo were Nels and Leslie who made an annual trip every year for 20 years. Nels was near 80 before they stopped. Visitors often came to the farm to go hunting. Carrie’s husband, Richard, was one. Another was Jack Davidson, husband of Josie Smith who was Pa’s cousin. (see Richard Smith)
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| Leslie Smith, Edward Bergman and Murray Creighton after a birding adventure. Ducks could be found along the banks of the Cowichan River and Pa (Thomas Smith) was a skilled dog trainer. |
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| A would-be hunter inspecting the kill. When game was brought home, many hands helped with the butchering. The meat was shared among all the family members and usually consumed fresh. A carcass would keep about 10 days. |
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| Leslie Smith at the ol’ hunter’s cabin he and Nels used for several years. This photo was labelled “Hiawatha”. |
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| Nels Smith and Leslie Smith made a trip together annually |
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| Nels Smith and Richard Foster (husband of Carrie Smith) |
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