Some guys take that "travelling light" stuff too seriously.
If I was walking from one side of Michigan to the other 170 years ago, I'd have had at least 3 times as many of those small caliber roundballs with me. (Heck, I carry a dozen balls with me on an afternoon deer hunt out the cabin door). Then he could have shot smaller game and not felt bad for wasting deer meat. I'd have been eating some grouse and turkey for variety!
Very cool story. Thought I recognized him right off...eventually became the writer Nessmuk.