[Col Mike]

in reply to: One fletch, two fletch, not so new fletch. #27950

Doc,Steve

Some where I saw a video from Dr. Ed showing some of our ancestors shooting arrows that where about 4 feet long with some massive points and no fletching.

Yesterday started a new book “The Unconquered” In search of the Amazon’s last Uncontacted Tribes. Scott Wallace. One of the tribes is known as the arrow people. Only one picture of one who came in (because the search was bounded by the rule that they couldn’t contact–good ole guns,germs,and steel), it appears that he is holding some very long shafts with no fletching–points not visible.

Will let you know if I learn anything from the text once I get into it. But this does offer some food for thought and some further experiments.:wink:

Doc, Wose, will answer your PM’s tomorrow the downstairs computer is involved in our anti-fracking fight for the rest of the evening.

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Emergency Gear #25792

Wose wrote: [quote=David Petersen]Gents, I frankly chose the wrong thread to post my frustrations about contemporary outdoors folk seeming more interested in gear than the more substantive aspects of hunting and other traditional-values outdoor activities. To see “gear-headedness” grow in popularity on tradbow.com, of all places, disappoints and bores me. But that’s my problem … I can simply go read a good book or take a walk in the woods rather than stare at the computer. And more and more that’s what I’m doing. The topic of survival gear, like the topic of what we need to carry in order to be able to deal respectfully with the meat we produce (I am constantly amazed and angered at the number of hunters who are woefully unprepared, both with gear and skills, to deal with the produce of a “hunt of a lifetime” when they’re otherwise richly equipped) … these are the most appropriate areas for thoughtful gear selection. Still, overall, I believe that over-attention to things we buy rather than the things we do and think, is among the many ways modern culture and marketing distract us (very profitably for the distractors) from the more substantive aspects of hunting, outdoor adventure, and life, trivializing it all. But this is the wrong thread to have dumped that line of thought into. Sorry to have inappropriately detoured you. I stand beside what I said, but I said it in the wrong place.

Mr. Peterson,

I actually really appreciated your input, though I get where you are coming from with your apology.

This thread has frequently been in the back of my mind lately. Picking up the bow is a link in a chain I’ve been following for the last few years, that is leading me in a direction of changing my relationship with the real world (often referred to as “nature”), the land around me, and myself.

I spent most of my adult life in occupations where my number one goal everyday was “don’t get killed.” It’s very hard not to carry that energy into the woods with me, although I find when get away from that energy, I’m a happier person.

For example, I have habitually carried a handgun in the woods, mostly out of habit. I’ve just now started to reconsider that, and I’m surprised at how much that idea makes me uncomfortable. My weariness of violence is starting to outweigh my wariness of violence.

Also, despite my smugness in how I avoid advertising and consumerism, I can still be a gear head, and I have to watch that.

I also think it’s much easier to talk about gear on an internet forum that to talk about some of these deeper things, particularly for those of us who don’t have your gift for turning introspection into language. This thread has inspired some heavy thinking on my part, which up until now I’ve resisted even trying to put into words.

It’s much easier to say “hey that’s a cool knife.”

So thanks for your thoughts. Enjoy those books and walks in the woods, but I sure appreciate it when you, and some of the other folks on here, drop some wisdom on us. You’re several steps farther down the same trail I’m walking.

Regards,

David

David W

Ignoring the discussion above for a moment I was intrigued by your comment of your daily goal “don’t get killed” having spent most of my life saying ” when they are not shooting at you it’s a great day” we may have something to talk about. Don’t use this PM my e-mail is herdering@earthlink.net. if you desire.

Dave P and Bruce’s interchanges are really intended to make you think. One of the nice things about this site is we really don’t beat anybody up even if they are way out there.:D

Welcome aboard–and leave the handgun at home–you don’t need it in the woods.8)

Semper Fi

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: foc and plungers #25753

Geez I was waiting for someone dumber then me to ask–what’s a plunger:shock:

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Since there's nothing to shoot with my bow right now… #22511

Webmother wrote: And then you shot your bow, right? 😉 Have you learned nothing from colmike?

Sounds tasty!

Of course mom–touche!:D

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Since there's nothing to shoot with my bow right now… #22504

R2

Of course. By the way what we eat can be slippery.

[Col Mike]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #22501

Dave

Thanks. Trust you can make ETAR this year would like to meet the face.

Steve

I hesitate to ask–why isn’t the son chopping while you supervise?8)

Another stumping walk today–drew down on this perfect clump of mud then let down and said that ain’t nature–walked up on my target and it was a wallet! Long story short called the owner (tourist down state) he loves me and to add to the fun he and his family were tour guests here some 5 years ago. I’m presently drying out the contents to include his son’s high school base ball card photo.

Ya never know what your going to stumble on out there.:shock:

Another great day of life.

Mike

1

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Since there's nothing to shoot with my bow right now… #22467

Paleo

Never tried fresh water mussels, and as they are filter feeders probably won’t. But the ones from cold sea water you jest pop in the steamer and when the open up they are done–some lemon juice and man your talking a feast. Can do the seaweed in sand clam bake–but I could never wait that long. Never cook to long then they turn to rubber. Likely our ancestors ate them like I sometimes do–raw–with the appropriate beverage.

Ptaylor if this is an example of meals you provide in your new business–I may have to visit sooner:D

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #21226

For the first time in over a month did a great 3 hour stumping walk with the pack and bow. After the trip and a week of ceaseless work on our anti-fracking movement during this current legislative session—it was indeed a pleasure. One sometimes forgets how much tranquility comes from observing the first buds, the sneaking deer, and the turkey’s (knowing it’s another month to the season).

I can’t imagine living in those concrete jungles that we drove through. It’s great to be back.

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Marble Mountain Adventures #21218

Preston

Well that explains that PM exchange:D.

Great website supporting a young man on his dream quest. My best wishes for success.

Won’t be this year but don’t be surprised if you don’t here from me in the future for a little instruction.

Uh rah!!

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: What ya got goin? #15918

Back home after 31 days on the road-no boat and lot’s of education–more when we recover after 5k plus miles.

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Shaking the Rust Off #15914

Scott

Your talking about peer pressure and I got these young’s breathing down my neck:D Don’t get much better–when i beat them. Well it ain’t competition but it is fun.

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Silencers (or the lack thereof) #15900

Bruce and all. I have the place, Wojo and you are young enough to organize it dates to be determined but I will be traveling west late May for a couple of weeks to join Dave P on his trek north to visit Flo and the grizzles. After that what ever you can come up with–we had a reunion of the Marines from Adak AK here two years ago so we can accommodate all levels.

Just let me know

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Shaking the Rust Off #13616

Scott

Sure you will get a lot of advice here–and there are lots of exercises you can do to improve muscle tone for bow shooting some good ones in Fred A’s book. But in my humble opinion you need to shoot every day to improve. As we have endured the same harsh winter you need to devise some type of indoor range–in my garage I can shoot at 7 yards–perfect for shooting the string and working form–every day.:D

We will see how much this 5 week lay off affects me when I return tomorrow and then I have to worry about the invites from Wojo and Brennan both are crack shooters and never fail to point out the old mans short falls.:evil:

Semper Fi

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Silencers (or the lack thereof) #13585

Cameron

That campfire idea is great. I have six acres of woods with a poor mans 3-d course and a camp ground next door with about 800 acres of stumping trails across the street.

Wojo and Brennan have been here–if enough interest perhaps we can organize a trad bow forum campfire get together here–of course with MOM’S blessing:D Return home tomorrow after almost 5 weeks on the road.

Food for thought and discussion. Silencers—interesting subject8).

Mike

[Col Mike]

in reply to: Emergency Gear #12514

Bruce

You do say it well.:D Stay safe out there.

Mike

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