[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Donating meat? #28465

Hi Don

I would like to comment on your last post:
‘On the other hand, a lot of trophy hunting outfits are using their local Hunters Feeding the Hungry chapters as meat disposal units. In this scenario, the rich hunter arrives from out of state, flies home with his horns, and never even has to think about the rest of the animal. I think that’s ultimately bad for hunting.’

The trophy hunter in this case is creating employment guides, trackers, camp staff, taxidermist and in remote areas pilots etc. and probably attaches no value to the remainder of the beast however his actions have provided meat possibly for a whole village. I think that we just need to change the perspective and show how well managed hunting can provide sustained employment and help local people. I would be surprised if in Africa you weren’t taken to local markets where you were expected to spend a few dollars.

I’m probably as far removed from a trophy hunter as you can get but it’s a big tent we share.

Look forward to your response, Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Donating meat? #27151

Hi Chris

I don’t think you should have a dilemma regarding this issue, hunters have always provided meat for family, friends and their communities, in itself you are keeping alive a tradition that was once common.

There are many people today finding it very hard to make ends meet through no fault of their own and your generosity will be appreciated.

I would guess that soup kitchens will appreciate your gift without hesitation, individuals can sometimes be more difficult to deal with as often pride stands in the way of accepting gifts when you are unable to provide for yourself, in this case you may have to be very tactful.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Ashby forum reborn — please read! #26330

Hi IronCreekArcher

Just failed completely to describe a convex grind so stole this of another site:
Convex ground—Rather than tapering with straight lines to the edge, the taper is curved, though in the opposite manner to a hollow grind. Such a shape keeps a lot of metal behind the edge making for a stronger edge while still allowing a good degree of sharpness.
I was introduced to convex ground blades about 4 years ago and no longer posses a knife with any other blade profile, personal choice of course but recommend you try it some time.

Steve, Thanks for your input, I’ve probably answered my own question on this matter but my concern is that on impact the energy may be converted into a rotational force something like that found in an old style impact wrench.
And I agree Locktight every time.

Best regards, Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Ashby forum reborn — please read! #25255

Ok Gentlemen

I’m well enough convinced to try single bevel on pigs without any reservations (pigs are the toughest thing I have the opportunity to hunt) but I have two questions.

1. Single bevel obviously generates the rotational effect seen in penetration have you any experience of a single convex grind if so is the rotation effected in any way.
2. If you have a left hand rotation is there a danger of the thread being loosened and the penetration reduced, should a left hand thread be used.

Look forward to your comments, Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Why are small game hunter #'s falling? #25246

Hi Heydeerman

My youngest is into the second week of his Sergeants training, heard from him briefly yesterday as he had the ‘weekend off’, raising money for Help for Heroes. I don’t think there was anything ‘off’ about it, they were allowed into the mess 19:00-20:00 one hour one drink. It does make me smile, before he signed on the dotted line he was taking a year out New Zealand, Australia living on the beach bungee-jumping sky-diving, diving with sharks all the things that I used to dream about before I got responsible.
Anyhow what I’m getting round to is when he was home on leave for 10 days prior to Sergeants training he and his brother took themselves off hunting rabbits right out of the blue, might have taken shotguns but a year ago he would not have bothered, he may be getting a bow for Christmas!

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: EFOC woodies #25170

Steve, Clay

I’m sat here looking at about 2 tons of TC rod let me know what you want to try, smallest diameter ground rod I have is 1/8″ or 2.0 mm. in length 310 mm. I will bring in some grain scales tomorrow and give you some weights, just spotted Dia. 2.0 x 100 mm.

You may be better trying TC round balls or even lead shot as it would be easier to adjust the weight, to cut TC accurately you will need a diamond slitting disc although you may try a diamond file from an engineer’s shop, score it deeply and just snap small diameter stuff, not very scientific.

Alternatively how about TC washers, I’ve used steel behind screw ins? Would have to get these made to order approx 6 weeks at present.

Food for thought, Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Why are small game hunter #'s falling? #25158

Top Man, Steve Sr.
You have hit the nail on the head but don’t think it’s just the US where this is happening it’s the same in Europe and Africa people are losing touch with nature and where their food comes from, and because of the middle class anti hunting types that teach our kids they are discourage from even discussing hunting or fishing. Like you when I was a kid three of us would take off in the holidays with a BB gun (one between three) a few cans of beans and pockets full of candy, three days was a long adventure and our folks knew where we were along a disused railway track but we learnt so much. Kids now just don’t have that freedom unless they are very lucky.

You are also right about greedy developers the only way to keep land safe for generations to come is to have title to it.

Heydeerman
Don’t despair of your kids not being interested I have noticed how hunting is appealing to people in their late twenties and thirties often when they have kids of their own and they see the horror of computer games, just keep the door open.
Mentoring is an excellent way to go and talking as kids do it won’t be long before they find friends that want to try hunting or fishing.

Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Another new member and a question already! #17374

A few years ago I attempted to teach my left eye dominant ambidextrous wife to shoot clays, it was hard work, she can comfortably shoot of either shoulder and switch without realizing it, the only consistency we achieved was when she closed one eye, so I have some understanding of your dilemma.

If closing one eye seems unnatural and awkward try using an eye-patch this reduces muscle tension in the face and stops you thinking about what you are doing, if this does not help the cheapest alternative may be a left handed light weight take-down that would allow you to start with a lighter draw weight as yellowfeather suggested and add weight with heavier limbs later.

Whilst typing this it occurs to me that if you have not done so already go see a coach and ask him/her to review your performance it may be that they will see something you are missing yourself.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on, Pothunter.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Defining "Traditional" Bowhunting #14130

Well here goes……tradition, how long does something have to be around to become traditional…..if something’s been around as long as wooden bows is it primitive……the reluctance to carry lots of kit is more one of common sense…….reluctance to carry comms points to an independence of spirit and self reliance…….I’ve just started to carry a range finder to help drawing maps, never have pointed it at a beasty……I’m seriously considering hunting boar with a spear, why?……alcohol the great leveller, it makes us all philosophers and lifts the fog of reality, excluding my brother-in-law’s uncles Pig Killer cider that should be banned under the Geneva Convention……Traditional definitely a state of mind…..I think…..time for a beer

Time flies like an arrow but, fruit flies like a banana. Aristotle.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: The Compton Rendezvous #12812

Just thinking yesterday we had not heard anything from Compton, come on stickbow tell all.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: 2 Blade Blood Trails? #10609

I’ve read the above posts with interest and have some observation:
Sharp blades always create more blood loss as they have the ability to cut blood vessels more efficiently.

Sharp blades will create less resistance as they penetrate.

Well knapped stone blades leave really nasty wounds as the cutting edges are serrated.

Subcutaneous fat can easily plug a wound.

I have no experience of bears (yet) but suggest that the coat may well hold a lot more blood before a trail starts to form than for instance deer, and again pig bristles.

There are so many variables regarding condition of the beast, condition of the surface that blood is deposited upon that I don’t think there are hard and fast rules.

Shot placement is the only thing that will guarantee collecting a beast.

Didn’t know I had that much to say on the subject.
Happy hunting, Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: help with the longbow #10585

Hi Brian

Welcome to the clan, my experience was little increments, think my grip improved when I stopped dropping my bow arm after I had released, this also helped with becoming more considered about each shot. The hardest lesson for me was about anchor and now if my shooting suffers it’s almost always down to anchor.

Stick with it, Mark.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: Can't Wait #9458

Cant remember where I read it but when I fitted my Selway slide-on quiver I used a small amount of soap, bar soap not liquid, this allowed the quiver to slide on and the soap has set like a soft glue. Don’t know if this might help with sliding quivers.

Pothunter

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: xx75 "singing" #62561

I can just hear all the wooden arrow shooters saying ‘what the heck, cant you guys just use real arrows’ especially the ones who never have two arrows the same and still shoot tight groups.

Pothunter.

[Mark Turton]

in reply to: book review #61619

Hi Andy

Sorry about the delay, the book is called ‘Of Bowmen and Battles’
# Paperback: 230 pages
# Publisher: The Glade (January 14, 2003)
# ISBN-10: 0951764519
# ISBN-13: 978-0951764510

Well worth reading easy to dip into as each chapter can be read as a short story. If you enjoy a bit of history mixed with some believable fiction try Bernard Cornwells trilogy: Harlequin, Vagabond and Heretic, Azincourt is also quite good.

If you are in need of more ye olde archery tales drop me a line and I’ll dig out a few more.

Hope you enjoy some of the above, Pothunter.

[Author]

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