A couple of recent threads have pushed me to post this. Its about respecting your quarry and its (your) surroundings.
This is a great site, I am relatively new but have learnt a great deal and 'met' some really talented people.
My concern is the effect some of this survival stuff has on newcomers. I read of rabbits being snared and the use of inappropriate 'traditional' hunting weapons and I read of guys going into the woods with big blades cutting down trees, making shelters, making fires etc.
I have been killing wild animals for a long time, yes of course I have wounded some but throughout I was always taught to show deep respect. Your quarry is not a toy or a paper target, its a living thing. Being thwacked in the rib cage with a .22 pellet or a stone hurts. strangulation really isn't nice.
Regarding trees, I was taught to cut neatly and at an angle to allow rain to run off. I was taught to cover any recently cut stumps with branches.brashings to stop deer/rabbit damage or to pollard the tree higher up for the same reason. Poorly chopped, ragged stumps/branches are prone to rot and disease. Be aware of intended permenant removal or intended healthy re growth.
I guess all I am saying is please show respect. Continue to enjoy yourselves but be aware of the consequences of your actions.
This is a great site, I am relatively new but have learnt a great deal and 'met' some really talented people.
My concern is the effect some of this survival stuff has on newcomers. I read of rabbits being snared and the use of inappropriate 'traditional' hunting weapons and I read of guys going into the woods with big blades cutting down trees, making shelters, making fires etc.
I have been killing wild animals for a long time, yes of course I have wounded some but throughout I was always taught to show deep respect. Your quarry is not a toy or a paper target, its a living thing. Being thwacked in the rib cage with a .22 pellet or a stone hurts. strangulation really isn't nice.
Regarding trees, I was taught to cut neatly and at an angle to allow rain to run off. I was taught to cover any recently cut stumps with branches.brashings to stop deer/rabbit damage or to pollard the tree higher up for the same reason. Poorly chopped, ragged stumps/branches are prone to rot and disease. Be aware of intended permenant removal or intended healthy re growth.
I guess all I am saying is please show respect. Continue to enjoy yourselves but be aware of the consequences of your actions.