need a project

[novembeRain]

can someone suggest a "goal" for me next time I go to the woods please (probably tomorow).

I'm really enjoying having a wander in the woods lately, I've got really good with the firesteel even in poor conditions - mainly because I enjoy making fire I'd like to try friction methods but would rather something completely different for a bit.

While I'm wandering round I test myself mentaly, I look for tracks and places I'd set a trap if I had to, I look for edible plants too or generally anything I can think about as I move through the woods.

Frankly though, I need a task - a purpose.

I got a folding saw today and sharpened my knife, so if it could include those it would be even better.

Any suggestions?

 

[durulz]

can someone suggest a "goal" for me next time I go to the woods please (probably tomorow).

I'm really enjoying having a wander in the woods lately, I've got really good with the firesteel even in poor conditions - mainly because I enjoy making fire I'd like to try friction methods but would rather something completely different for a bit.

While I'm wandering round I test myself mentaly, I look for tracks and places I'd set a trap if I had to, I look for edible plants too or generally anything I can think about as I move through the woods.

Frankly though, I need a task - a purpose.

I got a folding saw today and sharpened my knife, so if it could include those it would be even better.

Any suggestions?

A SPOON!
Every other bugger does.

 

[novembeRain]

A SPOON!
Every other bugger does.

a&e here I come lol. Not bad, haven't got a crooked knife though

 

[korvin karbon]

what about a shelter? simple lean to should keep you busy.

 

[warthog1981]

You could always burn out the bowl with an ember if you fancied giving it a go

 

[novembeRain]

thanks guys, keep going but good ideas sofar

 

[Wilderbeast]

what I do if I feel like a challenge is go into local woods (early-9 am say) and try and build yourself a shelter plus cook yourself lunch (fry up some of the plant roots you know etc-maybe take some salami and roast over a fire !) , see how you get on, it's good fun!

 

[stuart f]

What about finding a dead twig and a bit of rough stone,then you can abrade it into a needle for sewing.
Or make one of these

Or what about abrading a stone arrow head using some soft stone like Slate.

Or collect some resin if you have conifers in your area, then turn it into pitch for attaching
the arrow head to a shaft.Just for starters.

Cheers Stuart.

 

[novembeRain]

all sounds good, I'll sleep on it and see what I come up with.

Thanks again!

 

[Halfdevil333]

What about finding a dead twig and a bit of rough stone,then you can abrade it into a needle for sewing.
Or make one of these

Or what about abrading a stone arrow head using some soft stone like Slate.

Or collect some resin if you have conifers in your area, then turn it into pitch for attaching
the arrow head to a shaft.Just for starters.

Cheers Stuart.

Right Stuart what is it ??????

Scott

 

[Opal]

The letter "Z"?

 

[stuart f]

Hi Scott,hows it going,long time no see,anyway its a figure four deadfall trap as used by the Paiute indians,its different from the normal figure 4 as it uses cordage and its alot more sensitive.Hope that clears it up abit.

All the best Stuart.

 

[novembeRain]

a deadfall trap, but I'd've said the slab'll stop when it gets to the upright stick?

good and simple though.


edit: beat me to it & no offence intended

 

[stuart f]

a deadfall trap, but I'd've said the slab'll stop when it gets to the upright stick?

good and simple though.


edit: beat me to it & no offence intended

None taken

As for the the slab sticking yes it can occur when using the normal figure4 trap,usually with the normal trap the upright stick is underneath the stone and when tripped the stone falls onto it thus allowing your quarry away and sometimes breaking the trap.But if you look at the photos you can see that the upright stick is at an angle and when sprung the trap is flung clear leaving bait bar and hopefully your meal under the stone.And because your trap was flung clear you could reset it without having to make a whole new trap.Rather clever those Paiutes

Cheers Stuart.

 

[novembeRain]

think I get it, is the upright stuck in the ground then or is it just held under tension?

 

[stuart f]

think I get it, is the upright stuck in the ground then or is it just held under tension?

Yes its just tension,ideally you want it to be on a stone to stop it sinking into the ground.
Ps if you are going to try this trap don't leave it unattended or set up as it is very affective and indiscriminate.So please use with CAUTION.

Cheers Stuart.

 

[novembeRain]

thanks Stewart, don't worry I'll not do anything daft. apart from possibly some sort of self injury.

 

[Chinkapin]

Find a suitably straight stick, about as long as from the ground to your nose or to the bottom of your ear, and make yourself a walking stick. The diameter should be just big enough to "feel" right in your hand. Best to peel the bark off if you want your handiwork to last. Make it out of the hardest best wood you can lay your hands on. You won't believe how useful it is. Once you hike with a staff, you won't leave home without it. If you cross streams, climb up or down steep hills, etc. it is just like a third leg.

 

[Boatswain]

How about making a sling and practising on passing trees etc.
find a bit of flint for firestarting knapping
look for fallen birch and grab some bark to make containers.
pine needle tea
nettle soup

have a good time!!

 

[novembeRain]

...I'm back! bloody miserable weather.

What did I get up to? Well, I opted to have a go at making a bow - again, I'm not sure what wood I used, I need to learn tree i.d. It all went really well, makes a real mess though!

Unfortunately, either the wood wasn't up to it or I got something very wrong as it snapped when I first drew it.

The next idea was to make a fire - poor conditions again. I had a quick go with the bow and drill but the string I had really wasn't up to it. So I opted for my lighter (I already know I can get fires going with my firesteel, and want to save it). I did learn a couple of things though -

Pine (dunno which,) burns well - plenty of heat, little smoke and burns fairly slowly BUT it spits and crackles and is noisy! And it's difficult to split with a knife and batton.

And the best news of all is - There's a lake in the woods so possibly some fishing - even if there's no fish in it, there's a chance there'll be eels in there hmm, skewered eel.

I also saw a deer, a kingfisher and a pair of mallard.