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A New Type of Primitive

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Tractor:
So, a year ago, I had no idea what a primitive archer was other than possibly some prehistoric bow carrying cave-man.

I thought all bows made in the last couple decades came with wheels

I thought that bow hunting was quaint but really who would do something that nutty when you could pick up a used rifle and some cartridges for less than the cost of a new bow.  I mean really??

But then one thing led to another and I end up on this site and I can't stop reading.  I become stunned by the things I see being made and done.  I still have a hard time believing that guys sit around and make arrowheads and spear points like it was still 10,000 BC.  Heck if I hadn't seen the pile at Pappy's I might still not believe it and just figure that the things I see from Sawfiler were photoshopped or something.

But then I go to Pappy's and see all there is to see there.  And I am stunned and taken by how bad I want to tan some hides with brains.  And with some email help from George T., I make a Maple Board bow that pulls 42 lbs at 29".  I almost think about making arrows but realize I just don't have the time so now I actually have to buy some arrows cause I don't even know if my Bow shoots yet or not.

But what I have done or want to do is not why I write this it is because of the odd change in me.  First, I am a tool junky and yet the overwhelming case around here seems to be to make it with what you have or what the animal gives you.  I feel like I owe a letter of explanation to the big box stores for why I don't buy any tools anymore.

And then how I look at the environment.  I literally cannot look at a tree without wondering if I could make a bow out of it.  I see a big patch of Red Ossier in the creek bed and I think what about Arrows?  I think about last year's elk hunt.  I was surrounded by Juniper trees and scrub oak.  You can bet some of them are going to come home this year. 

And of course there is the elk itself.   I am actually embarrassed to say that when we had three elk on the ground, all we took was the hides and the meat.  I mean not a single tendon for sinew, no leg bones for skinning tools.  No hooves for glue, and of course the brains weren't even considered.  What a waster I was.  If we get one this year the guys are going to think I am nuts when I start taking all the stuff we normally left for the scavengers.  And you can bet none of them are going to get next to that hide with a knife.

I think what really pointed out the change in me was when last weekend I was on the way home and I saw a roadkill bull snake on the shoulder of the road.  I screamed at my buddy who promptly turned around and we went back for it.  Came home and skinned and mounted the skin to a board.  Later on I get a call from my wife and she asks what I have been doing.  I excitedly tell her all about the snake and she is dead silent for a full minute.  Finally she says, "Why can't you just sit at home and watch Golf or Baseball like a normal guy.

Thanks guys.  Primitive Rocks!

Mike

RidgeRunner:
He has got it BAD.  ;D ;D   Already picking up road kill.  ;D ;D

We seem to have missed each other at the Tn. Classic. ???

David

Tractor:

--- Quote from: RidgeRunner on May 11, 2010, 05:26:04 pm ---He has got it BAD.  ;D ;D   Already picking up road kill.  ;D ;D

We seem to have missed each other at the Tn. Classic. ???

David

--- End quote ---

Ah well you see I was both lucky and unlucky.  Unlucky in that I would have loved to attend the Classic and seen the guys in action making bows and knapping.  Lucky in that I was actually at Pappy's about three weeks before the Classic.  Had perfectly awesome weather, dry and maybe 80 degrees.  Came home and told my wife we were moving to Tennessee.  But I am already trying to get there for the Classic next year. 

Josh:
wow sounds alot like me, especially the roadkill part... I got some strange looks when I went dumpster diving for deer hides and legs behind the deer processor place up the road from me.  He gave me permission and when he saw I was serious about it he started saving the legs for me instead.   :)  I also can't look at  a tree without wondering what kind of bow is hiding inside.   ;)

Gordon:
Yep, once you get the the harvesting roadkill stage the script is pretty much set  ;D

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