Main Discussion Area > Primitive Skills

Discussion: Survival

<< < (2/12) > >>

Marc St Louis:

--- Quote from: mullet on July 20, 2008, 01:58:41 pm ---  It's funny you brought this up. Somebody on this site, I forgot who, sorry. Was impressed that I have killed 21 hogs since the end of December. But when I hunt hogs to put tender meat in the freezer, I use a 30-06, 3 1/2" 12gauge or my 44mag pistol. I can shoot 3 or 4 nice small sows in a day or more. When I hunt with my bow for hogs, it's for fun. I still kill hogs with a bow, but I can't be as selective when it comes to playing God. ;D

--- End quote ---

Exactly

hawkbow:
Hunting for survival is fortunately not something most of us will ever have to experience..But testing our skills and our ability to survive with primitive weapons and ancient gear sure does bring about an awareness of who we truly are and what we as individuals are made of.. besides brother it sure is fun! Hawk a/ho   

Kegan:
I've thought on the matter of survival, and how the bow plays into that, for a while now. Here are my thoughts so far.

The bow is actually a very advanced weapon. It requires tuning, proper construction, and care in practicing. It really would be the most efficient weapon for survival- it's made from the materials at hand, easily rixed, quiet, deadly, accurate, and replaceable- but requires alot of devotion. A rifle does not. Also, you owuld have to make compromises in design. Though recurves are great, you won't want one for survival- and no handles, rests, silencers, terrific casts (like Marc's reflexed statics), or fancy colors. You'll pretty much get a bent stick, a few crude, pointy arrows, and nothing fancy. Along with these compromises though, you also have to work ,much harder at actually developing the skills necessary- which means other skills (like pottery, tanning, shelter construction, cooking, and medicinal plants) will likely get the back burner. Meaning your life would probably be more rough and hrader than otherwise, with pretty much no downtime. You would be living very much like a wolf, which menas you have to go a while without a food frequnetly and will be travelling/hunting alot.

It's not the life most would want to pursue, because it requires much more than we're used ot giving up. However, for some this life would be the best choice in tmers of actual survival. You would worry about less, make and carry less, and would be able to spend almost all your time hunting.

Of course, survival with a rifle always makes me wonder, "what will you do when you run out of bullets?" If you're able to buy them, is it really the same sort of survival? Anyway...

JackCrafty:
Kegan, you raise some interesting points.  But I have to disagree with you on the crude weapons for survival theory.

For many of us, our hobby is something that essential to the survival or our sanity.  Would crude, basic, and "ugly" bows and arrows be worthy of the vital role they play in preserving our sanity?  I think not.  Only the best will truly satisfy...a only the best weapons will truly be reliable when it matters most. ;D

Marc St Louis:
This is not a recent thought that I have had but a recurring one that has comes back to mind over the years. 

I know that having the knowledge to make your own bows and arrows gives one a certain freedom.  So does having the ability and knowledge to make your own bullets

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page