View Full Version : hunter Class
Anyone from here going on the Hunter Class in October?
I'm guest instructing (snaring, trapping and netting)... just like you I believe (bow hunting?) ;-) See you there.... I believe stuart may be comming along aswell to show off his excellent spring trap demos.
:-)
Ed
Paganwolf
09-09-2004, 21:57
ill second that Gary The wot! :?:
http://www.wildernessliving.co.uk/ Its the hunter course run by Wild Life Wilderness Living School... ie DG Dave of the bow drill fame.
:-)
Ed
Roving Rich
09-09-2004, 23:02
I'll be there -can't wait ! its gonna be great.
Lots of practical, hopefully skinning,gutting and feasting !
field archery, trapping, shooting and stalking hopefully with motion detectors.
Maybe even a bit of fishing :-P
contact DG for details, and book early ! its filling up rapidly.
Cheers
Rich
How much will it cost to book? When is it being run and where do I book?
C_Claycomb
10-09-2004, 12:19
I'll be there, doing by best to bore everyone with a bit of bow making :o):
How much will it cost to book? When is it being run and where do I book?
I posted the link above ;-)
just click 2004 COURSE DATES AND PRICES in the left hand menu.
Ed
I 'd love to do that. But, hang on...
"Prerequisite Wilderness Living Course"
So I'd have to do that couse first, and the next one of those starts...
.
.
.
...Today.
Oh well.
I think it will depend on your background / past learning.
Oops.
I've just re-read my last post and it comes over just a bit too sarkey for comfort. Sorry, that wasn't my intention.
I've just re-read my last post and it comes over just a bit too sarkey for comfort
It didn't to me.... don't worry about it :biggthump
Ed
Buckshot
10-09-2004, 14:32
I'm guest instructing on it as well. :shock:
I better try to make sure I get enough beasties for the pot then...
I'm looking forward to it.
As Rich says book early, at this rate it looks it might be another BCUK meetup.
Cheers
Mark
I'm guest instructing on it as well. :shock:
I better try to make sure I get enough beasties for the pot then...
You are doing the Rabbit prep demo. :wink: I think you might have to do it a few times before I get it.
I think i am guest heckling. :naughty:
I think you might have to do it a few times before I get it.
Its ok.... there is more than one way to skin a rabbit..... you'll find one way to suit you.... and then we get to eat it :yumyum:
Ed
bcuk members have now got the opportunity to get a discount on this course, see the announcement or contact http://www.wildernessliving.co.uk and let them know you're a member.
:biggthump
masongary44
14-09-2004, 11:18
And again,.... I get to miss what looks like an excellent event..... Oh Work, why dust thow thwart me!!!
Buckshot
14-09-2004, 14:12
You are doing the Rabbit prep demo. :wink: I think you might have to do it a few times before I get it.
I think i am guest heckling. :naughty:
I'm definately NOT doing the rabbits - they make me reach :yikes: (can't find a trowing up 'smile')
Heckling isn't a problem when I can chuck entrails at you to shut up :o):
Subject to supply, in other words, if I can get some I'll do the deer, pheasant, pigeon and a couple other tasty things - unless someone else wants to do it :?: and if it's OK with DG of course...
Cheers
Mark
Subject to supply, in other words, if I can get some I'll do the deer, pheasant, pigeon and a couple other tasty things
:yumyum: this is sounding better and better as this thread goes on.
Hi All
Seems like you need A few words about the Hunter Class from him wot knows - Me
Only pre-req of Wild Life basic class for folk who have no bushcraft skills and may have found my site or info pack, it's a skills based workshop that needs some amount of basic wilderness knowledge, if you have attended any Schools basic class or you can convince me that you know a Bow drill from a Long bow then you can sign up.
This class is run so that the knowledge and skills of hunting do not disappear, we hope to include as many aspects of hunting as we can cram in over three days like, Bow hunting, skinning, butchering skills, stalking & camo, cooking, arrow making and primative fishing if we can fit it in! We have lots of instuctors on this one cos they all have diverse skills that will expand everyones knowledge further.
I also want all to know that this class will also be about respect for the animals and enviroment and I will be very intolerant of folk who may see this as an opportuny to satisfy their blood lust!
Start 9am Friday 8 Oct-finish 5pm Sunday 10 Oct unless we're having too good a time! £150, however there will be a substantial discount for BCUK members on booking.
Hope to see you all in the woods - DG
DG, I am potentially very interested in doing this course, would it be possible for me to phone wildernessliving to discuss wether the knowedge I have (without doing the basic course) is sufficient?
Thanks,
John
Roving Rich
15-09-2004, 11:10
Hi John, give him a ring - the phone number is on the website, under the contact heading -
http://www.wildernessliving.co.uk/
Cheers
Rich
Does anyone know what a good time to phone Wild Life is? I've been trying on and off for the last 24 hours with no success :?:
Hi John, give him a ring - the phone number is on the website
I think that the number is old, not sure if it still in use.... on the hunter course letter it has a 'new' office number!!!
I'll pm you womble.
Ed
C_Claycomb
16-09-2004, 13:47
Hey Ed, Think you could PM me that number too?
I was getting all geared up to come, but haven't heard a thing yet, only learned today that letters had been sent :shock: :?: Think I need to give Dave a call and check if I am coming.
PM received and responded to Ed.
Mel and I am sorting the Bow Hunting, but we have lost DG's number. Can someone PM me with his new one??????
pm sent.
I think thats his new one :biggthump
Ed
Still no response on it though. I'm now hoping DG will contact me after sending my number to him in a PM.
Roving Rich
22-09-2004, 09:58
Right - Just got off the Phone with DG, he send his apologies to those who have been trying to contact them, they have just moved office so the old number should divert to the new one.... :roll:
Anyway DG has said its OK to put the number on here so :
Wild Life - Tel 0118 9842500
You'll probably get an answer machine, as they are in the woods. So leave your number :-P
Hope that helps
Rich
Just a quickie after seeing DG's list of stuff to bring.
I hope to visit Waterlooville Quicks on Friday afternoon.
If anyone is up the creek without a paddle (ar should that be more archery related?) then it may be possible for me to collect some orders and bring them to the course.
Feel free to PM me.
Roving Rich
29-09-2004, 13:17
Darn, just got off the phone from them :banghead:
C_Claycomb
29-09-2004, 15:16
The purpose of the bamboo canes is to make a bow each. I have got hold of about 50 8foot long canes the right diameter, not all are fully seasoned, hope to have them a bit drier. So, there will be a few spare canes about if anyone is stuck.
I might also have some spare arrows, but the spine (stiffness, very important) could be off
I rang Quicks (waterlooville) to buy the stuff on the suggested minimum list, but they were unwilling to sell me arrows without me being able to tell them:
1) the length of arrow required
2) the type of bow they are to be used with, and
3) the poundage of said bow.
I've left a message with Wildlife for clarification on these points, but if anyone else knows whats needed, any help would be appreciated.
Buckshot
30-09-2004, 08:28
Just a quickie after seeing DG's list of stuff to bring.
Where is this list, I couldn't see it?
Cheers
Mark
the list was with the directions etc.
Ok. Quicks are just trying to help. I know what bows dave has, and i am brining the rest.
Get some Pine 40/45 arrows at 30". you are learning, and you will end up shortening them as you break the ends off. Matching arrows to a bow is a very individual thing, and you dont know until you try them out.
If they still wont help, complain.
if you are a giant or an imp, pm me and i will advise.
C_Claycomb
30-09-2004, 10:08
Dave sent my joining instructions the other day, then included the following list.
Specilised Extra Gear List
Minimum kit list:
Long shot wooden 5/16th arrows fitted with field points, 3" feathers for a 35/40lb bow. Catalogue GS55=£31.62 x 6
Paket of 6 spare field points 100-125 grain VP06/7 £3.84
Leather archery glove MH51 £15.95
6 x Stainless steel tea spoons
8-10 bamboo canes, 5-6 feet long and 1/2 inch diameter, check for cracks and damage
If you shoot a centre shot recurve then you will want slightly stiffer (higher spine) arrows than you will shooting a longbow. Bigger feathers will be more forgiving if the arrow spine isn't exactly right for the bow, I like 5" rather than 3". The aim of the bamboo canes is to make a simple bow, probably won't get over 40lb though. This would count as a longbow since the arrows have to flex around the handle when shot.
The "standard" draw length is about 28", so 30" arrows will work well.
A pair of simple leather finger tabs will be a lot cheaper than an archery glove and will do the job on bows up to 50lb without much problem. I have never used a glove, plenty of hunters like them for the added dexterity, but plenty also like tabs. Having two layers in the tab gives better protection
T-spoons, I don't think you want these too big, nothing over an inch wide I would think. They won't be much good as spoons by the end of the weekend so don't go bringing your wife's favourites! :rolmao:
If you are buying field points, you might like to get some pile glue, the hot melt sort sold just for archery. That and a bic lighter let you put piles (points) on in the field.
Hope I haven't given too much away :roll:
Roving Rich
30-09-2004, 10:50
Well I spoke to quicks,and they were very helpful, I just read them the description off Daves letter. And said they were for Field target use, as a high proportion get lost or broken we were asked to supply our own. The only querie he had was length, they come in a 30" max lengthive got long arms and specified 29" ( picture knuckles draging on the floor as i walk... :naughty: )Dave quotes a draw weight of 35- 40 llbs
Did forget to order the extra points though....better PM Rob
I asked Dave about the Glove, as i have only ever used tabs and get on fine with them.
He said thats ok, its just easier with a glove for "hunting". As a piece of kit I am unlikely to use very often, if atall, i skipped this one. Dave has Tabs available if you want to borrow one.
Hope that helps
Rich
One thing that I would add to the list is a couple of small plastic bags - for use if it rains. You can put these over the fletchings of the arrows you are not shooting to keep them dry.
Get yourself down the supermarket and aquire some off the fruit and veg section. (if you want to do this in a "green" manner and without buying anything, just look in the trolley park for the ones that get left behind).
outdoorgirl
30-09-2004, 23:31
Does anyone know if there are any spaces left on this course? I tried getting hold of the guys last week, but got no reply to either my email or my voicemail. I'm just back from a 4-day camp so haven't had the chance to call them again yet... :(
There probably is, Roving Rich may know.....RR...where are you??? :o):
Hiya Folks.
Due to the discovery two nights ago that my car is in need of some rather serious and expensive servicing and repairs, I'm afraid I'm going to have to drop out of the course (Which could be good news for outdoorgirl...). I'm doing really well at making and keeping committments on here and feel quite bad about this. Apologies to all involved.
Womble
Mate, you're in Aldershot!! No other way of getting there, get someone else to come on the course as well so you can have a lift! :biggthump
Buckshot
01-10-2004, 08:50
Hiya Folks.
Due to the discovery two nights ago that my car is in need of some rather serious and expensive servicing and repairs, I'm afraid I'm going to have to drop out of the course (Which could be good news for outdoorgirl...). I'm doing really well at making and keeping committments on here and feel quite bad about this. Apologies to all involved.
Womble
If it helps and you can get to Didcot train station I'm going past there on my way. Or Reading train station isn't far - I'm sure one of us will be coming from that direction...
Or are you going to be fixing the car at the weekend?
Cheers
Mark
It's not the fact of the car being non-operational, it's the cost of the servicing that it needs. Thanks for the offer though!
Roving Rich
01-10-2004, 09:15
Oooooooh my arrows have arrived !!! :hyper: :hyper: :hyper:
Now iam getting excited :o):
DG said that someone else had dropped out, So I expect that there is a place available Ooutdoor Girl if your interested.
Womble - Aldershot aint far, and there might be someone passing by. Otherwise I'm sure we can arrange a pickup from the Station or I can swing by and pickyou up if neccesary.
Would be great to meet you.
Cheers
Rich
OK guys, I'll see if I can defer the repair until after the course - that's what Credit cards are for, after all!
Just another quick bit of info for those of you who are thinking of placing your order with quicks. They are very busy at present, so probably wont be able to despatch your order until the middle of next week.
I spoke to the guys in the shop and explained how they may well end up with new customers if they play ball. So they are aware of the situation.
Cheers, and see you all there :)
outdoorgirl
01-10-2004, 18:27
Have just got back in to find a message from Dave on my answerphone, and there are spaces, so my partner and I are sorted! Very much looking forward to it now, just need to call him back and confirm...
(Must go back through this thread and look at that 'special kit' list again...) :)
See you there, if you're going!
:biggthump
Buckshot
04-10-2004, 08:48
OK guys, I'll see if I can defer the repair until after the course - that's what Credit cards are for, after all!
Nice one :o):
C_Claycomb
04-10-2004, 10:29
So, the important question is...
How is Buckshot's shopping list coming on :lol:
outdoorgirl
04-10-2004, 13:15
Speaking of 'shopping lists'... I managed to get mine done at the weekend with a quick trip over the bridge to Wales Archery for extra points and fletching glue (mine having gone hard over the winter last year)...
My partner's shopping list, however, seems to vary somewhat from mine... Being much more food-oriented, he asked if it would be OK if he brought some snails and local wild garlic to cook up?! :shock: (He has done this before, although he had to eat them by himself, as I wouldn't touch them!)
DG: would this be OK? (Even if he has to eat them himself?)
I expect that someone will help him eat them without too many problems.
Mel will eat most things.
Buckshot
05-10-2004, 08:54
So, the important question is...
How is Buckshot's shopping list coming on :lol:
Well Chris it's like this.... :wink:
I didn't want to get anything too early or it would go off before the weekend. The weather is still quite warm so I didn't want to risk it.
I've got Thursday pm off work to try to get some feathered things and one or two small mammals, I'm planning on missing Ray to go lamping as well.
Then Friday early I'll try to get a larger mammal and take it straight to the camp. We might have liver and kidney for breakfast :shock:
No guarantees though :nono:
That's the plan, but as they say in the army 'No plan ever survives first contact with the enemy' :naughty:
We'll see
Cheers
Mark
I feel ashamed.
I went round a load of Garden Centres on Saturday - looking for the best Bamboo :cry:
To think. Bushcraft has led me to this :shock:
C_Claycomb
06-10-2004, 08:23
Don't worry Rob. I went and tried to find some good stuff on the internet :banghead: Ended up buying 250 canes, reckonned that I would have to cull through them and that about a quarter would be suitable.
When they arrived I found them to be far more consistent in size than the ones sold in garden centres.......they were all consistently too small! :yikes:
Went to the local Hillier's and got 50 8' canes, all about the right diameter. :roll:
Mark, as long as you manage the "larger mammal" everything will be great :biggthump Smaller stuff is pretty easy to work out, but the chance to work with something bigger is pretty rare for most people.
Hope this doesn't jinx things...but, has anyone put in a claim for the lower leg sinew?
I have some 6 foot canes, hopefully enough to do the business, but was mildly annoyed by my local garden centre who only sells them in bundles of assorted diameters. I may have to get another couple of bundles just to be on the safe side. If I do, should I get some ones longer than 6'?
C_Claycomb
06-10-2004, 11:03
The reason I got mine long was that the 8 footers were a more consistent diameter within each pack of 10. 6 foot canes varied from 1/2 inch to 1/4 inch, often tapering from one to the other within a single cane. Not really good. The longer canes didn't show as much taper.
It was only afterwards that I thought about it and realised that you could probably do quite well with smaller canes, just using more of them. If you have a pack of ten that will probably be fine.
I hope that we have enough cordage to bind the canes with. :?: Dunno whether Dave was planning on providing it, or thought I was, or what? Regular packaging string is good enough. Paracord is a bit too slippy. If push comes to shove...Duck Tape to the rescue!! :lol:
outdoorgirl
06-10-2004, 11:04
Hmmm...
I was thinking that the ones I usually use to stake tomato/bean plants with would be OK, but I seem to recall that they taper. Do the canes need to be the same thickness for their entire length? (Also need to find my waxed thread/string to tie them up with...)
Does anyone know if we need to bring something to make the bowstring out of? I can't remember where I packed my dacron!
Re: Buckshot's shopping list - think we may need to come along for Thursday night now; if we turn up at 9am Friday we're bound to miss out on the breakfast! :)
Cheers Chris. What sort of cordage will be required? Would green garden string be sufficiently strong?
I'm hoping to make the Thursday night, but I've got scout stuff that must be sorted out before I go.
What's Wildlifes view of alcahol on course eveinings? There's a spiced cider that I love sharing out around the fire...
waxed string would be perfect, i havent found anywhere that sells it any more though
outdoorgirl
06-10-2004, 13:40
For waxed string, look at cobblers supply places - that's where I get mine... It's actually waxed linen thread which is (was) apparently used to repair carpets, but works really well for a multitude of other purposes... :-)
C_Claycomb
06-10-2004, 13:51
I suppose that in theory the more things that are tried as lashings, the better the learning experience will be. People will get to see the pros and cons of different things. Waxed linen is very strong, and can stick well, but can cut the hands if you aren't careful. Softer strings are easier on the hands, but may slip.
Green garden twine is jute isn't it? I trust you don't mean the bailer twine stuff? It might work, not sure. Give it a go :biggthump
Dave has some dacron, I am bringing a bit as backup, plus some linen. Think we will be OK for bowstring making. Of course, if you want to bring your own I am sure that would be fine too :-)
I aim to be there Thursday night.
Don't stress the cane dimensions too much. Bring what you have, then see how they work. I like more uniform thickness canes, but tapered ones should still work, you just need a few more. The number that Dave said to bring will be fine.
Buckshot
06-10-2004, 13:51
I'll see what I can do Chris...
Pearce Tandy sell waxed string I'm sure Stuart.
Cheers
Mark
i have seen plenty of waxed thread but what i was thinking of was the waxed string that used to be sold for gardening
wouldnt it be fairly simple to make it? like when you make those waxed matches... or is there more to it than that?
Buckshot
06-10-2004, 16:39
i have seen plenty of waxed thread but what i was thinking of was the waxed string that used to be sold for gardening
Ahhh
Roving Rich
06-10-2004, 22:13
Well, your gonna love this - Latest from DG on my voicemail - Bring some string :o): - He does not specify so if we all bring plenty hopefully there will be enough super string to go around.
And also a metal file. Thats for filing metal :-)
See you tomoorrow or Friday then - can't wait
Cheers
Rich
And also a metal file. Thats for filing metal :-)
:rolmao:
outdoorgirl
06-10-2004, 22:25
Yup. I asked what type of string - waxed, unwaxed, butchers - he said anything, just to bind the canes with...
Can't wait now - although we're coming first thing Friday, so hopefully buckshot won't turn up with a fresh carcass too early; don't want to miss out on that brekkie!
See y'all there!
:wave:
Buckshot
07-10-2004, 08:04
Can't wait now - although we're coming first thing Friday, so hopefully buckshot won't turn up with a fresh carcass too early; don't want to miss out on that brekkie!
See y'all there!
:wave:
Lets not get too carried away now :nono: . I'd advise having breakie before you leave or at least taking some with you just in case I come back empty handed... :shock:
See you all tomorrow.
Mark
Can anyone bring some extra bamboo please :oops:
All the shops here have got rid of their gardening sections and have gone to christmas already :yikes:
Thanks
Ed
C_Claycomb
07-10-2004, 10:43
Hey Ed, why do you think I went and bought all those canes? It certainly wasn't because I need them all :rolmao:
I think I should be able to find you enough :wink: