WSA Posted July 29, 2014 Author Posted July 29, 2014 Just generally on this topic...and something that in 40+ years of walking outdoors I've never had happen. I was walking down a trail in NC yesterday, a real tourist destination, wide as a boulevard with dogs, kids and grandparents. I had just passed a 6" wide dead locust tree (although I didn't notice it at the time) and I was probably 75' past it when if fell right across the trail. I mean, all the way down, crash, smash... Nothing particularly noteworthy about it, except there was not a breath of wind around. But, it was obviously its time. There had been a heavy rain the night before, and it was on the high bank of the trail, where erosion was cactching up to it. Just kind of a weird bit of timing.
Guest WesT Posted July 30, 2014 Posted July 30, 2014 Hi WSA, I just noticed you're in my neck of the woods at the moment. If you have time and want to check out the area of the hunting blind while you're around just let me know and I'll give you my contact info. Hellbilly, that's a familiar looking X.
WSA Posted July 30, 2014 Author Posted July 30, 2014 Thanks for the kind invitation WesT. It was a "hit and run" operation only. I was up in Brevard, delivering the boy to camp. I returned home yesterday. I took a short walk as it was all the time I could spare. I think my lesson for that hike was: Obey gravity at all times. It is not only a good idea, it is the LAW!
Guest Posted July 30, 2014 Posted July 30, 2014 Thanks! I found this earlier today in a area I frequently see turkey and deer. See them enough that I am disappointed when I don't see them( I think they know I won't shoot em). I can stand under it with room to spare and I'm 6'. Not sure what to call it but it sticks out in a pine forest where the rest of the trees are growing straight up!
WSA Posted July 30, 2014 Author Posted July 30, 2014 THAT is really cool. I would expect those trees were bent over when green. No dry, seasoned pine is going to take that degree of bending without snapping, I'd predict. Obviously, this was in an area that had been burned over, although it looks like it was a low temperature burn...maybe even prescribed. It does raise the possibiity though that the heat of that fire did bow those trees over. Just an unsupported hypothesis at this point. Does anyone have any information as to that possibility?
LeafTalker Posted July 30, 2014 Posted July 30, 2014 Hellbilly, I think the way all the trees in that bunch cross at that one central point is very suspicious, as WesT would say. (I think it was he who used that phrase.... Too lazy to double-check.) And it's beautiful, too. Love to see their handiwork. It's pretty awe-inspiring.
Guest Posted July 31, 2014 Posted July 31, 2014 Hey WSA, there was a controlled burn done in parts of the NF last year but not sure when this area was burned. Due to budget constraints they cant burn as much as they would like and that contributes to all the crazy out of control fires out West of course. The interesting thing is there are quite a few similar size trees around the "hut" that are not bent like that. I do agree though that heat and moisture can be used to make bows, wicker furniture among other items.. Thanks LT! I agree
Guest WesT Posted July 31, 2014 Posted July 31, 2014 I would deem that suspect Hellbilly. My theory is Pine trees that are still alive are more elastic and not as prone to breaking when bent. Like I've asserted before, the trick isn't bending the tree over, it's getting it to stay that way. So I always check to see just how the treebow is secured and anchored. I do see something in the pic that looks familiar. Left of center, it looks like the top of one of the trees was broken off and is jammed (top of tree first) into the apex of the structure. But without being there I can't tell for sure. It looks suspect enough (to me anyways) to warrent a closer look. WSA, the miniature version of the hunting blind, as seen by the witness when first discovered, is on my camera now awaiting to be downloaded. hopefully I'll have it up later today. I'm glad you didn't get creamed by the widow maker while in NC. Sounds like that was a close call.
Guest WesT Posted July 31, 2014 Posted July 31, 2014 Keep in mind it was early spring when it was first discovered and before everything got green. But he said it had green in it so pine was used. Take this..... and add pine and you'll get something this... This miniature version was alot harder to make then what I thought it would be. YIKES! So, would it work? Is the concept sound? Has anyone ever heard of hunting deer in this manner? Is this unique/novel? Could this be the work of hobo-sapiens? preppers? or something else? Sorry, it seems I have alot of questions. I'm at a loss here....
WSA Posted July 31, 2014 Author Posted July 31, 2014 I am at a loss to come up with any known explanation that fits your context, I can tell you that. I just think all I can say is it is some great documentation of some thing that in all probability was not the result of random natural forces. Beyond that? Your theory is as good as any other. Would such a strategy work for somebody/thing? I expect it would increase the probabilities for success. In hunting, that is the standard for "working", or not.
Guest WesT Posted July 31, 2014 Posted July 31, 2014 Well if you wanted to just stand in one spot and pop em it seems like the way to go. Very few calories expended to gain said calories. Or in laymens terms, using your brain instead of your back. I've thought of the ways a human could build the whole setup. It could be done I guess but it would be labor intensive to do so. Anyone who feels they could build it themselves is encouraged to try. And once you get done building the blind, there are 3 more components to build that are on the game trail leading to it. This should be easy to debunk... right?
WSA Posted July 31, 2014 Author Posted July 31, 2014 And the business end of that "spear"...what did it look like? Blunted, or broken off to make a sharper point?
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