Ray Mears Bushcraft

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Ray Mears Bushcraft
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Snap Cap

Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 553
Location: Outside a warren armed to the teeth.

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 06 11:10 am Post subject: Ray Mears Bushcraft

Did anybody see this brilliant programme the other night?

Whilst I admire the man and envy his fieldcraft I have to point out one massive flaw and legal issue with the other nights programme.

He skilfully using only what was available made a long bow and arrows and after a few practice shots went and shot a rabbit for his supper. This is what I have the problem with, hunting with Bows is highly ilegal in this country and has been for about 150 years. I say I have a problem with it that is not entirely true I think bow hunting should be made legal, buts its the fact that it was shown on tv, that the problem.

Silas

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 6848
Location: Staffordshire

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 06 11:15 am Post subject: Re: Ray Mears Bushcraft

Snap Cap wrote:

I did not see it, but if you are correct and it was filmed in the UK then yes, he was well in the wrong.

Bow hunting IS illegal and for very good reasons.

gingerwelly

Joined: 08 Dec 2005
Posts: 419
Location: Wales ...in cardiff at the mo but from mid wales

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 06 11:15 am Post subject:
thought you could still shoot a welsh man with a bow and arrow in chester ?

judith

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 06 11:17 am Post subject:

gingerwelly wrote:

thought you could still shoot a welsh man with a bow and arrow in chester ?

Only on Sundays IIRC

Northern_Lad

Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 14210
Location: Somewhere

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 06 11:17 am Post subject:
I'm fairly sure (it's a while since I saw the program in full) but he didn't actually shoot anything with the box, rather he showed how effective it was but then got the prey with a gun. I also remember him saying that it was illegal to shoot at anything with a bow.

Silas

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 6848
Location: Staffordshire

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 06 11:19 am Post subject:

judith wrote:

gingerwelly wrote:

thought you could still shoot a welsh man with a bow and arrow in chester ?

Only on Sundays IIRC

Yes, only on sundays and before midday and it has to be within the precinct of the church. ( as I recall)

Jonnyboy

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 23956
Location: under some rain.

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 06 11:21 am Post subject:
Something similar in hereford IIRC. I admire your principles SnapCap; not agreeing to a law but standing by it whilst it's in force is admirable.

Snap Cap

Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 553
Location: Outside a warren armed to the teeth.

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 06 11:41 am Post subject:

Jonnyboy wrote:

I admire your principles SnapCap; not agreeing to a law but standing by it whilst it's in force is admirable.

You have to Shooting and Hunting as a whole are always under constant scrutiny, and something like that could be copied to deadly effect and before you know it shooting and hunting are once again centre stage and front page news of all the Red Tops for all the wrong reasons.

Sorry feel very strongly about this.

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28238
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 06 11:47 am Post subject:
I think I saw that and when he fired the bow, the arrow managed to hit the ground, no discernable target visible

Silas

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 6848
Location: Staffordshire

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 06 11:51 am Post subject:

jema wrote:

I think I saw that and when he fired the bow, the arrow managed to hit the ground,

..............er........ you mean - he missed?

Snap Cap

Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 553
Location: Outside a warren armed to the teeth.

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 06 11:51 am Post subject:
But the idea was there, that is the problem I have, you see him with a bow and arrow his mate says "should not have any problems getting tea with it" next they are tucking into spit roast bunny. It dosn't matter if he actually shot it or not, what they gave was the impression that its good enough to kill a rabbit. And it is but still irresponsible when a 150 year old law is still in force.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 06 11:57 am Post subject:
Arn't all the bush craft/foraging programmes a bit like that though, showing what you could do if you have to? Whenever you see people digging up roots, picking leaves etc I wonder if anyone tries that do they have the permission etc.

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28238
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 06 12:05 pm Post subject:

Silas wrote:

jema wrote:

I think I saw that and when he fired the bow, the arrow managed to hit the ground,

..............er........ you mean - he missed?

I got the distinct impression that maybe there little diy bow and arrow was pretty damn wonky in practice and short of pinning a Bunny down and stabbing it, it was not going to get them dinner

Silas

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 6848
Location: Staffordshire

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 06 12:19 pm Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

Arn't all the bush craft/foraging programmes a bit like that though, showing what you could do if you have to? Whenever you see people digging up roots, picking leaves etc I wonder if anyone tries that do they have the permission etc.

I think the problem here is that the impression was given that it is OK to shoot wildlife with a bow and arrow. It isn't.

It is surprising the amount of people that do not know this. The archery club that I was amember of had quite a lot of people wanting to learn how to shoot so they could go after rabbits and birds.

WE had to dissapoint a lot of people.

Bodger

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 06 12:42 pm Post subject:

People should not think of the bow and imagine people shooting at animals from 50 yards away. Anyone doing this is being cruel and inhumane
Used properly the bow can be a practical tool to hunt with .
Its illegal to hunt anything with the bow in the UK full stop .
In America this is not the case .Its perfectly legal to hunt deer with the bow in the states .
Nearly all shots are taken at a distance of less than 10 yards . The bowmen are skilled and in the right hands the bow can be as effective as a gun .
The stopping power of a broad head arrow fired from a poweful bow is immense !
The skill is not only in the firing of the arrow but in the hours of waiting and preparation in getting a clean kill .
The fors and againsts with regard to hunting have been done to death and I will not get involved with any arguement concerning this. I have simply tried to add some practical insight to this thread on bow hunting !

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