I haven't dumpster dived yet for the offings of butchering a deer. But I have scoped out the two best places to do it. There is a processor over NW of Denver who does a ton of wild game processing and I have been thinking I needed to try and arrange with him for some deer and possibly antelope hides.
Island piper and Hillbilly61, your comments about other peoples trees and the perfect tree made me laugh. There is a couple stands of scrub oak or post oak that I pass by every morning while taking my boy to preschool. There are a couple trees in there that are near perfect, no limbs so hopefully no knots, in the middle so probably not wind twisted and with an ever so gently arched curve that I can't help but feel the staves would come ready reflexed. I have actually thought about taking pictures and posting them here but then thought maybe I was just looney.
But JWHalverson, your comment brought the biggest smile to my face. The reason is kind of long but I'll write it out anyway. I read Saxton Pope's book "Hunting with the Bow and Arrow) last fall. I was both envious of his first hand contact with Ishi and saddened by the way and how Ishi came into his life. I guess that was how it was supposed to read, or at least I hope so. Anyway, prior to that I did not know Ishi from Itchy and Scratchy. But, I had been introduced to him without my knowledge.
I am one of those weird dudes who reads many of the post apocalyptic novels. I like the stories of how humanity may or may not persevere after an extinction event. Now I never actually think I am going to be able to relate to the survivors. I can't win a cake walk or a bingo game so the idea that I will be lucky enough to survive when 99 percent of the population dies off is virtually nil...unless you are like me and think that the lucky ones are the ones who die early.
Regardless. One of the best books from this genre that I have read was actually written in 1949 by George Stewart. It is called "Earth Abides". Without talking too much about the book other than to note that since it was written before the Nuclear Fear, the author had to use a different method of extinction. Now, the main character is a man named Isherwood Williams. And one of the last things he does is give to his little community the knowledge of how to build a primitive bow and arrow. And all through the book, everyone refers to this character by his nickname "Ish"
It wasn't until after reading Saxton Pope's book that I was able to know or see the parallels The author was drawing.
Sorry for the ramble, I hope this was appropriate campfire fare and not too far afield.
Mike
