Update- Primitive Weapons: Bow and Arrow

Here is the primitive survival bow that I recently made using only stone tools for cutting and shaping.

Click here to watch the original video showing the making of this bow.

The bow has been indoors drying and seasoning, which allows the bow limbs to be stronger and more flexible than when it was when it was in the green state.

I also used the same cordage that was used in the video. I only sanded the bow a little to make it smother and to remove any splinters. I usually keep the survival items I make for show and tell when I give classes.

The bow pulled about 25 pounds at 28 inches. It is strong enough to take down small game up to 30 yards. I used factory arrows during the demonstration, but arrows can be made in the wilderness that can be just as effective.

This type a bow took a long time to make without the use of modern tools. This is a simple style bow to make when needed and for short term use.

Stay Prepared! Stay Alive!

Charlie

Survival Weapons- Review of the Pocket Hunter

Product review of Dave Canterbury's Pocket Hunter. 

I gave the Pocket Hunter a 7 out of 10. The Pocket Hunter was reasonably priced. The blister package should be designed so that the fletching on the arrow does not get damaged. 

When  first taken out of the package, I found the Pocket Hunter to be securely built, but after putting a few arrows through it, the arrow rest adapter began to loosen a little making a rattling noise. The thumb screw could not be turned enough by hand to take the looseness out. 

I found it to be a little bit clumbsy when attempting to put the nock of the arrow onto the para-cord string for shooting. After putting a few arrows down range I was able to load the arrows a little faster. 

Once the arrow was loaded, I was able to put the arrows close to center target at 10 and 15 yards, but found it was harder to do at 20 yards and beyond without practice. 

Using the same arrows that came with the Pocket Hunter is important. I found that the arrow that came with the unit shot consistently every time. So use the same arrows or something similar. The Pocket Hunter also comes with a separate 3 pack of arrows at an additional cost. 

Other arrows I used performed much differently. Occasionally, I found the arrows to float around the arrow rest making the shot unpredictable. This was probably due to the arrow nock being too tight on the para-cord string. 

The para-cord release set up caused my finger to get sore, so using a shooting glove of some type will prevent that from happening. 

The arrow adapter and para-cord string can be removed converting the Pocket Hunter into a sling shot. Very versatile in the event you loose all your arrows. 

Over all I was satisfied with the purchase and will continue to practice with it so that I can become proficient enough to use it when the need arises.

If you want to make take down arrows for use with the Pocket Hunter, check out my link here to see how to make your own. This would make a small package together to put in a bug-out bag or survival backpack.

It is important to always practice with your weapon systems that you intend to use so that you can stay proficient with them.

Stay Prepared! Stay Alive!

Charlie

Primitive Weapon- Survival Bow and Arrow

When early man first picked up a stone and learned to use it as a tool and weapon, he probably did not realize how that simple action would morph into the tools and weapons we have today.

I was curious to learn what early man went through by making functional survival tools and weapons from just rocks and sticks. So, I set out into the wilderness to make a primitive bow and arrow using only rocks as my cutting tool.

As I set out to an area that I wanted to make this video, about a 7 mile round trip hike into some rugged country, I collected items from nature that would assist in completing my project.

I was able to locate bones for arrowheads, green saplings for the bow stave, turkey feathers for the arrows, pine rosin and wood coal to make pine glue, yucca stick to make arrow shafts, rocks to fracture for cutting and sanding, and a nice survival site with trees and running water.

I was hoping to locate spruce trees or agave plants to use to make the bow string, but none could be found within the area, but are located in the region I was in (Chihuahuan desert). So, for the bow string I used my boot laces, which were made of para-chord. I also used a pocket survival tool that I wanted to test, which I used to start the fire with to make the pine glue.

It was a lot of hard work scraping, cutting, shaping, sanding and pounding to make a bow and arrow, but I was able to do it in about 6 1/2 hours. I sure have a lot of respect for early mans capabilities. They sure had it hard to survive off the land, but they did it and so can you and I.

Stay Prepared! Stay Alive!
Charlie

Paracord Fishing Lures

Here's a new saying, "One mans trash is another mans fish bait". When in a survival situation, always check out your surroundings for things that can be useful in saving your life. 

These days trash can be found everywhere, even in places you would not expect it to be. Bottles and cordage can be found washed up on shore lines. Bottles and cordage both have many survival uses.

After watching the video, maybe you will get some ideas of your own on how to turn discarded items into survival trinkets. I use to throw away the cut off ends of my different colored paracord cordage, but now, I add pieces to my survival kits to make fish lures.

Next time you go fishing, try fishing with lures made from trash like bottle caps and soda can pull tabs. The more practice you have at using these type baits, the better ahead of the game you will be when you really need to use them.

Stay Prepared! Stay Alive!

Charlie

Survival Fishing Using Mini Survival Kit

Blue Gill

I wanted to try out the small fishing kit that comes in the mini survival kits- the ones that come in the small tin cans or the handle of survival knives. Instead of taking apart a good survival kit that I can use for emergencies later, I purchased the same sized items to try out my testing.

Luckily, I was vacationing in Kentucky at my brother and uncle's properties where there were small ponds on both places. I had plenty of resources and bait to use. I was able to cut a pole and dig some worms.

The first pond at my brothers place was taking too long for results, so I changed locations. Sometimes in a survival situation you will have to do this. There were a lot of frogs in this pond that could have been caught as a meal.

The second location proved to be better. Not more than 5 minutes after throwing the line in the water, I got a bite. It was so fast that I was not able to film it. I didn't want to take a chance of losing the fish while I was attempting to to setup the camera. Maybe I should have set the camera first and then went fishing.

I only caught a small blue gill, but it was edible. I ate it fried in beer batter and corn on the cob.

I'm a little more confident now that I know the small fish kit works. Just need to have patience. I wont mention the fish that got away. [Wink!]

Stay Prepared! Stay Alive!

Charlie