Preparedness for when

GreyQueen

I watched that. Interesting, but I wouldn't need to be silencing the string on my longbow, it's not like I use it for hunting (bow-hunting having been illegal in the UK for centuries). Can add to the 1001 Things to Do With Paracord for those rainy afternoons in the wilderness.

Frugalsod

GreyQueen wrote: »

I watched that. Interesting, but I wouldn't need to be silencing the string on my longbow, it's not like I use it for hunting (bow-hunting having been illegal in the UK for centuries). Can add to the 1001 Things to Do With Paracord for those rainy afternoons in the wilderness.

Yes but you could do late night archery practise and so could do it without waking up the neighbours. Personally I would not consider using it to kill any wildlife ever but a bow could be used to get a line somewhere like over a river and that would be useful. The sheer physical strength you need for a bow is a form of exercise in its own way.

GreyQueen

Yeah, my longbow has a 45 lb pull, Teach said I could draw a stronger one (have had a go with a 60 lb-er and can just about draw it) but I'd need to practise more frequently than once, occasionally twice a week, with the odd week off. Same is true of everybody, your muscles get conditioned to the pull of the bow, but you have to keep them conditioned..

Interestingly, archery makes use of some of the smaller muscle groups in the arms and shoulders, some which are also used in climbing and kayaking (Teach also teaches these). One conditoning exercise which serves all three pastimes is to take a can of beans (or soup) in each hand, extend arm fully out horizontally, and turn arms so that you rotate the can 180 degrees. It's this small movement, with a light weight like a 400g can, which conditions the little muscles which don't get much of a workout at the gym.

thriftwizard

Interestingly, archery makes use of some of the smaller muscle groups in the arms and shoulders, some which are also used in climbing and kayaking (Teach also teaches these). One conditoning exercise which serves all three pastimes is to take a can of beans (or soup) in each hand, extend arm fully out horizontally, and turn arms so that you rotate the can 180 degrees. It's this small movement, with a light weight like a 400g can, which conditions the little muscles which don't get much of a workout at the gym.

Thanks for that, GQ, I can feel the pull already! Have been worrying about my arms; dancing doesn't give them much of a work-out though the legs, back & stomach muscles get hammered - in a gentle sort of way! Market trading does, but it's all lifting & carrying. I've been looking for some light but effective exercises that don't mean a trip to the gym.

Frugalsod

That is useful to know, I am looking at getting an 18ft Canadian style canoe and camping with it eventually. At the moment I am trying to get into shape with the rowing machine.

Karmacat

I like that too - thanks GQ!

Frugalsod, I also like the idea of archers getting a line across a river - that sounds great The seamen on the Mersey Ferries might have been glad of that some days

GreyQueen

:T Pleased that wee tip is of use. We can gently rotate our cans together across the interwebulator, it'll be the masonic handshake for the modern age.

Frugalsod

Karmacat wrote: »

I like that too - thanks GQ!

Frugalsod, I also like the idea of archers getting a line across a river - that sounds great The seamen on the Mersey Ferries might have been glad of that some days

Not just lines but signal arrows to guide people to an area. There are plenty of non lethal uses for an arrow. The simple act of aiming at a target helps keeping calm and sedate controlling your breathing. None of which involves killing anything which is my objective.

[Deleted User]

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

:T:T:rotfl::T:T

Good old Sheldon...

A fellow BBT fan. :j

GreyQueen

Frugalsod wrote: »

Not just lines but signal arrows to guide people to an area. There are plenty of non lethal uses for an arrow. The simple act of aiming at a target helps keeping calm and sedate controlling your breathing. None of which involves killing anything which is my objective.

I was told a story by two archers who'd been involved with a professional bonfire display where the bonfire was to be lit, in front of the audience, by a fire arrow.

Fire arrows have a basket-like end (think of the finial on some curtain rails). They are a one-use deal as the cage-type end contains a wad of flammable material and, when it lands, the end of the arrow collapses.

The archers duly practised their shots in daylight with plain arrows before the crowds arrived, established the range, allowed for the breeze, all was looking good. Then the fire arrow was lit and the archer drew back to shoot and discovered two things which you never see in the Robin Hood movies:

1. You bring a flaming arrowhead near your knuckes, and near the bow, and you have to be pretty damned sharpish about loosing it. Owww!!!

2. You are in the dark. You have just pulled a flame close to your face and now have lost you night vision and can't see the s0dding unlit bonfire you're shooting at.

The guys had the rest of the club in stitches telling us about how the one not shooting was muttering left hand downabit, lower, shoot! at the one actually firing. He is a champion archer but damned nearly made a fool of himself missing the bonfire.

It was never like this in the movies, hey? :rotfl: