Ohio Rusty
11-07-2008, 10:20 PM
Hello to the list. My screen name is Ohio Rusty. I have that same name on several other muzzleloading forums and self reliance boards so I thought it best just to stick with this one.
I started into the 'survival' mindset back in 1971 when two things happened. I came across a book called 'Hedge yourself against disaster', and I took an interest in muzzleloading and the mountain men. I was in awe of their ability to survive day to day in hostile environments, all seasons of the year and come out of the mountains better than they went in.
Today, I'm much older, definitely wiser and alot less tougher than I was when I wore a younger mans clothes. I've practiced my self reliance skills for the last 30+ years as an avid outdoorsman and hunter.
I live rural in the national forest of South East Ohio. I'm sure I can find lots of things to share with the list when it comes to firemaking, hunting, fishing, gardening and a plethora of other subjects.
My current hobby or lifestyle I have been doing for the last 10+ years is historical re-enacting and historical trekking as an 18th century scout/ranger in 18th century Ohio. Doing without any modern conveniences as they did it in the 18th century is a learning experience. It forces you to learn. As an example .... I headed out purposely without any flints for my gun and firesteel. If I wanted to hunt, eat and make a fire for warmth, I *HAD* to successfully find and knap either flint, quartz, or suitable chert for my smoothbored gun and my fire makin's. It's important not only to know what your are doing, but also test your different skills in different environments to determine how to tweak your woodcraft skills to make you just a little bit better. That instills confidence that you can make it if you are forced into a self reliance situation. Did you know that not only a piece of deer antler makes a good flint knapping tool, it also makes a pretty good knife sharpener in a pinch for blades that are high-carbon steel. The pithy inner core of a deer antler when pounded to dust and heated, melts and makes a glue that is stronger than any epoxy you can buy. A great thing for fixing broken knives, guns or attaching arrow points in the field.
I look forward to reading and learning from the great posts from the list members and hopefully sharing much of what I know along the way ......
Ohio Rusty ><>
I started into the 'survival' mindset back in 1971 when two things happened. I came across a book called 'Hedge yourself against disaster', and I took an interest in muzzleloading and the mountain men. I was in awe of their ability to survive day to day in hostile environments, all seasons of the year and come out of the mountains better than they went in.
Today, I'm much older, definitely wiser and alot less tougher than I was when I wore a younger mans clothes. I've practiced my self reliance skills for the last 30+ years as an avid outdoorsman and hunter.
I live rural in the national forest of South East Ohio. I'm sure I can find lots of things to share with the list when it comes to firemaking, hunting, fishing, gardening and a plethora of other subjects.
My current hobby or lifestyle I have been doing for the last 10+ years is historical re-enacting and historical trekking as an 18th century scout/ranger in 18th century Ohio. Doing without any modern conveniences as they did it in the 18th century is a learning experience. It forces you to learn. As an example .... I headed out purposely without any flints for my gun and firesteel. If I wanted to hunt, eat and make a fire for warmth, I *HAD* to successfully find and knap either flint, quartz, or suitable chert for my smoothbored gun and my fire makin's. It's important not only to know what your are doing, but also test your different skills in different environments to determine how to tweak your woodcraft skills to make you just a little bit better. That instills confidence that you can make it if you are forced into a self reliance situation. Did you know that not only a piece of deer antler makes a good flint knapping tool, it also makes a pretty good knife sharpener in a pinch for blades that are high-carbon steel. The pithy inner core of a deer antler when pounded to dust and heated, melts and makes a glue that is stronger than any epoxy you can buy. A great thing for fixing broken knives, guns or attaching arrow points in the field.
I look forward to reading and learning from the great posts from the list members and hopefully sharing much of what I know along the way ......
Ohio Rusty ><>