Quick question for you survivalist gurus
Hello everyone, I've a quick question for y'all. Id like to know what plant native to SE Louisiana could be compared to the yucca plants properties and uses? (Fire-bow strings, binding, snares, etc).
Also another completely unrelated question :p, I'm a traditional bow hunter and I'm slowly diving more and more into building my own equipment, my next quest will be to create my own arrow shafts (obviously they aren't going to be as good as fiber or aluminum, at least it won't cost me $45/doz shafts) but id like to know if there are any native species that can be used. Thanks
(I hope this was in the right forum)
Dogbane and River Cane are first 2 that come to mind
Making your own cordage is very time consuming but can be done and is a skill I know I should practice much more often. Try Dogbane I believe you may be able to find it, here are some links:
http://www.rnr.lsu.edu/plantid/speci.../cldogbane.htm
http://www.primitiveways.com/hemp_dogbane.html
Making Cordage from Dogbane:
http://www.primitiveways.com/cordage_video.html
I have never tried making cordage from cattail leaves but heard that it does not work well for fire drill and takes several days to dry out. Milk weed plants should be better. Most of these take time so best to have some cordage on you or be well practiced with a hand drill. I have ferro rod tied to my person and am collecting dry tinder long before it rains.
For arrow shafts try River Cane it can be straightened while it is green with a little heat from coals or a candle there are many videos on youtube etc.
Also search here at Wilderness-Survival for some threads on this and cordage as well.
http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...er-cane-arrows
Possible you could use lighter weight river reeds but they might not last as long.
There are also some primitive hunting forums online. They are mostly about stone knapping but also about bows and arrow shafts etc. Have fun.