Matt H 1 Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 As a former clay shooter and a somewhat 'as time permitted and local farmer willing' hunter, I am now graced with more time to study the finer arts of modren land management, conservation and downright good sporting days out. I help preserve a local meadow to encouarge the 'right' base food for pollinators and have a friend with whom I assist run a small mixed farm just a few miles up the road. I am very interested in conservation and traditional practices as with some red eye sunday morning pigeon shoots on a brisk wind with copious amounts of food and vodka afterwards with some Polish hosts as a teenager. I look forward to see how times have changed and wonder if favours for favours within the general farming community still exist. I trade equipment and also maintain anything mechanical unless it's all software/ downloads etc to even find an oil level..... but even this old dog can manage basic stuff with my sturdy laptop and friends in the know at times. Amazing how many glitches are not unique.... people talk; well they do in my circles. Back to shooting.... I have had many faithful Springers R.I.P. and a dear black Lab. many moons ago.... how life changes and work robs me of time to ever dream of taking another to leave it neglected whilst I earn the measly crust we would both deserve before our fun time. I am aged 53 and was bought up among farmers, chanchers and hooray Henry's when they needed a bird presented for their exclusive pleasure. So realistic ambitions now are to have a couple of fun weekends away (with the odd rabbit or hare bagged) in exchange for cosy chats, shared passions in all mechanical mental and slightly theraputical... (preferably a beer or 2 with some good food). In exchange for throwing a few spanners round the barn and donning welding equipment whilst some poor sod holds the bearing carrier straight until it's tacked true with the old Lincoln bullet welder every farmer owned. Joking apart, we all moved on from rusty bolts and make do and mend..... am quite happy to MIG/TIG... use manufacturers specs etc.... as long as I feel part of my wonderful youth once more. A walk with a gun under your arm and a faithful companion is truly one of the most liberating experiences a person could ever wish for..... even if you never have the reason to raise the thing, it's the gift that is presented. Looking forward to reading a few stories on this site and may even add a few anecdotes of my past (of which there are many), luckily sufficient time has lapsed on some that I cannot be prosecuted for now..... Looking forward to making new friends, In anticipation, Matt. H. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mad4it 695 Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 Hello and welcome to THL , hope you find what you are looking for 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
just-A-snap 1,269 Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 Welcome and pleasant times 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The one 8,511 Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 Hello and welcome mate 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Haiddheliwr 1,911 Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 Excellent introduction Matt! Welcome aboard mate looking forward to reading about some of your exploits!! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
j j m 6,563 Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 welcome mate 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Matt H 1 Posted March 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 Taking my initial post to say hi to the group, I have a small confession to make; my fiancée of many years lives in America and her father introduced me to his prized collection of arms... (oh lordy I hear you all gasp). But this guy is a real gentleman and is very generous to take me to the range and show me off to his shooting buddies as an exception to nature to shoot a Winchester 370 on ironsight and group within 4" at 200 yards whilst he struggles using a scope. He did introduce me to an old .380 shortpoint revolver he bought in 1964 complete with boxes of ammo of the same age. He paid an ungodly sum of $15 at the time to help a mate out and he really was suckered. We set off early one morning to actually see if it was any good.... to our amazement the ammo worked but the gun is bloody useless, we managed to strafe a burm (these are like 100' tall and 200' wide) at 50 yards with amazing accuracy with the first 12 rounds. We found an old gallon oil can and placed it on the ground just 40' down the range and killed more worms than a blackbird could achieve in any given week leaving the oil can totally intact. After disposing of the remaining 36 rounds of ammunition we concluded it would be much more accurate to throw the weapon at the drum itself and ironically it hit it!! Gave us a massive laugh and goes down in his family folklore never to buy a gun off a drunk in a spit & sawdust bar in Nome Alsaka at 1AM on a morning. Turns out the revolver was U.S. navy issue sidearm from around 1943 need I say more? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Matt H 1 Posted March 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2017 Anyone interested in ideas of developing a handheld compound catapult? My thought is tubed and slotted baŕrel with a bar of spring steel upfront for power and a few pulleys, piano wire and a simple trigger slide to release either a lead ball or very short arrow..... penny for your thoughts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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