A vivid imagination is a wonderful thing. I suspect that when we think of "living off the land", we imagine a silent stalk ending with a single, carefully placed lead ball in the vitals of a deer, delivered from ol' Ticklicker, or whatever name your favorite smokepole goes by. There you are, content by the fire, while your venison tenderloin cooks slowly over the coals of your cooking fire. Coupled with a bottle the Madera wine you thoughtfully packed, you prepare to sumptuous repast fit for the King of the Wild Frontier. Right.
I suspect that if I were laying low in potentially hostile territory, I try to find a way to feed myself while making as little noise as possible. Then too, powder and lead were dear to the frontiersman, so one had to weigh the potential costs against the amount of meat harvested. Again relying on my imagination, I think I'd want to consider harvesting smaller game, something that could be harvested quietly, and consumed in one sitting.
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| Read the post here. |
"...Let the young trapper supply himself with a small, sharp hatchet, and a stout, keen edged jack-knife, these being the only tools required. He should also provide himself with a coil of fine brass "sucker wire," or a quantity of horse-hair nooses..., a small ball of tough twine and a pocket full of bait, such as apples, corn, oats, and the like, of course depending upon the game he intends to trap. With these, his requirements are complete, and he has the material for a score of capital snares., which will do him much excellent service if properly constructed..."*
Now I'm just saying, if I didn't have any snare wire (a must-have item in any serious survival kit), I'd attempt to make a snare out of anything suitable on the chance I might actually catch something. One important advantage to the snare is that you don't have to work at it. If you're in the wilds and trying to conserve calories, this just might be the ticket.
