- Joined
- Jan 14, 2010
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- 2,679
A recent spate of foul weather has delayed my posting about two fine gifts I have recently received from our good friend Heir Humppa aka. Papa Andi.
Andi's previous attempts to send these to me had failed, when the mail was lost in transit, only to be returned to him after a month or more.
Second time was a charm though, but as I said, being able to to capture them in decent light was the challenge. On Saturday, the opportunity did arrive to do so.
This was also fortuitous timing as it coincided with hunting season here for a little known pest and somewhat invasive species, which is slowly spreading into England from 'North of the Border'. A local bylaw in these parts actually allows for Spear Hunting, which is otherwise illegal in this land*.
I arose early on Saturday in the hopes of spotting them as they bask in the early morning sun, as they can often be found sluggishly returning to there nests, after their nocturnal forages and feeding.
The signs were immediately good as one of my neighbours, Strix Aluco, had clearly already been active in the area, and likely shed a feather swooping down to pluck its unsuspecting victim from the ground.
It wasn't long before I had spotted a small group of my prey crossing a well trodden footpath in Old Spring Woods...
Approaching slowly so as not to startle them, I sized up this this 'set' and decided to let them be. They were a little to small to bother with, and I had not yet prepared a vital piece of equipment which would assist me.
A few minutes later, I crossed into Mag Wood and taking my newly gifted Camilus Scout knife, constructed a simple spear or gaff, with which to impale my prey.
Having previously reconnoitred the area over the past few weeks, I had noted a few potential nest sights. I went to look for what I had believed to be the most active location, here at the base of a sizeable Beech tree:
Spear in hand, I stood on the leeward side of the tree, and waited silently for what seemed like hours until .
(Apologies for the blurry shot here)
Despite its sluggishness, I had to strike swift and accurately, as so close to its burrow, it could easily have escaped back injured, and I would have not been able retrieve it from its layer.
The spear worked perfectly giving a deft blow. I now worked quickly to despatch the wee beastie as humanely as possible, delivering the coup de grâce with the second of my gifts, the fine and most appropriate of knives, a Hubertus Jagdknicker. The prey was easily cleaved in twain.
With the thrill of the hunt over, the prey well despatched, it was soon devoured and I was able to capture a few additional pictures of these mighty fine knives.
Thank you again Andi for the gift of these great knives. The Scout knife is a good collectors piece as you say, its in need of a tickle to keen it up some, but I think it shall be a house knife for fear of losing it! The Jagdknicker, has already ventured out once or twice, and has seen it fair share of meat and blood already. This is really a great knife and particularly special being as it is very traditional knife from your area, and from such a well renowned maker. This one shall not be a drawer queen .I think Jen shall make sure of that too!
*Citation needed
Andi's previous attempts to send these to me had failed, when the mail was lost in transit, only to be returned to him after a month or more.
Second time was a charm though, but as I said, being able to to capture them in decent light was the challenge. On Saturday, the opportunity did arrive to do so.
This was also fortuitous timing as it coincided with hunting season here for a little known pest and somewhat invasive species, which is slowly spreading into England from 'North of the Border'. A local bylaw in these parts actually allows for Spear Hunting, which is otherwise illegal in this land*.
I arose early on Saturday in the hopes of spotting them as they bask in the early morning sun, as they can often be found sluggishly returning to there nests, after their nocturnal forages and feeding.
The signs were immediately good as one of my neighbours, Strix Aluco, had clearly already been active in the area, and likely shed a feather swooping down to pluck its unsuspecting victim from the ground.
It wasn't long before I had spotted a small group of my prey crossing a well trodden footpath in Old Spring Woods...
Approaching slowly so as not to startle them, I sized up this this 'set' and decided to let them be. They were a little to small to bother with, and I had not yet prepared a vital piece of equipment which would assist me.
A few minutes later, I crossed into Mag Wood and taking my newly gifted Camilus Scout knife, constructed a simple spear or gaff, with which to impale my prey.
Having previously reconnoitred the area over the past few weeks, I had noted a few potential nest sights. I went to look for what I had believed to be the most active location, here at the base of a sizeable Beech tree:
Spear in hand, I stood on the leeward side of the tree, and waited silently for what seemed like hours until .
(Apologies for the blurry shot here)
Despite its sluggishness, I had to strike swift and accurately, as so close to its burrow, it could easily have escaped back injured, and I would have not been able retrieve it from its layer.
The spear worked perfectly giving a deft blow. I now worked quickly to despatch the wee beastie as humanely as possible, delivering the coup de grâce with the second of my gifts, the fine and most appropriate of knives, a Hubertus Jagdknicker. The prey was easily cleaved in twain.
With the thrill of the hunt over, the prey well despatched, it was soon devoured and I was able to capture a few additional pictures of these mighty fine knives.
Thank you again Andi for the gift of these great knives. The Scout knife is a good collectors piece as you say, its in need of a tickle to keen it up some, but I think it shall be a house knife for fear of losing it! The Jagdknicker, has already ventured out once or twice, and has seen it fair share of meat and blood already. This is really a great knife and particularly special being as it is very traditional knife from your area, and from such a well renowned maker. This one shall not be a drawer queen .I think Jen shall make sure of that too!
*Citation needed
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