Turkey Carry Lanyard

Have you ever had to hike a couple miles out of the woods carrying a big Tom turkey over your shoulder? By the time you get back to the truck with your poultry prize, your wrist can feel like it was gnawed upon by rabid gray squirrels. Rather than suffer the wrath of carpal tunnel syndrome, this simple device can be constructed in minutes and greatly assist in transporting your turkey out of the woods.

Please see the short video below, detailing how with a short piece of 550 paracord and a piece of dowel or pcv pipe one can early transform these simple items into a handy turkey carry lanyard.

The Parachute Cord Gun Sling

Two of my most viewed blog posts are, “The Bear Grylls Survival Bracelet” and “The Parachute Cord Duck Call Lanyard”, clearly there is a popularity associated with constructing your own unique outdoor items. Both of these projects were constructed using that most amazing of survival items, 550 parachute cord. Widely available online, as well as from any good army surplus shop, 550 cord (as it is more commonly called) is the survivalists friend. For more information on this marvelous item, please read “String Theory I and II”.

Since I had not organized any 550 cord projects in quite some time, I decided to undertake, the weaving of a sling for my AR15. The inspiration for this project came from an article published in Field and Stream magazine, written by Keith McCafferty titled, “A Shooters Lifeline”. This short “how to”, outlines the weaving of a firearm sling, constructed using two sling swivels and 550-parachute cord.

Of course as a man, it is extremely difficult to simply “follow the directions” and because of this, typically easy projects frequently mutate to an obscene level of complexity. Rather than attempt to build the predefined F&S project with the provided directions, I instead added a number of changes I feel enhance the originally published design. Bottom line, this is a VERY cool sling and I am overall pleased with the final results!

The article lists the “price” for this project at “less than 4 dollars”. This statement is of course a bald faced lie. The total cost of the project was about $20 once you purchase the Outdoor Connections – Talon Swivels ($11) and the 100 feet of 550 cord ($8) that is likely the smallest packet you will be able to find. Also the F&S project lists the amount of 550 cord need at 25-50 feet, for my modified project, you will need 100 feet. With the initial investment to of money, it is also important to plan to expend about 3 hours in labor. Still, even with the expense and time commitment, it is overall a great project and while you could buy a sling for a comparable amount of money, it would not be a custom sling made of 550 cord and built by your own hand.

The Project:
The first thing you will want to do is measure the length of one of your current rifle/shotgun slings. Remember, this “550” sling will NOT be adjustable, so whatever length you ultimately weave is going to be the final measure. The F&S article warns that the sling will stretch up to 1 inch so you should shorten this measurement appropriately. I however, made no adjustment to my version of the sling and have not noted any problems. My sling is 36 inches long.

Once you determine the correct length, drive two nails or hooks into a board at that precise measure. Slide your two swivels onto each of the two hooks and check the measurement again laying your properly adjusted sling next to the two swivels. I stress this step to make sure you did not inadvertently mis-measure. Three hours is a sizeable investment, so you want this perfect.

String your 550 cord through the sling swivels, as directed in the F&S article. Though the article suggests a 4 or a 5 strand weave, my sling uses 1 ¼ inch swivels so was constructed using a 6 strand weave . . . insert hardy man grunting. It is IMPORTANT to do as the article directs and leave 4-6 inches of extra cord for the tying of the finishing knot. Take this extra cord and tie it loosely around your hook to keep it out of the way and from accidentally pulling through the swivel.

Now this is the where my sling begins to depart from the F&S article. First make sure to START your weaving at the OPPOSITE sling end of where your 4-6 inches of extra chord is set. This will ensure that at the projects completion these two ends can be tired together in a square knot to “finish” the weave. Begin weaving left to right and over and under each of the double strands. Be sure to push down hard so that the weave properly compresses. You will be amazed how much more the weave will compress, as you continue weaving, so keep forcing it down. Take care to see that you have started the weave correctly, it is discouraging to get in 10 rows only to realize you made a mistake on the first row and you now need to undo all of your initial work . . . this is the voice of experience.

It helps in the weaving process, to wrap the 70 feet of 550 cord around your hand and to bundle it securely with a rubber band. This makes it so you are not pulling the entire length of cord through each weaving sequence. Simply slowly pull out more cord, as needed, from the bundle as you progress through the project. Once you get the weave about 20 inches in length, you are going to want to stop. Next begin wrapping the remaining 550 cord around the existing strands. Continue this wrapping all the way to the top while continuing to push down hard to really compress the wrapped weave. Once you have reached the top, tie the weave end to the 4-6 inches of extra cord you left out at the beginning of the project, using a square knot. Make sure to tie this knot securely. Cinching it by pulling on each of the two tag ends with pliers this will create a knot difficult to accidentally come undone.

NOTE: In the picture to the left, you will see that I also incorporated a "wrapped knot" before the start of my weave. This was done at the projects completion when I realized that I need to further compress the shoulder section of the weave. So basically to correct my error. Fortunately, I actually think it makes the sling look more interesting.

At the projects completion you will have remaining about 5-6 feet of 550 cord. Do NOT throw this small section of cord away! With the left over remnants you can easily construct a . . .

The continuation of the post will appear next Monday!

Wassookeag Moccasins the Rolls Royce of Footwear

I am regularly impressed by the quality of Maine based products found throughout the state. You certainly do not have to look very far to find skilled craftsmen plying their trade out of small shops, building superior pieces of handmade merchandise. These individuals have honed their skills over decades and are masters of their perused craft. Because of the huge number of craftsmen, around the state, creating truly exquisite pieces of what I would categorize as “art”, I am always on constant alert as to what could be the next new and interesting Maine made outdoor products.

While searching the internet the other evening, I stumbled into the virtual storefront of a innovative little company called Wassookeag Moccasins, operating out of the small town of Dexter, Maine. Through the expert hands of proprietor Mark Wintle, this shop is responsible for creating a truly amazing assortment of moccasins.

Now I know what you are going to say, what could possibly be amazing about moccasins? Well my friends, as did I, you have a lot to learn. First, I would suggest you toss into the garbage those old ratty lame plastic bottomed mocs you are currently using and upgrade to the big league with a pair of all leather, hug your foot, feels so good you wanna slap your momma Wassookeag moccasins. They are truly the Rolls Royce of footwear and from the first second you put them on you are going to immediately understand what I am talking about.

Available in a huge selection of configurations, styles and fits for both men and women, it would be difficult not to find a pair that matches your every wanton desire. For Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries and other gift based celebrations, you would be hard pressed to find a more elegant and well fitting gift for that special someone. When you place an order, please mention the rabid outdoorsman sent you!

Given my penchant for destroying just about everything I place upon my feet, WAY before its anticipated end date, Mark suggested I order the bull hide, deer skin lined, triple sole canoe moc. Though certainly a mouthful, the Moc provides extra protection in the sole, sure to delay the time it will take for me to completely and utterly destroy them. I can already see me shuffling down my coarse gravel driveway, trying to keep the dog from getting run over by the UPS truck, strapping crampons to them or becoming involved in some other completely ridiculous practice that no self respecting piece of footwear should ever have to be subjected to. I will be sure to post updates, as time marches on, as to how my mocs hold up in these completely unfair conditions.

When visiting the WassookeagMoccasins site be sure to check out the section on “Earthing”  or the health benefits of reconnecting your feet with terra firma and the cool How They are Made Video! 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mark Wintle

Interview With Mark Wintle of Wassookeag Moccasins: I conducted this interview with Mark to gather a little more information on his products and answer a few simple questions that I had. I am posting, hoping others will find the information helpful.


Rabid Outdoorsman: Do you suggest a certain product to help keep my Wassookeag Moccasins leather pliable and supple?

Mark: It’s not necessary if the intent is to wear them inside most of the time, however I do use a waterproof mink oil paste on mine about once a month or so to keep them from soaking up too much moisture since I wear mine both inside and out pretty much every day. I also like to use the mink oil on the rawhide laces to keep them from getting dried out and brittle, keeping the rawhide laces moist also helps to keep them tied.

Rabid Outdoorsman:Is there a break in period? I know that they are comfortable but do they further mold to your feet over time?

Mark:They are soft and pliable right out of the box, but they definitely will mold to your feet over time, conforming to the shape of your feet, especially under foot, the leather will compact slightly under the heel and ball of the foot where most of the pressure is applied and stay nice and fluffy under the arch, creating a natural arch support and padded bed for your feet.

Rabid Outdoorsman: For high wear and abuse you suggest certain mocs and leathers over others . . . do you also have a suggestion for "around the house" as opposed to other uses?

Mark: For around the house, the softsole mocs would be perfect. For indoor and outdoor use or as a driving shoe or casual shoe (as I use them) I recommend the triple sole mocs. The buffalo hide is a bit more “spongy” and has a little more stretch and give to them, the bullhide is more compact and stands up a little better to extensive outdoor use since they have a tendency to soak up a bit less moisture, but both the bullhide and buffalo hide will stand up very well to regular outdoor use.

Rabid Outdoorsman: How long with regular use can a person expect a moc to last? I have a pair I got 2 Christmases ago and they are COMPLETELY worn out with holes in the toe box. Your product appears VASTLY superior.

Mark: I use 8 to 9 ounce (a little more than 1/8^th inch in thickness) buffalo or bull hide for the bottom sole, inner sole and vamp (which wraps around the entire foot in one piece), this not only provides lots of comfort but also guarantees many many years of wear. It’s pretty hard to estimate the number of years they will last since every person is different, how they wear them, where they wear them, etc. If used mainly indoors, they can last a lifetime, if used and abused like an everyday shoe or if the person is a “scuffer”, scuffs their feet when they walk, particularly when they walk on abrasive concrete or pavement, they may only last 4 or 5 years. The wear will generally be primarily in the bottom sole . . . and yes, I do provide a resoling service, $45 and I ship them back for free.

Rabid Outdoorsman: How long does it take you to make a pair of mocs?

Mark: Well, If I struck out to make a single pair from start to finish, which is rare since it is much more efficient to do multiple pair at a time, it would take me about 4 hours.  The process is very labor intensive as you can tell from the “how there made” video, but generally I can make about 3 pair a day, sometimes 4 such as during the Christmas rush when customers are expecting their mocs to get there by Christmas.