[Carl Russell]

Welcome! Nice to see your post. Hope to see many more. Have fun, Carl

[Carl Russell]

Looks great Jason. Thanks for all your hard work, Carl

[Carl Russell]

Although I’m not really ready for the weather, and I think we’re gonna get our first snow tonight, I actually feel in pretty good order for this winter. This summer was really a disappointment, but I got over that a couple of months ago, and basically I always keep my sights on winter.

I’ve gotta say though Scott I agree that I am never ready for slipping and sliding on ice. Sorry to hear about the fall.

I got the bobsled out the other day and started hauling firewood. Even on dirt it works great, but it kind of gets me in the mindset for snow. Nothing like riding a nice jag of fine straight logs down a packed snow trail behind a pair of lively horses, bridle chains jingling, and ice chips flying from sharpened caulks. But I could wait 30-45 more days.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

Greetings bumpus. Glad to have you here. Some good posts already, thanx.
Carl

[Carl Russell]

Very nice job. I’m pleased that you were able to post all of that on this site.

I’ll be rebuilding my scoot this fall and will do the same.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

Welcome Jayson. Good to have you here, Carl

[Carl Russell]

The biggest bulls in town are found on the golf course.
Carl

[Carl Russell]

John, are these trees Hawthornes? or Locusts? We do have some areas where the hawthornes grow thick and it can be a real bummer. I am more worried about me than the horses. I got stuck with one a few years back that went right through my glove. Got me between my index and middle finger, and my whole hand swelled up, past the wrist…..

I generally protect the horses by using a long chain and stopping and backing up to take another grab. I use the same procedure in deep deep snow. My cart has a grab on it, so I back the cart as far as I care to, hitch the long chain, sometimes two, and then pull the stem closer to the trail. I unhook the chain and back up to take another grab, and repeat until the tree is out by the skid trail, then I hitch the short chain and head to the landing.

I’m not sure that this is really a new idea, nor is it rocket science, but it is probably how I would try to proceed.

Take care, Carl

[Carl Russell]

If you buy a plier style punch, make sure it is heavily built, and the punches are sharp, and cannot come out. I have had a few over the years that bend out of shape, or the punches come out. I have found them to be frustrating, and not that effective.

I have found that a driven punch works best. It is like a center punch with a hole in it. Used on a wooden bench, they can be sharpened, and cut a really good hole.

For emergencies I use the punch on my Leatherman. It is a flat awl with a scoop shaped sharp edge. By pushing and spinning I have found I can cut a nice hole in leather or plastic.

I have also used copper rivets for all sorts of repairs, although they tend to eventually break the leather. I have found and used a stitching awl (like a sailor’s awl) using heavy waxed thread is the best repair. You will need to find a way to taper the end that are being spliced. I use a sharp wood chisel, although they do make curved leather cutting chisels.

I have used metal shears to cut straps to length. This tends to make a cleaner and more exact cut than a knife. I have also used the wood chisel on a bench.

There will be a couple of leatherworkers exhibiting at NEAPFD.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

Good advice Dennis. It won’t be long before you’ll be one of the old-timers.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

Nice job Jean. Very cute, but I bet they can get some chores done.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

No Scott the problem is that the wildlife biologists for the state require the animal be checked in whole. ????? I said the same thing. Hunters tend to stay near the forest service roads, etc. so they can get the animal into the back of their truck. There are some pretty easy pickings of really good moose about 2 miles from the road, but you’d be nuts to drag it out whole.

Scott, Ive been meaning to tell you about my friend Tim Resch, in Estes Park. He runs Estes Park Outfitters, and packs for USFS during the summer. I went elk hunting with him a few years back, and we packed out a big 5×5.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

First of all Mark, when considering the options myself I decided to use two horses. I know some situations may be just fine for one horse, such as down hill on a skid road, 1/2-1 mile from the truck, but I have seen a lot of moose deep in the puckerbrush. Not being able to guarantee where the moose would drop, I figured I would be set up to use both horses.

My horses have been around the farm many times while I am slaughtering cattle of swine, and they never seem to be too concerned. Obviously the horse can have some hesitations associated with a new endeavor, new people, AND the dead animal. But I think that a horse will have more problems trying to overcome the obstacles of moving the dead weight, antlers, and terrain.

I also planned to use an old stoneboat head to fasten the moose antlers to, like a skidding pan. I was on call for two guys hunting locally, and told them I needed $200 to open the trailer, then $50/hr after that. I figured I might have to spend a fair amount of time scouting out, and possibly clearing a trail, but they accepted those terms.

Only one was shot, and it was 700 feet from the raod, so he got a bunch of his buddies and the dragged it to the truck with 7 guys. However, I did get a few steaks just for being on call.

Thorton’s too far for me.

Carl

[Carl Russell]

Yes Missy, and all others here who bought tickets, the winner lives in Sharon, Vermont. He was at the drawing, and was apparently known to be very interested in the building. He bought a bunch of tickets. He was very happy.

Thanks for all who supported the effort. We raised about $5000 for the White River Partnership.

Thanks again, Carl

[Carl Russell]

Thanks Gwyneth!

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