The stick. The fact that you’re reading this suggests you probably have one — quite possibly several — and for hundreds of years a stout wooden pole has been the quintessential companion of those who venture into rural parts.
Delving yet further into our species’ history, the simple stick has proved vitally important from the first moment some enterprising Neanderthal sharpened one and flung it at his supper. Flint-knapping and the carving of bone tools is impressive but most of these inventions would be mere ornaments without a strong, straight piece of wood to strap them to.
Thankfully, such an implement is no longer required to fend off savage beasts or dispatch your dinner, but a good stick is no less valued today than it was by our ancestors. And, although you won’t have to look far to find someone selling finished sticks, it’s one of the simplest and A. most satisfying things to have a go at making yourself.
Finding the right stick
Chestnut, holly, ash and blackthorn can all produce a fine stick, but the most popular wood by far is hazel. I asked Keith Pickering, a professional stick maker of 30 years’ experience who counts royalty among his illustrious clients, about the enduring appeal of hazel: “It’s lightweight, strong and grows pretty straight to begin with. And it has a wonderful array of colours, from dark brown to almost silver.” Widespread throughout the country, in good soil, coppice growth of hazel is quite capable of growing 3ft a year, making it a sustainable choice.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 22, 2020 من Shooting Times & Country.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 22, 2020 من Shooting Times & Country.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
United we stand
Following United Utilities' decision to end grouse shooting on its land, Lindsay Waddell asks what will happen if we ignore our vital moors
Serious matters
An old gamebook prompts a contemplation on punt-gunning
They're not always as easy as they seem
While coneys of the furry variety don't pose a problem for Blue Zulu, he's left frustrated once again by bolting bunnies of the clay sort
Debutant gundogs
There's lots to think about when it comes to making the decision about when to introduce your dog to shooting
When the going gets rough
Al Gabriel returns to the West London Shooting School to brush up on his rough shooting technique
The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition
In this excerpt from the 60th anniversary edition of the BDS's Field Guide To British Deer, Charles Smith-Jones considers the noise they make
A step too far?
Simon Garnham wonders whether a new dog, a new gun and two different fields in need of protection might have been asking too much for one afternoon's work
Two bucks before breakfast
A journey from old South London to rural Hertfordshire to stalk muntjac suggests that the two aren't as far detached as they might seem
Stalking Diary
Stalkers can be a sentimental bunch, and they often carry a huge attachment to their hill
Gamekeeper
Alan Edwards believes unique, private experiences can help keepers become more competent and passionate custodians of the countryside