Lost a dear friend to an accident

I lost a dear friend to a car accident a few of weeks ago Long story short, swapped a NV scope on a foxing rifle for a glass scope after some issues subject to another story, a few weeks ago. Zeiss scope is on QD mounts but wentinto my field and fired a couple of shots from the back of the vehicle, using my twin sticks with elbow on the spare tyre. Anyway, all was well and the following weekend, I was all ready albeit being a little late for a day or so stalking. Had all together but couldn't find my twin sticks. Could only think that they were left against the hedge whist I re-sleeved the rifle. So a drive via the field in question on the way off to stalking, revealed my sticks, sun glinting off them in the grass, exactly where I had taken the 2 shots from.

Initially pleased to have found them, the sticks I have probably used for 80% of the deer I've shot in the last 30 years or so. Only ever owned these since moving on from the single stick I use before these. Still remember making them all that time ago Only issue however, I had driven into the field on 2 occassions since the zero check to do a bit of hedgework, and to my disappointment, I have run over them, possibly more than once One leg snapped at the hinge joint, the other nearer the bottom of the leg but still in one piece.

Fortunately I had a roll of gorilla tape in the car, so I ended up with a one forked twin stick that was still temporarily functional. So I managed to get away, not a particularly successful outing, a sika calf from the high seat from the tail end of a group of 16 or so, and a fox from the sticks, a nice shot around 100yds with little opportunity.

So, I've just made a new set of sticks, with the finish drying off in front of the fire as I write. These will hopefully last me until I hang up the guns or pass them onto the kids I did think about shortening the originals and mounting them on a sheild, there's a lot of history there, but not think I'll shorthen/repair and make them suitable for the kids to use

Apologies to anyone who has lost actual friends or family to real car accidents, I did not wat to offend

 

[Bo Diddley]

Confused up until the last paragraph

I'm from Norfolk, you see

 

[muddy42]

If they really are sentimental, any half decent woodworker could glue those breaks so as to be stronger than the original.

The diagonal break would be a piece of cake to glue and allow to dry under pressure, you could even fire in some wooden dowels or add some whipping over the top. The right angled break would be a bit harder but not impossible - Id reglue it then use a table saw and sled to saw either side of the join at a diagonal angle. Then Id measure what had been removed and splice in new wood - it looks like a round dowel.

 

[Jagare]

I used a single Ash stick that had honeysuckle damage pattern on it for my stalking for at least two and a half decades. I shot a very large number of deer off that stick. I returned back to my vehicle after a stalk. A Ford transit with a sliding side door and after putting my gear away slid the door closed and removed the bottom foot and a half of my beloved Ash stick. I found a Hazel stick to replace it, but it never had the feel or character of the Ash one.

 

[Jim Hutton]

Confused up until the last paragraph

I'm from Norfolk, you see

I’m from Suffolk and was just as confused.

 

[Deermanagement]

If they really are sentimental, any half decent woodworker could glue those breaks so as to be stronger than the original.

The diagonal break would be a piece of cake to glue and allow to dry under pressure, you could even fire in some wooden dowels or add some whipping over the top. The right angled break would be a bit harder but not impossible - Id reglue it then use a table saw and sled to saw either side of the join at a diagonal angle. Then Id measure what had been removed and splice in new wood - it looks like a round dowel.

I’m from Suffolk and was just as confused.

It was just in case someone on here knows someone close who’s had an actual car accident. You know how easy it is to say something and have it upset someone. I’m not woke but owning a firearm I know how careful you need to be with words

 

[buckfever]

Glad I wasn't the only 1 confused. Sorry for your loss

 

[Cottis]

I've just recently been making and testing some roe kid/muntjac calls. I have been using some old seasoned hazel but your broken sticks would likely work. If you would like to keep a small piece of those historic sticks going in some way, cut off a piece (3-4inches) and send it to me and I will make you a roe kid call and send it back.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. That is crap news. As much as it is always sad to hear about this sort of thing, it also makes me smile knowing how lucky we are to have friends and while loss is really hard, it is offset by the fortune we had in knowing them and all the fun times that were had. I hope the next few days, weeks and months will become easier for his friends and family.

 

[Old Codger]

You have confused the hell out of me Mr. Cottis,…………and he is from Warwickshire!

 

[The Singing Stalker]

I’m like, what? How? Wtf, who? Luckily, I have been to the neighbours for dinner, which means a bit of food and a lot of alcohol. So I don’t care.
If you want to be friends with a stick, carry on regardless. . I mean, weird, but okay. Is it bedtime yet?

 

[Deermanagement]

I've just recently been making and testing some roe kid/muntjac calls. I have been using some old seasoned hazel but your broken sticks would likely work. If you would like to keep a small piece of those historic sticks going in some way, cut off a piece (3-4inches) and send it to me and I will make you a roe kid call and send it back.

A very kind offer..... thank you. In today's world there are very few who will give but plenty who will take. Of course the pressures of today's life, trying to fit in a gazillion things that couldn't have possibly be contemplated in the years before smart phones and the internet etc., so it's not that people are not as generous as previous, but maybe that they don't have the time or patience nowadays?

Anyway, your offer of a roe call..... if you think the 21mm pine dowel will do the job, I will send you a piece Generosity should always be remembered and maybe repaid, so should I manage to finally get into a house I've been renovating for some time, including the building of a garage/workshop, maybe I can offer some antler repair, should you have any antlers requiring replacement or tine repairs. I have a desire to do some work with wooden sculptures and 3d printing for antler repair, so one way or another, I'm sure I'll be able to sort something, even if its some custom engraving to your favourite roe call? I'll PM you in the near future

 

[bbell]

I was reading this thinking, what a heartless guy worrying about his shooting sticks and not his buddy! Glad I read to the end.

 

[Deermanagement]

Maybe not one of my clearest posts Anyway, a new era starting this week. Went through the B&Q 21mm x 2400 dowel rack, looking for the straightest and stiffest piece of timber. Found one that seemed much better than others and then a second. Went to checkout and found out the ones I picked were actually oak. Didn't know they did 21mm oak dowel, so never thought about it as these 2 pieces were obviously put in the wrong section by likely a previous person. I reconsidered, oak..... Heavier...... but they didn't seem too bad and besides they'd be shortened. More of a chance of changing shape unless perfectly dry? More chance of them splitting with age?

So after a little thought, I went with it and a thing of beauty was born 3 coats of Sikkens Cetol 7 Plus. I think they will see me out and maybe the kids will take them on one day? Looking forward to using them and did consider if I could improve on the design? Not really..... the O rings have lasted the full life of the originals, the one leg is around 2" shorter than the other so that they can be opened easier on flat ground, paths, hard tracks etc. Although I will look for suitable size tyre inner tube later on that will fit tightly to the ends where they are mostly gripped. As they are slightly over-length for my height, they can be used for shooting uphill easily, downhill, on uneven ground and inclines, from a standing, kneeling or sitting position