Be careful out there

[Adena_man]

This is the time of year that we've all been waiting for - Spring artifact hunting! Two of the farms that I hunt on have been plowed. I'm just waiting for a little more rain to wash the flint off. If you hunt plowed fields, watch for the air pockets in the dirt. These are created when the plow turns the sod over, especially when deep-plowing. I was walking a field one day and stepped on an air pocket. The dirt gave way and my ankle rolled and turned sideways. Luckily I fell the right way and did not sprain or break my ankle. I usually walk the "ridges" in the plowed fields (where the dirt is solid), but step off every now and then. I learned my lesson and started wearing military jump boots which support my ankles. I still step on air pockets every now and then, but the danger of snapping or twisting my ankles are lessened by the boots. I also use a walking stick, which helps you stand up and helps you to flip the flint over. I switch to tennis shoes after the field has been disced. Whether you wear boots or not, just be careful.

Also, flash flooding is a danger for creek hunters. My father-in-law was fishing on the bank of a feeder creek about 20 yards from the Kentucky river. He said that it started clouding up, but no thunder or lightning. All of a sudden, he said that he heard a crash and looked up to see a huge amount of water rushing down the creek toward him. He was able to grab a tree and pull himself up the bank before the water got to him. He would have been washed out into the river if the wall of water would have caught him. There had been a lot of heavy rainfall upstream which quickly swelled the creeks and sent the water surging downstream. Again, please be careful!

Good luck! I look forward to seeing even more awesome finds from everybody!

 

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[fossis]

I know all about turning ankles, I have to wear lace up boots to help against this problem, & about flash floods, a friend of mine was in a river wading, & didn't hear the horn for letting water out of the dam, he started trotting, then running, & finally had to float out on his ice chest.

HH Fossis........................

 

[bean man]

Your so right about those flash floods Adena man. You almost can't believe it until you've seen a wave come down a creek like that.

 

[Johnny X]

Same to everyone out there!

Safe and productive spring season from JohnnyX aka Steve!!!



xstevenx

 

[TreasureTales]

There was a fellow I used to work with who told me about a time he was standing on a rock in the middle of a river. He was flyfishing and didn't realize the water would be released from the upstream dam about the time he was getting strikes (just after sunrise). There were signs posted, but he didn't bother to read them. AND the name of the river: Rising River - duh! He had to be rescued by helicopter - the bill was sent to him for all the emergency crews that were called in to help him. He said he was never so embarrassed in his life. I said he was never so lucky in his life - he could have easily drowned if not for his cell phone. So we all need to stay alert and prepare properly for our excursions outdoors.

Wearing boots with ankle support is good advice. So is a cell phone in the pocket.

 

[pickaway]

I'm a firm believer in a good walking stick.

 

[bean man]

So am I, Pickaway. All creek hunters should have one and their good for field hunters too. Not only if properly used do they save energy when you walk, you need one to cross strong current. They also serve as a reaching, probing, digging tool, poison ivy parter and attacking beast beater. But the best thing about them is that you can lean on them when your looking down, saving your back a little.

 

[TreasureTales]

My digging tool is also my walking stick. Comes in very handy for many situations.

 

[jbl04410]

While on the subject of walking sticks.I found out that an old cross-country ski pole works great.I have a bamboo pole that works well.I cut the plastic ring off the end.It is surprising ly strong and light weight.Just another garage sale treasure.....

 

[Adena_man]

I use a #1 driver golf club (with the head cut off). It is light-weight and sturdy. Works great. A friend of mine who is an avid golf player almost screamed when he saw me cutting the head off the club with a saw!

It was an old club anyway.