CA-Hunt-Tips-art - 9/10/98
"Hunting Tips for Combat Archers" by Octavia.
NOTE: See also the files: c-archery-msg, C-A-Handbook-art, crossbows-msg, p-archery-msg, T-Arch-Child-art, Arrow-Inspect-art, arch-supplies-msg, quivers-msg.
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NOTICE -
This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday.
This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org
I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with separate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter.
The comments made in these messages are not necessarily my viewpoints. I make no claims as to the accuracy of the information given by the individual authors.
Please respect the time and efforts of those who have written these messages. The copyright status of these messages is unclear at this time. If information is published from these messages, please give credit to the originator(s).
Thank you,
Mark S. Harris AKA: THLord Stefan li Rous
Stefan at florilegium.org
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[Please note this was written from the viewpoint of a combat archer in the SCA kingdom of Ansteorra. Weapons and armor may differ in different kingdoms. - editor]
Subject: ANST - Hunting tips for Combat Archers
Date: Fri, 04 Sep 98 08:40:13 MST
From: DAFPIG at aol.com
To: Ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG
Greeting all,
Well, its that time of the year again. The weather is starting to cool
down(maybe) and the roars and grunts of the fighters can be hear echoing
through the wood and fields. Once again it is archery season. I have put
together a few tips for those of you hunting these extordinary creatures for
the first time.
1. Baiting: the use of an object/s to encourage your prey to come to you.
A. Heavy Fighters: The best bait for these massive animals is the use
of decoys. They cannot seem to resist the clashing and banging around of
thier own kind. When they see other fighters fighting, they tend to rush
headlong to join them. If you don't have access to such decoys, try spreading
some bright shiny objects around such as stainless steel gaunlets or a shiny
helm, using long peices as ratten is also effective. Heavy fighters are
drawn to such things as these.
B. Light fighters: Oh, the rare and elusive light fighter, We usually
don't hunt these graceful creatures because of thier rarity. They don't seem
drawn to the noise of others fighting. So I have found that to effectively
bait them into range, one must use other objects to entice them. The use of
a few yards of expensive trim or lace seems to work, What always does the job
though, is the sight of very sharp, fancy clothing. This approach has never
failed me yet.
2. Choosing your hunting Terrain: have a working knowledge of the terrain you
will be hunting in.
A. Open field: The open fields are the most common area to find both
heavy and light game. This is the area they perfer to engage in their ritual
combat. Because of the lack of ready cover, an archer must stay alert and on
thier toes at all times. Being spotted by one of these fierce creatures can
be dangerous.
B. Bridges: For some unkown reason, Heavy fighters tend to gather at
bridges. They strive to reach the other side, push and fighting thier way
through. Ironically, it doesn't seem to matter which side they start from, as
long as they end up on the opposite bank. It is here that we archers revel in
the ease of the kill. Often it is too easy to bag your limit and only the fact
that your quiver is empty do you stop.
3. Types of archery equipment: What tips to use, and when.
A. There are ,of course, a multitude of tips avaliable this season, the
Markland, Thistle and 2 types of Baldar blunts. We won't be discussing the
disgusting golf tube thingys. Remember, Heavy fighters are encased in an
armor-like skin. The thickness of this pelt varies with each individual. I
usually start with a fine Markland tip or perhaps a baldar blunt for average
game. I switch to my Thistle tips ,at close range, when I encounter thicker
pelted fighters. Often these massive animals are unable to feel that they are
dying, stuck on the end of a wonderful shot. It is during these times, One
should verbally remind them of this fact. Often a verbal reminder will do the
job.
B. +++ Special note for the lighter game. Use only the foam covered
Marklands to hunt this prey. These animals tend to be VERY thin pelted and
are usually easily damaged.
4. Safety tips: when to run like heck.
A. A combat archer must ALWAYS be on thier toes and aware of what is
going on. For some reason, most of the massive heavy prey hate archers on
site and will go to extreme measures to kill us. Upon sighting archery
equipment, Heavy fighters tend to foam and fleck at the mouth, in a desperate
attempt to stop us. So be aware. One way to avoid such encounters when being
chased by these lumbering mammonths, is to run directly into another group of
heavies. This tends to confuse the pursuing fighter and they usually stop to
fight with the heavies you are hiding among. If you are caught out in the
open with no means of escape, Fall to the ground or your knees yelling "I
YEILD". This has 2 effects on these animals. 1st, they stop their headlong
charge on you and 2nd, instead of whompen you, they tend to just tap you. I
don't know if they are confused by the yelling or the falling to the ground.
Well, These are all the tips I have for now. The season is opening for a
majority of us this weekend at Gothic Wars. Come on out if you can and go
hunting with us.
Octavia
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