Mechanical Failures

I am a service manager at an automobile dealership for my day job. While performing routine maintenance on most vehicles, I also regularly have to play ‘doctor’ and sometimes break bad news to the owners regarding major repairs. Often I get questions such as “what caused it?” or “was it something I did?”

Many times the response is as simple as explaining that their vehicle consists of different mechanical systems, and anytime you have something mechanical it is prone to break due to rotating parts and wear over time.

What makes certain mechanical devices extraordinary are the ones that can keep things simple with fewer moving parts and survive over time.

In 1910, John Browning, who was a firearm designer for Colt before launching his own firearm manufacturing company, developed a repeating pistol. The U.S. military began trials for their next carry piston with six manufacturers. One by one, pistols were eliminated due to failures until Colt and Savage Arms remained. Over a two day period, with John Browning observing the trials personally, his M1911 pistol fired 6000 rounds without failure. When the pistol became too hot, it was simply dipped in a bucket of water to cool it down to continue testing. Over the same trial, the Savage failed 37 times. A simple but tested design that proved to be the hallmark for future firearms.

Now, why am I paying attention to mechanical failures? Well, for one I went through one on something I did not expect the other weekend. I have experienced failures before, even on firearms. I once had a shotgun fire with the safety still engaged. Fortunately, the person that was holding it had the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and no one or nothing was harmed in the accidental discharge. Not only did it teach the person that was holding the shotgun a little respect for potential mishaps, but it reinforced something I already knew. I knew things like that could happen because it is mechanical in nature.

The weekend in reference I was setting up a new bow. The bow did fine. The problem came with my release. For those that do not know, a release is a device that has a set of jaws that hold the bow string while drawing and holding. When the shooter is ready to release the string, his finger or thumb, depending on the style, squeezes a trigger which opens the jaws.

I was getting ready to pull the string back on the bow to check if the peep sight, which is located in the string, was positioned properly for my line of sight. Just before drawing the bow, I decided to nock an arrow on the string ‘just in case’. The person who was installing the peep sight asked was I going to shoot since the sight was not properly tied in yet, but I explained I was not going to shoot but I wanted to be safe instead.

The reason it is safe to actually nock an arrow on the bow is a ‘dry fire’ can destroy a bow. So, if I had an accidental discharge, an arrow would fly and the bow would be intact.

Forethought is wonderful. The release I have had since 2005 and shot thousands upon thousands of arrows with broke, releasing the arrow down range, lodged high on the wall 30 yards away. Bow was ok, arrow was salvaged, two people completely startled but ok, and a broken $45 release.

You cannot predict when something mechanical will fail. You can do everything possible to prevent it from failing and take precautions in case it does.  

Road Trips Tips

Valentine’s weekend is here and occasionally, even the most dedicated outdoorsman needs to reward his spouse for her understanding of your last few months of manly activities. A cross-country road trip can be fun, interesting, and exciting as well as just the ticket to an eventful time together. They can also be boring, tiresome and expensive, so here are 5 tips to make your trip a memorable experience.

Get everyone involved in the planning.

When taking the family with mixed ages and interests, it can make the drive more bearable if everyone has something to look forward to along the way to keep the trip exciting. Look over your route and see if there are any points of interest. On a trip to Niagara Falls we planned our lunch break at the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia, and then stayed in a hotel two blocks away from a haunted cemetery in Pennsylvania.

Prepare your vehicle.

Before you leave make sure you check your vehicle’s tire pressures and fluid levels. If you are making a 2000 mile round trip and your oil change is due in 1000 miles, get it serviced early. When planning your trip do an online check of gas prices in the different states you pass through. For instance, filling up in South Carolina when you still have a quarter of a tank of gas can save nearly 50 cents per gallon over fill-ups in North Carolina or Georgia.

Take periodic stops, not frequent breaks.

It is important to take breaks, but not too many. Usually a stop every two to three hours allows the body to stretch and stay alert. People with ailments such as diabetes may need those stops closer to the two hour mark to prevent swollen feet and legs and help with blood circulation. A hunting trip to North Dakota with my father included stops at nearly every Bass Pro Shop, Cabela’s and Gander Mountain along the way, which was conveniently spaced about every two hours of drive time. Another trip involved us stopping at each state line rest stop we passed and getting photos next to the welcome signs.

Ride comfortably and pack smart.

You have to be comfortable on a long road trip or it will wear you down quickly. Wear slip on shoes while driving so you can remove and put them on easily. Do not keep your wallet in your back pocket in order to prevent a tired and hurting tush. Keep items you can use on the trip near hand while packing clothes and beauty items in the trunk or storage compartments. Keep a small cooler with drinks and snacks nearby.

Change the return route.

Make it a true adventure. If you can alter the return route without losing too much time or miles, it will keep things fresh for the whole trip. New places to stop and explore and different scenery will make everyone happier. One trip we planned carried us through mountains and Amish country on a weekday while heading towards our destination, while the return trip was along the East coast passing through New York City, Baltimore and Washington D.C. during the weekend, thus avoiding traffic woes.

And if the cross-country trip doesn’t work out for a Valentine’s surprise for her, just make sure you don’t buy her a toaster or new ironing board. That probably will not work out very well. In fact, you may receive a gift from her afterwards that resembles a to-do list that will last you through next year’s Valentine’s day.

Preparation

With the Superbowl approaching much discussion has centered on the two quarterbacks and the amount of preparation each puts in to their success. Peyton Manning is arguably the best quarterback there has ever been and is known as a leader, both on the field and by example. He routinely watches film after film of both the teams he faces as well as his own. That being said, Russell Wilson has established a reputation for dedication and hard work after only two seasons in the league, and has been known to start ‘work’ as early as 4:30am.

Preparation is the key.

Many times when you see a successful hunter it is due to either the preparation of the hunter or the guide or both. Scouting the land for game animals and trail, prepping the land to entice the game to a certain area, clearing shooting lanes, practicing shooting skills, and even other things such as maintenance on all-terrain vehicles and washing hunting clothes with scent free detergent play a part in the total preparation.

Anglers increase their odds of success by learning different tactics, checking for underwater structure, and learning behavior of different species of fish. Maintaining their rods and reels and changing types and strengths of lines plays an immense factor even if it is done more as an afterthought than a focused preparatory practice.

While you are reading this column I will be due south in Florida competing in the first Pro/Am tournament of the Archery Shooters Association’s 2014 season. Last year I competed for the first time in the same tournament. The tournament serves a duel role.

First, I have prepared for this tournament by shooting and sighting in two different bows. I have studied the 3d targets that will be used. I have studied the rules that govern the equipment I am allowed to use for the class I will be competing.

Second, by preparing for the tournament I am in essence preparing for my future hunts as well. The pressure of shooting alongside some of the greatest archers in the country easily equals any anxiety I may encounter in the field when I am face to face with the trophy of a lifetime. Vitals on a 3d target mirror the vitals on the real counterpart, helping to focus on the right spot for a quick ethical kill. Learning to judge yardage to within a yard or two is as vital to success as a well-executed and technically correct release.

Equipment must be in top notch shape; clean, mechanically sound, well balanced, and properly fitted. It does not have to be the most expensive, just the most suited for one’s size and strength. This is all accomplished through proper preparation.

Yes, preparation is definitely the key ingredient in the soup of success.

Preparation is the difference between hoping for luck and knowing your fate.

Will I finish poorly, in the middle of the pack, or towards the top? I cannot say as others have prepared for the 40 targets also. But those that have prepared less have less chance regardless of skill, while those that have prepared diligently and consistently are far better suited for a good showing.

The same can be said when in the field. I cannot say whether I will be able to get Mr. Big on a certain day, but with preparation I can be certain that one day I will and when the opportunity arises I will be ready.

I will be prepared.

You Have a Voice

Each year the North Carolina Wildlife Commission holds hearings in each of the wildlife districts to openly discuss proposed changes for the coming year. Informative and interesting, they can at times become contentious as well depending on the types of changes coming up for debate and discussion.

For instance, several years ago we had regulations regarding such topics as the allowance of bowhunting on Sundays on private lands and using unprocessed bait for black bears in order for dog hunters to strike a trail easier. Both hunters and non-hunters were adamant about their beliefs one way or another and the end result changed the rules that had long been sacred and steadfast here in the state.

I only mention those two particular regulation changes as this year’s proposals again address similar issues and will affect our hunting habits moving forward.

Proposals based on the mountain hunting areas affect bowhunters and gun hunters alike. One proposal is to open bow season to the closest Saturday to September 10^th in order to make it uniform across the state. The central and eastern zones already open that Saturday. In essence, this gives an extra weekend of bow season since Sunday bowhunting is already allowed on private lands. Another proposal allows an extra three Sundays of hunting in the western deer season zone. Again note, this is only applicable to private lands, not game lands such as Pisgah.

Perhaps the most controversial proposal deals with the baiting of black bear once again. There was some dispute between hunters and non-hunters as well as dog hunters and still hunters when baiting of black bear was allowed in order for dogs to strike a trail before. It seems more debate will surface between hunters and the anti-community this go around.

Anti-hunting groups argue the practice of baiting black bear will encourage bear and human encounters.

But contrary to their argument, the use of bait such as corn, apples, and pears has been allowed for deer hunting for years. Whether in the mountains or on the coast, it is a common practice. One could argue whether it is ethical or not, but generally you will find the opinions based on the style of hunting involved. For the record, I have and do use bait when still hunting deer. The point I am making about baiting for deer is bear have no idea the bait is for deer. They see food and they will go towards it. As the regulations are now, if I am deer hunting and a bear were to come to the bait, I cannot take a shot whether the bear is in season or not.

The regulations state the bait cannot be processed. This means no honey-buns and cinnamon rolls, no peanut butter, and no fried bacon. I cannot believe that unprocessed bait will increase the numbers of nuisance bear encounters when it is so commonly used already for deer.

Of course there are other regulations up for comments as well such as the changing of certain trout waters and even changing Polk County to a different deer harvest zone. The key thing to know is these rules will change what and how we enjoy the outdoors and we have a voice for our opinions, whatever they may be.

While most districts have already had their meetings, it is still too late to share your thoughts with the Wildlife Commission. You can go online to ncpaws.org/PAWS/WRC/PublicComments/PublicEntry/PublicComments.aspx and view the proposed regulations as well as add your comments on any or all the proposals.