Completely Off-Topic

[Sabotloader]

But I really want to share this old man...

During the tail end of the late ML elk season and while forcing our way through the snow my hunting partner encountered this old man - could not resist getting some pictures and now the urge to share,,







It appears that he had been in the woods longer than I but. was just as frustrated with the lack of elk as I was.  I did not talk to him so I really do not know his thoughts - his looks just said it all...

[pianoman9701]

Nice pictures. Let us know if he starts talking. 

[garrett89]

Well don't be rude offer the guy a beer.

[lucky7]

One of the Ents from Lord of the Rings, the stories he could have told you.

[KFhunter]

Those are notches for putting boards into where the faller stands on them.  They cut those notches and slide in a 2x4 and stand on it.



very cool find!

[PastorJoel]

Cool pictures. Thanks for sharing.  Why start the cut so high above the ground?

[KFhunter]

I'm not sure    if I had to guess my guess would be it had something to do with the milling practices of that era not being able to handle the taper of the log.

[Timberstalker]

My guess is those are martin set notches other wise it would just be a stump.

It is just a stump......

[ASHQUACK]

They cut the notches to get above the but log. On the old growth trees of the time the buts were super thick and would take extra hours if not a day to cut through with a hand saw.

[Sabotloader]

Correct - Springboard notches for the fallers to gain height up the tree

As has been suggested - they did not want the swell of the stump long at the mills of the time

[Timberstalker]

Those were real men.

[Duckslayer89]

You would think they would just cut from the ground and it would be much easier. Cool find!

[JimmyHoffa]

Then they have to make an extra cut on the ground.

[Moose Master]

Great pictures and history all in one fell swoop.  How many twisted ankles when jumping off those spring boards as the tree toppled?

[ASHQUACK]

Most of the timber fellers wore caulk boots that came to about mid shin and most didn't jump from the spring boards. They rode it out at least that's the stories we heard as we grew up. Many men lost their lives in those days felling timber.