What I Learned #1 - Seagulls
So I’ve been reading a few survival guides since the end of my fiasco to learn what I did right and wrong. While I did do a surprising number of things right, the obvious number of things wrong is far more interesting, and amusing. Consider this number one in a long series.
Today’s lesson focuses on the fine art of seagull hunting. If anyone has a good memory, I had previosly discussed my theory on how to catch a seagull with my grandfather, which can be summed up in the following quote, “I figure if I can lure one close enough, I can throw a crab net over it and then wring its neck.” Seemed logical to both of us at the time, and it still does now.
The true way to do it however is wayyyyyyy cooler.
In the “SAS Survival Handbook” the author gives a detailed despcription on how to catch flying sea rats:
Seagulls can be caught by wrapping food around a stone and throwing it in the air. The gull swallows the bait while still on the wing, gulping down the stone with it, and the change in weight causes the bird to crash. Obviously this is a technique for use over land rather than at sea. Be ready to dispatch the bird as soon as it hits the ground.
Now when I had originally thought about taking down a gull, I naturally wanted to try the old Alka Seltzer trick. Sadly, that was debunked as a myth. Turns out the half assed method I concocted isn’t even that ridiculous when compared to the truth. To be honest I’m a bit disappointed.
It’s just too bad I don’t have a 101 fastball, otherwise I would have been eating bird all week: