Went swimming and lost my rifle.
#7127834
01/08/21 11:35 PM
01/08/21 11:35 PM
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,865 Indiana
Providence Farm
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,865
Indiana
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I was inspecting a bank den and run with my paddle 3-4' off the bank on a nearly vertical stripper pit lake when I nearly flipped. I went back an forth then all the way over. It was about wast deep with steep drop off. I could in no way get up the bank to drain the kayak so figured it looked like I could still paddle it to the other end where my traps were and the bank flat to drain the boat. Then I saw my rifle was gone. I felt around a bit and felt nothing and moved on to the getting out of the water plan.
The boat was 1/4 full of water and riding low all seemed good enough. I headed out to the middle so I could make time and avoid going around all the down trees and logs by the bank with the now unresponsive kayak. A few minutes in I thought the front of the boat looked like it was getting higher in the water. Am I imagining things,,? Then I look behind me and see the back of the boat is 1" under water and the drain holes on top are submerged and she is filling fast.
I head straight to the bank still steep but no longer shear and managed to get the boat out of the water and upside down to drain. I had to tie it to a tree to keep it from sliding back into the lake while draining.
Getting cold at this point and far enough down the lake I can walk down the edge with some effort I go to check my traps while the kayak slowly drains. I had one small beaver, remade the set and went back to the boat. Leaves has plunged the drain holes so I cleared them and waited for it to drain. It finally did and I made it back to the truck loaded everything up, stripped down and headed home.
It was warmer than yesterday the lake was open water and I didn't have to bust through the thin ice. What a morning.
I ordered a 1000lb rated salvage magnant tonight so the end of next week when it arrives I hope I can recover my rifle if I didn't stomp in to deep into the silt. Also it is stainless so not as magnetic as carbon steel.
I thought that kayak was quite stable untill today's event. I loved it because I could carry it with one hand and load it easily. Now to shop for something as handy but more stable especially with some weight like traps ,beaver, and drowing weights. Maybe something good enough to carry a deer. But that is a tall order to fir in a 6' bed pick up.
A lucky day indeed.
Last edited by Providence Farm; 01/08/21 11:41 PM.
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Re: Went swimming and lost my rifle.
[Re: 330-Trapper]
#7127874
01/09/21 12:02 AM
01/09/21 12:02 AM
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,865 Indiana
Providence Farm
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,865
Indiana
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Vinky on here has the boat you're looking for. How would o find a picture or link to his boat. On the bright side I honestly lost my rifle in a boating accident if they ever want to come collecting. I wont even be lying. Alway a siliver lining if you look.;)
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Re: Went swimming and lost my rifle.
[Re: Providence Farm]
#7127923
01/09/21 01:06 AM
01/09/21 01:06 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837 Magna, Utah
GritGuy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Magna, Utah
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Scary adventure for sure, happy to hear you are able to write about it and share it..
On a positive note here for you, most firearms of stainless are not that high of grade for a magnet of that strength to not grab it, if you can get to it, it should snag it pretty well.
Most don't believe stainless is magnetic, however it really is with the right magnet !
Good Luck !!
Sorry if my opinions or replies offend you, they are not meant to !
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Re: Went swimming and lost my rifle.
[Re: traprjohn]
#7127944
01/09/21 01:58 AM
01/09/21 01:58 AM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,500 Kenai AK
KenaiKid
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,500
Kenai AK
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Just put an outrigger attachment. That was my thought. Removable outriggers add a lot a stability in a small package.
Boco couldn't catch a cold. But if he did, it would be Top Lot.
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Re: Went swimming and lost my rifle.
[Re: traprjohn]
#7127947
01/09/21 02:05 AM
01/09/21 02:05 AM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,500 Kenai AK
KenaiKid
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,500
Kenai AK
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Just put an outrigger attachment. That was my thought. Removable outriggers add a lot a stability in a small package.
Boco couldn't catch a cold. But if he did, it would be Top Lot.
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Re: Went swimming and lost my rifle.
[Re: Providence Farm]
#7127965
01/09/21 03:36 AM
01/09/21 03:36 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,913 Idaho Falls, ID
Grandpa Trapper
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,913
Idaho Falls, ID
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Vinky on here has the boat you're looking for. How would o find a picture or link to his boat. On the bright side I honestly lost my rifle in a boating accident if they ever want to come collecting. I wont even be lying. Alway a siliver lining if you look.;) Keep it hidden there, you will never have to worry about it being confiscated.
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Re: Went swimming and lost my rifle.
[Re: Providence Farm]
#7127966
01/09/21 03:51 AM
01/09/21 03:51 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750 williamsburg ks
danny clifton
"Grumpy Old Man"
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"Grumpy Old Man"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
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12 foot semi v with a 5 hp outboard. When you load it in your pickup set the stern up against the cab. Then set the motor and gas tank in the stern. put all your fur in the boat. On the bow you need to put in a bolt with a loop on the end. Tie a piece of good nylon rope on that loop. You want 10-12 feet of rope off each side of a square knot. The rope never comes off. Use it to tie the boat in. Six ft bed and two foot tailgate let down you will be fine. If its feasible just take the motor with you of an evening. Leave the boat chained and padlocked to a tree. You can also stash stuff where ever you can get to in your pick up. Like under bridges. More traps for example when your setting, or a pile of wet coons/beaver when your checking so not to get overloaded again. You can also row one if your determined to do it the armstrong method. this already has a ring on the front. If you look around you can find a used one for 500 or less https://directboats.com/pro12.html
Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
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Re: Went swimming and lost my rifle.
[Re: Providence Farm]
#7127967
01/09/21 03:54 AM
01/09/21 03:54 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750 williamsburg ks
danny clifton
"Grumpy Old Man"
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"Grumpy Old Man"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
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You can set the stern up on the tail gate by yourself. Then pick up the bow and push it into your pickup. You absolutely dont need a trailer for one this size.
Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
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Re: Went swimming and lost my rifle.
[Re: Providence Farm]
#7128018
01/09/21 07:30 AM
01/09/21 07:30 AM
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Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 7,216 W NY
Turtledale
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 7,216
W NY
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God wasn't ready for you yet. Too much work to do in this life. I'm glad you made it out safe. Hypothermia is no laughing matter. Maybe the plan was for you to get a magnet for your new hobby of fishing with one. Like you said, look for the silver lining. Take care
Last edited by Turtledale; 01/09/21 07:31 AM.
NYSTA, NTA, FTA, life member Erie county trappers assn.,life member Catt.county trappers
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Re: Went swimming and lost my rifle.
[Re: Providence Farm]
#7128022
01/09/21 07:39 AM
01/09/21 07:39 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,539 Sandhills Nebraska
Gary Benson
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,539
Sandhills Nebraska
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I've used a garden rake to find bodygrips that beaver had got loose with. When a rake touches the metal you can hear/feel it immediately through the handle. Good luck finding the rifle.
Life ain't supposed to be easy.
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Re: Went swimming and lost my rifle.
[Re: Providence Farm]
#7128049
01/09/21 08:32 AM
01/09/21 08:32 AM
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,497 Southern NJ
maintenanceguy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,497
Southern NJ
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I've always imagined two kayaks side by side like a catamaran boat. Lots of storage area. Very stable. Break it down and it still fits in a pickup truck.
-Ryan
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Re: Went swimming and lost my rifle.
[Re: maintenanceguy]
#7128068
01/09/21 09:22 AM
01/09/21 09:22 AM
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,865 Indiana
Providence Farm
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,865
Indiana
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I've always imagined two kayaks side by side like a catamaran boat. Lots of storage area. Very stable. Break it down and it still fits in a pickup truck.
I do have 3 kayaks and a 17' canoe. We are a family of 5. Its just enough to get us on the water to play in the summer. That 1988 fiberglass canoe is heavy for one man and unlike most canoes is hard to turn it wants to track straight and takes a few hard backwards j strokes to get it to turn. But I think it will work well for our family since my daughter's injury to her shoulder she still had limited movement. So I can paddle her around. If not for that I would happily sell that boat.
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