An important component of this system is the lead rope. We use a 12’ lead with a modified scissor snap with 2 safety O-rings (see photo) that is never removed from the halter throughout the trip. The snap can be opened with both hands in an emergency but will not rub open. The 12’ lead is long enough to quick tie to fairly large trees and also when attached to the net bag gives a good feeding radius.
The net bag is very similar to a basketball net, just larger and tougher. The material is tarred marine webbing with an 84 thread count and a 3 ¼” mesh. This is available from Seattle Marine among other places. The draw strap is made from 1” x .120 nylon webbing 36” long with a 2” loop stitched on one end and a 1” loop stitched on the other end. The stitching is 84 or 96 thread tarred solid braid twine.
To construct: cut a piece of net 12 mesh wide and 10 mesh deep tie the stitching twine to one end of the mesh using the splice knot and stitch the web into a cylinder 12 mesh in circumference and 8 mesh deep (see photo).
To close the bottom end of the cylinder weave a double piece of your tarred twine in and out the mesh all the way around the circumference and tie the twine to itself leaving about a 4” diameter hole at the bottom of the cylinder. After you fill the bag full of rocks the top end of the cylinder is pursed closed using the 1” draw strap. The small loop end is passed through the large loop end and drawn tight and the lead is attached to the small loop using the “wrap the strap” knot. This is the best knot we have found for this purpose it won’t shimmy loose as it is dragged around on the ground and it won’t bind. Most knots will work themselves loose.
net bag
bag filled with rocks
Purse the top end of the net bag closed by threading the small loop end of the strap through the large loop and draw tight, then attatch the lead to the small loop using the "wrap the strap" knot
wrap the strap loose
wrap the strap tightened
Wrap a big tree by passing the lead through the bottom of the bag and bind the lead to the strap with a quick release knot. CAUTION never use the "wrap the strap" knot at any time the bag cannot easily be moved!!
Wrap a small tree by passing the strap through the bottom of the bag and bind the lead to the strap with a quick release knot. CAUTION never use the "wrap the strap" knot at any time the bag cannot be easily moved!!
Go through the small loop end of the strap and tie a standard quick realease.
Go through the small loop end of the strap and tie a slip knot. Be sure the slip releases by pulling on the tag end of the lead.
Nylon strap with a 2" loop on one end and a 1' loop on the other. Check to be sure your lead fits through the smaller loop.
5/8" sissor snap with the trigger shortened and with 2 safety o-rings installed
stitching the two sides together
stitching knot
use to permanently splice two lines together