Good afternoon. I have finally taken the plunge and decided to participate/learn Bushcraft, instead of just watching the excellent Bushcraft videos on Youtube. As you can tell, I am a complete novice, so If anybody could give me any advice on where to pitch my tent or step by step instructions on how to find a landowner, I would be internally grateful. I suffer from mild autism, so am finding the whole where to camp and how to locate a landowner a bit confusing. Kind regards.
I am new to Bushcraft and looking for meaningful guidance
- Thread starter laberdick74
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Having got AS myself, I find careful planning and backup plans helps.
I used to be very shy and lacking in confidence but over ten years here (a place I found quite by accident) Everyone will testify me to being much bolder.
Have you got a garden? Nothing wrong with starting in a garden.
I used to be very shy and lacking in confidence but over ten years here (a place I found quite by accident) Everyone will testify me to being much bolder.
Have you got a garden? Nothing wrong with starting in a garden.
There are quite a lot of campsites around now where you can pitch a tent or hammock and have a fire. It could be a good starting point for you.
There are a lot of great threads going back many years here on the forum about where to start and what to learn and what gear to have. There is probably hours of reading, maybe days!! As you can imagine, it is something of a perennial question. The threads are scattered about a bit, which doesn't help finding them, but a search for threads with the word "start" in the title nets an awful lot.
bushcraftuk.com
It has been said, but is worth repeating, that you can learn a lot of bushcraft skills without needing to camp. Some things do rather need a camp, or permission, such as fires, but others can be practiced anywhere you can walk in the country or woods.
Tracking, plant identification, foraging, knots and rope working (like the flip-flop winch), can all be practiced in places like common land. Cutting live and dead wood can be prohibited by by-laws, but not everywhere, and one can sometimes get lucky with storm downed trees, or people doing pruning/felling and take wood home to practice carving and whittling. If one is going to make a mistake that requires a little first aid, much better to do so at home than deep in the woods. If you have no one to show you how to hold a knife, or cut safely, being at home where you can look at books, or watch and re-watch a video for reference can make it much easier to learn good technique.
We have quite strict rules here about not encouraging people to stealth camp (wild camping where they do not have permission). However, other forums do permit such discussion, particularly those that discuss things like the North Down Way. I am sure that Google will turn some things up.
Search results for query: start
bushcraftuk.com
It has been said, but is worth repeating, that you can learn a lot of bushcraft skills without needing to camp. Some things do rather need a camp, or permission, such as fires, but others can be practiced anywhere you can walk in the country or woods.
Tracking, plant identification, foraging, knots and rope working (like the flip-flop winch), can all be practiced in places like common land. Cutting live and dead wood can be prohibited by by-laws, but not everywhere, and one can sometimes get lucky with storm downed trees, or people doing pruning/felling and take wood home to practice carving and whittling. If one is going to make a mistake that requires a little first aid, much better to do so at home than deep in the woods. If you have no one to show you how to hold a knife, or cut safely, being at home where you can look at books, or watch and re-watch a video for reference can make it much easier to learn good technique.
We have quite strict rules here about not encouraging people to stealth camp (wild camping where they do not have permission). However, other forums do permit such discussion, particularly those that discuss things like the North Down Way. I am sure that Google will turn some things up.
Being in Kent and when things settle down, check out badgells wood campsite, they allow fires.
As tengu says any garden is great for practice, knots, shelters, packing etc. try a few things that interest you and then try them in the rain and dark for a whole new perspective.
Try not to get sucked in by the need for fancy gear and spending loads of money, enjoy yourself and stick around here, it's a great place with lots of knowledge from all sorts of people.
As tengu says any garden is great for practice, knots, shelters, packing etc. try a few things that interest you and then try them in the rain and dark for a whole new perspective.
Try not to get sucked in by the need for fancy gear and spending loads of money, enjoy yourself and stick around here, it's a great place with lots of knowledge from all sorts of people.
For the first steps into the woods nothing special is needed and for the first night in a tent even a usual touristic camping ground is an option in my opinion.
Professionally I travel a lot using camping grounds, mainly in France, and I found a lot of them totally empty in the early season. Often I was alone there!
In this thread we tried to collect videos that show skills and an affordable way to get fitted out. You probably already understood that a lot of Youtube bushcraft videos are just made to sell some equipment.
Different to that it's worth to search at first in attic and shed, if there isn't already the needed stuff.
bushcraftuk.com
Professionally I travel a lot using camping grounds, mainly in France, and I found a lot of them totally empty in the early season. Often I was alone there!
In this thread we tried to collect videos that show skills and an affordable way to get fitted out. You probably already understood that a lot of Youtube bushcraft videos are just made to sell some equipment.
Different to that it's worth to search at first in attic and shed, if there isn't already the needed stuff.
Recommended EDUCATIONAL FILMS about the propper classical way of BUSHCRAFT and SURVIVAL
Please let's collect in this thread educational films and videos about how to do bushcrafty things CORRECTLY. There are so many idiotic videos in the internet, that in my opinion it is really necessary that we point out what is really worth to look at. We should collect films here, which help...
bushcraftuk.com
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What you will find with any hobby is lots and lots of different ways to do the same thing. I don't believe in the "best way" or the "Best tool" etc, there are so many factors and diversity of situations when enjoying the outdoors that ultimately it will be what suits you, works for you and this will come from experience. Being practical, adaptable and flexible (physically and mentally) are good to practice and learn, Keep it simple to start with.
I recently found, what I consider to be, some great enjoyable videos by a girl called Becky. she has a very relaxed approach and a very old head on young shoulders. I don't agree with everything she says but the majority is sound advice and interesting. The people around her are all very experienced in there chosen life style and interests too.
Enjoy
I recently found, what I consider to be, some great enjoyable videos by a girl called Becky. she has a very relaxed approach and a very old head on young shoulders. I don't agree with everything she says but the majority is sound advice and interesting. The people around her are all very experienced in there chosen life style and interests too.
Enjoy
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Hi there, I am not known in the outside world for not being autistic either. I decided one day a few years ago to adopt a small piece of land because the Council were not maintaining it. They are quite happy to leave me to it as I am doing them a favour. I think that is the way a lot of people do it with private landowners too. I would not really be able to advise how to make the first contacts though, as in my case I already had the relationship with the local Councillors.
Bear in mind the OP has Aspergers and if they are like me, may not like to see things on screens.
Recommend a few books perhaps?
Recommend a few books perhaps?
She did a video of what her young life was like at school?What you will find with any hobby is lots and lots of different ways to do the same thing. I don't believe in the "best way" or the "Best tool" etc, there are so many factors and diversity of situations when enjoying the outdoors that ultimately it will be what suits you, works for you and this will come from experience. Being practical, adaptable and flexible (physically and mentally) are good to practice and learn, Keep it simple to start with.
I recently found, what I consider to be, some great enjoyable videos by a girl called Becky. she has a very relaxed approach and a very old head on young shoulders. I don't agree with everything she says but the majority is sound advice and interesting. The people around her are all very experienced in there chosen life style and interests too.
Enjoy
Very open & truthful young lady.
I think a lot of people with life/learning difficulties(large or small)finds solace in nature.
Whereabouts in Kent are you, Laberdick?
I'm also in God's Own Country, and whilst I can't offer to take you camping (I rarely camp out now, to be honest), you would be more than welcome to join me on the odd bimble and we can do some wildlife spotting, plant/tree/fungi ID, firelighting, carving etc, if that would be of use to you. Bushcraft is a broad church and covers a whole host of skills and experiences.
Of course, that will have to wait until lockdown has eased, but the offer is there.
You can have a look in the 'Out & About' section to get an idea of the kinds of things I like to do and if that suits you then let me know and I'd be happy to help you on the right path.
I'm also in God's Own Country, and whilst I can't offer to take you camping (I rarely camp out now, to be honest), you would be more than welcome to join me on the odd bimble and we can do some wildlife spotting, plant/tree/fungi ID, firelighting, carving etc, if that would be of use to you. Bushcraft is a broad church and covers a whole host of skills and experiences.
Of course, that will have to wait until lockdown has eased, but the offer is there.
You can have a look in the 'Out & About' section to get an idea of the kinds of things I like to do and if that suits you then let me know and I'd be happy to help you on the right path.
Yes, I noticed Badgells Wood Campsite a while back. Looks amazing from what I can see online. Definitely will check It out when this pandemic is over. Cheers for the advice anyway.
Yes, I think that is the way to go. I'll contact my local Council and also private land owners and offer to do some conservation work. Cheers for the advice mate.
Thankyou for the advice. There's a lovely campsite near to where I live, so will definately check It out when this pandemic is over. I've stayed at a campsite in Amsterdam three or four times that is really nice. Will try France or maybe the Black Forest in Germany during the Summer if possible. ThanksFor the first steps into the woods nothing special is needed and for the first night in a tent even a usual touristic camping ground is an option in my opinion.
Professionally I travel a lot using camping grounds, mainly in France, and I found a lot of them totally empty in the early season. Often I was alone there!
In this thread we tried to collect videos that show skills and an affordable way to get fitted out. You probably already understood that a lot of Youtube bushcraft videos are just made to sell some equipment.
Different to that it's worth to search at first in attic and shed, if there isn't already the needed stuff.
Recommended EDUCATIONAL FILMS about the propper classical way of BUSHCRAFT and SURVIVAL
Please let's collect in this thread educational films and videos about how to do bushcrafty things CORRECTLY. There are so many idiotic videos in the internet, that in my opinion it is really necessary that we point out what is really worth to look at. We should collect films here, which help...
Sound interesting. I'll have to look that one up. Cheers
Yes, I am only mildly Autistic. Just have problems with interpersonal skills.He has said he watches Youtube videos!
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