I'm not sure if it would count as a skill as such however it is something that a few folks need to learn.
Leave no Trace.
10 skills that should be learned
- Thread starter Tony
- Start date
I'm not sure if it would count as a skill as such however it is something that a few folks need to learn.
Leave no Trace.
I'm sorry, but when you wrote that you don't eat fish I assumed that you were yet another one of the "meat yes, fish no"-folks. Vegan is good, and I must learn how to make cordage for fishing.
It is possible for people to simply not like a food though - ie. the taste of it. My wife doesn't like the taste of most fish, I'm not about to force her to eat it.
How so? From my experience it's the other way around, people won't eat red meat but they will eat fish or chicken. Perhaps it's a cultural thing.
I have friends who won't touch offal, despite having never eaten it, yet my mum was a butchers daughter so we were brought up to eat just about anything. Can't beat a tongue sandwich. Way off topic now though
I like fish, and eat it often. I have caught fish (twice), but would definitely leave fishing off that list, because on the whole I haven't found the need for the skill to be particularly important. First aid skills would be much more important in my opinion, based on Tony's initial list.
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Back to topic: Out in the "bush" one have to eat, and if you want to eat apart from what's in your bag the easiest way is green stuff and fish = fishing is an important skill.
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Tony's original list is a good starting point and is the syllabus of the majority of schools introduction to Bushcraft style courses.
I would question the order and suggest that other skills are important too.
collect and clean water
Firecraft
Shelters
Edge tool use
Foraging
Fishing
Cooking
Knots
Navigation
Swimming
In the UK for example collect and clean water. Is this an essential skill? Most babbling brooks are going to be fairly safe to drink from. We are fortunate not to suffer from the wide range of water borne diseases found in other parts of the world. Plus the majority of bushcrafters are going to be bringing their own water with them. It's not a survival skills list.
Swimming is an essential life skill and everyone should be able to swim but is it a bushcraft skill?
Likewise I am passionate about first aid. I believe everyone should have a good grounding in practical first aid and have the confidence to use it.
Foraging is nice. Leaves taste like leaves. It's a skill that's good to know but I question if its an essential skill. The average adult male living in the woods is going to need 3000 calories be per day. That's a shed load of hawthorn leaves and ground ivy. Hunting and trapping again it rocks some peoples boat but not mine. Great if you have the land and a very good working knowledge of the law.
So I would lose the Swimming and the Foraging from the list.
I would question the order and suggest that other skills are important too.
collect and clean water
Firecraft
Shelters
Edge tool use
Foraging
Fishing
Cooking
Knots
Navigation
Swimming
In the UK for example collect and clean water. Is this an essential skill? Most babbling brooks are going to be fairly safe to drink from. We are fortunate not to suffer from the wide range of water borne diseases found in other parts of the world. Plus the majority of bushcrafters are going to be bringing their own water with them. It's not a survival skills list.
Swimming is an essential life skill and everyone should be able to swim but is it a bushcraft skill?
Likewise I am passionate about first aid. I believe everyone should have a good grounding in practical first aid and have the confidence to use it.
Foraging is nice. Leaves taste like leaves. It's a skill that's good to know but I question if its an essential skill. The average adult male living in the woods is going to need 3000 calories be per day. That's a shed load of hawthorn leaves and ground ivy. Hunting and trapping again it rocks some peoples boat but not mine. Great if you have the land and a very good working knowledge of the law.
So I would lose the Swimming and the Foraging from the list.
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I was going to suggest 'cpr', 'treating burns' and 'how to stop bleeding'. 'First aid' might cover that.
Navigation is on your list but I'm always amazed at the proportion of people who can't 'get from here to there'. I'm not talking about map and compass, really, but more about how to work out where you are in relation to somewhere else.
Navigation is on your list but I'm always amazed at the proportion of people who can't 'get from here to there'. I'm not talking about map and compass, really, but more about how to work out where you are in relation to somewhere else.
Cool, so I presume that you'd include First Aid, so there's only 9, what other skill is important ?
Foraging isn't just about leaves.
Isn't it about collecting things too? There are many berries, nuts, roots of plants, Someone showed me a ground nut in the UK called 'pignut' tasted good too and also a couple of roots from plants I can't remember the name. They were good cooked. My grandmother would sometimes look for mice/voles and then take the nuts or seeds the animal had collected in its nest to eat. There are plant roots in the Uk you can use as poison too and my grandmother would sometimes gather a poison plant here and use it to catch fish. We used to watch for bees and follow them to their nests for the honey. We have a plant calle3d 'labrador tea' which along with a spruce we make tea. Are there no leaves in England which you can forage for and make tea? What did you use to flavour hot drinks before tea came from India? Collecting birch sap in spring is foraging likewise digging spruce roots up for rope and such things. Well, it is to those of us who live from the woods anyways.
I see many people in Uk make 'bushcraft' shelters like our children build when little. This I wonder whether is a skill? Myself and many of our people spent have lived outdoors for many years of our lives. We would never built tiny shelter. To us it is about building a quick shelter that is comfortable, weather proof, and windproof - somewhere can light a stove or fire. I have never seen any first nation hunter up here build a shelter they couldn't stand up in.
Swimming would be fun to learn. But I never learned like many of us. Maybe I'm too lazy or stupid. Perhaps thats why we use canoes. No need to swim.
Navigation is something else which is different from England. Those of us who've lived off the land have no use or need for maps or compass. My father & mother used to hunt across northern ontario to the northwestern territories. Like you know your way around cities and towns without map or compass so do we know where things are in our land. It is easy to tell north from south or the direction you need to go without a compass and the time of the day without a watch - day or night. Europeans seem to want to use compass and map and not trust the senses, sun, star and moon.
Edged tool use. From an early age we let our children use and play with knives and axes. Through play and some guidance from older people they learn from an early age how to use such things. My grandson made his first paddle at around seven or eight and could probably build his own cabin in the woods when he was twelve or thirteen if he didn't have to spend too much time in school. My daughter skinned her first animal, a wolverine, I think when she was about seven or eight although she probably skinned small game earlier without us seeing.
Fire. Most houses now have proper heating but we still use fire when out in the land. I rarely ever camp without fire. Again our children always want to play with fire and light their own for fun, so from as soon as they can light their own fire they quickly learn to watch and copy. No need to teach, but I guess welfare workers here would be upset to see four or five year olds playing with fire!!
Even up here some rivers now have giardia (?) parasites from humans - rivers which are only used by few canoeists in summer.
Everywhere in the UK I saw cows, horses, sheep and people. Do you really drink from rivers without treating it first?
I understand the some of the problems about learning hunting and trapping in England but what is bushcraft for if you don't know how to catch food? I don't think we have a word which would translate as bushcraft but to those of us who travel the land it is about being in, on and part of the land and to be able to live comfortably when out. I think knowing about the land, identifying all the trees, the sounds of the forest and how animals and birds live, nest and hunt, the ability to listen and know the sounds around you and their meaning are an essential 'outdoor or survival skill. If you know and understand the place you are in, it is no longer wild, strange or dangerous. Its just like home really.
I'm sorry I write too much. I finish. Thanks for reading.
Isn't it about collecting things too? There are many berries, nuts, roots of plants, Someone showed me a ground nut in the UK called 'pignut' tasted good too and also a couple of roots from plants I can't remember the name. They were good cooked. My grandmother would sometimes look for mice/voles and then take the nuts or seeds the animal had collected in its nest to eat. There are plant roots in the Uk you can use as poison too and my grandmother would sometimes gather a poison plant here and use it to catch fish. We used to watch for bees and follow them to their nests for the honey. We have a plant calle3d 'labrador tea' which along with a spruce we make tea. Are there no leaves in England which you can forage for and make tea? What did you use to flavour hot drinks before tea came from India? Collecting birch sap in spring is foraging likewise digging spruce roots up for rope and such things. Well, it is to those of us who live from the woods anyways.
I see many people in Uk make 'bushcraft' shelters like our children build when little. This I wonder whether is a skill? Myself and many of our people spent have lived outdoors for many years of our lives. We would never built tiny shelter. To us it is about building a quick shelter that is comfortable, weather proof, and windproof - somewhere can light a stove or fire. I have never seen any first nation hunter up here build a shelter they couldn't stand up in.
Swimming would be fun to learn. But I never learned like many of us. Maybe I'm too lazy or stupid. Perhaps thats why we use canoes. No need to swim.
Navigation is something else which is different from England. Those of us who've lived off the land have no use or need for maps or compass. My father & mother used to hunt across northern ontario to the northwestern territories. Like you know your way around cities and towns without map or compass so do we know where things are in our land. It is easy to tell north from south or the direction you need to go without a compass and the time of the day without a watch - day or night. Europeans seem to want to use compass and map and not trust the senses, sun, star and moon.
Edged tool use. From an early age we let our children use and play with knives and axes. Through play and some guidance from older people they learn from an early age how to use such things. My grandson made his first paddle at around seven or eight and could probably build his own cabin in the woods when he was twelve or thirteen if he didn't have to spend too much time in school. My daughter skinned her first animal, a wolverine, I think when she was about seven or eight although she probably skinned small game earlier without us seeing.
Fire. Most houses now have proper heating but we still use fire when out in the land. I rarely ever camp without fire. Again our children always want to play with fire and light their own for fun, so from as soon as they can light their own fire they quickly learn to watch and copy. No need to teach, but I guess welfare workers here would be upset to see four or five year olds playing with fire!!
Even up here some rivers now have giardia (?) parasites from humans - rivers which are only used by few canoeists in summer.
Everywhere in the UK I saw cows, horses, sheep and people. Do you really drink from rivers without treating it first?
I understand the some of the problems about learning hunting and trapping in England but what is bushcraft for if you don't know how to catch food? I don't think we have a word which would translate as bushcraft but to those of us who travel the land it is about being in, on and part of the land and to be able to live comfortably when out. I think knowing about the land, identifying all the trees, the sounds of the forest and how animals and birds live, nest and hunt, the ability to listen and know the sounds around you and their meaning are an essential 'outdoor or survival skill. If you know and understand the place you are in, it is no longer wild, strange or dangerous. Its just like home really.
I'm sorry I write too much. I finish. Thanks for reading.
Countryside Law should be on the list. I would hope that survival schools teach their students the law as it relates to their activities and the limitations it places on them. Not very sexy, I'll admit, but essential to keep out of trouble?
Earlier, fishermen in Norway (and elsewhere I guess) didn't learn to swim on purpose - if they fell over board they wanted it to be over with as soon as possible...
Back 20 years or so ago I picked up from a small local library in Idaho a report put out by that states' agricultural/health agency (or whatever name it went/goes by).
It made it quite clear that, after their studies, they determined that, iirc, ground water contamination of giardia (beaver fever) was in the 90% range (wish I could recall the exact number). If it ain't coming out of the ground from a spring you're almost sure of becoming an unwilling host.
Now, I'm not familiar with the UK countryside, but I know there are parts of this country (US) that not many white men have seen. I'd guess that almost all of the UK, with it's history of population, might have it's own issues regarding tainted water.
Giardia is a wicked thing. Many who get it don't suffer too badly, but those who do get miserable.
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I think some of the listed skills are simply life-skills as dependent on how one is raised. I can honestly say that I don't recall "learning" most of them as much as just having been around them all my life.
As far as what I think an essential survival skill is that everyone should learn (bushcraft is a choice; learn what you want, sink or swim- operate within your limits) is how to properly clothe yourself when you leave the house. Short pants and T shirt when its snowing is insipid. A few years back, some guy, his wife and their two small children drove from the Los Angeles area to the mountains of Big Bear (just under two hours away). They broke down and he figured he'd use his city skills to dead reckon his way to help. He sets off in shirtsleeves and shorts, in the snow, leaving his family with the car. They were found in perfect health a few hours later. He was found a couplethree days later frozen solid in the woods.
'Course, he made one mistake after another, but his wardrobe made him look like a stupid corpse.
It made it quite clear that, after their studies, they determined that, iirc, ground water contamination of giardia (beaver fever) was in the 90% range (wish I could recall the exact number). If it ain't coming out of the ground from a spring you're almost sure of becoming an unwilling host.
Now, I'm not familiar with the UK countryside, but I know there are parts of this country (US) that not many white men have seen. I'd guess that almost all of the UK, with it's history of population, might have it's own issues regarding tainted water.
Giardia is a wicked thing. Many who get it don't suffer too badly, but those who do get miserable.
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I think some of the listed skills are simply life-skills as dependent on how one is raised. I can honestly say that I don't recall "learning" most of them as much as just having been around them all my life.
As far as what I think an essential survival skill is that everyone should learn (bushcraft is a choice; learn what you want, sink or swim- operate within your limits) is how to properly clothe yourself when you leave the house. Short pants and T shirt when its snowing is insipid. A few years back, some guy, his wife and their two small children drove from the Los Angeles area to the mountains of Big Bear (just under two hours away). They broke down and he figured he'd use his city skills to dead reckon his way to help. He sets off in shirtsleeves and shorts, in the snow, leaving his family with the car. They were found in perfect health a few hours later. He was found a couplethree days later frozen solid in the woods.
'Course, he made one mistake after another, but his wardrobe made him look like a stupid corpse.
I knew saying finding and making water safe would prove controversial. It very much depends on your geographic location and the nature of your water source. I was replying with specifically the UK in mind. Parts of North America and obviously the tropics are definitely a no no. If in doubt purify your water and learn the difference between filtration and purification. They are not the same. As a WEMT I have treated a number of digestive parasites and it is always serious and potentially trip ending.
I stand by that foraging is not a core skill to be comfortable in the woods. The example of digging for pignuts would land you on the wrong side of the countryside and wildlife act. Plus how many would you need for a meal? Fruits and berries are great when in season.
I run a number of foraging and cooking courses. It's nice to know and adding some wild ingredients to a meal is great but to think that you can successfully forage alone in the British countryside is naive.
I have already stated that I do not teach hunting as I don't see it as s core skill or necessary for the recreational bushcrafter. The discussion for and against is political and likely to become heated. In my view the majority here do not have access to suitable land to shoot. Bow hunting is illegal as are all forms of trapping beyond the use of the wire snare that must be set species specifically. Deadfalls and spring loaded traps will get you into trouble. Most of the people I know again do not have access to places to practice these skills effectively. Therefore for the majority subsisting on hunting is a challenge.
Tony I'm really not sure what I would add to your list.
Tracking Nature observation probably. This would include plant and treelore. A good working knowledge of animal behaviour is always useful as it learning to read the landscape. Understand who has passed through. Understanding bear behaviour in Canada may well save your life. Knowledge of how to bear bag and when. Good camp hygiene etc.
We all have are own priorities and will focus on the areas of bushcraft that are relevant to our daily lives and our innate abilities. For example Im never going to learn to make First Nations musical instruments. I have no musical skill.
I stand by that foraging is not a core skill to be comfortable in the woods. The example of digging for pignuts would land you on the wrong side of the countryside and wildlife act. Plus how many would you need for a meal? Fruits and berries are great when in season.
I run a number of foraging and cooking courses. It's nice to know and adding some wild ingredients to a meal is great but to think that you can successfully forage alone in the British countryside is naive.
I have already stated that I do not teach hunting as I don't see it as s core skill or necessary for the recreational bushcrafter. The discussion for and against is political and likely to become heated. In my view the majority here do not have access to suitable land to shoot. Bow hunting is illegal as are all forms of trapping beyond the use of the wire snare that must be set species specifically. Deadfalls and spring loaded traps will get you into trouble. Most of the people I know again do not have access to places to practice these skills effectively. Therefore for the majority subsisting on hunting is a challenge.
Tony I'm really not sure what I would add to your list.
Tracking Nature observation probably. This would include plant and treelore. A good working knowledge of animal behaviour is always useful as it learning to read the landscape. Understand who has passed through. Understanding bear behaviour in Canada may well save your life. Knowledge of how to bear bag and when. Good camp hygiene etc.
We all have are own priorities and will focus on the areas of bushcraft that are relevant to our daily lives and our innate abilities. For example Im never going to learn to make First Nations musical instruments. I have no musical skill.
Cooked fish is wonderful, especially when cooked in batter and served with chips, mushy peas and a couple of pickled onions
^This. Survival and Bushcraft are different skill sets. But there is a lot of overlap. I am fairly new to "bushcrafting" even though I have been camping for a few decades. I am currently trying to improve both survival and woodcrafting skills. If I found myself in an emergency situation, I would rather have a small fishing kit and know how to use it, than having the skill to whittle out a spoon or a kuksa. This is a fantastic hobby that can go as far as you wish to take it. I am not a hunter, but that is a skill that I would like to have. I haven't fished for years, but it is an essential skill (especially living in Florida!). I feel that I need to work on areas where my abilities are the weakest. That way I am gaining some useful skills while I am enjoying a hobby.
All right then. My choices will be skewed towards what's available and/or desirable in my current area of operations. That said, I wouldn't have thought of some of them if they hadn't been brought up; I'd have just taken them for granted (I'll try to put an asterix after those I take for granted) Here they, are in no particular order:
1) Swimming *
2) Canoeing
3) Horseback riding *
4) Four wheeling
5) Knife skills in general *
6) Fishing *
7) Hunting * (despite comments to the contrary, it's part and parcel of "bushcraft." Without hunting and fishing, there's no need to bother with bushcraft, it'd just be boring and I'd rather stay home)
8) Navigation * With or without map and/or compass (as Joe said, you should be able to instinctively know where you are; but you should also be able to navigate far from your known zones or even far away from visible land)
9) Outdoor cooking * This includes firecraft
10) Your local environment * to include dangerous flora and fauna (bears, cougars, snakes, alligators, poison oak, poison sumac, etc)
1) Swimming *
2) Canoeing
3) Horseback riding *
4) Four wheeling
5) Knife skills in general *
6) Fishing *
7) Hunting * (despite comments to the contrary, it's part and parcel of "bushcraft." Without hunting and fishing, there's no need to bother with bushcraft, it'd just be boring and I'd rather stay home)
8) Navigation * With or without map and/or compass (as Joe said, you should be able to instinctively know where you are; but you should also be able to navigate far from your known zones or even far away from visible land)
9) Outdoor cooking * This includes firecraft
10) Your local environment * to include dangerous flora and fauna (bears, cougars, snakes, alligators, poison oak, poison sumac, etc)
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