Bushcraft by any other name

[bambodoggy]

I usually go for a "play or bimble in the woods". To me it is much the same as fishing, having an excuse to escape from the house and do nothing or just pottering about without costing anything, or much anyway .
When I get there I may play with a knife and a stick, make a brew, light a fire or have a go at doing what I saw (whoever) do. I like to be able to experiment and try new things, even though they are old skills , and it is more satisfying to do things a different way whether it is making a fire without matches or using free resources to make something useful.
The Name is unimportant but when asked I do use the term bushcraft as non bushcrafti types understand that, I like the term backwoods(man/skills) but it gets confusing to explain, sounds too like backwards!

That's pretty much exactly how I see it too Mate

Maybe it's "Escapecraft" for a lot of us.........but even that just sounds like a James Bond prop!

Bam.

 

[Ed]

Actually... thinking about it... I call it 'Work' ..... then again I'm lucky like that


Ed

 

[ArkAngel]

I'm with most here. Not really that bothered.

To me it's just "going out".

I appreciate the term "Bushcraft" as like most it asociates and identifies with most people with regards to Ray's work. It also saves a lengthy explanation as to what we do. "Oh you're like Ray Mears then?"...."Yes, just as round only nowhere near as good, but i live in hope!"

It steers us away from the "Survivalist" term. Now if that is your particular thing then good on you, we all have our interests and i support anyone who wants to expand their knowledge base and learn new skills, it's just not for me!
The description leads people to belive you are DPM wearing, hole in the ground living, worm omelette eating camo cream wearing nutters carrying 15inch knives. Again a sweeping generalisation and i apoligise for any upset caused, but the few i have met have been just that

Nor for that matter do i ram the term "Bushcraft" down peoples throat either. If i do get talking to people when i am out and they notice my lack of equipment/different equipment to theirs i have been mistaken for a mountain guide, park ranger and so on.
If they ask me "Are you a survival expert/ bushcrafter?" a common reply from me is........
......"No, just out for a walk"

 

[sam_acw]

Woodcraft for me.

 

[Feral]

You people must be really bored.

I just tell swmbo I'm goinng down the back, and she knows whats going on. We live on 3 acres of heavy bush, that backs onto a national park.

 

[Bigman]

I call it 'Bushcraft' because some of my friends and family would not have a clue what I was on about or up to.

They have all seen the TV series with Ray Mears and now understand what it is and appreciate what I enjoy doing. (After asking them to watch a programme)

They all think I am off my rocker!!

 

[Wayland]

Likewise, Bushcraft is just a conveinient term that other people can get a handle on.

It's just what I do when I'm out in the landscape living on location.

 

[useless]

I'm rubbish at this sort of thing. I aspire to "bushcraft", but fear my own practise is more "Privett Hedge Craft"!