Bushcraft calendar?

[n00b]

Anyone know of a fairly comprehensive bushcraft calendar listing skills by season?

 

[Erbswurst]

The skills do not depend on the season.
Foraging calendars might exist though.

 

[Tony]

No, but it's an interesting idea. There might not be a lot of stuff that's dictated by the season, other than foraging and the like, but there's definitely a season that things are easier to practice, just friction fire-lighting without being rained on is nice Resources for cordage and other stuff...

How do you picture the bushcraft calendar looking/working n00b?

 

[FerlasDave]

I like that idea!

@Tony Has there ever been a BCUK calendar for members to purchase?

 

[n00b]

How do you picture the bushcraft calendar looking/working n00b?

Well although I was told in my first thread the other day that hazel is never really out of season, there is nevertheless an optimal season for that and most resources. I'd like to see that clearly shown on a calendar - like the full range of months of availability, and the ideal range. For nettle cordage, for example, the range is long - say, spring to late autumn or even year-round, but the ideal time is the end of summer when the stalks are at their longest and strongest. For other things, the total range might be much shorter. Like when certain fluffy tinders are available. As you say, there's an optimal time for practicing certain skills too - like friction fire when dry, say late spring-early autumn but optimally summer.

Naturally you learn this knowledge over time but the idea of a calendar is to pack in as much as possible. I sometimes find skills out of season and have to wait to practice them.

 

[n00b]

I suppose a wiki approach for users of this forum to add to would ensure it's as comprehensive as it can be.

 

[Limaed]

Ray Mears’ - Outdoor Survival Handbook is broken down into seasonal activities. It’s a good read and I think it fits in with the question you are asking.

 

[Man of Tanith]

Ray Mears’ - Outdoor Survival Handbook is broken down into seasonal activities. It’s a good read and I think it fits in with the question you are asking.

Was just scrolling down to type pretty much exactly this

 

[Pattree]

Having been unsuccessful

Does RM’s book include things like best time for nettles and honeysuckle etc for cordage? Even plants available cordage all year round?

I like the idea of a BcUK handbook.
If it were a ring binder type then updates could be added, an annual activity calendar and I could add my own pages and notes.

[picture shimmers as I remember my battered old filofax]

Now I’m obviously dreaming but:

Seriously it could be useful as a virtual reference on this site and pages available for download - maybe pdf. Maybe associated with membership level including basic safety and bc etiquette for guest level.

I used to get legal updates in exactly this way (but through the post by humongous subscription.)

 

[n00b]

Ray Mears’ - Outdoor Survival Handbook

So it does https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=2zPZDwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Good place to start probably but doesn't look massively comprehensive

 

[n00b]

Thanks for the suggestion though - I'll see if I can find it free somewhere

 

[Fefeuk]

Hello all, I came across this thread whilst trying to find out if cutting wood for friction fire was better at certain times of year.

Like wood cut in autumn will be easier to bend than in spring? Not that I’m concerned about it being bendy, just wondering if the (is it sap?) that is in the sticks in spring will make it easier or harder for friction fire. I’m trying the drill method, no bow. And cutting a few sticks off trees to dry and straighten…

Thanks all!

 

[Mesquite]

It won't really matter what the season is for the drill as ideally you'll be looking for dead standing wood to make it from.

If you do harvest green wood for the hand drill it won't take that long to dry out once you've stripped the bark as the drill will only be about 12-15mm diameter max.