I was reading a recent thread and came across a link to a very old thread which I duly went and had a read of as well. I loved it so much I was inspired to copy and paste all of the pertinent information into one long list...
Bushcraft Etiquette
1. Never shine your light into someones camp and never shine your light into someones eyes.
2. When someone wants to enter another's camp, they ask before approaching and when they have been asked to the fire, lanterns and flashlights should be turned off, prior to entering the camp.
3. The person who starts the fire owns the fire.
4. Never burn plastic and other rubbish in the fire, someone might want to cook over it later.
5. Never borrow people tools without permission
6. If you are going to brew up it would be courteous to see if anyone else fancies a drink too.
7. No leaving knives and axes on the grass
8. Consider where you go for the "natural stuff", keep well away from living areas and water sources.
9. If washing cooking gear in a standing water source, like a lake or stream, do not empty the dirty water and old food etc. back into the water.
10. "If you have a fire, add some ash and water to your pan.
Ash + water = alkali + gritty silica
alkali + fat = soap
soap + gritty silica + slight scrub = clean pan.
When you have washed the pan pour the water into the fireplace, this area has already been affected by the alkali.
Rinse with water and again pour it into the fireplace.
On the next rinse you can pour the water away elsewhere but not into the water source.
11. The cook should never have to fetch firewood or water. If you have time to spare offer your services to the cook, washing up, peeling potatoes etc
12. When food is cooking on the fire do not heap on firewood without making the cook aware of what you are doing
13. If its your turn to cook wash your hands and clean your fingernails
14. If you need to clear your throat it should be done away from the general camp
15. Stale clothing and body odour are as difficult to stand in the bush as anywhere else. Your bush skills are poorly developed if you do not know how to return to civilisation as clean as you left it
16. Do not step over food
17. Do not put rubbish into the fire whilst food is cooking or people are eating
18. Do not leave dirty (or clean) dishes under foot. if washing your own dishes is camp custom take care of this chore immediately, generally it is excusable to do away with most eating utensils and even to eat with the fingers, however do not handle someone elses food with your hands
19. pay particular attention to the corners of your eyes and mouth when washing, after eating ensure there is no food on your face
20. Do not ask to borrow someones private knife, axe or saw. If a job needs doing and you do not have the required tool, ask the owner to do it for you.
21. when on the trail if the branches from the person in front are slapping you in the face, its your own fault, dont follow so closely
22. when visitors happen upon your camp, it is the custom to at least offer tea
23. if you are a loud snorer, or prone to considerable flatulence you should have the good manners to set up your own camp an appropriate distance away
24. cleanliness and neatness of persons are desirable quirks
25. good manners dictate that all vulgarity, mishaps, blunders and accidents on the part of others be let off without comment with a philosophical indifference
26. If you have children, try to keep them under some semblance of control.
27. If you do use a flashlight (torch) at a campfire at least aim the beam to the ground out of everybodys eyes, turn it off at the first occasion. Bring along a bag of marshmallows for all to use.
28. Dont untie someones hammock when they're sleeping, no matter how funny it seems.
29. A small torch or a candle lantern is all that is really needed to navigate bad terrain in the dark.
If you have a searchlight or a super bright gas lantern is it really needed to get yourself to the campfire?
I would say though that olive green or black guy lines stretched out across a pathway do need either flags or marker lights if you do not expect someone to demolish your camp in the dark.
30. Dont drive goats into the other team's camp when out on a competition
31. Its better to use the established fire circle and leave it tidy for the next party.
Of course, if you're making a fresh one you should clean it up.
32. In any situation, anyone should feel able to calmly and politely express concern at the unsafe behaviour of others, if you see someone swinging an axe in a way that is going to injure them or a kid taking a canoe out on the water alone and with no PFD you should say somethingDon't make someone uncomfortable about looking out for your safety.
33. If you want to wash yourself or your kit then collect enough water and take it somewhere that others wont have to walk through after youve finished
34. People playing loud music either recorded or live, especially drum'n'bass through a ghetto blaster is a big no no
35. Enjoy the outdoors and respect your surroundings.
36. Have fun!
Kudos goes to Wayland for starting
the thread but if you would like to add any more to this list then please do so!
