Bushcraft Etiquette

[Wayland]

Having just had a minor rant in another thread it occurs to me that working around re-enactment campsites there is a certain etiquette which serves to smooth relations between strangers meeting around a camp fire.

As we meet up from time to time as well I wondered what little anoyances you've observed and what could be done to improve matters.

The rant I mentioned was to do with people bringing bright light sources into the campfire area and blinding everybody but themselves. :twak:

This is not meant to be a place to flame other people, but perhaps together we can create some simple guidelines for behaviour at meets which will suit us all.

A sort of Bushcrafters code...

 

[RovingArcher]

I can only share what is considered respectful here. Never shine your light into someones camp and never shine your light into someones eyes. 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.

 

[running bare]

i concur. common courtesy and sense costs nothing but means so much

tom

 

[Viking]

The person who starts the fire, owns the fire

Never burn plastic and other rubbish in the fire, someone might wanna cook over it later.

Never borrow people tools without permission

There are lots of rules like this, most of them are just common sense

 

[ScottC]

Here's one, if you are going to brew up it would be courteous to see if anyone else fancies a drink too.

 

[innocent bystander]

Here's one, if you are going to brew up it would be courteous to see if anyone else fancies a drink too.

Could there be a problem if your brewing up with a small billy and you know you can only get, say, three mug's worth... Would you not feel obliged to ask everyone if they wanted one?...just a thought ??

 

[MagiKelly]

No snoring at group meets

 

[arctic hobo]

No leaving knives and axes on the grass :sad6:
Sorry guys...

 

[spamel]

I agree with the jack brew, totally bad. If you only have a small billy, then say you're brewing up and ask if anyone wants one. If there is a large number of people wanting a brew, ask for a larger billy or borrow a few smaller ones. Or you could share brews!!

If there is a comunal boiling billy with constant hot water so that people can make a brew straight away, then please fill it up after you have used it. Same goes for waterbottles aswell, keep them filled up. Don't put it back empty so that the next person can't fill the billy up.

Keep on top of rubbish disposal and think about sanitation. Consider where you go for the "natural stuff", keep well away from living areas and water sources.

I'll think of some more later! Good thread, look forward to other ideas.

 

[ScottC]

Well I can't see why you would have a small billy if you were in a large group, it would make sense to have one or two large pots. Otherwise it would be a right affair at dinner time!

 

[spamel]

Not necessarily, one pot for rice, another for a nice stew, one more for water, etc. Of course, when I eventually get to a moot I will bring my zebra billy, which at 14cm should be large enough for a few brews!!

 

[Viking]

Again, common sense invite your best mate or the prettiest girl for a brew or just make several brews and for everyone. I can´t see the problem?

 

[Spacemonkey]

Ah, but if they truly wanted a brew, then they would be making one themselves, no?

I must admit to forgetting I have a headtorch on when chatting to people...

 

[innocent bystander]

Well I can't see why you would have a small billy if you were in a large group, it would make sense to have one or two large pots. Otherwise it would be a right affair at dinner time!

Not too difficult too understand. As a vegetarian, it is quite likely, not definate, but likely none the less, that i would be cooking for myself. And turning up with no billy at all is a bit daft.

 

[Wayland]

Just thought of another one.

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.

This was something I observed at least five people doing at a meet some time ago. Needless to say the water was full of food debris for the rest of the weekend.

I posted this recently in reply to an enquiry about washing up.

"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.

All too often I have seen people washing pans directly in streams or lakes only to pour the dirty water back into the clean source.

Always throw the water well back onto the land, this way the ground can filter out the organic materials, reducing contamination of your source water.

For a final rinse use clean drinking water or boil the water in the pan."

 

[jamesoconnor]

No snoring at group meets

i was sleeping in the next hammock to you and all i can say is ' he without sin cast the first stone'!!! lol.
only kidding, youwere as quiet as a mouse
regards
james

 

[Viking]

Just thought of another one.

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.

This was something I observed at least five people doing at a meet some time ago. Needless to say the water was full of food debris for the rest of the weekend.

We always when out as a group mark up a place for taking water and one place for washing up. If you are a leader of a group you aways tell people wich place to use as a toilet so people dont run around everywhere.

Still I think it´s common sense, but I know that not all people see it that way.

 

[arctic hobo]

We always when out as a group mark up a place for taking water and one place for washing up. If you are a leader of a group you aways tell people wich place to use as a toilet so people dont run around everywhere.

Still I think it´s common sense, but I know that not all people see it that way.

I think that's a good one. Occasionally I see where people have not even dug a hole... it's not nice and it's not hygenic (think flies)

 

[Ogri the trog]

I understand about the torch thing and do not profess to know the answer, but perhaps I can throw a few ideas into the melting pot.
Torches are useful for navigation/safety at night and I suppose it would be unreasonable to expect people to go without them, though owners of super-bright light sources should know better than to blind others on a campsite. Similarly, they should be aware that their use can inadvertantly disturb other visitors and so confine their use to what is necessary. Head torches are very useful when working in darkness, and most have the ability to be angled downwards to minimise disturbance.
This said, I often shoot in an area where others are doing the same thing, and a wave of a torch beam from one mountainside to another, informs others as to your whereabouts.
Around the campfire, I have always found natural flame to be sufficient illumination, be it candle or oil lamp. When approaching another encampment, subdued lighting, enough to navigate your way and announce your arrival, should also be enough.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[elma]

Number 1 pet hate on camp sites or just picnic areas are people leaving disposable bbq's lying around, disposable means binning it, not having your grub and buggering off