Bushcraft Research

[Aelfred]

Hi Everyone,

I'm starting this thread to ask for your help in research I'm doing for my final year at uni.

I'm taking a Geography and Environmental Studies degree at the University of Sussex and one of my courses is called English Rural Communities, for it I would like to learn more about the English bushcraft community. Could you take the time to answer some background questions and two longer questions for me?

As this thread is for academic research I must ask if you are happy to take part and to have your responses quoted and published? Also, if I do use your name anywhere in the report it will be your BCUK sign in name. If you are not happy with this do not post on this thread.

As the course is on English Rural Communities that excludes a number of our international members unless you have had some experiences in England, in which case it would be very interesting to compare experiences from other parts of the world.

One of my intentions for the report is to return my findings to BCUK for anybody who is interested.


Background questions:

1) Age?
2) Sex?
3) Occupation?
4) How did you first become involved in bushcraft?
5) What are your main fields of interest in the bushcraft realm? (ie. fire lighting, tracking, tool making, archery, wild food, ecology, generalist etc.)


Research questions:

A) “Bushcraft ties us more closely to nature, at its core is respect for nature and all living things.” - Ray Mears

To what extent do you agree with this statement and why?

B) How has your knowledge of bushcraft changed your experience of, and attitude towards the English countryside?


Please feel free to relate any stories or experiences that you have that will illuminate your answer. PM me if you have any further questions.

Many thanks for your time and help,

Oliver Rathmill

 

[Justin Time]

England = UK? ie Wales, Scotland, N. Ireland and England?
or
England on it's own, by itself, tout seul?

Your comment about "international" confused me a tad :?:

easily done mind...


A Scot in Wales

 

[Aelfred]

England = UK? ie Wales, Scotland, N. Ireland and England?
or
England on it's own, by itself, tout seul?

Your comment about "international" confused me a tad :?:

easily done mind...


A Scot in Wales

Thanks Justin,

England by itself, as it is often perceived to have a different character to the rest of the UK. Anybody with experience in the English countryside is welcome to respond, which I guess extends to pretty much anyone in the UK. I was trying to filter out responses from people who have not had any experience of this landscape, for instance some of our American friends etc. I hope this clears this up.

Ollie

 

[Squidders]

1. 28
2. Male
3. Nerd for a Computer imaging company
4. Rock climbing and spending time outside
5. Generalist - just being outside with nature (and hugging rocks)

I don't agree with rays statement entirely because I had respect for living things before I got into bushcraft and I also have respect for non living things but for such a broad sweeping statement it's not bad.

My knowledge of bushcraft has increased the detail in which I observe the countryside, where once I looked at a beautiful valley, I now will look more closely at that which comprises the valley.

Joe

 

[hootchi]

Here goes,

1) 18
2) Male
3) University
4) I first saw ray mears on the telly but before that I was a keen walker. Then I bought his books, got some knives, tried to do the stuff in his books and then found here.
5) I enjoy tracking, carving and wild food and they seem to be the areas I am progressing(slowly) in but I hope to improve to all areas.

A) I would think that the statement applies to me because bushcraft has done just that. When i used to walk i didn't enjoy it as much as i do now but that might be my overall interest in the country side has increased and encompassed bushcraft, so its not actually bushcraft that has increased my respect? :?:
B) i think i answered this above and im not sure if bushcraft has increased my awareness or as my awareness increased through growing up encompassed bushcraft. I think it might be the latter.

Sorry if im not clear...

hope this helps.

 

[jakunen]

1. 36
2. Male
3. IT admin (but currently 'bewteen jobs')
4. Mum's a hillwalker (or was)
5. Generalist but specialising in plantlore

A) Again don't totally agree, for similar reasons. Found it easier to understand the spiritual nature of things than crass commercialism and just grew up to respect the land.

B) Don't think it has much as the 'outdoors' has always been my playground. I just realise, being older and having read/seen more, that the countryside is more under threat than at anytime in its historty as far as man is concerned. We do in 10 years what nature does in 10,000.

 

[Rob]

Hi

1. 30
2. Male
3. Management Systems Auditor/Consultant
4. Spent more and more time in the woods when I started in Field Archery (on top of all the other outdoor stuff), started asking questions again and went on some Woodlore courses.
5. Generalist - whatever takes my fancy and wins the battle for time and attention.

A) Agree. I dont think that the statement says that you dont have a respect etc before you find bushcraft. Bushcraft does promote it - otherwise you would not worry about the environment you are doing it in.

B) Same place, different view. I would never have spotted Horses Hoof fungus whilst driving through Scotland last week, because I didn't have any use for it before. My view of the countryside is probably still the same, just wish there were more wild and biodiverse places - rather than so many fields.

 

[Ranger Bob]

1. 21
2. Male
3. Seasonal Farm/Garden work and have been known to give martial arts lessons.
4. Was always keen on outdoor pursuits and then saw Ray Mears and went from there!
5. Generalist- although becoming more interested in primitive technology, which is still pretty general!

A) Yup! Bushcraft has given me an understanding of nature which shows how interconneted everything is and although I always have had great respect for nature, that respect is only increased because of this!

B) Countryside is wilderness that man has up!

 

[arctic hobo]

1| 18
2| Male
3| Asst. Mgr. newsagent, writer
4| Inspired by a bloke I met in Norway
5| Spending a life outdoors, hunting, foraging, hiking (can I count that as part of?), the social round-a-fire bits, survival & techniques for survival.

A| I wouldn't say it ties us to nature as such, but I agree with the second part.
B| Not really, I have always had the same sort of view... but then when you say the English countryside you could mean the industrial farm down the road or Dartmoor. In terms of ecology and sustainability bushcraft has not taught me more but it is nice to talk to people who almost all share the same view. Perhaps it's a pre-requisite rather than a learnt attitude.

 

[Chip Dale]

1) 35

2) Male

3) Security

4) First came involved 7 years ago, while serving in the Army had the chance to attend a Royal Navy survival course. From there went onto do Combat Survival Instructors courses at Hereford and teach skills learnt to many others, from that point it all snow balled.

5) Wild food. It amazes me how man can adapt to his environment and digest food sources which many animals will not touch.

A) Totaly agree, he hit the nail on the head (good statement to use). Before i became interested in bushcraft, i would walk through the country, but with closed eyes. Now i walk with open eyes and take notice of all that is around me.

B) My limited knowledge allows me to teach my children and hopefully they will teach theirs. This is the only way our natural environment will survive.

 

[TheViking]

1) 16
2) Male
3) Student
4) Was first into survival, but learned the term 'bushcraft' after signing up on BCUK.
5) Everything, but with weight on stalking, fire, shelter, cutting tools, and a bit of tracking. Also hunting soon and knowing about wildlife.

A) Yes, I agree with that statement. But it's also about having fun in my opinion.

B) [presume i can change english to just the countryside in general, as i live in Denmark] - I used to kill smaller animals (as every kid do and has done) but don't any more. I just leave it in peace nowadays. And of course i think i'm more geared if a survival situation should turn up.

 

[ronsos]

1.43
2.male
3.psychiatric nurse
4.hillwalking/camping on and off for years,fishing and rummaging about in woods as a child which connected me to nature.
5.I have really just started in bushcraft, practicing skills when out for the day,so im probably a generalist.
A)I broadly agree but I have always felt respect/reverence for n
nature.Bushcraft probably gives a sharper focus to these
B)Bushcraft has probably changend my attidude/experince eg its more satisfying to wander about a small wood for a day,than thrash up a munro in the p****** rain,well usally.Due to family ad work commitmants ,bushcrafty stuff is more convient. i can be in my local woods in 30 mins,its a good hour at least to decent mountains.

 

[R-Bowskill]

Age 40
Male
Cleaner / factory worker / woodland management

Grew up with it, dad was agricultural labourer & poacher (by necessity)

Main bushcraft interests: Food, Primitive technology,


Question A)
We are an integral part of nature, it's just that most people in pour society are afraid to admit this fact. In theory you can use bushcraft skills to create any item, The fire piston as the direct precursur to the diesel engine being an example of this. Likewise the pole lathe is one of the basic mechanical tools and mastery of fire has ultimately led to spaceflight. I don't make the distinction between our species and 'nature' so would have to disagree with the statement as it stands, if the phrase was 'the rest of nature' I would agree with it alot.

Question B)
I tend to 'read' the countryside as a series of resources that I can use if I want to. Asking myself what I can use the things I see there for? Is that plant food, medicine, fibers for cordage, fuel or tinder for a fire? Is the ground likely to produce flints for toolmaking, clay for pottery and so on. Do those conditions, clouds, tempriture and wind speed / direction indicate dry or wet weather? etc.

 

[jdlenton]

1) 31

2) M
3) Network Manager
4) Scouts as a teenager but we didn’t call it bushcraft

5) Generalist with interests in primitive living, tool making and natural materials for human use (I guess that’s the best way to put it).



A) I agree with the first part of the statement, it doesn’t describe the hole of bushcaft by any means but it is one of the virtues of bushcraft. For those who come to bushcraft with little or no outdoor/nature experience this realisation can be quite profound sometimes even life changing. The second part of the statement on the other hand I think should read at its core is respect for the natural environment and all thing in it.



B) I look at all levels of my environment not only my main interest areas of birds and mammals but plants, insect, fungi, etc and see how they interlink and if I can use what ever I find without detriment to its population or environment.

I now see more than ever before the pressure that we put on our environment every tiny little square of our small island someone wants for something.

There are fewer and fewer guardians of our natural ecosystems in England who’s agenda is solely that.

There aren’t enough trees being planted in England to keep up with the loss off our mature trees so I found a way to go out and plant as many as I can.

 

[Kim]

1) 31
2) Female
3) A 'Fundemental Bushcraft' course run by Woodlore.
4) The main areas of interest that have developed for me as a result of my experiences at Woodlore are a growing interest in Paganism, the Craft and other 'nature based' belief systems. Although I would like to further my practical skills in the field of bushcraft, gaining a deeper spiritual understanding of myself, the world I live in and the connections between us both is my main concern.

 

[Andy]

Background questions:

1) 19
2) male
3) student (Bsc computer science)
4) making shelters from when I was very young (maybe 6)
5) camping with less gear and making lots of fires


Research questions:

A) “Bushcraft ties us more closely to nature, at its core is respect for nature and all living things.” - Ray Mears

very stongly agree, If your using nature to help you live you have to get closer to it. To do this without damaging it means you need a greater respect for nature

B) How has your knowledge of bushcraft changed your experience of, and attitude towards the English countryside?

I've realised that the english country side is't natural I guess

 

[Kim]

Sorry, didn't answer the last two questions!

I think bushcraft does tie us closer to nature, simply by default, how can you have bushcraft without it? As for increasing our respect for nature, that depends on the individual. You can have a person who respects it simply because his or her survival depends upon it, but that same person when living in an environment where he doesn't necessarily need to employ it directly, will have no respect for it at all. People don't always respect what they need, if that makes any sense!

Bushcraft has certainly changed my view of the English countryside. It has more of a personality for me now. I view it as an integral part of my life, my survival and my enjoyment of life to a far greater degree than before.

 

[Aelfred]

Bump...

Many thanks to those of you have replied already. I'd appreciate some more responses; especially from women, only one so far.

Cheers

 

[Dan]

Hi Ollie,

Hope you're doing well, its been a while since we met you at Dave's Hunter's course.

1) 29, but I'm rapidly approaching the wrong demographic in my eyes!
2) Male
3) Customer Advisor of a Pharmaceutical company (boo I hear you say )
4) I grew up in the country side and my dad was a game keeper, but once I was young hobbledehoy I had a hankering for the bright lights and kinda put it behind me. As I got older the bright lights began to loose their glamour and the open spaces began to intrigue me more. I guess I'd just taken my upbringing for granted and now get out and attend courses in an effort to catch up.
5) I think I have a general interest in all aspects - there's always something to learn and its fun. However campcraft, foraging and tracking are my main interests.

A) “Bushcraft ties us more closely to nature, at its core is respect for nature and all living things.” - Ray Mears

To what extent do you agree with this statement and why?

I do agree with this statement, the more you learn about this massive subject the more you respect the intricacies of the environment, especially as we try to blend in and become a part of it - if only for a relatively short while. The lessons we learn and the observations we make on each trip (be it a night, weekend, week, month etc) are carried with us into our everyday lives and does effect our perceptions. Without respect we don't learn anything useful about nature or ourselves. I suppose its the same as any subject, if you don't engage it on its own terms and enjoy it ultimately it will be pointless.

B) How has your knowledge of bushcraft changed your experience of, and attitude towards the English countryside?

I suppose Its analogous to an artist and a non-artist looking at a painting or other work of art. The non-artist may truly be affected by the painting, find it beautiful and appealing respect the skill used in producing it. An artist will not only see the picture (or whatever the medium is) but also will in some ways will identify the skills used in producing that work and may even attempt to copy and adopt those techniques - obviously dependant on their relative skill. (obvoiusly I'm answering this as an atheist - but thats another story)
In bushcraft you not only see the beauty, but also the oppotunites and the potential to expand your own knowledge. Obviously only a mad man would want to play a part in something that leads to the damage or destruction of that which imparts knowledge and fun!

I've just read over this and I want to point out that in no way do I feel superior over people who don't engage with this subject. This is just the way I see it

Hope this helps Ollie, good luck in your final year and drop a line if you're in our area!

Take it easy

Dan