Bushcrafting in the US???

[shaun1209]

Hi Everyone,

I'm just curious if there are any of you that do any bushcrafting in the US. I am originally from Florida but I now live in California. I've noticed that there are a few people from Canada on here but I don't see many posts from anyone else.

There are just a few things i'm curious about. Are there any US sites that anyone knows about that are similar to BCUK? There aren't many, if any, sites at all like this one, nor can I really even find any groups that enjoy doing it enough to join up and go out together and learn.

I also notice that majority of all the good gear that you guys talk about is only available to buy from the UK, which is fine with me, just curious if the quality of gear is worth the currency exchange rate for myself or if you guys just buy whats local.

There are 2 things as far as kit goes that i'm very interested in purchasing sometime in the near future...some ventile clothing and a Karrimor Sabre 45 or 75 litre sack....I notice both are much more prominent in the UK...especially the Sabre rucksack. Anyone know of any distributors in my area for either one of these pieces of kit?

If there are any of you that do bushcraft in the states. Do you find that the kit you normally use in the UK works just as well over here or do you have to alter it in any way to accomodate for the changing climate?

I know there is alot of random info in this post but I mainly am just curious what everyones thoughts are about bushcrafting in the states and would love to introduce some of your passion for nature into the maniacs out here...including myself .

I'm fairly new to BCUK and really love the site alot. Thanks for everyones input in the forums. I've learned a ton just from reading what you guys have to say about everything.

 

[Bushcraft4life]

Hi there. One of the moderators on this website Hoodoo is from the USA i think. I am sure he would be a great help the next time he is on. As for the equipment problem,i am sure there are a lot of websites out there that are US based, You just have to look a bit.

Welcome to the site i am sure you will find what your looking for somewhere on here

 

[Ogri the trog]

Welcome Shaun,
its good for us to get a global view of this thing we call Bushcraft. Our kit is primarily whatever comes to hand but there are noteable exceptions Swandri clothing from New Zealand for example - a worldwide brand but it has become popular as it can cope with our climate.
There'll be kit in the US that has similar popularity I'm sure.
Have a look at Paleoplanet.com there are a fair number from your side of the pond and they seen to have as much fun as anyone, except they have better weather

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Mikey P]

Wow! I think that's the first time I've heard an american desperate for stuff from the UK!

To be honest, I think you'll find a lot of the US-made equipment as good as or better than what you get over here. And, frankly, it'll probably be a lot cheaper!

I'm going to post a review soon on some Maxpedition kit that is half the price in the US than it is over here and is really good kit. There is a massive market in the US for outdoor equipment because...well, you have a lot more 'outdoor'. There are far more hunters, people living in the 'bush', soldiers and tactical community and I would argue a much bigger industry.

However, the UK, Europe and Australia/New Zealand/South Africa have cornered a number of very specialist markets so, if you're prepared to pay the shipping and taxes...

I am lucky enough to work on a US military base in Europe and get the best of both worlds - I really like a lot of the Spec-Ops and Maxpedition equipment that you guys get for half the price or less than we'd pay in the UK/Europe.

I think you'll find people on this site who are prepared to offer you great deals and even buy stuff on your behalf, particularly ventile kit. Hopefully, they'll also give you some info on US distributors For example, I know that 'Brigade Quartermasters' do UK Snugpak gear.

Anyway, hope you continue to use this site, whatever other ones you find.

 

[Hoodoo]

I don't think you will find any lack of gear available here in the US. Ventile is no doubt a problem but I have two Ventile coats I bought from Cabelas several years back (unfortunately, no longer available) and Orvis sells some ventile clothing. But I have also bought the material and had a parka and a tarp made from it. Zebra billy cookware can be had on the US ebay. Full tang scandi knives similar to the Woodlore can be purchased from makers like Charlie May, who made the Skifa below:

There are packs, sleeping bags, footwear, canoes, snowshoes, etc. galore here in the US that should satisfy the most demanding bushcrafter. I have a Swandri coat but Filson wool coats are as good or better. Certainly warmer. There's army/navy stores galore in most towns (and lots online) if you want basic gear and save money. There are lots of primitive skills schools in the US. Tons of courses offtered all over the US.

If you need more specific info, give me a holler.

 

[weaver]

Yeah, what Hoodoo said!

 

[Northern Giant UK]

Hi shaun1209,
I did have a look for an American equivalent to BCUK some time ago, Sadly all I could find were "SURVIVALIST" (the caps are for emphasis. . .thats how they would say it lol) sites and forums. It wasn't a good experience!! though there was some information available it had to be picked out from pages full of (full on Rambo style) E&E ops, also some of the chatter seemed slightly to the right wing of Adolf Hitler (IMHO). Oh and they seemed to treat knives and handguns in the same way that middle aged men over here treat sportscars .

Apart from that they were great

there was one interesting thing I heard a lot of there was a website for gear . . . .

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/default.asp

hope that's of use (though you probably already know of it)

Kev

 

[oldsoldier]

If you're interested in a sabre rucksack, PM me. I have a 100L one, brit mil style, and am willing to part with it. I really have no use for it, as I also have a smaller sabre 45L. Let me know.

 

[RobertRogers]

Hi Shaun,

I am in the US - Northern New Hampshire area. Just a few miles from Canada but I guess it still counts as U.S.

 

[RobG]

Hi Shaun

For American sites, I'd give http://www.survival.com/IVB a try. It's a site run by Ron and Karen Hood. It has something for most people, but the main thrust is being able to survive and thrive in your environment. I see quite a bit of overlap on basic skillsets.

Additionally, http://www.knifeforums.com has an outdoors oriented part of the forums. I think it blends a lot of things, from traditional hiking and backpacking, to more primitve things. There is less of the aboriginal context going, but still worth a look.

http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_summary.php is an international site that is a spin-off of knifeforums Outdoor Survival Forum, and doesn't get a tremendous amount of traffic, but it has some nice reviews and write ups.

Not every "survival" site is about being Rambo and I've been happy with these.

Cheers!

 

[william#]

wow your in califonia i will come join your group lol
i think with a little digging you will find a lot of bushcraft activitys in the states

 

[weaver]

I think these guys are in your area.

No forum but you could ask.

http://dirttime.com/

 

[RobG]

The folks at dirttime.com are members of hoods woods forum.

They're hoodlums, I tell ya!

'An that's a compliment.

 

[madrussian]

Welcome Shaun. I see you are from my old home town. I live in South Louisiana now. As far as kit goes, if you want items from the UK you can find a few on ebay. If you want US military surplus there are a couple of websites I can show you and then again theres ebay.

 

[Ex Member - Sidney Bounty]

Not meny of us from the US or Canada post here when their is even a hint of the survival aspect we get bashed even so we are after the same thing enjoying the outdoors the best we can, but anyways if you want take a boo at http://www.survivalbill.com

The info shared here is awesome if only attitudes would change some it would be a perfectly good place to hang out and post....

Hi Everyone,

I'm just curious if there are any of you that do any bushcrafting in the US. I am originally from Florida but I now live in California. I've noticed that there are a few people from Canada on here but I don't see many posts from anyone else.

 

[Big Geordie]

Hi Guys,

I'm Scottish but been here for approx. 1 year and may stay for another. Enjoy Bushcraft at home but not had much chance to get out.

Got girlfriend who will bring kit over from home if you want, although as most people have said there is substantially more gear/ people/hunting suppliers/ and space too in the US, than we have in Europe.

I am able to travel so lets organise a meet up. I am getting a bit sick of sagebrush desert and longing for some decent hammocking.

Tell me about what you do in the great outdoors. Perhaps we have the beginnings of something really special. Then we may prove there is more than just "survival" over here. Have you seen Oz's Bloggs? :notworthy
George

 

[madrussian]

I'd love to have a meet up. Only problem is distance. All of us are a little spread out.

 

[Matt Mallery]

Shuan,

I live in Arizona. There is one site I've found similar to this. Hood's Woods, run by survival instructor Ron Hood. Just do a word search.

As far as American gear, Kifaru makes great packs and accessories, but it ain't cheap. They make all their stuff in Colorado and pay Americans decent wages and give them benefits. Their stuff is excellent quality. I have their scout pack and some accessories.

Filson out of Seattle is another good company for clothes. most, but not all their stuff is made in the USA. I have wool coat from them and it's great.

Alos check out Duluth from Minnesota.

 

[Matt Mallery]

One more thing Shuan, since you live in Cali, check out an instructor named Christopher Nyerges in the L.A. area. He writes for Wilderness Way magazine and is supposed to be really good. Go to www.christophernyerges.com

 

[weaver]

One more thing Shuan, since you live in Cali, check out an instructor named Christopher Nyerges in the L.A. area. He writes for Wilderness Way magazine and is supposed to be really good. Go to www.christophernyerges.com

Christopher Nyerges also runs dirttime.com he is all over the outdoors thing.

I have 68 acres of woods (until it sells) that we can have a meet on. I'm in North Carolina near Mt. Airy if you're interested.