First post, Hi, and some advice from the pros please ;)

[turna]

Hi chaps, I'm brand spanking new to all this, and would appreciate some input.

Me and a friend are starting to get seduced by the outdoors. I have always been a keen hunter (Air and Shotgun), and now we have decided to venture (slowly) into the world of bushcraft.

We're total beginners, all I have is my fieldcraft skills aquired whilst hunting and a good level of common sense.

We have a place that we can camp with an open fire that's not too far from home and is right next to the river trent, it's a really beautiful spot and nicely tucked away from civilisation, with the main area being a wooded copse by the river bank.

We're going prepared and living in what you guys would called 'relative luxury', taking easy cook foods and a good supply of water. We will have lighters, knives, a saw, folding spade etc etc, so basic eating and living should be plain sailing.

But...... Whilst there, we'd really like to try a few bushcraft techniques out in preparation for when we eventually go the whole hog, things like making fire, carving, and anything else that's ok for a pair of beginners.

So, my question is, what techniques would you recommend trying out?

Remember I'm a complete beginner, so would need info or a link for how to perform each technique. The only thing I know I want to work on so far is firecraft. I know the basic principle and think I would like to try the 'bow drill' method, but general advice would be appreciated.

We're really excited about venturing into this, and I'm fairly sure after reading this forum that we have all the kit we'll need, it's just ideas for bushcraft we're lacking.

Also, are there any easy recipes? Like nettle soup or something?

Forgive me if I've waffled on too much, I'm just really eager to know more.

Thanks guys, great forum

 

[sxmolloy]

why not practice making feather sticks to help light a fire? very basic but something handy to know how to do. also how about taking a book on plants and/or trees and try to identify what trees and plants are around you and what uses they may have. a spot of fishing perhaps? also take a small sharpening stone with you, its always handy to be able to sharpen your knife well in the field if the need arises. also how about splitting dead wood with your knife and a baton?

i like you am a beginer but these are some of the things i have tried or will try when i get the time.

best of luck....stu

 

[turna]

why not practice making feather sticks to help light a fire? very basic but something handy to know how to do. also how about taking a book on plants and/or trees and try to identify what trees and plants are around you and what uses they may have. a spot of fishing perhaps? also take a small sharpening stone with you, its always handy to be able to sharpen your knife well in the field if the need arises. also how about splitting dead wood with your knife and a baton?

i like you am a beginer but these are some of the things i have tried or will try when i get the time.

best of luck....stu

Hi Stu, thanks for your reply

Godo idea about the plant and tree recognition, that's definately something I need to learn asap, I have basic knowledge but need to brush up on that.

What's a feather stick? (excuse my ignorance)

 

[Mantic]

Shelter construction is always good - it can give you a real sense of achievement since it's such a large (but easy) task. Welcome to the group - you'll find that they're a decent and very helpful bunch here (I'm new to the site too).

 

[Buckshot]

Firstly welcome to the forum.
Bow drill is something everyone wants to learn and pretty much is the symbol of bushcraft.
Truth is there are loads of easier ways to make a fire if you have one or two things with you...
Feathersticks work well as mentioned.
Try gathering some birch bark and using a match, lighter or if you're really going for it a fire steel. All produce fire easier than rubbing sticks together.

Go for it and have fun, you'll find something you want to learn more about...

Cheers

Mark

 

[sxmolloy]

this link

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/rachel_aitch/char/feather.html

shows a featherstick but i dont think its that good, the shavings are too thick i think but this will give you the basic idea

once you have practiced a little yours should be much better, just remember the sharper your knife the better, and i think the thinner the shavings the easier they are to ignite.

i found the above link quickly but im sure there are better ones on this website, or maybe some-one could do a quick tutorial?

all the best...stu

also try and watch the RM bushcraft DVD's. they have extras on how to do things like sharpen your knife and a quick one on a feather stick if i remember rightly.

 

[turna]

Yeah, we'll be taking matches/lighters for definate, but will certainly have a crack at trying to bow drill or similar as it's something I've only ever tried in my youth (not that I'm an old man now ha ha).

To be honest, I've always admired bushcraft and me and my mate just ended up sat down the river after a long walk the other day and decided 'sod it, we'll have a go', now we're really really looking forward to our first basic mission. In fact we're meeting up shortly to get some more items in our list

Can't wait, and this forum is a real godsend, some really excellent info on here, got linked to it from my usual hangout (airgunbbs)

 

[turna]

this link

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/rachel_aitch/char/feather.html

shows a featherstick but i dont think its that good, the shavings are too thick i think but this will give you the basic idea

once you have practiced a little yours should be much better, just remember the sharper your knife the better, and i think the thinner the shavings the easier they are to ignite.

i found the above link quickly but im sure there are better ones on this website, or maybe some-one could do a quick tutorial?

all the best...stu

also try and watch the RM bushcraft DVD's. they have extras on how to do things like sharpen your knife and a quick one on a feather stick if i remember rightly.

Ah, I see, brilliant, will have a go at that, thanks buddy

 

[Marts]

You may find bowdrill very frustrating if you go it alone. One easier way to learn would be to go along to one of the meetups. There's often someone at them willing to take people through it, and its alot easier with someone talking you through it.

How about:

Carving a spoon. That's one people often start out with - you learn about carving strokes, how wood reacts under a blade, first aid (usually ) and best of all you get something to eat your beans with at the end. Feathersticks are another skill that actually teaches you several skills in one.
How about setting yourself a challenge. One from Woodlore's fundamental course is to make a one-match fire. Give yourself one match and that's it. If you're going with a mate you can see who gets the fire going first - the other one has to cook the dinner. As a hint try very thin dry twigs and birch bark if you can get it.
You could always try ponassing a fish if you catch one - or take a couple of trouts with you and practice cooking them over an open fire.

If you're not sure about any of the terms i've used type them in the search bar up top and you'll probably find descriptions and advice for them all.

Have a good'un

 

[spamel]

I would pop down to your local library and have a look for a bushcraft book or two by Mears or Kochanski. These two are bang up to date with their skills and techniques, and will stand you in good stead for learning the basics of bushcraft.

Mears' book, entitled Outdoor Survival Handbook complete with cheesy photo on the front cover, tackles various bushcraft skills according to the season. Start at any time of year and practice the skills for that season and as you progress through the year, you will pick up more skills. Fire lighting and cooking are for all seasons, so you can try these at any time, but it's best to learn when the weather is nice first!

Please remember though that you need to get landowners permission to light a fire and to conduct any sort of bushcrafting, and (it will only be a matter of time) to breathe the air!!

Lastly, enjoy yourself! You've decided on a hobby that brings big rewards for me and many others; I enjoy watching the deer jump out of a wood 10 feet in front of me, amazing both me and my daughter, or watching wood eagles flying through the woods so close you could almost touch their feathers. Often I see wild boar in vast numbers running through the forests here, and tonight I am going with my daughter to watch a field from a hunters chair, to see what comes out at dusk, with just my trangia kit, a kettle and a brew kit!

 

[hammy]

A few tinder's gathered on my very first bushcraft course.
Hope this helps if you have these in your woods..
From top
small bundle of birch bark (takes a spark no problem)
juniper (the best ever for fire by friction)
straw (fire by friction, more puff needed than juniper)
sycamore fire sticks (one match fire lighting good in the wet)
forgot what the bottom bark was but it burnt like tar once away.
Have fun

 

[JonathanD]

There is so much to do out there, you will never be bored. Buy a good book like Kochanski's Bushcraft, take it out with you into the woods, and just choose a chapter.

But most of us are so busy doing this, we miss the good stuff. Take a seat, settle down, and watch the natural world go about it's business. Good luck to you.

 

[turna]

Some really excellent replies there fellas, thanks a million, you've totally helped me out here.

I look forward to reading some more tips.

A truly great forum and an amazing place to learn

 

[Kirruth]

Welcome to the forum

You might enjoy trying to light that fire with a firesteel, rather than matches or a lighter. Firesteels are very reliable ways of making sparks in the wet.

Putting up a tarp (a la Ray) could also be fun, and is a good way of creating a quick shelter.