Has the bubble burst?

[jimbo75]

Just pondering the current state of UK Bushcraft. Would anyone else agree that the hype seems to be dying off a bit nowadays?
Personally, I don't think its a bad thing. It might deter some of the more stupid people in society becoming interested in Bushcraft and giving us a bad name.

Incidentally, I noticed Natural Bushcraft Forum seems to have no posts this year even.. Did the guy wind it down?

 

[BJJJ]

I agree Bushcraft does seem to be more low profile, and as you say there were a few over enthusiastic devotees that attracted some adverse publicity. I am all for the stealthy pursuit of the art.

 

[Toddy]

I think a lot of the folks who have been around for a while are quietly contentedly just getting on with it

 

[Woody girl]

Although I do go to the wilderness gathering most years. I'm rather unimpressed with the monatarisation of bushcraft. It has become big money business. For me it's an activity that is cheap not costing hundreds of pounds to learn basic skills. As for corporate bushcraft days and stag and hen parties. .... don't get me started!
I suppose we all need to earn a living and what better way than doing something you love. I'm a bit torn on this.

 

[John Fenna]

I am a Bushcrafter who earns a bit of his income from instructing ... last year my revenue was lower than the year before...
I put it down to the weather with folk going to the sea and sand instead of the shelter of the woods!

 

[snappingturtle]

I'm glad the hype has blown over, you end up with a good core of people and this Island is small so less becomes more.

 

[Woody girl]

I am a Bushcrafter who earns a bit of his income from instructing ... last year my revenue was lower than the year before...
I put it down to the weather with folk going to the sea and sand instead of the shelter of the woods!

I'm not against it. It's just that some courses are well overpriced in comparison to what they teach. It's not tarring everyone with the same brush don't get me wrong. But I have been on one course to further my knowledge and found that they were spending most of the time showing complete novices how to do things and covering basic stuff. I left somewhat dissopointed as I learned absolutely nothing and was left to my own devices as "I knew what I was doing"

 

[saxonaxe]

" I left somewhat dissopointed as I learned absolutely nothing and was left to my own devices as "I knew what I was doing"

Well there you are then...You are now ready to progress to Bush Crafter Level 2.

Knock up a quick 'Bush Craft' 3 course meal. Prawn cocktail starter followed by Beef Wellington and chocolate Mousse cooked in your obligatory cast iron Dutch Oven. Video yourself and be sure to call people on your Internet 'phone so that they know you are all alone and surviving in the err wilderness..

You'll love Bush Crafter level 3...honest......

 

[Woody girl]

I know.. I'm just sooo perfect!

 

[Woody girl]

Do i have to catch the prawns and beef or can I hunt them down in the wild west of the supermarket ? Will that stop me from attaining bushcraft level 3?
A Dutch oven full of choccy mouse! Now you know how to get to this old girls heart!

 

[Tengu]

Didnt we have this conversation last year, or was it the year before?

 

[redneck]

The bubble burst many years ago and I hope it never gets reinflated. You can then be sure that those people you see on here or those you see out practising are the dedicated core and the ones that really have it in their DNA.

 

[Tengu]

Thats good; I refuse to do something pop.

 

[Big Si]

There is still a lot of bushcraft stuff going on in these Isles. The thing is it's gone more underground and local, more face book group than Big forums.

Si

 

[MrEd]

I think a lot of the folks who have been around for a while are quietly contentedly just getting on with it

And have been for years. I see the same names on here active now from when I joined 8/9 years ago

 

[Fadcode]

Relax, it's a bit like football it's seasonal, it doesn't make a lot of sense to go out if the weather is bad, after all Bushcraft is about survival not putting yourself in danger. Plan, plan for the good weather it's not far off now.

 

[jimbo75]

I'm not against it. It's just that some courses are well overpriced in comparison to what they teach. It's not tarring everyone with the same brush don't get me wrong. But I have been on one course to further my knowledge and found that they were spending most of the time showing complete novices how to do things and covering basic stuff. I left somewhat dissopointed as I learned absolutely nothing and was left to my own devices as "I knew what I was doing"

I was going to post a thread about how pointless corporate bushcraft weekends must seem to the majority of us on BCUK. To be honest, I have never been on a course. I would probably only consider a mushroom gathering/I.d. Course myself.
My interest in bushcraft has 'spilled over' from an interest in historical militaria and a love of the outdoors.

 

[jimbo75]

Didnt we have this conversation last year, or was it the year before?

I'm not sure? I had some time off the forum myself!

 

[Klenchblaize]

Dare I suggest there are only so many times you can go to the woods and rig a tarp, make fire, cook something, wittle some wood and gaze vacantly into the distance before questioning why the hell you're there and without a rifle to go hunting!

K

 

[santaman2000]

Dare I suggest there are only so many times you can go to the woods and rig a tarp, make fire, cook something, wittle some wood and gaze vacantly into the distance before questioning why the hell you're there and without a rifle to go hunting!

K

Ummm. Hunting and fishing are part of bushcraft.