How did you start?

[Liam1811]

As I am just beginning to get into Bushcraft and take interest in it's amazing nature, I am struggling to find the basis of where to start. At only 16, I cannot travel incredibly far, but how did you gain your knowledge. How will I begin to recognise different species of plant? Tracking? Various other methods of bushcraft? Believe me, I am not saying does anyone have a machine that can throw all this knowledge into me at once, I know I cannot learn it all over night, but how did you get started? Thanks for your help.

Also, if anyone knows any places in Kent, that are particularly good for Bushcraft and possibly combine fishing into the possibilities within the area, then that would tremendous.

Thanks again,

Liam

 

[TeeDee]

Hi Liam1811 ,

Just wanted to say , don't think age is a limiter in this game , check our Jons site here.

http://www.bushcraft.ridgeonnet.com/

Amazing stuff!!
Think he sorted a work experience placement with Ray Mears , maybve worth you doing something similiar??


As for learning al the stuff you mentioned , there is only one way that i know to 'eat an elephant' and that is piece by small piece. Pick a subject your interested in say wild plants, go our and slowly ID a few , use this forum to cross check or ask questions ot make sure your correct and continue building your knowledge.


Hope this helps.

 

[Mikey P]

Good advice, that.

I did a course in Kent not long ago (not bushcraft) but I can honestly say you have no shortage of woodland there!

Start off small with a few small projects, don't rush everything. Get a copy of "Food for Free" and start with some plant ID. Join a county fungus group to learn about mushrooms. Try a bit of easy tracking in a local bit of woodland. Carve a few tent pegs/bowls/spoons in your back yard. Have a go at bow drilling with some old wood offcuts - try different types of wood. Have a go at making nettle cordage - there's no shortage of nettles. Do some foraging in autumn for hazelnuts, blackberries, apples, etc.

Mate, you have a whole life ahead of you - don't rush it all now. Save some for later!

 

[Prodigal Son]

Hi Liam,
I am a scout leader, not a bushcrafter, but do enjoy being outdoors (in fact I am having a day in the woods this Sunday just for a relax, the scouts are invited, but they know I am there for my benefit, not there's!! )

depending on where you are in Kent there are various places you can try. ie: Bedgebury Pinetum have days when they do fungi recognition, I think they do the same at Shorne Park off the A2 near Gravesend.

You could look into your local explorer scouts, they may be an outdoors group, some are, some aren't. Even if they don't do the more bushcrafty stuff you are looking for, it may be a way to meet like-minded young people where you can do this together.

Good luck and like the others have said the best way is to get out there and just do it!!

Prod

 

[masongary44]

Liam,

I have been an 'outdoors' person since my first cub camp 25 years ago. I learned basic camp craft on scout camps and just took it from there. There are some good scout camps down your neck of the woods that allow wild camping with some (but not limiting) restrictions around fire. And the fees are very reasonable....

An over active interest in the military motivated me to do and try more extreme stuff stuff (it helped that I had a friend at uni going through selection for one of the specialised TA units) and a few courses with one of the schools partnered with this site.

For me I started with basics, shelter, water, fire.... apart from that you can carry a lot of what you need when you are young and joint pain free.... as you get older, worn out and a bit wiser, start leaving unnecessary stuff behind and start to learn about wild foods etc. Remember its a journey not a destination just stick with it, the rewards are significant.

 

[drewdunnrespect]

hiya liam i am 21 and have been doing this since i was in cubs and scouts am now a leader. Then about 3 years a go i joined Bushcraft uk after having been watching well Mr boy scout him self Mears and searching for more info on google so i could do it myself. Then i went to last years moot and am going again this year. so started small gradually got bigger now am a regular viewer and poster and go to most local meets if i can get the time off work.

yes i would love to be able to do it all like Mr Raymond Mears but thats the fun in learning. drew

ps remember slowly slowly catch your monkey