Lost interest!

[Woodland explorer]

Evening
I grew up doing bushcraft and through my twenties took every chance I got to get out with a pack on my back and do bushcrafty things!
Then kids came along, and I would then do this with the kids.
Now early 40’s and although I live and breath nature and love jumping into my Landrover and exploring my local area Derbyshire, I find it usually involves a Woodland walk with my binos, but rarely do I do bushcraft things.
Still obsessed with wildlife though.
I’d like to bring more hands on bushcraft things back into my life, but can’t seem to get going
Obviously the usual family/ kids commitments don’t help, usually it’s a quick spare hour walk

Anybody find themselves in a similar situation

 

[Laurentius]

I have never done "bushcraft" to begin with, I have camped, I have hiked, I have practised traditional woodland skills, I have made stuff out of leather and so on, but whatever you call it, it is just things I have either found practical or enjoy to do.

 

[Broch]

Yep, I agree with Laurentius - over many years I have learnt skills that make my time in the outdoors more enjoyable and safer, I don't go out to do 'bushcraft'. Like you, I'm obsessed with wildlife and you'll more often find me with binos in my hand than an axe unless I'm actually coppicing or something.

Being at one with nature is what all these wilderness skills are about as far as I'm concerned. Tracking, staying quiet, observing, enjoying the moment - all fundamental skills

Edit - good choice of transport BTW

 

[HillBill]

Evening
I grew up doing bushcraft and through my twenties took every chance I got to get out with a pack on my back and do bushcrafty things!
Then kids came along, and I would then do this with the kids.
Now early 40’s and although I live and breath nature and love jumping into my Landrover and exploring my local area Derbyshire, I find it usually involves a Woodland walk with my binos, but rarely do I do bushcraft things.
Still obsessed with wildlife though.
I’d like to bring more hands on bushcraft things back into my life, but can’t seem to get going
Obviously the usual family/ kids commitments don’t help, usually it’s a quick spare hour walk

Anybody find themselves in a similar situation

I feel this is pretty common, not that people will admit to it being so. When bushcraft was at its height, people did it because it was popular, and it held an interest. When it fell from prime time TV, people reverted to what they did before that. Its not that bushcraft isnt interesting or engaging... Its just that the Fisherman just went back to fishing, because he drives 20 mins, spends the day fishing, and goes home. When Bushcraft was popular, hee did the same thing, but thought, that might be useful... so he learnt... never needed most of it, now he drives 20 mins, catches some fish and goes home. Hes not getting stranded in the wilderness. ITs probably a 10 mins walk to McDonalds or a shop etc. The hiker... figured, well what if i get stuck away from home... Bushcraft might be a life saver, then he gets his phone out to read BCUK... THinks, hang on a sec, if i can whip out my blower to read a forum... i have GPS, Google Maps, Contact to emergency services, who can then read my GPS location... why the f..k to i care about sphagnum moss, or how to carve a spoon? Birch bark.... bullocks, i've got 2 lighters...

I could go on, but i'm sure you understand my point.

Now, Alternative reality (where bushcraft was life or death 200 years ago.).... Man has to travel many miles. Fastest speed is on foot, horse or wagon.... Earliest commination possible to others is face to face contact. Earliest a message can be sent is by foot, horse or wagon.

I've skipped a ton of stuff. But i hope you understand my point. Bushcraft as the way you portray it, died with Modern transport and established digital comms.

Nowt wrong in learning it though... We all have, we're all here. I carry a phone and power banks... not yet had to learn to keep a trained pigeon alive.

 

[demented dale]

Nah never. I do something bushcrafty everyday and I love it. If I could offer you something I would say next time you go on a walk in nature take some fire lighting stuff and the stuff to make a cupa and have a brew half way round. Making a cup of tea outside is one of the most life affirming things in all the world. enjoy x

 

[Falstaff]

A brew on the way is a great option to take in a bit more than the birds, and take in a bit more of how your surroundings are changing as Broch says. Sometimes bushcraft is actually about observation.
You might also possibly forage for something you could work on at home if you ever get a quiet moment. Tree or fungi identification, a little bit of carving a sugar spoon instead of the metal one at home, weave a cordage strap for your binos, (might be paracord or the whole nettle thing). Do you carry a bird/fungi book or camera when you go out - what do you carry it in - bespoke a bag, make a book cover with a belt clip etc etc.
Try getting out of the woods and try some short open routes, Rights of way etc, you might even need a map instead of binos - change is good and can open up a whole new world/interest.

 

[Woodland explorer]

Morning chaps
Thanks for the responses, I appreciate the understanding
Some of you’re responses have really resonated with me and certainly got me thinking
I do realise that bushcraft is generally more of a mindset than a strict activity and although I still do many of the same things that I use to do, I think I’m missing what for for me bushcraft brought to it, the simple thing of instead of going for a walk in the woods there was the excitement of loading up a small bag with a brew kit etc, and with that came that sense of going on a mission to explore, and with that of coarse came the full time hobby of trying to find the perfect kit to carry
Generally I love nothing more than that feeling when you find a quiet woodland and and you know there is nobody else around, unfortunately this seems to get harder!

 

[Furbles]

One of the things that has made it harder, in my humble view, is the loss of quiet woodland areas, and the ability to carry knives and make fire - two core ‘bushcraft’ things. Even foraging is difficult.

That leaves tree and plant ID, bird-watching, and all of the other things that we can do with just the permission afforded to the public in accessible woodlands.

 

[Woodland explorer]

That is true, doing bushcraft in the uk is a constant battle of being made to feel like you’re doing things that you shouldn’t be!

The feeling of being in a woods away from everyone, knowing that know one will appear is very special and I think something that many of us crave, but unfortunately also the reason many quit doing what they love, as they can’t find a a place like this

 

[Woodland explorer]

Although I have a garage full of kit, I think I may kickstart things by getting a new bimble bag, I already have a frost river satchel that I use when out with the dogs, and a Finnish gas mask bag that has my small spinning fishing kit inside,
Can anyone recommend a nice shoulder bag, how are the helikon ones

 

[Falstaff]

How about some real bushcraft, make a bimble bag or adapt something else for the purpose ? True Bushcraft is about the ability to adapt and thrive, without necessarily have all the kit to make life easier.