Male or Female

[silentpaddler]

Well, over here the term bushcraft is not so well known, we don't seem to have organized meets or the like...my only way to gauge the male/female
ratio would be by the people I see out canoe-tripping in Ontario Parks.... my guess is 50-50,
or maybe even a little more women than men if anything... I'm sure that
Statistics Canada would have an exact figure somewhere if one had the
patience to look....

I do see a fair number of all-female trip parties, especially in Algonquin;
last August, my girlfriend and her 17 yr old daughter went on a 4 day
back-country trip; I was not missed at all except for on the long portages
... (a mule would have been handy to carry the canoe)...

 

[Bravo4]

One place where I encounter about as many men as women is out on the river. A 50/50 mix of river rats is not uncommon.

"In this book there has been no endeavor to set forth a distinct type of woodsmanship for women only, but rather to show the possibilities of an art which can be made common to the sexes."
Kathrene G. Pinkerton, Woodcraft for Women, 1916

My apologies for posting this link twice today, grandma Gatewood made me do it.

 

[Grey Owl]

Here in Canada I have noticed a number of interesting trends in "outdoorspersons". From my role as instructor in a university outdoor leadership program our enrollment varies between 40-60% female depending on the cohorts moving through the 4 years of university.

Under another hat I am an instructor for our Provincial Hunter Education program. Of students looking to complete their certificate (required for purchasing hunting tags) we see only 10-15% female participation.

A few years back we initiated an Outdoors Woman Weekend at the camp operated by our association. This event is tailored to women wanting to become more proficient in various outdoor acitvities including: fishing, flyfishing, flytying, survival, campfire cooking, archery, crossbow, rifle, shotgun, handgun, cleaning fish/game, backing up a trailer, plant ID, wildcrafting, herbal tincture/soap prepartion, and any other idea we can develop. This weekend routinely sells out (120 spaces) with a waiting list clamouring to get involved.

Our greatest struggle is locating female instructors to provide mentorship in all of these areas. Common comments include, "this is the first time someone has actually wanted to teach me," "it is so much less threatening to learn with a bunch of other girls," "it is so great to be encouraged to try, without some man trying to correct me, do it for me, or take care of me," and "when can I come back again?"

The interest is certainly present, it might be up to the 'good old boys' to step aside and provide a friendly encouraging environment. And realize the unintentional bias we have that plays out in our actions, words and encouragement. A case in point would be found in reading through the recent comments in a BCUK thread about Dave Budd's 'retirement' from writing for Bushcraft & Survival Skills magazine. In my memory there was at least one complaint about the "women's" portion of the periodical. Suggesting that it was unnecessary. Perhaps the articles were offbase, but they should be congratulated on making an attempt to include topics of potential interest and concern to females.

Just remember that the greatest challenge in getting anyone to join any group/concept/activity/club, is to be accessible, friendly and meet them at their level of experience, interest and comfort. Just imagine the potential dynamism in outdoor recreation and bushcraft that could evolve if we could include all genders and cultures on an equal level.

 

[Tengu]

I find all female groups rather intimidating.

My friend seems to like them, but then she wears pink.

 

[rik_uk3]

Perhaps the term 'bushcraft' puts some woman off? Images of having to dress in green from head to foot etc?

My good lady wife will go camping in a nice big tent, table, chairs, music but hates woodsmoke, the idea of trapping and a 'dig & dump' loo is out of the question.

 

[silvergirl]

My friend seems to like them, but then she wears pink.

Why would 'anyone' do that?

I like blending into the background

And anywhere with electric hook up doesn't even count as camping, no matter what you sleep on!

 

[Tengu]

Um, well you see, the MOD lets you wear pink underwear...

 

[*Big Beast*]

when we camp at Hodge there no electric hook up, only a stream or take your own water, men do the dig and dump thing or use big rocks, ladies take porta-loo`s and tents. (they do have to empty there own loo`s though lol). no creature comforts, only what you take or can use from nature. a good fire is a must and you soon forget about the smoke smell, we all smell the same after the first night. It would be nice to get more women involved as i`m sure it would encourage others to join in, to many blokes,no leccy, can be intimadating to some women but if it`s a sort of even mix with women learning and joining in with other like minded women/couples it can only add to the fun can it not ?

 

[Snowfire]

I don't think it's the term bushcraft that's off-putting to women more things like the events described here http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52806 that make us keep out of sight.

It might not be typical of what happens but it put me off attending this summer's bushmoot

 

[*Big Beast*]

I don't think it's the term bushcraft that's off-putting to women more things like the events described here http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52806 that make us keep out of sight.

It might not be typical of what happens but it put me off attending this summer's bushmoot

you`re more than welcome to join us few attendees at the Cumbria May Day Camping weekend, although it might be a bit far to travel?

 

[Toddy]

I don't think it's the term bushcraft that's off-putting to women more things like the events described here http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52806 that make us keep out of sight.

It might not be typical of what happens but it put me off attending this summer's bushmoot

More fool you then.
Out of all the Meet up and Moot threads you chose to believe one rather vitriolic one with complaints from people who'd never even been to a meet up.

I have been to virtually every one in Scotland and there has *never* been a problem.
Even Ian's comment about Achray was out of order, the fees were well covered and we all knew it. It was a beautiful weekend.

The Moot is a lot of fun Excellent site, great company and either lots of socialising or lots of space and peace and quiet.

Bushcraft is what you make of it.

Toddy

 

[Snowfire]

you`re more than welcome to join us few attendees at the Cumbria May Day Camping weekend, although it might be a bit far to travel?

Thanks for the invite but I'm off paddling that weekend.

 

[Snowfire]

More fool you then.
Out of all the Meet up and Moot threads you chose to believe one rather vitriolic one with complaints from people who'd never even been to a meet up.

I have been to virtually every one in Scotland and there has *never* been a problem.
Even Ian's comment about Achray was out of order, the fees were well covered and we all knew it. It was a beautiful weekend.

The Moot is a lot of fun Excellent site, great company and either lots of socialising or lots of space and peace and quiet.

Bushcraft is what you make of it.

Toddy

Sorry if I've caused offence. I have read the reports on other gatherings and they do sound like fun, it's a shame Scotland is so far away from me because you folks really know how to write about an event so it makes you want to take part.

I've also read enough threads on here to appreciate that almost all people aren't like that at all. But it only takes one negative experience or comment, even secondhand, for people to feel it's not for them. And that probably applies to men and women new to any group or interest.

 

[Tengu]

Yes. I only caught three children and put their heads on stakes round my Moot camp to deter the others.

(I aim to better that bag this year.)

 

[Toddy]

Why do you find them such a problem ?

We were all children for a while They're just new people

cheers,
Mary

 

[silentpaddler]

I like children.... I just couldn't eat a whole one.

W.C. Fields.

 

[firecrest]

personally I like the fact there is more men in bushcraft. As Im single again,and not getting any younger, Im beginning to see the benefits of somewhere to go with less competition heheh!

 

[Tengu]

Yes, and they are almost always interesting ones...

Unfortunatley, they seem to be in the woods to get away from the Unfair Sex...

 

[locum76]

My wife is a fully time served camper (6 months near Amsterdam, numerous highland locations, and 4 months on a beach in Thailand). She is a lover of the outdoors, a lover in the outdoors o), can cook on a fire, is well acustomed to the shovel reccy but still feels a wee bit intimidated by the meets. I think she was encouraged by photos of the event at ComrieCroft though.

I think some female input into Rays shows would help Bushcraft bridge the gender gap. The way its presented by Ray et al is very male orientated with army gear, SAS chat, big knives etc etc.