POLL: Should bushcraft get professional?

[teflon]

I'm new here, but this is close to my heart. I don't need a licence to walk anywhere and I defy anyone who tries to stop me.

And if it did become 'organized' - surely, that defeats the very nature of what brought people here in the first place - personal independence. I'll say no more.

 

[tjwuk]

I voted yes.

I think not just a certificate, but also a licence disc you have to wear bit like a road tax, compulsary insurance and also a form yearly of MOT, both of the person holding the licence and their equipment. I don't think it's right that folks can just go out by themselves without having their equipment approved first by a civil servant. I'd also favour having to fill in forms before, during and after we are out so that the government has a record.

But where on your forehead would you get it stamped once the ID card is there? I guess one on each cheek. Its up to the individual which cheeks!

 

[demographic]

Yet another way for the government to make cash out of our hobbies?

I'd rather be stabbed in the eye with a thistle. NO

 

[Chinkapin]

For God's sake, don't even think about such an idea, because if your politicians ever get wind of it they will jump on it like a dog on a biscuit. They will not only require you to have a license but will no doubt categorize and tax every item in your kit (well the ones that they let you keep anyway).

 

[armie]

Only thing I have to add is that I have my own set of standards, and they're good enough for me. I neither want nor need to be judged by someone else's.

But you will be judged, by the landowner, with or without a certificate. Be defiant all you will, but he's got a right to.
People will do 'bad' bushcraft - littering, building huge white man's fires, drinking alcohol while using cutting tools, etc. A certificate won't help.

 

[jojo]

But where on your forehead would you get it stamped once the ID card is there? I guess one on each cheek. Its up to the individual which cheeks!

Hey, I don't know what you lot are complaining about: you get real freedom of choice here: left or right cheek....... you can't even do that with your car tax.....

There is so little left that's not regulated close to death in this country. Let's not even think about this. I vote no.

 

[Cyclingrelf]

No, reasons as above.

I voted yes.

I think not just a certificate, but also a licence disc you have to wear bit like a road tax, compulsary insurance and also a form yearly of MOT, both of the person holding the licence and their equipment. I don't think it's right that folks can just go out by themselves without having their equipment approved first by a civil servant. I'd also favour having to fill in forms before, during and after we are out so that the government has a record.

You forgot the location devices so they know where to find us...

 

[tjwuk]

Hey, I don't know what you lot are complaining about: you get real freedom of choice here: left or right cheek....... you can't even do that with your car tax.....

There is so little left that's not regulated close to death in this country. Let's not even think about this. I vote no.

Here here! I don't even want to think about the polititians idea of 'fascist bushcraft'

 

[Bushwhacker]

I understand what you're thinking, but in my eyes that would be exactly the same as me needing a certificate to go ferreting or fishing.

When exclusivity is put on something like that, numbers and interest in the sport fall.

 

[Mastino]

No, it's all about indipendence & self-reliance.

 

[Tiley]

Having just copleted the excellent Woodcraft School instructor's course, I'm shooting myself in the foot here.

I agree that bushcraft is all about independence, freedom to do what you will in the woods and so on but where instructors and companies supplying tuition can help is in developing a keener sense of preserving the woods in which we play. With ever increasing numbers of us all wanting to live that bushcraft dream and with less and less readily accessible woodland available for us to pursue our activity, it is increasingly important that we look after the assets that we do have so that they are there for the future.

Everyone enjoys a fire, making a shelter, having a brew in the woods, spending a few nights there but all this has an impact. I am not suggesting that companies and/or professionals are the only people who can ensure the long term welfare of the woodlands but, with a burgeoning number of people going off to do courses and then launching themselves into the forests under their own steam, it is vital that some aspect of conservation and preservation is taught by 'schools' giving instruction on bushcraft.

I've drifted off the point somewhat. Should bushcraft go professional? No - that is the very antithesis of the activity. Should the various schools continue to do what they do? Yes, absolutely. The poor providers will soon go to the wall; in the meantime, the good ones should make sure the their conservation ethos is, as far as possible, faultless.

 

[sam_acw]

No!
This idea is the biggest threat to bushcraft. It would be the end of the do it yourself ethos - legislation, conformity and, above all, business is not the way to learn bushcraft.

 

[Tadpole]

Everyone else should be licensed, but not me, I know I can make a fire with just a few twigs, a steel and flint, I know I can bow-drill, I know I can leave no trace, I know I can rustle up some greens and foraged foods. I can cook my food and brew my coffee without waste I know I am able to visit the woods and leave them in a better condition than they were when I arrived. I was taught all this by my grandfather, and some really cool guys at the moot. :You_Rock_
But there again, everyone thinks this of themselves, (well apart from the grandfather bit)
Sad to say a lot are deluded and a danger to themselves and others, but not me.
Having said all that, I still think any kind of licence or certificate unless overseen by people whom bushcraft is their way of life, would be as pointless and dangerous as the numpties who practice bushcraft with a bar-be-cue in one hand and a gallon of petrol in the other.

 

[sapper1]

A Resounding No

 

[tobes01]

Blimey, I stirred up a hornet's nest with this one, didn't I? Should I fetch my coat?

I agree with the 'no', but what I had in mind was a 'certificate', not an 'accreditation': something like a boy scout's badge, rather than an insurance certificate or CRB check that needs to be renewed every year. I also definitely didn't have the government in mind as the issuing body - rather, to have bushcraft schools and trainers issuing them.

Anyway, let's retain amateur status - that way there will be no 'bloodgate' or other unpleasant professional incidents

 

[Toddy]

This one crops up every so often and the results always seem to run pretty much as this thread has.

It's a touchy subject and it's not as straightforward an issue as it would first seem.

No antipathy tobes01, it's a relevant topic of conversation.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[jojo]

You forgot the location devices so they know where to find us...

They already got that, it's called a mobile phone!

I got myself a BCU licence recently. I got it so I don't get hassled when out on the canoe and to have insurance cover of sorts, in case some D....Richard ....Head, decides to sue me because he's hit the bank with his gin palace. I could, If I was so inclined, (and I can assure you I'm not) leave rubbish everywhere, burn things, cut trees down...No one would know. The licence would make no difference.

It's the attitude of people. I just can't get my head around as to why people do it, it's just beyond me.... Not sure if it's because we humans have always done it but it was all natural and degadable, so leaving little trace, unlike all our junk today. Or are people just so generally slovenly in their daily live and so use to having someone clean behind them??

 

[Hoodoo]

I'm saying no but I think all bushcrafters should be required to wear a helmet.

 

[jojo]

I'm saying no but I think all bushcrafters should be required to wear a helmet.

One of those?

Good idea, Hoodoo. No one would take any notice of us with one of them on our heids in the woods....

 

[Hoodoo]

Perfect!!