The burning question...

[Ahjno]

So what am I?

Survivalist? Bushcrafter? Sustainable Energy enthusiast? Rough Shooter? Organic Grower? Backpacker? Self Sufficiency Freak? All? None?

Hippy


Seriously though. I think this one is really horses for courses.
We all think along different lines, we all have different references, experiences, interests and knowledge. These make you can't make a clear and (in general) acceptable definition of either bushcraft and survival.

I tend to go with Goose. For me survival is a situation in which your life is at stake. It's an emergency situation, in which there are no laws (accept those which make us human beings): you ARE allowed to start to make a fire - even if it's not allowed (for instance: you're dying from hypothermia in the Lakes - in a normal situation you're not allowed to start a fire, but BECAUSE you're life is at stake, this rule / law doesn't count).
When out bushcrafting you are out and about, enjoying best of nature. Practicing some skills, having a brew (on a stove, unless you have permission for a fire). The situation is completely in your hands, if you want to go home - you go. If you want to stay - you stay.

Just my 2 Eurocents

 

[demographic]

There are so many crossover skills that it's just arguing semantics anyway.

Read the SAS survival manual and then tell me that there are no "bushcraft" skills taught in it then read some "bushcraft" books and tell me that it's not relevent to your survival.

I suppose that I pretty much agree with Dogface on this then

 

[TAHAWK]

Then there's that chap Mears who has written at least one book on "survival."

(I do find myself wondering when reading the dark musings of certain "survivalist" types: "Seems like you would you be happiest if it all went THUMP!")

 

[wilts-bushcraft]

hi all having read what you all have said i think that you are what you are if we (kindred sprits ) start saying your a survivalist and you are a bushcrafter then it just go,s to show that we cant get along !!!! i have peeps that come to me to borrow gas stoves for a weekends camping and on the other hand i have peeps asking how would i get help if i got lost so we ALL !!!! take from both a little of wisdom coz its just common sense
as for me im a child of nature nothing else just getting on with being as happy as i can

see you all soon around the fire !!!!

 

[Kirruth]

Well, I often think that the difference between survivalism and bushcraft is like the difference between living and living well.

A core element of survival thinking is the determination to overcome the situation, no matter what. The goal is victory over the situation. Bushcraft perhaps lacks that, but has maybe a wider focus of learning from and being at ease in the land: it could be said that the goal is victory over one's own ignorance and laziness.