Many years ago, I grew up in a rural area. Evenings were spent playing in the fields and woods. Weekends were even more special because I could "camp out". At seven years old being allowed to pitch a tent in the back pasture was a great adventure! (There may have been some cowpie incidents). Looking back now, I realize that my childhood was really just a precursor to who and what I have become. A man that thoroughly enjoys every aspect of nature and what it means to immerse yourself in it. It molded me. Nurtured me, guided me and taught me so many things about myself and others. I caught my first fish when I was probably still in diapers. I killed my first Whitetail deer at eight. I built forts and hideouts, whittled swords and staffs. (The running joke in my family has always been "you Know Justin has been here if there is a stick by the door!). Pretty sure i wasn't allowed to bring them in the house to whittle... Just a normal gen x'er growing up with minimal supervision and life lessons taught by mother nature rather than a mother. It was a great way to grow up.
Why do I tell you this? Because I think it is important to properly explain "What is Bushcraft".
Bushcraft is the learning and practical application of skills to enhance your enjoyment and immersion in nature. Simply, it means so many things to so many different people. For some, it may mean car camping with luxuries matching home. For others it may mean a poncho and a knife. There is no right or wrong answer. There is only the act of doing. It really doesn't matter where or how you enjoy your time in the woods. It just matters that you do.
Bushcraft skills and why we learn them. To list the skills that are incorporated into bushcraft would take days. There are some basic skill sets that are considered to be core principles.
Shelter creation
Fire making
Water Aquisition and safety
Food gathering and preparation.
Navigation
Camp craft
Within each of these, there are countless skills that are put into use.
Cordage and knots
Tarp configurations
Terrain traveling
Plant and tree identification and uses.
Animal identification
Basket weaving
Manufacturing useful items from natural materials
For me, the core principle of bushcraft is creating, utilizing natural materials to make your time in the woods more enjoyable. There is also the satisfaction of creating something with your own hands. Learning new skills and perfecting skills you may already have can give great satisfaction. It may sound easy carving a spoon with your pocketknife, until you actually do it for the first time. Then you realize one of the great necessities of any hobby or pastime. Gear...
This topic in and of itself is loaded...And i should probably give fair warning to anyone who is reading this. If your spouse is a Bush Crafter, survivalist, hunter or fisherman...Take notice. We do not intentionally plan on having so much gear, it just happens. We do however put a lot of time, effort and critical thinking into what we buy. Very rarely do we impulse buy. We watch videos, read articles, talk to others and research like you wouldn't believe. All to find the perfect Tarp...Yes you heard that correctly. Us big burly, rough and tumble outdoorsy guys know a thing or two about thread count. Heck some of us may even have a sewing machine and can fumble through the basics of a stitch.. Do not let that full you though. We only know this because it directly applies to our research of what makes a tarp waterproof...
We also know a lot about metal. Carbon steel verse stainless steel. Different types and heat treats. What makes one steel better than another. not just in general but down to the molecular level. Like I said we do a lot of research. And then we typically buy the wrong damn thing... Which is why your significant other may have two plastic totes full of something you consider irrelevant...Every bush Crafter has a pile of knives somewhere. Pocket knives, belt knives, machetes, axes the list goes on. Chances are they know exactly when they got them, how much they paid and if they are worth a damn... Not that we know what we had for dinner last night...but you get the point.
I guess my point to all of this is that, while bushcraft is a term we widly use. It is really woodcraft mixed with woodlore. The history of such goes back to the first humans. We constantly train and learn new skills. We do this by practical application, reading, talking with and watching others and by taking classes. All of which are viable ways to learn. We are all curious about how to do or make better what we already know. There is always a different way of doing something. There is no set rule you must follow. However, if you take the time and read about our craft, take a class with a master or bounce ideas off of a friend. You will learn something every single time. Incorporate what you have learned into what you know and decide what works best for you. For example. i have learned many knots and bights over the years. Last year I was watching a fellow from England by the name of Giles Binyon show how he secures his tarp and ridgeline. One of the ways he secures his cordage is by simply wrapping it back on itself many times. Quick and easy... Next thing I know I am catching myself doing the same thing. This thing we call Bushcraft is much more complex than many would know. Some may never know the peace and beauty of what we have seen or done. At heart we are all Romantics. We see beauty in things others may never know and appreciate that which has been given us. A cool mist rising from a spring on a soon to be hot and muggy day in July. To the bite of a 50-mph wind as it sweeps across the fallow corn fields peppering you with snow. Us Bush Crafters rejoice in these times and places knowing that our ancestors that walked this path have layed the groundwork for what so few today can even fathom.
As always
"Keep your paddle wet and your powder dry"
J
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