Bushcraft is the art of using skills and knowledge of the natural environment to survive and thrive in the wilderness. It’s a practice that has been perfected over centuries by indigenous peoples around the world, and it’s something that every adventurer should know about. In this post, we will explore 20 bushcraft skills that can help you survive and thrive in any outdoor situation.
1. Building a Shelter
Having the knowledge to build a shelter is vital in survival situations. Whether it’s a simple lean-to or a more sophisticated debris hut, knowing how to construct a shelter can protect you from the elements and provide you with a secure place to rest.
2. Starting a Fire
Fire is essential for warmth, cooking, and signaling for help. Knowing how to start a fire without matches or a lighter is a crucial bushcraft skill. Learn different fire-starting techniques such as using a fire plow, bow drill, or hand drill.
3. Finding and Purifying Water
Water is crucial for survival, and knowing how to find and purify water in the wilderness is a must. Learn how to identify natural water sources such as rivers, streams, and springs. Also, learn various water purification methods like boiling, using water filters, or chemical treatments.
4. Navigation Without a Compass
Getting lost in the wilderness can be a terrifying experience, but with proper navigation skills, you can find your way to safety. Learn how to use natural signs such as the position of the sun, stars, and landmarks to navigate without a compass.
5. Identifying Edible Plants
Knowing which plants are safe to eat is an essential skill in bushcraft. Familiarize yourself with local edible plants and learn how to identify them correctly. Avoid plants with poisonous look-alikes and start with those that have easily recognizable characteristics like berries and nuts.
6. Tracking Animals
Tracking animals is a valuable skill that can provide you with food and give you a better understanding of the wildlife around you. Learn how to interpret animal tracks, scat, and signs of activity to increase your chances of successful hunting or gathering.
7. Building and Using Tools
Being able to create and use tools from natural materials is a fundamental bushcraft skill. Learn how to make a knife or a spearhead from stone, fashion a bow and arrow from wood, or create traps and snares for catching game.
8. Knot Tying
Knowing how to tie various knots is essential in bushcraft. Learn common knots like the clove hitch, bowline, taut line hitch, and square knot. These knots can come in handy when building shelters, securing gear, or setting traps.
9. Foraging for Wild Food
In a survival situation, food may not always be readily available. Learning how to forage for wild food can be a lifesaver. Familiarize yourself with wild edible plants, mushrooms, and insects that can provide sustenance when other food sources are scarce.
10. Building and Using a Bow Drill
Mastering the bow drill technique is an essential fire-starting skill in bushcraft. It involves creating friction between a wooden drill and a fireboard using a bow. Once you can generate enough heat, you can create an ember and then transfer it to a tinder bundle to start a fire.
11. Making Natural Cordage
Having strong cordage is essential for many survival tasks, from building shelters to crafting tools and traps. Learn how to make natural cordage by using materials like plant fibers, bark, roots, or animal tendons. Practice braiding or twisting techniques to increase the strength of the cordage.
12. Wilderness First Aid
In a survival situation, there is always a risk of injury or illness. Knowing how to administer basic first aid can make a significant difference in treating minor injuries and preventing further complications. Take a wilderness first aid course to learn these essential skills.
13. Creating Natural Tinder
Having dry tinder is crucial for starting a fire. Learn how to identify and gather natural tinder sources such as dried grass, tree bark, or fungi. Practice various methods of preparing tinder to increase its ignitability, such as creating feather sticks or fluffing up fibers.
14. Making and Using Natural Dyes
In a long-term survival situation, clothing and gear may become worn out and need repair. Knowing how to make natural dyes from plants can help you dye fabric, cordage, or even camouflage yourself in order to blend in with your surroundings.
15. Building a Solar Still
A solar still is a device that uses the sun’s heat to evaporate water from moist soil and collect the condensed vapor as drinkable water. Knowing how to build and use a solar still can be a life-saving skill in arid environments where water sources are scarce.
16. Creating Fish Traps
Fishing is an excellent source of food in the wilderness, and creating fish traps can increase your chances of catching fish even when you’re not actively fishing. Learn how to construct various types of fish traps using natural materials like sticks, rocks, or woven baskets.
17. Navigating Waterways
If you find yourself needing to travel on water, knowing how to navigate waterways safely is crucial. Learn how to read and interpret river currents, eddies, and obstacles. Also, practice techniques like ferrying or eddy hopping to navigate rapids or swift currents.
18. Building and Using a Solar Oven
In a survival situation, cooking food can be a challenge, especially without access to a stove. Knowing how to build and use a solar oven can allow you to cook food using the sun’s energy. Practice building a simple solar oven using reflective materials like aluminum foil.
19. Creating Natural Soap
Hygiene is essential, even in a survival situation. Knowing how to make natural soap from plant materials like ash, fat, and water can help you maintain cleanliness and prevent the spread of bacteria and diseases.
20. Improvising Shelter from Natural Materials
In addition to building shelters, knowing how to improvise shelters using natural materials is a valuable bushcraft skill. Learn to identify and use materials like branches, leaves, and ferns to create temporary shelters or hideouts when faced with an unexpected situation.
My 2 Cents:
Mastering bushcraft skills can not only be a fun and challenging hobby but also an essential life-saving skill. By acquiring knowledge and practicing these skills, you’ll be better prepared to survive and thrive in any outdoor situation. Remember to always prioritize safety and practice Leave No Trace principles while enjoying nature and honing your bushcraft abilities.
