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Jack Mountain Bushcraft Journal 17 - Hand And Spear Fishing
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In this episode of Jack Mountain Bushcraft Journal see some archived footage from the spring 2008 Earth Skills Semester Program. See people fishing with spears they made on-site, as well as with their hands.
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From: JMBushcraft
Views: 6926
   11 ratings
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| Time: 01:53 | More in Howto & Style |
Jack Mountain Bushcraft Journal - 5: Hand Drill Fire
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Tim demonstrates starting a friction fire with a hand drill.
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From: JMBushcraft
Views: 12022
19 ratings
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| Time: 01:56 | More in Howto & Style |
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Happy Fourth of July - Philosophizing With A Hammer
It's a personal tradition to read the Declaration of Independence every Fourth of July.For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:
For ... altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For ... declaring themselves invested with power ..."
Backwoods Adventures In Nova Scotia - Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
I got an email from my friend Stephen Marshall today about the launching of his new site, Backwoods Adventures (backwoodadventures.com) in Nova Scotia. Stephen and I worked together a few summers ago and he’s doing great things with first nations people in the Maritimes. I’m hopeing to get over there one of these days so [...]Post from: The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
Wilderness Zen - A View From Aerie Mountain
“To learn about the pine,
go to the pine.
To learn about the bamboo,
go to the bamboo.”
-Basho, 17th Century
Proficiency in the wilderness arts is important for hunters and other backcountry travelers. But we should also have an overall set of guiding principals when interacting with the land we hunt in. A discipline I call “Wilderness Zen” is a philosophic but practical approach to wilderness travel where the individual embodies quiet confidence, heightened awareness and consciously interacts towards the land with humility. This is not hippy mysticism, but a way of being that has allowed our kind to thrive in wilderness environments for a very long time.
I can't tell you how many times I've seen people listening to iPods while they travel in grizzly country. They’re ill-equipped for wilderness travel (sometimes with just a .357 or a water bottle) are generally oblivious and seem to have the attitude that they are immune to mishap. Perhaps they expect a cell phone will bail them out. This is only one kind of backcountry klutz that I have no patience for, who does everything wrong and who is diametrically opposed to the “Wilderness Zen”-approach. Folks like this are a danger to themselves and others. Below are the core values and concepts we should seek to practice when we head far afield.
The Land is the Boss. We shouldn’t be afraid about a short walk in the woods becoming a survival situation, but we should take longer trips seriously, especially day-hunts. A universal among traditional hunting cultures is that they recognize the wilderness “holds the cards”, and therefore demands respect and humility. Though it doesn’t usually happen, the land can kick your butt at any time, for no apparent reason. It is way bigger than you. Don’t forget it.
Set your safety net. Let someone know where you are going, when you expect to return and what to do if you are late in perfectly clear terms.
Know yourself. Be honest about your cardiovascular health and physical limitations. Do you have an old injury that might act up on a backcountry trip? How do you behave when stressed, tired, hungry and possibly lost? Are you quick to anger, or do you roll with adversity and act to improve things in a positive way? Don’t blame yourself needlessly for mistakes; get over it and act intelligently to turn things around.
Seek quality and order. Your equipment should be the best you can afford, from reputable manufacturers and be time-tested. Unfortunately, most of the stuff advertised as “quality outdoor gear” today is garbage. Stick to the basics: when it comes to technology that may be enlisted to save your skin, (clothing, tools, cord, firestarting materials, shelter, sleeping gear, etc.) know what you are buying, practice regularly and keep in good working order. Inspect often and replace or repair as needed. In the backcountry, you should know where every piece of equipment is at all times and keep a Spartan camp, with everything in its place. Disorder is for the lazy and careless.
Learn the land. Short but frequent exploratory trips in your hunting area will allow you to build topographic and ecological knowledge quicker and more completely than one big trip a year. If something does go wrong on a short excursion, the consequences are generally less severe due to distance from the trailhead. You should be able to use a map and compass with confidence, even if you prefer a GPS. Simple technology is more reliable in the wild. Practice route finding in a familiar area and understand some basic barehanded navigation practices: i.e., the position of the sun, location of Polaris and which direction ridges and streams trend. Develop a love for the study of maps (Topophilia) as a year-round pastime.
Be conservative. Foster a “sixth sense” for danger. Before a sketchy situation begins to unfold, stop and think, “what could go wrong here and how should I respond?” In the bush, your mind should be clear and alert. Always be sensitive to the possibility of mishap when doing something as simple as handling a sharp knife or as complex as route finding across miles of tailless terrain. Correct your mistakes before they become dangerous. Situations, like having to buck and split wood by headlamp each night should tell you that something is wrong with your planning and use of time. Understand the practice of caution and avoidance. You are the biggest threat to your own safety. Listen to your instincts; they are often correct.
Engage all senses. Quiet, slow travel is essential for good hunting. It also allows us to take in more visual, aural and scent information. Slow walking is a kind of moving meditation that can clear the mind and body of tension allowing us to focus more intently on our surroundings. Realize that we are animals with purpose who belong in the wild, just like the prey we are stalking.
Adapt. Hunters face hazards that differ from those of other wilderness users. We handle potentially dangerous tools and firearms, frequently travel off-trail and tend to recreate in what can be a precarious “shoulder” season, autumn. One particular issue worth mentioning is dealing with a large animal on the ground, miles from camp. Sometimes hunters take unnecessary risks by pulling the trigger when they are overextended. This could result in an unplanned night out in the woods, spoiled game, or worse. Be sure you have the time and means to deal with your kill in a safe manner before taking the shot. Have an adaptable plan.
Embrace training. Study the wilderness arts and make them part of your recreation. The key is to practice relevant skills with attention to detail. Most books on the subject of bushcraft are terrible, but there are some gems out there. The same goes for instruction. Seek out quality teachers who know the skills, natural history and lore of the environment that you to travel in most frequently. It doesn’t make sense to study desert survival if you mostly recreate in the Northern Rockies or the Boreal Forest.
Give thanks. Wild country is a blessing. Respect it and the beings that live there. Don’t fear it, consider it your home and act to conserve and protect it in every way you can. Travel safely and return to educate others about the importance of hunting, natural beauty and our wildland heritage. Practice Wilderness Zen.
A version of this piece appeared in Backcountry Journal and Minnesota Whitetails in 2007 and 2008 respectively.
What's going to happen in California? - Philosophizing With A Hammer
A Fairly Complete Index of Mungo Bah Posts About Bushcraft, Camping, Canoeing and More... - Mungo Says Bah
As certain readers have requested, I have created a fairly complete index of Mungo Says Bah posts. Please enjoy and comment freely! Flora: Pinetree Lake, Algonquin Provincial Park - ... Algonquin...Please visit the Mungo Says Bah blog at http://mungobah.blogspot.com for the rest of this post. Copyright 2005-2009. All Rights Reserved. All Bahs Reserved. Thank you for subscribing.
Flora: Pinetree Lake, Algonquin Provincial Park - June 2009 Camping Trip - Mungo Says Bah
I am back from portaging, canoeing and camping at Pinetree Lake in Algonquin Park. I only spent a couple of hours with my camera taking pictures of plants - there were lots that I simply walked or...Please visit the Mungo Says Bah blog at http://mungobah.blogspot.com for the rest of this post. Copyright 2005-2009. All Rights Reserved. All Bahs Reserved. Thank you for subscribing.
Wilderness Survival With Only A Knife - Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
This morning I’m wondering where the idea about surviving in the bush “with only a knife” came from? If I could have only one tool for a trip of a 1-100 days, it would be a full-sized axe, not a knife. The reason is that an axe makes a better knife than a knife makes [...]Post from: The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
Women are by nature Democrats. - Philosophizing With A Hammer
Algonquin Park Camping & Blackflies - Mungo Says Bah
I am back from portaging, canoeing and camping at Pinetree Lake in Algonquin Park. Saw lots of nature, and left a significant mass of my flesh in the digestive system of numerous blackflies....Please visit the Mungo Says Bah blog at http://mungobah.blogspot.com for the rest of this post. Copyright 2005-2009. All Rights Reserved. All Bahs Reserved. Thank you for subscribing.
Outside Magazine’s Survival Guru - Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
Most survival advice available in the press is dubious at best, written by professional writers and not seasoned instructors with field experience. Thankfully Outside Magazine decided to hire Tony Nester of Ancient Pathways to answer their reader’s questions on their Survival Guru blog. Tony’s got two decades of experience teaching in the field, has written several [...]Post from: The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
The Minimum Practical Hunting Battery- A Discussion - Hodgeman's Thoughts on The Great Outdoors
I'm currently out of Alaska, in Tennessee, and reminiscing at my folk's house among artifacts and locations of times past. While perusing some old magazines that had been forgotten, I came across a pretty interesting quote. This came from a 2002 copy of Guns And Ammo magazine, specifically from the "Cooper's Corner" column although I've seen the quote in print other places and the Jeff Cooper commentary on it in other places as well. This came from the Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Volume 10, Number 7. After ruminating on the article I thought it worth consideration and comment. Please note that although I'll mention a couple of specific makers don't construe this as a product review, I only use these as example from my personal selection.By Jeff Cooper-
"Shooting Master John Gannaway points out that all you really need is a 22 and a 30-06. While I go along with that, I cannot avoid making a couple of perhaps unnecessary additions. First of all, the 308 is the ballistic twin of the 30-06 now with modern loadings, and even without the modern loadings the differences are too slight to matter. So your Steyr Scout in 308 will do what you need, unless you are a specialist. Certainly you need a 22 rifle, and there are scores of good ones around, but also you can probably establish need for a 22 pistol. This is most obvious if you live in the country. And then there is the matter of the shotgun. Some people really need a shotgun, both for home defense and for recreation. So I guess I would expand my minimum list to include a Steyr Scout, a Marlin 39 22 (particularly an older model without the cross-bolt safety), a compact 22 self-loading pistol, and a good grade self-loading 12-gauge shotgun. That is four guns, hardly enough to satisfy an aficionado, but certainly enough for others. Living as I have all my life amongst shooters, I cannot think of anyone who owns only four guns. On the other hand I think that when you get up into the hundreds you are overstating the case."
After thinking about this for a while I realized that the overwhelming majority of my hunting has been accomplished with the exact battery mentioned in the piece- the .22 and the .30-06. While in a previous piece I mentioned the relative unimportance of caliber in a hunting rifle and how it's not something to get wrapped around the axle about; I have done a great deal of hunting with the .30-06 Springfield as well as it's near ballistic twin the .308 Winchester. I've used both cartridges in several rifles each and the results in the field are basically indistinguishable from each other. While a bit underpowered for things like brown bears and such I've never found them wanting for the most hunted game animals in N. America- the deer family- at most reasonable ranges. In Alaska, the .30-06 is likely responsible for more game than any other cartridge. Although I firmly believe the .30-06 achieved its enormous popularity largely through circumstance than overwhelming genuine merit- I will readily give it its due. And it's due is that it is a wonderful all around hunting cartridge.
I've also hunted with several other calibers that fall into more specialized areas like the .223 and .22-250 for varmint hunting and the .375 H&H for slightly bigger critters. Although I'm fascinated with rifles and all the various permutations of cartridges I must admit that the small stuff and the big stuff are rather niche uses that are genuinely small markets in comparison to the more common "deer rifle". While I do on occasion hunt creatures that really call for either bigger or smaller than the .30-06/.308, and have a more recent interest in the range afforded by the various .300 magnums; the vast majority of all North American hunting (mine and everyone else's) is readily accomplished with the .30-06. While I've used a number of rifles from Remington, Winchester, Ruger, Steyr and Sig; my current "bread and butter" rifle is a Kimber Longmaster in .308. My wife gave it to me for an anniversary several years ago and it's special for that reason but its also the most consistently accurate rifle I've ever owned, as well as beautiful in the way really good walnut stocked rifles are. It's a bit heavy for mountain hunting and I'm loathe to damage that beautiful finish; but it's a joy to hunt with and I've done a good bit with it even in Alaska's fierce climate.
The .22 Long Rifle is a world standard for small game hunting and I've used it with great effect since I was a youngster. As I'm writing this the "hand-me-down" bolt action Marlin is in Dad's gun cabinet begging to go out and play. I've not shot this specimen in several years and its exact age is indeterminable (I'm thinking I'm the 4th or 5th person in my family to "own" it). As a youth I dragged this thing all over the woods and mountains with no small joy. It's finish is trashed, the stock is dinged and it's on its third firing pin but I love this old thing- they really don't make them like this anymore. Sometime in my teens I got the automatic bug and had a long string of various .22 self loaders but I never really fell in love with any of them. As a cartridge I expect I'll be shooting squirrels with the .22 long after my body has aged and I've abandoned the pursuit of larger game altogether. Stalking small game with the .22 will make the hunter more skilled and is a joy in itself- worthwhile time spent. The .22 really is the cartridge the hunter should start with and stay with in my opinion.
When I turned 30 I found myself a birthday present in the form of a Kimber 22 Classic Varmint (unfortunately now discontinued) that is the cosmetic twin of my much loved Kimber Longmaster .308. I know cosmetics should have little to do with a hunting rifle but you've got to have something to enjoy looking at when there's no game. The owner of the small gunshop (a longtime personal friend) was going out of business and made me the offer I simply couldn't refuse. I topped that rifle with a quality scope and proceeded to drive tacks. The rifle is certainly much more accurate than I ever am, it has a great trigger and balances off hand like nothing else I've ever shot. I bought it sort of on a lark, thinking it would make a great understudy for its "big brother" but I've been small game hunting more and more and its much more than an understudy- its a great hunting rifle in it's own right.
To get around to Cooper's additions to this minimum battery list- specifically the .22 handgun and the shotgun; I must admit no genuine love for either. I have had a small variety of .22 handguns that were simply too underwhelming to me in terms of utility or recreation to keep around. When I'm big game hunting on foot I generally will shun toting any extra weight in the form of a pistol- even a light .22 for grouse and such. Around the house, pest dispatch is easily accomplished with a .22 rifle and small game hunting with a rifle is preferred by me in general. While great fun to "plink" with, I've never really had a lot of genuine use for a .22 pistol.
In a similar vein I've never really had a lot of love for the shotgun. I've owned a few reasonable examples but never really fell in love with aerial gunnery. I never enjoyed waterfowl hunting although I admit I've never given it much serious effort and upland game was scarce enough where I lived in my youth that I bored of it quickly. It seems aerial shooting always required things I didn't have available- duck boats, retriever dogs, pointer dogs, and so forth. For small game hunting as previously mentioned I've always preferred a rimfire. As a kid I quickly abandoned the locally popular practice of shotgunning squirrels- too noisy and messy in my opinion and as an adult I greatly prefer the extra range afforded by the rimfire for hares and grouse (legal in Alaska but not many other states). I do admit the shotgun is the most versatile of all hunting weapons but it's never really been my choice for the type of hunting I enjoy.
I realize a lot of folks will have a different take and that's OK but the hunting products industries and their respective marketing departments are consistently pushing products toward the hunter that have little basis in "need" at all. While I readily admit that I enjoy all the technical minutae that accompanies the shooting and hunting pursuits, I often question if you were to strip all that away and get the modern hunting battery to its basic form- what would you be left with? I think mine is typified in the .30-06/.308 and the .22 and I have a wonderful example of both so my cup runneth over.
What does your minimum practical battery look like?
You Are The Engine - Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
I came across this graphic on Keith Johnson’s Permaculture And Regenerative Design News blog. Keith used it to support the idea that the production systems that sustain major urban areas lie far the urban boundary. The term we use for this is displaced impact, and we’ve written about how it applies to minimum impact camping. [...]Post from: The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
The End is Near - Woodcraft In Poland
Today is our last full day here in Poland, we fly out tomorrow afternoon. Feeling pretty sad about going and still got a lot to do.
Howdy Bashful... - Hodgeman's Thoughts on The Great Outdoors
That is a right nice bear visiting the area at a bright and early 5:33AM. Long legged, lanky and big; hard to tell in the picture but presumably its a boar due to the fact its alone (no cub, either pics or tracks) and its a lot bigger than sows generally get in the Interior. I'm hoping to post a picture with some size references superimposed on the photos. I know my .300 Magnum feels smaller all the time now. Great, a rifle inferiority complex to deal with!
The White Tube Of Misery - Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
It’s looking like I’ll be trading our white, 15 passenger van, aka the white tube of misery, in for another vehicle later this month. The name was coined by Jeff Butler on our now-infamous roadtrip to Canoecopia a few years ago. We were driving through Chicago on our way back from Madison, Wisconsin and were surrounded [...]Post from: The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
Gear that belongs in the Garbage: Hydration systems - Philosophizing With A Hammer
Tough, Cheap Cord - Commercial Fishing Twine, Not Paracord - Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
The cord I’ve been using for a decade is finally available online. I got tired of paying the high prices for paracord in the 1990’s and switched to using commercial fishing twine. It’s tough and much cheaper than paracord. The place where I get it recently added an online store. To check out the cord, go [...]Post from: The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
The Knight Of The Spike-Sole Boots - Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
The book of poetry titled Pine Tree Ballads was published in 1902 and has some great pieces about the north woods of Maine. The Knight Of The Spike-Sole Boots by Holman Day tells the story of a sport who tried to run the Hulling Machine on the East Branch of the Penobscot River. I’ve run [...]Post from: The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
New Jack Mountain Bushcraft Podcast - Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
Our new podcast is coming together, and the first episode is live on the web. There is a bit of work left to do getting everything set up and integrated, but while we’re working on that you can check it out at: http://jmbushcraft.podbean.com/ Post from: The Jack Mountain Bushcraft BlogPost from: The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
Bald Eagle On Rust Pond Video - Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
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