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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
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| Time: 01:53 | More in Howto & Style |
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Tim demonstrates starting a friction fire with a hand drill.
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From: JMBushcraft
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| Time: 01:56 | More in Howto & Style |
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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 ..."
Post from: The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog

“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.
Post from: The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
Post from: The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
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."
Post from: The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog

Post from: The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
Post from: The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
Post from: The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
Post from: The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
Post from: The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog
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