Becoming a Woodsman

[wildschwein]

#6320

Hullo everyone, new to the site and am looking for some advice.
First off I have been shooting a bow for about three years now (recently had to switch to left handed and start all over again) and I am trying to outfit myself with the various skills required to be self-sufficient for a DIY backcountry Deer hunt. Thus far my main focus has been towards identifying wild edibles (never knew there were so many in Alberta) and field dressing/butchering. The edibles knowledge is coming along nicely, and last year I took a six month course in slaughter and custom cutting, so I feel comfortable with meat prep. My next goals are to become proficient with a compass, and fire starting with a flint n steel.
How would you folks recommend I go about learning these new skills? The areas I frequent are thick forest made up mostly of Aspen, Alder, and Spruce, with little to no land marks to speak of. What type of compass would be best suited for this type of terrain, and do you know of any literature that might guide me in its use? Any recommendations for a good carry with fuel source to use with the flint n steel? I have heard wax cardboard is best, but I would like to know what you folks use.
I would also like to know what other skills have you found to be useful or even absolutely necessary when roaming around the woods? And perhaps you know of some good reading in this field of interest that you could share?

[purehunter]

#50242

The only thing I can help you with is the fuel for your flint and steel as I am trying to learn the map/compass thing from a former Marine sniper friend of mine.

I carry and use a small canister (plastic 35 mm film canister) with cotton balls liberally coated in Vasoline. They light up with one or two strikes. One ball will burn really well for several minutes. Works better than matches, pretty waterproof, small and lightweight.

You are well ahead of me so keep at it!

Purehunter

[wildschwein]

#50280

Thank you for the fuel tip, sounds alot easier than shaving up bits of cardboard.
As far as a compass goes, can you or one of our fellow forum members tell me if it will be of much use in my area? It has been told to me that for a compass to be effective as a navigational tool, you need have visible landmarks in order to pin point your location. Is this correct?
Or is there another method of navigation altogether that does not include batteries?

[CarolinaBob]

#50523

Navigating without landmarks is difficult, as you must measure how far you have traveled. GOOGLE orienteering to look for some ideas. I was taught to count my steps and keep track on a beaded cord, then transfer the distance traveled onto my map.

[gidaddy911]

#50668

Wildschwein wrote: Hullo everyone, new to the site and am looking for some advice.
My next goals are to become proficient with a compass, and fire starting with a flint n steel.
How would you folks recommend I go about learning these new skills? The areas I frequent are thick forest made up mostly of Aspen, Alder, and Spruce, with little to no land marks to speak of. What type of compass would be best suited for this type of terrain, and do you know of any literature that might guide me in its use? Any recommendations for a good carry with fuel source to use with the flint n steel? I have heard wax cardboard is best, but I would like to know what you folks use.
I would also like to know what other skills have you found to be useful or even absolutely necessary when roaming around the woods? And perhaps you know of some good reading in this field of interest that you could share?

You can check out http://www.wildernessoutfittersarchery.com
He has a lot of info you can take or leave.

[wildschwein]

#51137

Thank you for the link gidaddy911. Have you or anyone else you know of purchased any of his material. I tried to locate customer reviews on his and other websites, but came up with nothing. Just want to make sure I am getting proper instruction for my dollars.

[gidaddy911]

#51228

I watch a lot of his youtube videos. I haven’t actually ordered or read any of his stuff.

I saw this guy on Discovery Channel on a show called dual survivor, researched him and found his site. Most of this stuff you can find in different books, military training, and things like that, but he does have some good “common man” info. He is a traditional bowhunter, and shows you how to be prepared. Fire, Shelter, water, food, all things needed if ever in a survival situation and he shows how to do them in videos, and shows you how to be cost effective about it. What I enjoy about it is I can take and use what info I need and the rest, well,,, it’s entertaining at least.
Hope it helps.

[Hubertus]

#52163

Wildschwein wrote: As far as a compass goes, can you or one of our fellow forum members tell me if it will be of much use in my area? It has been told to me that for a compass to be effective as a navigational tool, you need have visible landmarks in order to pin point your location. Is this correct?

Short answer: No.
My compass has helped me on many occasions BECAUSE there were no visible landmarks. The person who told you this was probably refering to specific techniques such as using a map & compass to triangulate your exact position. When going through thick bush or similar terrain, a compass can help you maintain a heading without getting turned around.
In terms of what kind of compass you should get:
Short answer: The best one you can afford.
A basic, inexpensive, orientiering compass (clear plastic base with a straight edge & movable bezel) will serve you very well. However, if you have the coin, the higher end features such as a sighting mirror & adjustment for magnetic declanation are nice to have.
Just my $0.02.

[gidaddy911]

#52192

Just want to make sure I am getting proper instruction for my dollars.

There is no need to purchase anything unless you want to. Most of the things you need you can find in his segment of youtube videos. Just watch and go out to the woods for practical application, practice and perfect your woodsman and bushcraft skills.

If you want purchase it that is up to you, but I tend to go cost effective for now.

[wildschwein]

#52203

Thank you for your replies. Gidaddy911 I found his videos last night, nice to see someone willing to share their knowledge for free. Looked to be some good info, and I was quite excited to see how well the gel soaked cotton balls worked. Beats matches and wax paper hands down.
Thank you hubertus for the advice on compass use, I’ll check out Canadian Tire tomorrow and see if they have anything in my price range for beginners.

[Charles Ek]

#52868

I’ve taught backcountry navigation for many years, and I was a SAR dog handler for a long time as well. I’ve sent you a PM with a link to my free navigation instructions. Follow the advice above to get an orienteering type compass (NOT a lensatic compass). Buy a topographic map of an area you can use for practice frequently. Follow my instructions and the compass instructions religiously. If you do those things, you’ll know more about navigation than 85% of hunters. (Yes, I’ve had to look for some over the years . . . ) If there’s an orienteering club nearby, participate in their events. The maps will be strange, but the people are always friendly and you’ll be amazed how quickly your skills improve.
If anyone else wants my instructions, please send me a PM.

[wildschwein]

#52876

Thanks eidsvolling!

[Mark Turton]

#52987

Hi Wildschwein, all good advise a few things I might add:

At least 2 means of fire lighting, I have a tobacco pouch containing a variety of tinder, cramp ball fungus, tyre innertube cut into strips, spare ferro rod and striker and some dry tinder in a zip lock bag in case things get very wet and a lighter.

Like Eidsvolling says know how to use your compass and understand topo maps and it then does not matter so much that the area you are in is short of visible landmarks.

If you are concerned:
S-Sit
T-Think
O-Observe
P-Plan

Mark.

[lee c]

#28213

Always a good idea to have a compass and a working knowledge of map/compass works. White birch bark is a GREAT tinder/firestarter. Burns when wet,gives off a sooty smoke though. Dry cedar bark,fryed into a “nest” works well too. In a pinch,anything from lint to your credit cards,money or any paper you have in your wallet,pockets or pack can work. Flint/steel fire making is really not hard…really. I would suggest practicing in a controlled environment,like your backyard first. These are skills I would master,or at least have a solid working knowledge of before reliying. Survival techniques are a great thing to learn and practice. Read,learn,think and PRACTICE them. “Going primitive” is fun,and could be a real life saver. Good luck and enjoy! take care,Lee

[William Warren]

#29305

Shredded cedar bark is my favorite tinder but it needs to be kept dry. I also carry a small bundle of kindling. Here in the South, its called fat lighterd, Light wood, fat wood, etc. It is the heartwood of a pine tree and usually can be found wherever pine trees have been logged. Lighter wood will burn even if it is wet you just need a way to light it.

The level of compass skills needed depends on how backwoods you plan to go. Sounds like some good advice by those who are better at this than I am. My compass use has consisted of basically sighting a straight line or just orienting myself in small blocks of woods while coon hunting, etc. But I can usually find my way at night by the stars and moon in rural blocks of woods. Humping it through real back contry bush is another matter, so know how to use your tools before going.
Also remember to drink before you are thirsty and eat a little before you get too hungry. It’s tough to fight off a sugar drop way out in the bush.

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