What is Bushcraft folks?

[coasty]

Now I have a sneaky feeling that some of the regulars on here will have already formed an opinion that I am a bit of an old scrote who just likes to pull things apart, however there are some things that really puzzle me... One of them is this new found "bushcraft" fascination .

I admire Mr Mears as much as the next guy and his level of knowledge is astonishing. However in my opinion so little of what he describes is relevent any more.

Are people saying that the skills that he teaches us are suitable for survival in the British countryside or is that the skills for food foraging will nourish come the next ice age.

Yes i accept its fun to build shelters and light fires, I spent most of my childhood doing just that, together with the woodpigeon eggs and the rabbits we snared together with all the other wild food there is in summer we could have a hell of a time. So is that what people now describe as bushcraft?

To me useful bushcraft skills for the english countryside would be learning how to lay hedges and offering to do it for free,, Litter picking and ditch clearing are pretty usefull to.

I suspect that what bushcraft is really is playing out for grown ups. Now I have nothing against that in principle but wonder why people cant just admit to it as that.

I will confess here and now that the perfect meal is breakfast of fried trout and wild mushrooms together with tea made with river water and the little packet of dried milk and tea bags I keep for just such an emergency. All made with the kelly kettle and its fry pan.. Incidentally I always use matches,,,( a good tip is to put some in a smalll tin and cover them with candle wax,,,they never get wet that way) None of this two sticks nonsense for me,,,If that is bushcraft then fairplay...

So if any of you informed types can put me right thats great its just well I seem to have missed the point entirely...

[mrs fish]

Quote from the Wordweb meaning of Bushcraft

The skill of living in wilderness areas

I think it is good that people want to know how to live/survive and act out a more natural way of life

[BigBadger]

Bushcraft is a general term covering a multitude of outdoor skills and crafts, including survival skills, traditional management and maintanance of natural surroundings, living with nature, and many other things. It is a very broad term.
Personaly, I have used traditional bushcraft skills as a volunteer for BTCV, hedgelaying, fence making and boundary construction. And I have had to rely on my skills as a hunter and fire making and shelter building for real life survival.
I spend a lot off time at the moment with a friend who owns a small holding, and we use many of these skills to manage his land, Building a living bridge to get access over a wide stream, hurdle making for around his veg plots, outdoor coookery and fire making, A huge bushcraft natural sheltr for a garden pergola.
I must confess though. It is great to let yourself be that 12 year old boy again. And as long as I am working with nature, not against it. So what if I am a big kid. LIVE A LITTLE. Lol.

[mrs fish]

Well said BigBadger

[djackso]

Originally Posted by coasty

Yes i accept its fun to build shelters and light fires.......I suspect that what bushcraft is really is playing out for grown ups. Now I have nothing against that in principle but wonder why people cant just admit to it as that.

Who says they can't admit it? I don't think it's supposed to be deadly serious. I think some people get confused here. If there was a National/Worldwide disaster then these skills might have some relevance. But that's as far as its seriousness goes/should be taken, in my opinion.

And if said disaster were to happen, who's to say the knitting/crocheting skills of that dear old granny who lives down the road wouldn't have just as much relevance and importance!

It's a hobby, and people who enjoy bushcraft may have a depth of interest in the subject ranging from a passing fancy to manic enthusiasm. Like any other hobby - bird watching, stamp collecting, playing World of Warcraft on the Internet, clubbing of a Friday night etc. In my opinion, people might have a problem with bushcraft because they think it's a slightly unusual hobby, possibly mixed with more than a touch of misunderstanding, a lack of respect for a person's individuality, or a hint of jealousy.

Which red-blooded male wouldn't want to be blessed with Ray Mears's skills, if he is honest with himself.

So I really don't think showing an interest in bushcraft should be frowned upon. And it should not be assumed that individuals who express this interest are crazed survival freaks of the "John Locke" variety.

I used to enjoy reading the SAS Survival Handbook, but I don't go around in army gear, drinking my own urine when the mood takes me.

[BigBadger]

Thank you Mrs Fish, and Djackso, as far as I know, I dont believe you have to be a survival nut in order to drink your own urine, some do it for fun.Lol. That bit on your thread cracked me up. Lol. Im still giggling.

Coasty, you asked to be put right. But I dont think your wrong. You dont need to be put right in anyway. That's the thing with hobbies. They are a personal thing. A hobby is something you do because you enjoy it, or have a passion for it. For me, after my heart attack and nervous breakdown, and now with depression and severe spinal damage, it is a good harmless active way of getting off my oeoeoeoe and doing something with myself, Ignoring the pain and my physical restrictions, and by golly it works. It's almost spiritual to me.

For you however, you are not so keen and dont understand it. So sod it. Find something for yourself that makes you smile all the time and makes you happy. We are only here once. And Ive decided that I am 12 again, not a shattered 36 year old after a rough life. Ha.

What are your hobbies and interests Coasty?
PS. I have noticed had bad my speelang is. Oh dear. (Sorry Mrs Wall) english teacher at bedford high.