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I'm curious to know, when you were getting started in hunting and the outdoors were there any skills you found essential?
For sure if you've got hunting/fishing tips you can drop them here, but I'm really curious about the general outdoors knowledge and skills that helped you along.
Basic orienteering is very important. With gps technology it is much easier but talk to anybody that has been lost or had to spend a night in the bush it is not nice. If you have confidence in travelling in the bush it will open up a whole new world rather than sitting close enough to see your four wheeler.
The ability to walk quietly through the woods and the ability to stay still will pay off no matter what you are hunting, photographing or just scouting.
Learn to read and use a compass. Never trust GPS. They're a nice toy to play with,but,they're notorious for running out of battery power or losing signal leaving you flatter than pee on a plate if you get "turned around". Always carry a minimum survival kit enough to start a fire,build a rough shelter and in case you need to stay overnight. A couple of freeze dried food packs,bottled water and small cook kit can save your life.Quote:
Originally Posted by RookieWild
compass skills help even when doing drives. invest in a good one, get used to checking it often, I wear mine around my neck.Quote:
Originally Posted by trimmer21
Butchering and cooking will take you to the next level. Too many people kill stuff and then don’t really know what comes next.
Woodsmanship is different then hunting. If we're talking straight survival, know how to make a fire and basic first aid. Those two things are by far the most important skills to know.
If you mean hunting skill, being aware of whats around you and being able to make sense of what mother nature is telling you is what I would conclude.
There are a few things that can mess up a GPS.. solar storms for example. I was standing in the middle of a field at Hullet last fall trying to find the pin. GPS kept showing my position three or four miles to the northeast in a different place. If I had been navigating in thick bush I would have been in real trouble, if I was using the GPS to show me a way back to the camp or something.Quote:
Originally Posted by trimmer21
THere are a few things that can mess up a compass too. They arent fool proof. Ive seen a few times a compass do 360 degree turns.Quote:
Originally Posted by Snowwalker
I dont begrudge anyone learning a compass, but GPS are very useful tools
Having and using a compass is a good idea. I've also looked at some bush craft books and videos. Ray Mears is a good source.
Carry water proof matches and learn how to make a fire.
All the meat is in difference Packages. Cut them to size, vacuum seal and freezer. The silver skin comes off during trimming. Tender.
My best skill was siting 10-20 feet from feeding deer , no blind and a raccoon hat. I had squirrel run across my arms back and both. Never ever did a squirrel squawk at me.
One evening a raccoon came out early looked up and saw me. She laid down, started preening and went to sleep until dust
I walk up on a 10point bucket at 20 feet. It ran away but I called it back then let it walk. I was lol, after a monster.It took 3.5 hours to cover 200 yards.
You have that right...just a tool. GPS's not any more or any less reliable then a compass. But you need to learn and practice will every tool you use, even dead reckoning needs to be practiced.Quote:
Originally Posted by blasted_saber
X 10 It is not that hard to learn ....
Quote:
Originally Posted by dilly
Play the wind and learn to look through the trees and you will see more game before they see you.
As far as survival goes, having a way to start a fire and not getting lost are my top two picks...
toilet paper.
use it for flagging, fire starting and the obvious.
Not a nice day afield with a crack full of moss/grass/leaves and twigs and the insects within!
Like others said, things to learn are compass /GPS/ orienteering and learning maps/fire starting and basic survival skills and first aid. Keep in mind anything can go wrong in the wild just prep your self and be sure of your skills before you go out. All you can do is really try to avoid putting your self in a bad situation. One tip is to always keep mental notes of your surroundings example big boulder, fallen tree/ direction of a water flow. These things can save you when other techniques fail, it has for me.
Unless you are hunting really back in the boonies. Most times if you note wind direction, before going in the bush, most times it it tends to be from the west, but not a guarantee .If the sun is out and you know the time of day , roughly you can tell direction. If you get turned around, sit down for a few minutes, relax and remember the route you have taken, to get where you are. listen, it is amazing how far, road noise , travels into the bush. In most areas , ridges, valleys and creeks , tend to be oriented certain directions. If you study a map of the area before you go in. Once you have confidence in your sign reading , you will be more comfortable , in the bush. old243
Check to see which leg is longer ,you will walk in a circle in that direction.
Do 90% of hunters/fisherman we really need to know much 'bushcraft' to hunt/fish ? .....good question !
I don't think so. Basic 'survival' skills for sure, but very few hunters are ever in scenarios where a 911 can't be surmounted.
Most remote hunting/fishing locations you are in the care of Outfitters for basic needs and emergency scenarios.
If you hunt/fish at established base camps...there really is no different than if your staying at a cabin, off season maybe, but not something that requires special skills.
Not to many guys hunt from a tent camps anymore, but even then it's normally Coleman type camping with carried in supplies, so 'bushcraft is not essential...ie few will need to snare a rabbit for dinner :)
I do however believe that everyone needs to know basic Bushcraft skills, ie; how to hold and use a knife. Those type of things that used to be taught thru Cub/Scout organizations. I don't know if they still do or if kids are even interested in learning those skills.
But then I grew up in a generation when everyone knew how to change the oil and sparks plugs on their truck....LOL..
I think very few hunters have any woodsmanship skills - my list:
1) Building a fire in pouring rain when everything is soaked
2) Navigation by landmarks - hills valleys rocks streams trees
3) Navigation by compass and being able to read a map
4) Noticing animal tracks or other sign of them
5) Being able to move silently through the bush
x2, would also add identification of trees and plants. useful for many many reasons, for survival if necessary and also drastically increases chances for finding game. being in the right areas helps.Quote:
Originally Posted by werner.reiche
Having a basic sense of direction would be number 1 estimating yardage number two.
Having a basic knowledge of what you can and cannot eat in the wild and how to get clean water to drink would be number 3 for me..emergence shelter and basic first add sure can come in helpfull
This is what I'm driving at....how many guys in 'todays' hunt scenerios, would ever need to know how to find food..other than looking in your pack for a mid day snack?Quote:
Originally Posted by dutchhunter
90% of hunters take their ATV/Trucks to and from where they hunt....never at risk of being late for the dinner bell back at camp.
You guys are making it sound like you have Les Stroud's skill set to go hunting or to enjoy the outdoors.
a dog that's trained to "find the truck" .
I had a little female coonhound that always knew the way back to the truck. I'd just say "Let's go! in the truck" and off she'd go!
Never had GPS back then, only compass and the dogs.
You're bang on MP! Most hunters and fishers I see out there are more interested in looking good as opposed to being good. Some good old common sense and situational awareness will prevent a lot of trouble down the road. Having said that however, the OP has asked a legitimate question. That to me suggests some common sense? Who better to ask for tips, than the ones who have experience? If the OP gains anything from this thread, he/she is on their way to be a smart, successful outdoors person.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikePal
In general terms, here are some inalienable truths to enjoy the outdoors:
Don't skimp on footwear...proper fit, support and breathability to fit the intended purpose.... and ensure you break them in before you plan to 'use' them.
Keep your feet dry....
Don't skimp on back packs if you need to carry loads long way....makes sure the weight is transferred to your hips and don't carry to much.
Make sure, for anything you do outdoors, get into shape before you bite off too much, if your not in shape, you get injured easier.
When we travel up North were out of cell range and the nearest store is 65 km's away. So we carry our floor Jack and a very large amount of tools and yes were capable of replacing a ball joint in the bush.
In terms of bush craft.
1) Be able to start a fire in the rain
2) Spare clothes
3) Lighters or matches (I preferr lighters and have them everyplace in my tackle box, truck, ATV etc probably around 20)
4) Compas or GPS with a least 2 extra set of batteries
Knowing how to "finese filet" and only remove just the outer tartan cloth layer on a Dickie's trucker shirt using a Buck 110 knife. You leave the white insulation batting on the arms to keep your arms warm, but the outer cloth is used to clean the Nutella mudslide that just came out of your body after nine coffees and a day old honey bun. You're in a serious situation after you've burned up 3/4 of a roll of tickets, your socks, and the back of your t-shirt. This essential bush skill is a must.
ROFLMFAO!! Now,that's funny,right there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fenelon
Learn to listen to gramps and follow his instructions no matter how absurd they may sound to you as a youngster.Quote:
Originally Posted by RookieWild
Don't think you know more than him just because you watched a full season of Bear Grylls and bought all his "survival" stuff.
Listen to your mother when she tells you to pack extra socks and underwear.
Learn to bathe in 5'C water. If you think that to skip bathing when hunting will make you one with nature your wrong. If I can smell you standing 10 feet away then so can every other animal within a 1 kilometre radius.
Clean up after yourself. Your in the great outdoors not your back yard or bedroom. What you bring into the bush better be brought out.
If you s**t in the woods then dig a hole first and bury it.
Learn how to handle a knife and which end is the sharp end.
You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose. Just don't pick your friends nose...
If it itches don't pick at it. You'll make it worse.
Learn first aid.
Learn how to build AND CONTROL a fire.
Learn how to use a compass.
Don't drink more than you have to to have fun.
Learn how to have fun and not take yourself too seriously.
... I'm sure theres more but I'm tired and need my beauty sleep. So, learn to recognize when enough is enough.
Ding ding ding. This guy’s got it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.Boiler
If you can imagine it then it probably has happened... GrampsQuote:
Originally Posted by Fenelon
No kidding, thanks Mr.Boiler....that's a bunch of useful info for the OP !!Quote:
Originally Posted by 73hunter
This has all been amazing! Lovin' all these posts.
So a bit of background. I'm a brand spanking new hunter and I've been on YouTube all winter watching all these bushcraft videos - and I'm like - while that might be a lot of fun I wonder what the essentials would be.
You've given me some things to think about.
I'd like to do some overnight camping in the bush, so here are some of my takeaways of the essentials.
1. Navigation - learn to use a compass, to read the landscape, and navigate by landmarks
2. Fire - start one.... Then don't start forest fires
3. Hunting skills - read the wind, tracking
4. Basic knife skills
5. Basic first aid (this probably should have been higher up the list)
6. Everything on Mr Boiler's list ;)
Then I think there might be a whole group of skills that might make the woods more enjoyable if you're into that sort of thing (but non-essential):
- plant and animal identification
- deep woods orienteering
Then there are a whole host of bushcraft skills that I feel fall under the category of "heritage" or "hobbyist" skills. Like, if society as we know it ended tomorrow then that might be a useful skill, but otherwise you might as well take up needlepoint and not expend so many calories.
Just remember you can never get lost.
Lost means you don't know where you are. You know where you are, just not how to get where you want to be.
You don't have to practice orientation in the woods. Cities are big enough you can get turned around in a section you have never been to. If you drive all the time, take a bus ride with a couple sections where you have to walk from one bus route to the next. Take a city map, and written direction for the trip. Your learning how to use a map.
Maybe not the most exciting way to start but at least your can ask for directions, if you get in trouble.
Admittedly, I like technology and therefore I use a GPS (Garmin Rino 650) going into the woods. WHY? Our hunt camp gang all have 650s or 610s. It uses the GMRS/FRS radio to allow for location of others in your group. This is a great feature that provides for safety in knowing where the others are and to hunt as a group to maintain spacing + situational awareness. Using Garmin Basecamp SW we can look at each hunter's track after the hunt and plan accordingly. Basecamp is compatible with Google Earth so reviewing the area and terrain is easier. This brings me to the next point. I have a compass and a map always. It is much easier to orient if you have a good understanding of the landmarks and features (MikePal - time spent on a recce is seldom wasted).
I find that there is no single pack up that I need for each day of a hunt. If I am only planning a day hunt then I typically pack those items I will need for an overnight. In other words I plan for the unexpected. i.e. I like to hunt on foot. I have fallen and can't walk. The GPS/Radio has failed, my cell phone is broken, out of power or out of range and I am waiting to be found.
I like Ziploc bags and I have a vacuum sealer. I use a combination of both to keep things dry (tinder to start a fire, jerky to hold me for a night, spare ammo, batteries, TP, extra water, matches, lighter). All these are there when I go hunting and it is just a matter of putting them in the pack as need. Otherwise they are just a part of the overall pack-up when I head to hunt camp.
All that said, I think the most valuable skill is to recognize/self correct as soon as you know something has gone wrong.
every one needs a Plan 'B'...HahaQuote:
Originally Posted by DGearyFTE
Dollar store wet wipes/ baby wipes.
I keep a spare pack in one of my pants pocket, my main pack is in my day pack. Yes there is also dry wipes rolled up in there too.
A couple rolls of TP in zip locks bags..can't leave home without them.......I hunt with a woman. On the plus side having to cuddle to stay warm is not as weird.
There is a difference between being a hunter and being a good woodsman. To me the latter means having a sound understanding of the outdoors, and knowing you could survive and navigate without the usual gadgets and creature comforts. Important skills and knowledge include: tree and plant identification, knowledge of fish and wildlife including their life cycles and behaviour, navigating with and without a compass, survival skills, ability to walk quietly, weather knowledge, basic astronomy, some geology, tool making and carpentry skills, wisdom, and creativity to get you out of a jamb.
In response to the OP's question, the most important skill is the one that you need right now.