Most useful woodsmanship skills?

[RookieWild]

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.

[warpipe]

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.

[JMatthews]

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.

[trimmer21]

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.

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.

[thunderbelly]

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.

compass skills help even when doing drives. invest in a good one, get used to checking it often, I wear mine around my neck.

[dilly]

Butchering and cooking will take you to the next level. Too many people kill stuff and then don’t really know what comes next.

[blasted_saber]

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.

[Snowwalker]

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.

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.

[blasted_saber]

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.

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.

I dont begrudge anyone learning a compass, but GPS are very useful tools

[Useless]

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.