Someone asked me if bear spray really works. Yes and no, if it's black bear maybe, if it's not determined, grizzly forget it..but with the right gun.bear spray and lucky timing you could get enough time to run for it..best to have a plan..just in case..make sure to tie your food away from campsite and up in a tree..don't cook or eat where you sleep, ever, have a cook camp at least 100 yards away from where you sleep..i never had a problem in Alaska, but the bears in the Cascades have no fear, so be careful there.

I have bear spray for self defense rather than bears.

You might want to consider using Pepper Spray for the two-legged variety of bear..it's more potent:hangloose:

have it but harvesting my own would be a gas!

It's my understanding that bear spray can be purchased anywhere. In some states you have to go to a specific dealer to get pepper spray. And frankly, for me it's like carrying an umbrella; insurance I won't need it. It's like keeping the flashlight/truncheon next to my bed.

good to know Femmewench:hangloose:..i have both. the pepper spray is on a chain.

useful-

Started to do this but was in a hurry and ended up doing a Swedish torch instead..this method is a different version of the same and would work in the woods if you were in a pinch or just love working wood....someone just reminded me about it and i will probably do it this weekend and use it in the firepit to brew some coffee and if you let it burn to embers- biscuits..also on second thought you might want to tie it in two places if you plan on using it for awhile because once the fire hits the boundary of the wire the wood under it will collapse..the swedish torch is much more stable..but it will be fun to try out

just buying..(a) 2lb Hudson Bay Sport Utility Axe w/18" curved handlehttps://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/17...g?v=1529370502worked one the other day just to get a feel..and i liked it- also bought a waterstone 400/1000 from Amazon. I have a Japanese waterstone but it's for knife sharpening

~
 

also wanted to add~> i look for the shagbark of a hickory or poplar but love apple too..we don't have much pine here unless it's on purpose.. i use snags, only in an emergency would i cut down something living

my criteria for a camp knife-

full tang/high carbon steel blade
belt friendly
90 degree spine/throws good spark
non-coated
grind-scandi
keeps edge
batons wood w/o problems
fits my hand

Ray Mears

Just picked up a Le Duck neck knife. The sheath has a unique locking system that takes a bit to get used to but not bad. Nice blade shape, light. The one drawback is when grabbing it from sheath I can't get a full grip on it..i've not used it yet, this is just my first impression. https://d3d71ba2asa5oz.cloudfront.ne...cpicldb-20.jpgCheck it out.
Blade: 2.5" / 6.4cm
Overall: 6.25" / 16.0cm
Handle: Rubberized TPR
Sheath: Polyproylene
Lanyard: Black 550 Paracord
Weight: 3.0oz / 85g

And what pray tell does one do with a Le Duck neck knife....:blink:



I'm not one of those "outdoorsy" type butches! I don't fish, hunt, or camp..:blush:

i just find a neck knife more useful then a folder especially in camp..especially when it's cold or rainy and i'm trying to pull-out a folder to cut paracord, make some tinder, make dinner or anything around camp that needs a knife..i like the access

folder, paracord, tinder, this is all Greek to me............DINNER now you're talking sister.........:eating:

:hangloose:@homoe

also...fyi..even on a day hike, take a survival kit..expect to get lost or to have an accident.-keep your pack in your car and keep it lighter so you won't be tempted to leave it behind!:byebye:

Oh I'd say I'm COMPLETELY lost when it comes to this thread........perhaps there is a Bushcraft For Dummies edition I could pick up?

there are a few good books on Bushcraft..even an audiobook.

favoritewhile i'm setting up camp

My next challenge is mushrooms.. a skill i'll need for an extended stay in the woods.

Good luck on the mushroom hunt!


Just make sure while you're attempting to find mushrooms to eat that something BIGGER doesn't come along and tries to eat you......:|

https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/mul...t_1979331i.jpg

Not too worried about bears where i live, but copperheads...still working on it...mushroom season is almost over..not much out there but it will still be interesting.

https://i.imgur.com/RkaJhx7.jpg


You MUST really want mushrooms bad to face running into something like this!

ha:| can't imagine a worse nightmare!

https://www.heinnie.com/blog/wp-cont...hcraft-kit.jpg


Who even knew there was such a thing.......:blink:

omg homoe, you are just full of surprises:eatinghersheybar: i will have to check out the kit but the knife-a Mora Carbon is a nice knife..it's great in camp & out..i love it..it's a great first knife..you did good(f)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUIye4GVAAA45n-.jpg



Oh yeah? What about this..:blink:

How'd like to see those eyes focused on ya..........I'd rather the copperhead myself but that's just me!

exactly why i don't camp alone anymore:tea: np w/bears, big problems w/2 legged kind..i'm afraid there isn't a gun big enough to make me feel safe, you have to sleep sometime. i thought of trip wires but they aren't reliable if someone is looking for them..no easy answers:pirate-steer:

https://i.pinimg.com/236x/d4/d5/87/d...l-clothing.jpg


So may one assume when it comes to bushcraft wear, function trumps fashion?

the only thing!

https://i.pinimg.com/236x/57/f6/16/5...g-survival.jpg

Now this intrigues me given my fondness for eating right out of the carton with plastic utensils and tossing everything into the nearest trash can!

Are these made from heavy branches/twigs? Inquiring minds are dying to know....

willows or wild grape vine i'm guessing..or very young poplar..perhaps vine maple(in your neck of the woods)

also..fyi, on second thoughts..you should strip the bark off of any tree or tree branch you will be using for a makeshift grill etc (before you begin making) as bark will(often)give a bitter or unpleasant flavor to anything you are grilling. Also do remember to soak your wood a good 30mins to 1hr. so that you don't burn away your grill before your food is cooked.

Oh, so the concept is similar to Skewer Sticks always soak before using..

https://rethinksurvival.com/wp-conte...-mushrooms.jpg




Any helpful tips concerning this would be GREATLY appreciated.........one wrong decision could mean curtains for homoe...:|

1st rule-even if you are certain you KNOW a mushroom. Never eat the whole thing. Eat a small bit of it and wait an hour. If nothing goes wrong, it might be ok. Get a good guidebook>>https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....4,203,200_.jpg, join a wild mushroom club..i'll post some other things i'm learning as i go along:byebye:

Thank you kittygrrl that sounds like excellent advice and I shall follow it to the letter................

Learn to Keep Your Cool in Stressful Situations....
 

Sometimes it’s not enough to master every bushcraft skill if your mental state isn’t suited for the outdoors.


I'm thinking this just may apply to me.........:|

not every skill, but surely mushroom hunting would be fun?..besides it could come in handly:byebye: