John Boe - Bushcraft--A Family Guide

Bushcraft - A Family Guide

Copyright John Boe and Owen Senior, 2015

Illustrations by Kostiantyn Fedorov and Shutterstock

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced by any means, nor transmitted, nor translated into a machine language, without the written permission of the publishers.

John Boe and Owen Senior have asserted their right to be identified as the authors of this work in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Condition of Sale
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

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eISBN: 978-1-78372-593-9

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John: On my part I would like to dedicate this book to
my wife Kate, my rock and driving force, and Zack, my
crazy little adventurer and bushcraft munchkin.
In loving memory of Stella Hornby, my
grandma, you are sorely missed x

Owen: To the Fendleys - for normality and laughter

DISCLAIMER

Neither the authors nor the publisher can be held responsible for any loss or claim arising out of the use, or misuse, of the suggestions made herein. Laws and regulations do change, so the reader should seek up-to-date professional advice on any such issues.

The intent of the authors is only to offer information of a general nature to help you introduce your family to bushcraft.

Above all, the safety of you, your family, and those around you is of paramount importance when practising bushcraft. This should be your priority at all times.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

JOHN BOE

John Boe has been interested in bushcraft for much of his life, attending his first survival course as a Scout at age 12. John joined the armed forces at age 18, and undertook expeditions to the Austrian Alps, the Kuwaiti desert, Norway and the Highlands of Scotland.

In 2008, John left the forces and settled in Dorset with his family, where he became the founder and owner of Wildways Bushcraft, where he takes genuine pleasure in passing on his love of bushcraft by teaching practical and adaptable survival skills.

OWEN SENIOR

Owen Senior grew up in Dorset and loves being in the woods with his dogs, exploring awesome places and jumping in the sea.

Hes been lucky enough to work in the great outdoors, helping people have adventures, for many years and is happiest when he is teaching bushcraft, is a little bit grubby and smells of woodsmoke.

Owen is currently head of bushcraft at Land & Wave and is a British Bushcraft Association instructor assessor, helping a lot of outdoor companies train their staff in all things bushcraft.

INTRODUCTION

Our species is not designed to sit slouched on a sofa staring at a screen

Bushcraft is a strange and wonderful label that covers an eclectic mix of exciting, interesting, noisy, muddy, quiet, tiring, but always outdoor activities. For us, bushcraft is being outdoors with a purpose, enjoying the landscape with something to keep the eyes and hands occupied while the brain is let loose, just to be.

Bushcraft and adventure should never, ever, be about lots of expensive equipment, compulsory leather hats or way too much camouflage clothing. Bushcraft, foraging, journeying and woodland skills are about sharing an experience that is amplified by the environment and remembered because of the people you were with.

Bushcraft is often free and always cheap, and there are few better ways to spend time with your family without spending loads of cash.

The best experiences, especially the best outdoor experiences, are those that are shared with friends and family.

The best way to enjoy bushcraft is to do so safely, being careful and cautious at all times.

• Use sharp tools as they are intended and always supervise children carefully.
• Fires can be very damaging to the landscape; make sure all fires are completely out and the area cleared of debris before leaving any site.
• Hygiene is really important; especially when preparing food, wash hands and utensils often - even when youre out in the woods.

Bushcraft, adventure, getting dirty, stinking of woodsmoke, exploring, hunting, camping, foraging, hiking, scrumping - all those things that together encompass being outdoors are important for human beings to do. Our species is not designed to sit slouched on a sofa staring at a screen; Homo sapiens have spent most of the last two hundred thousand years outdoors and we are only the most recent species of hominids. That outdoor evolution over millions of years has made us the wonderful, innovative, creative animal that we are today.

I wonder how many more years of smartphones, tablets and game consoles it will take for us to start devolving?

The contents of this book are simply a few ideas that we hope youll try. We really, really hope that youll get the bug and start spending more and more time outside with the people you love. Perhaps you can persuade your friends to do the same; more people getting outside means more knowledge, enthusiasm and energy for all the wonderful things you can do in the great outdoors.

We hate rules, we really do, but there needs to be one rule out there in the woods or wherever else your journey takes you. No phones (except for emergencies). No iPods. No tablets.

Just friends, family, food, woodsmoke, dirt and laughter.

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods;
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society where none intrudes,
By the deep Sea, and music in its roar.
I love not Man the less, but Nature more.

Lord Bryon, Childe Harolds Pilgrimage

A QUICK WORD ABOUT THE LAW

Always ask permission of a landowner before entering their private property

ENJOYING THE LANDSCAPE

Respect landowners property and always ask permission of a landowner before entering their private property. Although, technically trespassing is not a criminal offence, it can be construed as a civil wrong. You will need the landowners permission if you intend to dig up plants to access the roots, hunt or stay out overnight.

The best way to get a landowners permission is to ask really nicely - writing an email or letter can get great results.

Good ways to find out who owns a piece of land is to ask around the local area or email likely organisations like the National Trust, the Forestry Commission or farms. Facebook groups and internet forums can also be very helpful.

UK KNIFE LAW

UK knife law can appear a little confusing and complicated.

Should the police, or anyone else for that matter, question your need to carry a knife you will need to prove that you are carrying that knife for a genuine reason.