My tip is to prepare like you're going into weather that's 20 degrees colder than the lowest temperature you expect it to be. There's a huge difference between walking down the street in and out of shops in 30 degree F vs hanging around for hours or days in the same temp. I've brought newbies camping with me who scoffed at me when I stressed the importance of proper insulation from the ground, and having a warm hat to sleep in. If you're new to spending days and nights in the outdoors, go a little bit lighter on tools if you need to in order to carry appropriate insulation to wear and sleep in, and make sure you have redundancies to keep the most important insulation dry. Line your pack with a trash compactor, but ALSO go ahead and pick up some roll top dry bags (or if you're on a budget, you can even use a gallon ziplock to store sleeping socks/hat in). Think of the most likely weather related disasters that could occur on your trip (high winds, or possibly falling into a river if you need to do river crossings, or dealing with intense amounts of rain) and then alter your kit so that if that scenario happens, it will be tolerable rather than desperate.
"There's a huge difference between walking down the street in and out of shops in 30 degree F vs hanging around for hours or days in the same temp." Very true, especially when the temperature you see in a weather forecast is usually on the tarmac at an airport and not the temp at a higher elevation or in the forest. Cloud cover can radically affect how warm you feel too. I've gone from too cold to too hot just be having the sun come out from behind the clouds.
Well said I am so pleased you say practicing at home is not to be scoffed at. Making mistakes at home you can walk inside dejected but safe. Great information 🔥
My wife, daughters and grandchildren did a “practice camping” in the backyard the other week ago. It actually went better than expected. But they learned quick watching a video to pitch a tent is indeed different than actually doing it.....lol.
Great tips, great advice, Luke! I've been an outdoorsman for 60+ years but I still learn from guys like you who have extensive knowledge. I taught Buddy Care/Survival in the Air Force as well as Emergency Medicine (EMT). There are experts in every nook and cranny of the world so it's impossible for any particular person to be totally knowledgeable and proficient in bushcraft and/or survival. General knowledge and proficiency is good in that it gives one a base to go to the next level. While stationed in Arizona, I befriended a Navajo who was highly proficient in desert survival. He admitted that if he had to survive in the mountains or in a colder region it would be difficult for him. Your point regarding LNT is the sorest subject for me. I hiked one of my favorite trails a few days ago and I love how pristine the area is. About three miles into the trail, along the river I spotted trash strewn about and a fire that was still smoldering. The site is one of my favorite fishing spots. Man, talk about anger. I hiked back to my car, grabbed several contractor bags and returned to the site to clean it up. So many primitive camping areas get shut down due to people who don't respect the land. I'm from Maui and we have a saying that if you come to live in Hawaii, respect the aina and the kama'aina and you'll be treated in kind and be welcomed to visit or stay. Respect the land and the people.
Not even 6 minutes in to this video......I've said everything that you said. I've said it when I was a kid....I'm 56 years old right now. Some people just have no clue, and most likely....they never will. Thank you luke, for posting this. It could save someone's life!
It depend upon the person, some people are just very impulsive by nature and tend to make mistakes as a result. Myself for instance, I’m mildly autistic (I’m on the spectrum). Numerous people call us out as Darwin Award nominees, kind of harsh. Being out in nature and away from the hassle and bustle of modern life makes the world of difference to my day to day life. I have a clue but that clue isn’t always obvious as for something to come naturally I have to do it over and over, repetitively. Saying “some people just have no clue” is incredibly insulting and ignorant. I’m 44 now and have been doing this type of thing since I was a child, I still make silly mistakes when I’m learning a new skill, and I make them for a longer period of time than most but I’m not giving up. Just give a thought to those that “just don’t have a clue” in that it may just be the way they are, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Peace. 👍🏻
Thank you for sharing. this is one honest review of bush crafting. To many people are going onto public lands and setting up bush craft shelters and not removing them after they are done. Also many novice are getting into trouble, because they think because they watched a RUclips video or one of the survival shows they know what they are doing. Your advice to practice in your back yard is the best advice. You have given advice on topics that others believe are the right thing to do., also most of the time people will find themselves in a survival situation because of poor planning, walking off trail, or no experience in the back country and most of the time they will not have the tools to complete simple bush craft techniques. If you watch most bush craft videos the person never seems to get dirty, or survival show they all seem to stay clean, like they all been showering. Survival and bush craft is dirty, you are playing in the dirty. Keep up the great work, and keep it real. the truth is sometimes hard then lies, but the truth will save your life. Maybe the next video could cover some of the reasons, or situation that would require you to us bush craft skills. Or hygiene while bush crafting. The best to you and Susie and stay safe.
You are probably the one and only outdoors channel that. I truly love and watch. Love your honesty and get some more military surplus overnight adventures in.
Agreed on all counts especially "leave no trace". Here in the Canadian Rockies, I feel rotten if the smallest piece of paper is left behind. This happened once and I found it on a return trip into the forest!
Wow a great video🙂👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 I think the most important thing I’ve learned that you don’t see in videos is. Bring plenty of water. Filter and purification are for emergencies. Use them and make sure they work. After that my filter stays in my pack and I bring plenty of fresh water from home. I live in a very hot and humid environment. It was a very hard lesson learned. I will always have enough water and then some. Even if it means leaving something else behind
THANK YOU for addressing the Leave No Trace concept. Too many seem to think it's just fine to destroy a section of forest or delicate meadow etc. in order to "do bushcraft", set up a hunting camp and so on. I appreciate that many of your videos point out facts like extreme lack of firewood in areas that are heavily used, and show how disturbing it is to find garbage/debris left by others. And I LOVE the reminder to test gear and practice skills close to home BEFORE heading off deep into wilderness, the need for backup plans and so on. :D GREAT CONTENT in this episode, as well as the recent test night using Mylar "tent" and "bivy" etc. GOOD STUFF!
Luke, I have a dedicated backpack for when I go out camping or hiking. It's filled with survival gear like a hand axe, survival knife, fire making gear, camelback, paracord, a tarp or such, and I stock it with a meal and snacks a well before I head out. You always have to plan for a worst case situation. If I'm forced to survive for a night or two, it's because I either got hurt or did something wrong. If you are hurt in the wild, you will want gear that will make things as easy as possible for you. Having to start from ground zero to survive when you are injured really lowers your chances of making it back home. Never let your ego cost you your life.
Luke, it is so good to hear you talk about "Balance" "Leave No Trace" So many people see things on the internet and just go crazy in their area trying to practice what they saw. Ive seen shelters, tables, elaborate structure in wild areas and its just so disappointing. Everyone should speak of balance with nature and leave no trace as well as the ten essentials to make every outing the best outing.
I started camping as a kid in grade school pitching a tent in the back yard. I was in the boys scouts and went camping at least once a month to most times multiple times a week and even weeks at a time. I'm 66 now with 60 years of experience. Even now when when I go camping I prefer to sleep in a tent or a hammock. I have woke up in the morning from animals sniffing at my face or sleeping with me to keep warm. I still learn something new every time I go camping. things like if you talk to the animals they understand what your saying and they seem to know if your afraid of them or not. Or my favorite memory is of waking up at 3 am and going for a walk. While on the walk it started to rain and I noticed the leaves were sparkling. I took a closer look and saw a camp fire in every single drop on the leaves. There where millions of little tiny camp fires all around me but I couldn't see the fire they were reflecting until I topped the hill I was on and at the bottom of the hill there was a camp set up and a couple sitting by a tarped over camp fire. Keep alive go camping what ever way you want to and be aware you may find something you'll never find again.
I try to leave the forest exactly as I found it. I even throw the leaves and sticks back over the site when I leave. I love and respect the forest and want my children and grandchildren to be able to love the great outdoors as much as I do. As with the universe, we are not "in nature", we are a part of nature, and it is a part of us. Love it, live it, and treat it accordingly. 👍
My grand-kids still get upset when we're cleaning up the campsite after we use it. They always say "we didn't leave that", I say we leave it better than we found it. I hope they teach their kids the same way.
Thanks for the tips Luke. Slurping water run off from a tarp - seen this so may times on other channels. Common sense always prevails and that's what I love about your channel. Keep up the good work. Strength & Honour to you!
Thank you Luke for taking the time to explain those tips to us. I have never done any bushcrafting, probably never will but at least I'll have some tips to go by if/when I do
Great tips! My uncle got very sick and died from eating wild mushrooms in the forests of Pa. He was told they were safe to eat. You have to know your stuff when it comes to mushroom or wild plant consumption.
Very happy to say that I'm familiar w/ and follow all these tips. If you're nearby a national forest, there is a ton of small things you can hone on w/ your bushcraft and not be destructive.
All sounds really good. A good rule to use any time is also common sense. I'm just now getting back into camping, and being out doors as I used to be years ago but with more knowledge.
Luke great advice .I agree with you. You knowledge is power .never be afraid to fail . I've been doing camping and bush craft .but I always learn more. New steps. And knowledge. Luke makes great advice on everything. . The tips are great. Thanks to luke and susie I started my out door cooking and suvival channel. On RUclips. And luke gives great advice for people going out on first hiking trips and camping. You can learn alot from his channel. .. thanks Luke and susie great work .. stretch and honor
Excellent tips. Especially leave no trace - so many folks up here in Canada go bushcrafting on crown land because it is free and they leave everything set up and often leave behind metal grills, old kitchen sinks they brought in and so much more trash. Also love that you point out some of the reality TV shows, where they have entire crews to build things and the stars go and sleep in hotels, along with some of the really bad advice they give (let's jump in this fast flowing river with temperatures barely above freezing even though we have no way of drying out clothes or warming up afterwards). I enjoyed Les Stroud/Survivorman - he was the pioneer of filming everything yourself (including backtracking to grab the camera), he wouldn't be greedy (I already have one bird, I don't need three) and didn't take too much (only peeled dead bark from trees, had fires for warmth/utility instead of huge bonfires and was hesitant to kill unless necessary). I watch your videos because they are in line with how I think, along with real survival experts like Les, rather than Hollywood "experts" whose advice will het people killed.
My wife and I have this conversation about survival shows all the time. It truly makes me angry. They really don’t understand how dangerous it can be, Jumping into water from a cliff or eating mushrooms. I grew up with a grandfather who used the forest as a true way to help feed his family. They were that poor. You are right about learning it with someone first hand. I’m not near the woodsman as him but, i smile when I used to take people backpacking and they would want to eat from the forest floor. I may get some morel mushrooms or something easy but I always caution them to leave plants alone unless you spend many years learning about them. I’m thankful you addressed this topic.
Excellent tips. I know that people want to get outside and emulate what they see in bushcraft videos. Here in Nebraska, our state parks have added signs specifically calling out not taking bark from standing trees. Too many people doing it and killing the trees. Besides, it is Nebraska and we don't have that many trees in the first place. -Steve
Great advice Like, especially about the leaves and mushrooms. Most places don't want you destroying property to build shelters unless you have the owners permission. The time factor is often under reported. Thanks.
Great idea for a series spread over time! My TIP FROM EXPERIENCE: don't obsess about going light at the expense of usability. In my case, I learned to take a real pot with a lid and a real frypan with an attached handle. I wanted even cooking and easier cleanup. I took a heavier propane-fired stove with a built in windscreen and a fold down leg support system for off the ground stability. I could have a quick hot drink on a rest stop or for lunch without worrying about leftover embers and how much water I had left after dousing a fire. I was concerned with a healthy, manageable overall weight and aimed for that.
Good points and topic. And for me, as a person that's lives in Sweden and English is only a second language I must say that you Luke, speak very clear and is very easy to understand. I always enjoy your videos 👍😎
Been waiting for you to do a video like this, I hope it helps someone some day. I've had several people ask me to take them out over a weekend to learn wild medicinal and edible plants and I always refuse on that they think they can learn over a single weekend what i have learned over 30 yrs.
In recent years, I've been told to not camp at music festivals by my doctor because I keep catching heinous diseaes from my fellow campers (for some reason, Old Time musicians who camp seem to carry a lot of bad bugs - only half joking, there), but I've been practicing during my convalescence (a seriously horrific blood infection, caught from a fellow banjoist, came very close to killing me a couple of years ago), and I'm nearly ready to camp in my car in a Holiday Inn parking lot after the 'Rona is finally vanquished... (lol). But seriously, I'm planning to tent camp in my backyard in the near future, because I seriously suck at building shelters, and one bout with pneumonia (yes, that too) is more than enough for me. BUT I love your bushcraft vids and advice. Leep it comin'!
Very important. They won't hunt you as hard if they think you're not there, and any evidence you leave gives info on you ( #'s, age, skills, direction ).
Good information Luke, people have no clue of the reality of staying and living outside, I have lived in travel with my dog for 4 years in the woods people should dedicate one weekend do it safely and see what it is to be outside perhaps they will be more serious in their Endeavors and safety.
An insightful first video in what promises to be an interesting and educational series. To be honest, the term bushcraft is one that I only heard about a few years ago. Before that I labeled it all under survival skills as I used to assist on survival courses for the air National Guard units out Knoxville, TN. back in the eighties. You are so right about shelter building. I used to take me the better part of a day to build a shelter. And on one trip I was not paying attention while using a K-Bar and have the scar to remind me to be mindful. Looking forward to the next installment in this series.🤙
...and those heavy liner bags can be stuffed while separating the bugs in the leaves from the camper resting on them. Bring two and cut two long poles and you are halfway to making a usable raised bed (especially if you travel with a rollup mat) without having to source and trim a bunch of bedding support sticks.
Thanks for the video. My dad was second force recon with the Marines but due to brain damage before I was born and now dementia, there is less and less of him in there. He taught me some things about the woods and survival, but nowhere near as much as I wish I could have learned from him. These videos give me access to some of what has been lost... Thank you again!
Another GREAT video! @11:00 talking about leave no trace! This needs to be talked about so so much more!! You spoke several times about how everything takes time. This is so true. For me, I live by Thoreau's words; “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." I enjoy your talks Luke.
All very good tips. Especially practice at home first. Don't be the bozo who goes out and starts chopping down trees to "play" bushcraft. Not to mention jackwagons with chainsaws who will cut down a 100 yr. old tree for firewood.
I have been of dozens of hikes and back packing trips with my boys as well as scouting camp trips. I had them each bring a medium trash bag with them. When we were hiking out I spike to them regarding extra stuff that brought along that they did not use. I explained that an ounce of stuff becomes a pound of stuff when you are hiking on the trail. I had them get into the habit of unpacking at home and creating 2 piles. Stuff they used, touched, looked at while on the hike in one pile and the other pile was for the stuff they chose to just carry for a few days with no use involved. Over a few years of backpacking they became experts at just what was really needed on a camping trip. Works every time !! CB
Thanks for the tips. Speaking of spiders.....I recently bought a nice headlamp, not just for camping but also for coming out of the woods after a hunt. At just the right angle of light, I noticed hundreds of tiny sparkles like diamonds in the leaves and grass. Not rain or dew. I discovered it was spider eyes. Every one I checked out was a spider, big spider, tiny spider, all sizes of spiders. It's amazing how many there are.
You have a great site. I've learned a lot. I have a habit of watching multiple bushcraft sites to see different techniques, styles, equipment, locations, etc. You are so right about reality shows. Most are BS. I've learned, to know your limits, know your area, know your equipment, and know your techniques. By practice, not just by reading.
Like most folks who follow Lukes adventures i also watch other bushcraft videos to meep learning. I always wondered how long in reality it would take to make those same shelters. I mean if all the wood was found, cleaned and cut for me it would still take an entire day to assemble it. But if you watch those edited videos they do it all in a few hours or so.....LOL. I wonder how many amateurs like myself didnt realize the time involved when they started playing “bushcraft.” Tips were great here.
Great video, Luke! Knowledge is power. Most importantly, there has never been a more important time in our lives to learn this knowledge and also for all of us to be aware of our Forest System. Needs our help more than ever! Awareness is so imperative right now!
Great video. I will add to DONT cut down trees in the forest. If there are dead trees already down or tree limbs go ahead but don't destroy the living trees and plants.
Hey Luke! Thank you for this video! Everything you said is so true and makes sense. I watch several different Bushcraft videos from RUclips and I have always been a big fan of the survival shows on tv. It never dawned on me all the time I was watching those reality shows just how scripted or planned they are.
Man thanks so much for these tips. I hope to see more of this type. Getting harder in my area to get permission to use property because of others leaving trash or damage. Thanks again to TOGR
My advice for those who want to focus on the making spoons, bowl & chairs side of thing. for getting the wood wait until after the big storms then walk around the local neighborhood to see if any trees have come down in peoples gardens. If there are, offer to clean up the mess in exchange for the wood, and if they agree remove the fallen tree, cut the stump flush and rake the lawn so they don't have to deal with it at all. Sometimes a bottle of whisky help sweeten the deal.
Wow so so true ! Never eat something ya aint sure about 100%! I have tried building shelters and man its super hard work and like ya said hard on the forest I personally like hammock camping but I bring a tent as plan b and I always say better to have and not need and not have thats how I go camping or anything else I do outside thanx for sharing this info with everybody nicely done
I would never refer to myself as an expert and neither should you. Bush crafters twice our age are quick to point that out. There is always something to learn. However I do consider you very knowledgeable on the subject.
Thank you for the great video. I have room to practice by my house and if something doesn’t work, I can just walk back to my house and try to figure out what went wrong. Great advice.
good vid and info One of my favorite saying is "Rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it" also, practice a skill in ideal conditions first, then make it more difficult each time you practice afterwards. Almost guaranteed, when you NEED to use that skill, conditions will suck.
I can remember as a kid to a young adult the family hunting Mule Deer is Eastern Oregon. The adults would have campers and tents. We kids were expected to learn how to make very simple shelters for the night. It still took us hours to do this. We learned by freezing and getting wet. Nothing and I do mean nothing motivates a human being like a cold wet night lol. I did not get cold or wet to many times!!!! I learned
Great advice. Just this weekend I set up a tarp shelter in the backyard. Dial it in in the backyard so you don’t have to dial it in in the back country. And ya still gonna miss something. Ha!
I knew most of this already, but it's still good to hear every now and then. Even Les and a few others have called out the bs on some of these shows. I like to bushcraft sometimes, but always with dead stuff. I sometimes make a debris shelter with sticks. I'm very careful with the leaves. don't always get it done in time, so I always have my backpacking gear setup as a backup. I also haven't messed with flora and fauna. I don't want to use a book but haven't been able to take a local course.
Hello Luke! I am new to all this bushcraft and outdoor life, i feel lucky i discovered your channel. You seem like an awesome teacher. I want to get some breaks from my job and computers, So i think this will be very teraputic for me. Can't wait for you to continue this mini series. Thanks alot! /Tor
Hey luke i have binged watch the video the past cuppole weeks love the videos brother keep the videos coming watching your videos is really getting me ready to start back up my out door camping much love from iowa
Luke great clip, I really appreciate the sensible, honest advice that you give. I also find it very entertaining. Oh yeah and I was really pleased that my name was mentioned at the end of this clip!!! Best Regards Ivan
It was a bold undertaking to address bushcraft do's and don'ts with such a large array of skilled and allegedly skilled woodsmem through the youtube community. I even raised an eyebrow myself when I read the title of this video. I was certain you were going to say something that I completely disagreed with, but it turns out that I actually agree with you 100% on this. I have no constructive criticism for you because I simply have zero criticism for the content that you just published. Thank you for bravely taking on this subject.
Fantastic Video. I think one thing to touch on is common sense, and you more or less allude to it. It goes a long way whether you're watching a youtube video or out in the woods practicing your skills. Whether you call it bushcraft, woodcraft or camping, those skills all apply and so does common sense. I, like you learned my way thru camping growing up, starting when I was 12 and went on my first overnight with my best bud. We had read survival books (How To Stay Alive In The Woods by Bradford Angier was our go to), we built gear etc and when we got out there the real learning began. Personally I think making your own gear or adapting gear to your specific needs is the best way to really get to know your gear and how to use it. Im having a blast now at 56 fumbling my way through the woods again after being away from it for too long, and videos like this help a lot, even just to remind us to use common sense, and yes...focus. Thanks Luke
All your tips, just like everything on your channel is great advice because you are so honest and genuine in all you do. My only "complaint " is the "bad" examples from the survival shows: while I feel Bear Grylss is in way too good physical shape to teach a commoner like me, Dave Canterbury and Cody Lunedin are bushcraft gods, although I never saw the point of Cody always being barefoot.
I have come to respect your opinions on products, but I think this was the best video you have done. The topics you included can individually dissuade anyone from having fun in the woods. I hope your suggestions help many others enjoy nature while we still can.
Great advice Luke !! And you are so right ! They do make it look like it only takes a few minutes !! Hell, it takes longer than that to collect wood to build a fire !
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My tip is to prepare like you're going into weather that's 20 degrees colder than the lowest temperature you expect it to be. There's a huge difference between walking down the street in and out of shops in 30 degree F vs hanging around for hours or days in the same temp. I've brought newbies camping with me who scoffed at me when I stressed the importance of proper insulation from the ground, and having a warm hat to sleep in. If you're new to spending days and nights in the outdoors, go a little bit lighter on tools if you need to in order to carry appropriate insulation to wear and sleep in, and make sure you have redundancies to keep the most important insulation dry. Line your pack with a trash compactor, but ALSO go ahead and pick up some roll top dry bags (or if you're on a budget, you can even use a gallon ziplock to store sleeping socks/hat in). Think of the most likely weather related disasters that could occur on your trip (high winds, or possibly falling into a river if you need to do river crossings, or dealing with intense amounts of rain) and then alter your kit so that if that scenario happens, it will be tolerable rather than desperate.
"There's a huge difference between walking down the street in and out of shops in 30 degree F vs hanging around for hours or days in the same temp."
Very true, especially when the temperature you see in a weather forecast is usually on the tarmac at an airport and not the temp at a higher elevation or in the forest. Cloud cover can radically affect how warm you feel too. I've gone from too cold to too hot just be having the sun come out from behind the clouds.
agree, no doubt
Excellent advice. Plan for the worst, hope for the best.
Well said
I am so pleased you say practicing at home is not to be scoffed at. Making mistakes at home you can walk inside dejected but safe.
Great information 🔥
My wife, daughters and grandchildren did a “practice camping” in the backyard the other week ago. It actually went better than expected. But they learned quick watching a video to pitch a tent is indeed different than actually doing it.....lol.
Well done
Great tips, great advice, Luke! I've been an outdoorsman for 60+ years but I still learn from guys like you who have extensive knowledge. I taught Buddy Care/Survival in the Air Force as well as Emergency Medicine (EMT). There are experts in every nook and cranny of the world so it's impossible for any particular person to be totally knowledgeable and proficient in bushcraft and/or survival. General knowledge and proficiency is good in that it gives one a base to go to the next level. While stationed in Arizona, I befriended a Navajo who was highly proficient in desert survival. He admitted that if he had to survive in the mountains or in a colder region it would be difficult for him. Your point regarding LNT is the sorest subject for me. I hiked one of my favorite trails a few days ago and I love how pristine the area is. About three miles into the trail, along the river I spotted trash strewn about and a fire that was still smoldering. The site is one of my favorite fishing spots. Man, talk about anger. I hiked back to my car, grabbed several contractor bags and returned to the site to clean it up. So many primitive camping areas get shut down due to people who don't respect the land. I'm from Maui and we have a saying that if you come to live in Hawaii, respect the aina and the kama'aina and you'll be treated in kind and be welcomed to visit or stay. Respect the land and the people.
Not even 6 minutes in to this video......I've said everything that you said. I've said it when I was a kid....I'm 56 years old right now.
Some people just have no clue, and most likely....they never will. Thank you luke, for posting this. It could save someone's life!
It depend upon the person, some people are just very impulsive by nature and tend to make mistakes as a result. Myself for instance, I’m mildly autistic (I’m on the spectrum). Numerous people call us out as Darwin Award nominees, kind of harsh. Being out in nature and away from the hassle and bustle of modern life makes the world of difference to my day to day life. I have a clue but that clue isn’t always obvious as for something to come naturally I have to do it over and over, repetitively. Saying “some people just have no clue” is incredibly insulting and ignorant. I’m 44 now and have been doing this type of thing since I was a child, I still make silly mistakes when I’m learning a new skill, and I make them for a longer period of time than most but I’m not giving up. Just give a thought to those that “just don’t have a clue” in that it may just be the way they are, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Peace. 👍🏻
Thank you for sharing. this is one honest review of bush crafting. To many people are going onto public lands and setting up bush craft shelters and not removing them after they are done. Also many novice are getting into trouble, because they think because they watched a RUclips video or one of the survival shows they know what they are doing. Your advice to practice in your back yard is the best advice. You have given advice on topics that others believe are the right thing to do., also most of the time people will find themselves in a survival situation because of poor planning, walking off trail, or no experience in the back country and most of the time they will not have the tools to complete simple bush craft techniques.
If you watch most bush craft videos the person never seems to get dirty, or survival show they all seem to stay clean, like they all been showering. Survival and bush craft is dirty, you are playing in the dirty.
Keep up the great work, and keep it real. the truth is sometimes hard then lies, but the truth will save your life.
Maybe the next video could cover some of the reasons, or situation that would require you to us bush craft skills. Or hygiene while bush crafting.
The best to you and Susie and stay safe.
You are probably the one and only outdoors channel that. I truly love and watch. Love your honesty and get some more military surplus overnight adventures in.
Agreed on all counts especially "leave no trace". Here in the Canadian Rockies, I feel rotten if the smallest piece of paper is left behind. This happened once and I found it on a return trip into the forest!
Wow a great video🙂👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 I think the most important thing I’ve learned that you don’t see in videos is. Bring plenty of water. Filter and purification are for emergencies. Use them and make sure they work. After that my filter stays in my pack and I bring plenty of fresh water from home. I live in a very hot and humid environment. It was a very hard lesson learned. I will always have enough water and then some. Even if it means leaving something else behind
THANK YOU for addressing the Leave No Trace concept. Too many seem to think it's just fine to destroy a section of forest or delicate meadow etc. in order to "do bushcraft", set up a hunting camp and so on. I appreciate that many of your videos point out facts like extreme lack of firewood in areas that are heavily used, and show how disturbing it is to find garbage/debris left by others. And I LOVE the reminder to test gear and practice skills close to home BEFORE heading off deep into wilderness, the need for backup plans and so on. :D GREAT CONTENT in this episode, as well as the recent test night using Mylar "tent" and "bivy" etc. GOOD STUFF!
Luke, I have a dedicated backpack for when I go out camping or hiking. It's filled with survival gear like a hand axe, survival knife, fire making gear, camelback, paracord, a tarp or such, and I stock it with a meal and snacks a well before I head out. You always have to plan for a worst case situation. If I'm forced to survive for a night or two, it's because I either got hurt or did something wrong. If you are hurt in the wild, you will want gear that will make things as easy as possible for you. Having to start from ground zero to survive when you are injured really lowers your chances of making it back home. Never let your ego cost you your life.
Luke, it is so good to hear you talk about "Balance" "Leave No Trace" So many people see things on the internet and just go crazy in their area trying to practice what they saw. Ive seen shelters, tables, elaborate structure in wild areas and its just so disappointing. Everyone should speak of balance with nature and leave no trace as well as the ten essentials to make every outing the best outing.
I started camping as a kid in grade school pitching a tent in the back yard. I was in the boys scouts and went camping at least once a month to most times multiple times a week and even weeks at a time. I'm 66 now with 60 years of experience. Even now when when I go camping I prefer to sleep in a tent or a hammock. I have woke up in the morning from animals sniffing at my face or sleeping with me to keep warm. I still learn something new every time I go camping. things like if you talk to the animals they understand what your saying and they seem to know if your afraid of them or not. Or my favorite memory is of waking up at 3 am and going for a walk. While on the walk it started to rain and I noticed the leaves were sparkling. I took a closer look and saw a camp fire in every single drop on the leaves. There where millions of little tiny camp fires all around me but I couldn't see the fire they were reflecting until I topped the hill I was on and at the bottom of the hill there was a camp set up and a couple sitting by a tarped over camp fire. Keep alive go camping what ever way you want to and be aware you may find something you'll never find again.
I try to leave the forest exactly as I found it. I even throw the leaves and sticks back over the site when I leave. I love and respect the forest and want my children and grandchildren to be able to love the great outdoors as much as I do. As with the universe, we are not "in nature", we are a part of nature, and it is a part of us. Love it, live it, and treat it accordingly. 👍
My grand-kids still get upset when we're cleaning up the campsite after we use it. They always say "we didn't leave that", I say we leave it better than we found it. I hope they teach their kids the same way.
Thanks for the tips Luke. Slurping water run off from a tarp - seen this so may times on other channels. Common sense always prevails and that's what I love about your channel. Keep up the good work. Strength & Honour to you!
Some real good advice you don't hear that often. I'm glad you take responsibility to your audience!
Thank you Luke for taking the time to explain those tips to us. I have never done any bushcrafting, probably never will but at least I'll have some tips to go by if/when I do
Great tips! My uncle got very sick and died from eating wild mushrooms in the forests of Pa. He was told they were safe to eat. You have to know your stuff when it comes to mushroom or wild plant consumption.
Very happy to say that I'm familiar w/ and follow all these tips.
If you're nearby a national forest, there is a ton of small things you can hone on w/ your bushcraft and not be destructive.
All sounds really good. A good rule to use any time is also common sense. I'm just now getting back into camping, and being out doors as I used to be years ago but with more knowledge.
Luke great advice .I agree with you. You knowledge is power .never be afraid to fail . I've been doing camping and bush craft .but I always learn more. New steps. And knowledge. Luke makes great advice on everything. . The tips are great. Thanks to luke and susie I started my out door cooking and suvival channel. On RUclips. And luke gives great advice for people going out on first hiking trips and camping. You can learn alot from his channel. .. thanks Luke and susie great work .. stretch and honor
Excellent tips. Especially leave no trace - so many folks up here in Canada go bushcrafting on crown land because it is free and they leave everything set up and often leave behind metal grills, old kitchen sinks they brought in and so much more trash.
Also love that you point out some of the reality TV shows, where they have entire crews to build things and the stars go and sleep in hotels, along with some of the really bad advice they give (let's jump in this fast flowing river with temperatures barely above freezing even though we have no way of drying out clothes or warming up afterwards).
I enjoyed Les Stroud/Survivorman - he was the pioneer of filming everything yourself (including backtracking to grab the camera), he wouldn't be greedy (I already have one bird, I don't need three) and didn't take too much (only peeled dead bark from trees, had fires for warmth/utility instead of huge bonfires and was hesitant to kill unless necessary).
I watch your videos because they are in line with how I think, along with real survival experts like Les, rather than Hollywood "experts" whose advice will het people killed.
My wife and I have this conversation about survival shows all the time. It truly makes me angry. They really don’t understand how dangerous it can be, Jumping into water from a cliff or eating mushrooms. I grew up with a grandfather who used the forest as a true way to help feed his family. They were that poor. You are right about learning it with someone first hand. I’m not near the woodsman as him but, i smile when I used to take people backpacking and they would want to eat from the forest floor. I may get some morel mushrooms or something easy but I always caution them to leave plants alone unless you spend many years learning about them. I’m thankful you addressed this topic.
Excellent tips. I know that people want to get outside and emulate what they see in bushcraft videos. Here in Nebraska, our state parks have added signs specifically calling out not taking bark from standing trees. Too many people doing it and killing the trees. Besides, it is Nebraska and we don't have that many trees in the first place.
-Steve
Great advice, my best advice is to find someone native to the area you intend to trek and listen very carefully to them.
Great advice Like, especially about the leaves and mushrooms. Most places don't want you destroying property to build shelters unless you have the owners permission. The time factor is often under reported. Thanks.
Great idea for a series spread over time! My TIP FROM EXPERIENCE: don't obsess about going light at the expense of usability. In my case, I learned to take a real pot with a lid and a real frypan with an attached handle. I wanted even cooking and easier cleanup. I took a heavier propane-fired stove with a built in windscreen and a fold down leg support system for off the ground stability. I could have a quick hot drink on a rest stop or for lunch without worrying about leftover embers and how much water I had left after dousing a fire. I was concerned with a healthy, manageable overall weight and aimed for that.
Good points and topic. And for me, as a person that's lives in Sweden and English is only a second language I must say that you Luke, speak very clear and is very easy to understand. I always enjoy your videos 👍😎
Thanks Luke as Always God Bless
Been waiting for you to do a video like this, I hope it helps someone some day.
I've had several people ask me to take them out over a weekend to learn wild medicinal and edible plants and I always refuse on that they think they can learn over a single weekend what i have learned over 30 yrs.
In recent years, I've been told to not camp at music festivals by my doctor because I keep catching heinous diseaes from my fellow campers (for some reason, Old Time musicians who camp seem to carry a lot of bad bugs - only half joking, there), but I've been practicing during my convalescence (a seriously horrific blood infection, caught from a fellow banjoist, came very close to killing me a couple of years ago), and I'm nearly ready to camp in my car in a Holiday Inn parking lot after the 'Rona is finally vanquished... (lol).
But seriously, I'm planning to tent camp in my backyard in the near future, because I seriously suck at building shelters, and one bout with pneumonia (yes, that too) is more than enough for me.
BUT I love your bushcraft vids and advice. Leep it comin'!
Really practical and authentic. I prefer the leave no trace approach. Thanks for a great video!
Great tips!! Especially the "Leave No Trace" part!!
Very important.
They won't hunt you as hard if they think you're not there, and any evidence you leave gives info on you ( #'s, age, skills, direction ).
Good information Luke, people have no clue of the reality of staying and living outside, I have lived in travel with my dog for 4 years in the woods people should dedicate one weekend do it safely and see what it is to be outside perhaps they will be more serious in their Endeavors and safety.
An insightful first video in what promises to be an interesting and educational series. To be honest, the term bushcraft is one that I only heard about a few years ago. Before that I labeled it all under survival skills as I used to assist on survival courses for the air National Guard units out Knoxville, TN. back in the eighties. You are so right about shelter building. I used to take me the better part of a day to build a shelter. And on one trip I was not paying attention while using a K-Bar and have the scar to remind me to be mindful. Looking forward to the next installment in this series.🤙
Good advice thanks. I always take a drum liner plastic bag. Cheap, available everywhere, light weight tarp if needed.
...and those heavy liner bags can be stuffed while separating the bugs in the leaves from the camper resting on them. Bring two and cut two long poles and you are halfway to making a usable raised bed (especially if you travel with a rollup mat) without having to source and trim a bunch of bedding support sticks.
Thanks for the video. My dad was second force recon with the Marines but due to brain damage before I was born and now dementia, there is less and less of him in there. He taught me some things about the woods and survival, but nowhere near as much as I wish I could have learned from him. These videos give me access to some of what has been lost... Thank you again!
One great take away from this is the appreciation of time given back that modern live gives. Just boiling a cup of tea in the wilderness takes time.
Another GREAT video!
@11:00 talking about leave no trace! This needs to be talked about so so much more!!
You spoke several times about how everything takes time. This is so true. For me, I live by Thoreau's words;
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."
I enjoy your talks Luke.
Thanks Luke! We need more videos like this. Knowledge is truly powerful. 🤙🏼
Great tips Luke, taken on board.
All very good tips. Especially practice at home first. Don't be the bozo who goes out and starts chopping down trees to "play" bushcraft. Not to mention jackwagons with chainsaws who will cut down a 100 yr. old tree for firewood.
I have been of dozens of hikes and back packing trips with my boys as well as scouting camp trips. I had them each bring a medium trash bag with them. When we were hiking out I spike to them regarding extra stuff that brought along that they did not use. I explained that an ounce of stuff becomes a pound of stuff when you are hiking on the trail. I had them get into the habit of unpacking at home and creating 2 piles. Stuff they used, touched, looked at while on the hike in one pile and the other pile was for the stuff they chose to just carry for a few days with no use involved. Over a few years of backpacking they became experts at just what was really needed on a camping trip. Works every time !! CB
Excellent episode. Good things to keep in the front of your mind.
Thank you once again Luck for pure honesty. This is probably hands down the wisest video on bushcraft on RUclips.
thank you luke for really putting it out there, you rock man.... STRENGTH AND HONOR !!!
Thanks for the tips. Speaking of spiders.....I recently bought a nice headlamp, not just for camping but also for coming out of the woods after a hunt. At just the right angle of light, I noticed hundreds of tiny sparkles like diamonds in the leaves and grass. Not rain or dew. I discovered it was spider eyes. Every one I checked out was a spider, big spider, tiny spider, all sizes of spiders. It's amazing how many there are.
Excellent Tips. I would add to the "focus on the task at hand" to also Keep It Simple.
This is why I always trust your judgment and luv your channel. ...
You have a great site. I've learned a lot. I have a habit of watching multiple bushcraft sites to see different techniques, styles, equipment, locations, etc. You are so right about reality shows. Most are BS. I've learned, to know your limits, know your area, know your equipment, and know your techniques. By practice, not just by reading.
I've been practicing skills in the Outdoors for 45 years. Good Vid Luke.
Like most folks who follow Lukes adventures i also watch other bushcraft videos to meep learning. I always wondered how long in reality it would take to make those same shelters. I mean if all the wood was found, cleaned and cut for me it would still take an entire day to assemble it. But if you watch those edited videos they do it all in a few hours or so.....LOL. I wonder how many amateurs like myself didnt realize the time involved when they started playing “bushcraft.” Tips were great here.
Thank you Luke. Strength and honor.
Great video, Luke! Knowledge is power. Most importantly, there has never been a more important time in our lives to learn this knowledge and also for all of us to be aware of our Forest System. Needs our help more than ever! Awareness is so imperative right now!
Thank you, sir... The best and honest information given.
Nice job! Looking forward to a follow up. Thanks.
Great video. I will add to DONT cut down trees in the forest. If there are dead trees already down or tree limbs go ahead but don't destroy the living trees and plants.
Another great video full of real life advice !
Thanks, Luke
Hey Luke! Thank you for this video! Everything you said is so true and makes sense. I watch several different Bushcraft videos from RUclips and I have always been a big fan of the survival shows on tv. It never dawned on me all the time I was watching those reality shows just how scripted or planned they are.
Man thanks so much for these tips.
I hope to see more of this type.
Getting harder in my area to get permission to use property because of others leaving trash or damage.
Thanks again to TOGR
For me as a newbie this video gave me som real aha-moments. Thanks!
Thank you Luke for these tips. I love the info you share with us all. Have a wonderful night my friend.
Awesome and honest video Luke! If people would apply these tips everywhere the world would be a better place.
My advice for those who want to focus on the making spoons, bowl & chairs side of thing. for getting the wood wait until after the big storms then walk around the local neighborhood to see if any trees have come down in peoples gardens. If there are, offer to clean up the mess in exchange for the wood, and if they agree remove the fallen tree, cut the stump flush and rake the lawn so they don't have to deal with it at all. Sometimes a bottle of whisky help sweeten the deal.
Wow so so true ! Never eat something ya aint sure about 100%! I have tried building shelters and man its super hard work and like ya said hard on the forest I personally like hammock camping but I bring a tent as plan b and I always say better to have and not need and not have thats how I go camping or anything else I do outside thanx for sharing this info with everybody nicely done
I would never refer to myself as an expert and neither should you. Bush crafters twice our age are quick to point that out. There is always something to learn. However I do consider you very knowledgeable on the subject.
Thank you for the great video. I have room to practice by my house and if something doesn’t work, I can just walk back to my house and try to figure out what went wrong. Great advice.
Excellent tips... truly good and helpful both to the aspiring bushcrafter... and to nature!
good vid and info
One of my favorite saying is "Rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it"
also, practice a skill in ideal conditions first, then make it more difficult each time you practice afterwards.
Almost guaranteed, when you NEED to use that skill, conditions will suck.
Excellent! Informative and absolutely true. You covered so many bases that people don't "the reality." Well done!
Very knowledgeable and helpful video.many thanks & god bless 🇬🇧
Appreciate you bringing the 'real' to bushcraft....
Great advice Luke! Honest and 2 the point. That's y I watch u!
I can remember as a kid to a young adult the family hunting Mule Deer is Eastern Oregon. The adults would have campers and tents.
We kids were expected to learn how to make very simple shelters for the night. It still took us hours to do this. We learned by freezing and getting wet. Nothing and I do mean nothing motivates a human being like a cold wet night lol. I did not get cold or wet to many times!!!! I learned
Speaking the truth! Thank you! Cheers, Marc
Great advice Luke! Thanks for sharing. - Jeremy
Great advice. Just this weekend I set up a tarp shelter in the backyard. Dial it in in the backyard so you don’t have to dial it in in the back country.
And ya still gonna miss something. Ha!
Great video and advise. I’ve been spending time in the woods for over 50 years and I’m still a student.
Thanks, I especially like/agree with your point about using what’s out there but not being destructive of your surroundings. God bless, Bill.
I knew most of this already, but it's still good to hear every now and then. Even Les and a few others have called out the bs on some of these shows. I like to bushcraft sometimes, but always with dead stuff. I sometimes make a debris shelter with sticks. I'm very careful with the leaves. don't always get it done in time, so I always have my backpacking gear setup as a backup. I also haven't messed with flora and fauna. I don't want to use a book but haven't been able to take a local course.
Hello Luke!
I am new to all this bushcraft and outdoor life, i feel lucky i discovered your channel.
You seem like an awesome teacher. I want to get some breaks from my job and computers,
So i think this will be very teraputic for me. Can't wait for you to continue this mini series.
Thanks alot!
/Tor
Hey luke i have binged watch the video the past cuppole weeks love the videos brother keep the videos coming watching your videos is really getting me ready to start back up my out door camping much love from iowa
Luke great clip, I really appreciate the sensible, honest advice that you give. I also find it very entertaining. Oh yeah and I was really pleased that my name was mentioned at the end of this clip!!! Best Regards Ivan
I love this series, please keep it up! Thanks Luke!
Leave your ego at home and give Love and Respect to the space that hosts you.
Great advices my brother!
Luke Thank you. I'm a newbie to nomad lifestyle. Your videos have been extremely helpful. Keep doing what you do.
Cheers Luke. Great advice as always
It was a bold undertaking to address bushcraft do's and don'ts with such a large array of skilled and allegedly skilled woodsmem through the youtube community. I even raised an eyebrow myself when I read the title of this video. I was certain you were going to say something that I completely disagreed with, but it turns out that I actually agree with you 100% on this. I have no constructive criticism for you because I simply have zero criticism for the content that you just published. Thank you for bravely taking on this subject.
This video puts the all other bushcraft videos into a more realistic perspective. Good advice, thanks.
Your honesty is very refreshing and informative. Much love and thanks.
Thanks for the awesome and informative vid. Love this content
Fantastic Video. I think one thing to touch on is common sense, and you more or less allude to it. It goes a long way whether you're watching a youtube video or out in the woods practicing your skills. Whether you call it bushcraft, woodcraft or camping, those skills all apply and so does common sense. I, like you learned my way thru camping growing up, starting when I was 12 and went on my first overnight with my best bud. We had read survival books (How To Stay Alive In The Woods by Bradford Angier was our go to), we built gear etc and when we got out there the real learning began. Personally I think making your own gear or adapting gear to your specific needs is the best way to really get to know your gear and how to use it.
Im having a blast now at 56 fumbling my way through the woods again after being away from it for too long, and videos like this help a lot, even just to remind us to use common sense, and yes...focus. Thanks Luke
Yes!!! More of this!!!
All your tips, just like everything on your channel is great advice because you are so honest and genuine in all you do. My only "complaint " is the "bad" examples from the survival shows: while I feel Bear Grylss is in way too good physical shape to teach a commoner like me, Dave Canterbury and Cody Lunedin are bushcraft gods, although I never saw the point of Cody always being barefoot.
I have come to respect your opinions on products, but I think this was the best video you have done. The topics you included can individually dissuade anyone from having fun in the woods. I hope your suggestions help many others enjoy nature while we still can.
Great advice and tips...thanks friend..
Great advice Luke !! And you are so right ! They do make it look like it only takes a few minutes !! Hell, it takes longer than that to collect wood to build a fire !
Great video. good sensible & concise advice, as always.
Absolutely great information and advice. Everything you said was spot on. Thanks, we needed this.
No nonsense great advice...
Thanks...
I appreciate your skills and comments...
This is a great site...😊
Great information, thank you for sharing especially about the debris shelters and the spiders and bugs, yuck LOL God Bless you