Hello all!
I'm planning to do an experiment of sorts, where the goal is to live out in the nature completely alone for around one month, only surviving by what I can find in nature itself, without any outside help or contact.
So I'm interested in getting to know people whom have experience with wildlife survival, the nature, hunting and anything else related to such a thing.
Things I'd like to learn more about is of course the basics of survival in such conditions. How to get food, water, making useful traps and weapons for hunting, edible plants, building shelters and so on.
Any personal experiences from anyone on this would be interesting to hear, and so would any websites or other resources on these kind of things. How to prepare for such a thing, minimum stuff to bring with me (I plan to bring a tent at least, knife, fishing rod, some medication, and small amount of emergency food just in case, as well as a lighter and such to make a fire though I'd prefer to learn to make that on my own).
So basically here you have it, this is the things I'm curious about, and anyone whom can help and give useful suggestions, advice and so forth is greatly appreciated!
Cheers
-EA
Full Version: Survival skills, wildlife, hunting & nature
Hello darkbreed.
Some questions, if I may.
Where are you planning on doing this excursion into the Wild? Have you ever done anything like this before?
Both answers could greatly change any advice you may find worth in from me.
I recently spent a very long time hiking/surviving in the jungles and mountains of Panama and Costa Rica. Quite a different world down there than anything less tropical, but most of the basics are the same in the end. Getting water sources, making sure they're safe for consumption, gathering food, making fire etc. The main thing to remember on such an excursion is that no matter how prepared you are, you're never prepared enough. You need to take little weight while taking many things, it is difficult to plan and you will be there wishing you had either less of some things or other things you forgot completely.
Also, what has drawn you to doing this?
Some questions, if I may.
Where are you planning on doing this excursion into the Wild? Have you ever done anything like this before?
Both answers could greatly change any advice you may find worth in from me.
I recently spent a very long time hiking/surviving in the jungles and mountains of Panama and Costa Rica. Quite a different world down there than anything less tropical, but most of the basics are the same in the end. Getting water sources, making sure they're safe for consumption, gathering food, making fire etc. The main thing to remember on such an excursion is that no matter how prepared you are, you're never prepared enough. You need to take little weight while taking many things, it is difficult to plan and you will be there wishing you had either less of some things or other things you forgot completely.
Also, what has drawn you to doing this?
Yeah sorry for not giving some more background information.
I'm pretty much raised up in the woods of Norway and camping and spending long time out in the forest is something I'm used to, but with traditional camping equipment. I've also been traveling around in Mexico, some years ago, and most recently I spent a lot of time in the jungles of Brazil. Right now I am in Argentina and I am thinking about some place here, first I will probably do a preparation time close to my home, as I live down by the countryside in a small town with lotsa woods around.
And the reason why I want to do this is twofold: One is for spiritual reasons as I feel being out in the nature alone for myself for some time living with the nature and what it can provide can get me in deeper touch with both myself and the nature, the other part is that I am planning an expedition sometime in the nearer future into the jungles of Brazil where such skills would be crucial and quite necessary.
Of course, it could as well come in handy to have such skills should anything happen in the future that would require people to survive on their own for whatever reason, but I hope that will not be what it will come in handy for =)
I'm pretty much raised up in the woods of Norway and camping and spending long time out in the forest is something I'm used to, but with traditional camping equipment. I've also been traveling around in Mexico, some years ago, and most recently I spent a lot of time in the jungles of Brazil. Right now I am in Argentina and I am thinking about some place here, first I will probably do a preparation time close to my home, as I live down by the countryside in a small town with lotsa woods around.
And the reason why I want to do this is twofold: One is for spiritual reasons as I feel being out in the nature alone for myself for some time living with the nature and what it can provide can get me in deeper touch with both myself and the nature, the other part is that I am planning an expedition sometime in the nearer future into the jungles of Brazil where such skills would be crucial and quite necessary.
Of course, it could as well come in handy to have such skills should anything happen in the future that would require people to survive on their own for whatever reason, but I hope that will not be what it will come in handy for =)
I was a volunteer Search & Rescue member in Washington State in the early 1970s. Later, I taught basic wilderness and desert survival as a volunteer.
If you're going into the wild, let more than one person know where you'll be and how long you'll be there. This could save your life.
It's a good idea to have a cellphone or two-way radio, to check in. Arrange to check in at a certain time, say 9 at night or whatever.
Neither may work in your area, depending on their range and distance to a listener.
If you can't check in with electronics, arranging to have a fire at a certain place every few days will signal to others that you're okay. If, some night, they don't see the fire as arranged, they'll know you may be hurt and send a rescue party.
There is a common philosophy out there of, "So what? If I die in the wild, I'll die like a natural man."
There is a major flaw in this thinking, though: Others will risk their lives to save you. Placing yourself into a dangerous situation, and then relying on others to risk their lives to save you, is wrong.
Wrong.
I wish more mountain climbers, skiers, hunters and other outdoorsmen thought of this.
As for research, the Boy Scouts puts out a field book that is excellent. It will show you knots, navigation, fires, hygiene, etc. There are also some good survival manuals that will be helpful. The one produced by the U.S. Air Force is particularly good, as the U.S. Air Force has some of the finest survival schools and survival instructors in the world. It has a long tradition of teaching survival to pilots, who never know what kind of environment they may crash-land in, so they learn how to survive in all: jungle, desert, seashore, tundra, forest, etc.
Items you will find particularly useful are:
Compass, made by a good company such as Brunton, Silva, etc. Carry two, with one in your pocket at all times.
Small hatchet, for making shelters.
Parachute cord
16 meters (50 feet) of rope, 3/8 inch or about 10mm diameter, at the minimum.
Matches, strike-anywhere, with the heads dipped in hot wax to waterproof them.
Magnesium bar for starting fires with sparks --- but learn to use it before you go into the wild. It's not as easy as it appears.
Fishhooks of various sizes, and plenty of them. Making a decent fishhook by hand is not particularly easy
Copper or brass wire, for snaring animals for food.
A .22 rimfire rifle, if the country allows it, is good. Don't get one with a removable magazine (clip). If you lose the magazine you're reduced to a single-shot. Also, some models may not fire without the magazine (this is seen as a safety feature, but I don't like it).
Three boxes of .22 ammunition, for a total of 150 rounds. You won't need this many cartridges for game, but the rifle may also be used for signaling if you're hurt.
A small, aluminum pot to boil water for purification, or to make soup. Boiling what you catch is the most nutritious as nothing is lost. After you've eaten the game, drink the broth for even more nutrition.
Knives --- Swiss Army knife that includes a magnifying glass. Folding 4-inch knife with a locking blade (Buck is a very good brand). Perhaps a larger sheath knife for chores that require a little leverage or hacking. Don't buy those cheap knives advertised as survival knives, buy quality.
Machete --- Buy a good quality one with a solid, riveted sheath.
Sharpening stone for the knives and machete.
Aerial flares for emergencies.
A square of tarp, made of light canvas to be tear-resistant.
PLENTY of insect repellent. The higher the DEET, the better.
These are all I can think of right now. Hope it helps.
If you're going into the wild, let more than one person know where you'll be and how long you'll be there. This could save your life.
It's a good idea to have a cellphone or two-way radio, to check in. Arrange to check in at a certain time, say 9 at night or whatever.
Neither may work in your area, depending on their range and distance to a listener.
If you can't check in with electronics, arranging to have a fire at a certain place every few days will signal to others that you're okay. If, some night, they don't see the fire as arranged, they'll know you may be hurt and send a rescue party.
There is a common philosophy out there of, "So what? If I die in the wild, I'll die like a natural man."
There is a major flaw in this thinking, though: Others will risk their lives to save you. Placing yourself into a dangerous situation, and then relying on others to risk their lives to save you, is wrong.
Wrong.
I wish more mountain climbers, skiers, hunters and other outdoorsmen thought of this.
As for research, the Boy Scouts puts out a field book that is excellent. It will show you knots, navigation, fires, hygiene, etc. There are also some good survival manuals that will be helpful. The one produced by the U.S. Air Force is particularly good, as the U.S. Air Force has some of the finest survival schools and survival instructors in the world. It has a long tradition of teaching survival to pilots, who never know what kind of environment they may crash-land in, so they learn how to survive in all: jungle, desert, seashore, tundra, forest, etc.
Items you will find particularly useful are:
Compass, made by a good company such as Brunton, Silva, etc. Carry two, with one in your pocket at all times.
Small hatchet, for making shelters.
Parachute cord
16 meters (50 feet) of rope, 3/8 inch or about 10mm diameter, at the minimum.
Matches, strike-anywhere, with the heads dipped in hot wax to waterproof them.
Magnesium bar for starting fires with sparks --- but learn to use it before you go into the wild. It's not as easy as it appears.
Fishhooks of various sizes, and plenty of them. Making a decent fishhook by hand is not particularly easy
Copper or brass wire, for snaring animals for food.
A .22 rimfire rifle, if the country allows it, is good. Don't get one with a removable magazine (clip). If you lose the magazine you're reduced to a single-shot. Also, some models may not fire without the magazine (this is seen as a safety feature, but I don't like it).
Three boxes of .22 ammunition, for a total of 150 rounds. You won't need this many cartridges for game, but the rifle may also be used for signaling if you're hurt.
A small, aluminum pot to boil water for purification, or to make soup. Boiling what you catch is the most nutritious as nothing is lost. After you've eaten the game, drink the broth for even more nutrition.
Knives --- Swiss Army knife that includes a magnifying glass. Folding 4-inch knife with a locking blade (Buck is a very good brand). Perhaps a larger sheath knife for chores that require a little leverage or hacking. Don't buy those cheap knives advertised as survival knives, buy quality.
Machete --- Buy a good quality one with a solid, riveted sheath.
Sharpening stone for the knives and machete.
Aerial flares for emergencies.
A square of tarp, made of light canvas to be tear-resistant.
PLENTY of insect repellent. The higher the DEET, the better.
These are all I can think of right now. Hope it helps.
QUOTE (darkbreed @ Apr 28 2008, 07:34 AM) 
Yeah sorry for not giving some more background information.
I'm pretty much raised up in the woods of Norway and camping and spending long time out in the forest is something I'm used to, but with traditional camping equipment. I've also been traveling around in Mexico, some years ago, and most recently I spent a lot of time in the jungles of Brazil. Right now I am in Argentina and I am thinking about some place here, first I will probably do a preparation time close to my home, as I live down by the countryside in a small town with lotsa woods around.
And the reason why I want to do this is twofold: One is for spiritual reasons as I feel being out in the nature alone for myself for some time living with the nature and what it can provide can get me in deeper touch with both myself and the nature, the other part is that I am planning an expedition sometime in the nearer future into the jungles of Brazil where such skills would be crucial and quite necessary.
Of course, it could as well come in handy to have such skills should anything happen in the future that would require people to survive on their own for whatever reason, but I hope that will not be what it will come in handy for =)
I'm pretty much raised up in the woods of Norway and camping and spending long time out in the forest is something I'm used to, but with traditional camping equipment. I've also been traveling around in Mexico, some years ago, and most recently I spent a lot of time in the jungles of Brazil. Right now I am in Argentina and I am thinking about some place here, first I will probably do a preparation time close to my home, as I live down by the countryside in a small town with lotsa woods around.
And the reason why I want to do this is twofold: One is for spiritual reasons as I feel being out in the nature alone for myself for some time living with the nature and what it can provide can get me in deeper touch with both myself and the nature, the other part is that I am planning an expedition sometime in the nearer future into the jungles of Brazil where such skills would be crucial and quite necessary.
Of course, it could as well come in handy to have such skills should anything happen in the future that would require people to survive on their own for whatever reason, but I hope that will not be what it will come in handy for =)
there's a lot of usefull survival basics, outdoor n expedition tips in national geographic website
QUOTE (darkbreed @ Apr 28 2008, 05:54 AM)
Hello all!
I'm planning to do an experiment of sorts, where the goal is to live out in the nature completely alone for around one month, only surviving by what I can find in nature itself, without any outside help or contact.
So I'm interested in getting to know people whom have experience with wildlife survival, the nature, hunting and anything else related to such a thing.
Things I'd like to learn more about is of course the basics of survival in such conditions. How to get food, water, making useful traps and weapons for hunting, edible plants, building shelters and so on.
Any personal experiences from anyone on this would be interesting to hear, and so would any websites or other resources on these kind of things. How to prepare for such a thing, minimum stuff to bring with me (I plan to bring a tent at least, knife, fishing rod, some medication, and small amount of emergency food just in case, as well as a lighter and such to make a fire though I'd prefer to learn to make that on my own).
So basically here you have it, this is the things I'm curious about, and anyone whom can help and give useful suggestions, advice and so forth is greatly appreciated!
Cheers
-EA
I'm planning to do an experiment of sorts, where the goal is to live out in the nature completely alone for around one month, only surviving by what I can find in nature itself, without any outside help or contact.
So I'm interested in getting to know people whom have experience with wildlife survival, the nature, hunting and anything else related to such a thing.
Things I'd like to learn more about is of course the basics of survival in such conditions. How to get food, water, making useful traps and weapons for hunting, edible plants, building shelters and so on.
Any personal experiences from anyone on this would be interesting to hear, and so would any websites or other resources on these kind of things. How to prepare for such a thing, minimum stuff to bring with me (I plan to bring a tent at least, knife, fishing rod, some medication, and small amount of emergency food just in case, as well as a lighter and such to make a fire though I'd prefer to learn to make that on my own).
So basically here you have it, this is the things I'm curious about, and anyone whom can help and give useful suggestions, advice and so forth is greatly appreciated!
Cheers
-EA
If you are doing it by yourself it kind of defies the natural idea as humans are social animals and we are not adapted physically or mentally to live on our own. One month of solitude can do you brain some nasty damage.
GatoFeo makes a fine list. He mentioned a cell phone or radio. Of course you'll need a fold-away solar battery charger. It's lightweight, and necessary for the phone. I'd also suggest a supply of freeze-dried food and a water-purifier. I've owned a Swiss Katadyn ceramic purifier since the late Seventies. But then your Norwegian roots will serve you well. Me, I'd carry some goodies to ensure my belly.
I wish you fine journeys.
I wish you fine journeys.
Wow thanks for all the great tips, input and information here!
Special thanks to GatoFeo (Nice nick btw
, very useful stuff you mention there.
MattShark: I'm the kind of guy who enjoy being out in the nature, specially alone with no distractions, at peace with myself and the wild. Actually I find it quite helpful for my mind, to take some time off now and then from the ordinary daily life and get a break. Besides, I'm used to being alone, traveling a lot through my work and research, lived in many different countries and situations on my own, and it is a thing I really want to do. I mean, I can always go back if it gets too tough
But thanks for the concern, and yeah I know it's not something for everyone, but I do know myself pretty well. And I do like challenges, after all I am an adventurer and explorer and quite enjoy this sort of life-style that has lead me into many interesting and strange experiences through the years.
Thanks and cheers all!
-EA
Special thanks to GatoFeo (Nice nick btw
, very useful stuff you mention there.MattShark: I'm the kind of guy who enjoy being out in the nature, specially alone with no distractions, at peace with myself and the wild. Actually I find it quite helpful for my mind, to take some time off now and then from the ordinary daily life and get a break. Besides, I'm used to being alone, traveling a lot through my work and research, lived in many different countries and situations on my own, and it is a thing I really want to do. I mean, I can always go back if it gets too tough
But thanks for the concern, and yeah I know it's not something for everyone, but I do know myself pretty well. And I do like challenges, after all I am an adventurer and explorer and quite enjoy this sort of life-style that has lead me into many interesting and strange experiences through the years.
Thanks and cheers all!
-EA
Have you ever watched the t.v. show ~ Survivor Man? You would find it interesting.
I have done this in the mountains, steppes, forests, and even a desert for 2 weeks. Your in for a wild ride indeed. It's not easy at first. It all depends on where you will be. If your gonna be in bear and mountain panther country it would be best to follow 2 simple rules.
1. Live, sleep, and do almost everything up in the trees.
2. Have a set of clothes that you wear when you eat. DO NOT wear these clothes at any other time.
Here is some simple survival tricks:
-Have your camp very close to a stream, brook, or river for many obvious reasons. Batheing to avoiding a swarm of bees that you accidentally anger. Also this is good incase your fire gets out of control. As I said it has obvious reasons to live right next to a stream, river, brook.
-BEFORE you head out make sure you are NOT allergic to wild raspberries, day lillies, dandilions, and violets. In the east these grow everywhere and are good to eat. Especially day lillies with the morning dew on them. Oooohhh so good! This is what I survived on most of the time. Day lillies grow in the late spring, and wild raspberries grow in the mid summer.
-Also make sure your NOT allergic to a plant called bonesette. This plant is GREAT for cold, fever, flu, bronchitus, pneumonia, and many other diseases.
-Another 2 plants you need to know about is Jewel Weed (cures poison ivy and grows right next to it) and plantain (cures skin infections from cuts)
-Live far away from a pond, lake, and any other still water body. Mosquitoes live and breed near still water.
-Know ALL creatures in your target area. If your in the South or West you can have black widows, rattle snakes, brown recluses, gators(south), and scorpions. Too far North you have copper heads, cotton mouths, and diamond backs. If your at an ocean go near the water durring the hours of 11am to 4pm AND AT NO OTHER TIME. Reason? SHARKS! Also, DO NOT go in the water if it is cloudy or murkey! Again... Sharks! If your at the ocean jelly fish can be a deadly or painfull problem.
-Stone tools and weapons are surprisingly easy to make. The first things you will need is a spear head, knife, and axe. Acually the axe should be your first to make. To shape stone all you need is another stone. Go to your stream or river. Get a good rounded tumbled stone (granite is great) and strike it against the edges of another stone. This will chip off pieces and eventually shape your axe, knife, spearhead to what ever is needed. Then take your shaped stone tool and sharpen it agains another stone, just like useing a whetstone. EASY!
-your next thing is also very easy. Houseing! You say your takeing a tent. Well what if it fails? What do you do? Make a witu! To do this chop down 10-16 saplings with the axe you just made and dig 10-16 holes (deeper the better) 6 inches down. Put each sapling into the holes and arch them over eachother makeing a dome. Dome should be 8-12 feet in diameter. Be sure to leave yourself an entrace. The branches you will need to strip off before hand. With the branches make the ribs of your witu weaving them over and under each sapling pole. BAM! You now have a house. Throw your tent over the dome and what ever else you can for coverage. Do your self a favor and make 2 witus. But the second one dig a pit in the center. Nope! This is not for a fire! This is for super heated stones cooked in a fire for 7 hours. This structure is called a sweat lodge. If you are going to hunt this is ESSENTIAL! Throw your superheated rocks in the pit of your covered sweat lodge and spray water on the superheated rocks. This is a primitive sauna. You will sweat out your scent. While your at it put some flat leaf cedar on the rocks. This scent will replace your own. Next you go out hunting. DO NOT over do it in the sweat lodge. As soon as you start to get light headed GET OUT! You don't need to cook yourself to death! Drink lots of water before and while your in the sweat lodge. As for the rocks themselves DO NOT get them from the river, creek, or brook. Water can get inside the rocks and the rocks can explode when you are superheating them. Not good!
-Listen to the crows. These gorgious creature are you alarm system for predators.
-If the the wilds grow silent BE SOMEWHERE ELSE and FAST! This means a predator/top predator is about.
-If you find hunting is not for you (it's not for me either) it is actuall good to live near mountain panthers. Let them do the hunting for you! LET THEM EAT THEIR FILL and leave on their own. Half the time they will take their kills home with them. DO NOT FOLLOW! DO NOT TRY TO TAKE THE BODY FROM THEM! Just let it go and eat your dandilions. But if your lucky and they get a deer or bear and leave it when they are done, you've got yourself some fresh meat! BOOYA! There is nothing wrong with being a scavenger. Eat the meat from the legs, ribs, and neck. Grab the meat and go FAST!!! You will not be the only scavenger out in the wilds! There is a lot bigger and badder than you out there!
In all of the abouve I have personal experience. This was not done on purpose. I had to learn all of this out of haveing to survive with nothing for a while. One of the best things you can do for yourself is get a book or 2 on consumable and medicinal plants and herbs WITH COLOR PICTURES and descriptions. This WILL be your life. You will owe your life to these books trust me! If you need anymore info message me.
You will never be the same after you do this. This is a great experience that will remain with you for your whole life. Your religion may even change permanently. You will have a confidence that is unwavering in your ability to survive. Should the world go to s**t you know that you will be one of the very few who can actually thrive through the downfall while others die or commit suicide.
Now for something no one will tell you, trust me or not, but at least heed me:
It all depends on how long your out there. You WILL change whether you notice or not. Everything about you will change: mentally, spiritually, physically, emotionally. Your senses will break wide open to a degree you have never known. Your insticts will awaken to an extreme. If your out long enough you will become able to track animals by scent alone. The time frame is different for everyone. Depending on your activity cycle your vision can change. Your hearing will definitly change. Your activity cycle itself will change. This is your NATURAL activity cycle that has remained in slumber through being in modern human civilization. Your body will adapt to a certain time frame of being awake and sleeping. Let this happen, you will thank me later.
Most humans need to be around other humans. If you deprive yourself of this this you can have side effects. If you are out for too long you may change more. This change is in your mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. You will process the world around you very differently. Should this go on for too long you run the risk of becomeing one of nature's children in an extreme sense. This does happen to those who are isolated from humans for too long and remain in the wilds. It is rare but it does happen. Ever hear of feral children? Adults can undergo a similar change but not to the extent that children undergo. Rare but it does happen and to a much lesser degree than children. Once on this path you never come back 100%. Something very small in you is still a beast for the rest of your life. I suggest takeing a peek at feralchildren.com. Indeed this is a strange conscept but it is documented fact. I study a lot of weird stuff.
1. Live, sleep, and do almost everything up in the trees.
2. Have a set of clothes that you wear when you eat. DO NOT wear these clothes at any other time.
Here is some simple survival tricks:
-Have your camp very close to a stream, brook, or river for many obvious reasons. Batheing to avoiding a swarm of bees that you accidentally anger. Also this is good incase your fire gets out of control. As I said it has obvious reasons to live right next to a stream, river, brook.
-BEFORE you head out make sure you are NOT allergic to wild raspberries, day lillies, dandilions, and violets. In the east these grow everywhere and are good to eat. Especially day lillies with the morning dew on them. Oooohhh so good! This is what I survived on most of the time. Day lillies grow in the late spring, and wild raspberries grow in the mid summer.
-Also make sure your NOT allergic to a plant called bonesette. This plant is GREAT for cold, fever, flu, bronchitus, pneumonia, and many other diseases.
-Another 2 plants you need to know about is Jewel Weed (cures poison ivy and grows right next to it) and plantain (cures skin infections from cuts)
-Live far away from a pond, lake, and any other still water body. Mosquitoes live and breed near still water.
-Know ALL creatures in your target area. If your in the South or West you can have black widows, rattle snakes, brown recluses, gators(south), and scorpions. Too far North you have copper heads, cotton mouths, and diamond backs. If your at an ocean go near the water durring the hours of 11am to 4pm AND AT NO OTHER TIME. Reason? SHARKS! Also, DO NOT go in the water if it is cloudy or murkey! Again... Sharks! If your at the ocean jelly fish can be a deadly or painfull problem.
-Stone tools and weapons are surprisingly easy to make. The first things you will need is a spear head, knife, and axe. Acually the axe should be your first to make. To shape stone all you need is another stone. Go to your stream or river. Get a good rounded tumbled stone (granite is great) and strike it against the edges of another stone. This will chip off pieces and eventually shape your axe, knife, spearhead to what ever is needed. Then take your shaped stone tool and sharpen it agains another stone, just like useing a whetstone. EASY!
-your next thing is also very easy. Houseing! You say your takeing a tent. Well what if it fails? What do you do? Make a witu! To do this chop down 10-16 saplings with the axe you just made and dig 10-16 holes (deeper the better) 6 inches down. Put each sapling into the holes and arch them over eachother makeing a dome. Dome should be 8-12 feet in diameter. Be sure to leave yourself an entrace. The branches you will need to strip off before hand. With the branches make the ribs of your witu weaving them over and under each sapling pole. BAM! You now have a house. Throw your tent over the dome and what ever else you can for coverage. Do your self a favor and make 2 witus. But the second one dig a pit in the center. Nope! This is not for a fire! This is for super heated stones cooked in a fire for 7 hours. This structure is called a sweat lodge. If you are going to hunt this is ESSENTIAL! Throw your superheated rocks in the pit of your covered sweat lodge and spray water on the superheated rocks. This is a primitive sauna. You will sweat out your scent. While your at it put some flat leaf cedar on the rocks. This scent will replace your own. Next you go out hunting. DO NOT over do it in the sweat lodge. As soon as you start to get light headed GET OUT! You don't need to cook yourself to death! Drink lots of water before and while your in the sweat lodge. As for the rocks themselves DO NOT get them from the river, creek, or brook. Water can get inside the rocks and the rocks can explode when you are superheating them. Not good!
-Listen to the crows. These gorgious creature are you alarm system for predators.
-If the the wilds grow silent BE SOMEWHERE ELSE and FAST! This means a predator/top predator is about.
-If you find hunting is not for you (it's not for me either) it is actuall good to live near mountain panthers. Let them do the hunting for you! LET THEM EAT THEIR FILL and leave on their own. Half the time they will take their kills home with them. DO NOT FOLLOW! DO NOT TRY TO TAKE THE BODY FROM THEM! Just let it go and eat your dandilions. But if your lucky and they get a deer or bear and leave it when they are done, you've got yourself some fresh meat! BOOYA! There is nothing wrong with being a scavenger. Eat the meat from the legs, ribs, and neck. Grab the meat and go FAST!!! You will not be the only scavenger out in the wilds! There is a lot bigger and badder than you out there!
In all of the abouve I have personal experience. This was not done on purpose. I had to learn all of this out of haveing to survive with nothing for a while. One of the best things you can do for yourself is get a book or 2 on consumable and medicinal plants and herbs WITH COLOR PICTURES and descriptions. This WILL be your life. You will owe your life to these books trust me! If you need anymore info message me.
You will never be the same after you do this. This is a great experience that will remain with you for your whole life. Your religion may even change permanently. You will have a confidence that is unwavering in your ability to survive. Should the world go to s**t you know that you will be one of the very few who can actually thrive through the downfall while others die or commit suicide.
Now for something no one will tell you, trust me or not, but at least heed me:
It all depends on how long your out there. You WILL change whether you notice or not. Everything about you will change: mentally, spiritually, physically, emotionally. Your senses will break wide open to a degree you have never known. Your insticts will awaken to an extreme. If your out long enough you will become able to track animals by scent alone. The time frame is different for everyone. Depending on your activity cycle your vision can change. Your hearing will definitly change. Your activity cycle itself will change. This is your NATURAL activity cycle that has remained in slumber through being in modern human civilization. Your body will adapt to a certain time frame of being awake and sleeping. Let this happen, you will thank me later.
Most humans need to be around other humans. If you deprive yourself of this this you can have side effects. If you are out for too long you may change more. This change is in your mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. You will process the world around you very differently. Should this go on for too long you run the risk of becomeing one of nature's children in an extreme sense. This does happen to those who are isolated from humans for too long and remain in the wilds. It is rare but it does happen. Ever hear of feral children? Adults can undergo a similar change but not to the extent that children undergo. Rare but it does happen and to a much lesser degree than children. Once on this path you never come back 100%. Something very small in you is still a beast for the rest of your life. I suggest takeing a peek at feralchildren.com. Indeed this is a strange conscept but it is documented fact. I study a lot of weird stuff.
Dude you'll die lol.
Nah, on a serious note though, I wouldn't go too far away from civilization anything might happen o_O
Nah, on a serious note though, I wouldn't go too far away from civilization anything might happen o_O
I do this ever summer (at least since 2003) Personally I only know the habitat where I live and in two other places, but I can say this.
1. Books ... make sure you have information on edible plants and roots and a book on the wildlife of the area.
2. A book on the geography of the area/maps/tropographical would be nice.
3. Even though I used to not, I now carry a GPS/compass and other devices when I go
4. Even though you may want to get away ... cellphones turned off can always be a lifesaver.
5. DO NOT EAT ANY MUSHROOMS ... unless you have info man.
6. If needed snakebite kits(regional) and bee sting kits to go in your first aid kit.
7. TP man ... leaves just dont work properly.
1. Books ... make sure you have information on edible plants and roots and a book on the wildlife of the area.
2. A book on the geography of the area/maps/tropographical would be nice.
3. Even though I used to not, I now carry a GPS/compass and other devices when I go
4. Even though you may want to get away ... cellphones turned off can always be a lifesaver.
5. DO NOT EAT ANY MUSHROOMS ... unless you have info man.
6. If needed snakebite kits(regional) and bee sting kits to go in your first aid kit.
7. TP man ... leaves just dont work properly.
QUOTE (bogcreeper @ May 23 2008, 02:03 PM)
7. TP man ... leaves just dont work properly.
How about if I just rub my butt against tree/grass?
QUOTE (chrisfreak @ May 23 2008, 08:49 AM)
How about if I just rub my butt against tree/grass?
spinters and grassneedles man ... grass just slops it around and with the wrong grass, well do you want thousands of microneedles in your not so grand canyon?
Better just to wash it off
Utah, one hell of a posting! I must study the antidote plant to poison ivy, since I'm susceptible when I'm even downwind. The dominant undergrowth along waterways in my state is frigging poison ivy. I've long said that if there were military battles here, there would be massive casualties from the frigging ivy!
QUOTE (Incorrigible1 @ May 23 2008, 10:01 AM)
Utah, one hell of a posting! I must study the antidote plant to poison ivy, since I'm susceptible when I'm even downwind. The dominant undergrowth along waterways in my state is frigging poison ivy. I've long said that if there were military battles here, there would be massive casualties from the frigging ivy!
Their is a product on the market now called Urisol. This gets the oil from poison Ivy and Oak to harden enough so that you can wash it off. I have been using it for two years now. Apply it when the first rash starts to appear and do it well ... the rash will all but disappear.
It's my hero!!!!
since you plan to go out whee you are, i would reccomend getting real books on the various plants and animals localy as they will have more info that will apply to your circumstances. also, get survival books available with color pictures, and practice makeing the various traps, knots, etc before you go out.
take water purification tablets, wooden strike anywhere matches dipped in parrafin, a small magnifying glass, take a first aid kit, include large and small bandages, antibiotic cream, elastic bandages(for sprains), thin heavy duty cord/rope.(heavy fishing string is great. you can use it to make snares, tie limbs together to make a shelter, fishing of course, and perhaps other uses as well.)
learn to make shelters of different types. a tent is ok for a few days, but if you are going to be out about a month, then you will want to make a sturdy shelter that can hold up to rain and wind.
also in addition to the first aid kit, you will want to have a repair kit,( needles, thread, extra buttons, safety pins, patches for your tent, patches for your clothes) . if possible a small self powered flashlight(the kind that you have to charge either by shaking or pumping to create the power, instead of bateries).
as was mentioned a rifle would be good if possible, but at the least take a hand gun that you are familiar with and can handle well.
but the most important thing i can stress is the need to get actual real books, and not to rely on the net. and practice with teh various means of fire starting, shelter building, etc. so you don't have to try to figure it out once you are out there.
good luck.
take water purification tablets, wooden strike anywhere matches dipped in parrafin, a small magnifying glass, take a first aid kit, include large and small bandages, antibiotic cream, elastic bandages(for sprains), thin heavy duty cord/rope.(heavy fishing string is great. you can use it to make snares, tie limbs together to make a shelter, fishing of course, and perhaps other uses as well.)
learn to make shelters of different types. a tent is ok for a few days, but if you are going to be out about a month, then you will want to make a sturdy shelter that can hold up to rain and wind.
also in addition to the first aid kit, you will want to have a repair kit,( needles, thread, extra buttons, safety pins, patches for your tent, patches for your clothes) . if possible a small self powered flashlight(the kind that you have to charge either by shaking or pumping to create the power, instead of bateries).
as was mentioned a rifle would be good if possible, but at the least take a hand gun that you are familiar with and can handle well.
but the most important thing i can stress is the need to get actual real books, and not to rely on the net. and practice with teh various means of fire starting, shelter building, etc. so you don't have to try to figure it out once you are out there.
good luck.
I have been considering doing something like this as well, although i haven't made up my mind yet. 
But good info everybody, very useful. And good luck darkbreed and remember not to panic out there, keep your wits about you at ALL times
But good info everybody, very useful. And good luck darkbreed and remember not to panic out there, keep your wits about you at ALL times
QUOTE (darkbreed @ Apr 30 2008, 03:35 AM)
Wow thanks for all the great tips, input and information here!
Special thanks to GatoFeo (Nice nick btw, very useful stuff you mention there.
MattShark: I'm the kind of guy who enjoy being out in the nature, specially alone with no distractions, at peace with myself and the wild. Actually I find it quite helpful for my mind, to take some time off now and then from the ordinary daily life and get a break. Besides, I'm used to being alone, traveling a lot through my work and research, lived in many different countries and situations on my own, and it is a thing I really want to do. I mean, I can always go back if it gets too tough
But thanks for the concern, and yeah I know it's not something for everyone, but I do know myself pretty well. And I do like challenges, after all I am an adventurer and explorer and quite enjoy this sort of life-style that has lead me into many interesting and strange experiences through the years.
Thanks and cheers all!
-EA
Special thanks to GatoFeo (Nice nick btw
, very useful stuff you mention there.MattShark: I'm the kind of guy who enjoy being out in the nature, specially alone with no distractions, at peace with myself and the wild. Actually I find it quite helpful for my mind, to take some time off now and then from the ordinary daily life and get a break. Besides, I'm used to being alone, traveling a lot through my work and research, lived in many different countries and situations on my own, and it is a thing I really want to do. I mean, I can always go back if it gets too tough
But thanks for the concern, and yeah I know it's not something for everyone, but I do know myself pretty well. And I do like challenges, after all I am an adventurer and explorer and quite enjoy this sort of life-style that has lead me into many interesting and strange experiences through the years.
Thanks and cheers all!
-EA
Darkbreed.... wish I was going with you
In UK there is a book called "Food for Free", it describes EVERY edible species of plant that is available, also fungi etc. I think it was published in 1975 and I had a lot of fun with it. Not sure how relevant it would be to Argentina, but Fungi species seem to be ubiquitous, and it contains excellent diagnostic descriptions to make sure that you only eat what is edible. Whilst everybody else was out picking field mushrooms, I was out picking "Shaggy Ink Caps".... wonderful flavour.
One of the better books that I have found for learning survival skills is the "S.A.S. Survival Handbook",by John "Lofty" Wiseman.
Truthfully,you may want to start off with a smaller amount of time...say a week.Plan out where you will be and what you will take with you.You may find that within that week,you will need to rethink what you will need to bring with you for a longer excursion.Too,make sure that you know what types of flora and fauna you will find in the area that you're planning to go to.Also study up on the behaviors of the animals and insects of that area,for this can give you a clue as to what to look for in order to save yourself from some deadly and dangerous situations.Knowing how to read tracks is also a plus.
Another good thing is to make sure that most (if not all) of the gear you take is multi-use.This will cut down on the weight that you take with you,while allowing you to be prepared for more situations.There is a whole lot of lightweight yet multi-purpose gear out there.
And as someone else stated...always let others know where you will be and for how long,and do what you can to set up some way of keeping in contact with others.Doing this can save your life.
Buy a Ka-Bar with a partly serated blade. Dont screw around with a swiss army knife. If your gonna get a smaller knife as well, get one that doesnt fold and use it for gutting fish.
Watch Bear Grylls or Ray Mears, you can probobly find some of thier vidoes on the internet. They are both survival experts so yeah... should find find something!
QUOTE (Gatofeo @ Apr 29 2008, 05:59 AM)
I was a volunteer Search & Rescue member in Washington State in the early 1970s. Later, I taught basic wilderness and desert survival as a volunteer.
If you're going into the wild, let more than one person know where you'll be and how long you'll be there. This could save your life.
It's a good idea to have a cellphone or two-way radio, to check in. Arrange to check in at a certain time, say 9 at night or whatever.
Neither may work in your area, depending on their range and distance to a listener.
If you can't check in with electronics, arranging to have a fire at a certain place every few days will signal to others that you're okay. If, some night, they don't see the fire as arranged, they'll know you may be hurt and send a rescue party.
There is a common philosophy out there of, "So what? If I die in the wild, I'll die like a natural man."
There is a major flaw in this thinking, though: Others will risk their lives to save you. Placing yourself into a dangerous situation, and then relying on others to risk their lives to save you, is wrong.
Wrong.
I wish more mountain climbers, skiers, hunters and other outdoorsmen thought of this.
As for research, the Boy Scouts puts out a field book that is excellent. It will show you knots, navigation, fires, hygiene, etc. There are also some good survival manuals that will be helpful. The one produced by the U.S. Air Force is particularly good, as the U.S. Air Force has some of the finest survival schools and survival instructors in the world. It has a long tradition of teaching survival to pilots, who never know what kind of environment they may crash-land in, so they learn how to survive in all: jungle, desert, seashore, tundra, forest, etc.
Items you will find particularly useful are:
Compass, made by a good company such as Brunton, Silva, etc. Carry two, with one in your pocket at all times.
Small hatchet, for making shelters.
Parachute cord
16 meters (50 feet) of rope, 3/8 inch or about 10mm diameter, at the minimum.
Matches, strike-anywhere, with the heads dipped in hot wax to waterproof them.
Magnesium bar for starting fires with sparks --- but learn to use it before you go into the wild. It's not as easy as it appears.
Fishhooks of various sizes, and plenty of them. Making a decent fishhook by hand is not particularly easy
Copper or brass wire, for snaring animals for food.
A .22 rimfire rifle, if the country allows it, is good. Don't get one with a removable magazine (clip). If you lose the magazine you're reduced to a single-shot. Also, some models may not fire without the magazine (this is seen as a safety feature, but I don't like it).
Three boxes of .22 ammunition, for a total of 150 rounds. You won't need this many cartridges for game, but the rifle may also be used for signaling if you're hurt.
A small, aluminum pot to boil water for purification, or to make soup. Boiling what you catch is the most nutritious as nothing is lost. After you've eaten the game, drink the broth for even more nutrition.
Knives --- Swiss Army knife that includes a magnifying glass. Folding 4-inch knife with a locking blade (Buck is a very good brand). Perhaps a larger sheath knife for chores that require a little leverage or hacking. Don't buy those cheap knives advertised as survival knives, buy quality.
Machete --- Buy a good quality one with a solid, riveted sheath.
Sharpening stone for the knives and machete.
Aerial flares for emergencies.
A square of tarp, made of light canvas to be tear-resistant.
PLENTY of insect repellent. The higher the DEET, the better.
These are all I can think of right now. Hope it helps.
If you're going into the wild, let more than one person know where you'll be and how long you'll be there. This could save your life.
It's a good idea to have a cellphone or two-way radio, to check in. Arrange to check in at a certain time, say 9 at night or whatever.
Neither may work in your area, depending on their range and distance to a listener.
If you can't check in with electronics, arranging to have a fire at a certain place every few days will signal to others that you're okay. If, some night, they don't see the fire as arranged, they'll know you may be hurt and send a rescue party.
There is a common philosophy out there of, "So what? If I die in the wild, I'll die like a natural man."
There is a major flaw in this thinking, though: Others will risk their lives to save you. Placing yourself into a dangerous situation, and then relying on others to risk their lives to save you, is wrong.
Wrong.
I wish more mountain climbers, skiers, hunters and other outdoorsmen thought of this.
As for research, the Boy Scouts puts out a field book that is excellent. It will show you knots, navigation, fires, hygiene, etc. There are also some good survival manuals that will be helpful. The one produced by the U.S. Air Force is particularly good, as the U.S. Air Force has some of the finest survival schools and survival instructors in the world. It has a long tradition of teaching survival to pilots, who never know what kind of environment they may crash-land in, so they learn how to survive in all: jungle, desert, seashore, tundra, forest, etc.
Items you will find particularly useful are:
Compass, made by a good company such as Brunton, Silva, etc. Carry two, with one in your pocket at all times.
Small hatchet, for making shelters.
Parachute cord
16 meters (50 feet) of rope, 3/8 inch or about 10mm diameter, at the minimum.
Matches, strike-anywhere, with the heads dipped in hot wax to waterproof them.
Magnesium bar for starting fires with sparks --- but learn to use it before you go into the wild. It's not as easy as it appears.
Fishhooks of various sizes, and plenty of them. Making a decent fishhook by hand is not particularly easy
Copper or brass wire, for snaring animals for food.
A .22 rimfire rifle, if the country allows it, is good. Don't get one with a removable magazine (clip). If you lose the magazine you're reduced to a single-shot. Also, some models may not fire without the magazine (this is seen as a safety feature, but I don't like it).
Three boxes of .22 ammunition, for a total of 150 rounds. You won't need this many cartridges for game, but the rifle may also be used for signaling if you're hurt.
A small, aluminum pot to boil water for purification, or to make soup. Boiling what you catch is the most nutritious as nothing is lost. After you've eaten the game, drink the broth for even more nutrition.
Knives --- Swiss Army knife that includes a magnifying glass. Folding 4-inch knife with a locking blade (Buck is a very good brand). Perhaps a larger sheath knife for chores that require a little leverage or hacking. Don't buy those cheap knives advertised as survival knives, buy quality.
Machete --- Buy a good quality one with a solid, riveted sheath.
Sharpening stone for the knives and machete.
Aerial flares for emergencies.
A square of tarp, made of light canvas to be tear-resistant.
PLENTY of insect repellent. The higher the DEET, the better.
These are all I can think of right now. Hope it helps.
He's basically said everything I was about to...
QUOTE (Xeaphon @ Jun 6 2008, 10:56 AM)
He's basically said everything I was about to...
Yeah, I was going to write the Gettysburg Address, too, but Lincoln beat me to that.
I have over nine years of experience with the wilderness!
* Wilderness Day Camp three years in a row.
* Cub Scouts.
* Boy Scouts.
* Hiking.
* The Rangers. <---- Don't ask.
* Wilderness Day Camp three years in a row.
* Cub Scouts.
* Boy Scouts.
* Hiking.
* The Rangers. <---- Don't ask.
QUOTE (darkbreed @ Apr 28 2008, 06:54 AM)
Hello all!
I'm planning to do an experiment of sorts, where the goal is to live out in the nature completely alone for around one month, only surviving by what I can find in nature itself, without any outside help or contact.
So I'm interested in getting to know people whom have experience with wildlife survival, the nature, hunting and anything else related to such a thing.
Things I'd like to learn more about is of course the basics of survival in such conditions. How to get food, water, making useful traps and weapons for hunting, edible plants, building shelters and so on.
Any personal experiences from anyone on this would be interesting to hear, and so would any websites or other resources on these kind of things. How to prepare for such a thing, minimum stuff to bring with me (I plan to bring a tent at least, knife, fishing rod, some medication, and small amount of emergency food just in case, as well as a lighter and such to make a fire though I'd prefer to learn to make that on my own).
So basically here you have it, this is the things I'm curious about, and anyone whom can help and give useful suggestions, advice and so forth is greatly appreciated!
Cheers
-EA
I'm planning to do an experiment of sorts, where the goal is to live out in the nature completely alone for around one month, only surviving by what I can find in nature itself, without any outside help or contact.
So I'm interested in getting to know people whom have experience with wildlife survival, the nature, hunting and anything else related to such a thing.
Things I'd like to learn more about is of course the basics of survival in such conditions. How to get food, water, making useful traps and weapons for hunting, edible plants, building shelters and so on.
Any personal experiences from anyone on this would be interesting to hear, and so would any websites or other resources on these kind of things. How to prepare for such a thing, minimum stuff to bring with me (I plan to bring a tent at least, knife, fishing rod, some medication, and small amount of emergency food just in case, as well as a lighter and such to make a fire though I'd prefer to learn to make that on my own).
So basically here you have it, this is the things I'm curious about, and anyone whom can help and give useful suggestions, advice and so forth is greatly appreciated!
Cheers
-EA
PM me your email address, I have a book I wrote several years ago on survival, very similar to Lofty's but more indepth, I will email it to you for free, it may well come in good use for you.
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